WELCOME TO ANARCHY RULEZ
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Fireworks explode from the entrance ramp into the Olympus roof as Anarchy Rulez kicks off live from Olympus. The fans are on their feet and ready for the most extreme of nights that Old School Wrestling has to offer.
The camera circles the fans, seeing signs such as “Pool Boys Rock” and “Death to the ACA”.
Finally, our cameras settle on Johnny Gomez and Nick Diamond at ringside. Both men look in good spirits here tonight.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Ladies and Gentlemen, the last time you saw us we left on an incredible cliff hanger. Jackson Cade and Harold Attano were alone when Cade’s gun either went off, or Harold shot it.
NICK DIAMOND: As far as we’re aware, both Harold Attano and Jackson Cade are still scheduled for the Hell in a Cell Match here tonight. We’ve no word of either of their condition.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I hope they’re both okay.
NICK DIAMOND: But without being inconsiderate, Anarchy Rulez is about a lot more than that here tonight and the show must go on.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That’s right, Nicky. All our Championships are on the line here tonight, including a phenomenal World Championship Match between the defending Champion Tombstone, Doom, Felix Foley, and Dr. Death.
We head to a quick package highlighting Tombstone’s capture by Dr. Death, his release via Mortis and his double goozle on The Besties.
NICK DIAMOND: The Champion is a man possessed here tonight… not like that… not like The Mortuary fiasco.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Yeah, we don’t talk about that, Nicky.
NICK DIAMOND: Too true, Johnny. Too true. However, enough of us – you came to see some wrestling and we’re kicking it over to the backstage.
GRAND PLAN
Backstage, the aforementioned Pool Boys are holding court.
Doom leans against a stack of metal chairs. Next to him, Felix Foley taps a rhythm on his knee, a sheepish grin playing on his lips. Destructo Boy sits on a crate, his eyes wide with vengeful glee.
“The plan is simple,” Doom’s voice rumbles. “James, you’ll be facing your father at the Odyssey Pool.”
Foley jumps in, a giant smile on his face. “Throw him in! We’ll get a new friend to play with!”
Destructo Boy nods to Doom, his youthful face set in determination. “I know what must be done. And I will do it.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Damnit kid, get your head on straight!
NICK DIAMOND: His head is on straight. That’s what the Pool does for a man.
Foley chimes in. “I told you, bestie, we have Tombstone right where we want him!”
Before Doom can respond, the door swings open, and in steps Dr. Death.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What is that bastard doing with Doom’s cohort?
The conversation falls silent as he approaches, his eyes scanning the group.
“Remember our deal,” Dr. Death says, straight to Doom. “I delivered the match with Tombstone. Now tonight, we make sure one of us leaves with the World Championship, one way or another.”
Doom nods, a curious tone in his voice. “Don’t worry, Doctor. We’re more than ready.”
The air backstage is electric as Dr. Death takes his leave.
NICK DIAMOND: Is any deal with Dr. Death a good one? He only looks out for number one.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t know, good buddy, but I know that Doom may well be the smartest man in Arcadia. Tombstone’s in a world of trouble tonight, can even him at his strongest hold on to the World Championship against these three on the same damn page?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This match should be called off! Vision can barely stand and they’re still lowering the cage!
Gemini quickly descends on V1sion, slamming into him with a flying dropkick that nails him into the turnbuckle! He stumbles out right into a frankensteiner that plants V1sion head first into the mat! The Awoken One is weary, trying to stand only to catch a brutal kick to the jaw that causes bile to fly from his mouth onto the mat!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh this is disgusting, Nick. He’s practically on death’s door!
NICK DIAMOND: He might be closer than you think! SPRINGBOARD ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL BY GEMINI!
V1sion is motionless on the mat and Gemini skips around him, begging him to stand to his feet only to nail him with a soccer kick to the chest as he rises! V1sion slowly tries to stand, every kick forcing him back down before Gemini smirks, forcing him up!
NICK DIAMOND: FALL OF MAN! LOOK AT THAT SWARM JOHNNY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I DON’T NEED TO LOOK! V1SION’S IN A BLIND FURY!
The Third Eye lashes out with a flurry of punches, elbows, and kicks as he lays mercilessly into Gemini! He pushes through the swarm of locusts, forcing Gemini into the corner and raining down blow after blow in a show of pure desperation! Nergal collapses to the ground as V1sion nails one final knee to the temple that leaves her in a heap!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: By Zeus, V1sion just vomited all over the mat! That had to take everything out of him!
NICK DIAMOND: I think I’m gonna be sick looking at this.
V1sion grabs onto the cage wall as he walks to the door, pleading with the referee to open it up! The door gets unlocked!
NICK DIAMOND: GEMINI FROM BEHIND! V1SION’S FACE MEETS STEEL!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: AND IT BUSTS THE DOOR RIGHT OPEN!
NICK DIAMOND: AND SHE FOLLOWS UP WITH THE YANG! BACKSTABBER!
Nergul watches as V1sion bounces pitifully off of her knees, watching as the Awoken One still tries to climb out of the ring, grabbing at the bottom rope! She swings with a wild haymaker that V1sion ducks!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: IRON STRIKE! MASSIVE ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL!
Gemini slams into the cage wall and V1sion slams her face first into the metal! She drags her back and forth, grating her into the steel before slamming her once more for good measure! Blood stains the metal as she’s been busted open! V1sion is quick to try and escape!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: V1sion’s going to escape!
NICK DIAMOND: NO HE ISN’T! UNLEASHED! GEMINI HITS THE SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT! V1SION’S OUT!
Gemini steps out through the open door, feet touching the ground!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This was just vile to watch, Nicky.
NICK DIAMOND: I think it might get a lot worse, Johnny. Gemini’s dragging V1sion out of the ring and heading up the ramp!
WINNER: GEMINI
AWAKENING
The home of the Kingdom is full of concern and worry. All four members stand around the large centre console, awaiting the voice of their leader and commander, the Zookeeper.
But nothing comes.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Has the Zookeeper abandoned The Kingdom? First, he failed to give them answers and now this.
NICK DIAMOND: He can’t just abandon them, can he?
The Red Falcon – a leader in his own right, steps forward.
“Things haven’t been the same since Red Snow,” he admits solemnly. He begins pacing around the room. “But we’re still a team and there’s a threat that wishes to disband us.”
The Blue Shark doesn’t agree.
“No, there’s a threat we willingly fuckin’ engaged,” he angrily says, slamming his hands down on the table. “And now we don’t know where we stand. Meanwhile, you’re out antagonising Mr. Kleen and…”
That infuriates a usually chill Yellow Python.
“You what?” He yells back. “He has answers! There’s more chance of getting them from him than the Zookeeper.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They’re imploding without guidance.
As both men go almost face to face, it’s The White Bear who steps in.
“Our job..” his voice growls. “Our job is to protect the citizens of Arcadia. The ACA are a problem and it’s our job to handle it. Tonight, we’ll take care of the tag titles. Python, you take care of Kleen. It doesn’t matter how we got here or why. All that matters is that we were brought together to be heroes; let’s be them.”
Suddenly, the sound of someone clearing their throat can be heard.
It’s the Black Python.
He’s awake and stood in the doorway.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh my Zeus! The Black Panther is awake!
NICK DIAMOND: This is huge news for The Kingdom!
NICK DIAMOND: Reverend meets Ramsey in a Church on the Hill match Johnny. What exactly is that?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Anything goes Nicky. The only way to win is to make your opponent kneel before you for five seconds. No disqualifications, no holds barred…
NICK DIAMOND: Just count to five!
Lionel Troy approaches Colt, with that charismatic smile plastered on his face. Ramsey looks unconvinced but Troy beckons him to kneel before him and asks politely.
Ramsey simply stares at the Reverend, who begins to lose his patience.
He waits.
But Ramsey does not move.
BAM!
NICK DIAMOND: LIONEL TROY HAS HAD ENOUGH!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HE UNLOADS A BRUTAL ELBOW STRIKE THAT SENDS RAMSEY REELING BACKWARDS INTO THE ROPES!
NICK DIAMOND: The disrespect! He asked him nicely…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I think it’s going to take a bit more convincing than a plastered smile for Colt Ramsey to kneel.
Colt rebounds off the ropes and comes straight at Troy. He aims a Clothesline at Troy, but the Reverend drops to one knee in a showy prayer pose, letting Ramsey’s shot sail right over his head.
LOW BLOW BY LIONEL TROY!
COLT RAMSEY DROPS LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES!
NICK DIAMOND: Right in the pulpit!
Troy grabs Ramsey by the hair, pulling him to his feet. He lays his hands on either side of Ramsey’s head, looking him in the eyes.
“KNEEL, HEATHEN!” The reverend calls.
ZIONIC ELBOW!
THE BIONIC ELBOW DRILLS RAMSEY AND THE JOURNO DROPS TO HIS KNEES!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s kneeling now.
NICK DIAMOND: Just needed a bit of convincing.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
COLT RAMSEY RISES TO HIS FEET BEFORE THE REVEREND’S GAZE!
Lionel grabs him by the head, lining up a headbutt, but Ramsey sweeps his legs before Troy can connect. Lionel falls backwards but Ramsey grabs him before he topples.
ROLLING CUTTER!
THE B-SIDE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That had to hurt!
NICK DIAMOND: His head hit the canvas with enough force to chip those pearly white teeth!
But Lionel Troy is flat on his face, not kneeling. Slowly, he pulls himself up using the ring ropes.
CLANG!
LIONEL TROY CLOBBERS RAMSEY ACROSS THE SKULL WITH THE ZIONIC TEXT!
SEVEN CREDITS A MONTH!
NICK DIAMOND: That’s some heavy reading! Where the hell did he get that from?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He must have picked it up when he was getting to his feet.
COLT RAMSEY IS KNEELING FROM THE FORCE OF THE SHOT, LOOKING COMPLETELY OUT TO LUNCH!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
NICK DIAMOND: Ramsey got some sense beaten into him, and Lionel Troy wins!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Lionel Troy got what he wanted, and Ramsey kneels before him.
Colt Ramsey brings his hands into a prayer position before Lionel Troy, still kneeling before the Reverend.
WINNER: LIONEL TROY
THE ROAD TO ZION
The Lion of Zion smirks, looking down at Colt Ramsey, who kneels, his hands still in that praying position.
“Are my actions as loud as my words?” he asks. “Has Zion spoken through me?”
He looks down at the downtrodden journalist.
NICK DIAMOND: Is that…pity in Troy’s eyes?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It can’t be – I don’t think he knows the meaning of the word.
Colt takes a moment to calm his breathing down following the match, but it’s not long before he speaks.
“I’ve seen all I need to see, Reverend Troy,” he starts. “My life has been on a downward spiral since I joined OSW, but I’ve been looking for ways to get back on the right path. Every choice I’ve made has turned sour. So now I have decided to put my trust in someone else to make my choices for me. I have decided to trust you, Reverend, and more importantly, to trust in Zion.”
“Oh LORDY, he’s so pumped you’re on board, I can feel it in my very bones,” Troy is practically fizzing with excitement. “Believe me, son, when I tell you that you have just made the best and most cost effective…” he coughs and quietly adds, half-under-his breath, “…choice that you could ever have made.”
Lionel Troy picks up Colt from his knees.
“Now let’s introduce you to your new congregation-buddies, son.”
Lionel Troy guides Colt Ramsey backstage.
Cut.
MUDDIED WATERS
The backstage of Olympus is once again home to Mr. Kleen. The ACA’s custodial savant is once again feverishly cleaning his way through the halls, his hands clearly raw from doing so.
NICK DIAMOND: Is it me or does Kleen look anxious, Johnny?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I’d say so, Nick. He’s a neat freak, but this looks absolutely unhinged.
As he scrubs the wall, paint flakes off, proving he’s not simply cleaning, he’s coping. The janitor looks at his hands, peeling off the gloves to reveal that minor chemical burning that even his gloves couldn’t seem to deter. “Just keep cleaning. Isn’t that right, Moppy?” Mr. Kleen glances over towards the Mop of Justice as it sits in its bucket.
“You talk to that thing?” A familiar voice asks. The voice of one Yellow Python.
NICK DIAMOND: You know, I’d be anxious too if I had a snake following me around everywhere.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I think it’s a bit different when you used to be the snake, Nick.
“What do you want?” Kleen snaps towards the man intruding on his clean hallway, scowling beneath his mask.
“What I’ve been wanting since Red Snow,” Python says, squaring up to Kleen. “Answers.” He looks down at his outfit before looking back at Kleen. “You used to wear this suit, didn’t you? I mean, you claimed a lot of things. I just want to know what happened with you and the Zoo Keeper. No bullshit, just the truth.”
There’s a pause from Mr. Kleen before he simply shakes his head. “I hated wearing that suit. I feel… disgusting being anywhere near it. I refuse to dig up that past any more than I need to. Either you listened to me or you didn’t.”
Python sighs, turning to walk away. “If you wanna keep muddying the waters then fine. I’ll find out what I want to know. But, before then, one of us has a date with some fire.”
NICK DIAMOND: Just what is Mr. Kleen refusing to talk about, Johnny?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t know for sure, but what I can say is whatever it is, Python won’t stop until he learns what he wants to know.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Nick, a father and son are set to do battle inside Doc Doom’s Factory.
NICK DIAMOND: That’s right Johnny, The Burned Man and his son Destructo Boy inside the Factory, I hope Doom has some great insurance on this place because it could get ugly!
*WA-BAM!*
The start of the match is announced by TBM and James smashing through the factory doors. The Survivor gets to his feet first.
“Faith, it doesn’t have to be like this, please come home.”
*CRASH! *
The Kid responds by throwing a glass beaker at his father’s head where it shatters against his skull!
“Go fuck yourself daddy-o!”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Well, Black Heart is showing exactly why he’s earned that name.
TBM staggers back blood beginning to soak through his bandages as Destructo Boy kips up and delivers a Shining Wizard!
NICK DIAMOND: SEE NO EVIL! Dropping, The Burned Man, and Black Hearted Faith isn’t letting up!
The Sole Survivor sets up groggily as The Vengeful One rushes his father looking for Penalty Kick…
Dodged by The Burned Man who rolls out of the way, back to his feet, spinning The Black Heart around…
*KA-FUCKING-RASH!*
STO through a nearby empty table.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: MATCH STRIKER THROUGH THE DAMNED TABLE!
NICK DIAMOND: AND THAT CHOICE LOOKED DELIBERATE SO MANY OTHER TABLES COVERED IN EXPERIMENTS NEARBY! THE BURNED MAN LOOKING TO WOUND NOT KILL!
The Burned Man looks to pick up his son and carry him away, this could be all…
But wait, James has a shard of jagged wood in his hand and drives it into The Survivor’s arm!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THE SAME CAN’T BE SAID FOR JAMES!
The Black Heart starts dragging him up the stairs toward the Odyssey Pool.
NICK DIAMOND: WILL DESTRUCTO BOY GET WHAT HE’S BEEN LOOKING FOR?!
Both men find themselves on the platform leading to the Pool and…
*CAR-RACK!*
TBM Headbutts his son causing him to stagger and drop to his knees…
LOW-FUCKING-BLOW!
THE BLACK HEART DRIVES HIS WHOLE FOREARM INTO THE FAMILY JEWELS BEFORE GRABBING HIS FATHER BY HIS BANDAGES AND JUST STARTS VIOLENTLY SLAMMING THE SURVIVOR’S HEAD OFF A STEEL SAFETY RAIL!
*KLANG!*
*KLANG!*
*KLANG!*
TBM FIGHTS BACK COUNTERING BY GRABBING THE KID’S ARM AND INTO MURPHY’S LAW!
THE…
THIRD…
DEGREE ON THE SOLID STEEL GRATING AND THE SURVIVOR STANDS OVER HIS SON!
JOHNY GOMEZ: LOOKS LIKE THE FATHER SHOWED THE SON THERE ARE STILL LESSONS TO BE LEARNED TONIGHT!
NICK DIAMOND: THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BURNED MAN TURNS UP THE HEAT!
WINNER: THE BURNED MAN
GET IN
The Burned Man has Destructo Boy by the scruff of his neck, the pair teetering on the edge of the Odyssey Pool. TBM pushes his son towards the edge, so he dangles over the bubbling pool, which eagerly awaits its next victim.
“I love you, I’m sorry…” Maxwell begins. “But it has to be this way. It’s the only way to save -”
The Burned Man stops, his eyes closing tightly for a moment. When he opens them again, there’s a flash in his eyes.
NICK DIAMOND: We’ve seen that look before Johnny.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: There’s something going on in that head of The Burned Man, and judging from the look on Destructo Boy’s face, I’d say he knows what.
Sure enough, Destructo Boy’s expression has changed upon seeing the look in his father’s eyes.
“You see it, don’t you. The fire.” He claws his way back off the edge of the pool. “Her memory deserves more, father.”
The Burned Man lets Destructo Boy slip out of his grasp.
“I…” He stammers. “I don’t even remember it. I just see… flames.”
Destructo Boy stands up straight, taking another step away from the edge.
“What do you want more than anything else in the world, father?”
“You know what I want, I want to save you.” TBM backs away slightly.
“No. There is one thing you want more even than that. You need to find who killed her. The killer responsible for that fire.”
Destructo Boy stares straight into The Burned Man’s eyes, watching as his resolve slowly crumbles. His eyes soften, and Destructo Boy smiles.
“The only way we find the asshole responsible is if we’re strong enough. Strong enough together.”
Destructo Boy brings an arm around his father’s shoulder, leading him towards the edge of the Odyssey Pool.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s not going to…
NICK DIAMOND: Going to what, Johnny?
Destructo Boy looks over the bubbling pool beneath them.
“There is only one way we can be strong enough to avenge her. It’s simple really, it will awaken in you things that you need to find her killer. We need to be together in this… dad.” He draws a deep breath. “Get in.”
The Burned Man looks into the eyes of his son. Eyes that seem determined, convinced.
“Are you sure?”
Destructo Boy nods.
“I’m not going to push you in. I want you to go into the pool of your own accord.”
Burned Man draws an even deeper breath, steeling himself. Eventually, he nods. Looking his son in the eye as he falls backwards from the ledge and into the bubbling waters of the Odyssey Pool.
Cut.
DISINFORMATION
The levels of Arcadia are buzzing with atmosphere – that’s until Sebastian Boswick comes strutting through with PMS and Tucker Goode by his side. They’re chanting and handing out leaflets, Boswick holding his megaphone tightly.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What’s this?
NICK DIAMOND: I think the ACA are setting things right.
As Tucker and PMS hand out leaflets, Boswick makes his voice heard.
“You’ve been fed lies and deceit by the disgraceful,” he roars into his megaphone. “Our leaflet explains how The Kingdom are false idols, deceiving you with lies about one of our most respected, honoured and decent members of the Arcadian Censorship Authority.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is ridiculous. Are they saying that The Red Falcon and White Bear lied about what they saw?
People are almost forced to take the leaflets as the ACA continue through the level.
“You cannot believe the lies being spread about Tucker Goode. Tucker is a family man – a celibate, respectable, family man,” Sebastian continues as Tucker, red faced, sheepishly nods in agreement.
He hands the microphone off to Goode.
“I would never engage in the acts of which are rumoured,” he says very monotone and scripted. “I am a beacon of abstinence. You shall abstain from sex until marriage. To masturbate and not procreate is a sin!”
Sebastian nods happily and takes the megaphone back.
“Ignore the Kingdom, people of Arcadia. Their lies shouldn’t tempt you. It is not just my job to censor these fraudsters, but my life’s work!”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I can’t believe these guys. They’re spreading disinformation whilst claiming they’re stopping it!
NICK DIAMOND: Careful Johnny, you don’t want to get on their bad side. You know, I’m starting to come around to their message.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What?
Nick Diamond: Our next contest looks to be an absolute blood bath Nicky but will it even take place after what we saw last week? Attano is in the ring but we heard him shoot at Cade. Did Harold Attano silence Jackson Cade permanently last week?
Johnny Gomez: It certainly looked like it Nicky, Attano looking so smug inside that ring, just watching Mills as he begins to count down the absent Cade….OH THANK THE GODS HE’S ALIVE!
For The Glory begins to play as indeed Jackson Cade rushes out from the back, sprinting down to the ring as he nearly leaps over the ropes
Nick Diamond: SPEAR! By Zeus Jackson is beating seven shades of shit out of Attano here Johnny and I don’t blame him for one minute.
Cade mounts Attano, pounding down with heavy lefts and rights, the hatred between these two running cell deep as Jackson lifts up the groggy Attano, nailing him with a skull rattling headbutt
Johnny Gomez: MASTERKEY! Brutal Brainbuster rattles Nobody’s brains in his skull there but he’s allready pulling him up to his feet. Cade may be letting his anger rule him here tonight Nick
Nick Diamond: Hey, you get a man that close to death he’s liable to do anything Johnny, Cade’s not doing nothing that Attano doesn’t deserve here
Cade delivers another stiff headbutt before gripping Attano around the back of the shirt, running forward
Johnny Gomez: LAWNDART OVER THE ROPES INTO THE CELL! Jackson Cade looking for brutality here tonight Nicky
Attano lands with a thud face first into the unforgiving steel. Cade barely registering the thud before he rushes forward, leaping over the ropes
Johnny Gomez: Attano just avoids that Screaming Eagle attempt there Nicky as Cade may well have broken something but he’s allready to his feet, how in the hell?
Nick Diamond: Oh Cade’s gonna be hurting in the morning Johnny but right now, he’s running on pure rage and that’s godly powerful stuff
Attano tries to get some breathing room but Cade nearly breaks his neck with a ferocious Bullhammer Elbow. Attano is out on his feet as Cade tries another Lawndart but Attano clutches the mesh wall, flipping off almost on instinct
Johnny Gomez: ONE SHOT ONE KILL! Attano nails that Cutter out of nowhere and this may be his only chance to survive this match Nick
Cade looks out as Attano stumbles groggily to his feet, somehow sliding back into the ring before stumbling into the corner to get his bearings.
Johnny Gomez: Attano trying to catch a breather but Cade is allready up and on his feet. Fury in both men’s eyes here Nick, this won’t end well
Cade and Attano scream in rage, rushing forward as Cade leaps up. HOSTILE DOWN! Attano stumbles, he’s glass eyed but before he hits the mat
Nick Diamond: OSOK! Attano nails another Cutter and both men are down. Could this be it?
Mills waits for a few moments, neither man are moving as they both appear to be out cold as Mills quickly calls for the bell
Johnny Gomez: We have a rare moment here Nick, a double knockout here tonight as both Jackson Cade and Harold Attano cannot continue. Unlike this brutal war which seemingly is only getting started.
WINNER: DRAW
CORNERED ANIMALS
Both men barely have time to recover after the count before the sound system bursts into life.
“Please allow me to introduce myself..”
“I’m a man of wealth, and taste..”
NICK DIAMOND: This can’t be good!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jackson Cade and Harold Attano are trapped inside a hell in a cell and here comes their nemesis!
The arena falls into darkness. A single stage light beams down on the entrance way as it begins to fill with a thick fog. “Sympathy for The Devil” by The Rolling Stones begins hammering the sound system and the fog slowly begins to part until the silhouette of a man stands just behind the spotlight.
When he’s revealed, he’s not alone.
NICK DIAMOND: HOLY MOLY! DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT IS WITH HIM!?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That’s CJ Thorpe! That’s Jackson’s brother!
Both men walk towards the ring with a purpose, stopping outside the cell to watch Jackson and Harold meet in the middle. They stand, nose to nose, still arguing despite what’s going on.
The referee opens the cell and locks it behind the entering Thorpe and Redgrave.
Thorpe goes one way.
Redgrave goes the other.
Then they slide into the ring!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: OHHHHH BOY! They didn’t expect that!
As if on cue, Cade and Attano go back to back in the middle of the ring!
NICK DIAMOND: This is what Attano wanted to talk about, Johnny! He wanted them to get on the same page! That shot he fired must’ve been a warning shot!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Artist had a reason for booking this match and they knew it!
“Oh you think you’re so clever,” Jasper roars from one side of the ring. “But..”
TOPE SUICIDA!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HAROLD ATTANO JUST FLEW THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, BY ZEUS! HE SLAMS REDGRAVE INTO THE CELL!
CJ realizes he needs to act and slides immediately into the ring as Harold pummels on Redgrave outside the ring. Jackson tries to beg off, pleading with his brother that he doesn’t have to do this.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jackson doesn’t want to fight his brother. He wants to save him from the tendrils of poison in Jasper Redgrave!
NICK DIAMOND: I don’t think he has a choice, Johnny.
CJ runs at him with a Clothesline that he ducks, attempting to avoid the fight.
“Let’s talk about this,” he pleads. “We’re brothers…”
KICK TO THE GUT!
PEDIGREE!
THE RIGHT THING!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Cade flips him up overhead!
The Cop stumbles away as his brother gets back to his feet…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HOSTILE DOWN! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK!
NICK DIAMOND: WHERE’RE THE LIGHTS!?
Just as Cade lunges forward, the entire arena vanishes into darkness. A few moments pass and when the lights come back on, Jasper Redgrave and CJ Thorpe are gone.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What the…. where the… what happened to…
NICK DIAMOND: They hightailed it!
Attano slides back into the ring to meet Cade, offering him a handshake.
HE ACCEPTS!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Harold Attano and Jackson Cade are once again on the same page!
NICK DIAMOND: Just imagine what this means for the Uprising.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The apron is on fire, and no one’s gonna be able to interfere in this one! It’s the Yellow Python taking on the man who use to wear his moniker, Mr. Kleen, in an inferno match!
NICK DIAMOND: Mr. Kleen is clinging to that mop like it’s his best friend, Johnny.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It might be, Nick!
The bell rings and Mr. Kleen and TYP charge each other!
DOUBLE CROSS BODY BLOCK IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
The collision deters neither man as they both scramble to their feet!
LEG SWEEP ATTEMPT FROM TYP!
Kleen leaps over it!
LEG SWEEP FROM KLEEN!
TYP leaps over it!
ROUNDHOUSE FROM TYP!
Kleen ducks, rolls forward!
LEAPS BACK!!!
ACE CRUSHER!!!
NO!!! TYP SHOVES KLEEN AWAY!!!
KLEEN BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES!!! THE FLAMES ERUPT BEHIND HIM!!!
LEAPFROG BY TYP!!!
KLEEN STOPS!!! SUPERKICK!!!
TYP DUCKS!!!
SUPERKICK FROM TYP!!!
KLEEN CATCHES THE FOOT!!
ENZIGURI FROM TYP!!!
THAT DROPS KLEEN!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: A round of applause from the crowd at that impressive display!
NICK DIAMOND: Spot monkeys!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Don’t hate, Nick. Appreciate.
TYP drags Kleen over to the nearby corner. He climbs to the top rope.
SERPENT’S STRIKE!!! THE CORKSCREW SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!!
OOF!!! KLEEN GOT THE KNEES UP!!!
Kleen scrambles up to his feet. He moves to his corner, grabs the Mop of Justice…
THWACK!!! RIGHT ACROSS PYTHON’S BACK!!!
THWACK!!!
THWACK!!!
THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK
THWAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh my! He almost broke the Mop of Justice on Python’s back with that shot!
Kleen carefully places the Mop of Justice back in his corner. He grabs Python up from the mat, Irish Whips him into the ropes!
MR. KLEEN CARTWHEELS
BACK FLIPS
BACK FLIPS
BACK FLIPS
AND THROWS AN ELBOW INTO TYP!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Nice maneuver!
He lifts TYP into a sitting position on the top turnbuckle.
Kleen climbs up to the second.
He rains punches down on TYP!!!
BUT TYP BLOCKS ONE.
BANG!!! HEADBUTT FROM TYP!!!
ANOTHER HEADBUTT!!!
AND ANOTHER HEADBUTT!!!
THAT HELMET DROPS MR. KLEEN TO THE MAT!!!
TYP puts his feet on the second turnbuckle.
HOLLOW FANGS!!! THE DOUBLE ELBOW DROP!!!
TYP senses it. It’s time to win this match.
He drags Mr. Kleen over to the apron!!!
Mr. Kleen CLINGS to the bottom rope!!!
BUT TYP LAYS A BOOT!!!!
ANOTHER!!! ANOTHER!!! ANOTHER!!! ANOTHER!!!
AND ANOTHER AND ANOTHER AND ANOTHER AND ANO–
NO!!! KLEEN SWEEPS TYP’S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM!!
KLEEN SCRAMBLES TO HIS FEET!!!
QUICKLY BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES!!!
BASEBALL SLIDE!!! THE KICK SENDS TYP OUT OF THE RING AND ONTO THE APRON!!!
TYP HAS CAUGHT FIRE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: As EMTs put the fire out, Mr. Kleen picks up a big win over his successor!
NICK DIAMOND: I just hope the Mop is gonna be okay!
WINNER: MR. KLEEN
BEFORE
The Mortuary echoes with a sense of foreboding as Igor Mortis stands before Tombstone.
Igor, his voice as cold as the grave, breaks a heavy silence. “Tombstone, this night, you are encircled by enemies on all sides. I allowed it to happen, gave Dr. Death permission to go to the Authority with this devil’s snare. To test you, old friend. It’s a crucible, a test that will show if you truly are the force I believe you to be.”
Mortis appraises Tombstone with a dark glee in his eyes. “Despite my wishes that you concentrate on your ferrying, I am proud of the ferocity you’ve shown in Olympus. Time and time again, you overcome. After all that you went through before, to…”
Tombstone interjects quickly. “Before?” He pauses, his brow furrowing slightly. “Before what?”
Flickering candles cast a ghostly glow on Tombstone’s face as Igor meets his gaze. For what feels like an eternity, the question hangs in the air.
NICK DIAMOND: Does Tombstone even have a before? I thought he was always like this.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Me too, good buddy.
Igor Mortis’s eyes, like dark wells, seem to look into Tombstone’s soul. “Before this moment, you have faced and overcome countless challenges. But tonight,” he pauses, letting his words hang in the air, “tonight is different. Tonight, Arcadia will witness whether you can rise above and conquer, as you have done in the past.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What kind of answer is that, Igor!?
The tension in the room grows, thick enough to touch. Both of them know Igor didn’t actually answer the question.
NICK DIAMOND: Tombstone better keep his mind out of the past if he wants a future as World Champion.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You’re right, Nicky. A distracted Champion won’t stay one for very long.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh boy. Look at those Tag Team Championships, hanging twenty feet above the ring. The ACA have come armed to the gills. PMS, Mr. Kleen and Valerie stand outside the ring.
NICK DIAMOND: Objecting observers, I’m sure.
With the Championships hanging above the ring, the bell sound and this one is immediately underway.
Or is it?
“Decorum, decorum!” Sebastian Boswick shouts into a microphone.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Who gave this idiot a mic?
“The Arcadian Censorship Authority refuses to take part in this barbaric and ridiculous match,” he continues to boos from the crowd. “Besides from that, after the heinous lies spread about my friend Tucker Goode, you people should be ashamed of yourselves. I will not be rewarding your bad behavior.”
The Red Falcon and The White Bear look at one another.
NICK DIAMOND: Have you seen this, Johnny? Check out this leaflet. Maybe not all is as it seems?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is ridiculous. Everyone knows this is rubbish.
“Mr. Goode, please retrieve our titles,” Boswick demands.
Tucker does as he’s told and pushes a ladder to the centre of the ring, beginning his climb.
It suddenly dawns on the rest of them that they’re quickly being deceived.
FALCON PUNCH TO TUCKER GOODE!
DREWITT AND GRIMSKULL ATTACK BOSWICK!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The bell had sounded, Nicky! Had they brought down those titles, they’d have won.
NICK DIAMOND: Crafty… I’m impressed.
Grimskull immediately collapses the ladder and slams it on the canvas, just in time for Drewitt to scoop Boswick up and slam him down on it for good measure. As the Tag Team Champion reels in agony, The White Bear storms across the ring.
THUNDEROUS DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE TO GRIMSKULL AND DREWITT!
He quickly rolls to the outside and finds The Red Falcon beating on Tucker Goode and not in a way he’d like. He sets up a table, stepping back onto the apron.
The Bear directs traffic and Falcon obliges, pushing Goode up there too.
He scoops him up…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: POLAR VORTEX THROUGH THE TABLE!
NICK DIAMOND: WHAT AN F5 TO TUCKER GOODE!
Drewitt meanwhile has setup the ladder back in the ring and has began his ascent as Grimskull beats down on Sebastian Boswick.
The Red Falcon heads to the top rope as quickly as he can…
ANOTHER FALCON PUNCH!
LEAPING SUPERMAN ONTO THE…
NOOOOOOO!
DREWIT…. DREWITT CAUGHT HIM IN MID-AIR BY THE FUCKING THROAT AND LEAPT TO THE GOD DAMN CANVAS!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: FIFTEEN FEET ARDUOUS JOURNEY BY WAR!
NICK DIAMOND: THE RED FALCON IS BROKEN IN HALF, JOHNNY!
Grimskull gets back up and decides to make the climb instead, only Sebastian Boswick is hot on his tail. He stops at the base of the ladder, grimacing. He doesn’t want to climb!
But he does!
Both men climb the ladder, reaching the top. RIGHTS! LEFTS! RIGHTS! They trade off.
But here comes PMS! PMS WITH A STEEL CHAIR AND A BAD FUCKING ATTITUDE!
She slides into the ring.
STEEL CHAIR TO THE BACK OF GRIMSKULL!
ANOTHER!
ANOTHER!
ANOTHER!
ZEUS ALMIGHTY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What happened to their objections!?
NICK DIAMOND: Leave her alone, Johnny. It’s that time of the month!
Grimskull falls off the ladder, onto her shoulders…
GORILLA PRESS INTO A SNAP POWERSLAM!
I AM WOMAN… HEAR… ME… ROAR!
AND ROARS SHE DOES! STEEL CHAIR TO THE FUCKING SKULL BY THE WHITE BEAR!
Boswick though is about to grab the titles! HE’S FINGERTIPS AWAY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: LOOK OUT!!!!!
THE LADDER IS SENT FLYING BY THE WHITE BEAR AND BOSWICK TUMBLES TO THE OUTSIDE, SLAMMING INTO THE FLOOR!
NICK DIAMOND: THAT BARELY MISSED OUR TABLE!
The White Bear straightens up the ladder and begins his climb. He’s heading up but here comes TUCKER GOODE! Tucker good grabs him from behind and pulls him down onto his shoulders…
JACKNIFE POWERBOMB TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING!
JUST SAY NO!
Tucker turns tail to the ladder. Here comes Drewitt! Drewitt runs at him… BOSSMAN SLAM! NO! DREWITT SLIPS OUT! HE SCOOPS HIM…
BURNING HAMMER!
TRAVELLERS GAMBIT TO TUCKER GOODE!
Drewitt is surely about to win this for his team! He begins climbing the ladder… THERE’S VALERIE! SHE’S HOLDING ONTO HIS LEG!
NICK DIAMOND: Oh no… this is no place for poor innocent Valerie!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Innocent? She’s in the lions den, Nick.
Drewitt climbs down the ladder and slaps a hand around her throat…
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
PMS TAKES DOWN WARRRRRRR!!!
Mr. Kleen is on the outside rousing Boswick! He helps roll him back into the ring.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: NO! NOT LIKE THIS! PMS HAS BOSWICK ON HER SHOULDERS AND IS CLIMBING THE LADDER!
NICK DIAMOND: HE’S DONE IT! BOSWICK HAS TAKEN DOWN THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS! THE ACA RETAIN!
The bell sounds and the fans boo wildly as PMS holds up a groggy Sebastian Boswick, stood on the ladder in celebration. He waves the titles about like he did this all alone, but he didn’t.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Cheaters! Bloody cheaters!
NICK DIAMOND: Be careful, Johnny – you don’t want to be censored.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The ACA retain their gold here tonight but by Zeus, it took all five of them to do it.
WINNERS AND STILL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: THE ACA
FULL COURT PRESS
PITCH BLACK
NICK DIAMOND: Who turned out the lights!?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is never good.
Suddenly the lights return and the Aster Gray, Harvey Escher, Roderick Pym and Haywire stand in the middle of the ring with weapons.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: IT’S THE UPRISING! THE UPRISING ARE HERE!
NICK DIAMOND: METAL PIPE TO THE BACK OF BOSWICK!
A steel chair crashes off the skull of Mr. Kleen by Roderick Pym!
Harvey Escher nails Tucker Goode with a BLOOD RED LARIAT!
DISCUSS LARIAT!
The ACA disband, running like scolded dogs!
Grimskull is back to his feet, and there’s Aster Gray.
CHOKESLAM TO GRIMSKULL!
ALL GRAY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THE UPRISING ARE DESTROYING THE OSW ROSTER!
Drewitt grabs Aster and runs him back into the corner but Haywire grapples him from behind, thrusting a wrench around his throat.
TWISTED MADNESS!
WRENCH-ASSISTED REVERSE DDT TO DREWITT!
Apokalypsis have been taken down by The Uprising!
Security suddenly storms down the entrance ramp, sliding into the ring as Escher, Gray, Pym and Haywire exit, heading into the crowd as the audience fearfully disperse to let them run amuck.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: We knew it was coming folks, but no-one expected this. After Red Snow, the Uprising have been missing and tonight, they’ve made their presence felt.
NICK DIAMOND: They have brutalized the poor ACA and given Apokalypsis precisely what they deserved.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Kingdom somehow remain untouched and that must be down to security and their intervention. Had they not chased them off, Zeus only knows what we’d have seen.
NICK DIAMOND: What’s next? How are Scott Sterling or Zeus going to handle this?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This comes down to Sterling, Nick. Zeus has made it clear that he’s stepped aside to deal with his son Hercules and this is now on the shoulders of The Authority.
NICK DIAMOND: He’s not here tonight but next week, I suspect we’ll have answers, Johnny.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: After a back and forth in gamesmanship between Narcissa Balenciaga and Albert Lamplight, it all comes down to this, a Double Feature Championship bout set under hardcore rules!
Narcissa catches the Illuminator by surprise with a flurry of offense, sending the champ to the ropes with a smirk on her face…
…but not for long, as the Uprising leader is met with a forearm smash by Lamplight!
The champ keeps on the attack, going after the legs of Narcissa with some stomps and a spinning toe hold…but the Designer escapes, getting back to her feet before she rears back and…
THWACK!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Narcissa just walloped the champ with a slap in the face…and she’s left the ring!
NICK DIAMOND: It’s a hardcore match, Johnny, it’s time to pull out the toys!
Narcissa searches underneath the ring for a weapon as Lamplight exits in pursuit…
…only to be met with a kendo stick to the head by the challenger!
Albert is sent reeling back as Narcissa looks to follow it up…but the champ dodges it at the last second!
Lamplight swipes the stick away before pulling her in for a collision course with the steel steps!
NICK DIAMOND: Holy moly, that’s gonna leave a mark!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The champ isn’t done yet though, look!
The champ brings Narcissa back into the ring, looking under the ring for a weapon of his own…and pulls out a steel chain!
Albert rolls into the ring, where he stares the challenger down before looping the chain around Narcissa’s wrists!
NICK DIAMOND: I always knew Lamplight was an expert at chain wrestling, but this is…
Nick can’t even finish his sentence before Narcissa starts fighting back, catching the champ with a small package as the ref makes the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Spoke too soon there, Nick! Narcissa just picked up a crucial fall here, meaning Albert could be in danger here!
But the champ is not having that, grabbing the chain as he gets to his feet…before whipping Narcissa across the back with it!
She drops to one knee as Lamplight wraps the chain for added damage on a crossface chickenwing!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THE WHOLESALE–NO! Narcissa’s managed to escape! AND THAT’S LUCKY LANDUCCI!
NICK DIAMOND: STEEL CHAIR TO THE SKULL OF LAMPLIGHT! HE SHOULDN’T EVEN BE OUT HERE, JOHNNY!
Breaking free of the chains, Narcissa starts gouging the eyes of the Illuminator…before nailing him with an STO!
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!
Narcissa goes for the cover here!
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: She’s done it! Narcissa defeats Albert Lamplight, beating him in two falls to become the new Double Feature Champion.. with the help of the Uprising!
WINNER AND NEW DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPION: NARCISSA
LOCK AND KEY
Narcissa immediately celebrates her victory, being handed the Double Feature Championship.
Albert looks furious. They had a deal. He reaches into his jacket, looking for the controller.
“Lookin’ for this?” Lucky roars, revealing the controller on the canvas, having fallen from his jacket during the match.
Crunch!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This isn’t looking good for Lamplight.
NICK DIAMOND: Lucky grabs him by the scruff of the neck.
Narcissa ponders over, reaching inside his pocket and grabbing the key. Lucky tosses Lamplight aside as Balenciaga undoes his collar.
“Do you think this is over?” Albert asks them, recoiled in the corner.
“I’m hoping you’ll come around, Albert,” Narcissa says with a smirk. “There’s a long way to go in this war between the Uprising and Old School Wrestling. You don’t have to pick a side… yet,” she reminds him with a grin. “But when the time comes, you’ve shown us enough to know how valuable you’d be.”
The shopkeeper curls his lip, enraged.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Is that an… offer?
“Do you really think I’d ever join your alliance after what you’ve done to me here tonight?” He asks. “There’s no chance I’d ever align alongside either of you.”
He then turns his attention to Landucci.
“As for you, young man, we’re far from finished.”
NICK DIAMOND: SALE OF A LIFETIME!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO LUCKY LANDUCCI AND NARCISSA CHASES ALBERT FROM THE RING!
NICK DIAMOND: I guess that’s a definitive answer from the owner of Illumination Antiques!
Albert carefully exits the ring, leaving Narcissa to check on Lucky once more.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Next up, we move to the Cabin for a NXT Level Championship match! And Luther Grim has just arrived, looking pissed off.
NICK DIAMOND: He sure does. And it doesn’t help that El Mariachi Muerte is already inside, waiting on him!
EMM ranges across the cabin and collides into Luther with a running knee! That topples Grim and sends him over the wooden table and toppling to the floor!
EMM LEAPS ONTO THE TABLE!!
48 ROSES!!! THE DOUBLE FOOT STOMP!!!
NO!!!
LUTHER GRIM ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!!!
AND HE JUST BIT INTO EMM’S LEG!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Luther Grim displaying his love of meat here.
NICK DIAMOND: Hoo boy! He might take a chunk out of Muerte!
Luther finally pulls his teeth from Muerte’s leg, and gets KICKED across the face for the trouble! EMM pulls Luther up to his feet.
BAD IDEA!!! BLOOD SPORT!!!
THE BROGUE KICK!!!
NOOOOOO!!!
EMM DUCKS IT!
WHISKEY LULLABY THROUGH THE TABLE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh my! I wouldn’t be surprised if Grim has splinters!
NICK DIAMOND: The only thing that would surprise me is if Grim even gives a shit, Johnny. Our NXT Level Champion is just built different!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I’ll bet he wishes that table was built different, Nick!
Grim reaches his feet just moments after El Mariachi Muerte, albeit worse for wear. EMM throws an elbow into Grim’s chin, connects with a back fist, and sends a KNEE straight into Grim’s gut!
DDT!!! NO!!! Luther shoves EMM away! Muerte with a lariat attempt, Luther ducks, PIVOTS ON HIS HEELS AND–
GREAT PURSUIT!!!
.
.
.
.
.
RIGHT INTO A FUCKING FURNACE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Welp, that’s gonna leave a bruise on that shoulder.
NICK DIAMOND: Yeah, that things gonna swell up like a watermel–
But something interrupts Diamond.
The door to the cabin.
It SWINGS open.
And in.
Walks.
A masked man, wearing all black.
With the NXT Title…
Right in his fucking hands.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It’s the man who stole the damn NXT Title!
NICK DIAMOND: Oh no… This isn’t good…
El Mariachi Muerte turns around just in time.
He sees the masked man.
…and beckons him forward.
The masked man obliges!
EMM SWINGS!
THE MASKED MAN BLOCKS IT AND DECKS HIM WITH THE NXT LEVEL TITLE!!!
He pulls EMM up to his feet, lifts him in the air!!!
BRAIN BUSTER ONTO THE FUCKING WOODEN FLOOR!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: OH MY!!!
The Masked Man reaches his feet, sees Luther Grim staggering up to his.
ROARING ELBOW TO LUTHER!!!
AND A KNEE TO THE NOSE ON THE WAY DOWN!!!
BUT LUTHER FALLS ON EMM!!!
ONE!!!
.
.
.
TWO!!!
.
.
.
THREEEEEEEEE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Well, Grim retains… Kind of…
NICK DIAMOND: Meanwhile, that masked bastard is whistling on his way out the door!
WINNER AND STILL NXT LEVEL CHAMPION: LUTHER GRIM
WHERE'S MY INVITE?
Luther Grim has somehow retained his Championship but he’s not looking much like a Champion, with no belt in sight.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: A hard fought victory for Grim, but wait… what’s that?
NICK DIAMOND: Smoke!? There’s a fire!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Since when was a fire that colour, Nicky!?
Green smoke begins filling the area as Luther Grim climbs to his feet only to lumber backwards. He stumbles slightly, collapsing to his knees and gasping for air.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He can’t breathe!
NICK DIAMOND: What the heck is going on?
Suddenly, into frame walks Nox.
The Chemist has the OSW NXT Level Championship dangling from one hand and another open gas cannister in the other. Protected by his gas mask, you can’t see his face, but his sneering hisses through.
“Where’s my invitation, Mr Grim?” He asks, laying the belt down beside a choking Champion. “Ah, wait, here it is.”
He reaches into his outfit and pulls out Jinx’ invitation.
NICK DIAMOND: IT WAS NOX!? NOX WAS THE ONE WHO SAVED JINX FROM GRIM!? NOX HAS THE INVITATION!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That makes him a fully fledged member of the OSW roster, Johnny! Nox is… Nox is one of us.
“In Deathrow, we’ve been forced to take what we want. I know, it’s an inconsiderate and barbaric practice,” he says with a shrug, moments before Luther passes out. “However, when in the vicinity of a man such as yourself, one finds he must lower his standards.”
Finally, the tough SOB that Luther is, passes out.
“I’ll be seeing you – after all, I have something you want,” Nox laughs off, stepping back and casually walking away.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I can’t believe this. Nox is a member of the OSW roster and he has Luther’s belt.
NICK DIAMOND: The Uprising are insidious, Johnny. They’re everywhere. First CJ Thorpe with Jasper Redgrave, then Aster Grey, Harvey Escher, Roderick Pym and Haywire attack the TLC match competitions, then Lucky Landucci costs Albert Lamplight the title and now this. Dare I ask, are we finished?
UNBENDING
The Door.
Two figures appear in front of the large gateway. V1sion on his knees as Gemini looms over him. Pestilence grabs Vincent by the hair, pushing him towards the massive gate. “Touch it.” She growls, clearly done playing any games with the Awoken One.
“… No.” V1sion speaks quietly, pale faced as he once again refuses to comply with Nergul’s demands.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: So this is where Gemini dragged V1sion after their match. Even in the face of death he refuses to give in.
NICK DIAMOND: Don’t call him brave, Johnny. You can’t tell me death is better than touching that door.
Gemini grabs V1sion’s hand, forcing it forwards as The Third Eye tries futilely to fight back, the horseman placing his hand flush against the gate as he strains to pull away! But he can’t resist anymore and Gemini gets what she wants as his hand touches the door. However…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It’s not him.
NICK DIAMOND: I don’t think Gemini’s too happy to learn that…
“Pathetic.” Nergul lets go of V1sion, watching him slump against the gateway, bile dripping from his lips into a pool on the ground next to him. “All that fight for peace and you weren’t even the one. Guess now you can rest in it.” She raises her hand-
“Stop.” A third figure enters the scene, placing a hand on Gemini’s shoulder.
NICK DIAMOND: Is that Grimskull?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Just what is he doing here?
“What do you mean ‘stop’?” Gemini asks, clearly annoyed.
Conquest shakes his head. “I mean stop. Release him, now.”
“Why!? He’s not the key!” Pestilence snarls as she speaks, however Grimskull stands firm even in the face of Gemini’s anger.
“Because I asked you to. Let Vincent go and remove your infection. He’s not the key so we don’t need to worry about him anymore. Please.” There’s a pregnant pause after Grimskull speaks, but with it comes the sound of buzzing as a swarm of locusts spew forth from V1sion’s mouth. They fill the air, wings fluttering as they leave their former hive behind.
“Thank you,” Grimskull says, looking at V1sion. “We can leave now. He’ll go once he’s awake.” Both members of Apokalypsis slowly leave the scene, leaving us to look on at V1sion as he rests unconscious against the door.
NICK DIAMOND: Just why did Grimskull save V1sion? I thought they hated each other?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I couldn’t tell you, Nicky. But for V1sion’s sake, he best just be thankful for the mercy he was just shown here tonight.
Cut.
Johnny Gomez: And this is it ladies and gentlemen, our main event for the evening. A fatal four way contest for the OSW World Championship. Tombstone has been absolutely unstoppable since becoming King in September but with the recent alliance between Death and Doom, it may well be a handicap match for the world champion here Nick.
Nick Diamond: Too right there Johnny, Doom has his best friend and a business partner on his side here, the odds aren’t on the Ferrymans side here as I’m making a bold prediction here and saying that Doom is walking out with that world title once again Johnny.
Johnny Gomez: We’ll have to see if you’re right in a moment as our first competitor is about to enter Olympus
The arena lighting drops to complete and utter darkness before Vivaldi Storm begins to play throughout the arena. As the lights slowly fade back in, they’re replaced by green flashes as Felix Foley bounds out of the entranceway, clearly hyped and excited to be wrestling with his best buddy. Doom slowly strolls out, his two drones Mk 2 floating around him as he casts a glance Felix’s way. Foley is bounded up and down the entrance way, shaking fans hands and absolutely beaming with joy. Doom just shakes his head in amusement before motioning to Foley to calm down. Felix does as he goes to head down the ramp but Doom stops him, before signalling to the Zeustron.
“Time of Dying” begins to echo through the speakers as Dr Death walks through the entrance. Cane in hand, he surveys the arena for a moment before walking over to Doom and shaking his hand in a gentleman’s agreement. All three begin to walk down the rampway together but Death pauses at the base, placing his cane across Doom and Foley to stop them. Death leans into Doom and whispers something as a malevolent smile crosses the Scientist who motions for Felix to stop as all three turn around
Waiting for the World Champion.
Nick Diamond: This is exactly what I meant Johnny, the numbers game is going to be far too much for Tombstone here, a three on one before the champion even enters the arena.
“Grave Digger” begins to play through the arena as thick smoke begins to flood the entrance ramp. The lights dim as purple flashing lights adorn the entrance area, all three competitors waiting for Tombstone to slowly make his way out.
**Flutter**
Johnny Gomez: Uh fellas? You might want to look behind you
BIG FUCKING BOOT TO FELIX FOLEY! Tombstone nearly knocks Felix out cold with a brutal Boot to the jaw.
Death and Doom turn around right into a pair of Goozles, Tombstone trying to crush both mens larynx from the sheer force as he looks to toll the bell for both men.
Nick Diamond: Drone Attack! Those upgraded toys hurt even the Ferryman as he’s forced to break those goozles
Tombstone staggers back from the drone attacks, DOOM rushing forward through the smoke looking for that Splitter but Tombstone moves
Johnny Gomez: SPLITTER TO FOLEY! SPLITTER TO FOLEY! Doom just ran right through his own buddy there.
Doom looks on in shock and a little guilt as he turns right into a brutal headbutt before Tombstone rears back.
SOUL TAKER! TOMBSTONE TAKES DOOM’S SOUL RIGHT ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP!
Death has scrambled to the nearby barrier, leaping off at Tombstone who catches Death mid-leap, lifting him up high into the air
ODE TO CHARON ON THE UNFORGIVING CONCRETE! TOMBSTONE IS CLEARING HOUSE HERE!
Nick Diamond: I’ll be damned Johnny Tombstone is looking on fire here tonight, both Death and Doom are out on the floor and poor Felix just got to his feet. Oh buddy you best run your friendly ass away from the Ferryman
Felix staggers up to his feet, visibly gulping as he looks at Tombstone before sprinting down the ramp towards the ring with the world champion in fast pursuit. Foley slides in just before Tombstone as Foley begins to lay in the boots to the prone Ferryman.
Foley gets Tombstone up to his feet, peppering him with heavy lefts and rights but a stiff headbutt staggers Foley back before he’s whipped across the ring. Foley ducking underneath a lariat attempt
Nick Diamond: Those Boots were made for booting Johnny, and they delivered a hell of a bump that even Tombstone felt there.
Tombstone staggers back into the corner as Felix rushes forward, delivering a rib crushing Avalanche splash before he begins to grip the ropes and introduces Tombstones to Felix Foley’s Corner.
Johnny Gomez: Felix stomping a mudhole dry in Tombstone there but he barely gets a drop out before Tombstone catches his foot. Poor old Felix is in no mans land here
Nick Diamond: Oh face first onto the mat, that’s gonna leave a few marks there Johnny.
Felix staggers to his feet into both hands around his neck before he’s tossed into the corner as now it’s Felixs time to get stomped down into the canvas. Foley looks dazed and confused as Tombstone backs up before nearly breaking his jaw with a brutal running knee.
Johnny Gomez: The world champion just brutalizing Felix here, this may well be the shortest world championship match in a while if this beating continues Nick. Especially as Tombstone raises that gloved hand high.
Nick Diamond: Do ya hear the sound Johnny? That’s Tombstone knock, knock, knocking on a victory right there.
Tombstone rears down, looking to goozle Felix up to his feet but the Puppeteer bursts to life, hoisting Tombstone up onto his shoulders
BUMPED HIS HEAD! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER OUT OF NOWHERE!
Felix may well have it here as he flops down for the cover, Cole Holt sliding into position for the pinfall attempt
ONE
……………..
…………………..
TW…..
TOMBSTONE EASILY GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Felix staggers up, trying to pull Tombstone up to his feet but gets a thrust to the throat for his troubles.
Nick Diamond: Count them Johnny, one, two, three, the Ferryman just knocked all over Foley’s throat and Mrs Foleys Baby Boy is in a world of trouble right now.
Felix staggers back, almost instinctively bouncing off the ropes as he rushes forward
YOU DON’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN! BOSSMAN MOTHER FUCKING SLAM!
Johnny Gomez: That has to be it Nick but Tombstone wants that ruthless kill here. Raising his glove high, you know he’s looking for that chokeslam.
Tombstone reaches down, goozling Felix by the throat with fire in his eyes before lifting him almost effortlessly into the air
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! FALLING CHOKESLAM!
Nick Diamond: That has to be it there Johnny, a brutal Chokeslam for a brutal end. Where the hell did he come from?
Death springboards in from out of nowhere, leaping into the ring with an aerial manouvere but leaps right into the outstretched hand of Tombstone who simply plants him down right next to Felix
FROM WHOM THE BELL TOLLS TO DR DEATH!
Tombstone doesn’t get to cover though as Doom is behind him, slamming down hard on his back with lefts and rights. Doom delivers a stiff headbutt before trying to lift him up onto his shoulders for Impending Doom but Tombstone slips out,
Johnny Gomez: GOOZLE! Will the Bell toll for Doom as well? Tombstone is struggling to lift him up though, is Doom up to his old tricks?
Nick Diamond: Gravity fuckery is the old classic for Doom and his wonderful toys, the strongest man in the world couldn’t lift Doom and from that shit eating grin on his face, he damn well knows it.
Tombstone places both hands on Doom’s throat but the Ferryman can’t lift him up. Doom effortlessly breaks the goozle, nailing a skull splitting ear clap before goozling him around the throat
GRAVITATIONAL FORCE! TOMBSTONE NEARLY BOUNCES OFF THE MAT FROM THE SHEER POWER OF THAT CHOKESLAM!
Doom begins to breath heavily for a moment, turning off the field and stabilizing his gravity before lifting Death and Felix to their feet. He allows both men to compose themselves for a moment before he points to Tombstone
And rakes his thumb across his throat.
Nick Diamond: YES! Revival that mother fucker.
Johnny Gomez: A three on one mugging isn’t anything to cheer for Nicky. Tombstone can’t do a damn thing to defend himself here
Nick Diamond: Hey it’s smart Johnny and all legal. Tombstone is the most dangerous man in OSW, you take him out, you’ve got a 33 1/3 chance of winning after all.
The trio stop kicking the crap out of Tombstone as Doom signals for Death to go to the ropes. Doom and Foley pull a groggy Tombstone up to his feet
RIGHT INTO A LETHAL INJECTION!
Tombstone is stumbling but he’s still up as he groggily walks into a kick to the gut
CUT THE STRINGS! DOUBLE ARM DDT WITH SOME STANK ON IT!
Tombstone drops down but he’s not out as he slowly gets up to his knees, right in the path of a sprinting Doom
WHO BREAKS
THE
JAR!
Johnny Gomez: A brutal trilogy of moves here, Tombstone has to be done but these monsters aren’t as Doom and Foley are picking him up once again. This is just overkill here, what the hell are they planning?
Nick Diamond: Yeah I gottta agree Nicky, this is way too much. Death up top, Felix and Doom lifting Tombstone up high, they’re not looking to beat Tombstone, they’re looking to kill the man here.
Doom and Felix lift Tombstone up high in a modified Powerbomb as Death leaps off with the 630
CARDIAC ARREST RIGHT ONTO A POWERBOMB THROWN TOMBSTONE!
Nick Diamond: YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!
Johnny Gomez: Tombstone has to be done here Nicky…and wait, Death’s covering. Is the Doctor about to become a three time World Champion?
Cole Holt slides into position, beginning to count the fall
ONE
…………………
…………………..
TW…
DOOM pushes Death off the pinfall, covering Tombstone instead as Cole restarts the count
ONE
……………….
……………….
Death pulls DOOM off Tombstone, the pair locking horns as cracks begin to form in this uneasy alliance.
Johnny Gomez: The alliance seems to be shattered here Nicky as Doom and Death look ready to duke it out
Nick Diamond: Two very prideful men want one thing here Johnny as this was bound to happen sooner or later
Death scoffs at a furious Doom, turning around before nailing him with a right hand. Death nails Foley with one too, the Doctor peppering both men back and forth with strikes as he tries to throw Felix across the ring, Foley ducking underneath a strike as Doom springs off Foleys back
SPLITTER! DOOM CUTS DEATH IN FUCKING HALF!
Doom sneers down at Death, looking to pull him up but Death rears up, uppercutting Doom right in the little Stubbins. Foley rushes forward incensed but Death ducks underneath the Big Boot as Foley nearly nails his best buddy. Foley stops himself just in time before turning around
COMATOSIA! Tornado Roundhouse puts down the Puppeteer!
Death sizes up Doom, looking to put him down too as he rushes to the ropes, springboarding off
Nick Diamond: ACID SPRAY TO THE FACE! How does this guy not get patted down for all his foreign objects Johnny?
Johnny Gomez: Anything goes in this match Nick, including deadly weapons it would seem. Death looks blinded as he staggers forward, CHEMICAL CUT! Brutal Bicycle Kick from Foley reminiscent of his more psychotic days.
Death staggers back up, dazed right into a brutal headbutt from Doom who effortlessly lifts him upside down and plants him into the mat with a vicious looking Omega Driver
Johnny Gomez: DOOM IS…
Nick Diamond: ETERNAL! That has to be it Johnny, no one gets up from the Doom Driver.
Doom doesn’t cover Death though, instead kicking him out of the ring and turning to Felix. The best buddies stare at one another for a moment before Foley sadly nods and lays down. Doom nods with a sincere smile before dropping down and covering Foley.
Johnny Gomez: Oh what is this bullshit? Doom is going to steal the world title here all because Foley can’t disapoint his so called friend.
Cole Holt reluctantly drops down for the pinfall, slowly beginning to count
ONE
……………….
………………………
TWO
…………………….
……………………………
**FLUTTER**
Nick Diamond: Oh payback about to be a bitch Johnny
GOOZLE!
Tombstone is up on his feet and he’s pissed as he grips Doom by the throat with one hand before pounding down on him with the other. Doom tries to fight out but Tombstone’s wrathful grip is iron tight as he lifts Doom up high
ODE TO CHARON! JACKNIFE POWERBOMB NEARLY THROUGH THE RING!
Tombstone isn’t done, again goozling Doom but this isn’t a single goozle
This is the double handed variety. Tombstone is looking to kill this mother fucker with fire.
Tombstone lifts Doom up high, both hands nearly crushing his windpipe
SNIP THE STRINGS!
Johnny Gomez: Foley out of nowhere dropping Tombstone on the back of his head with that Scissors like Full Nelson Suplex as he just saves his best buddy here.
Foley checks on Doom, the Scientist groggy but he quickly shakes off the cobwebs. Doom looks at the stirring Tombstone, clicking a button in his gauntlet before electricity begins sparking all over his body. Doom goes to get to his feet but stops, turning to Foley and outstretching his arm.
Johnny Gomez: Doom clearly knowing two is better then one but the last time Foley took on that electricity he was clinically insane and it still nearly broke him.
Nick Diamond: Desperate times call for desperate measures and to beat Tombstone, you’ve gotta go balls out Johnny.
Felix looks down at the sparking hand, clearly hesitant as Doom mouths a plea. Felix looks over at a quickly rising Tombstone, closing his eyes as he calms his nerves for a moment before nodding and taking the hand.
As the energy washes over Felix in a truly agonizing, painful experience. Foley drops to one knee for a moment, steeling himself before getting up to his feet.
Johnny Gomez: Both men on the opposite side of the ring, this move is how they won Ring King so many months ago. Is this how one of them becomes World Champion?
Foley and Doom rush forward with a roar, electricity sparking in the air as they sprint at a kneeling Tombstone
ELEMENTAL COMBUSTION! SUPERCHARGED SANDWICH RUNNING PUNT KICK!
Nick Diamond: KILL IT WITH FIAAAAHHHH! Tombstone is done and dusted.
Felix collapses on impact, the electricity too much for his body as Doom looks around. His buddy incapacitated, Death out on the floor and Tombstone out cold. A twisted grin crosses his face as Doom drops to one knee,
And places one finger upon Tombstone.
Johnny Gomez: This is it folks, Doom is three seconds away from becoming a two time World Champion. And I have to admit he fought his ass off to do so here tonight.
Cole Holt goes to drop down but before he can slap the mat, the lights go out.
And when they come back on, a monsterous behemoth of a man is standing behind Doom.
Nick Diamond: Is that who I think it is Johnny?
Johnny Gomez: The past has come back to hunt Doom tonight Nicky, Victor Doom has come for his daddy and he looks pissed.
Doom looks confused for a moment, unsure why Cole isn’t counting when he suddenly feels a giant hand on his shoulder. Staggering to his feet, his eyes go wide as he sees Victor Doom in the flesh for the first time in years. Doom gulps, staggering back as he tries to run away
ROUNDHOUSE TO THE SKULL!
Johnny Gomez: Where Doom goes, Black is sure to follow and she nailed Doom with a brutal shot to the skull there.
Doom staggers backwards into the grip of his son who lifts him high up into the air, delivering a brutal Powerbomb before pulling him up
Nick Diamond: KNEEL BEFORE DOOM! The unwanted son of DOOM just delivered a brutal statement here tonight as everyone is down.
Tombstone stirs on the mat, flopping an arm over Doom with the last bit of strength he has as Cole drops down for the pinfall attempt
ONE
……………
……………….
TWO
……………….
……………………..
……………………………
Johnny Gomez: Three! Tombstone picks up the victory here tonight as he manages to retain his OSW World Championship against tremendous odds.
Nick Diamond: All thanks to Viktor Doom and Dahlia Black, Doom’s big mistake in his past cost him dearly here tonight.
WINNER AND STILL OSW WORLD CHAMPION: TOMBSTONE
TERMINAL
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What a show we’ve had for you today, folks! For Nick Diamond, I’m Johnny Gomez, have a Zeus-blessed night!
Instead of black, we fade to something else entirely.
A hospital room.
On a scratchy image that tracking lines keep floating up and down, we see a man sitting in a chair, clad in purple and yellow, opposite a woman, a white-coated doctor.
A figure of calm professionalism, this doctor sits across from him, her words slicing through the quiet. “I’m sorry, but the tests confirm it’s terminal. We’ve explored all available treatments.”
The man’s face crumbles. His eyes dart around the room, refusing to meet the doctor’s steady gaze. “No,” he whispers, a tremor in his voice. “There has to be something… anything.”
His hands, knotted in his lap, clench into fists. “I can’t just… There must be another way. A new treatment, a trial, something I haven’t tried yet.” The desperation in his voice is palpable, a tangible thing in the room.
The doctor reaches out, a gesture of empathy, but the man recoils slightly, trapped in a vortex of denial and fear. “I’m sorry,” she says gently. “I understand this is hard to accept. We can focus on making you comfortable, on quality of life—”
The man shakes his head vehemently, cutting her off. “Quality of life? What life?” He stands abruptly, his body a coiled spring of panic and resolve. “I have to find a way. There’s always a way.” His voice is a mix of defiance and desperation.
He turns away, staring out the window at the world beyond, a world he’s not ready to leave.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
Static.
Click.