The scene fades in and we see the sight not of the blonde six-time SCW World Champion but instead a woman who’s rarely seen in these videos, but someone of utmost importance to them. We see the sight of the two-time SCW World Champion, and final ever SCW Women’s Champion, Ravyn Taylor. Ravyn is dressed in red leather pants and a black shirt with the words ‘#SCWBadGirls’ written across the front. She smirks at the camera. “Ladies and gentlemen I’m confident that I need no introduction, but for those of you who may have temporarily forgotten, my name is Ravyn Taylor, and just recently a young British interviewer in the employ of Supreme Championship Wrestling dubbed me the ‘QueenMaker’. Well, if I’m the QueenMaker then that must mean that I’m in the presence of the queen. So, without further ado, allow me to present to you your SCW World Heavyweight Champion, Syren…” the brunette announces. The blonde who we’ve come to know so well in these videos then walks into the shot, carrying with her the SCW World Championship which she proudly holds up to the camera.

She takes a deep breath before smiling proudly. “Two words. ‘And. Still’,” she proudly announces, holding up the SCW World Championship in front of her and showing it off to the camera before slowly and purposefully taking it and placing it across her shoulder. She gushes proudly at her wife who smirks back at her in exchange. The young couple seem very pleased with themselves before Syren turns back to the camera again, giving it more of her attention. “I could have begun with three different words – told you so – but really we all knew that I would have told you so, didn’t we? And don’t get me wrong, last week was a fight. Again, we knew it would be. Jake Starr doesn’t go down easy. He never has before. He likely never will. On the day he DOES start going down easy that’ll be the day that I’d imagine he’ll hang up his boots but based on last week I can confirm that he has a lot of fight left in him. Trust me, I’m still hurting. But no matter how many aches and niggles I have after defending my World Championship last week I know that as I rolled out of that ring victorious there was no level of physical pain that could in any way equal the mental pain that Jake suffered when he opened his eyes and realised what had happened. And for guys like Jake – boys, with their big egos, their macho pride and their inability to admit respect to anyone but themselves – there’s no pain worse than that mental pain of opening your eyes after giving your all and realising it wasn’t enough. Now I’d ask Jake to pay his respects… but we all know he won’t. He’ll have excuses, right? But let me address one of those right now and say that we had NOTHING to do with Xander Valentine… right?”

She looks to her side at her wife for confirmation. Ravyn just smirks. “Of course not,” she says innocently. “I can’t tell if you think so little of me that you think I’d recruit someone like Xander, or you think so much of me as to think that I was responsible for his return. Either way no, it wasn’t me. He wasn’t part of my plan. He was just a happy coincidence. That said, he was a conveniently timed coincidence, wasn’t he? And I wonder why? Perhaps Xander Valentine just doesn’t like Jake Starr. He wouldn’t be the only one around here. Perhaps Xander has a bit of a thing for the lovely Syren. He wouldn’t be the only one either. But whatever his motivation, whatever drove him to make his way down to ringside, I have to tell him that, of course, Dark Fantasy and CHBK were most unhappy with his presence. Why he ruined what was a classic match. His damn interference cost poor Jakey the chance to get his revenge, and on behalf of Dark Fantasy we just want to tell the world that we stand with Jake Starr when we… no, you know what? It’s not worth it. It’s not worth the effort of even saying the words. We don’t stand with Jake Starr. We don’t care about Jake Starr. We don’t care if he feels upset. We don’t care if he’s stomping his feet and throwing his toys around even as we speak. He had his chance. Oleksa Drachewych gifted him that chance. He couldn’t get the job done. Say what you will about the circumstances, but how often have Zoe and I faced those very same circumstances?”

Syren rolls her eyes. “All the fucking time!”

Ravyn nods. “And how often has someone like Jake Starr fought our battles for us and demanded justice on our behalf?”

Syren pretends to think about it for a second. “Well, there was that one time when he… no, no, that wasn’t Jake Starr. And it wasn’t SCW. Actually, I think it was on a television show I was watching. You know, where people actually have morals and integrity,” she says before shrugging. “Heh, you can tell that shit is make-believe, huh?”

Ravyn nods her head slowly. “It would seem so, as it’s been eight and half years for me now as part of Supreme Championship Wrestling and thus far I’ve yet to meet anyone with anything close to that which I could describe as ‘integrity’,” she says with a disappointed frown. “Of course, there are those who are surprisingly good at faking it. Take the former Television Champion as an example. How good is he at feigning respect for his peers? How good is he at pretending to honour the codes that this business was supposedly built upon? But that’s all it’s ever been. Feigned respect and pretence. Because when it comes down to truly fighting the battle for justice, we all know that he doesn’t stand for righteousness and truth, don’t we? He stands for nepotism. Sure, he’ll fight for the respect of others… just as long as he’s been fucking them. And yet the masses get taken in by this bullshit. The proverbial wool gets pulled over their eyes. But is he bitching and whining about Jake Starr’s lost opportunity?”

Syren pulls out her phone and mockingly pretends to check. “Nope!”

Ravyn rolls her eyes. “And why am I not surprised? Does this not prove my point?” she asks knowingly. “What’s the matter? Would Jake not give up that fine, fine ass?”

Syren lowers her phone and turns to Ravyn before giggling. “They’d make a cute couple,” she says before flashing her wife a smile. “Bet it wouldn’t last long though. I mean, I don’t think Jake could stand the idea that their relationship wasn’t all about him.”

Ravyn sighs. “No, most likely not. But then, not all couples can be as supportive and loving as we are, baby,” she says playfully. Syren lets out a cute ‘aww’ and the two of them lean in, rub noses a little in an overtly cute way – clearly playing it up for the camera – before kissing happily. Syren puts a finger to her lips and blushes happily as Ravyn turns back to the camera. “And yet being supportive and loving is just what we do. It’s what’s made Dark Fantasy what we are. It’s what took us to the SCW World Tag Team Championships when nobody thought we could get there. It’s what helped us break the glass ceiling in the battle for tag team equality – the first all-female tag team champions in the history of this promotion, just one of many accomplishments Zoe and I have amassed, not that we’re shown the proper respect for it – and it’s what’s kept us together through the good times and the bad. It’s what’s led us through going-on nine years of SCW history together, and it’s why heading into Breakdown in the Pepsi Center neither Zoe nor I have anything to fear, nor do we have anything to prove. And that, in particular, is what makes this week so very special, for you see over the past few years there’s been a pressure on the two of us imposed by the SCW fans, SCW management and even those in the locker rooms. They expected from us. Whenever they put our names on the cards, no matter the circumstances, they expected from us. And yes, it’s true, we were financially compensated for those expectations… but money, as they say, does not buy happiness.”

Syren snorts in derision. “If it did, Blake Mason would be the happiest guy in the world, instead of one of the biggest douche-canoes in it,” she mutters before rolling her eyes. “And if it did then maybe, just maybe, the two of us would be a little happier as well. I mean, Ravyn is right. We got paid by SCW, and paid well. We’re both on long term, highly lucrative contracts. We’re two of the highest paid stars in the history of this company. But is any amount of money worth being treated like Mr D used to treat us? Is any amount of money worth the lies? Is any amount of money worth the broken promises? Is there any amount of money you can pay a competitor to sit and watch while those who’ve wronged them get given the easy rides? The answer is no. No there’s not. And yet today I’m standing here, with this on my shoulder, and this to me isn’t about the money I can make from it. In the last few weeks I’ve lost endorsements, because there’s this idea going around that I’ve ‘changed’, that I’ve ‘turned my back on the fans’ or whatever, and that means less money… but you know what? I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.  Nor can I remember the last time that I felt this sense of freedom. Because Ravyn’s right, you all expected from us time after time but now those expectations have gone, haven’t they? Now there’s no pressure on Dark Fantasy this week. Now there’s no demanding that we win. Now we don’t need to throw our all in and fight the good fight until death. In fact, this week we don’t need to fight at all, because this week we have nothing to prove. We already have this… and in this business that’s all that matters.”

She pats the World Championship proudly. Ravyn smirks. “That’s how this business works. It’s all about ‘what have you done recently’. Well, we’ve got the SCW World Heavyweight Championship. What have you got?” she asks before grinning. “That question is actually directed at our opponents this week. What have the two of you got? You’ve not got the SCW World Tag Team Championships. That’s a pity. That parade didn’t really last all that long, did it? All that grandeur. All that hype. All that pomp and circumstance. And for what? A title reign that if you blinked too long you missed it entirely. And then what? A regrouping? A new strategy? A team reborn with fresh energy, looking to start again from the bottom and fight their way back to the top again? No. Separation. Individual aspirations. Back to where we were before, with ‘besties for life’ once again walking individual paths. And where are those individual paths leading? Well, we know where Kennedy Street is headed, don’t we? She’s made no secret of that. She wants ‘revenge’. She’s seeking ‘vengeance’. Oh, she’s so very angry. And justifiably so. I mean, if I were in her position I know I’d be irate as well. Why I’d spend every minute of every day hunting down the damn person who caused all my problems. I’d be so angry that my good name was besmirched in such a manner. Forget, for just a moment, that she doesn’t have a good name, and that the name ‘Street’ in this business is associated with greed, envy and sycophantism, still if I were her I’d dedicate myself to ruining the life of the people who’ve wronged me… which is absolutely why I’d go after Syren.”

Syren bursts out laughing and Ravyn just lets out a sigh. “Yah, I mean… what?” Syren asks before patting the title on her shoulder. “C’mon, bitch, let’s not pretend this is anything but what it is, shall we? You want to be all angry at being ‘framed’? Fine. Be angry about it. But you want to pretend like you’re coming after me because of that then the ONLY person who’s stupid enough to believe that is, apparently, Donovan Kayl. Then again, he was probably the only one who actually believed you were innocent when it was announced that you were the prime suspect in the investigation as well, wasn’t he? I know I sure as fuck didn’t! You see I stood there in the middle of the ring with the rest of the world convinced that you were the one behind it, because… well, do I even need to explain that? You’re Kennedy Street. You think anyone is buying this whole ‘redemption tour’ bullshit? You’re the most self-absorbed bitch in the company, and considering this is a roster that also includes Sienna Swann, Regan Street and Bree Lancaster then believe me when I say that that is a fucking achievement to top them! But see, that’s the problem with coming after me when you’re supposedly so worked up about being ‘framed’. I had NOTHING TO DO WITH IT! I stood in that ring and fucking BELIEVED it was you. You want to know the first time I found out that it wasn’t you? When I had this belt over my shoulder. I wasn’t in on the plan. I wasn’t part of the ‘great deception’. And you’re not coming after me because you want ‘revenge’. You’re coming after me because you want this. And that should surprise nobody… after all, you’re a Street. You’re like magpies. You’re attracted to shiny things.”

Ravyn looks amused. “But if she really wants revenge then… well, hello there Ms Street. How’s your day been? Let me introduce myself. My name is Ravyn Taylor. You might remember me from that time that I took the SCW World Championship from you at the biggest event of the year. No? Were you too busy staring in the mirror before the match to realise who you were facing? Ah, right, you were facing the ‘Perfect’ one, weren’t you? And you forgot about me. Seems you have a nasty habit of doing that, considering here we are all this time later and you’re forgetting about me all over again. Well, this week on Breakdown I’ll be happy to remind you what happens when you forget about me, little girl. And, as I’m in an oddly generous mood this week, let me check my diary for a moment…” she says before reaching over and picking up her own phone, tapping on it, swiping the screen a few times and then finally looking up at the camera again. “Oh, well, would you look at that. It seems that Zoe will be done with you in twelve days. And when she is, after she walks away from Retribution with the SCW World Heavyweight Championship remaining where it belongs, your dance card is going to be a lot freer. Now, I don’t have anything shiny, but I do have an opening on April 15th. Tell me, does ‘revenge’ truly matter to you? Are you actually upset that Alex and I used you as easily as we did? Or, are you more upset that you didn’t think of it yourself? Perhaps what bothers you the most is the fact that every single person believed the lie, and your ‘redemption’ was seen for the hollow deception it truly is. Whatever it is that drives you, April 15th you’re more than welcome to get some ‘payback’… unless you’re as big a coward as everyone else with your surname.”

Syren smirks. “It’s only Kennedy you’re interested in? Because if I were you I’d be interested in Amy Chastaine. I mean, maybe she doesn’t have the same level of douche-bag kissing her ass, but she does have one thing that her ‘partner’ never will and that’s my respect. Yah, Amy, I respect you. That shouldn’t come as a shock. I’ve said it often enough. That didn’t change on January 21st. Nothing changed on January 21st. As I’ve said before, I’m still the same girl I’ve always been, the same girl who offered you a locker room when you needed it, the same girl who extended the olive branch even after we’d gone head to head over this title, and the same girl who stood alongside you on countless stages in front of countless people supporting charities, raising money and raising awareness of issues that matter. I’m the same person I’ve always been, Amy… I’ve just finally reached my breaking point with two-faced bitches like your ‘bestie’. Can you honestly blame me? I mean, how long until you wise up as well? You think she cares about you? You think she gives a fuck what you’re up to now she’s focused in on this title?” she asks before shaking her head slowly. “Truth is I’m willing to bet before this tag team match was announced Kennedy likely forgot who you even were. She’s not interested in the tag belts anymore. That was something she did in between campaigns for why she should have all the singles belts. You think you’re ever going to get that partnership back again? No. And you think, even if by some miracle Kennedy takes this belt from me again, that she’ll even THINK about you as a contender?”

Both members of Dark Fantasy laugh at the mere idea. “Can you imagine?” Ravyn asks before shaking her head.

“I know, right?” Syren replies before letting out a sigh. “Now I’m not trying to drive a wedge between you guys. You can be besties. I honestly don’t give a fuck. I just don’t want you standing there on your high horse telling me that you ‘believe’ in Kennedy Street, or for one single moment believing that Kennedy has any right to this belt on my shoulder, because she doesn’t. You, on the other hand, well you could be a contender, Amy. You and me, we’ve got history. We’ve had fantastic matches against one another. We’ve had a rivalry that brought out the best in both of us. And that’s not to mention the success you had last year, the records you set, the awards you won… you want my honest opinion, Amy? It should be you competing for this belt next week. Not Bree. Not Kennedy. You. But you’re not. And you know why, don’t you? Because your surname isn’t ‘Street’. Because no matter how much you ‘treasure’ your ‘bestie’ you’ll never have the same ass-kissers who suck up to her campaigning for you. And because you’re stupid enough to actually give a fuck what she thinks of you, and you don’t matter to her. Now tell me I’m wrong. Prove to me I’m wrong this week. Show me how good you two still work together. Show me how amazing you are as a team. Show me you’ll always have each other’s backs, and blah, blah, blah. Tell me how you used to admire me before I turned to the dark side, and how you lost respect for me, while maintaining respect for Kennedy fucking Street, and watch me laugh in your stupid, delusional face.”

Ravyn rolls her eyes. “And yet she will, won’t she? She’ll praise her ‘friend’. She’s been conditioned to do so, after all if you don’t praise Kennedy Street at least once every four breaths then she loses interest in anything you’ve got to say. And of course poor, naïve little Amy will approach this match with the delusion rife that this week Kennedy and she can ‘prove’ something against the two of us. But that’s where you’re wrong. You’re in a rough spot this week, ladies. The fans expect of you, now. They expect success. They crave it. And you need to deliver it. But, let’s assume that you do. Do you know what that gets you? Nothing. Nothing changes. You beat us this week and there’s no reward. There’s no fast track to future opportunities. There’s nothing. You get to jump up and down and proclaim you won a tag team match on an episode of Breakdown, while Syren and I look at one another and honestly ask if we care even a little. Will it affect next Sunday? Will it change the course of where the World Championship ends up? Then please don’t bore me with your bravado. There is no reward here, but there is expectation. The people expect. Can you deliver, ladies? You do and you accomplish nothing. But you fail and you break their little hearts,” she says in amusement. “Can you bear to do that? Could you live with yourself if little Timmy doesn’t get to see his heroes win? Well, Timmy may want to prepare himself for disappointment, as while the fans expect from you, Zoe and I have no pressure on our shoulders, nothing to lose and so much fun to be had in denying the two of you.”

Syren nods. “I was like you not long ago, Amy. I busted my ass for this company, and kept fighting. I broke bones for this company, and kept fighting. I stepped into Tag Team Elimination Chambers, or Tactical Warfare, for this company, and gave everything I had. I asked for one thing in return. To be treated fairly. To be given opportunities. To get the same chances as the Kelcey Wallaces, Selena Frosts and Regan Streets of this company. Did I get that? Tell me, while you’re undoubtedly ranting about how much respect you’ve lost for me – while I did nothing illegal in claiming this title, remember. I didn’t break a rule. I didn’t set a trap. And I sure as fuck didn’t frame anyone for anything – did I get even close to the one thing I asked for? December 2016 I was promised a rematch by the boss himself. By January 2018 I was still waiting for my fair shake. Have you had to wait that long for what you’ve wanted, Amy? No. You got thrown into Elimination Chambers. You got put in Tag Team Contendership tournaments. You got included in Shot of Adrenaline tournaments. Was I in any of those things?” she asks before looking at Ravyn, as though she’s genuinely expecting a reply, before looking in a demeaning way into the camera. “Before you judge a person you should walk a mile in their shoes, isn’t that what they say? Do you want my shoes, Amy? Do you want to go for a stroll? Do you want to see what it’s like to be Syren? Give it a try. Walk a mile in my footsteps and tell me again you’d do anything different. You can tell me what I did was wrong, but I’ve got no regrets. I’d do it all again, and I’d smile the whole time.”

Ravyn laughs. “Well, there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Syren the Unrepentant. A woman who offers no apologies. My kind of woman! And this week we will offer no apologies for what happens in that ring. This week we will offer no repentance, no mercy, as we know we won’t be able to expect any in return. The sycophants will praise the ground on which Ms Street walks to the ring this Wednesday night, but it is less the ground in which I am interested and more the ‘flawless’ body with which she walks. Kennedy Street may believe herself to enter the ring without flaws this Wednesday night, but she will not leave the Pepsi Center as ‘flawlessly’ as she entered it. If you believe that to be a threat then I’m impressed you’ve been paying attention. It should be counted as one, and Kennedy should spend some time looking over her shoulder this Wednesday. In fact, she may want to try bringing some of those sycophantic wastes of oxygen down to the ring with her on Wednesday night – we’ll call it ‘for old times’ sake’ – because Zoe and I will have Alex in our corner, and who knows what else might happen,” she says teasingly before shrugging innocently at the camera. “One can never tell what could be going on in this Bad, Bad Girl’s most devious of minds, after all you couldn’t tell for months what was stewing between Alex and I until we took you all by surprise, so what makes you think you could predict even for a second what might occur on live TV inside the Pepsi Center? After all the Dark Fantasy you used to know are gone…”

Syren smirks. “And they shall return nevermore.”

Ravyn looks at her wife and smiles happily. “Ooh, I like when you steal my lines,” she says in amusement before turning back to the camera. “Be jealous.”

Syren pats the World title with pride. “Be TOTALLY jealous!”

Syren holds up the SCW World Championship. Ravyn crosses her arms, emphasising the slogan on the t-shirt she’s wearing, as the scene fades out on the duo and the video comes to an end, with the replay button flashing on the screen.