Scene opens with a pan of a hangar that has been converted into an indoor obstacle course. On the far wall, a timer was running, and read 5:22. The camera showed the two or three dozen sets of objects before panning upward. A woman was in the rafters of the hangar, doing chin ups. After finishing a set, the woman let go, and plummeted. Turning in midair into a dive that would make olympic divers proud, the redhead broke the surface of the pool, sending a plume of water into the air. After a few seconds, she surfaced and breaststroke toward the edge of the pool. Climbing out, the woman grabbed towel, wrapping it about herself. A moment later, Jessica Tendonin was standing in front of the camera.
Jessica Tendonin: Larissa, I want to say congratulations, but to be honest…you haven’t done anything warranting praise. Sure, you took down Fury, but let’s be honest…Fury doesn’t seem to be what she once was. When I defeated her a few years ago, it was easily a match to remember. If we went at it today, I wonder if both of us could battle at that level. Then, she got taken to task and defeated by Paige Lewis.
You know, I’ll be the first to admit it; Paige Lewis is where she is because she has earned it, and is that damn good. I’ve faced her myself, and I know what it is like to be in the ring with her. But even still, a veteran like Fury, falling to a rookie like Paige? You defeating Fury after that is…well, not as impressive as it should be, and make no mistake, it should be VERY impressive.
The Paraguayan dropped the towel and took a seat on a bench. Next to her was the SCW International Heavyweight Championship. She picked it up and examined it for a moment.
Jessica Tendonin: I’ve held this championship, the SCW International Heavyweight Championship, for over a year now. When I named this championship, I took it as a chance to help define a new era in SCW. We have a WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION…why not an International? Sure, in SCW, weight classes are meaningless, but it made sense. I named it in the style of the championship held by Paige Lewis because I knew the power of a name.
390 days and counting, Larissa. That is how long I’ve labored at my mission of raising this championship. During the course of that, I was given an opportunity of a lifetime. I was named challenger for the SCW World Heavyweight Championship. The Dragon versus the Black Princess. In what was arguably the most successful pay per view in SCW history, Paige Lewis and I did battle. I did one no man or woman had done before, and have done since. I defeated Paige Lewis. For 77 beautiful days, I was the SCW World Heavyweight Champion, and the SCW International Heavyweight Champion.
Alas, Paige Lewis, as I said, is where she is because she earned it. She got her rematch and took back the coveted prize. So, you are wrong, I am not the current world champion. Perhaps one day I’ll have the honor again, but for now, my mission is to elevate this international championship. And I can’t do that by letting you take it from me. You say I don’t give my opponents props, but you’ve literally done nothing of note. You won a one match, one match, that catapulted you to my doorstep.
Jessica set the championship down and stood up, grabbing a jump rope. After finding her stride, she continued speaking as the rope blurred in a circle around her.
Jessica Tendonin: Larissa, you’ve got heart. I can give you that. There once was a young lady, beautiful on the eyes, wide be her own, full of potential, but lacking in craft. She had heart, though, and eventually, someone took her under their wing, and trained her. I didn’t roll out of bed on my 18th birthday and become one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. I had to work for it. I had to work twice as hard as the men, because I’m a woman. I had to work thrice as hard because I’m latina. I had to work four times as hard because I was good looking.
But, I did it. I have achieved things in this business that might not even be possible anymore. The people in the beginning who looked down on my telling me no are the same people emailing me begging for an appearance at their local, failing business. I’m 35 years old, Larissa. I won’t live forever, and I certainly won’t be wrestling forever. But, I’ve got a hell of a lot of fight left in me, and I’m going to work my ass off to stay on top of my game.
What I won’t do, however, is belittle you the way I was when I was your age, and younger, just starting out. I’m not going to tell you that you’ll never be championship material, or that you won’t make it, or that you should pursue a career in the adult entertainment industry. I won’t tell you that wrestling isn’t for pretty girls. A few minutes ago, I said you’ve only won a single match. Well, here’s the thing. You don’t have to win them all. You only have to win the ones that matter. Pinning Fury mattered. Stepping in the ring with me and taking my championship matters.
She stopped jumping rope now and sat on the bench again, doing a few breathing exercises. After a moment, she began speaking again.
Jessica Tendonin: Larissa, my resume speaks for itself. We’ll facing off in a TLC match. I’ve been involved in some of the most talked about ladder matches in SCW history. I’ve never lost one here.I don’t plan on doing it now. My mission means a lot to me, and I will not falter before someone still finding their way in this industry. Tables, Ladders, and Chairs. I don’t care how many tables I have to put you through, or how many chairs I have to snap over your body. My goal is simple, and my path is clear. I must leave TLC as the International Champion. And I will. Your moment will not happen at TLC, Larissa.
The scene faded now as Jessica took a long swallow from a water bottle.
