Gigi Steward vs. Marie Jones

[The Matt]

2 of 2
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September 16th, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
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Breakdown is this week and “The Phoenix” Marie Jones knows precisely what her mission is; she needs to defeat Gigi Steward. Marie is focused on moving on from the past, moving on from redemption, definitely moving on from this group known as Fall of Man. Marie has come to agree with her twin sister, Kimberly. They cannot go on fighting this battle forever, especially not if Marie wants to ever achieve two of the few accolades she has yet to achieve in SCW, namely the SCW Adrenaline and World Championships. Working her way up to that level will take time but she knows that she must start somewhere, and that somewhere can and will be Breakdown with a victory over Gigi Steward, herself a former World Tag Team Champion. The Phoenix wants gold back around her waist and that quest begins here. There is still one other minor bit of business Marie feels she needs to take care of before making the trip to New Orleans for Breakdown. This is what brings her to home of Boston, Massachusetts and this particular park.

Marie is dressed in a light, summer outfit; perfect for the sunny day. Her sundress, made of airy, floral fabric, is soft pastel pink with delicate yellow flowers scattered across it. The dress has thin straps, leaving her shoulders bare to the sun, and a fitted bodice that cinches at her waist before flowing out into a skirt that sways just above her knees. The material moves gently with her as she walks along the park's stone path, adding an effortless grace to her every step. Her hair, a cascade of fiery copper waves, catches the afternoon sunlight, creating a natural halo around her. The soft breeze plays with loose strands, brushing them gently across her face. On her feet, she wears simple white sandals, the straps crossing her ankles, showing off her painted toenails; soft coral to match the summer theme. A small, wicker crossbody bag hangs at her side, completing the casual but feminine look. She carries a light sweater in one hand, just in case the evening brings a chill. Her demeanor is calm, yet her eyes are filled with a sense of determination. She knows that this is no ordinary walk in the park, pun intended. She intends to meet up with Brandon Buchanan.

Brandon is the older brother of Julianne Buchanan, Marie’s ex-girlfriend. Julianne has been in deep trouble with law enforcement ever since the Inner Peace Enlightenment cult fell from grace. Massachusetts law enforcement has been pursuing charges against both Julianne and the group’s charismatic leader, Raul Alfaro. The Buchanan family had hoped that Julianne pleading insanity would help but the district attorney leading the charge initially didn’t buy it. He still wanted Julianne’s head on a platter alongside Raul. The Buchanan family knew that they needed Marie’s help, Marie’s testimony on Julianne’s behalf, to convince the district attorney to be lenient, to drop charges against Julianne. After all, Marie herself was a part of the Inner Peace cult. Marie herself was a victim of that organization and of Raul. Marie would be able to verify Julianne’s story, that she was a victim too. But Julianne also manipulated Marie. She lied to Marie and pulled on her heartstrings in order to try and keep her in the Inner Peace Enlightenment retreat. This led to a great deal of doubt and suspicion on the part of Marie Jones. It took a lot of convincing to get her to help the Buchanan family. Ultimately it took Marie’s new boyfriend, Percy Matthews, himself an ex-convict, to convince her that Julianne can change and that she should be given a second chance. So Marie did speak to the district attorney. Now she wants to give Julianne’s brother, Brandon, an update.

The Phoenix comes to a clearing. She spots a nearby bench, the same bench where she last spoke to her ex-girlfriend Julianne back in July. And sitting there on the bench is the familiar figure of Brandon Buchanan, Julianne’s older brother. Marie half-expected Julianne herself to be there. She sighs and composes herself before making her approach. As she gets closer, Brandon turns his attention to Marie and smiles politely. He stands up as she approaches. He extends a hand and Jones reluctantly takes it, shaking his hand.

“Uh, hi…” Brandon says, it is clear that he is a little uncomfortable, and that is understandable; he knows full well that Marie doesn’t have any good feelings towards his family, not after the things Julianne did to her; Marie only helped because she thought it was the right thing to do “...you look nice.”

“Thanks.” Marie says simply, stoically, not letting any sign of emotion out. Brandon sits back down on the bench and then Marie sits down next to him.

“And, uh, thanks for coming, Marie.” Brandon says. “I’m sure you must be very busy and I am sure you would rather be anywhere else but here right now.”

“Yes, yes I would.” Marie shrugs. “I mean, it isn’t like I have a wrestling match coming up this week. It isn’t like I need to do anything and everything possible to get my wrestling career back on track.” There is a definite sound of anger in her voice. Brandon can sense this and winces.

“Yeah…sorry…”

“No, no, its ok.” Marie shakes her head. “I get it, Julianne and I may not be on the best of terms right now, but that’s not you. Just because she did me wrong doesn’t mean you would. And I did agree to help, so yeah, here I am.”

“And thank you again for helping us out.” Brandon says. “All of us, the entire family were in a panic worried about my sister’s fate if the district attorney decided to target her as well. We were worried we wouldn’t see her again.”

“I know.” Marie nods her head. “I know how hard it is to lose a family member, and trust me, I know how important it is for family to stick together.”

“Well thanks for helping us out.” Brandon says. “Julianne made lots of mistakes, you didn’t have to help but you did, and I appreciate it. The whole family appreciates it.”

“She did make mistakes.” Marie nods her head. “But so did I, once upon a time. I have needed my fair share of second chances. If I had stood by and let her go down in flames, when I myself was given a second chance, I would have been a hypocrite. I did help and I helped because it was the right thing to do.” Marie sighs. “But uh, did it work?”

“Did what work?”

“You know what.” Marie rolls her eyes. “I spoke to Kevin Hayden, the district attorney targeting Julianne. I need to know, did it work? Is Julianne going to be granted a deal?”

“Oh, right…” Brandon nods his head “...the district attorney, Mr. Hayden, agreed and, with his support, the prosecution will drop the charges against Julianne under the condition that she is committed to a psychiatric hospital.”

“That’s good to hear.” Marie nods her head. “A psychiatric hospital is certainly better than a prison sentence. Besides, maybe Julianne will get the help she needs?”

“Don’t worry. I will make sure that my sister gets all the help that she needs and that she doesn’t leave the hospital until she is well.”

“Good.” Marie sighs. “Julianne is a good person…at least, she used to be, and she can be again. She just needs help, that’s all.” Marie stands up. “Anyway, I should leave. Like I said earlier, I have other commitments. I need to prepare for a wrestling match. Then I need to catch a flight to New Orleans. I have a busy schedule.”

“I understand, but before you leave I do have a question.”

“Yes?” Marie asks, turning back to face Brandon, who has also stood up.

“I mean, I hate to put it this way, but you were just as involved with Inner Peace as my sister was; so I gotta ask, did Hayden bring any of that up or did you escape the state’s prosecutorial wrath?”

“Prosecutorial wrath, eh?” Marie chuckles. “Nice.”

“Sorry.” Brandon chuckles. “But, uh, yeah, what happened with that?”

“The thing is that I did not necessarily get away.”

“Oh?” Brandon arches his brow out of curiosity.

“Hayden made it clear that his office was also taking a good long look at my own involvement in Inner Peace. They had been looking into my involvement even before I went to speak to the district attorney on Julianne’s behalf. I probably made things worse for myself. I probably brought some spotlight onto myself by trying to help Julianne.”

“Wow…” Brandon is surprised and shakes his head “...I had no idea. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have asked you to help. I didn’t want to get you into any further trouble. I’m sorry…”

“Don’t apologize.” Marie shakes her head. “I have nothing to hide and if I have to face the district attorney again then so be it.” Marie smiles. “I know who I am and I am happy with who I am. I am prepared to deal with my past if necessary so that I can finally move forward with my future.”

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On Camera
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It seems as if I have been treading water quite a bit ever since my big victory at Rise To Greatness. Rise To Greatness was special to me because it marked that time when no longer was I that spoiled entitled brat, nor was I some sad child seeking redemption. Oh no, I had now grown, I had already REDEEMED myself, and now I was the one fighting for SCW, I was fighting for the honor of this company, and I was the mature adult kicking the crap out of an entitled brat. I had finally turned a corner and that victory signified the end of one chapter in my career and the beginning of something brand new. Rise To Greatness ended up with, dare I say, a new hope…

…sorry, Star Wars fans, but I couldn’t help myself…

Unfortunately that hope has not yet translated into anything new. In fact, you could say I have been treading water since Rise To Greatness. I did get an opportunity at the SCW Television Championship. The problem with that is, number one I lost the match, and number two I cannot help but feel that I was only given that opportunity because I happened to be blood related to someone the champion took a cheap shot at. Did I really EARN that opportunity or was this just a case of drama creates cash and, well, since Waylon Creek attacked Kim, let’s have him face Kim’s sister to create drama, as if I wanted any part of that drama to begin with? I do not want opportunities handed to me simply because of who I am or simply because it creates juicy television.

I still have goals and two of those goals include becoming the SCW Adrenaline Champion and becoming the SCW World Champion. Those are the only two championships I have yet to win here in SCW. But I want to EARN opportunities at those championships, I do not want to be gifted opportunities simply because it generates drama and cash. So in a way, being left out of the Trios Tournament was a blessing in disguise. Yes, I know, Trios is something else I have yet to achieve and winning it would be nice, but Trios is simply a shortcut to the top.

I do not want to take any shortcuts. I am here to earn my way to the top and I do not want get there by pressing the “easy button”...you DO remember the “easy button” from the commercials, right? Well that button is not going to be pressed by yours truly. But there is one button I definitely have no problem pressing and that is the reset button because it is time for a reset. I do not need to redeem myself any longer. I do not need to fight any meaningless battles that do not involve me. All I want to do is go out to the ring, compete in front of my fans who have supported me from day one, and work my way back to the top, and hopefully back to some championship gold. That’s why I am officially hitting the reset button and this coming Breakdown begins a new chapter, or maybe I should say a new flight for this Phoenix?

And it begins with Gigi Steward.

Some on this roster might underestimate you, Gigi, but they do so at their own peril. Despite all the flamboyance, glamor, the glitch, and the gimmicky shtick, underneath all of that is a very capable athlete. The proof is in the fact that you helped Katie dethrone Light in the Darkness, arguably the greatest tag team champions in recent memory. You walked into Rise To Greatness as a champion. That right there proves just how good you really are, or at least how good you can be, how much potential you have buried deep down inside.

That is who I am preparing for, Gigi. I am preparing for the fierce competitor you have the potential to be. I am preparing for the woman who was recently one half of the World Tag Team Champions. I am preparing for a woman who, on any given night, is dangerous enough and good enough to beat anyone on this roster. I am not preparing for some fancy gimmicks, some glitzy, glamor, sparkly princess. I am not preparing for some hollywood-esque diva. I am preparing to go into battle against a fierce competitor. I am heading into Breakdown expecting the very best Gigi Steward that you can produce.

I have to prepare for that because I need this win. I cannot lose this match. I need to build some momentum as I enter this new chapter of my career. I need to begin this new flight of the Phoenix with a big victory. I cannot afford to take a loss. So understand that you will get the best of The Phoenix. And if you give me the best of Gigi Steward, then we will tear the house down on Breakdown. But if you give me less than your best, if you give me that glitzy, glamor, the diva…

…then I will tear you apart in New Orleans. I will spike your head on the mat with an Ave Maria and leave you unconscious in the center of the ring. I am taking this match very seriously, Gigi, and you would be wise to take it seriously as well.

So good luck, you will need it, because this Phoenix will rise and there is nothing you can do to bring me down!