Marie Jones vs. “The Lost Monarch” Ryan LeCavalier

[The Matt]

2 of 2
=====

==========
July 23rd, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
==========

This year’s Rise To Greatness is very special for Marie Annabelle Jones. It isn’t just due to the fact that this is the biggest event of SCW’s calendar year, it isn’t just because this is Marie’s first Rise To Greatness since she made her return to SCW earlier this year. This is Marie’s first Rise To Greatness match in several years. She has missed this grand wrestling event for the past several years due to various issues, primarily among them her own ego, selfishness, and refusal to do business. It is her own fault that it has been this long since she has made it to this stage, back to Rise To Greatness. This year, her first Rise To Greatness in several years, is symbolic of Marie’s own redemption journey. Now she has earned her way back to SCW, earned her way back to Rise To Greatness, and her match, ironically enough, is someone who isn’t particularly fond of the way SCW has been booking her, someone who thinks way too highly of herself. Namely, Ryan LeCavalier. The Lost Monarch reminds Marie of herself from the past few years when she thought of herself as The Crown Jewel of Professional Wrestling, when she thought she deserved far better than what she was getting. She reminds Marie of her own formerly entitled attitude. Now as she makes her return to Rise To Greatness, Marie can put this entitled person in her place.

Marie will be making the trip to St. Louis, Missouri, the site of Rise To Greatness, very soon. But for now she wants to spend some more time with some of the most important people in her life; her boyfriend Percy Matthews and her teenage Sean, Connor Jones. It seems that her personal life is coming together very quickly and in her favor as of late. For a long time Marie has wanted not just a lover and confidant, but someone who could serve as a father figure for her son. She had almost given up hope until she was introduced to Percy, an ex-convict looking to turn his life around. What’s even better about this is the fact that Sean adores Percy and vice-versa. In fact, the pair have been spending quite a bit of time together lately with Sean’s desire to follow in his mother’s footsteps and become the first ever third generation wrestler from the Jones family. Percy has been taking time to teach Sean basic self-defense skills before the actual professional wrestling practice comes into play.

Currently the three of them are seated in the living room of Marie’s luxurious modern home in Boston, Massachusetts. The space is tastefully decorated with clean lines and neutral tones, accented by bursts of color in the form of abstract art on the walls and plush cushions on the large sectional sofa. A sleek glass coffee table sits in the center, holding a few magazines and a vase of fresh flowers, adding to the room's elegant ambiance. The overall atmosphere is one of comfort and understated luxury. Marie is on the sofa, wearing a floral print blouse with a slightly ruffled neckline and a knee-length navy skirt that accentuates her figure while maintaining an air of sophistication. Her vibrant red hair that cascades in loose waves around her shoulders. Seated beside Marie is her teenage son, Sean. His hair is a darker shade of red than his mother’s, cropped short and slightly tousled, giving him a casual, youthful appearance. He wears a hoodie and jeans, a typical teenage outfit, and his sneakers are slightly scuffed from frequent use. Last, but certainly, not least, is Death’s Head; aka; Percy Matthews, Marie’s boyfriend, who sits on the other side of her. Percy’s muscular build is evident even through the plain black t-shirt he wears, paired with worn jeans and sturdy boots. His arms, covered in tattoos, are a testament to his past life as a biker.

“I’m glad we could all spend some time together like this.” Marie says with a warm smile as she hugs Sean tightly. Like most teenagers his age he smiles uncomfortably before pushing himself away. “I will have to catch a flight to St. Louis very soon.”

“Why do ya gotta leave so soon?” Percy asks.

“Rise To Greatness isn’t just one match at the pre-show and I’m done.” Marie shakes her head. “It is a whole weekend, a spectacle. Besides, I haven’t participated in a Rise To Greatness in several years. That’s my fault because I took it and SCW for granted. I am happy to be back and I am going to show this company and my fans that I am ready, willing, and able to put in the effort. That means not just showing up for my match against Ryan LeCavalier, but also putting in special appearances, signing autographs, meeting fans, the whole experience. You know what I mean?”

“I don’t know the whole wrestling business like you, babe,” Percy says with a grin “so I’ll have to take your word on it. But it does look like you’re really taking this comeback of yours seriously.”

“I definitely am, which is why I do need to get to St. Louis early.” Marie sighs. “I wish both of you could come with me…” there is a hint of pain in her voice. Percy smiles warmly.

“It’s ok. Me and Sean will be fine.”

“Yeah, mom, me and Percy will be fine by ourselves.”

“Are you sure?” Marie smiles jokingly. “You boys won’t have any big parties while I’m gone, right?”

“No parties, mom!” Sean insists. “In fact, me and Percy will probably work all day on my wrestling!”

Marie and Percy exchange a nervous look. Without even saying a word they know what the other is thinking. This is a subject they both knew would be coming up sooner or later, they just wished it could be put off. They wish it could be delayed. But it cannot be delayed any longer.

“Uh, Sean…” Marie begins, her voice trailing off “...there’s something I should tell you.”

“I’ll tell him.” Percy says. He turns to face Sean. “Kid, I hate to tell you but, I can’t work with you anymore.”

“What?” Sean seems confused. “But you can’t just quit.”

“I’m not quitting, Sean. It’s just that I’ve taught you everything I can.”

“No you haven’t.” Sean insists shaking his head. “I have learned so much from you and there is still so much to learn!”

“Sean, please listen to me.” Marie stares into her son’s eyes. “Percy told you from the beginning that he could only teach you the basics of self-defense and some basic striking skills. That was all he could teach you, but if you really want to follow your grandmother, and myself, into the world of professional wrestling, then you need to move on to a real wrestling school and learn how to navigate the world of professional wrestling.”

“Yeah, and I just can’t teach you that, Sean.” Percy says. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t hang out, ok? It doesn’t mean I can’t still teach a thing or two here and there.” Percy winks. Sean’s frown finally turns into a small smile.

“I guess…” he sighs “...but what does that mean for me?” He looks at his mother. “Are you going to train me?”

“I wish I could.” Marie shakes her head. “Unfortunately I just don’t have the time. But I do know someone who does have the time.”

“Who?”

“Your great aunt Kayla.” Marie smiles. “I spoke to her and she agrees that working with you would be a great idea. And what’s more is that you and your aunt will be making history.”

“How’s that?” Sean’s curiosity piqued.

“The Jones family will be opening and running its own wrestling school. We’re going to call it The Dragon Academy.” She points a finger at Sean. “And you will be one of its first students.” She pats Sean on the back. “How does that sound? Your dream is coming true.”

“Thanks, mom!” Sean jumps up to his feet. “I can’t wait to tell my friends!” With that, Sean bolts out of the room. Marie and Percy both share a laugh.

“I love the kid’s enthusiasm.” Percy remarks.

“I have no idea where he gets it.” Marie says.

“From his mother.” Percy remarks as he kisses her on the cheek. Marie returns the favor with an even more passionate kiss. The kissing session grows hotter and more passionate. But then Marie quickly pushes Percy away. This causes Percy to look confused. “What’s wrong?”

“Not now, Percy.” Marie says. “Sean is here. He may be upstairs in his room but he is still here.”

“Oh, right…” he sighs “...sorry. Old habits. I didn’t mean to push you or rush you. Just…just whenever you’re ready…” his voice trails off. Marie gives him one kiss on the cheek.

“You are too kind to me, Percy. I do not deserve you.”

“Huh?”

“Percy, I will be ready. Not now but when I return from St. Louis, when I get back from Rise To Greatness, I will be ready.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.” Marie smiles warmly. “You’ve been very patient with me and understanding of my problems. It’s time I reward your patience and love.”

==========
On Camera
==========

“I’m not getting the spotlight I deserve! I’m not getting the competition I deserve! I’m entitled to better than what SCW is giving me!”

Those words sound so damn familiar. That’s because those were my words. What? Did you think I would point the accusatory finger at a certain Lost Monarch? I mean, yes, she certainly sounds like a spoiled little brat. She certainly has that air of entitlement about her. Last time I heard from her she was complaining about the lack of competition in SCW. She questioned whether or not SCW was really the right place to ply her craft.

Trust me, Ryan, SCW has the best competition you will find. If you decide to leave, I would question YOUR guts, not the level of competition in this place. And you can believe me when I say that this attitude of yours will not serve you will in the long run.

You speak as if you deserve to be thrust in the ring with the very best this company has to offer? That’s not how this company works. Hell, that isn’t how WRESTLING works. This is climbing a ladder, or maybe mountain climbing would be a better comparison? You climb your way, slowly but surely to the top. The first few steps start out easy and each step gets progressively more difficult as you prove yourself worthy of the next level…

…that’s right, PROVE YOURSELF. You prove yourself by taking on whatever challenge SCW throws your way. And each time you overcome a challenge you will be given another, more difficult challenge, until you get to where you want to go. That is how this process works. But apparently that’s not good enough for The Lost Monarch, is it? You want someone who will make it worth your time and effort. You want a true test of your skill right here and now.

Be careful of what you ask for, because you just got it. You got me, The Phoenix, at Rise To Greatness. And if you want a side by side comparison of me and your previous opponents in SCW, well let me just list off some of my accomplishments.

Three time SCW Television Champion.
SCW World Tag Team Champion.
SCW United States Champion.

And that’s just my SCW record. I could point out that I am a seven time former World Champion in other promotions. Does that make me “worthy” enough of your precious time and effort, Ryan?

I used to be a lot like you, Ryan. I thought certain matches and certain competitors were beneath me. Hell, there was a time that I would have thrown a fit at being on the pre-show. There are people on this roster right now throwing a fit that they aren’t featured on the main Rise To Greatness card. Are you going to start bitching about that too, Ryan? Is the mere Pre-Show beneath someone of your stature?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not that girl who is just happy to be here. I am here to win championships. But I also recognize the importance of Rise To Greatness and just being a part of this experience, no matter who I am facing, even if it is the Pre-Show, is huge.

Ryan, you are not a monarch of any kind, Lost or otherwise. You are just a whiner because you have a self of entitlement. Rise To Greatness is when I bring you back down to earth. Rise To Greatness is when I introduce you to reality that you are not the bright and shining star of SCW, not yet anyway. You have to EARN your way to that level. You think you deserve better than what you have received thus far but at Rise To Greatness, I am going to humble you.

You will be beaten. On the Pre-Show. You will be humbled…on the Pre-Show. Your rise will be brought to be an immediate halt…on the damn pre-show. And as for me? This Phoenix WILL RISE!