Marie Jones vs. Waylon Creek

[The Matt]

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July 27th, 2024
St. Louis, Missouri
Off Camera
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Rise To Greatness XXI would be the first Rise To Greatness Marie Jones had been a part of in several years. The first Rise To Greatness event since her infamous walkout in Supreme Championship Wrestling. She would be on the pre-show but she didn’t care, she was just grateful to be a part of this event. She was grateful for the opportunity to turn things around and prove to the world that she was a changed person, that she had redeemed herself, and that this time her run in SCW would be different. It represented an opportunity to turn away from the past. The Phoenix could confront her past demons and put them to rest permanently. And in more ways than one would this prove to be true as she had to face Ryan LeCavalier at the pre-show. Ryan, the so-called Last Monarch, seemed to represent everything that Marie herself once had been; arrogant, smug, thought she was better than the company itself. She thought she deserved better competition and more than likely resented the fact that she was on the pre-show as opposed to the main Rise To Greatness card. All of these are qualities that once described Marie herself once upon a time. So, in an ironic moment that was not lost upon The Phoneix, she would be facing her mirror image in St. Louis. The person she had now become, a more mature version of The Phoenix, would face someone who arguably represented her former, arrogant, immature self.

It was cathartic. Fighting The Last Monarch was cathartic for Marie Jones, almost like therapy. She got to knock some sense into one of the newest and more arrogant members of the SCW roster, she got to illustrate once and for all that she is a changed woman and that she only wants what is best for SCW, and last but certainly not least, she got to pick up a big win at her first Rise To Greatness event since returning to the company. Yes, Marie Jones dropped Ryan on her head with an Ave Maria and picked up the win after a three count. And based on the reaction she is receiving from the fans here in attendance at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, she is definitely back and better than ever.

Jones is still perched on the second rope in the corner, posing for the fans as they cheer for her loudly and proudly. The Phoenix can tell that the cameras are no longer focused on her, the production has turned itself elsewhere, but Marie still continues to remain her in the ring for a moment longer and soak in the adulation of the crowd. This is something that The Phoenix has missed. She missed this reaction. It is an addicting feeling. She hops down off of the corner turnbuckle and then steps through the ropes, onto the ring apron, and then hops down to the floor surrounding the ring. She can still hear the fans cheer, so as she makes her way back up the ramp she high fives a few fans along the way.

Marie spots a fan, a young boy, on the other side with their smart phone aimed in her direction. It is obvious that this particular fans wants a picture. The Phoenix rushes over to the fan and grins from ear to ear. “Would you like a selfie?”

“Absolutely!” Jones takes the camera and then poses with the boy. She holds the camera in position and snaps the picture. She hands it back to him. “Thank you! Thank you!”

“No…thank you, kiddo.” Marie winks. She turns and begins to bolt back up the ramp. She is joyful that she could make this kid’s day. She turns back towards the audience one last time once she gets to the top of the ramp. The fans offer up one final and loud roar of approval. Marie takes a bow before turning and walking back through the curtain and into the backstage area. “Where’s a towel?” Immediately an official backstage tosses Marie a towel. She catches it and uses it to wipe some of the sweat from her face. Tonight was a victory but not an easy one, not at all. Jones drapes the towel over her shoulder and then walks further, past the ready area and deeper into the backstage area. She stops when she is met by her mother and part time manager Angelica Jones.

“You did great out there, Annabelle.” Angelica is one of very few people who can get away with using Marie’s middle name. She isn’t exactly fond of it but Angelica, for her part, loves the name. And Angelica has been there for Marie a great deal these past few months. Angelica has played a big role in Marie’s redemption journey since returning to SCW. Marie recognizes that she owes a great deal to this woman, her mother, who stands here before her tonight.

Angelica stands a few feet away, wearing a knee length A-line dress in a muted floral print that skims her figure, a neckline that is modest but not severe. Over the dress she sports a pastel hue cardigan, its buttons left open. She is perched atop sensible but stylish low heeled pumps. The Phoenix approaches her mother and embraces her in a tight hug.

“I couldn’t have done it without you!”

“Are you kidding?” Angelica laughs. “That was all you. You beat LeCavalier. You spiked her on her head and pinned her for the three count. You went out there and outwrestled her. I had nothing to do with it.”

“Yes but come on, let’s face it, look at where I was this time last year. I was a pariah. Wrestling promotions would not touch me after what I did to SCW, after I walked out on this company. I was damn near forgotten. But you negotiated with CHBK. You convinced him to give me another chance and to sign me to a new contract. I would not have had a match here at Rise To Greatness had it not been for you.”

“Maybe I opened the door but you had to do the work. You had to find the courage to walk in through that door knowing that on the other side would be a bunch of individuals, from fans to employees, who might not necessarily be fond of you for your past. You found the courage to walk in through that door and into the lion’s den. You proceeded to EARN the adoration of the fans, you earned the trust of your fellow wrestlers, and I think its safe to say you earned the trust of SCW.” Angelica places a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Now you picked up a victory here at Rise To Greatness. How does it feel?”

“It feels great.” Marie says with a grin. “To be out there and hear the fans cheering me, it felt great. I wish I could just stay out there and for that moment to never ever end.”

“I understand, believe me I do, but LeCavalier is old news. You beat her and now you need to move forward.”

“I take it you have an idea of what might be next?” Marie asks with an arched brow. Angelica nods her head in confirmation.

“I don’t want to get your hopes up…”

“Yet I get the feeling you’re about to.”

“You know me too well.” Angelica smirks. “But yes, I have been busy backstage, politicking, negotiating, and I am trying to convince CHBK that you should be next in line to challenge for the Television Title.”

“Seriously, mom?” Marie sighs. “I would rather earn my opportunities.”

“I know but, let’s be honest, you HAVE earned a title shot. You won two matches back to back on the same night on an edition of Breakdown. Here tonight you defeated Ryan at Rise To Greatness. And let’s not forget that you were never pinned or submitted to lose the Television Title in the first place.”

“While that may be true…” Marie’s thought is interrupted by Angelica.

“It’s just a fact. You were never truly beaten for the title. How many other Television Champions were forced to defend the title in a triple threat scenario? You can count them on one hand. Some may call it making excuses but in this case I think you have a legitimate case for a Television Title Match. You were never really beaten and you have done very well since losing the title. And if you do win back the title, you would be a record setting four time champion.”

The Phoenix pauses to think about what her mother just said. A smile creeps across her face. “It would be nice to have that record all to myself.”

“That’s the spirit!” Angelica exclaims. “It isn’t a guarantee yet, I still need to talk to some people first, but just do me a favor, go back to the dressing room, watch Creek versus Lawler. You may very well be facing the winner.”

“Will do.” Marie nods her head. She hugs her mother one more time before the pair part ways. The Phoenix does her best to put this news that she just received out of her mind. The idea that she could be receiving a shot at the Television Title is huge. Facing Waylon Creek or Chris Lawler would be a difficult task no matter which one wins this evening. Waylon Creek has been on an absolute roll since winning the title. Lawler, on the other hand, is a legend in SCW. But Marie has made a point not to dwell on this too much. It may not even happen. The Phoenix eventually makes her way deep into the backstage area and into the dressing rooms. She pushes the door open to the area where she changes. The first thing Marie sees upon arriving backstage is the familiar figure of the large stuffed plushie penguin known as Wasley resting comfortably on top of Marie’s gym bag. Marie smirks as she steps fully into the dressing room and shuts the door behind her.

“Well gee, it looks like Wasley is watching after my gear. How nice of him.” The Phoenix approaches the penguin and picks him up. “Wasley, I know my sister is hiding in here somewhere. She wouldn’t leave you alone. So where is she?”

“Ta-Da!” Marie is startled as she turns around to find her identical twin sister Kimberly Williams standing there behind her. Kim is wearing torn denim jeans, a black Queens of Chaos logo t-shirt, a black leather jacket, and black combat boots. Williams quickly takes Wasley out of Marie’s hands and gives him a kiss on his beak. “Me and Wasley just decided to drop in on you!”

“Yeah, thanks.” Marie says. She spots the television monitor in the corner. She walks over and finds a remote control and turns the monitor on. Sure enough, Waylon Creek defending his Television Title against Chris Lawler is already on. Marie sits down on a bench in front of the television monitor and starts watching it. Kim casually strolls over and plops down on the bench next to her twin sister.

“Scouting your next victim?”

“Don’t get my hopes up like mom did.” Marie says. “One I’m not even sure she can get me this title shot. Two, either way Waylon or Lawler will be a very tough opponent.”

“Oh don’t sell yourself short! You beat a Monarch tonight! You can certainly beat a…well…a whatever Waylon and Lawler are…”

“Thanks for the strong support.” Marie says with a grin.

“That’s what I’m here for!”

“Is that ALL you’re here for tonight, Kim?” Marie asks curiously. “Not that I mind the company, but don’t you have your own title match tomorrow night?”

“I do but I can still stop by and see how my favorite identical twin sister is!”

“Your ONLY identical twin.”

“Why do you have to be so picky about these things?” Kim asks.

“What do you want, Kim?” Marie asks. Kim sighs.

“Well if you MUST know, me and Wasley were just kinda wondering how you handled the visit with Harvey Dent?”

“From Batman?” Marie asks, looking confused. Kim chuckles.

“Yeah…the district attorney…”

“Oh…” Marie rolls her eyes “...well I haven’t exactly had the time to visit the district attorney yet. And, if I’m perfectly honest with you, I am nervous about it.”

“Nervous? Why would you be nervous about seeing ol’ mister law and order? Or it a Miss law and order now that we’re in the enlightened age of gender equality? Are you worried that they’ll lock you up and throw away the key and…” Kim smirks “...oh, right, I can see why it might be a little nerve wracking.”

Marie again rolls her eyes. Visiting with the district attorney was not her idea. She definitely had no plans on doing so to help the same woman who had betrayed her three times, a woman she had once loved in Julianne Buchanan. Marie met Julianne when both women were suffering from bouts of depression. Julianne managed to suck Marie into a cult known as The Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat. It was a cult ran by a charismatic con artist known as Raul Alfaro. Alfaro took advantage of its members, both mentally, emotionally, and physically. Marie eventually escaped. She escaped the organization before it was exposed by Massachusetts law enforcement. Now Raul Alfaro and the Inner Peace leadership are in trouble. They are looking to throw Julianne under the bus as being the real brains of the operation.

Jones knows better. She was as deep in this as Julianne. She knows Julianne was just a victim. Julianne is attempting to plead insanity. But thus far the district attorney isn’t wanting to play ball. The thought is that if Marie comes forward and confirms Julianne’s story, the district attorney might drop charges against Julianne. Marie is now in the unenviable situation of being the only person who can save this woman who had betrayed her trust and her love. A selfish part of Marie wants to betray Julianne as a sort of revenge. But Marie knows that she cannot do that. It isn’t the right thing to do. But Marie is also worried that doing the right thing, by talking to the district attorney and confirming Julianne’s account, that it might put Marie in the limelight; a place she would rather not be.

“I am going to talk to the district attorney eventually.” Marie says. “I just hope that it will be a quick meeting and that’s all there will be to it. Mainly, I don’t want this to get drawn out any further than it has to. Y’know? I do not want to get pulled into court.”

“Is it just going to court that bothers you? Or speaking to the DA?” Kim asks curiously. A look of mischief forms upon her face. “I mean, if it is, I can just dress up like you and go in your place!”

“No!” Marie insists. “Absolutely not!”

“Oh and why not?” Kim asks. “I mean, you KNOW I can act like you better than YOU can act like you!”

“No you can’t…” Marie pauses “...ok, maybe you can…but that’s not the point!”

“Then what is the point?” Kim asks. “Or maybe, what is really the problem?”

“The problem is that I have went to a lot of trouble to put these horrific memories of Inner Peace behind me. I have tried long and hard to forget them. Just going to speak to the office of the district attorney and recounting to them about my past, my history with that group, that alone will bring back painful memories. But imagine if this gets drawn out? Imagine if I get pulled into court to testify again and again. This could become national news, Kim. Do I want my sordid past with this group to be known throughout the nation? But that’s not even my biggest fear…” her voice trails off. In an unusual and rare show of compassion, Kim pats her sister on the back.

“It’s ok.”

“...I’m just worried. Julianne is trying to plead insanity. Honestly, Kim, I did the same things she did. If they accept her insanity plea and put her in a mental hospital, what if they decide to turn around and put me in one too?” Tears form in Marie’s eyes. “I don’t want to lose Sean! Not again!”

“It’s ok, Marie.” Kim hugs her sister tightly. “It won’t happen. I won’t let it.”

“How can you stop it?”

“Like I said, I can always take your place.” Kim smirks playfully. “It wouldn’t be the first time being in a loony bin for me!”

“Thanks but…” Marie shakes her head “...you know that wouldn’t work.”

“Hey, you can’t fault me for trying!” Kim grins. “But seriously, I will do whatever I can to help you with this.”

“I know you will.” Marie nods her head. “But I think this is something that I need to do on my own.”