WARZONE #395
SNOWY ROADS
Red Snow is just two shows away and we're kicking things off with a couple of title defences and a massive trios match. Can these guys get along?
The Hand Behind the Curtain
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play â–º symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Zeus lounged in an ornate obsidian chair, his thunderous presence dimmed only by the shadowed grandeur of the House of Sovereigns. Lightning motifs shimmered faintly along the vaulted ceiling, illuminating the quiet tension in the room.
Across from him sat Klaus Way, ever poised, legs crossed, silver cane resting against his knee. His well-trimmed smile was a mask—one that even Zeus knew not to trust.
Ares, bronze-plated and unblinking, stood guard behind Zeus. His spear tip tapped the marble floor in slow, patient rhythm.
“So,” Klaus finally said, breaking the silence, “I assume my hospitality has met divine expectations.”
Zeus let a low laugh roll from his chest—thunder disguised as mirth. “Indeed, Klaus. The Lost Tapes were… effective. Your circus drew them in perfectly.”
A spark of pride lit in Klaus’s eyes. “As promised. The world watched. The competitors unknowingly danced to your tune, Baron.”
Zeus leaned forward, storm-blue eyes narrowing. “And the desired outcome was achieved.” He paused, voice lowering as if the marble itself might betray him. “Jackson is nearly ready.”
Ares stiffened, grip tightening, the war god always hungering for the next campaign.
Klaus tilted his head. “You believe he will serve your purpose, then? The boy seemed… reluctant.”
“He will have no choice,” Zeus replied. “Struggle breeds strength. Those who were kidnapped—those forced to compete under your grand circus tent—they forged the fire Cade will wield. Jasper has him now and by the time they're finished, my son will be ready to lead Arcadia.”
Klaus drummed his fingers along the arm of his chair. “And the others?”
“Collateral fate,” Ares answered coldly. “They played their role, as did I.”
Zeus rose, thunderclouds gathering in his expression. “The time draws near. Arcadia remains blind—but soon they will understand why we set this game into motion. My son will sit on the throne of Arcadia when the time comes.”
He placed a powerful hand on Klaus’s shoulder.
“Your work has not gone unnoticed. When this is over, you will have your seat at the table.”
Klaus’s smile sharpened. “Then let the show go on.”
With a flash of lightning and the rumble of distant war drums, Zeus and Ares vanished—leaving only the echo of their manipulation hanging in the opulent air.
Cut.
A Family Affair
Last week.
Jackson Cade awakens in chains.
His wrists are bound tight behind the back of a metal chair, ankles shackled to its legs. The air is cold and wet, thick with mildew and rust. The Gallery looms around him; walls lined with macabre art, bloodstained drapery, and half-snatched memories.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What devilry does the Artist have in store for Jackson Cade.
In front of him, Jasper Redgrave sits with one leg crossed over the other, sipping something dark from a teacup.
“Well,” Redgrave says, smiling, “the prodigal prince returns.”
Cade pulls against the chains, teeth bared.
“If I were Baron,” he growls, “I’d have had you executed in the street.”
Redgrave chuckles, light and cruel.
“And that, Little Eagle, is exactly why we’re here. No one’s coming to save you. Not Zeus. Not Ares. They know this is necessary. This little bloodletting is long overdue.”
Jackson spits at his feet. “You want me to kill you? Then untie me.”
Jasper rises slowly.
“No. I want you to understand. If you could’ve killed me… you’d have done it already. But you won’t. You never do. You keep hoping the world will blink first.”
He steps behind a curtain. Fabric slides on rusted rings.
“But since you can’t seem to fly out of your old nest…”
He yanks it back.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my god.
MATT RUBY: This is too much.
George and Mary Cade. Locked into stockades.
George face bruised, eye swollen shut. Mary sobs uncontrollably, blood matting her hair.
“…let’s give you a little push.”
Jackson thrashes, pure rage in his throat.
“Don’t. You touch them and I swear—”
George lifts his head, voice raspy.
“Be strong, Jack. No matter what.”
Mary can’t speak; only weep.
Jasper leans in close to Cade’s ear.
“You failed Ares’s test. So I’m raising the stakes.”
He grins.
“You get to choose. Mommy… or Daddy?”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A very intriguing trios matchup here tonight, allies teaming with hated enemies on both sides. Not only must the Besties team with the man who has caused them countless hours of grief and torment, but after what happened at Carnevil, the fragile relationship between Cade and Redgrave has to be back to antagonistic.
MATT RUBY: That's the fun of these matches BB, just how quick everything can break down. It's gonna be, as you love to say, a slobberknocker.
The bell sounds as all six competitors just rush out, fists a flying as Demi Sky tries in vain to gain some order. Cade and Attano are going blow for blow with the Besties while Nox and Redgrave look like they're about to fight but Nox backs off, getting onto the apron.
Cade and Attano manage to throw DOOM out of the ring but they turn around into a double clothesline from Felix that sends them tumbling to the outside. The crowd cheer as Felix turns around
RIGHT INTO SANGUINE ABSURDISM! A massive Discus Clothesline turns Felix nearly inside out.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And there's that sadistic bastard taking clear advantage of the chaos.
Redgrave pulls Felix up, rocking him with a few hard knees to the gut before backing up into his corner as Jackson tags himself in. Jasper slams Felix down to the mat as Jackson climbs to the top, diving off
WITH A SCREAMING EAGLE ELBOW DROP! Cade covers as Demi slides in
ONE
.............
TWO
.................
KICKOUT!
Foley just manages to get the shoulder up, Cade pulling him up to his feet with a few heavy lefts and rights before spinning around
INCENDIARY...FOLEY DUCKS!
BEFORE SHOWING CADE WHY THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR BOOTING!
Foley staggers on his feet before staggering back as he tags in DOOM
SPLITTER TO JACKSON CADE!
SPLITTER TO JASPER REDGRAVE!
IT'S A GORE PARTY HERE TONIGHT! Doom seeing Attano rush in as he tries for a third but Nobody dodges this Spear, nailing Doom with some Venomous Intentions and a Scorpion Kick, rocking the Scientist back before rushing forward
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Doom grabs Attano in mid-leap, jumping backwards
3-D! DOOM FACTORY DEVICE! That has to be it
Doom staggers back slightly into the ropes as Nox tags himself in.
MATT RUBY: Smartest man in Arcadia BB, you've gotta love it.
Nox drops down, hooking Attano's leg for the pinfall as Doom just stares daggers of pure venom at Nox. Demi Sky sliding in to count
ONE
..............
TWO
..............
...............
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: YES! Nox once again picks up the victory for his team with his absolute genius and true leadership.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a crock of shit. Nox did absolutely nothing but steal the victory here tonight and I cannot wait till that bastard gets whats coming to him.
A Meeting With the Queen
Inside Narcissa's bedroom, we see the Queen herself sitting in front of a vanity desk while applying eyeliner before her match tonight. Despite the short time frame she has to do this, she isn't hurrying to complete her look, acting as though this is more important.
Just as she's adding her finishing touches, the lights at the desk begin to flicker before going out.
Flutter.
When the lights come back on, Tombstone is seen standing just behind her, staring a hole through her head. Narcissa seems unfazed by his sudden arrival, returning to her makeup the moment she can see herself again.
"I know who you really are," the Ferryman says, undaunted by Hera's apathy towards his arrival. "Jasper whispered to me about how you knew the sigil to trap me."
Narcy says nothing as her soon to be opponent throws out his accusations. Tombstone growls, but remains undeterred by her callous silence.
"He said that you told him about it, too. A long time ago, in fact. You knowing about the sigil and telling the Artist can only mean one thing."
The Ferryman leans in close to her ear, practically centimeters away from her shoulder.
"You're Hades."
Still no reaction from Narcissa, who continues to put on eyeliner. In response, Tombstone punches the mirror she's looking at, shattering it in the hopes of getting her to pay attention to her.
As the glass shards fall onto the desk, Narcy pulls out a pocket mirror and applies make up that way. Annoyed, the Ferryman leans back and balls his fist.
"Ignore me at your own peril," he says. "When we meet in the ring for our match tonight, I'll show you the consequences of taking my warnings lightly. Then, you'll be sent back to where you belong."
The lights go out again as another flutter is heard. When they return, Hera finally cracks a smile before pulling out the drawer, revealing a wrist blade within.
"We'll see about that, Ezra," Narcissa says, rolling down her arm sleeve. "We will see."
Cut.
Smile For Me
"SUNSHINE!"
The voice of Captain Arcadia explodes like a cannon, the hero bum rushing the door of the Sunshine Club itself! A bash from his shield sends the door splintering! Despite the fire in his words his intensity is soon snuffed out by the image in front of him. Mr. Sunshine, Anton Savor, and a table of tea in front of them. All four members of the Sunshine Club stalk the room like hounds, just begging for someone to step out of line.
"Oh, my friend! Please, have a seat." Sunshine's voice is chipper as ever, beckoning Cap to take a seat at the table.
"Cheap tea. Deplorable." Savor pushes his cup away from himself, head cocking to Sunshine. "I was here first, I'll speak first. You've tormented me-"
"And me! And my friends! If anyone deserves to ask questions it's-"
"Shut your mouth you blabbering moron." Savor is quick to cut off Arcadia's rant, eyes shooting daggers through him.
"Boys!" Sunshine interjects. "I understand... You want to know why, don't you? Why the games, the lies... The torment." He chuckles bitterly, that smile faltering on his face as he stares down his fellow Titans. "It's all simple, you know. The feeling of absolute power, of taking someone else's life in your hands and molding it... It's the closest I get to true happiness. The only thing that feeds the friend in my head."
"No ulterior motive."
He chuckles again.
"Just because it made me smile."
WHAM! ARCADIA'S SHIELD COLLIDES WITH THE SKULL OF SUNSHINE!
"Fuck you! Fuck you!"
The Sunshine Club pounces in an instant, mauling both Arcadia and Savor in equal measure! They try to fight back as best as they can but the numbers advantage ends leaves them overwhelmed! As powerful blows leave them broken upon the ground Mr. Sunshine slowly rises to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth, an unnerving smirk on his lips.
"And smile I shall."
Cut.
Bugs
We find The Night backstage, alone and hovered over a small lidded box on a table. The lid of the box has his name written on it, in flamboyant letters as red as lipstick.
It’s a box he’s obsessed over plenty privately in the past months.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Night has sunk deeper and deeper within himself since winning the Ring King crown. He has the lives of so many weighing deep on his shoulders now.
MATT RUBY: Screw his feelings BB. What’s in the box?!
“This is it.” He utters to himself, toying with the lid of the box. “I should have slit her throat when I had the chance.”
He slams a fist down on the table next to the box, making it jump.
“I was a fool to listen to the words of anybody else. I had her in my hands, and I let her slip away because I listened to the voice of reason.”
He shakes his head, tears streaming down his face now.
“But reason won’t bring her back. Reason won’t take back what is done. I must, for them… for her. For everything that has done. It’s the only way.”
He opens the lid of the box, inspecting its contents.
Inside, a collection of bug carcasses lie. Seemingly innocent, but their mere presence means so much.
MATT RUBY: Huh? A box of bugs?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Those aren’t just any bugs Ruby.
“This is the proof.” He holds a bug up in his hands. “Bugs of pestilence, recovered from the Red Light District. Proof that she was there. That she is responsible.”
He crushes the bug body in his fist.
“I don’t care why Narcissa gave it to me. I don’t care what her game is. I care about the proof, and this only ends one way now.”
He stands, slamming the lid of the box shut.
“Gemini has to die. Justice must be done. For me, for my mother… For them all.”
Next to the box sits his Ring King crown.
“It’s my duty.”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have an NXT Level Championship match on tap as Klaus Way defends against Destructo. This should be a barnburner for everyone!
MATT RUBY: Klaus Way just hosted a Killer Night at the Carnival, and now he’s going to defend his NXT Level Championship again tonight. What a fighting champion. That pipsqueak Destructo doesn’t stand a chance.
Referee River Moonfoot calls for the bell, and Destructo launches himself at Way with a Dropkick that staggers the ring master, followed by another, and then the third finally drops the Champ. As Klaus is getting to his feet – SEE NO EV-NO! Klaus ducks the Shining Wizard as Destructo lands flat on his ass behind The Ringmaster!
Klaus quickly gets back to his feet and quickly pulls Destructo back to his. The Warden of Weird spins Destructo around and gets the double underhook – CIRQUE DOULEUR – Storm Breaker!
Way seeks to capitalize as he pulls Destructo back to his feet and sets up The Anti-Hero, setting up for a Piledriver.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: If he hits this move, he could break his neck!
MATT RUBY: Good!
Destructo counters with a Back Body Drop. When Klaus gets back to his feet, he’s met with a flurry of blows to his opponent, flipping backwards with a kick to the jaw before rushing to the ropes, bouncing off and delivering a brutal Shining Wizard – ALL MY - NOTHING - Way ducks yet another Shining Wizard and Destructo lands on his ass again this time Klaus isolates The Anti-Hero's arms hook them behind his back and hitting the So Much Unprettier – BIZARRO! Way rolls Destructo over, making the cover, hooking the leg, as Moonfoot makes the count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
MATT RUBY: And still the NXT Level Champion, the Greatest Showman in Arcadia, Klaus Way, and I just made my parlay, Daddy’s eating good tonight!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Do you have money riding on every match, Matt?
The Martyrmaker
Reverend Ezekiel Graves stood under the carved crucifix, the church’s stained glass throwing shards of cold light across his sermon face. Below him—knees scraped, eyes rimmed red—Ned and Rose were bound to the altar’s base: a nephew and sister, a child and a wife, both hostage and proof.
“My brothers and sisters,” Graves intoned, voice honeyed and holy, “when faith is stripped from people, when the loud and proud snatch God from our tongues, what remains but test and witness?” He paced like a predator. “Nero would have us mute. He would convince the city that miracles are code, not covenant.”
Ned’s breath came in shallow, quick pulls. Rose pressed her forehead to the cold wood as if she could hide there. Graves placed a hand on each of them—one benediction, one claim.
“We will turn their pain into proof. We will make martyrs of them,” he said, and there was no tremor in his certainty. “OSW will receive what we give, and through their sacrifice our congregation will remember how to pray—and how to believe.”
Somewhere above the nave, an old camera lurked. In a room of buried servers, a dozen miles and a hundred locked doors away, Nero watched.
He was not the man in the pews; but as always, he watched from above. CCTV feeds scrolled across his monitors in a cold, precise frown: angles of pews, the altar, the small twitch of a bound hand. He watched Graves’ every syllable like a clock counting down.
Graves paused mid-phrase and tilted his head toward the ceiling. The corners of his mouth curved.
“I see you,” he said softly, looking into the nearest camera as if the lens were an altar light. “Yes. I know you're watching like always, brother Nero. Ensure you're in the Main Event to defend our titles, won't you? I would hate to hasten my offering before you have a chance to understand my position.”
On Nero’s screen the smile was a simple thing—predatory, untroubled—and it landed like a hand upon his ribs. Rage answered, low and immediate, but so did a cold appraisal: the reverend had expected an observer. He had expected Nero. This was for his eyes only.
Outside, the church bell tolled once, a hollow note that folded into the vaulted dark.
Graves straightened. “Prepare them,” he told the silent congregation and the camera at once. “OSW awaits our offering.”
Taken
The squeak of rusted wheels roll down the halls of Olympus. A large cage, the very same kind that entrapped the Titans of Olympus last week, moves down the hall flanked by a masked circus member on either side. Behind the bars? Michaela Attano, the poor girl looking worse for wear after Carnevil. Dirty, exhausted, hopeless.
"Michaela!"
One simple word fills her heart with faith as Harold Attano comes flying down the hallway! His movements are fast, vicious as he lays into either freak guarding the cage with ruthless efficiency. One man gets his face cracked mercilessly against the cage, the other eats a punch to the throat that leaves him sputtering pathetically upon the ground!
This isn't just Harold Attano.
This is the god damned Ghost.
"Dad!" The word finally escapes Michaela's mouth as she clings to the bars. "You have to hurry, please!"
"I'm trying!" Harold fumbles with cage door's lock, trying to pick it when the sounds of footsteps thundering down the hall snatch his attention away!
KLAUS WAY JUST DROPKICKED THE CAGE INTO HAROLD'S FACE!
Attano stumbles back for a moment only to lunge forwards with unrelenting determination! He grabs hold of the bars only for Klaus to grab the other side!
"Hands off my property!" Klaus spits, yanking the cage towards himself.
"Michaela is my daughter! She's a human being!" Harold shoots back, giving the cage a powerful tug!
Both men pull Michaela's prison back and forth, the poor girl left sprawling from side to side in a terrible game of tug-o-war.
HAYMAKER BY A MASKED MAN TO ATTANO!
Harold lets go of the cage, firing back with a violent elbow to the jaw that drops Klaus' henchman with an audible crack. He tries to give chase to Klaus as he absconds with Michaela only for more masked men to block the way!
"The choice has been made," Way shouts as he pushes the cage, leaping onto it to ride it down the hall. "Whether she likes it or not."
Harold pushes through his assailants only to see Klaus and Michaela disappearing out of the rear exit.
Cut.
Blood and Iron
Previously Recorded
The Arcadian War Museum is silent. Moonlight cuts through broken glass and dust. The air smells of rust. Ares stands alone among relics of conquest old flags, shattered medals, and the ghosts of everything he’s built.
Footsteps echo through the marble. Slade Kincaid steps from the shadows, shoulders squared, eyes locked on his brother. The tension between them hums like a live wire.
“You shouldn’t have called me here.”
“I didn’t. This place did.”
Slade glances at the walls portraits of soldiers, forgotten wars, their family name etched in brass.
“You sent me to die for this.”
“I sent you to finish what I couldn’t.”
“You used me. Turned me into a weapon. Then tossed me aside.”
“You were born to fight. Don’t pretend you wanted peace.”
Slade steps forward, chest to chest.
“I wanted a reason.”
“I gave you one.”
The first punch lands like thunder. Glass bursts. Ares staggers, blood running down his lip. He answers with a knee to Slade’s ribs. They crash into a memorial display, splintering wood and stone. Neither speaks. Every hit is a sentence they’ve been holding back for years.
Ares drives Slade into a column, forearm across his throat.
“You think you can erase me?”
Slade headbutts him hard enough to split skin.
“No, brother. I’m going to expose you.”
They crash through the floor display, the statue of their father crumbling beside them. Dust and blood hang in the air.
Ares rises first, breathing heavy.
“At Red Snow… I end this.”
Slade wipes blood from his mouth, smiling through the pain.
“Then make it count.”
MATT RUBY: Now what in the blue hell is this BB? Not only does our one and only Mariachi have to suffer losing thanks to his vile former pupil last week, but he's got to defend his championship against this boyscout bozo?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Caido lost of his own accord last week and if he's a fighting champion, he's got to defend against anyone, especially former champions in their own right.
The bell sounds as Arcadia explodes out of his corner, leaping up and turning Caido down to the mat with a surprise hurricanrana. Caido staggers to his feet into a dropkick, then a second before a middle rope spinning heel kick puts him on his ass.
Arcadia doesn't hesitate, quickly rushing to the ropes once again, leaping off
RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK TO THE JAW!
MATT RUBY: See, I told ya BB. Captain Geeko got overconfident now he's going down to the A champ.
Arcadia stumbles up into a flurry of lefts and rights, before he's lifted up into the air and spiked down hard into the mat with a huge Brainbuster. Caido rushes to the ropes, leaping up to the top before diving off
FLIGHT OF THE...CANVAS! Arcadia manages to move out of the way just in time, Caido hitting the mat stomach first as he staggers up right into an onrushing Arcadia
PUNCH OF...MISSES! Caido dodges the Superman Punch just in time, Arcaida turning around into a Goozle
FIRE BREAT...NO! Arcadia flips out and over, running to the ropes and bouncing off
PUNCH OF BROTHERS! SUPERMAN PUNCH HITS FLUSH as Caido goes down. Arcadia rushes to the ropes, leaping up to the top
STAR SPANGLED SPLASH! CAIDO MOVES AT THE LAST SECOND BUT ARCADIA SEES AS HE LANDS ON HIS FEET!
Arcadia turns around
CLAW TO THE SKULL
WINGBREAKER! SPINNING CLAW SLAM!
Arcadia is driven nearly through the mat, Caido keeping hold of the claw as he pins Arcadia down, Cole Holt sliding in to count
ONE
..............
TWO
.............
................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Brilliant back and forth here by both men but only one could emerge victorious as El Dragon Caido remains the Double Feature Champion.
MATT RUBY: I told ya BB, Arcadia couldn't get the job done as the A Champion continues his reign.
Ashes of a Hero
Destructo stood at the center of the living room—his living room. The wooden beams, once charred to ghosts, stood tall again. The photographs of a family that once laughed here had been rehung with care. He and his father had rebuilt all of it with their bare hands—every nail, every board, every prayer—before The Burned Man met his tragic end.
A mirror hung crooked on the wall, reflecting a man still unsure of the face he wore.
“I understand it now,” Destructo whispered to his own fractured reflection. “All of it. The struggle. The responsibility. Why you pushed me so hard.”
He clenched his fists, scars mapping his knuckles like battle signatures.
“I get it, Dad. I finally get it.”
A flicker of warmth brushed his shoulder—not the warmth of flame, but the warmth of love long lost.
“You always did, son.”
Destructo turned.
There he was. The Burned Man—or the memory of him—standing tall and proud, flames licking harmlessly along the edges of his coat. His disfigured face was softened by a gentle smile.
“I knew you could become the hero this world needs,” TBM said, voice the comforting rumble Destructo had missed for too long. “And I’m proud of you. More than you’ll ever know.”
Destructo swallowed the lump in his throat. “I wish you were really here.”
“I am,” his father replied. “Just not as you once knew me.”
Before Destructo could reach for him—a crack split the air.
Then another.
FWOOM.
Fire burst along the ceiling beams like a vengeful memory come alive. The curtains caught. The drywall peeled into cinders. The room roared with heat.
“No—Not again!” Destructo shouted, rushing toward the nearest doorway—only to find collapsing debris sealing his escape.
Smoke clawed at his lungs. His eyes watered. Coughs wracked his chest.
“I’m not losing this house! I’m not losing—” He staggered, dizzy, grip slipping on the doorknob melting beneath his hand.
TBM’s voice echoed through the haze—calm, heartbreaking:
“Heroes don’t always win, son… but they always rise.”
Destructo’s knees buckled. He collapsed, coughing, fighting the darkness closing in on him like closing fire doors.
The world blurred—flames dancing cruel victory around him.
And as the smoke finally consumed him—
Cut.
Bugs II
Gemini sits alone, readying herself for one hell of a match later. She’s isolated, quiet, reflecting.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Later tonight, Gemini has the opportunity to send one hell of a message in the Fatal Four Way. Mentally, she’s got to be ready.
MATT RUBY: Screw mentally, I’d rather see her preparing in the shower… or maybe a jello wrestling ring. Maybe then -
BOOM!
THE DOOR TO HER ROOM FLIES RIGHT OFF THE HINGES!
GEMINI BARELY HAS TIME TO STAND BEFORE THE NIGHT IS UPON HER!
“Murderer!” His voice hides nothing of his emotion. “The fact that you still walk while your victims lie six feet under sickens me.”
He pushes Gemini, slamming her into a wall and closing in until they’re face to face.
“But don’t worry. I’m going to change all of that.” He draws a knife, holding it to her throat. “Oh, we’ve been here before…”
Gemini swallows, hard. There’s no tears in her eyes, but there is a softness. Remorse? Empathy? When she speaks, her voice is choked, and as soft as her eyes.
“What will that achieve? A terrible thing happened, but this won’t change how you feel.”
Night isn’t swayed, he pushes the tip of the knife into her throat, drawing blood.
“Shut up… Shut the fuck up…”
Gemini kicks, pushing him back with the sole of her boot. The Night lands on the floor, his knife skidding away from him.
“I’ve tried reasoning with you but you’re a blind fool, Night. You can’t poke a bear and expect it not to fight back.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Night wants nothing more than to see Gemini dead. Of course she’s going to fight for her own survival.
MATT RUBY: And Scott Sterling has seen to it that they will have that chance in a Deathmatch at Red Snow, if Night hasn’t slit her throat first.
Night doesn’t leap to his feet. At least not right away. He pulls from a jacket pocket the small box. Reaching his hand in, he clasps a handful of bug carcasses. Gemini looks on without being able to see what he’s doing.
“I believe these are yours. Let me send them back home where they belong.”
Leaping forward, Night knocks Gemini to the ground. He pulls at her face, wrenching her mouth open. He stuffs a fistful of dead bugs into her mouth, ramming them down her throat until he can hear her choking on them.
By now, the commotion has drawn the attention of OSW security. They storm the room, pulling Night away before he can continue.
Gemini sits up, spitting bugs from her mouth, her eyes streaming with tears. Night gets one last look at her
“Oh, there’s a familiar sight. Still spewing pestilence after all this time.”
Then, he’s dragged away.
Cut.
El Peso del Cráneo
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: El Mariachi Muerte is taking on the undefeated Slade Kincaid next, but first Muerte has requested time to speak.
MATT RUBY: I think we all need some answers about what the hell he challenged El Dragon Caido to.
El Mariachi Muerte stands at the center of the ring, jacket draped over his shoulders, hat shadowing his eyes. Unlike the last few weeks, Muerte is calm. Collected. Focused.
“I used to think he was just like the rest of us… a man,” Muerte begins, voice carrying through the quiet. “A brother. A rival. A survivor. But Caido... he’s a sickness.”
The camera closes in. He lifts his head.
“Before he wore that name, before the world forgot who El Mariachi Grande really was, the man called Draco built something. A story. A myth. A failsafe.”
He steps forward.
“El Peso del Craneo. The Weight of the Skull.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Yes but what is that?
MATT RUBY: Is it a match?
“It’s not a match. It’s not a belt. It’s a reckoning,” Muerte says. “A trial made in the Temple of Bones, whispered through the Watchers’ ranks like folklore. If ever Grande lost his grip, or if someone challenged his dominion, this was the clause. This was the blood signature.”
He throws his jacket off his shoulders.
“And in my darkness, I found that signature. I read it.”
Muerte raises a finger.
“Two trials. Then the third... if we survive.”
He pauses.
“If we make it to Red Snow.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The final trial is at Red Snow!?
MATT RUBY: But what are they?
Muerte’s voice drops to a growl.
“I’m invoking the legend he kept as a failsafe. Not for glory. Not for revenge. But for freedom.”
He paces now, eyes locked with the camera lens.
“The winner takes everything. The Watchers. The Mariachi legacy. Lucha Libre itself. No masks left. No shadows to hide in. Just bone. Blood. Truth.”
He stops in the center again.
“So come and get it, Caido. You built the story.”
Muerte lowers his head.
“Now live it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: El Mariachi Muerte with a powerful message for El Dragon Caido.
MATT RUBY: At least Muerte focusing on Caido will distract him from the match about to happen.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Out of the cage into the fire. The former vocalist of Death had to fight alongside his most hated enemy last week and now he finds himself against a Ghost itself in a brawl with no rules. And Kincaid is absolutely the fresher man here having avoided Klaus's macabre showcase.
MATT RUBY: I mean do you blame him? Even Way isn't crazy enough to try and kidnap a monster like Kincaid, and thanks to that, we're about to see a slaughter here tonight.
The opening riff of "Soldier" by Citizen Soldier echoes through Olympus. As the beat kicks in, Slade Kincaid steps through the curtain in tactical silence, dog tags rattling faintly with every step. His eyes don’t scan the crowd—they lock on the ring like a man reacquainting himself with war. He takes a few steps down the ramp.
BEFORE MUERTE EXPLODES FROM BEHIND HIM WITH A STEEL CHAIR TO THE BACK!
MATT RUBY: I KNEW HE WAS A BASTARD! #Caidowasright
Muerte nails Kincaid with a second and a third shot but The Ghost just stands tall, trembling with fury as he slowly turns around. Muerte trying for another shot but the chair gets tossed aside by Kincaid who grips Muerte by the throat
AND BIEL TOSSES HIM DOWN THE STEEL RAMP!
Muerte goes tumbling head over heel, flying back first into the apron, Kincaid rushing down with malicious intent. Muerte just rolling out of the way of a big boot to the skull, his hand flittering underneath the apron.
SINGAPORE CANE TO THE KNEE!
Kincaid buckles slightly, Muerte teeing off with the cane again and again before rearing back with a shot to the skull
KINCAID HEADBUTTS THE CANE, BREAKING IT IN HALF!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The sheer power of the Ghost overwhelming Muerte once again. Tanking the cane shot before gripping him around the throat and nearly throwing him through the barricade.
Muerte stumbles to his feet, holding the barricade for leverage as Kincaid rushes forward
AND NEARLY SPEARS HIMSELF THROUGH THE RING POST
Muerte just moves out of the way in time, grabbing the stunned Kincaid as he flips forward, leaping off the post
TORNADO DDT ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!
MATT RUBY: BOOO! Muerte cheating once more like the vile bastard he is.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It's anything goes Ruby and Muerte may well have this in the bag here.
EMM pulls up the groggy Kincaid, throwing him into the ring. Muerte stands on the apron, waiting for Kincaid to slowly get to his feet before springboarding up and forward
MALICIOUS...DEVESTATION! Kincaid counters the springboard stunner in mid-air with a mammoth leaping Spear that cuts Muerte nearly in half. Kincaid stays down, hooking the leg as Demi Sky begins to count
ONE
............
TWO
............
...............
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: See, I told you BB. Despite the former mariachi's attempts at cheating, this ended in absolute slaughter here tonight by the Ghost Kincaid.
The Shadow & The Savior
Continued.
Before the flames took hold—before the walls screamed and the ceiling rained sparks—someone had already been there.
A figure lingered in the darkness just beyond the porch light, shadow stitched to shadow. Only the faint glint of a lighter’s metal betrayed their existence—a flick, a spark, a low hiss of ignition. They moved with purpose, with hatred, with knowledge of every board in this resurrected home.
A single flame licked along a timber beam.
Then another.
Then the fire found breath, growing into a ravenous monster that knew this place far too well.
The figure slipped back into the darkness as the inferno took their place.
Inside, Destructo’s world had become a burning coffin.
—
The front door exploded inward.
Felix Foley—coat charred instantly at the shoulders—rushed through the smoke like a human battering ram. He scanned through the smoke filled the haze, locking onto the collapsed body of Destructo near the stairwell. No hesitation. No fear. Just resolve.
“James! Stay with me!” he barked, voice hoarse against the heat.
He dropped low, hooking arms beneath Destructo’s shoulders, dragging his limp weight across a floor now brittle and glowing. Embers bit deep into his skin, but Foley didn’t slow—not for a second.
“Come on, kid, not like this. Not here.”
The ceiling above them cracked—a flaming beam dropping like a guillotine. Foley rolled, shielding Destructo with his own body as it slammed beside them, missing by inches.
The exit was close now—fresh, cold air bleeding through the open doorway like salvation.
With a final roar, Foley hauled Destructo out of the collapsing home, both men tumbling into the dirt. Flames gnashed at the ruins behind them as sirens wailed in the distance.
Foley leaned back against the ground, Destructo coughing weakly in his arms.
“You’re alright,” Foley breathed. “I’ve got you.”
Foley scanned the abodes nearby—searching. Because somewhere out there…
The arsonist was still watching.
The Room of Flickering Eyes
The old steel door groaned like a waking beast, hinges protesting as it pushed inward. A cloud of ancient dust billowed out, spilling into the air before settling back into forgotten silence. The floor trembled faintly—whether from the door’s weight or the world’s unrest outside, it was impossible to tell.
From the crack of dim light beyond the doorway emerged sharp red shoes, polished to an eerie gleam. Their owner stepped with the relaxed confidence of someone who already controlled everything on the other side of the threshold.
He entered fully now, and the overhead lights flickered as if recognizing a presence after years of abandonment. Before him sprawled a room of dusty monitors—dozens, perhaps hundreds—stacked like a shrine of dead eyes. Some screens glowed with jittering static, others displayed frozen, glitching snapshots of places long forgotten. The rest sat silent, cracked or dark, as if they’d refused to witness any more.
He inhaled deeply. Old circuitry and rust—like the scent of a buried secret.
Shrugging out of his dark jacket, he casually draped it across a crooked chair. A moment passed. Then another. Gloved fingers reached out, brushing the cracked edge of a monitor, wiping away the years that clung to it.
A soft hum awakened somewhere deep beneath the floor.
And the screens began to flicker—one by one—like a hundred eyes opening.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Big match feel here with a stacked Fatal Four way. Gemini, Narcissa, Night and Tombstone all square off.
MATT RUBY: There’s plenty of ill-feelings in that ring right now!
As soon as the bell tolls, Gemini and Narcissa lock up. They push, shove and claw away at each other with neither gaining an upper hand. Night charges right at Tombstone, but he’s caught right in the throat.
GOOZLE!
AND TOMBSTONE CHOKE TOSSES HIM RIGHT OUTTA THE RING!
The impact draws the attention of Narcissa and Gemini, who stop brawling to square off against the big man.
UPRISING KNEE FROM NARCISSA STAGGERS TOMBSTONE!
THE CURE! SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT FROM GEMINI TAKES HIM DOWN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I wasn’t expecting a touch of teamwork here tonight.
MATT RUBY: Well, I’m pretty sure that won’t last.
As if on cue, Narcissa grabs Gemini by the wrist and flings her into the turnbuckle.
CAUGHT UP! THE TARANTULA IS LOCKED IN!
BOOM!
THE NIGHT CLEANS NARCISSA OUT… THEN DRILLS HER WITH A DDT!
But it’s not Naricssa he wants. He goes for Gemini.
NIGHTFALL!
THE SOL SNATCHER HITS AND GEMINI IS IN A WORLD OF TROUBLE!
BUT EVEN NIGHT CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone caught him with the Bossman Slam and Night is down.
MATT RUBY: The whole arena shook with the impact of that
Narcissa by now is rising to her feet. Tombstone turns to her, but she doesn’t back down. She squares up and the pair start slinging handbags.
Before long, Gemini joins the soiree, and goes straight for Narcissa.
SNAPSHOT TO NARCISSA!
Tombstone grabs her by the throat, but she breaks away and runs at the turnbuckle.
NATURE’S SELECTION TO TOMBSTONE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini is rolling, she has all the momentum.
MATT RUBY: But Tombstone sits up! Gemini has no idea!
Tombstone makes his feet, and Gemini turns at the last moment to see him approaching.
SOUL TAKER! HEARTPUNCH FROM TOMBSTONE!
TOMBSTONE SWINGS BUT GEMINI DUCKS AND HE NAILS AN APPROACHING NIGHT!
GEMINI LEAPS BACK UP!
SNAPSHOT TO TOMBSTONE!
SHE PINS!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini has snatched this one out of sheer determination, skill and instincts!
Don't Fear the Ferryman
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a hell of a match! All four of these Titans must be exhausted after that!
MATT RUBY: All but one, it looks like, BB! Look, Tombstone's getting up!
The Ferryman makes his way to his feet and begins marching towards Narcissa, who's trying to get back to hers. She props herself against one of the corners as Tombstone comes nose to nose with her.
The two of them lock eyes for a handful of seconds before Tombstone goozles her and hoists her off her feet! The Designer grabs the arm with her right hand and starts punching it with the other, but it has no effect on the much larger man!
"I warned you what would happen if you didn't take me seriously," he says while choking her. "Now you will return to the Underworld where you belong, Hades."
Before the both of them vanish from ringside, Hera pulls down her right arm sleeve, revealing the wrist blade she had prepped earlier in the night! She extends the blade by flicking her wrist back, piercing it straight through the Ferryman's forearm!
MATT RUBY: I'd love to comment on how clever my Queen is, but did Tombstone just call her what I think she did?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You heard the same thing I did, Ruby. He's also planning on sending her exactly where you think too.
The Ferryman yells out in pain as he's forced to let go of Narcy. She lands on the mat with a thud before she rolls out of the ring and dashes up the ramp.
She turns back around towards her foe with a smirk on her face, watching as he holds his arm to prevent bleeding out in the middle of the ring.
"Let's say I am who you think I am," the Queen begins, still backing up the ramp. "Why would I ever want to go back there when I have everything I could ask for here in Arcadia?"
She chuckles as she gets closer to the curtain.
"I know every trick in your book, anyway, Ezra. Even if you wanted to, you can't take me back there no matter how hard you try."
Narcissa then bolts through the curtain, which causes the lights to shut off and a fluttering noise to occur. When the lights come back on, the ring is completely empty.
Cut.
The Formula for War
The sterile hum of machinery filled Doom’s laboratory—glowing vials bubbling beneath surgical lighting, steel tables glinting with instruments too precise to question. It was a sanctuary of science… and a battlefield waiting to ignite.
Nox stepped inside without knocking. The chemical mastermind’s grin curled under his mask like a toxin searching for lungs. The air around him shimmered faintly—hazardous, volatile, alive.
“Well, well,” he purred. “Stubbins Doom. Father of the Flammable Failure.” He tapped a finger against a container of liquid acid, testing its patience. “You’d think a man with your intellect would avoid weaknesses like children.”
Doom didn’t flinch. His armour, scorched from the explosion Nox once orchestrated, remained rigid around his form. The scars beneath—physical and otherwise—were reminders he refused to hide.
“You tried to kill me,” Doom said plainly. “Not the first betrayal in my life, Nox. And not the last I’ll overcome.”
Nox scoffed, leaning back with smug ease. “You survived because I allowed you to survive. Because deep down, even I thought my old friend might still amount to something.”
He stepped closer, voice lowering to a hiss.
“But now? You’re letting Destructo drag you down. That boy will be the end of you—and your title reign along with it.”
Doom’s jaw tightened. “Family isn’t weakness. It’s purpose.”
Nox laughed loud—like a breaking beaker. “Purpose doesn’t win championships. Power does.”
Doom reached into his coat pocket, retrieving a folded sheet of thick paper and holding it toward Nox.
“Then you’ll have your chance to take mine.”
Nox accepted it, eyebrows lifting as he unfolded the document. His eyes widened, green chemical haze swirling in their depths.
RED SNOW — Fatal Four Way
Nox vs. Doom vs. Foley vs. Destructo
For the OSW World Championship
The beakers around them rattled—whether from Nox’s sudden inhale or the shift in fate, no scientist could say.
“You’re either brave…” Nox murmured.
He turned the page slightly, as though different light might change the words.
“…stupid…”
His hands tightened, crinkling the corners, a dangerous fire lighting behind his smile.
“…or you have a plan.”
Doom met his gaze with unshakable resolve.
“You’ll find out at Red Snow.”
Between them, the beakers kept bubbling—counting down to the inevitable explosion.
Uno
The Temple of Bones hums with ritual.
Stone walls loom high above, etched with lucha legends. Candles flicker along the pews, casting long shadows across a crowd of masked faces; Watchers, old-school Mariachi, and silent disciples of the art. They pack the sanctuary, a kingdom of echoes and tradition.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We haven’t seen the Temple of Bones in quite some time, Matt.
MATT RUBY: I’m nervous about these trials, BB. Caido should never have to go through with them.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He built it, now he has to defend it.
At the front, beneath Caido’s throne stand two men.
El Dragon Caido, tense, eyes darting from face to face.
El Mariachi Muerte, calm as a gun drawn at high noon.
“You sure you want this, hermano?” Caido mutters. “You won’t walk away from this.”
Muerte doesn’t flinch. “I’ve got nothing to walk back to.”
From the shadows behind the throne steps a bent figure; an old man draped in ceremonial robes, his face painted in faded Mariachi colors. Time has not dulled the weight in his voice.
“The first trial,” he announces, “is one of knowledge.”
A murmur passes through the crowd.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I guess you’re out, Matt.
“You must seek the one who holds truth,” the old man says. “But you will find no help here, Dragon Caido. No Watchers. No whispers. No eyes in the dark. You search as men, not legends.”
Caido stiffens.
“Where is this truth holder?” Muerte asks.
The old man smiles faintly.
“He is where the old wounds bleed, where metal sings and names are earned.”
He turns, robes trailing behind him as he disappears into the shadows.
The room holds its breath.
MATT RUBY: I don’t get the riddle? What does that even mean?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t know, Matt, but I know these two men are on the hunt now.
Then Caido storms out the side hall, pushing through disciples.
Muerte follows a different path, walking slowly, purposefully.
One throne.
One truth.
One man to find in all of Arcadia.
The first Trial of El Peso del Craneo has begun.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We've reached the main event of the evening, ladies and gentlemen. The unlikely champions in the Brothers of Christ are putting their belts on the line against the even more unlikely team of Anton Savor and Mr. Sunshine!
MATT RUBY: No kidding, BB. These four people hate their partners as much as I hate being next to you! Not to mention, whichever duo manages to win this match might be stuck with their most loathed rival for the remainder of the year!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Mills Stanton's briefed the combatants and called for the bell! This fight is on!
Ezekiel and Sunshine start things off for their respective teams as the bell sounds. The Reverend stares down Cheery Charlie with fiery ire, which the Zookeeper responds to with a smile. They circle around the ring, getting closer and closer to one another before eventually locking up.
Zeke places Charlie in a headlock and wrenches it in tight. After struggling for a bit, Charlie pushes the Apostle into the ropes before whipping him towards the other side. Cheery C takes a moment to recover before he gets hit with a BIG big boot that knocks him down!
Ezekiel wastes no time as he picks up Positivity Personified and begins laying into him with palm strikes, knees, and elbows!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Harbinger's going for the HOLY WRATH! All he has to do to complete the move is hit the lariat!
The Purifier backs up and winds up his arm to signal the lariat attempt. Just as he reaches the ropes, however, Nero slaps him across the back.
MATT RUBY: That traitorous bastard just tagged himself in! The Reverend had a good thing going, and he had to put an end to it right at the middle of it!
The Cyberhound steps into the ring while ignoring the harsh glare he's receiving from his partner. Stanton forces Ezekiel out of the ring as the Red Reboot attempts to go for PACKET STORM, but there's NOBODY HOME as Charlie moves out of the way as Nero springboards.
Sensing an opportunity, Sunshine locks a rising Rogue Code in a full nelson. Just as quick as it's locked in, he sweeps the feet from Lucien and falling forward, nailing the BROKEN SMILE! Nero barely has time to register what happened as Charlie leans back into a camel clutch!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The FORCED SMILE is locked in! He might not be able to fishhook the mouth, but that's the best he can do in this situation!
The Cyberhound struggles in the hold for what feels like minutes. He flails his legs, trying to reach for the ropes, but they're a fingertip too far to place a foot on. Just as it seems like he's about to tap, however, Anton Savor reaches in and slaps Sunshine in the back as well!
MATT RUBY: The Chef's doing it too!? What is it with these people and their sudden lack of communication skills?
Sunshine releases the hold and gets in the Emperor of Sustenance's face after he tags himself in. Mills prevents things from escalating, however, as he forces Sunshine out of the ring. Despite that, the two of them never break eye contact.
Which proves to be to Anton's detriment, as he takes a FIREWALL to the back of the head! The force of the kick pushes Savor into Charlie, knocking him off the ring apron and to the floor!
As the Chef bounces back, Nero runs leaps onto the ropes and nails the PACKET STORM cutter! The Rogue Code knows that this isn't enough, however, and lifts Anton up while applying a guillotine choke!
"CATCH ME!"
Sunshine rushes into the ring and nails Nero with a running crossbody, causing him to let go of Savor!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Anton has been saved by the partner he didn't want, but boy howdy does he not look happy about it!
Anton doesn't have time to be upset for too long, however, as Ezekiel rushes in to take them both down. Savor manages to duck a lariat, but Sunshine isn't so lucky, as he's floored just as he gets back up.
The Reverend turns around, and eats a CREME BRULEE superkick for his troubles! The Harbinger is staggered, but not downed as Anton attempts to deliver another superkick, but Zeke manages to catch the leg.
With a tremendous amount of force, Ezekiel pulls the Chef onto his shoulders by the leg before powerbombing him onto the mat with the PURGATORY PLUNGE!
MATT RUBY: This match has devolved into complete chaos! Worse yet, the referee is just allowing it to happen!
Sunshine gets up first, forcing Anton back to his feet as the Cheerful One attempts to convince the Chef to cooperate in a friendly tone. Savor sees past the bullshit and gives him a piece of his mind with a stiff elbow to the face!
Charlie gets knocked into Ezekiel, who grabs him in a choke hold before lifting him up high into the air and slamming him down with THE FINAL JUDGEMENT! He wastes no time as he makes the cover, Mills makes the count while ignoring The Emperor of Sustenance!
ONE!
...
Anton realizes what he's done and attempts to make the save, but Nero gets him with a drop toe hold before locking in the ZERO DAY LOCK!
...
TWO!!
...
The crossface is cinched in tight and Anton can't reach his partner!
...
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tensions aside, we have retaining champions, ladies and gentlemen! What a hell of a match!
Thorpe in His Side
Continued.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What is Redgrave saying, Ruby?
MATT RUBY: I think I know, but I don’t want to say it.
Jackson Cade stares through tears.
“You never said what I’m choosing for,” he rasps.
Jasper Redgrave doesn’t answer right away. He lets the silence settle like ash before stepping away with a smirk.
“You already know.”
Jackson shakes his head violently. “No. No, I’m not playing this. I won’t choose which of them dies.”
George’s voice breaks the tension, ragged and raw. “Jack… pick me.”
Mary sobs harder. “No… me. Jacky shouldn’t have to live with that. Not his father.”
“I’m not his father,” George says quietly.
Jackson grits his teeth, veins straining against the chains. “Stop it. Just stop it! I’m not choosing!”
Footsteps echo.
Redgrave returns.
MATT RUBY: What the hell is that?
He carries something long, wrapped in a velvet cloth. He stops in front of Cade and jabs it into his ribs.
“Do you know how hard it is to carve a sword out of bone?” Jasper asks, voice almost giddy. “Had to reinforce it with silver. But I made it work.”
He unwraps it slowly.
Jackson’s breath leaves his body.
“…Joey.”
The blade glows pale in the dim light—white and yellowed, etched with familiar initials.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That sick bastard carved a sword out of C.J. Thorpe’s bones!
Mary lets out a broken cry. “Oh God…”
Jasper grins, twirling it in his fingers. “You remembered, right? I dug him up. All those months ago. Had to be sure you weren’t George’s son. Turns out I was right. But I never let anything go to waste.”
He runs the blade along the back of George’s stockade.
“Now it gets to finish the job. From brother to parent. Fitting, don’t you think?”
Jackson’s scream shakes the room. “I WON’T CHOOSE!”
“Then they both die,” Jasper snarls. “That’s how it ends if you stay weak.”
“You’ll kill them both anyway.” Cade snaps back.
“Maybe,” Jasper shrugs. “But at least this way, you get something. Some control. Be the Baron your daddy wants you to be!”
Jackson Cade lowers his head.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Somebody stop this!
MATT RUBY: Surely Zeus isn’t okay with this!
When Jackson Cade looks up, his eyes are so filled with tears you can’t see his pupils. But Jackson locks eyes with one of his parents.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is he choosing? Which one? How?
Redgrave smiles.
“I’m sorry,” Jack whispers, tears falling freely.
Jasper raises the bone-blade high.
And swings.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO!!
Black.