New Challenge

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Off Camera

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The sound of the loud, reverberating church bells rings out in and around Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church.  The gorgeous gothic architecture and enormous size is both beautiful and intimidating at the same time.  For Angelica Jones, however, this is normal.  This is what she is used to.  This church is where she grew up.  This church is where she calls home.  And after months of searching and questioning, she finally finds herself back where she is most comfortable.

Redemption definitely has its perks.  Turning your life around, turning over a new leaf, it is challenging and difficult, it is hard to earn back the trust of those you have offended, but Angelica has learned time and time again that the rewards of redemption are most definitely worth it.  The redhead from Boston, the matriarch of the Jones family, who at one point was ashamed of herself and ridden with guilt, can once again look at herself in the mirror.  She can be proud to call herself a champion in Supreme Championship Wrestling alongside her new tag team partner, James Evans.

When you speak of champions, however, you don’t get any higher or more prestigious than the world championship of SCW and the person currently holding that title is none other than Sienna Swann.  On Breakdown Angelica gets the opportunity to face Swann one on one; champion against champion.   Angelica Jones, herself a thirteen time world champion, looks forward to challenging someone she and many others consider one of the many faces of the future of this industry.  Jones always seeks out new challenges and she is anxiously anticipating challenging herself against Sienna Swann.

Unfortunately it isn’t that easy for Angelica Jones.  This match has other implications weighing heavily upon her mind.  The elephant in the room that this match affects is none other than Angelica’s daughter, Marie Annabelle Jones.

Marie Jones was voted by the fans to receive a World Championship match at the End of the Year Special.  Angelica is definitely happy that Marie is finally receiving a world championship match in SCW but she hates the fact that she got impatient and sold out to Dark Fantasy and Katya, perhaps in a way to hedge her bets.  Angelica can’t let those thoughts cloud her judgment or cause her to lose focus.  Like her or not, Sienna is very game and very tough.  Angelica knows she will have to be one hundred percent focused if she hopes to defeat Sienna Swann on Breakdown.

That’s one of the benefits of going to mass.  For Angelica, this is a way of removing all distractions.  In a way, it helps her center herself and thus allows her to focus on what’s important.  Going to mass allows her to clear her mind.

A clear mind is what she needs right now.

The church doors open and a crowd of church-goers emerge, all making their exit now that mass has ended.  Angelica eventually finds herself among the crowd.  Jones is wearing an ankle length black skirt, black high heeled patent leather pumps, and a white floral print blouse.  Her long red hair hangs unrestrained to shoulder length.  She isn’t alone, though; exiting the church with her is her good friend from the convent, Sister Maria.

“It’s good to have you back in the Church, Sister Angelica.”

“How many times have I told you that I’m not a sister anymore.”

“Kayla would disagree.” The nun responds with a wink.

“Funny.” Angelica says, rolling her eyes. “But seriously, thanks.  It’s good to be back.  I needed this, you know?  I needed this place, it’s gorgeous beauty and the elegance of the liturgy in order to clear my mind.”

“You have troubles, I take it?”

“My daughter.”

Sister Maria remains silent but nods her head.  She knows all too well about the roller coaster of a ride that accurately describes the relationship Angelica has with her daughter Marie.  It would be comical were it not sad.  One moment they are happy, the next moment there is angst.  But there’s always tension, even if it’s hidden deep down underneath the layers.  It’s one of many secrets Angelica has confided to Sister Maria.

“She’s making some mistakes, Maria; mistakes that I fear she will eventually regret.”

“How so?”

“You have to understand that poor Marie has had it rough lately.  Came up short in the world championship contender series.  Failed to capture the Adrenaline championship due to outside interference.  Then watched others get opportunity after opportunity while she  would continue to come up short.  Now she feels that the only way to get ahead is to take the shortcut.  She’s taking the easy way out and siding with people, powerful people whom she thinks will give her the fast track to the top and, in the process, turning her back on those who have supported her throughout.”

Angelica sighs deeply and shakes her head. “I fear this is going to bite her in the ass.”

“And you want to help her.  You want to save her.”

“Of course.  I’m her mother, what mother wouldn’t want to save their child if they could?”

“Oh I know, it’s your natural instinct to want to protect her.  But you must understand that she is an adult now.  She can make her own decisions and, like them or not, they are her decisions and she must face the consequences of those decisions.”

“And I have to just stand by and let her potentially ruin her career?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.” The nun shakes her head. “You are still her parent, you can still advise her, but you cannot make her do anything.  You have to let her do what she wants.”

Angelica hates to admit it but Sister Maria is probably right.  Marie Jones is an adult.  As much as Angelica would like to swoop in and protect her from herself, she cannot.  In an ironic way, that’s the flip side of redemption.  You are allowed to turn  over a new leaf, sometimes for the worse, but you always have to deal with the consequences; good or bad.

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Comes a third voice, one very familiar to the two of them, but more so to Angelica.  It’s that of her daughter, Marie Jones.

Angelica and Sister Maria stop and turn to see Marie Jones sitting on a bench underneath a large shady tree on the church grounds.  She is wearing a black leather skirt that stops just above the knee, black hose, black peep toe patent leather pumps, and a long sleeve red sweater.  She is sporting an intense glare as she stares across at the two women.

Sister Maria turns to face Angelica and sighs. “I guess I will speak to you later, Sister Angelica.”

“Yeah, see you later, Maria.”

With that Sister Maria walks off.  Angelica then slowly approaches her daughter who remains stoic, sitting on the bench.  Angelica sits down next to her daughter and attempts to act pleasant, despite the situation.

“Good morning, Marie.”

“Good morning, mom.”

“You missed church.”

“Is that a problem?  I mean, you’re not going to judge me for missing mass, are you?  I don’t want that judgment right now.”

“I’m not judging you.” Angelica remarks, shaking her head. “I just found it odd, that’s all.  You never miss.”

“No, I don’t.  I always go.  I observe all the feast days and fasts.  I am a better Catholic than most.  I think I’m owed to miss one day, considering I need to be preparing for the biggest match of my life.”

Marie points a finger at Angelica. “Unlike you, who turned her back on the church and now suddenly thinks she can come back as if nothing ever happened and judge me for missing one damn service.”

It stings for Angelica to hear her daughter speak to her like this.  It is a weakness, a flaw of hers, but she strives for her daughter’s approval.  It stems from the guilt Angelica feels at abandoning her at birth.  Ever since she’s been trying to gain her approval.  Some may think this makes her a terrible parent.  There are times Angelica would agree with them.  She has not been an ideal parental figure but she does her best.

“I’m sorry if you think I’m judging you.  I just worry about you.”

“Is that so?!” Marie snaps back with venom. “Well I…”

Angelica braces herself for what she anticipates will be more vitriol from her daughter.  Finally Marie sighs and shakes her head as her features soften.

“...I guess I’m sorry for snapping at you.  It’s just that…” Marie shakes her head “...it doesn’t matter.”

“No, tell me.” Angelica places a hand on Marie’s shoulder. “You can tell me anything.”

“Can I really?” Marie asks. “With you and your redemption story, there is no way in hell you would understand what I’m currently going through.”

“I’ve been in this business well over a decade.  I’ve encountered and endured just about anything and everything imaginable.” Angelica begins slowly, quietly. “You feel alone, isolated.  You feel as if the whole world is against you.  I know how easy it is to take the easy way out because I was in your shoes before.  I took the easy way out.”

Angelica sighs as she recalls her memory. “A woman had already won singles gold traditionally held by men in GDW, Coral Marie broke that ground.  But no female had ever won that company’s World Championship.  I was on my way to making history, not only being the first woman to compete for the World Title but maybe even to win it.  Problem is my good friend Cuchulain was the world champion.”

“I remember this story…” Marie’s voice trails off.

“Then you know about what I did.  I doubted my abilities so I got an insurance policy.  I sold my soul and I had my trainer interfere and cost Cuchulain the match.”

“But you made history!” Marie exclaims. “You were the first woman to hold the world title!”

“But I could have done it on my own.  What message does that send?  It told everyone that I needed help.  That I couldn’t do it without my trainer.”

“Bullshit!” Marie exclaims, getting angry again. “You went on to blaze trails after that and you blazed those trails ON YOUR OWN!  Your story just proves my point.  The ends justify the means.”

“Sure, I have gold and glory and fame.  But I haven’t heard from my good friend Cuchulain since then.  He doesn’t trust me anymore.  I lost a friend, Marie.  I burnt that bridge.”

“So what are you saying, mom?” Marie asks inquisitively.

“Sasha already told you that you didn’t need to hedge your bets with Dark Fantasy and Katya.  You were going to get the title shot anyway.  And you have the ability to beat Sienna Swann.  I know it because I helped shape you as a wrestler.  But you’ve made a decision that has long lasting consequences.  Is becoming SCW World Champion worth the bridges that you may have burned?”

She points at Marie. “Because when I look at you, I see someone following in my footsteps.  And yes, that may lead to thirteen more world titles down the road just like it did with me.  But it may also lead to people hating you, detesting you, wishing death upon you.  It may lead to you forever isolating yourself from the rest of the world.”

Angelica stands up, as does Marie.  The two embrace in a hug. “Championships will come and go.  Friendships, relationships, they don’t always remain.  Think about that.”

“I have thought about that.  And I want that world championship; I need it.  I need it more than you can ever imagine.  And I will do anything and sacrifice anything to get it.”

“That’s what I said once upon a time.” She places a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Congratulations, you truly have become the second coming of Angelica Jones.”

“No, you’re wrong.” Marie shakes her head. “I’m not the second coming of Angelica Jones.  I’m better than you ever were and ever will be.  I took what you were and made it better.  You think you can beat Sienna?  Good luck.  But I don’t think you can.  Then at the End of the Year Show, I’ll do what you fail to do on Breakdown.  I will beat Sienna Swann and take the world title in the process.”

Marie turns and walks away as Angelica wipes tears from her eyes.

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On Camera

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You know, I’ve always wanted to get the reigning World Champion of Supreme Championship Wrestling in the ring one on one.  I enjoy this and I thrive upon this because for me it is a challenge.  I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing this business for the better part of fifteen years.  I have suffered broken bones for this business.  I have bled buckets of my own blood for this business.  I have damn near killed myself for this business.  And in the famous words of Al Pacino, just when I think I’m out, I get sucked right back in.  I keep coming back for more of those broken bones, the bleeding, and the tears.

Am I a glutton for punishment?  Some may think so.  But the truth is that I am a glutton for challenges.  I have to challenge myself.  I have to push myself to go further and further, to set new, more difficult goals for myself.  Every time a new challenge comes up, I want to tackle it head on.  So facing Sienna Swann, the reigning World Champion of SCW, in a one on one match, that’s something I look forward to because it is a challenge.  I challenge myself to see if I can still be the best.  I challenge myself to step foot inside the ring with currently the best wrestler in the world and see if The Golden Goddess still has what it takes to take her down.  This is a challenge I have wanted for a very long time.

Gee, isn’t it ironic that I finally get the opportunity to face a reigning SCW World Champion and it just so happens that my daughter is next in line for the title.  I’m sure there’ll be talk about that from you, from color commentary, from social media, or wherever, but this is about her and if you see her when you look at me, if you’re thinking about her when that bell rings on Breakdown, then you’re making a big mistake.  Because just as much as Marie has been longing for a world championship match, I have longed to test myself against the SCW World Champion.

Right now it happens to be you.

And win, lose, or draw, I guarantee you that I will put you to the test.  I will push you to extremes that you have never been pushed to in a long time.  I can and will do that because I know you. I’ve been where you were.  I’ve held world championships before.  I had the glitz and the glamor.   I had the spotlight shining down upon me.  I surrounded myself by numerous associates whose job it was to tell me everything I wanted to hear.  Did I enjoy the life of being world champion?

You damn right I did.  Would I love to have that life back again someday?

You damn right I would.  But Breakdown isn’t about that and it damn sure isn’t about you against my daughter so if you’re looking past me and focusing on her, mark my words, I will damn sure make you pay for looking past me.  So take my advice, remember that I’m here to win.  I’m not here to be another statistic.  I’m not here to soften anyone up.  I’m not here to do anything but compete for myself and do my damndest to pick up the win.