English Reformation

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Off Camera

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The building is simple and plain.  Some would argue that this rectangular, large, red brick building is quite frankly too simple and too plain of a building considering what goes on inside.  And what goes on inside this quadrilateral shaped building, you ask?  The sign above the double doors at the front give you the biggest clue: “Braddock Wrestling School” in big bold lavender and underneath a subtext in smaller font saying: “We’ll make men out of you!”

The Braddock Wrestling School is an amazing sight in the daylight.  Students who attend the school are struck by the near run-down appearance of the legendary establishment, an establishment that still pumps out some of the best wrestlers in the world today.  Yes, this is Glenn Braddock’s legendary wrestling school, and yes, he completed this while he was still in his chauvinistic male mindset of men wrestle, women don’t.  He has since changed his mindset, obviously, but the grizzled veteran is too lazy to change his sign.

The concrete floor is gray and the walls are painted an off white color.  There is a standard wrestling ring set up near the center of the room and weights are scattered all over the floor.  A heavy bag is hanging down as well.  This establishment is located on the outskirts of London, England; which also serves as the host for the next edition of Breakdown during SCW’s European tour.

That’s what brings Angelica Jones to London.  She’s here to compete on Breakdown against Bree Lancaster, a future opponent whom she and James Evans will challenge for the SCW World Tag Team Championship. But this isn’t about the tag team titles.  This is one on one and it’s about pride and it’s about momentum.  Redemption has all the momentum in the world after winning the elimination chamber match to earn their tag team championship match.  But now Jones knows that it rests upon her shoulders to keep this positive momentum going.

With an important match such as this one, including her tag title match coming up later in the month, Angelica felt she would use this opportunity to get some quality training time in with her uncle Glenn Braddock and his daughter, Angelica’s cousin, Glory Braddock.

Angelica and Glory have had a roller coaster of a relationship since Glory made her debut as a professional.  Both have been tremendously successful which led to jealousy on both of their parts.  But they have put their differences aside and have reconciled.

“Hold nothing back!”

Those words that seem to drip with venom from the voice of Glenn Braddock are directed at Angelica’s sparring partner.  Her sparring partner isn’t anyone random, either.  Glenn felt if Angelica wanted to be ready for anything then she should be sparring against one of the best wrestlers he’s ever trained.  That means pitting Angelica against her own cousin and Glenn’s daughter Glory Braddock.

Braddock has a height advantage over Angelica and definitely an advantage in terms of technical and submission prowess.  Angelica has the speed advantage, not to mention she knows every one of Glory’s best moves.  Braddock looks at her father and smirks.

“Don’t worry dad, I think I can handle Angel here.”

“You think so?” Angelica asks with a smirk of her own.

“I know so.” Angelica’s British cousin says with a wink.

“Quit the yapping and fight!” Glenn bellows out loud with frustration and impatience.

Glory Braddock nods and then charges Angelica, wrapping her up and taking her down in a double leg.  She proceeds to pour on rights and lefts without any break or hesitation.  Angelica manages to kick her off and scramble back to her feet.  The British Bombshell charges again but this time Jones sidesteps her, sending her into the ropes.  She comes back and Angelica hip tosses her.  Glory scrambles to her feet, charges, and Jones connects with an arm drag deep into an arm bar.  Glenn grins pleasantly as he claps, applauding Angelica’s accomplishment thus far.

Braddock slowly but surely fights up to her feet.  Angelica fights to keep wrenching the arm bar in tighter and tighter.  Glory Braddock reverses the arm bar into an arm bar of her own.  Angelica then counters again, this time into a hammerlock.  Braddock, a technical wizard in her own right, reverses into a hammerlock of her own before tripping up Angelica’s legs, bringing her down face first to the mat.

“Sloppy, Jones.  You can’t get caught like that or Barbree Bimbo will easily whip your redhead ass.”

Jones is unhappy with the criticism but can’t do anything about it now as Glory transitions into a front chancery.  Angelica slowly fights back to her feet and then Glory switches into a side headlock.  Angelica with a belly to back suplex.  Glory scrambles back to her feet and Angelica immediately takes her down with another deep arm drag into an arm bar.

Braddock fights up to her feet and counters into a hammerlock.  Angelica reverses it into a hammerlock of her own.  Glory breaks it with elbows to Angelica’s face.  She runs off the ropes and comes at Jones only to get floored with a beautiful dropkick right on the button from Angelica.  Jones immediately goes back to the arm bar.

“I got you, Glory.  Tap.”

“You think you got me?”

“I know I got you.”

“Think again.” In just a few swift movements, Glory counters the arm bar into a triangle choke on Angelica.  She pulls it tight as Angelica tries to counter it, to fight out of it.  But then...

“Ok, that’s enough of that!” Glenn waves them off.  Glory relinquishes her hold on the triangle choke and then holds out her hand, offering to help Angelica up.  Jones takes the hand and Glory helps her back to her feet.

“Were you holding back any?”

“Do I ever hold back, mate?” Braddock says with a wink. “You were great.  Honest.”

“She’s right.” Glenn chimes in, approaching Jones. “You were downright bloody brilliant on the technical side of things.”

“Yeah, but she still caught me with the triangle.”

“Yeah, that’s because you got cocky.  Don’t get cocky.  It’ll bite you in the ass.”

“Noted.” Angelica says, nodding her head.

“You two take a break, a little later we’ll work on cardio, striking, and strength.”

Angelica Jones walks over to the edge of the ring apron and sits down.  Glory Braddock, her English cousin, joins her.  Braddock hands her a white towel, which Angelica uses to wipe the sweat from her brow.  Braddock takes another towel and does the same for her face.

“Thanks again for working with me, Glory.  I mean, I wasn’t sure you’d even be willing to help me, considering…”

Her voice trails off and Glory knows why.  Glory and Angelica just ended a brutal feud over nothing more than petty jealousy.  It was Angelica who was jealous this time, jealous that Glory may have been more successful than her in a shorter amount of time.  It led to several matches between the two which Angelica was trying to get the better of her cousin.  It was an obsession for a few months until she finally came to her senses.

“What happened back then is water under the bridge.  We’re competitors so I understand. I may understand more than you about how important it is to be the absolute best you can be.  Do you have any idea how tough it was growing up as the daughter of Glenn Braddock, a man many called ‘Britain’s Best’?  It was a crap load of pressure.  So believe me, mate, I know how you feel.  Besides, it isn’t like I made things easy for you.  It isn’t like I’m entirely innocent in all of this.”

Angelica smiles warmly. “Nice to hear you say that, Glory.”

“We both made mistakes but as long as we learned from the experience then we’ve grown and we’re stronger because of it.”

“I’d like to think so.  At the end of the day we are a product of the decisions we have all made, good and bad, right or wrong, those decisions and their consequences have shaped us.”

“Couldn’t agree more.” Glory remarks, nodding her head.

Angelica smiles pleasantly at her English cousin.  This moment, this time they share together is proof that people can change.  Just months ago they were trying to end each other and it drove Angelica to an obsession that nearly broke her mentally.  But Angelica has since pulled herself back from the brink and, with the help of James Evans, she has maintained her cool.  She has kept a level head.  She has, in her opinion, become a better person.

Still, there’s more she could do.  A part of Angelica feels a calling, a vocation even, to be a role model for anyone going through similar situations as her.  A positive example of someone who can change their ways.  That nagging feeling, that calling if you will, seems to want to bring her back to the Catholic faith she grew up in, the Catholic faith that she once served as a Sister in The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.

Yet her own friend, who still serves as a Sister of Our Lady of Mercy, has already questioned whether or not Angelica should return to the faith.  This has put Angelica’s plans in doubt.  She needs more opinions.

“That does bring up another point.”

“Oh?”

“I need your opinion on something, Glory.  Something very important to me.”

“Sure.  What is it?”

“You know me, Glory.” She chuckles. “Hell, you probably know me almost as good as my own sister.  Even when we were butting our heads inside of the ring, we still were very close.”

“True, enough.  You know everything about me.”

“And YOU know everything about me.” Angelica counters, pointing a finger at Glory. “You know how important my faith is to me.”

“I do, indeed.” Glory nods her head. “It wasn’t as important to me as it was to you, but I always respect your decisions, I respected your lifestyle choices.  If that was important to you, then I respected it.”

“You also were there to help me in the trying times.  When I went public…”

“Came out of the closet you mean?” Glory grins knowingly.

“Yeah, that.” Angelica chuckles lightly. “When I first came out of the closet, I was run out by my local parish priest.”

“Really?” Glory furrows her brow. “I thought you told me you were excommunicated?”

“No, they never went that far.  The priest was just rather rude…”

Angelica’s voice trails off as the pains of those memories come flooding back.  Her faith is indeed important to her and while the Church itself did not turn its back on her, it felt just as bad when her parish priest ran  her off.  This is why she wants Glory’s opinion most of all.  Angelica was questioning her own faith at the time but Glory knew how important it was to her so she introduced her to The Episcopal Church.  Glory Braddock, while not as religious as Angelica, is a practicing member of The Church of England and knew Anglicanism was very similar to Catholicism.  It may not be the same for Angelica but it would make her feel at home.  The Episcopal Church being more progressive than The Catholic Church was just icing on the cake.

“...but that’s not the point.” Angelica shakes her head. “The point is, I’m thinking of going back.”

“Going back?” Glory arches a brow out of curiosity.

“I’m thinking of going back to the Catholic Church.”

“Why?  Why would you go back, after the way you were treated?”

“I told you, Glory, it was one priest.”

“But how many more of them out there think the same way?”

“There are, I’m sure, but the Church has changed since I left.  It’s become more progressive under Pope Francis.”

“You think so?  Really?  Pope Francis may have his heart in the right place but look at the news, and I don’t just mean the scandals, although I could easily throw that at you but I won’t.  I’m talking about how other priests, bishops, and cardinals speak out against the very same progressive views Pope Francis tries to espouse.  Do you honestly believe ONE MAN, even if it is the Pope, can change that ancient institution?”

“Maybe he can, maybe he can’t,” Angelica shrugs her shoulders “but you said it, Glory.  It is an ancient institution.  They were the original Christians. All other churches came from them.  The Protestant Reformation, The English Reformation, and on and on, all of it came from the original church.”

Glory Braddock frowns. “That’s your indoctrination talking.”

“It isn’t indoctrination.” Angelica sighs. “It’s my faith.”

There is a long stare down as the cousins gaze into each other’s eyes.  Finally it’s Braddock who breaks and sighs, shaking her head.

“Look, I’m sorry, mate.  I know that sounded bad and I didn’t mean it.  I truly do respect your faith, I’m just trying to look out for you.  I don’t want you to get hurt if you try to go back and you’re not received with open arms.”

“That’s what Maria said.”

“Maria as in your friend from the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy?” Angelica nods her head. “See, she’s Catholic and she agrees with me.”

“I know and that should tell me not to pursue this, but I have this nagging feeling in the back of my head that I need to at least try.  Being Catholic to me isn’t just some random choice of where I want to go on Sundays.  If it were I’d choose rock and roll Jesus or choose to just stay in bed.  Being Catholic was a part of my life until I felt it was taken from me.”

“I understand that, that’s why I pushed you into Anglicanism.  It’s practically the same thing as Catholicism.  Same pomp and circumstance, same rituals, same everything...” Glory smirks “...just less judgment.”

“It isn’t the same thing.” Angelica answers back, shaking her head. “It just isn’t.”

“So it seems to me like you already made up your mind?”

“Maybe I did?” Angelica says, smiling from ear to ear.

“If that’s true, why did you even bother asking me.”

“Maybe I wanted to be sure I was doing the right thing, so I’d let you have the chance to talk me out of it.”

“In that case you chose a perfectly miserable person to have talk you out of it, mate.”

The two cousins share a laugh together.  “Well what do you suggest, Glory?”

“If you want someone to legit talk you out of this, then you should find a very judgmental Catholic.  Like, your sister for instance.”

“Kayla?!  Why her?!”

“Why not her?  She’s perfect.  She’s Catholic and she hates your relationship with Aphrodite….she hates my relationship with her too, come to think of it.  She’s perfect.”

Angelica pauses to think about what Glory has just suggested.  It makes sense.  Kayla was none too pleased with her older sister when she ‘came out of the closet’ and left the church.  She was even more displeased when Angelica started having a relationship with Aphrodite Noel.  Perhaps the most judgmental person Angelica would ever encounter is someone you wouldn’t expect to be judgmental?

Family.

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On Camera

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The tag team division has officially been put on notice.

Six teams were locked inside of the elimination chamber but only one had the capability to run a gauntlet that included talent, legend, and sheer dominance.  In the end it was Redemption who survived the chamber.  It was James Evans and myself who overcame every other tag team to be put in our way.  We proved that we were not some one hit wonder or a fluke.  We were the real deal and that Redemption has its eyes on the SCW World Tag Team Championship.

And it’s like we got here just in time because Lohan Country lost the tag team championship in an upset to Bree Lancaster and…

....Scott Burnside?

Seriously, that’s your SCW World Tag Team Champions?  I feel bad for Scott.  Really, I do.  He’s having his health and well being put on the line so that Bree Lancaster can go all over the world and live the good life of a double champion.  He may have survived Dawn and Abigail but what happens next?  He has to deal with Redemption.  He and Bree have a date with James Evans and Angelica Jones.

I’m sure Scotty would rather have a date with James, than me.

Can Bree protect her little pet yet again?  Maybe.  I have been in this sport a long time and I know talent when I see it.  I’ll give the devil her due; he has talent.  She’s definitely good enough to potentially pull off an upset and beat a team by herself.  But I’m a thirteen time world champion and James is one championship away from a Supreme Championship here in SCW.  This is a little more than just any mere “tag” match, if you want to really call it that seeing as Scott is Bree’s partner.

But I’m willing to entertain the hypothetical scenario.  What if they do beat Redemption?  What happens next if they get past us?

True Love Twins?

Har Megiddo?

Trinity Street and Kennedy?  How long do you think you can last saving Scott’s ass?  And really, Bree, are you saving his ass for his sake or just so you can continue to be a double champion in SCW?

You don’t have to answer, I honestly don’t expect one, but if it’s the latter then even I must admit that there was a time I would have applauded your cunning and clever tactics.  There was a time that I would have done the same damn thing if I were in your shoes.

People detest you for your attitude, how stuck up and snotty you act, and how you choose to go about doing your business in the ring.  But who am I to judge you when I once was you?  Hell, I did things far worse than you, all the while living the luxurious, classy, elegant lifestyle.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not impressed by people like you and I am not intimidated by people like you.  But I respect your ability.  What pisses me off is that it’s a shame that someone as talented as you chooses to act the way you do, chooses to go about your business the way that you do.

For James and I, this is about Redemption.  In a way, now we’re redeeming the tag team division.  That’s why we want to be the SCW World Tag Team Champions.  To be good role models and good ambassadors for this sport and, yes, so that we can be called the absolute best tag team in SCW today.

But I can put redemption on hold just for a night, for this coming Breakdown in London. You need to be given a wake up call, Bree.  You need an illustration of just where this path you have chosen to take leads to.

You can manipulate the system, cheat if you have to, and then when you achieve as much success as you have, you arrogantly and pompously hold your head up high as if you are better than everyone else..  You need to be reminded that one day someone will come along who is better than you at all of that; and that someone will punch you in the face.

This coming Breakdown in London, I’m coming to punch you in the mouth.

Support

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Off Camera

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Breakdown from Boise, Idaho concluded and James Evans along with Angelica Jones continued to roll in the tag team division.  They were met with a much stronger test this time; The Network.  Dante and Xander.  But the relatively new tag team of Jones and Evans managed to pick up the win and pick up much needed momentum heading into the biggest challenge of their young tag team career…

...The Chamber.

The Truelove Twins, Sam Raine & Crissy Gardner, Har Megiddo, Team Desire, & The Red Empire will all be the obstacles that Redemption will have to overcome at Under Attack on Sunday if they hope to become the number one contenders to the SCW World Tag Team Championship.

It’s quite a tall task but Angelica is confident in their chances to get the job done.  It’s not their tag team ability that has her concerned enough to go visit her good friend Sister Maria, a nun from Our Lady of the Annunciation near Boston, on this day to sound off on her troubles.

“Thank you for letting me come by, Sister Maria.  I mean, I know it’s unusual for an outsider to just stop by like this.”

“Don’t mention it, Sister Angelica.  Besides,” she winks at her good friend “you did call ahead of time.”

“This is true, but seriously, just call me Angelica.  I’m not a sister anymore.”

Angelica Jones and Sister Maria have been close friends for over two decades.  Angelica was a nun in this very convent, Our Lady of the Annunciation, when Maria arrived.  Technically it may have been on her own free will but the reality of the situation was similar to Angelica’s when she had first started her path; it was chosen for her by circumstance.  The separation from her parents did not make things any easier for young Maria.  Angelica, though, served as more than just a mentor.  She was almost like a parental figure to the young child.  Angelica helped Maria through the tough times, times when she felt she wouldn’t be able to survive.  She helped her cope with life in the convent.  This was just a few years after Angelica endured the death of her beloved mother.  Jones was beginning to question her own mental stability.  She began to question God.  But this sign of compassion from Jones, this opportunity to assist this child who had been dropped off at the convent, it proved to Angelica that she still had hope.   It proved to her that goodness still existed deep down within her.

It was that hope that would get her through the difficult times that would face her later on in life.  That hope would help her through the darkest part of her life and allow her to forgive herself when she was spending time in a mental institution for murdering the father of her eldest daughter Marie Annabelle Jones.  Even when Angelica is feeling at her most down and out, even when she is the most depressed, it is this hope that keeps her going.  It keeps her moving forward.  It is this hope that makes her think that, even now, she can stop herself from going over the edge yet again.

James Evans has proven to be another rock in her life.  She doesn’t want to lose control of her sanity and she knows that James Evans, a friend she met in group psychiatric therapy and fellow SCW superstar, can assist her with her problems.  Between people like James and Sister Maria, Angelica is certainly confident that she can overcome the recent bout of demons that seek to control her life.

“You have a calling, Angelica.  We all have a calling.  A calling to be kind and compassionate.  You have proven time and again that your compassion is limitless.  That is what we Sisters are for.”

I’m glad someone thinks I’m compassionate.” Angelica sighs. “Honestly, I’m not so sure these days.”

The two women are walking across the courtyard area.  Many of the other nuns of ages, shapes, and sizes, from many walks of life, are all over this beautiful courtyard but you wouldn’t know their differences from appearance.  They all look the same and it eliminates any shred of jealousy.  In a way, Angelica regrets leaving this life.  It was much simpler.  And perhaps had she stayed at this life, at this convent, she wouldn’t have the mental issues she’s having today.

Enormous trees and gorgeous, colorful flowers decorate the yard.  Simple wooden benches are also scattered here and there.  A few nuns can be found sitting under trees and some on the benches.  Angelica and Sister Maria find an empty bench underneath the shade of one of the taller trees and sit down.

“You are right about one thing, though.  I was at my best when I was here, among the sisters.”

“The presence of our Lord tends to bring out the best in people.”

“I wish I could say that about everyone.  Some use religion for hatred.  Planes into the trade towers...violence against gay men and women in the name of Christianity…” she shakes her head with disappointment “...the minority gives the majority of us a bad name.”

“Do not let a few evil people out there get to you, Sister Angelica.” Maria says, placing a comforting hand upon Angelica’s knees.

“Easier said than done.” Angelica remarks with a sarcastic laugh. “Sad thing is, we’re all surrounded by a little bit of evil every day.  Especially me.  Both of my daughters are going down a bad path.  I have returned to SCW where gang violence still seems to be the rule of the day.  And then there’s me…”

“You are not evil.” Maria remarks sternly.

“I felt pretty damn evil when I was trying to cripple that self absorbed little…” Angelica stops herself as she feels the anger rising back up within her “...point is, I did terrible things.”

“And you are repentant of them.  You’ve sought out help. You’re trying to change.  Did you not speak with James Evans?”

“I did.” Angelica responds, nodding her head. “And things are going great so far.  He’s been a real solid support figure for me.  Not to mention the fact that we make quite the tag team inside the ring.  We’ve been unbeaten since coming together.  We recently beat The Network.  Now we’re looking to enter a chamber match at Under Attack to earn a shot at the SCW World Tag Team Championship.”

“See?  Things are beginning to look up for both you and James!”

“Yes, but for how long?” Angelica sighs and a look of nervous concern spreads across her face. “I’m still surrounded by bad influences right and left.  Hell, the whole business is a bad influence if you want to get right down to it.  The longer I stay in professional wrestling, the more unhinged I get.  I lost control a few months ago and nearly crippled an opponent simply because I couldn’t beat her.  So tell me that this business isn’t a bad influence upon me, Maria.”

“The business is NOT a bad influence upon you.” Maria says with a playful wink.

“Quit playing around.”

“I’m not playing around, Sister Angelica.  You really are not influenced by the sport itself.  The problem is your competitive drive.”

“Impossible.” She shakes her head.

“It’s true.  That competitive nature just comes natural to you, Angelica.  Even here at the convent I saw it come out in you.  You tried to be better than the others among us.  It’s not a fault or a sin, but if not controlled it can lead you to sinfulness.”

“So we’re back at square one.  I’m losing control.”

“You said it, not me.” Maria replies with a grin.

“Well if I AM losing control then I need help.  I cannot control this demon inside of me on my own.  I’m just not strong enough.”

“You have James Evans.  Aphrodite Noel.”

“I love Aphrodite but she encouraged my last outburst.  James is a great support figure but I’m not sure even he can keep the dragon contained.  But here…” Angelica waves with her arms to the surroundings “...here, at the convent, here I was able to keep the demons under control.”

“Angelica…” Maria’s voice trails off.

“I want to rejoin the convent.  If you think they’ll let me.”

“Angelica…” Maria sighs as her voice once again trails off before she shakes her head “...no.”

“No?” Angelica blinks with a mix of surprise and confusion. “But I thought you said I would be welcomed back?  You said I was still a sister, that my ministry wasn’t over!”

“You’re right, your ministry isn’t over.  But that doesn’t mean you need to be in the convent.  In fact, there isn’t much more good you can do from within the confines of this group.  Your ministry is out in the world.”

“But I need to be here!  It’s the only way I can be certain to control my dark urges!”

“You’re exaggerating.  You are a strong woman, Angelica.  You helped me when I needed it the most and I know you can definitely help yourself right now in these difficult times.  You have me, you have James, you have Aphrodite, you have a strong support system with you every step of the way.  You can be an inspiration to the world.”

Angelica pauses to gaze deep into Sister Maria’s eyes.  A slight laugh escapes her lips.

“Funny, that’s kind of how James and I envisioned Redemption being like.”

“Really?” Maria smiles warmly.  She props her arm up on her leg and then lets her head rest in the palm of her hand. “Do tell.”

“Honestly?” Angelica chuckles. “You really care?”

“The wrestling didn’t used to be my cup of tea, but I’ve always cared about you.”

“Fine…” Angelica stares off into space dreamily “...well, James and I both have had our share of issues in the past.  We’ve both needed our own form of redemption due to our spotty past.  Yes, he is part of my support system now, but together we both want to be role models for everyone.  We want to send a message to anyone suffering from the the kinds of issues we once suffered from, or any issues for that matter, that you can overcome.”

“But what of the name?  Why Redemption?”

“Well, I guess…” Angelica shrugs her shoulders as she pauses to consider it “...I guess it’s because we want to show that redemption is possible for anyone.”

“Anyone?” Maria asks with an arched brow.

“Anyone.”

“You got that belief from the Church.”

“I agree, and that’s why I should come back to the convent and…”

“No…” Maria speaks out, interrupting Angelica while shaking her head “ ...you do not need to be in a convent for that.  We know it.  You already know it and now you need to spread that message.  That’s what you and James are doing.”

“You’re not going to bend on this, are you?”

“I didn’t used to be this stubborn.  I learned how to be stubborn from the best.” Maria smirks as she reaches out and taps Angelica on the cheek.

“I could probably join without your consent.” Angelica shakes her head. “But I won’t do that.”

“Good.  Your message needs to be heard by a greater audience than the people we can reach.  You and James can reach a very wide audience with your team of Redemption in SCW.  That’s what the people need.  They need a message of redemption.”

“We can only do so much.”

“Actions speak louder than words.  You know?”

“Preach the gospel and when necessary use words.” Angelica remarks with a warm grin of her own finally forming upon her face. “It was one of my favorite quotes from St. Francis of Assissi.”

“Your actions, both yours and James’s, should speak loudest of them all, Sister Angelica.” Sister Maria says, nodding her head.

“I still want to return to the Catholic Church.”

“Excuse me?” Maria raises her brows wide with some shock in her voice.

“The Church isn’t perfect, neither am I for that matter, but there were things about it that kept me honest.  Confession, for instance; whenever I would have one of those dark urges, whenever I lost control or snapped, instead of continuing to let it get further out of control I would go to my priest, go to confession, and his words would help me keep things sorted out in my mind.  The sacrifice of the Mass, it’s beauty and elegance, it was an escape from the darkness.”

“But you’re Episcopalian now, or so I thought?”

“I am, but it’s different, despite what people say.  It isn’t really Catholic-Lite.” The two women share a laugh at this joke. “Besides, if I can’t have the entire convent as a support system, then I do want the support of Mother Church.”

Angelica stares at Sister Maria for several moments, first with a smile on her face as she expected Maria to be thrilled with this news.  Maria, however, remains stoic and emotionless upon this revelation from her longtime friend.  Angelica then frowns.

“Well?   What do you think?”

“You realize this may prove difficult for you.”

“Uh, no?  I mean, former Catholics return all the time.  What makes me different?”

“You’re quite well known.  You’re also in a known relationship with Aphrodite Noel.  Depending upon the parish, you may or may not be welcomed back with open arms.”

“The Church makes a big deal about abortion and yet I don’t see them denying communion to politicians who happen to be pro-choice.”

“Point taken, but I’m not one to opine on the judgment calls made by priests and bishops.”

“What about Pope Francis?” Angelica asks.  “Pope Francis has been very open and welcoming towards the LGBT community, Maria.  You know this.  It’s ruffled the feathers of the conservatives in the Church.”

“This is true, but you know not everyone shares the Holy Father’s opinion.”

“Is that so?  Ok then...”  Angelica folds her arms over her chest.  “What do you think of my relationship with Aphrodite?”

“You know me better than that, Angelica.  God loves us all, regardless of sexual preference.”

“But what about you?”

“Honestly?” She sighs. “I care about YOU and I’m not going to let something as insignificant as your sexual preference change that.  Besides, it’s none of my business what you do in the privacy of your bedroom.”

“Good.” Angelica nods her head. “I appreciate that, Maria.”

“I’m just warning you, Angelica, the pope may have changed but the Church itself has not changed much.”

==========

On Camera

==========

The chamber can be an intimidating structure, even for the most seasoned of veterans.  But for me, hell, it feels sorta like coming back home to an old friend.

A little background, because this isn’t my first experience with the chamber match.  I’ve been in three chamber matches with three different companies.  I successfully defended a world championship in a chamber match in GDW.  I won a world championship in a chamber match in GCW.  And I came within an eyelash of WINNING the United States Championship here in SCW in a chamber match.  So close…

...but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, or so they say.  Nevertheless, my record in chamber matches is quite respectable.  Two victories and one runner up; and one of those victories came when I started the whole damn thing and went bell to bell to beat everyone.

I’m not going to stand here and be arrogant and say that chamber matches are my specialty. I’m not even going to stand here and proudly declare myself and James Evans the winners in advance.  Fact is, anything can happen in a chamber match.  There is the unpredictability factor, there are other wild cards you cannot account for.  You have to be ready for anything.

This particular chamber itself is history, as its the first tag team version of its kind; at least in SCW’s history.  Everyone here is in uncharted territory, whether or not you’ve had chamber experience.  How will the tag team aspect come into play in a chamber match?  What kind of effect will having backup have on you in a match that is normally everyone for themselves?

So many question and yet so few answers.  You’d think that would humble a few people and yet there are those who still hold their heads high into the clouds, thinking they own the place.  They think that they run this show and that they are entitled to tag team glory.

Truelove Twins, you are a prime example of what I’m talking about.  Your mouths wrote a check your ass now is forced to cash because you will be starting the whole damn match.  The chamber is a tough match to win anyway, but add starting first to the mix and it becomes hell…

...trust me, I know.

And you only have yourselves to blame for that.  You have the opinion that you are entitled to tag team glory.  Well the reality check that you’re going to be faced with at Under Attack is that you are not entitled to shit.  You have to earn everything you get here in SCW.  And you, especially, will have to EARN this tag team championship opportunity by going through all five of your opponents.

All I can say is good luck, because you’ll need it.  But you’re not alone in your thought process.  You’re not alone in this entitled feeling.  The Stewards, Team Desire, or whatever the hell they call themselves nowadays, they have that same thought process. That same feeling of entitlement.

I don’t care who you are or what you’ve done in the past. It’s irrelevant to today.  That goes for me, as well.  I may have a sparkling record in these types of matches but what I did then has no bearings to what James and I’ll do at Under Attack.  This is a whole new ball game.  The Stewards are no more entitled to this than I am or than the twins are.  They, too will have to earn this through blood, sweat, and tears inside the chamber.

Har Megiddo doesn’t want tag team glory, they just want chaos and destruction. Violence.  If anyone may be a perfect fit for the chamber, it may be them.  But the bigger you are, the harder you fall.  Sorry for the cheesy phrase, but it’s true. And it doesn’t matter how bad they are, it doesn’t matter how violent they can get, because I can match violence for violence.  As bad as they can get, I can get worse.

That’s not arrogance talking, either. That’s pure fact.  Talk to anyone who knows me, anyone who has faced off against me, anyone who has history with me; they’ll tell you what I am capable of in this kind of environment.

Samantha Raine and Crissy Gardner, you have a history with me.  You know all too well what I am capable of in this kind of environment.  You know what to prepare for when you are facing Angelica Jones inside this chamber structure.  So why don’t you tell them why Redemption, and maybe Angelica Jones in particular, is the biggest threat in the chamber and should be the favorites to win it all?

What makes me dangerous is that I’ve learned to channel the rage.  Whereas some people, some monsters like Har Megiddo, are just unchained beasts, I can channel my rage and use it at the right moments; I can unleash it at the opportune times when it is necessary.  Because the fact is, there is a time and a place for everything.  The time and the place for rage, for destruction, for violence...that’s the chamber...and I’m fully prepared to channel it and use it as my ultimate weapon, to fight alongside James Evans as Redemption marches on to victory.

Now I won’t stand here and say that we’re going to win it all.  Not at all.  As I said earlier, too many wild cards and x-factors in play to make such a bold statement.  What I will say, however, is that the team of Redemption stands ready for the chamber and no one is going to stop us.