REC:
“Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder….
My work is exhausting. Having to stands here and witness what society has become enrages me. It hits too close to home. Many of you may think I’m arrogant, conceited, not in touch with reality. I beg to differ, I just don’t embrace like everyone else does. I’m a woman who has traveled the world, I lived a life that most if not all dream of. Do you think that I wake up in the morning depressed, upset at myself, wishing I was someone else no matter how some of you may take it and yes, I know, it’s easy to say that I wish I were Kelcey Wallace by taking her moniker, trying to steal her husband and pining to be a woman that I have long admired and saw as the standard bearer in everything she has done?
No, I went beyond Kelcey Wallace and did things she couldn’t.
She was never the “Face of Fashion”, I am. She could not defeat Selena Frost, I did on multiple occasions. I took our last match no matter how hard Kelcey fought, I earned the Perfect Ten title just like I earn everything else which is mine and when someone tries to take it from me it gets personal. Kelcey Wallace is my inspiration, crazy as it may sound. I didn’t want to be Kelcey, I wanted what she had, much like you Josh Hudson.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anything Josh has currently, instead I would love to retire with such a long list of accomplishments except one, the woman he could never beat, and this is where that one single stat line alone will define the last days of his career. Don’t you see, that much like Kelcey Wallace after I defeated her, it was the end of the road for her. Unlike Josh though, Kelcey had the class, the wit and most importantly the intelligence to pass the torch on to me….
Josh is too blindly proud to do so.
This is why women like Kelcey Wallace, wrestlers like Kelcey Wallace, figures in the eyes of the wrestling fans like Kelcey Wallace are a dying breed. They have been replaced with empowered and enabled figures of the past who warrant the spot they once held. When we look at the past of the SCW, seeing the Hall of Fame, the annuls of history and what we remember most, will they talk about Kelcey Wallace losing to Sienna Swann? Or never beating Selena Frost? No…
They will talk about Kelcey Wallace having the longest undefeated streak ever, they will reminisce on the Main Event of RTG XII, they will mark out and speak of her win over Blitzkrieg.
You Josh?
Those same people will remember how you turned your back on Past. Present. Future. They will never forget Bound by Blood when I knock the “Legend” out and still carry back my World Championship. The last image embedded in their heads will be Josh Hudson walking out in shame.
He did this, not me or anyone else.
Which is why my hope for a better wrestling has slowly flushed itself into oblivion. As I said earlier, Beauty may be in the Eye of the Beholder….
But memories last a lifetime Josh Hudson.
And Sienna Swann, The World Heavenly Champion will last FOREVER.”
/REC
PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE.
PROLOGUE: IN WHO WE TRUST
When we were at St. Bart’s shooting there were many things that were going on at one time. I didn’t expect to see my sister there, Laura had a moment of weakness and I was able to see that even she can’t be Wonder Woman all the time. I also saw that with fame and fortune, comes those who want to control your success, powerless against the mongrels who run the Fashion Industry and the men who abuse their authority in Wrestling. It has become abundantly clear that no matter how hard I try or what I set out to do in my own private life, things never seem to work out in the way I imagined. The last week was a tough one on me personally, I will never let it leak into my professional career though at Breakdown, I I’m waiting to be approached by Mr. D, maybe Chris Cannon didn’t tell him about my AA, maybe he did, far as I know I’m defending the belt at Bound by Blood against that traitor, Josh Hudson. I plan to finish the year as Champion, it doesn’t matter who gets the vote against me at the End of the Year for I’m not looking ahead, I’m being a realist.
Blake Mason or Cassidy Carter at the next PPV?
No pressure Blake, I don’t want to see you fail in your own hometown.
Right now, that’s not important. What is, my propensity to ignore the warning signs. You would think after the bout with sleeping pills that almost cost me the job at Vogue, the alcohol abuse which has not been a problem in the SCW yet in the modeling world I have already been caught a few times, it’s a miracle that I am not dead or even a Champion right now. I have been strong, even was insulted when Laura hired this Network to have my back, I can do it on my own…
And still, she probably has saved me more times than not all because I handed the keys to my emotions, the power to Chris Cannon not even thinking about it when he decided to ABANDON me at AA. Am I supposed to be okay with this? How hard is it to look at this objectively for one day, when Kelcey can’t even hold a glass of milk in her hand, he will realize that I was the best thing for him. For now, though….
It was about Laura Steinbeck, the “Beauty Network” and my plans moving forward.
Before Breakdown
Worcester, MA.
11.21.18
There was no way I would be able to fly back to California and spend Thanksgiving with my family. I had to settle with doing it with people I traveled with and had a special bond. Or, I could easily find the nicest restaurant that’s open and have a meal there, the question was with whom? Laura had this whole Network thing all planned out, it had been in the works for quite some time. Since last week, when we had our blow up on Saturday and I ended up sleeping with Lancelot Crane, the night before I drank too much and passed out in my mum’s home all thanks to Chris (Cannon) who broke promises and lied, I had lost a complete grip of reality. I had been avoiding Ikiro, sending him messages and talking to him on the phone yet, I was ashamed of what I did with Crane, what I was becoming and how obsessed I was with Chris. I couldn’t face him. There was someone else that I was having a hard time telling the whole story too, Bree Lancaster.
Regan and Rachel had suspicions that Bree and Josh Hudson were doing something. Personally, I wouldn’t put anything past Josh, I would hope that Bree has higher standards than that, but you never know until you see what that person is capable of doing. I believed in Bree, I never gave it a second though….
And if it was true?
I hope to never find out.
I was finishing my workout, getting ready for Breakdown tonight and the PPV. I wanted to show off, tights, sneakers I just bought, a sports bra. My routine was almost complete when I received a text from her, answering back, I waited until she showed up. Wiping the sweat from my face, looking in the mirror and admiring my body though I didn’t feel perfect……
Bree: “Hey babe!”
Looking at her through the reflection of the mirror, Bree Lancaster was a walking advertisement for Dior. I admired her for that, brand loyalty is very hard these days with so many options, of course the other lines were not paying her the money Dior was. Bree was going through a lot too though she was very good at hiding it. Call it women’s intuition. I was okay with whatever she wanted to tell me, it wasn’t my business just like there were certain things I wouldn’t tell her….
Crane was one of them. I gave her a warm and confident smile, quickly dropping her defenses so she wouldn’t think anything was wrong. Bree is a lot of things but a good reader of someone’s emotions, she could win an Academy Award for….
Sienna: “Hey sweetie.”
Bree: “I didn’t know you were in the gym, I wanted to see if you wanted to grab a bite to eat.”
Sienna: “There’s a juice bar in the lobby of the hotel, it’s kind of cold outside, I rather stay in until I need to brave it tonight.”
Bree: “Good call.”
Sienna: “Love the outfit, I need one, looks warm.”
Bree: “It is, I’ll get you one, tell me the color.”
Sienna: “White.”
Bree: “You got it.”
Before this conversation was starting, I felt like a juice would hit the right spot. Making my way to the bar with her in the middle of the atrium, we order a couple of fresh drinks and sit down. It was a bit chilly, the sweat didn’t help…..
Bree: “We haven’t talked a lot lately, I know the tour, being on separate sides was a big part of it, just wanted to see how things were. I worry about you.”
Sienna: “I worry about you too but hey, you’re a dual champion, I’m the World Champion, life is good, right?”
Bree: “Absolutely, it couldn’t be better.”
She was miserable, I could tell by the answer. Never going to pry, if she wants to talk, she knows where I am. On the other hand, it was feeling heavier and heavier the burden on my back. Everything that started happening and the stupidity I showed. I can see that Bree wanted to ask me something, I might as well invite her to it….
Sienna: “Go ahead, ask me. There is obviously a reason we are here.”
Bree: “No ulterior motives, babe. Just concerned after that talk we had in September, you know the one where you started going to AA.”
Sienna: “I had a small problem, it’s okay now.”
Not going to tell her I relapsed, the last thing I need is for more people to know especially if Chris had or planned on telling Mr. D about it….
Sienna: “I am seriously. What I didn’t tell you was that Chris Cannon was my sponsor.”
Bree: “What!? You didn’t tell me that!”
Sienna: “Yeah, that was a part that I felt no one in the world and especially within my circle was ready for. Laura found out, she followed Chris and I there, wasn’t pretty but whatever.”
Bree: “Why?”
Sienna: “Why what?”
Bree: “Why do you like… or love him so much?”
Sienna: “I just do, I can ask the same about you and Blake.”
Bree: “That’s different.”
Sienna: “Was it?”
I can tell I struck a nerve. I knew that she wasn’t over him but again, it wasn’t my business. I did want her to know though that no matter what, I was not only going to beat Josh, I was making sure that Blake won his match with Cassidy…..
Her response would tell me everything….
Sienna: “Can I be honest with you.”
Bree: “Yes, but before you do, Blake and I are done, you know that.”
Sienna: “Good, then you will know that I am not only going to beat Josh Hudson this weekend, I’m looking to embarrass him and drive that man out of the SCW once and for all. I see you two have become allies in recent months….”
Bree: “And that is all we are. I don’t have a death wish and I’m not a fool to fall for his charm.”
Sienna: “I believe you. I also want you to know that I want Blake in the ring for what happened in our tag match two years ago. I’m going to hurt him Bree, I will do whatever it takes to put him away for god.”
She nodded but when a woman starts rubbing her knees and can’t keep eye contact with me, it’s telling. Bree Lancaster is conflicted, and I can’t blame her, I was the same way with Chris until he caused me to spiral out of control so relentlessly….
Bree: “I understand, you do whatever needs to be done, babe. He made his bed, he sleeps in it now. As for Josh, he was stupid for what he did to you and Regan, to all of us for a chance at the World Title he could have used whenever. I understand, getting back to Chris….”
Smooth move Breeliscious, subject change….
Sienna: “I do, did love him….”
Bree: “Babe, he’s with Kelcey, that relationship is rock solid, it’s not going anywhere much as it pains me to say it. Besides, you can do sooo much better than him. It kills me inside that you are….”
Sienna: “Don’t say it…. I know. I’m better than that Bree and yet I relegate myself to the other woman chasing what she can’t have. The last week, I think I’ve lost who I am as a person outside the ring. I damn well bloody know who I am inside it, that’s not changed. It scares me though what I am capable of doing when I think everything around me is falling apart.”
Starting to get emotional, I turned away, she caught on to it quickly and came to my side, grabbing my hand, consoling me though I was strong enough to deal with it….
Sienna: “I’m fine, not a wallflower. My last AA meeting, Chris didn’t show.”
Bree: “What an asshole, why?”
Sienna: “doesn’t matter, it was a clear message. I didn’t say anything to anyone but you, all I know is that he threatened to tell Mr. D about my AA meetings and if he catches wind that I am doing so, he will do what he did to Amy (Chastaine) and send me to rehab. I’m not a drunk like that, I don’t need rehab. I will not have my World Title stripped. So now you know, it stays between us.”
Bree: “Of course. Look, just concentrate on Josh, I know that no matter what he is doing, he’s focused solely on you.”
Sienna: “That maybe true, I made sure that I told Rachel everything.”
Her eyes widened some, it’s like she can’t believe I did that which tells me that she may care for that piece of shit….
Sienna: “Bree, tell me you don’t care for that wanker.”
Bree: “Please. He was a cool guy to talk to and we both have been through the same stuff, I thought I could help. But after what he did to you? I told him to leave me the fuck alone.”
Sienna: “I get it. I trust you, you’re one of the few people I do. We were in a near death experience and I think it gave us an unbreakable bond. I’m having trouble these days trusting anyone. It’s why I told you about Chris. By the way, I saw Lancelot on Saturday.”
She became tense, it seems like every woman I know feels uncomfortable after dealing with him. After what he pulled on me? I can’t fault her. The condition I was in played a part, the mentality, I didn’t care about anything for Chris Cannon was my world…..
Bree: “Y… yeah? Did you see the pics I posted?”
Sienna: “They were hot.”
There were more I saw, again, I keep telling myself to bite that tongue, it’s not my place….
It’s not my place damn it…
Bree: “New photo shoot?”
Sienna: “For Vogue, yes. Pre-planning stuff, you know.”
Lying has become too easy for me, this is not who I am especially to my close friends….
Bree: “Yeah of course. Is everything okay though? You didn’t seem too thrilled when you mentioned his name?”
Sienna: “It’s Lancelot, he is who he is Bree, an eccentric artist that sees the world in different eyes. I have known him a long time, better than most.”
Bree: “You’re telling me. I don’t know, you just seem different today Sienna. Always full of energy, so confident and polarizing….”
Sienna: “Like you?”
Bree: “Well, yeah, like me.”
We both share a laugh. It was nice to lighten things up a little after the hell I have been put through by Chris and his broken promises. I hadn’t even dealt with Ikiro yet. The laughter doesn’t last very long, there was an explanation for everything. I wasn’t being completely honest Bree, I felt she wasn’t either, I hope one day that we do trust each other enough to speak about whatever it is that is bothering us even if it was a huge mistake that could potentially hurt one another unintentionally for I’m convinced Bree and I would never do that to each other maliciously….
Sienna: “The Iron Angel, the Heavenly Champion, the woman I am in the SCW and on the catwalk is fine, sweetie. On a personal level though? I’m walking down I don’t know if I can come back from.”
That statement caught her off guard, Bree’s eyes teared up a little before she nodded quickly, gripping my hand harder, I could tell she was going through the same thing. No more words had to be spoken, instead I just hugged her, we both needed it, seems like we have lost who we once were. When she is ready, Bree will tell me…
Just like I will.
ENOUGH
Before the PPV, I had a Vogue photoshoot with Lancelot Crane, it had been scheduled right before I left Los Angeles and came to Worcester, this past Monday. I was ready for anything, I even considered not showing up, yet I was under contract and had an obligation to show and do exactly what was asked of me. Lancelot made me feel very uncomfortable when I was at his place, it was a darker side of him that I’d never seen. For me though, this was more to do with the pictures he took, the drugs we did, the conversation we had, all lead to this moment when he took my pictures….
And I was naked.
The shots were in taste, the ropes, robe, everything covered the parts that needed to be, he had a talent for capturing the essence of it. Now the question was on the minds of everyone including Steve Bain and Laura Steinbeck, were they Vogue worthy? Lancelot beat to his own drum, that day we shot, he was in his artistic mode, it was all business and that was a relief. I still felt powerless, these men dangled me like a carrot. It was okay for girls like Jennifer who were just starting, this was a new adventure for her, The Twins too, while they had done modeling in the past, it was for small publications and bar nights, nothing to this level. Laura makes stars, now in wrestling too. Willow in EMERGE, so many outside the ring, I was her main attraction, I was also the one to take the most abuse out of anyone because I was the star, I was the woman who they wanted.
The question now was….
How much more of this was I going to take.
Thanksgiving Day
Boston, MA.
11.22.18
It was Thanksgiving Day, in South Africa we didn’t celebrate this, it was an American Tradition we all adopted. Laura wanted to get us all together, they rented a ballroom upstairs in the Four Seasons where we all were staying, it was nice to have it catered, everyone in their best behavior. The photo shoot was going to be revealed, the cover of the next magazine. Everyone was excited, I can’t say I shared the same sentiment. I wanted to look stunning, wearing a red dinner dress and Louboutin heels. Red was a powerful color, I wanted to draw attention, make a statement and be that alluring and polarizing figure everyone expected to see. I was the Main Event, the World Champion, the Face of Fashion, everything that they want in a woman like me to be…
A Heavenly Angel.
I slicked my hair back in a high ponytail, I didn’t know who else was going to attend, at this point I didn’t even care. I text Ikiro, to see if he would show up, after a few minutes he knocked on my door, I know he too didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. I answered it, hadn’t put on my heels yet, he looked a bit stunned at what I was wearing, embarrassingly I smiled some, even caught myself blushing. Much as I tend to fester and obsess over Chris, Ikiro is the man I wish Chris was….
He treats me like a Queen….
Sienna: “You finally came.”
Ikiro: “Eye Yoshi has been texting you all week. No Angel made me sad. You look…. Beautiful.”
Sienna: “I’m sorry sweetie, I have been so busy with work outside the SCW. I wish that I had more time, don’t take it personal, please.”
Ikiro: “Chris?”
Sienna: “No… no, of course not. In fact, I want you to accompany me tonight for our little Thanksgiving feast Laura is throwing for us. How does that sound since we can’t go back to our family back in California?”
His face lit up. He makes me happy and yet I continue to string him along at every corner. Ikiro has never given me reason to think his intentions are not pure. When I was resisting him, all he did was keep coming for more and show me just what kind of person he was. Everyone saw the “Karaoke King”, the clown that hung out with those bloody morons, The Golden Triangle. He showed me a different side, a gentle one. I also cannot deny what he has done this past month though attacking Chris was not part of the plan, at least not then. I still hold out hope….
Blind Faith? Probably not.
Sienna: “What do you say? Will you be my date?”
Ikiro: “Hai! Yes, yes.”
Sienna: “Excellent, so why don’t you go get ready, put on something nice that is very you and I will see you back here in an hour? It’s upstairs on the top floor ballroom. Here’s a key, it’s the only way to get in. Don’t worry, I have a copy.”
Ikiro: “Okay, see you soon.”
Sienna: “Yes, see you soon.”
I was hesitant in giving him a kiss even though it’s not like I haven’t before. Being so confused and trying to figure out exactly what I was doing with my life in general had become a burden. It was a rollercoaster ride that I couldn’t help but jump on. I did though, lean in and kissed him, he smiled, it was time to lick my thumb and wipe some of the red lipstick I left all over his mouth, letting out a giggle….
This was great, I actually giggled like a little girl.
After Ikiro left, I slipped on my heels and made the finishing touches, grabbed my purse and took a deep breath. God I was beautiful….
Twenty Minutes Later
Didn’t feel like waiting, I’m sure there was no one upstairs yet, the event didn’t start for another half hour or so. When I stepped out of the elevator and walked in, I could hear Laura giving the Banquet Captain and his staff specific instructions. When I walked in, their heads turned and looked my way, they knew who I was, I smiled and waved, many waved back when the Banquet Captain started barking orders at them. It was a bit funny, I knew how they felt. Laura was stunning, a glittery black dress and matching pumps, she was always a fashion statement….
Laura: “Darling, you’re early what are you doing here?”
Sienna: “I was bored. I went to the spa, had a mani/pedi, a facial and massage. Afterwards I fell asleep, much needed must I add, took a shower, dressed up and here I am.”
Laura: “Go downstairs, relax, hang out or something, maybe your room, kick off your heels, I’ll text you when we’re ready.”
Sienna: “I rather stay. Can I help?”
Laura: “No, you are the guest of honor. The photo reveal will be spectacular. Steve is going to love it.”
Sienna: “Wait…. He’s here?”
Laura: “Of course darling, he wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Sienna: “On Thanksgiving Day?”
Laura: “Yes, on Thanksgiving Day, Sienna we are more important than whatever family he has, this is his life. He’s a business man, people like him don’t care about the holidays, we are his family.”
Speak for yourself. Just the notion that he was coming ruined my appetite and aside from a parfait and bowl of fruit today, I had saved it for Thanksgiving dinner. I let out a sigh, Laura caught on, she knew it bothered me….
Laura: “Relax, okay? There is only a few of us anyway. The Twins are coming with LEO…..”
Sienna: “LEO? They are sharing him?”
Laura: “Something like that darling, don’t hate, if it motivates them to perform and win that Elimination Tag Team Match on Sunday, more power to them. Listen, about last week….”
Sienna: “Forget it, it’s fine.”
Laura: “No it isn’t. I’m glad that you and Crane were able to work well together, he seems to like you which is a rarity here.”
Sienna: “Is he coming too?”
Laura: “No darling, he doesn’t do holidays.”
Thank God for small miracles….
Sienna: “Shame. We do get along, it’s a plus.”
Laura: “I just feel like we keep having these misunderstandings, more and more which concerns me. Am I pressuring you too much? Is this schedule and everything going on too much to handle?”
Sienna: “Sometimes, yes. It is hard, exhausting even. I am the World Champion of the SCW, that title is in jeopardy if you ask anyone on the roster or the announcers themselves. They think Josh will beat me, fine, let them, I have proven them wrong before. I have been focusing on that, yet this Vogue stuff sprung out on me, Lancelot can be very difficult to deal with….”
Laura: “Do you trust me enough to tell me everything?”
There was a bit of hesitation by me…..
Sienna: “….. Ye….”
Laura: “No?”
Sienna: “I was going to say yes.”
Laura: “You hesitated. St. Bart’s, I realized I was pushing you too far and made you do things against your will, I forced this Vogue contract, the relationship with Steve is not easy, very difficult to handle, he’s a swine, we both know that. Then your sister, who I want the two of you to have a healthy relationship, it needs to stop, Steve wants me to sign her to a contract as well.”
Sienna: “My sister, I told you was off limits.”
Laura: “Until when darling? She’s starting to turn heads, she’s gorgeous, you can’t deny her the same path because she’s a sibling, Sienna. Wrestling is your oyster to play with, Sierra will never be a pro wrestler, it’s what makes you so special, a World Champion who is not only the most beautiful woman on the frigging planet, but the greatest athlete, a rarity Sienna, models aren’t supposed to be wrestlers. You broke the mold, Sierra is a model, she has a huge future ahead of her. Let your sister have her time too Sienna.”
The one caveat to all of this when I first agreed was to keep my family out of this. First it was Jennifer Helms and while she may not be my family, she is two people that I hold in high regard and the last thing I want is to upset them after everything they have done for me. Now Sierra’s name is being thrown around. Sierra’s problem is a simple one, she wants to be me. She has never been an independent thinker much as I have tried. For once in her life, I would like to see her do something on her own. At this point what choice do I have? Steve Bain gets what he wants, right?
Whatever….
Sienna: “Fine, do it. Just keep her out of my spotlight. She does her own thing, that’s my final say and you will not convince me different.”
Laura: “Okay, that’s fair. Now, you’re drinking…”
Sienna: “Drop it Laura, I had one bad night, I fucked up, okay? I let Chris get to me and that was it. I know that all you care about is the World Championship and what I am with the belt around my waist.”
Laura: “Stop it, that is not true! I care about YOU. Look at St. Bart’s! I was upset because I felt I let YOU down, not anything else, you. I drank myself unconscious and luckily you were there. I know how you feel Sienna.”
Sienna: “The hell you do.”
Laura: “No? How do you think I have survived this long in the Fashion Industry? It wasn’t because of a Vegan Diet, darling. For years I did drugs and alcohol, I was a trip over drunk when I was on TV back in the 70’s, I couldn’t stand the pressure I was in, too much and that is why I am so concerned with you. I did it all, darling, sometimes waking up in some parked car, alleyways and a stranger’s bed not having a clue how I got there. I see me in you, which is why I slipped in St. Bart’s, I didn’t want to lose you.”
Sienna: “Lose me? Then why did you follow me to AA with Chris? Why did you tell Kelcey? What? Did you not think I didn’t know it was you, Laura? I never said anything for the sake of argument. Why!?”
Catching off guard was not my intentions but she was pissing me off…..
Laura: “Because I care about you, I didn’t want you going down that path where destroying a marriage being left behind after loving someone with all your heart only for them to not love you in return and then what? Exactly what happened, you fall hard off that wagon. I have lived thirty years longer than you, I have seen things you can’t even fathom, done things that would give you a different opinion of me. I am trying to be transparent with you, damn it and if going behind your back and stopping something from happening to save your emotional state and career? I WILL do it and I am sorry you cannot accept that. Now excuse me, I need to get the rest ready for this dinner.”
She started to walk away, I couldn’t let her finish like that. The part which I was having trouble with the most was, Laura was right. All she has ever done is try to protect me. She even took a bullet with Bain so that I wouldn’t lose my job. I never returned the favor, instead All I did was become even more difficult with each demand of me. I wanted to stop her…..
I chose not to.
Instead…
Sienna: “You’re right. I fell off the wagon, hard. I let Chris become an obsession that I continued to lie to myself he would love me much as I loved him. I don’t know why I didn’t see it sooner. Maybe it was the fact I always wanted to be The Perfect Ten and if I became that, if I took it from Kelcey, he would see me in the same vein. I was wrong, I made a fool of myself and now I must answer to it in the court of public opinions. I’ll leave you alone now.”
After that was said, I started to walk toward the elevator, go back to my suite and contemplate whether I was going to even come back up or not. I didn’t get very far as Laura placed her hand on my shoulder. I turned to face her, she looked at me in a way she’s never done before….
Like a mother would a daughter.
Laura: “This is not about business. This is about how much I care about you as a woman and someone I see as my own daughter. I remember telling you that in St. Bart’s. I would never go through this hassle if it was anyone else, Sienna. Only you. I love you damn it; all this I do is for you.”
Sienna: “Okay. I love you too.”
Laura: “Now go freshen up, relax for thirty minutes, I will call you when this starts.”
A nod was all I could muster before she kissed me on both cheeks, embraced as if she hadn’t seen me in years. For once in a long time, I felt safe in her arms and after the past week?
That was all I needed.
One Hour Later
It was a small gathering, of course Steve Bain had brought a couple of models with him, one of them was NOT my sister. After talking to my mum, she was there having dinner with the family back in California. Steve looked giddy and excited, the spread the Hotel provided was pretty amazing though having to maintain this figure and being ready for Bound By Blood this Sunday, the task was to not over eat and just mingle, look like the Belle of the Ball and watch Steve salivate all over my beauty. I was still bothered by the fact I slept with Crane, I’m not a whore and yet I felt like one. My body is sacred, my emotions were in a spin, Chris Cannon did it, I don’t care, it was all his fault.
I didn’t need to think about him, he was probably having dinner with Kelcey and his son, whatever, I had Ikiro with me and he looked dapper in his matching red pin striped suit, okay that was crazy, but it fit his personality, he’s fun, energetic and definitely odd in a good way. His sense of humor attracted me to him more than anything. He brought me a glass of sparkling cider, we toasted and drank. Laura, the Twins, Willow Wilkes and her husband, Jason King were all there. Some Vogue execs, some pretty models yet Jennifer was not, she was with Regan, who unfortunately was not invited, conflict of interest, I guess. Bree wasn’t here either, she had already other plans. Steve would do his speech soon, until then I just wanted to have fun and immerse myself in the moment. I felt so comfortable with Ikiro, had he known what I was up to though, I don’t think he’d be here with me right now…
Ikiro: “Eye Yoshi is glad to be here with the beautiful Angel.”
Sienna: “Let’s try this, instead of Eye Yoshi, it’s just I.”
Ikiro: “Eye…. Don’t sound right without Yoshi.”
Sienna: “No sweetie, just I, like in the letter “I”. Not “Eye” like your eyeballs.”
Ikiro: “I?”
Sienna: “Yes, that’s it.”
Ikiro: “I am happy to be with the beautiful Angel.”
Sienna: “See. That’s better.”
From the corner of my eye I could see the Twins happy to see Ikiro and I together, sharing a drink. It brings a little stability to what normally would be a crazy existence which has become the norm lately. Steve was about to speak, unveil the cover of the magazine, apparently, he hadn’t seen the pictures yet, from what Laura told him, they were amazing. The food was out, everyone wanted to wait for the speech before eating. I’m sure to hear the same spill as I always have from Steve, might as well get it over with now….
He stood in front of us and called our attention…
Steve: “Ladies and Gentlemen, first and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving, I am glad that you are all here in the freezing cold of Boston, I would rather do this in LA, but our star is here defending her World Championship, so we brought the party here to her. As you know, we have a special anniversary edition and Sienna Swann is not only our cover girl, she is also our main story. What an incredible journey for this beauty, from modeling to being blacklisted, to returning as the biggest draw in our industry while wrestling to make ends meet and now a World Champion? THAT is what Hollywood movie scripts are made of and I’ll make sure to get the rights to it.”
He had his laugh, everyone joined in acting all fake. I did the same, nature of the beast. Smile Sienna, pretend you think he’s funny, make it painless….
Steve: “When I approached Laura, the first thing I told her was… woman, you never age….”
What a wanker….
Steve: “Then after that I wanted Sienna to be a part of Vogue, this was a coup for us, with so many other companies and publications following suit, we took the most beautiful woman on the planet and made her our face much like she is of Fashion in a whole as our industry moves in the right direction along with the sport of wrestling. So I wanted to catch the essence of it all, hiring the most prolific talent in photography, Lancelot Crane and he gave us this masterpiece. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Vogue’s Anniversary Issue cover of Sienna Swann, Model, Wrestler, Champion!”
The two models standing next to him unveiled the cover. Everyone started clapping, I smiled to see myself standing with the World Championship in the nude, my private parts covered by the ropes with those beautiful Angel wings spread. Ikiro much like the rest of the group loved it, then I saw Steve’s face, he didn’t seem too thrilled though he played it off and started to clap, holding up a glass of champagne….
Steve: “Not only a pleasant surprise, it is also the greatest cover in the history of Vogue! Happy Thanksgiving and please, feast!”
I watched him carefully, Ikiro tried to get me to dance, had to make him wait. He went to Laura, said something to her and walked toward the elevator, I had to know what was up…..
Sienna: “I will be right back. Serve me a plate.”
Ikiro: “Okay.”
She looked a bit upset, the Twins and the Kings were enjoying the feast so they weren’t really paying much attention…..
Sienna: “What’s wrong?”
Laura: “Nothing darling, everything is alright, why do you ask?”
Sienna: “I saw Steve say something to you, what did he say?”
Laura: “Nothing Darling. This is your night, enjoy it. He just wants to talk logistics is all, I’ll handle this, alright. Go have fun with Ikiro, he seems to put a smile on your face and if you’re happy, I am.”
Sienna: “Laura, be honest with me, please?”
All she did was smile and walk away toward the elevator. This wasn’t right, Steve told her something that upset her. Maybe it was the picture, Lancelot asked me to agree with his vision and not that of Vogue’s. All I could do is watch Laura step into the elevator, she looked back at me smiling which made my heart sink because I knew something bad was going to happen….
It wasn’t about contracts or money anymore….
It was about the woman that gave me my life back.
So, I looked around, having a choice, do as Laura asked or follow her? There was never an option. Walking back to Ikiro, the last thing I wanted was for him to follow me….
Sienna: “Laura and Steve want to talk to me in his suite, I’ll be right back sweetie, I promise.”
Ikiro: “Food, will get cold.”
Sienna: “It’s okay, you keep it warm for me.”
Hopefully the kiss I gave him will calm him down and put Ikiro at ease, the last thing I needed was for him to follow me as I stepped into the elevator, what I didn’t count on was Ikiro being a lot like me….
He didn’t like to take orders.
EPILOGUE: THE CHOICE IS MADE
After a few moments the elevator opened, as I was standing there for those long thirty seconds or so, all I could think about was what Laura had done to protect me. From the Network to convincing Steve Bain to sign me to a deal with Vogue, even the deals with he SCW last year that led to me losing both Championships, we learned from it and became stronger. Now, she had created the Beauty Factory, she could see Past. Present. Future. crumbling thanks to Josh Hudson who ruined everything, it was a backup plan and it worked to perfection.
Seeing her now though, it had me unsettled. Steve Bain was a very rich man that was not the type who would be crossed. Whatever happened just a few minutes ago did not involve Laura, this was me who made the decision to go with Crane’s vision and I was not going to let her take the fall for it.
Thanksgiving Day
Boston, MA.
11.22.18
I made it to the room, I could hear Steve talking to Laura, the door wasn’t completely closed so I slowly and quietly pushed it open to hear what was going on….
Steve: “What was that picture?”
Laura: “I thought it was fantastic darling, everyone loved it. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Steve: “No, Laura, that is not what I wanted. That has your fingerprints all over it.”
Laura: “What are you talking about?”
Steve: “Did you tell them to have her pose naked? Grant it, I don’t mind having Sienna naked in a photo shoot, but this is the Anniversary issues and a lot of investors are not going to take too kindly to Vogue becoming smut!”
Laura: “Smut? That photo shoot was classy, darling, Sienna has the best body in the business, it’s not like her tatas and cha-cha are showing all over the place. I think you are overreacting here.”
Steve: “Overreacting? I had a specific vision, I don’t just say things just to say them. You two have been a pain in my ass, Sienna and her morality police when the woman slept with judges to win a pageant!? The only reason I don’t shred the contract we have right now is because that woman is making me millions. Had it not been for that not even the sex we had would be worth it!”
Laura: “Steve!”
Steve: “Now I have to pretend I am happy with it and roll with the shoot. I know that you told Crane to do this, I swear, if I find out then I will make sure you get blacklisted in the business for the rest of your career! You are old Laura, past your prime, getting sloppy and making bad decisions! Do NOT cross me!”
Laura: “Steve, I had noth…..”
I’d heard enough, pushing the door open, I walked in catching them both by surprise….
Sienna: “ENOUGH! Laura had NOTHING to do with that photo shoot, Lancelot hated your concept, he thought this would fit, he asked me that it was ultimately up on the decision and I agreed! So, if you want to yell at anyone, then do it to me! Not her! She’s innocent here!”
Steve: “How the hell did you get in here?”
Sienna: “Door was unlocked.”
Steve: “Fine, so you were the one that made the decision when the quack decided to change the culture of the shoot? Okay, Laura, please leave us.”
Laura: “Wait, hold on here, I ‘m staying. We are all in this as partners, my name is on the contract too and if you are going to say something to her, then you need to say something to me.”
Steve: “I already did Laura. She says you had nothing to do with it, I take her word at face value. You’re excused.”
Laura needed to leave, I tried nodding at her, but she wanted no part of it. She shook her head at me, stubborn bitch….
Sienna: “Laura, It’s okay.”
Laura: “No, it’s not. I’m sick and tired of this shit, Steve. All we have done is bent over backwards for you, in some cases bent over forwards just so you could make millions off Sienna. I know what you made her do at the yacht. Then again what you have said to her, threatening to destroy me because you can’t touch her right now, Steve. Your magazine, your company made her into something you can’t take away or destroy because she will go to another company. For the last year I have done whatever you’ve asked of me and put her on the line like a piece of meat just, so we could get paid? Enough! We are done here!”
Steve: “You are not going anywhere Laura because if you walk out that door, I will sue you for everything you have over a breach of contract and I will wipe out everything you have ever done in this industry and no one will remember your name Laura, are we clear!?”
Sienna: “Don’t threaten her!”
Steve: “Stay out of this Sienna. You want to take the blame, fine, then we talk and figure out a suitable punishment for you and….”
*SLAP*
I couldn’t believe what I had seen. Laura slapped him so hard I thought for a moment I saw his head spin. Steve reacted by slapping her back and that is when I lost it, I grabbed Steve and pushed him back, the problem came when he held on to my arm and his weight brought me down with him, I felt a sharp pain on the side of my head when I hit the desk, I sat there, stunned, Laura was trying to get up to see if I was okay, I could hear Steve cursing, all he kept saying was….
Steve: “You two are done! FIRED!”
Trying to focus became too much, that is when I thought I saw Ikiro come in, he started to punch Steve, Laura tried to stop him….
After that, everything went dark…
Thirty Minutes Later
There was a light, everything was blurry, I could start to make faces, Laura was there, as were the Twins, so was Ikiro. I slowly sat up, lying on my hotel room bed, still in my dress barefoot, my hair was down and an ice pack on the side of my head….
Sienna: “Laura?”
Laura: “It’s okay darling, relax. You took a nasty bump, you are okay though, not something a little ice won’t take care of, right?”
Sienna: “No, I think I blacked out.”
Laura: “You did the minute they left, slept about fifteen minutes. How are you feeling?”
Sienna: “Head hurts a little, I’m fine. Steve?”
Laura: “I threatened to call the police, the fear of being arrested was enough. He already went back to LA. It won’t make the news, we kept it under wraps internally.”
Sienna: “Vogue?”
Laura: “Who cares about Vogue, all I care about is that you are okay. We will deal with Vogue and the consequences later.”
Turning to Ikiro, I could see that he was the most concerned, he came out of nowhere and nine out of ten times I would have been really upset with him for not listening to me. This was the rare time I was fine with it. He sat next to me and brushed my hair back….
Sienna: “Ikiro, that is the last time I try to fight anyone in this dress and heels.”
At least that was able to get a laugh out of everyone in the room. He came and protected me again. He’s shown just how much I mean to him, what lengths he would go to defend my honor. Chris would never do that. Ikiro was somebody Josh Hudson could learn a lot from, how to act like a real man. I smiled at him….
Laura: “Get some rest darling. We’ll be in the other room if you need anything. We saved you some of the dinner when you’re hungry. Sienna, thank you.”
Sienna: “No, Thank you, Laura.”
Her and the Twins walked out, Ikiro was there tending to my little bump…
Sienna: “You followed me.”
Ikiro: “Hai.”
Sienna: “Why?”
Ikiro: “To protect you.”
Sienna: “Why do you love me so much after the way I have been treating you? Why did you go after Chris when you knew that would upset me and yet you still did so?”
Ikiro: “He hurt your feelings.”
Sienna: “All for that?”
Ikiro: “Hai. I will not let anyone hurt you.”
Sienna: “And if they do?”
Ikiro: “You see tonight.”
I wanted to smile ear to ear for many reasons after hearing that and instead I just gave Ikiro a nod, it was time to make a choice. I had been fooling myself, denying my feelings for something that never existed, I made it all up in my head and wished it was real….
Chris Cannon.
It was already bad enough I had to deal with the Josh Hudson drama because that is what it was, drama. Now it seemed like I had someone that not only treated me like I should, they would fight for me until the end….
Sienna: “Steve hurt me.”
Ikiro: “And I hurt him back. No one touches you Sienna, no one.”
Sienna: “Ikiro, I wish things were that easy, see sweetie, I was verbally abused by Chris Cannon. He threatened to hurt me and what happened is he made me very sick. That was last week, it’s why I couldn’t talk to you. Then there was Josh, he was my friend and he stabbed me in the back. Finally, Steve tried to hurt Laura and then he hurt me. I don’t know what is going on Ikiro, I am trying so hard to wrap my head around it that after tonight, I know what I want.”
Ikiro: “What is that?”
Sienna: “You, this. You make me smile, laugh, feel important like a woman should. You are everything I could ask for and more. I was confused, I didn’t know what I was doing, it was all Chris fault for giving me hope, leading me on to something that was long before you came. I needed to know the truth and when it finally happened, and he broke his promise to help me with my addiction, I knew right there I had made a mistake, I was stupid, a fool.”
Ikiro: “You are never stupid in my eyes, Sienna. It’s like letting a bird out of the cage and watching it fly away, bird comes back? It was yours.”
Sienna: “Did the bird ever come back?”
Ikiro: “No, lost ten birds so far.”
Laughing hurt my head but he was so good at it…..
Sienna: “Well, this angel flew back. Thing is Ikiro, we can’t let him or Josh or anyone like Steve get away with it anymore. Do you understand what I mean?”
Ikiro: “Yes, I do. No one is going to hurt my angel again.”
Sienna: “I am your angel, that’s not going to change. Sweetie, I do love you and I know you love me. We protect who we love, yes?”
Ikiro: “Hai…. Yes.”
Sienna: “Good… then you’ll take care of Chris Cannon for me?”
Ikiro: “Yes.”
Sienna: “Josh Hudson?”
Ikiro: “Yes.”
Sienna: “Anyone that comes after me?”
Ikiro: “Yes.”
That is all I wanted to hear. There was nothing that was going to hold me back from destroying the one thing that has plagued my emotions and mind. Steve Bain got what he deserved though he was off easy. Josh Hudson, I will end his little fairy tale and after the past few weeks, I have nothing but angst and hatred toward him….
My mind is clear now, I don’t have to worry anymore, Ikiro, Bree, Laura, they all made me see the truth in their own way. I lean over and passionately kiss my hero….
The man that came to my rescue….
Ikiro: “I love my angel.”
Sienna: “I love you too sweetie…..”
And with that said I once again kissed him, I didn’t care how I felt physically, the way he made me feel emotionally was like my battery was recharged. It was like I had a new lease not only on life but love itself. I gave that son of a bitch a chance and he threw it back in my face, forced me to fall off the wagon and just like Josh Hudson, stabbed me in the back….
And so now I will do the only thing I can now with the means to do it in Ikiro….
Destroy what I can’t have.
SCENE FADES
REC:
“I’m human, though on a different level than anyone else. Perfection can be a flaw, a hindrance if you will. I never thought I would ever fall into the same vice traps as so many before me, well known names that are no longer with us, becoming victims of their own stupidity which, I admit I’ve seen my share. The difference between me and them is a simple one….
I looked for solutions to my problems, not escape them.
What you see is a woman that is perfect in every way, I have no blemishes, in the ring I am the archetype, the paradigm of what a wrestler and a strong female presence should be. I’m not going to fat shame or even harp on the shortcomings of others, I cannot expect every woman to look like me or even stride to be at any point in their lives part of what I have become, it is an unrealistic request which is why in many ways it saddens me to see this gone so far, the mediocrity and acceptance, the complacency by those who have the means to better their lives and here I am struggling with my vices to stay afloat only to conquer them now, standing tall as a World Champion and being the victim of a predator who’s only sole purpose is to ruin lives and steal championships?
At what point did this go wrong?
Yes, I tried to win in the pageantry by promiscuous ways, yes, I have fallen into hard times and not been able to deal with tragedies in my life like a weak-minded tart who can’t get a hold of herself. Yes, I cared about what you thought about me, putting myself under this microscope and hoping you would like me and yes, I have forgone everything that was ever taught to me by my parents all in the sake of transparency and causing a rift that emotionally tore me apart for so long and now?
I’m stronger than ever.
This was never supposed to be a story about how one woman defied the odds, came in with such hatred by the rest of the roster and climbed to the top of the mountain and proved them wrong much as it sounds so enticing. It’s boring, the same thing has been done so many times over. No, instead this was a about Sienna Swann learning from her mistakes, this was about Sienna Swann realizing that some things she can never have, and it is time to dispose of them like yesterday’s Garbage. This is about Sienna Swann finally earning the respect of the roster after I defeat Josh Hudson as it seems like they still think I’m just another pretty face. This is about…..
ME.
PERIOD.
Chris Cannon, I had hoped, it didn’t happen, did I fail? No. Is Kelcey Wallace better than me? no. Is Chris a buffoon? Yes. Did he betray me just like Josh Hudson did? Yes. Allow me to pull the knife from my back and drive it into the heart of ambition, faith and expectations. Those that doubt me will soon see that much like Chris Cannon and Josh Hudson….
I was too much for either of them.
Spreading my wings like an Angel and watching both wallow at my altar begging me for mercy and I will simply smile…..
Giving them a Slice of Heaven.”
/REC
THE HEAVENLY ADDRESS
ERASE THE PAST
The Scene Opens….
The Granary Burying Ground in Massachusetts is the city of Boston’s third-oldest cemetery, founded in 1660 and located on Tremont Street. It is the final resting place for many notable Revolutionary War-era patriots, including Paul Revere, the five victims of the Boston Massacre, and three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine. The cemetery has 2,345 grave-markers, but historians estimate that as many as 5,000 people are buried in it. The cemetery is adjacent to Park Street Church and immediately across from Suffolk University Law School.
The cemetery’s Egyptian revival gate and fence were designed by architect Isaiah Rogers who designed an identical gate for Newport’s Touro Cemetery.
The Burying Ground was the third cemetery established in the city of Boston and dates to 1660. The need for the site arose because the land set aside for the city’s first cemetery King’s Cemetery Burial Ground located a block east—was insufficient to meet the city’s growing population. The area was known as the South Burying Ground until 1737, at which point it took on the name of the granary building which stood on the site of the present-day Park Street Church. In May 1830, trees were planted in the area and an attempt was made to change the name to “Franklin Cemetery” to honor the family of Benjamin Franklin, but the effort failed.
Entrance to the Granary Burying Ground as it appeared circa 1881 with the European Elms present.
The Burying Ground was originally part of the Boston Commons, which then encompassed the entire block. The southwest portion of the block was taken for public buildings two years after the cemetery was established, which included the Granary and a house of correction, and the north portion of the block was used for housing.
Tombs were initially placed near the back of the property. Puritan churches did not believe in religious icons or imagery, so the people of Boston used tombstones as an outlet for artistic expression of their beliefs about the afterlife. One of the most popular motifs was the “Soul Effigy,” a skull or “death’s head” with a wing on each side that was a representation of the soul flying to heaven after death. This popular motif was also one of the first early tattoos, particularly amongst young women, often placed on the lower back to protect them from demons. On May 15, 1717, a vote was passed by the town to enlarge the Burying Ground by taking part of the highway on the eastern side (now Tremont Street). The enlargement was carried out in 1720 when 15 tombs were created and assigned to a number of Boston families.
Here is where we find the World Champion, the Iron Angel of wrestling, Sienna Swann accompanied by Laura Steinbeck and The Truelove Twins. Sienna is laser focused on not only defeating Josh Hudson but also proving a point that he will not come and take what she has waited three years, the World Championship, a woman that will do whatever it takes to keep her Championship. The time for talk is over. Wearing white pleather pants and matching knee-high boots, a white designer jacket and matching gloves, her long hair in a high ponytail. The Truelove Twins wearing black leggings, matching leather pants, coats and beanies, matching black gloves and long hair hanging down. Laura in a blue coat, matching pants and pumps, she signals far the camera to begin recording.
REC:
Sienna holds the World Championship over her shoulder, looking into the camera as she begins to speak in her sexy South Africa accent….
“Legends….
Since the dawn of time this country has fallen back into its history. Living in an existence where they acquire a sort of hero worship. Many who fought for the Independence of America, they lie behind me buried, their souls put to rest, their actions never forgotten. Paul Revere and the famous Midnight Ride, “The British are Coming”. Men who signed the Declaration of Independence like Samuel Adams and John Hancock. There are victims of the famous Boston Massacre, all of them played a part in the past of what America is today. We are taught the accomplishments of these men who paved the way so that heritage, those who live here have the right to do what they want and the freedom to live how they choose.
Then I ask, why in Society are we trying to “Erase the Past”?
Monuments coming down, being portrayed as signs of hate. Statues removed like they never existed due to their underlining symbolism. Flags shunned and no longer seen as a tradition but a symbol of racism for the generations that continue to evolve do not want to praise what came before them, instead they want to create and forge their own present so that the future is a place for their children to grow and learn with new traditions. See? What these men did? While written in the annuls of history and forever documented, taught to us and revered by the American system, can continue to play on loop through movies, documentaries, shows and literature, it will still never change for those of today learn and what they do with that knowledge dictates tomorrow. In wrestling, it is much of the same, there are men and women who gain notoriety, establish themselves as leaders of this business, become legendary, Hall of Famers, the cornerstones, the centerpieces and the building blocks of a sport that provide a place for young women like me today to practice their craft.
I’m supposed to admire, respect and hold the professionals who helped establish this foundation by honoring their work, sacrifices and the wars they participated in?
Never.
Why?
The SCW’s past is full of self-entitled and delusional tropes with an unrealistic perception of what we as wrestlers are today. To them, like Josh Hudson, I’m a model, a dime a dozen, another cookie cutter pretty face that is part of a bigger collective. They think because there were wars fought, blood spilled, and championships won that it gives them the right to judge, hold the future back and pretend they built something that quite frankly?
Are slowly destroying.
As progress ends, so does civilization.
It’s a hard pill to swallow for men like Josh Hudson to accept the facts, the truth behind the lies he tells himself. Here is a man who had one role, one purpose and all he had to do was fulfill it to the best of his abilities and he failed at it. It is easy to get lost in your own hubris, wondering why he can’t let go of his “spot”, for if anyone was just another rehash of the several legends who cannot let go of what they had once?
It’s Josh Hudson.
You were a man I looked up to. A polarizing individual that demanded attention, a fountain of knowledge, an artist in the ring, an individual that for a time proved me wrong in my philosophy, made me think twice about how I felt about these past wrestlers who continue to try and grab the glory one more time, never knowing when to step aside for the New Generation like myself. Greg Cherry had a Hall of Fame career, instead of leaving with dignity and respect, he decided to come back and make a complete ass of himself, embarrassing his era and being remembered as a greedy man who failed to beat any current champion at the time.
Is that how you want to be remembered Josh?
I didn’t think you were him. I didn’t believe you were bitter and desperate like Syren who has made a complete fool of herself, a mock to what the great future Hall of Fame inductee was, the greatest World Champion of all time is now the biggest whiner, crybaby and poor excuse for a former Champion we have ever seen? Is that what you want Josh?
What happened to the man who sat with me and gave the best advice I was ever given? You earn respect through actions, that is what they remember you by, not your words? Yet here you are so keen on trying to be the World Champion and stop what we have built for one more chance to ruin it all and demolish everything we created in Past. Present. Future?
We were not called Past. Past. Past., you seem to have forgotten that.
On Sunday I will remind you why this wasn’t about you, it was about me.”
Stepping back a little and taking a pause, the beautiful World Champion is angered by the actions of Josh Hudson. It comes down to greed, there were many avenues he could have taken with his Trios, instead of helping his group, he decided to break it apart for one more chance at the World Championship. Sienna is not surprised, she had seen the warning signs. The gorgeous Angel wanted what he had in his possession and all for not it became a weapon for him to use against his own allies and friends. She turns back and speaks….
“There is this belief going around that I don’t deserve to be in this spot. For a man that talks about wrestling and what it means to him, the sacrifices made, basically throwing away everything around you for this doesn’t make you better than me, Josh.
It makes you dumber.
How does it feel than an outsider did the exact same thing you have done, others like Xander Valentine, a man whose incredible win streak was ended by you and yet a woman named Kelcey Wallace had one ten times the size of his and do you hear anyone talking about that? Or maybe the multiple World Championships you won, Regan did the same thing in less than a year after she started as a rookie and does anyone mention those accolades? What we have here is a severe case of selective memory, where veterans like you would rather pretend the present and the future do not exist just to satisfy the past? This is where you were supposed to lead by example by standing out and NOT falling in the same line as countless others from your era that would rather sacrifice the integrity of this sport than help it…..
By simply accepting that I am not only better, I have surpassed ALL of you.
I know what you hate the most Josh, is the fact I came not from a family lineage, I wasn’t born into this business, my last name is not Street, Jones or Lohan, I’m not someone who trained all their lives and as a little girl dreamed for one day to be an SCW Superstar, oh no. While you were winning your Championships and making history I was walking the runway, making commercials, all the different women you have cheated or thrown away like yesterday’s trash purchased and wore the sexy lingerie I made famous and for me to come into the SCW in late 2014 and suddenly rise like I have and stand here today as the World Champion, the representation of what you have worked so hard for since the inception of this company eats away at your very core….
Because this is the future of wrestling now.
All the blood that was spilled, all the wars that were waged, the times you defended the honor of the SCW or the many where you simply fought for yourself at the end mean what Josh? Look behind me, ask Paul Revere. Everyone talks about Legacy, what they leave behind, how they will be remembered. Regan and I had your back, we respected what you had accomplished and the man you were even if I thought you were a pig.
Instead this has become more about Josh Hudson, the deceiver who will NEVER be a good father, Josh Hudson, the swindler who will never be a good husband, Josh Hudson the con artist who will never be a good mentor….
Is that the fate of Kristen Rae too Josh?
Is she really your protégé or your next conquest? By the way you exploit her on Twitter, I will lean toward the latter and for a woman who loved you more than life itself in Rachel Tatum Lee, the way you act now, with that girl just shows that you are a lowlife and the person who I once admired failed in every aspect. Tilt the chin or the crown slips, for integrity is a part of this business and while I hold myself at the highest regard, you’ve only shown that even a World Title cannot negate scum like you.
Do you know what your legacy should have been, Josh?
Regan. Jennifer. AJ. All the people who looked up to you and wanted to learn from the fountain of information that you had. We. Even when you beat Chris Cannon at Fatal Fortunes, my “Superman” it was a sight to see and just like that you tarnish it with your bumbling antics and tomfoolery. Instead you have proven me right, where the SCW has always needed what I stand for, something you hate because of the ugliness you are, beauty. Women like me will always be successful in life, given the keys to the kingdom, amass God-Like powers in the social circles, worshiped like queens just by showing my face in public. They come to see Sienna Swann, not Josh Hudson and with that said, it’s not like you have been here the entire time either….
How many more retirement speeches?
Goodbye tours?
Is this talk about leaving at the end of the year really it?
No, it isn’t for when you sit at home and continue to watch me elevate myself to even higher standards and raise the bar more than it has already, your jealousy will kick into high gear and want to come back when you had your time already. Ace Marshall couldn’t stay away and I once called him a friend but just like you, he decided to take another avenue and so why would I care, I stood and let the Beauty Network beat him up all in the name of evolution. Simon Lyman had to be retired by his own best friend to leave. Xander Valentine came back, he cost me the chance to be Number 40 in Taking Hold of the Flame which would have led to my Championship win at RTG XV and look at what he’s become, once a monster and now a puppet as I still became Champion. Syren has overstayed her welcome, she hasn’t realized her time came and went. I walked into this company and EARNED this spot, I wasn’t given anything. It took a very scary situation a few years ago for me to finally understand my true purpose and place in the SCW and for a time I thought you were on board…..
And instead you fell into the shadows?
Maybe you just weren’t good enough to hang with Regan and me. Did that ever cross your mind? Your body is getting tired, you’re not that guy anymore Josh, instead you’re a derelict who rather act like a horny 16-year-old high school kid than a professional, a man who has become an Icon to this sport and once put on a pedestal. Your children are better off without you, your ex-wives, girlfriends and anyone else you have come in contact with are better off without you…..
And I will do them a favor come Sunday and put you down and end this dream you have of turning back the clock.”
Annoyed, frustrated and determined, Sienna Swann holds her World Championship proud over her shoulder. It is cold outside, she doesn’t care, not bothered by it as her blood boils at what Josh Hudson had done leading into this. She stands for the future, this is her time to shine and for others like Syren and Josh Hudson who have constantly now try to take what she has so they can relive their glory days has angered her so much, she is focused on ending their runs permanently. Sienna continues to speak while the Twins look on……
“I have become what this company needs, this is MY SCW now. Ask anyone Josh. You want to talk about streaks, the last time I took a pin fall was Ravyn Taylor at Under Attack 2017 when I was robbed, and it was a fast count. I learned from that loss, I didn’t need you to teach me anything, you were not even there. The fact is this was all about Regan when even the Hellcat herself didn’t need you to control her, taking so much credit for what? Am I a World Champion because of you, Josh Hudson?
No, I did this on my own.
Look at David Helms, as a GM he was terrible, made poor decisions, allowed for the system to manipulate him but as a wrestler, a man, a father and a husband? THAT is who you wish you were. You hate David because a woman like Regan would rather be with him than a piece of crap like you. It must be hard living a life where you want what everyone else has all due to your own shortcomings. Funny thing was, I even offered myself to you for that contract knowing you wouldn’t bite and instead you did? Of course, you would have never given it up, I’m not like one of your stupid little girlfriends Josh and at that moment, it was when I lost all respect.
Your career as a whole is legendary…..
Your choices are forgetful.
And so now it has led to this? I am Sienna Swann, the Iron Angel, there is no match that we can have where I will not outlast you in ever aspect inside the ring. You underestimate me and overestimate yourself. A classic blunder by these veterans that think what they did in 2006 can be translated into today. I wasn’t there, had I been I’d be in the Hall of Fame. Many compared me to Katie Steward, again a mistake for much as I respect her, I have become my own individual and not even Katie can touch me now. What about you Josh? Do you really believe that at Bound by Blood it will be your day again in the sun? Give us the great speech about how you have done so much for this business and the journey which will soon come to an end and give us all that sob story of how this will define it?
So pretentious.
No, instead this will have the opposite effect, this victory over the great Josh Hudson, will define ME. For not once have you thought about what this will do for me. Another Hall of Famer fallen at my feet, the fifteenth World Champion Knocked out by Sienna Swann, the model, the alluring figure that has changed the game of wrestling. This is not a gimmick, it’s not some fad or show. This is who I am. People hate what they cannot have, what they cannot be, they try every way to break you down much like you. See, Josh, I trusted you, I listened to Regan who thought the world of you. We could have taken over the SCW and showed them that all generations could work together to build one entity….
It was just too much for Josh Hudson to handle.
Instead of accepting your faults, you hid behind the Trios Contract all to prove me wrong? To show the SCW you were better than me? Better than Regan? Are we that petty? Fine, this was the path you chose, and I will honor it by standing over you and holding this World Championship high above my head as the NEW leader of the SCW, the woman who will create her own Legacy at the expense of SCW’s past. I’m not going to “Erase” it, Josh….
I’m going to erase you.”
Her icy blue eyes narrow, biting down on her jaw. The Twins both smirk, Laura looks on, nodding in approval. Sienna reaches into her coat pocket and takes out a sack. She holds it up and dangles it a few times before addressing the camera…
“Is this how it ends?
Another SCW staple’s career buried in some unmarked grave. How morbid of me to stand here in this cemetery and talk about you Josh Hudson. Fitting, isn’t it? I want you to realize that it didn’t have to be like this. Together we were unstoppable but just like every other script written in this business you followed it instead of rewriting your own. That is the most disappointing part of it all. I was under the impression that you were different and instead you were the ugly to my beauty, the same as the rest. It was hard for you to accept that I am everything I say, the World Heavenly Champion of Wrestling. It’s a shame for there are parts of the Past that shouldn’t be erased, they should be honored and remembered instead….
To bad none of them involve you.
I will write your final chapter that we spend together, liar. Ten years from now, they will look back at this match and remember what happened. Syren, Thirteen and Donovan Kayl had the same attitude walking into Rise to Greatness and they fell too. Kennedy Street was living the dream and I became her nightmare. This is a new SCW now, Josh, it’s not YOURS anymore sweetie, it’s mine.
Thank you for the contributions you have made throughout the years….
Too bad they will not have the happy ending you wish for.
Do you see this satchel? Inside is what sums up Josh Hudson’s career as a whole and how he will be remembered after his time with Past. Present. Future…..”
She opens it and pours out silver coins in the palm of her hand….
“Fifty pieces of silver. I hope it was all worth it, Hudson. Enjoy it Judas, thinking about every poor decision you’ve made that led to this while hanging from the Tree of Woe…..
Courtesy of a Kiss By An Angel.”
Sienna slowly lets the silver fall out of her hands and into the snowy ground, staring right into the camera with narrowing eyes, cracking a smirk and brandishing the World Championship….
FADE TO BLACK
/REC
Sienna Swann 