Giovanni Aries vs. Selena Frost

[SnowQueenSCW]

The camera fades in to the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the home of tonight's Breakdown. But, whereas before, the sight is that of a wrestling ring, there is something added. Something that sends a chill through the spine of anyone that sees it. For erected high above the ring, like a bridge over a chasm, is a scaffold. It stretches across the length of the ring, running along the middle section. There are guard rails on either end, along with ladders to climb to the top, but beyond that, there is little along the bridge itself. 

Despite this lack of safety equipment, there is a single woman sitting in the middle, her legs dangling over the edge of the bridge as she looks to the earth below. Her platinum hair shines a little under the white and blue lights, as does the white of her wrestling attire. On one side of the high-placed structure, near the guardrails, sits the disfigured United States title, which the woman has defended proudly in every singles match she has had since winning it back in January. Taking a deep breath, the Snow Queen continues to cast her gaze out among the arena.

It's beautiful, isn't it? she smiles a sad smile. Way up here, near the top of the world? You can see almost everything. The people, the ring, the technical crew, everything that happens in this world – that should happen in this world – you can see it this high up. Up here... she runs a hand through her hair, most of it tied in its iconic braid. Everything looks so pretty and simple. You don't see the pain on people's faces. You don't see their disappointment. All you see is wrestling. People fighting within the ring and around it, striving to be the best. Striving to give all they have for this amazing federation and for all the incredible people that watch us. 

You can... Selena pauses for a moment, as if the words almost hurt her. You almost forget that our “World Champion” is a coward. Our “interim world champion” is a homewrecker. You can almost forget that a madman took delight in the assault of an elderly man who merely wanted to walk out of here with a shred of dignity after all he gave for all of us. You can almost not see the death of Superman. The corruption that a Devil brings to an innocent man...

Part of me... she bites her lower lip before continuing her confession. Part of me wishes I could stay up here, only seeing the beauty in SCW and not the problems. Only seeing the good in people and not those that wish to destroy it. But I can't... Selena sighs. I can't just ignore it or whitewash it or make it seem like it's something else...

That's not who I am. That's not what “The Face of SCW” would do for SCW. The Face of SCW is someone the lives and breathes for the best for SCW. The best for all of you. The Face of SCW is someone that fights for that standard and risks everything they have to maintain and evolve it so all of you get the supreme wrestling you desire – the supreme wrestling YOU believe in!

Maybe I could put blinders on and just take delight that I'm the United States Champion. But then how am I any better than Giovanni Aries? Or Bree Lancaster? The selfish people that look out only for themselves and their own self-interests. Not one them truly cares about SCW or any of you. Not one of them cares about that! She points to the United States title sitting in the corner. What people like them care about is power and the spotlight. What they want is all the attention, all the power, all the money, and they don't give a damn how much they cheat you out of what you pay for – how much they deny you what you deserve - to get it.

And yes, I'm expecting Giovanni Aries to put on some Disney costume and say the same crap he's been saying for how many months now? Words like I'm “corrupt” and I'm “using people” and I'm “part of the Lizard Army”. Because it's not gotten old, has it?

Selena shakes her head. You know what, Giovanni? I've listened to your “lizard” crap for months now, and guess what? I'm sick of it. You want to pretend that you're this “messiah” of sorts? Saving all of SCW from the lizards? Well, let me ask you, Gio: 

What's taken you so long?

Huh? What has taken “The great Mad Hatter” so long in doing ANYTHING in that goal?! You slander all of us? You cry of corruption? But what have you done that is any different? You say “violence is bad” but tell me, who was it that bashed my head with the United States title twice in our match at Tabula Rasa? Hmmm? Who was it that cried “Die Lizard King, die!” at Apocalypse? And who tried to end my career AGAIN at Tabula Rasa? Answer me that, Giovanni! Because, unless my brains got scrambled in our last match, that all sounds pretty violent to me. Hell, you just agreed to one of the most violent matches SCW has!

How violent? Well, let me ask you. Selena flicks her hair back. When was the last time a scaffold match occurred in SCW? Can you recall? I sure as hell can't. I know it was popular for a few years with the Rise to Greatness Pay-Per-View – but besides that? Not much use. I mean, for a company that has Hangman Horror matches, Thunderdome, Roofed Cage and so much more barbaric structures – even a Wonderland match just for you - the fact that this particular type of match hasn't been seen once in my entire time here should speak volumes to you.

Me? I've never wrestled this high up before. With ground that shakes with each step and move... It's enough to get your adrenaline pumping because, gods... what a drop that would be for the loser. Right? Even with the ring below... what kind of damage could be done on this fall? If you land bad on your leg? Your back? Your neck?

Selena's eyes narrow at the camera that is focused on her. This is danger on a level that I have never experienced before in my career, but you don't care, do you? You'd rather the SCW Universe focus on how I'm, supposedly “going back on my word” by making demands for this match. How I'm “calling the shots” once again with matches.

The platinum-blonde takes a deep breath before shaking her head. And in some way, you're right. I did request this match. I did make the challenge. But I left it in the hands of Sasha to make the final decision – as I swore I would. She decided to make this match happen and decided the title should be on the line, which I am thrilled for, because it makes me that much more driven to win. But you translate that to I'm “lying to the masses” and “proving that I don't keep my word”.

What about your word, Giovanni? Hmmm? Let's talk about that. Let's talk about what happened to “I don't want the title but I promise to take it”. Those were your words at Tabula Rasa before you threw our match away. And what about “I'm going to destroy one of the Lizard King's generals”? How'd that go? 

You want to know why I chose this match, Giovanni? It wasn't for my ego. It wasn't to say “I beat Giovanni Aries”. In case you forgot, I beat you CLEAN at Apocalypse. No, Giovanni. At Tabula Rasa, you stole something from me – you stole something from the SCW Universe. And no, it wasn't gold plates. It was a match surrounded by promises. You stole a finish that the True-Believers and the critics alike desired to see.

Selena scoffs as she gestures to the audience seats below. 

Seriously! Have you not been hearing them, Gio? I get a mixed reaction when I talk about you. Some cheer and some boo me. Same as you. Some people – despite all you've done – like what you're doing, Gio. They watch on television or sit in the stands and they like what they see. And while some people want me to beat you and prove that I'm better – that SCW is better than you – I'm not going to ignore the reality that some people want you to destroy me! Some people are begging you to put me down and out! 

But what do you do for those supporters? Your “people of the Wonderland”, Giovanni? 

You lie to them. Over and over again. You oversell and you fail to deliver. You promise them the moon and give them the dirt at your feet and you think that is good enough. “Hand out the participation ribbons! Everyone is a winner!”

A growl escapes Selena's throat as she recalls the Mad Hatter's attitude. You? Bree? Damian? You are what is wrong with SCW – not me. Not Regan. Not Kennedy and sure as hell not Sasha D.. Sasha is doing all she can to make this company the best it can be – doing her best to provide the best show and supreme wrestling so that people, even ingrates like you, HAVE a job, Aries! So that people, even whiners like Bree, can get a paycheck! You think SCW has survived this long – been at the top of the mountain this long - by “participation ribbons”? By being 'non-violent' or 'mediocre'? You think it will survive if we all did things “your way”? 

No, Gio. Your way would have this place out of business within a month, maybe less! Because you don't care about trying. You don't care about being the best – Kennedy beat that out of you when she squashed your dreams of becoming World champion at last year's Rise to Greatness! Probably the first time something didn't come easy for Giovanni Aries and instead of picking yourself up and reigniting that fire, you cowered away into the dark and settled for being a troll!

Me? I've not lost that fire. I STILL want to be the best! I STILL am proud to be a champion here in SCW! I STILL want to give this place the best damn wrestling that I can! So, before you go off blaming me and calling me a “liar”, just remember – the reason we are here is because YOU were too much of a coward to give me and the SCW Universe the fair U.S championship match that they -your supporters and mine - deserved to see!

Looking around, Selena places her hands against the scaffold she sits on. You called yourself “uncontrollable”... like you were untouchable. And you want to know what is sad to me: You say it as often as you say “lizards this” and “lizards that” and you think you're being clever and original. 

Newsflash, Giovanni. You're not. Whether you say you're “uncontrollable”, or “untouchable”, or “flawless”, or “perfect”, or “crazy”, or “a God”, or “a Devil”, they're just words. Wasted air on the ears of the SCW Universe. Because to them, and to me, you're the same as Bree Lancaster, Sienna Swann, Syren, and every other whiner that thinks SCW owes them something. 

That's your whole logic, isn't it? You think SCW is corrupt? That people aren't given the opportunities they deserve? Yet, here you are. Second United States title match, only a few weeks apart. Every person you've claimed was being held back? Title shots. Did you make that happen? Did you sign the paper? Make the call? No. Sasha did. Sasha made the decision. Owen Cruze almost became World Champion because Sasha gave him that chance. Konrad is set to challenge for the Adrenaline title without you, without Damian and without his mask. James? Still striving to be the best tag-team champion he can be – WITHOUT you harassing him! But here you stand, still on your soapbox, whining and crying for more. More people to believe in you. More things given to you. More more more more more.

But what do you give in return, Giovanni? Selena shrugs. What do you give, Gio? You stand around, cowering away from fights? You hide behind your mantras? You disqualify yourself in matches and claim superiority over someone like me and Regan Street? “No definitive wins” wasn't that what you said? What have YOU done for SCW, Giovanni? You want SCW to do right by you but all you've done is lie, cheat and screw over SCW time and time again...

And now? It's time you paid for it.

Carefully, Selena pushes herself to her feet, walking across the scaffolding with little hesitation. This match is all about one thing, Giovanni. Accountability. Of you, who has TAKEN so much from SCW, finally being held accountable for your actions! You say you want to destroy me? Want to put the “Lizard Kingdom's General” on the shelf? I say 'do it!'. Give me your best damn shot! Actually be a damn SCW wrestler and give me everything you've got – keep a damn promise for once in your miserable career! Because after three matches with you and nothing happening? I don't think you've got what it takes to take me down – not when better wrestlers than you have tired and failed! 

You've had almost a year to make me a believer of your words of destruction – and I'm sick of waiting for you to actually keep one single promise. So, I'm saying to you now “put up or shut up”. That's the only two choices you have. You can either fight and try and take me down or you can run like a coward. 

But if you think I am going to let you cheat me – cheat SCW – and run off laughing your head off again, you are sadly mistaken. Because I'm not just fighting for me and for the United States championship.

I'm fighting for James.
I'm fighting for Owen.
I'm fighting for Konrad.
I'm fighting for Regan.
I'm fighting for Mr. D..
I'm fighting for every single person you claim you wish to 'enlighten' but when they say 'go away', you continue to harass them! 
I'm fighting for every single person that sees the Wonderland for what it truly is – what I saw it as at Tabula Rasa and what you proved it was that same night.

A pile of crap. Lie stacked upon lie stacked upon lie to keep you safe. To keep you hidden. To keep your illusion as some false messiah alive. 

Well... SCW does not need some lazy, cowardly messiah, Giovanni. What it needs is supreme wrestling. The best wrestlers fighting to be the best, especially with Rise to Greatness drawing ever closer.

Reaching the corner, Selena picks up the United States Championship. She takes a moment to look at it, its damaged form before walking back to the center of the scaffold. You have questioned everything about me, about this title, about SCW – and yet, despite every lie and truth you've twisted and perverted in your delusions, we have PASSED every test.

You thought disfiguring this title would destroy us? You were wrong.
You thought we would hide behind the gold and lustre, taking breaks from defences? You were wrong.
You thought we could be directed by your whims? Your decrees? You were wrong!

SCW has taken your accusations, held every one of them accountable and they have all been exposed for the lies that they are. All that is left, Giovanni, is for you to be held to that same light and be exposed for the fraud that you are! And tonight, under the bright lights of Breakdown and the standards of SCW – that is exactly what is going to happen!

Standing her ground, Selena stares into the camera, into the watching eyes of Giovanni.

You may believe you can fly, Giovanni. But tonight? It's going to be a crash and burn. Because I'm going to prove that the only thing Giovanni can do is crash. Crash to the standards of SCW... as the Wonderland burns!

Proudly, Selena holds up the United States championship above her head. Believe it, Gio! And prepare to embrace the fact that WE ARE SCW!

The camera fades on the sight of Selena holding the title proudly as she stands high above the SCW ring...