Josh Hudson vs. Selena Frost

[SnowQueenSCW]

The camera opens up to the outside of the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis! Night has fallen and the street lights are aglow, including the many lights that line up the perimeter of the building. There is a tension in the air, in the traffic that drives by – a brewing excitement and expectation. As the camera establishes its shot of the, affectionally nicknamed ‘BattleDome’, the reason for this excitement flashes across the massive digital billboard by the arena. There, a graphic of ‘SCW: RISE TO GREATNESS XXI’ is on full display! The colors are bright and full, trying to convey the excitement with it’s narrow confines. And what better way to do that than, beside the name, as part of the graphic, is an image of the SCW World Champion, Selena Frost. She stands in her usual wrestling attire, holding the SCW world championship that she has held and ruled for the last six months, the only person to have held the title every month this year thus far. Her iconic braid rests over her shoulder beside her championship and she has a confident smirk belying her place as the most dominant wrestler in SCW today.

Slowly, the camera dissolves to a ground shot, the same billboard now several feet above. However, standing near this new shot, gazing up at the billboard, her back to the camera, is a woman. She is dressed in black jeans, a blood-red shirt and a leather jacket. However, one thing that gives away her identity is the platinum-blonde braid that hangs behind her and the world championship that hangs on her shoulder, the same as that of the world champion on the billboard….

With a slow turn, Selena Frost looks towards the camera, her face a knowing smile.

Beautiful, isn’t it? she asks knowingly, eyeing the billboard before it changes. I’ve seen it across all of the city. I’ve walked the streets and seen that face hanging from street-lamps, across massive billboards, on posters, on countless stations… to the point where, I don’t have to ask you the same question I always do. I already know… and while you hate it… all of you already now, don’t you? She grins again, beyond satisfied. You believe, St. Louis… oh you definitely believe…

Gracefully, Selena begins to walk down the walkway of the dome towards the main entrance. So, let me be the first to welcome you… to MY house. She gestures to the arena beside her, massive in comparison. No, St. Lousians, you didn’t hear wrong. I said ‘my house’. Because Rise to Greatness is MY house. Wherever it goes, it’s mine.

After four years owning it, being it’s big match – it’s Unbelievable Main-Event – no one else but me can claim that. I own the keys, I hold the deed, I AM The Unbelievable Main-Event!

She stops for a moment to let her words settle before another smile graces her lips. So, I say welcome! Welcome to my home, my castle, my world. To the fans, to the SCW crew and staff, and… of course… to Josh Hudson!

See, Hudson, it’s your first time in my house. You made a big case about that! After twenty-some years in SCW, you FINALLY made it here! Made it to the big house, the big party, the grand castle! And I wanted to formerly welcome you! Roll out the red-

As Selena reaches the main entrance of the dome, she stops to notice a red carpet has been rolled out from the corner where the crosswalk is all the way to the front door. Amused, she gives a smile.

Roll out the red carpet. She gestures to the colored fabric lining the ground with her free hand. Because that’s what a good host does, doesn’t she? She provides for her guests. She gives them a tour because they’re not staying. Like the 60,000 plus fans that will fill this place, you’re not staying long. You’re here for a taste of this, Josh. You’re here so you can say to your family and your few students in your little school that you were ‘good enough’ to taste the upper-echelon of this business. To sit at the table for one night with the absolute best and greatest of all time! To sample that spotlight, that prestige, that unbelievability! Come on…

With a confident stride, Selena walks along the carpet, the camera following her, and then passing her to focus on her front, as she speaks. Because that’s what I’ve been doing all this time, Hudson. I’ve been providing for SCW. That’s why SCW needed me. That’s why they begged me to come back! Did they come to your door? Did they promote you ‘by accident’? Did they offer you EVERYTHING to come back? AH! AH!

She holds up a hand, stopping herself. House rule number 1, Hudson: No lies! Only the truth shall be spoken! Letting the rule settle, Selena resumes her tour, walking through the opened door and into the massive lobby.

Yeah, sorry, Josh – maybe you don’t have any etiquette or rules in your life, but here? My house. My rules. Cause you get to walk away from all this when it’s done. Me? I’m gonna be here next year and the year after that and so on and so on. So if you think you’re going to come here and trash my house before running off… she stops herself. We’ll get to that… Look!

With her free hand, she gestures to something off camera, said camera shifting to see. Decorating the box office lobby are more posters of Rise to Greatness XXI, most of which have the main-event displayed of Selena Frost facing Josh Hudson for the SCW World Championship!

Pretty grand, isn’t it? The eyes of the world on us. On you, Josh! Cause you’re the ‘big hero’ in this story! You’re the guy that everyone is rooting for! All your past? The lying, the cheating, the ambushes, the selfish choices? Attacking Owen Cruze out of jealousy because you weren’t good enough for even Asher Hayes’ team? Losing to Glory Braddock and embarrassing the United States Championship division as it became the UK title? Holding the world title for a measly what? Twenty-four days before losing it in your first title defense? All forgotten! she grins amusingly.

Forgotten and forgiven by these people who are so desperate to see someone – ANYONE – take this… she pats the world title on her shoulder. From me!

I mean, think about all those that came before you, Asher! Xander Valentine, a man that trespassed on property, assaulted board members, endangered the very fans. Against me? They cheered for him! ‘The One’ Kristen Scott? Broke Deanna’s arm, assaulted officials, attacked innocent wrestlers backstage. Against me? They cheered for her. And Kandis… well! Selena scoffs. Against me? Even a shameless, moral-less, degenerate like her is cheered! Like I said, people will be cheering you like NEVER before, Josh! You will be loved like NEVER before! Probably for the first time in those twenty-years! And you won’t have to go by a different name or rap or be funny to do it! That’s MY gift to you. A party-favor from your host! Oh just a second!

Reaching the front desk, Selena gestures to a pillar where a thick, red velvet book sits. On it, written in gold embroidery is the word “Guestbook”. With a smile, Selena flips it open. I’m quite proud of this one, Josh. House rule 2: You have to sign the guestbook… Turning the pages, it is possible for the camera to show the signatures of various superstars!

Xander Valentine
Vixen Cain
Regan Street
Dawn Lohan
Kennedy Street

The pages get more gold-like as they move towards the main-event pages.

Ace Marshall and Lexy Chapel
Adam Allocco…

A who’s who of the past in SCW. A list, well… much like your own, Josh. Except far more recent. A reminder of the path I’ve travelled to go from visitor to owner of this place. Making this castle my own and-

Selena suddenly stops as she turns the next page, her tone dropping as she sees the current page, somewhere in the middle of the book. On the golden paper is the name “KANDIS” written across the whole damn page! Scrawled there from end to end with a big heart at the end. In the corner, in much smaller writing, is the name ‘CHBK’ with a little broken heart beside it, barely noticeable in comparison to the massive page-hogging of Kandis’ name. With world champion and guestbook in the shot, the camera is able to see Selena’s jaw clench as she, with her free hand, tears the page out of the book, angrily stuffing it into her pocket before exhaling a deep breath, immediately composing herself.

With a turn, she begins walking through the arena and up the stairs, the camera following her as before.

Like I said, Josh, I am heaping adulations and belief on you like you’ve never had before. And you don’t have to do anything for it. That’s pretty much your MO, isn’t it? Do as little work as possible? Expect reward, right? That expectation? That entitlement from the SCW-lifer? Again, we go back to you turning on Owen Cruze and dragging him and his father’s name through the mud. Why’d that happen? Cause you EXPECTED to be picked for a team when a harder-working… BETTER superstar was chosen. A guy that worked his ass off and got to where he was… while you coasted on the same lines you’ve been throwing for years. “Technical master” this and “Teach you a lesson” that and “I’m a legend” and “I’m a master” because you’re still coming and going out of here like a damn comet, coming back once every so often to try and catch the eye.

So, I gave you wanted, Josh. I gave you the praise. I gave you the attention you clearly wanted. Because I want you at your best. I want you to come in confident! I want you to come in like the world is yours to take! I mean, you’ve been showing that right? One match all season… and then you come in at the Flame, and suddenly, you were swaggering through SCW like you ran the place! Making proclamations and lies that only a damn idiot would believe! You were showboating your little fling with Bree Lancaster like it was ‘Brangelina of 2024’ – Hey! I’m just using your time frame here. You seem to love the 2000s, don’t you?

But I wanted you to have that, Josh! Cause I didn’t want to invite some snivelling coward into my house! That would be your girlfriend. She’s good enough for some anime-loving talent… not ‘brave enough’ for the world title. I wanted you to be better than that. I didn’t want you to come here and go ‘Well…maybe I’ll win… but even if I don’t, I’ll get her next time’. We all heard that crap from Polly and we both beat her to the ground. Me more than you, but that’s neither here nor there.

The point is, Josh, I have laid the path for you to get to this point with EVERYTHING in your corner. With every advantage! With every intention! With every belief that you are ‘the one’ to take the world title from me. That you are ‘the one’ to beat me at my own game…

Reaching the top floors, Selena strolls through the empty halls, seeing the empty concession stands and merchandise tables and more banners decorating the place. That’s all I have ever wanted, Josh. That’s all this has ever been about. To have someone rise up. Step up! Step up and under all the pressure and the lights, actually have the heart and passion to best me one-on-one. And I know that isn’t your style, Josh. With your mind games and your cowardly attacks of the past, I had to take you out of that comfort zone! I had to make you want it enough in order to do it.

So, you can consider what happened last Breakdown the last step of that. Now, before you get all angry and yell at me over it, Josh… you need to know, I did it for your own good.

Selena takes a moment to gaze at the camera before turning and opening a door, where there is a huge Executive Suite! One of the few VIP rooms the BattleDome provides. Stepping inside, Selena walks across the carpeted floors and around the cushioned tables and chairs towards the large window that overlooks the entire interior of the arena, including the RTG designs, graphics, and the ring below her, which is covered in dark-blue, purple and white lights and a black snowflake illuminating the center from above.

Gazing out over her kingdom, Selena takes a slow breath, adjusting her title over her shoulder. I was surprised by you, Hudson. For all your experience and all your years, I was surprised just how stupid you were. I wanted you confident. I wanted you to believe you could win… but to disrespect me? To underestimate me like that? To call me a novice? That you were going to ‘teach me a lesson’?

Do you have any idea how many people promised that and failed?

Kandis vowed to keep me under her boot “where I belong” – her words.
Kristen Scott vowed to “destroy me and take me down” – her words.
Polly vowed to teach me about a cage because I ‘knew nothing’ compared to her – her words.

All failed, Josh. Because they do as you do. They say the same as you’ve said. And then, when the measuring stick comes into play, they couldn’t do what they promised. But you wanted to ignore all of that and talk down to me like you always have. Since the very beginning and every time on X and whatever. You’ve talked down to me. Because you created a ‘safe-space’ for yourself, Hudson. A bubble of protection, be it behind your computer or behind Bree. And in my ring? I had to make it very clear just how easy it was for that bubble to burst… with one sharp shard of glass…

A smug grin comes to the world champion’s features. That’s all it took, Josh. For all your ‘knowledge’ – probably forgotten more moves than I’ll ever know – it only took one kick to take you down. A kick, despite your ‘vast experience’, you didn’t even see coming. And I wanted was for you to understand that, to realize that. For you to ‘get real’ with yourself and realize, like I’ve said before, what my ‘standard’ is.

Because everything you’ve done… she grins. I’ve done it and done it better. she mockingly teases, throwing back Hudson’s first words back at him.

Returning her gaze to the ring below her, as well as the empty seats that will soon be filled with the SCW Universe, Selena releases a long exhale. Heavy… is the head that wears the crown, Hudson. You’ve never had it long enough to understand that, but all of this? I run it. The company runs off of me. I didn’t want it anymore. I didn’t need it. But I had to take it. I had to pick it up after SCW failed its SCW Universe. After they dropped the crown – or rather, Kandis and Asher Hayes dropped it. I had to pick it up and wear it. I had to raise the bar and the standard back up, even if I was vilified and hated for it.

Because for all your talk about being an SCW-lifer, Josh… you didn’t heed that call. You didn’t come back when SCW needed you. You didn’t come back when the world title needed you. You didn’t come back when the standard needed your supposed ‘wisdom’, did you?

Nobody did. Nobody wanted to. Nobody inside or outside SCW stepped up. So I did. I had to. I came back and raised the standard so someone like you would WANT to come back. Would WANT to take this title. But you’re running around here, thinking that smashing my face is going to be easy? A forgone conclusion?

A laugh escapes her as she reaches up with a free-hand to scratch her forehead. Josh… I made it clear earlier… this is my house. This match is ‘Unbelievable’ because of me. And you coming here and taking that all away from me? That’s not a forgone conclusion. Me beating YOU is the forgone conclusion!

She glares at the camera before turning away, walking out of the suite and towards the stairs where the other arena seats are. What you witnessed on Breakdown? Me with my foot on your chest? Standing over you? THAT was the forgone conclusion!

Because it’s been destiny! It’s been set! A done deal since the beginning!

You don’t believe me? Who was it that was advertised for this event a year ago? Whose face has been the commercial of RTG this entire time? Yours? Ha! Selena laughs. Management’s not going to put any investment in you! I’m the one they needed. I’m the one that’s been carrying this place. And despite me walking away for a few months, they STILL aired that commercial. Because they knew, deep down, that I would be back to take what was mine. To take back what belonged to me. To reopen the house that is Selena Frost’s Rise to Greatness!

You? You’re the guy that’s quit more times than any of us! You’re the guy that’s come and gone so many times, it’s like a damn ‘event’. A betting pool of when you’re going to show up again, begging for ‘another chance!’.

Making her way down the stairs, towards the ring, Selena contemplates for a moment. The reason I bring this up, Hudson, is more for the sake of those following you – those same people cheering you like never before because of me. Because once you lose, they are going to have to face the disappointment of wasting their belief on you after you quit SCW for the umpteenth time.

Because what made you do it last time, Josh? Was it losing to Cruze? her eyes narrow and a smirk forms on her face. Or was it losing to a Snow Queen?

Seemed to have forgotten that one these past weeks, didn’t you? Or maybe it’s another lie – this one of omission – in your little bubble of arrogance that I popped. But after you lost the title to Cruze, you had a chance to get it back, didn’t you? In a tournament, right? A tournament that saw the best of SCW face each other…

A tournament that you couldn’t even get out of the first round, right, Josh? And who was it that eliminated you? She tilts her head. And we don’t have to go back one or two decades to see that. It happened just last year!

Pointing her finger, Selena gestures to the titantron screen that suddenly sparks to life, immediately playing a clip from the May 6th 2023 episode of Breakdown. In the ring, Hudson is seen getting up and turning, only to be blasted by Selena and her Glass Shard. The Snow Queen covers Hudson as the official cleanly counts 1…2…3! Phillips voice is heard in the clip.

Here is your winner, via pinfall, Selena Frost! The clip freezes on Aaron Demtria holding up Selena’s arm in victory as Selena stands over Josh Hudson. Returning to the present, Selena stares at the clip before turning her head back to the camera.

THAT was the last main-event you held before you ran away, Josh. That, truly, was what broke you to the point where the ‘SCW lifer’ showed he was really the ‘SCW quitter’. Because you couldn’t even pull yourself together for a decent showing at the royale afterwards – hell, you skipped out on Rise to Greatness last year because of THAT! she points at the image again. Of a ‘novice’ being better than you, like I always have been.

And while you have stewed in your little basement, I came back and ran this place, only getting better and better. The Blue-Eyed Devil running this hell because I owned it!

Finally reaching the ring, Selena rolls into it, getting to her feet and marching around the interior near the ropes, placing the world title on top of one of the outer turnbuckles before returning her glare to the camera.

Is it sinking in now, Josh? Are you finally able to wrap your head around it? You are a GUEST here in my house! You are a passing fancy for these people! By this time next month, they’ll be chanting somebody else’s name! Begging them to be the one to defeat me. Nobody is going to care about you! You’re a ‘moment’ to them. You’re ‘replaceable’ to them! Legend, Hall of Famer, whatever - you could leave after this weekend and NOBODY would care! They didn’t care last year, they didn’t care all the other times you did it, and they won’t care this time…

Slowly, Selena reaches into her pocket, slowly pulling out the ripped golden paper she had ripped out of her guestbook. And that… is what makes my win against you all the more certain…

She eyes the paper, the signatures on it.

House rule number one… she whispers. Only the truth shall be spoken in the house… she continues to eye the paper in her hand.

You asked me, Hudson – you dared me – to tell you that I don’t respect you… To further motivate you or something. She smiles bitterly. But just like your comparing yourself to me – you oversell yourself… while underselling me. A bitter laugh escapes her.

I do not respect Polly Pignotti’s arrogance. I do not respect The One’s delusions. I do not respect these people’s ungratefulness for what I have given them – that I have kept this company alive!

But you? She eyes the camera, her sapphire eyes cold. I do not disrespect you…

I hate you.

She is silent for a moment yet does not look away.

I hate you, Josh. I hate you almost as much as I hate CHBK. Almost much as I hate Kandis! Because I could look past and forgive all of it! All of it! Your arrogance! Your bubble! Your disrespect of me personally! Your pathetic display of romance with Bree. All of it!

But for you to saunter on back here… to sneak into the royale… and you dare call it ‘resilience’…

A strong, angered breath builds up and exhales from Selena as she stares away and into the golden paper.

Those were your words in your first singles match back against Polly Pignotti… That it was the one word that came to your mind. That resilience was what you had – that it’s what got you here to MY main-event… what got you through your supposed career…

Her breathing quickens a little.

You know what true resilience is, Hudson? It’s when someone crushes your foot with a crate but you still manage to go out and a wrestle an hour long ironwoman match!

It’s fighting for TEN YEARS with NO LULL or break for the good of SCW and for the integrity of this sport!

It’s fighting for that cause, even when you’re hated for it! Even when you’re despised despite not doing wrong!

It’s staying true to your mission no matter how many times people beg you to ‘change’.

Her hand tightens around the golden paper. Do you know how I got here, old man? How I made this match “Unbelievable”? I got here by beating Syren, and then Cid Turner, two of the best this company has ever seen. Then I got here by holding the world title longer than anyone in the history of this federation! Then I got here by winning a damn tournament and beating the hell out of you! Then, I got here by taking back the world title and holding it for the last SIX months, despite every single person wanting me to be put on the shelf for good! By being the best wrestler in the whole damn world! By beating newbies, rookies, veterans, legends and Hall of Famers! Through every pain, every slight, every insult, every lie that was thrown my way! Every con job and screw job that was thrown at me! FOUR YEARS of my life spent to make THIS moment possible! FOUR YEARS, including the darkest year of my life, to bring things back to where they should be!

She breathes… You…. You won a single match after a year away. One match – a royale – and you call it ‘resilience’. You say no one can match your resilience… because of one… damn match… You now come here and wish to take away my destiny. The destiny that has been set in stone for a year! The destiny that I made happen! For SCW, for Aaron Demtria, for myself and my family!

She breathes again… You, Josh Hudson… you are what is wrong with SCW! You are the reason I became the Blue-Eyed Devil! Because people like you! Like Kandis! Like Ace Marshall! Like Adam Allocco! People that coast by for most of the year. Who come and go through the divisions and the mid-card and then, RTG season, they go all out, or come out of retirement, or steal a win – because that’s enough to get them to MY table. To my house…

People like you that only make an effort when they’ve got nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain! People like you – like Kandis – who are protected and supported by management far more than I am! Because you were given EVERYTHING! And you come here, with your single royale win, wanting to take what I’ve built for years – take my house - and claim that you’re ‘the best’. That you ‘beat the best’ before you, like Kandis did, like Allocco did, go back to your mundane performances – your moment had… your ego satiated…

She stares down at the golden paper in her hands. You people, who leave SCW in shambles as soon as you fail, who quit or stop trying when you cannot keep up the standard that you just barely touched on one night – the standard I LIVE IN every day of the year… and then I am left to have to pick up the pieces. I am the one that has to live with the shame of loss and then STILL be the one that has to save SCW and the world title again and again…

Her eyes turn back to the camera. No, Josh… not again.

This isn’t a fairytale ending for you. This isn’t another time where you waltz in and take something. This is me fixing the trend and fixing the STAIN that has been on Rise to Greatness, on MY house, on MY world title, and on ME for the past year!

Reaching up, Selena takes the golden page in her hands, her eyes never leaving the camera as she begins ripping the paper apart. In the main-event, I’m going to fix history by repeating it… she rips the paper in half. By beating you again. She rips those pieces in half.

I’m going to knock you out. Another rip.
I’m going to choke you out. Another rip.
And I’m going to tear you to pieces.

One last rip and the paper is just small pieces in the Snow Queen’s hands. Because I did not work all this time, survive all I did, and sacrificed all I did to be screwed out of my destiny again! Not by an outsider! Not by some half-ass quitter that dares to call himself an “SCW-Lifer”!

With the paper wads in her hand, Selena moves to the turnbuckle, using her free hand to grab the world championship. Hudson… you can tell your girlfriend and your students that you got to the main-event of Rise to Greatness. But that’s all you’re going to be able to tell them. Because the truth is? You’re not resilient enough to beat the owner of this house. You’re not resilient enough to last under these lights in my main-event.

Enjoy it, Hudson… because like with Kandis, you are NEVER getting back here again. And this Sunday? With my official, Aaron Demtria? I am going to prove one more thing that I’ve done that you haven’t.

Win the main-event at Rise to Greatness… MY main-event at Rise to Greatness. With one swift kick as Aaron counts 1…2…3!

Adjusting herself, Selena stands in the middle of the ring and in the middle of her snowflake. And with history fixed – with me standing over you as proof of that – then, history can REALLY be made! Because then, there will be no one to doubt me. No one to question me. No one to deny me any longer!

With about five million dollars of pyro going off… With a fling, Selena throws the golden pieces of paper above her, the pieces shimmering like fire works as they fall all around her.

With the whole world watching, Hudson, watching me standing over you – you and all of SCW – will only have a single choice.

Powerfully, Selena lifts up the world championship above her head. Believe it!

The camera focuses on that shot, the world champion holding her title in her ring, with pieces of golden paper all around her, as Selena slowly leaves the ring. The camera, meanwhile, zooms in on the pile of paper, specifically a big piece of it that has some words written on it.

House rule 3: Protect what’s mine…

The camera focuses on that message, Selena’s MO, before slowly fading to black.