Click.Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
We are in a dark place.
Somewhere dark, dingy, cold.
A warehouse, perhaps.
Concrete surroundings.
A rope hangs from the ceiling.
Death Note hangs upside down from it, swaying back and forth, twirling slightly.
Blood drips from his body. A pool of blood formed underneath him.
A menacing little laugh from the shadows.
Darklord emerges from those shadows.
“Are you ready to give up, Deathscriber? I can end it all now. All you have to do, is tell me where you learned the language of my people, and how you learned the names of my kin.”
Death Note says nothing. The twine of the tope creaking as it holds his body serves as his reply.
“So be it,” Darklord says, producing a rather ornate knife from his breast pocket.
He SLICES Death Note from his belly button to his collarbone.
Death Note SCREAMS out in pain. His yell could summon demons, so utterly primal and horrific.
Yet, it appears to summon something else entirely.
For we hear a distinct hiss from the very shadows Darklord emerged from.
And a viper slithers across the ground.
“You fool,” Death Note says. “I can’t be killed by the likes of you.”
Darklord backs slowly away from the incredibly venomous snake.
“But you?” The Shinigami continues. “You can be killed by the likes of him.”
Darklord takes another step back.
He bumps right into Viper Roberts.
Roberts grabs Darklord and holds a knife to his throat.
“You picked the wrong side, Carthian,” the Viper muses. “And in so doing, you picked the venom.”
Cut.
The OSW debutantes are in the ring and ready to go. Stoner is lounged in a corner, his arms draped over the ropes as he slouches against the turnbuckle. Cole Infernus is flexing his guns and blowing kisses to all the “babes” in the crowd. There’s a few hairy 250lb blokes taking exception to that.
DING! DING! Here we go, Cole gets on the front foot with a few slap jabs to Stoner. Irish whip across the ring into the turnbuckle….
HERE COMES THE TRAIN BABY!!!
CORNER CLOTHESLINE!!!
STONER IS TWISTED INSIDE AND OUT!!!
Infernus has Stoner back to a vertical base, European uppercut then another Irish whip attempt, reversed by Stoner into a ripcord spinning back elbow. Cole spins around 180 degrees…
SPANKER DANKER PICKLE!!!
EDGE-O-MATIC TO THE ROCKSTAR!!!
COVER FOR ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THR-KICKOUT!!!
That was a close call!
Stoner peels Cole off the mat, drives a knee into the gut. Is he looking for ROACH CLIP?
HE IS…
COUNTER!!!
INFERNUS WITH THE BACK BODY DROP!!!
STONER TO HIS FEET….
CLOTHESLINE!!!
Cole Infernus drops Stoner and he’s heading to the top rope. The rock star poses for the “babes”.
TOP ROPE CROSS BODY!!!
NO!!!
STONER CATCHES HIM IN MID AIR!!!
RIB BREAKER!!!!
Stoner with a burst of energy, he’s off the ropes as Cole Infernus gets to his feet…
DROPKICK OF DOOM!!!
SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!!!
COVER FOR ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THR-
.
HE’S GOT HIM!?
.
-EE
.
NO!!!
KICKOUT!!!
Stoner drags Infernus up, the “babes” are weeping because the toker has the clinch…
ROACH CLIP!!!!
VERTEBREAKER!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE!!!
A blaze of glory for Stoner as Cole Infernus’s debut record fails to hit the charts!!!
As The Forever Friends sit in mourning backstage, a match against Rune looming on the horizon; they could be forgiven for being utterly miserable.So, when the door opens and in walks Leah Lincoln, you could understand their immediate apprehension.
That quickly fades with her smile.
Suddenly, they’re in the presence of a woman.
“Boys, why so glum?” She queries, taking a seat next to Chunky on a bench.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t heard,” Ultimo replies. “Our friend was murdered.”
“I heard. You know, death isn’t truly the end; not really. I’ve mastered the art of necromancy and for the right price, I could be convinced to bring Sherman back from the dead.”
Everyone looks at one another.
As players of DND, they know Necromancy well.
Before Ultimo can speak to decline, Miles chimes in.
“We’ll do anything,” he begs. That surprises America, who looks at him quizzically. “C’mon B, this is Sherman we’re talking about.”
“You know full well what Necromancy is, Miles. Sherman wouldn’t want that. He wouldn’t want us to remember him that way.”
Leah stands up, scoffing to herself.
“I’ll let you boys discuss it,” she says confidently whilst walking towards the door. “But just think about the pain you’re feeling right now and how I can alleviate that. I can bring your friend back.”
As she walks out, she pops around the corner to listen in.
Ultimo isn’t happy.
“You’re really considering this? Chunky?”
Chunky shrugs.
“It’s for Sherman, man. We can at least consider it, right? Let’s get this match with Rune over with, then go grab a sandwich and talk about it.”
Miles nods.
“We can at least talk about it, right?”
Cut.
Deep in Wonderland, a crowd is gathered at the kingdom to watch the most anticipated execution in the land.Pyre is not in her casual wear. She is in full regalia and sitting on her throne as she waits on her victim.
She snaps her fingers.
“Bring her in!”
The card guards are dragging an obviously malnourished Sweet Alice in front of the queen.
Pyre smugly grins.
“You are held in high contempt of the court for these heinous actions, attacking royal officials, treason, and worst of all, rebellion. How do you plead?”
Alice, even in her weak state, is not scared of Pyre anymore. She slyly grins.
“Why lie? There’s no reason to be loyal to you. Guilty as charged.”
Pyre is obviously surprised but still smiling.
“Well, you certainly made this easy. Guards, take her to the guillotine.”
One guard pulls up the blade and holds the rope while he waits for the others.
They drag her and put her head tight in the restraint.
Pyre stands up off her throne and makes her way right in front of the guillotine.
“I want to watch this, I’ve been waiting a long time to see your head torn from that pathetic body of yours. I’ll say this, only because I must. May the gods have mercy on your soul.”
“Oh… right.”
“Guards, off with her head!”
The guard let’s go of the rope!
It falls!
It stops?
Banzan is here and he has grabbed the rope. Alice breathes a big sigh of relief.
“You’re late and as a friend might say, for a very important date.”
“No I’m right on time.”
He smiles as guards make their way towards him.
He pulls a knife out while holding the rope and cuts the rope above his hand. He has the blade dangling on the rope and he is wielding it like a Mace.
“I’m not above cutting a deck of cards.”
He starts swinging the makeshift mace rapidly and the guards scatter.
Pyre throws a fireball at the rope making the weapon fall apart.
“We’re not playing 52 pick up here Banzan, now get out of my kingdom before the game we play is war. You can take your bitch, she’ll be mine soon.”
Banzan gets Alice out of the restraint.
“Now, show me how to get out of here Alice. We have a queen to defeat.”
Alice leads Banzan to the hole she came to the kingdom from.
They leave as fast as they can.
Cut.
Albert Shaw and Shooter Landell, two grizzled old warriors that have survived their fair share of scrapes down the years. But tonight they face The Swamp Witch. Have they bitten off more than they can chew?
It’s a three-way staredown in the middle of the ring, which turns into Shooter and Shaw circling Lincoln. The Swamp Witch retorts by aiming a kick at The Guv’nor, which he dodges, then throwing a back elbow towards the oncoming Reality Check, but Landell ducks it and takes Lincoln into a hammerlock.
CLOTHESLINE FROM SHAW…
HAMMERLOCK GERMAN SUPLEX…
…ON THE SWAMP WITCH!!!
DOUBLE TEAM FROM SHOOTER AND SHAW!!!
The Swamp Witch scrambles to her feet against the ropes…
DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!!!
LINCOLN SENT OVER THE TOP ROPE AND CRASHING ON THE CONCRETE!!!
That leaves the two weathered scrappers. The Guv’nor is milking the heat from the crowd, Landell wastes no time. Clubbing Shaw on the back of the neck, Landell spins his foe around and launches him.
BELLY TO BELLY!!!
SHOOTER SUPLEXED SHAW OUT OF HIS BOOTS!!!
The Guv gets quickly to his feet but Shooter is all over him. Hammerlock asserts Shooter’s control. Shaw tries to twist out of it but Shooter sweeps Shaw’s legs, maintaining his strong grip on Shaw’s wrist as he hits the deck, applying shoulder joint twist, Shaw groans with pain. Shooter drags up Albie and whips him against the ropes…NO HE DOESN’T!!!
RIPCORD INTO THE STO!!!
NO!!!
SWAMP WITCH WITH A DROPKICK OFF THE TOP ROPE!!!
Shooter gets to his feet quickly, but Lincoln is on him. Kick to the gut, reverse headlock, springboard off the middle rope…
VOODOO DROP!!!!
REVERSE TORNADO DDT SPIKES THE LAST CARNY!!!
Shaw has recovered and he lines up his shot…
GBH!!!
CLAYMORE KICK!!!!
NO!!!
THE VOODOO PRIESTESS DUCKS!!!
SHE’S OFF THE ROPES!!!
FLYING CROSS BODY!!!
REVERSAL!!!
THE GUV’NOR CATCHES THE WITCH!!!
FALL AWAY SLAM!!!
INTO THE CORNER TURNBUCKLE!!!
The Guv’nor is pumped and thumps his chest but turns straight into..
AA SPINEBUSTER!!!
THE LAST CARNY JUST BROKE THE GUV’NOR IN TWO!!!
COVER FOR ONE!
.
TWO!
.
TH-
.
NO!!!
SHOULDER UP!!!
Shooter rolls Shaw onto his front, now he’s trying to get that grounded abdominal stretch locked in…
CARNY LOCK!!!!
NO!!!
SHAW JABBED A THUMB IN THE LAST CARNY’S EYE!!!
The Guv’nor gets to his feet a little gingerly, but he pounces!!!
CLAYMORE KICK!!!
CONNECTS!!!
G
B
FUCKING
H!!!!
LANDELL BRIDGE HAS FALLEN DOWN!!!
MY FAIR LADY!!!
Not so fair a lady, Leah Lincoln intercepts Shaw with a double leg take down…
DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND!!!
LOCKED IN!!!!
SHAW IS IN ALL SORTS OF TROUBLE HERE!!!
.
IS HE GONNA TAP?
.
NO!!!
.
HE SHUFFLES TO THE ROPES!!!
Shaw uses to the ropes to get to his feet, Leah is stalking him. But here’s Shooter. He grabs The Swamp Witch and ragdolls her with a sickening STO. She got all of that!!!! Shooter grabs Shaw with a rear waistlock but a back elbow counters. The Guv spins and takes Landell down…
CROSSFACE LOCKED IN!!!!
KEEP QUIET!!!!
Landell is trapped but he’s shuffling for the ropes…
HE HAS TO TAP OUT!!!
IS HE GOING TO SUBMIT?
Shaw torques that crippler and with nowhere to go, no escape possible, Shooter Landell TAPS OUT!!!
The Guv’nor silences the opposition with another impressive win.
Hatred.That’s the only word that can be used to describe the look in the eyes of The Reaper.
Adam Rook stalks the halls of OSW, looking for exactly who you guess he’s looking for. His shotgun is held in his arms, the killer forced to change how he holds his own weapon, shifting it to his other arm so that he may avoid injuring his other, still injured shoulder.
“Judge! Come out come out wherever you are. This has to end, and it’s ending NOW!”
A sound behind him causes him to turn around, firing off indiscriminately! Shotgun pellets embed themselves into a wall, the blast being mere inches away from a member of OSW’s staff. He looks on in fear before Reaper motions away with his gun, letting him know without words that he won’t miss twice.
“You’re so obsessed with the order of things, huh? Well if you don’t come out right now I’ll blast a hole in each and every person I find! See how that throws off your fucking balance!”
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Reaper empties three shells into random doors, blowing them off of their hinges! He peeks into each room, frowning as they come up empty. The Harvester awkwardly reloads his weapon, still getting used to doing so with his other hand.
And that’s when the sound of heavy footsteps rang out behind him. He turned to fire but a strong hand catches his barrel and throws him backwards! The gun is yanked from his hand and tossed to the side! The perpetrator?
The Judge.
Axe in hand, he levels it at Reaper, the killer sneering but knowing when he’s been beat.
“Come on then. Do it. Fucking do it.”
Judge merely shakes his head, slinging the axe back over his shoulder.
“That too would upset the order. You and I are going to fight, Reaper. You are going to get what you want from me. But you will stop hunting me, you will stop messing with the balance. I do not want to kill you, but very soon I may have no choice.”
Reaper looks at Judge, angrily trying to get to his feet only for Judge to turn and walk away, the armored magistrate leaving Rook behind, the injured Reaper getting to his feet, retrieving his weapon, and staring at it for a few moments before ejecting a spent shell.
And letting it clang lifelessly off the ground.
Cut.
Recorded Earlier.A stuffy office.
A man sits with his back to us in a large swivel chair, refusing to look at the camera. His desk sits between him and his visitor – only we can’t see that person either.
We focus on the back of the large leather swivel chair.
“Thank you for coming,” the man says. “I’ve been looking for a man of your talents to assist me in a little job I have coming up.”
“What do you need?” Comes the reply.
“I’ve been searching high and low for someone to nullify the threat of Berkshire Ellison Green. I’m prepared to reward someone beyond their wildest dreams financially for their help.”
That causes a shuffle in the seat.
“I’m placing a bounty of five million dollars on his head,” the man continues. “I don’t want him dead, but I want him stopped.”
“That won’t be easy. He’s flanked by a small army of talented individuals that could stop me.”
The man laughs; he bellows, in fact.
“Look under the desk,” he muses whilst waiting for the sound of ruffling. As that occurs, he continues. “In the briefcase you’ve just retrieved is a down payment of two million dollars. I’m paying you to take that risk.”
There’s a moment of silence as the briefcase is clicked open and then closed again.
Whoever it is, just looked inside.
“What’s the timescale and what do you need me to do specifically? For this kind of money, there has to be some kind of specifics.”
“At Ring Of Dreams VII, Berkshire Ellison Green and Old School Wrestling will be finished, once and for all. I need you to make sure he’s softened up by then. Hurt him in every way imaginable.”
Cut.
The situation between Rune and the Forever Friends has come down to this, as Ultimo America looks to stand up to the Painted Man’s bullying once and for all!
Rune gets the advantage early on, making good use of the size he has on America with some heavy punches that sends the Forever Friend to the corner.
Rune is unrelenting in his offense, looking to make an example out of America’s Son as he continues the assault…but soon, America manages to fight back!
He’s sending Rune reeling with a flurry of offense that keeps the Glitch at bay, before Ultimo runs the ropes looking for a cross body…only to be met with a boot to the gut by Rune!
Rune has a smile on his face as he continues to go to work on Ultimo, slamming his fists against the back of the supposed hero before hitting a DDT that drives Ultimo headfirst into the canvas.
Unfortunately for those in support of the American Dream, Rune is far from finished, instead picking Ultimo up and connecting with a devastating exploder suplex!
TRUTH HURTS!
Rune looks extra confident, jaw jacking with the smaller America before putting a boot upon his chest for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE–NO!
AMERICA KICKS OUT!
The crowd is stunned, as is Rune…but his surprise quickly turns to anger as he picks America up, pummeling the young lad with lefts and rights
Rune is beside himself as he sends America back to the corner, practically stomping the patriotism out of Ultimo with repeated boots to the gut.
Rune finally stops, but only to charge at Ultimo for a shoulder tackle…but America manages to dodge it at the last second, sending Rune crashing into the turnbuckle with a thud!
This could very well be the opportunity America needs, as he starts fighting back with some kicks to the Painted Man. Ultimo is desperately trying to get some momentum his way as he connects with a DDT of his own, quickly getting a cover!
ONE!
RUNE KICKS OUT IMMEDIATELY!
This is bad news indeed for Ultimo, as Rune is already back to his feet. America tries to get another wave of momentum, but is cut off by another hard boot to the gut, as Rune is clearly done playing games!
VEILBREAKER!
RUNE JUST DROVE ULTIMO’S SKULL INTO THE CANVAS WITH THAT DEADLY HEADLOCK DRIVER!
The Glitch glares at Ultimo with a snarl, finally finished with the message he sought to give as he once again puts a boot on America’s chest for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Rune picks up the win here, shutting down the hopes of Forever Friends in the process!
Unknown location.“You? Again?”
D’Von Chambers steps through a portal to find himself in a large chamber. There appears to be no beginning or end to the room, and the former Reverend looks confused. The voice of Sigil rings out, narrating much as D’Von did his search. But Chambers can hear the Collector.
“You’ve finally found me, yet you are no closer to your goal than when you started.” Sigil taunts. “This journey has taken you to the ends of the earth, to that shithole Gary, and even when you finally found where I had set up my earthly command base, I was still outside of your vision.”
Chambers begins to walk.
“Ah yes, the devoted one. You only care about your mission. You don’t care about all the lives lost, all of the destruction that I’ve caused.”
D’Von ignores the booming voice of Sigil, persisting in his search for the Collector.
“I knew what I was bringing to this world, Chambers. I didn’t know what would happen once they were here, but I knew everything else. And yet you still believe I would devote even a fraction of my power to your quest to revive a dead god.”
Sigil chuckles as he notices a sneer on Chambers face.
“Yes, you devoted your whole life to serving an almighty god, but even in the face of learning that death comes for all, you still persist. Admirable, in some fashion.”
He pauses.
“In other fashions, it’s pathetic.”
A portal opens in front of D’Von.
“But since you continue to persist, I will take great pleasure in making sure both your search and request reach the same dead end.”
Chambers walks through the portal, and looks around to find himself back in the Slaughterhouse.
Cut.
The situation between The Judge and The Reaper has been heating up with every passing week, and now the former Adam Rook has rage in his heart as he yearns for his own brand of justice!
The Reaper comes in hot, looking to give The Judge a taste of everything he’s been through as he takes several swings at the behemoth…but the wear and tear from Judge’s axe attack is evident, forcing Reaper to back off as he winces in pain.
This gives Judge the opening he needs, focusing his attack on the wound on Reaper’s arm to maximize the damage with some clubbing blows!
With his rival weakened, Judge sends Reaper to the ropes, looking for a hard clothesline…but Reaper ducks under it, nailing a dropkick that brings Judge to a knee!
SWIFT REVENGE!
Reaper quickly drops Judge to the canvas with that single arm DDT, but he’s far from finished as he lays into his foe with a flurry of lefts and rights, refusing to let up until the pain kicks back in.
Reaper is favoring his arm as Judge shoves him off, getting back to his feet…but so too does Reaper, standing tall in spite of the hurt he’s in!
The two go back and forth trading some heavy blows, neither quite willing to show an ounce of weakness in this battle…but eventually, Judge’s attack is more than Reaper can handle as he finds himself sent to the ropes..and right into a Sparta kick!
JUDGE WITH THE VERDICT!
NO! REAPER DODGES IT!
SHOTGUN BLAST–JUDGE BLOCKS IT!
The two find themselves at an impasse, their familiarity finally reaching a point where each can’t put the other way quickly!
Reaper charges at The Judge, but gets cut off with a big right hand! Judge once again focusing the attack on the arm of Reaper, making a statement that is punctuated with another Sparta kick!
VERDICT!
Judge connects with it this time, sending Reaper down hard to the canvas before he goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
Reaper manages to kick out, much to everyone’s surprise! Judge, however, refuses to be caught off guard as he goes back to work on Reaper’s arm.
Reaper is absolutely wincing in pain now, as Judge lifts him up over his shoulders!
BUT REAPER ESCAPES THE RESTORATION!
Judge turns around to face Reaper for another attempt, but the Harvester has other plans as he rocks him with a Superman punch!
SHOTGUN BLAST!
AND ANOTHER ONE!
AND ONE MORE TO GROW ON!
Three in a row finally brings The Judge down as Reaper goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
The Reaper finally manages to get some form of vengeance on the entity that’s played a role in his suffering!
“Where am I?”Darklord.
He stirs, lying on the ground of that dingy, concrete room.
“Shh,” a voice replies. “Relax. Roberts cut your neck from ear to ear. You could’ve died. Luckily for you, I know some lifesaving techniques that not even the finest of surgeons can perform.”
Simon.
Darklord nods.
He hears the creaking rope. He looks up.
It is no longer Death Note dangling from the ceiling.
It’s Viper Roberts.
He is unconscious, twirling like a dandelion in the breeze as he hangs upside down.
“Where is the Deathscriber?”
“Roberts freed him,” Simon says. “Don’t worry. You’ll cross paths again, and I expect you’ll make him pay for his trickery.”
“I’m going to make this snake pay for his as well,” Darklord replies, reaching his feet.
“No,” Simon answers. “The snake is mine now. I intend to stand toe to toe with him in the Slaughterhouse.”
“Why?” asks the Carthian.
“It is rare that one meets a true intellectual rival,” Simon replies. “Rarer still for one such as me. Nevertheless, I’ve an ace up my sleeve.”
Darklord turns and looks at Simon. “Oh?”
“Yes,” Simon replies. “I have antivenom. Soon, it will be my pit that all his snakes slither in.”
Cut.
Tonight, it’s a triple threat match but it’s likely to be more like a handicap match as Pyre goes against Banzan and Sweet Alice. Will she be able to torch her competition or will she be the one burned?
DING! DING!
Banzan and Sweet Alice make their way to Pyre but she rolls out of the ring! She cockily waves and says, “Have at it!” Sweet Alice shakes her head no! She runs the ropes! She dives through the middle!
SUICIDE DIVE BY SWEET ALICE!
NO!
SUICIDE INDEED AS PYRE REVERSES IT INTO A MID-AIR STUNNER!
Pyre makes a come here motion to Banzan! He folds his arms and shakes his head no! He sits waiting for her to get back in the ring! Pyre shrugs and drags Alice by the hair! She throws Alice by the hair into the barricade! Pyre isn’t done as she starts bashing Alice’s face into the Barricade!
BANZAN HAS SEEN ENOUGH!
HE SNEAKS BEHIND PYRE!
DUKKHA!
BANZAN HITS THE SAITO SUPLEX!
He rolls Pyre back into the ring! He checks to see if Alice is okay before walking back into the ring himself! That momentary lapse gave Pyre a breather and she catches Banzan with a dropkick as his head is between the ropes! He’s stunned between the ropes as she grabs him in a tight headlock!
PYRE PULLS HIM BY THE HEAD UNTIL HIS FEET ARE DANGLING ON THE MIDDLE ROPE!
SHE DROPS!
ROPE HUNG DDT!
SHE COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
SWEET ALICE PULLS THE REF OUT OF THE RING!
Pyre looks confused as Alice grabs a chair and slides into the ring! Pyre charges at her but Alice tosses the chair right at her face! She hits her target perfectly and Pyre falls hard! Alice sees the ref getting up and she tosses the chair out of the ring!
SWEET ALICE PULLS PYRE UP!
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE!
SHE HITS THE X-FACTOR!
SHE COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
PYRE GETS HER FOOT ON THE ROPE!
The match goes on as Banzan gets up and goes to help Alice! They both pull Pyre up! Banzan hoists Pyre onto his shoulders and nods at Alice! They hit a Powerbomb/Neckbreaker combination! Banzan backs up into a corner and Alice grabs Pyre by the hair!
ALICE LIFTS PYRE’S HEAD UP TO HIP HEIGHT!
BANZAN CHARGES!
MAGGA!
RUNNING KNEE STRIKE!
PYRE QUICKLY DUCKS HER HEAD DOWN AND MAKES ALICE STUMBLE RIGHT INTO IT!
A FEW HAIRS LOST IS DEFINITELY WORTH THAT RESULT!
BANZAN APOLOGIZES QUICKLY TO ALICE BUT TURNS AROUND INTO A QUICK STUNNER BY PYRE!
NO!
BANZAN CATCHES IT AND LOCKS IN A REAR NAKED CHOKE!
HE HAS HER WHOLE BODY WRAPPED UP AND SHE CANNOT ESCAPE !
SHE TAPS OUT!
Banzan has done it! He shows why he is a former world champion!
As Banzan and Alice get back to their feet, Pyre has long made her exit from the ring – only for Alice to slide to the outside.Darkness.
The entire arena is thrust into darkness and the sound of howling can be heard off in the distance.
Banzan’s heart is beating fast.
Alice hasn’t dared move from outside the ring.
Has Bishop come for him?
Are these creatures now coming for him?
Suddenly, a slow methodical plucking of an instrument filters into the arena as smoke begins to fill the stage.
Someday I would buy
Galleys with good oars
Sails to distant shores.”
As the thumping drum of “My Mother Told Me” kicks in, Leif Helvig steps out onto the stage with a stoic expression. Slowly, Hati appears on his left and Skoll on his right. He first pats Hati and then Skoll on their heads, sending them towards the ring. They slowly approach the bottom of the ramp and take a direction each around the ring.
Leif grimaces, rolling his shoulders before making a paced walk down the ramp.
Banzan hasn’t taken his eyes off him.
As Leif enters the ring, The Mountain rushes The Viking with as much Speed as he can muster, only Leif is quicker and ducks beneath him, bounding into the opposite rope…
FRIGGGGORRRRAAAAAA!!!
HOLY FUCKING SHIT, LEIF HELVIG JUST SPEARED BANZAN OUT OF HIS FUCKING BOOTS!
HE RAGDOLLED TO THE CANVAS WITH A THUD, SLAMMING POWERFULLY AGAINST THE MAT!
Helvig gets back to his feet.
What’s the meaning of this? Why is Leif Helvig attacking Banzan?
The Beast of Slaughter growls, dropping immediately down into a mount. He starts pounding away at him with vicious right and left forearms, slamming them into his head.
That’s his Kill It With Fire.
Raseri I Slakteriet!
Banzan is busted wide open! He’s unconscious and beaten to within an inch of his life. Jesus Christ.
Sweet Alice rushes to get involved and stop this attack, but Skoll cuts her off, growling to warn her to stand back.
When Leif stops slamming forearms into his head, he angrily gets back to his feet but isn’t anywhere done. He violently kicks Banzan beneath the bottom rope and to the outside, following with serious intent.
Hati stalks Banzan but The Mountain isn’t moving.
Helvig pulls him up effortlessly, lifting him up into a Bear Hug and running him into the ringpost.
Again.
Again.
Again.
He then tosses him aside like a piece of trash, straight through the barricade and into the crowd.
The Viking doesn’t smile.
He doesn’t laugh, he doesn’t grimace and he doesn’t grin.
Leif simply walks away, whistling to Hati and Skoll so that they meet him at the bottom of the ramp and follow.
Why the hell has Leif Helvig destroyed Banzan?
Sweet Alice rushes to Banzan’s side, but he’s out of it. He’s hurt. She looks towards Leif with a grimace – absolutely enraged.
He nods at her.
“I will see you next week, little girl.”
What the fuck is going on?
Cut.
This one is personal. At Red Snow VI, CXDY watched his best friend Tyler Brooks die in his arms following a hit by an unknown assassin. The Butcher commissioned that hit on Brooks, the son of Lance Norman, who led the IWF invasion in the last season. The Reflection of Perfection has been promised by the OSW Chairman that if he wins this bout, he will be given the identity of the assassin. But should he end up on Colin Cartwright’s chopping block, CXDY must leave OSW forever.
DING! DING! Suddenly it dawns on CXDY just how small the squared circle is, especially when you’ve 270lbs of Colin Cartwright bearing down on you. The Reflection throws a back foot hook. It’s a glancing blow and The Butcher continues moving forward. CXDY hits the ropes looking for a running elbow but the OSW Chairman counters into a choke and pushes The Reflection down to the mat. The Butcher releases but fast as lightning CXDY is pounded with two hard rights.
Colin peels The Reflection off the mat, whips him into a turnbuckle and follows with a stiff ass clothesline. There is no let up, The Butcher whips CXDY so hard across the ring, he crashes into the turnbuckle and flips over the top to the concrete floor.
HOLY FUCK!!!
BRUTAL STRENGTH FROM BUTCH!!!
Colin is out of the ring, his hands on CXDY and slams his face into the ring apron and then throws him with such force into the crowd barrier it breaks under the weight of the tag team champion. CXDY gets to his feet and tries to get away from the stalking Colin, heading towards the ring. The Butcher stampedes at The Reflection…
DROP TOE HOLD!
COUNTER BY CXDY!!
BUTCHER FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS!!!!
CXDY gets to his feet, gives himself a few yards to run up…
CARPE OMNIA!!!
DIVING DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP TO THE FACE!!!
The Reflection lifts Colin’s right leg and slams it down on the steel steps, repeating it three more times, sending pain shooting through The Butcher’s leg. CXDY peels Colin off the concrete and rolls him into the ring. The Tag champ follows and targets Colin’s right leg with some hard stomps, then hitting a shinbreaker and a cover…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
NO!
It’s an easy kickout by Colin.
The Reflection is on his feet now, standing over The Butcher and milking this moment. With a cut throat he signals the end. CXDY lifts up Colin, looking for…
PERFECT ENDING!!!
NO!!
COUNTER WITH A BACK BODY DROP!!!
CXDY gets up, Colin grabs him…
TENDERIZER!!!!
THE CRUSHING BEAR HUG LOCKED IN!!!
NO!!!
THE BUTCHER CAN’T SUPPORT THE WEIGHT ON THAT INJURED LEG!!!
Colin drops CXDY and flops to the mat. The Reflection senses a moment and begins to work on that leg with more stomps, then a knee bar.
CXDY LOOKING FOR A SUBMISSION HERE!!!
THE BUTCHER IS GOING TO TAP OUT!!!
.
NO!
THE REF CALLS A ROPE BREAK AS COLIN GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!
The Reflection hurls some abuse at the official, lifts Colin and whips him into the ropes but The Butcher somehow summons the energy to counter…
CHOPPING BLOCK!!!!
CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL TURNS CXDY INSIDE OUT!!!
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE CROWD MARKS OUT HARD!!!
COVER…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THR-NO!!!
KICKOUT!
The Butcher struggles back to his feet, he’s lining up CXDY…
MEAT HOOK!!!
THE KNOCKOUT RIGHT HOOK!!!
NO!!!
CXDY DUCKS!!!
COUNTERS WITH A SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP!!!
ONE!!
.
TWO! “HANDFUL OF TIGHTS”!!!
.
THREE!!!
CXDY steals a win over The Butcher! Will the OSW Chairman stay true to his word and give CXDY the name he craves?
After that gruelling match, The Butcher has been defeated by CXDY. Williams keeps his job, but that’s hardly the end of it. He mounts Colin in the middle of the ring, swinging fists into his face as hard as he can.“Tell me!” He screams! “Tell me who did it!”
The Butcher shakes his head in refusal, frustrating CXDY who gets off and begins pacing.
He needs to find a way to convince him.
Though apparently, he has one.
Albert Shaw suddenly trundles out from behind the curtain and begins making his way down to the ring with a briefcase in hand.
CXDY grins.
“You’re in for it now, you son of a bitch.”
Albie opens his case, revealing numerous different tools of punishment – one is a pair of clippers that he immediately takes to the pinky finger of The Butcher.
“Wait a minute,” he pleads. Albie though doesn’t even hesitate, snipping the little finger right off.
That surprises even CXDY, who watches as The Butcher writhes around the ring holding onto his hand in agony, screaming.
The Guv’nor does not fuck around.
He bends down into a crouch as Colin crawls himself into the corner. Shaw grabs the little finger and holds it up.
“Tell him who killed Tyler Fucking Brooks, or I’ll cut pieces off of you until you’re a Jigsaw puzzle,” Albie growls.
The Butcher nods.
“Well played,” he muses through gritted teeth. “It was Corvus. I paid his Guild for the hit.”
The Guv’nor tosses his pinky finger at him.
CXDY looks enraged. He’s about to storm backstage and find him, when Shaw cuts him off.
“Wait, you can’t run head first into that,” he warns. “I know a bit about his line of work and if you run into that, you’re a dead man.”
The Tag Team Champions talk in whisper for a moment before slowly heading to the backstage.
The Butcher meanwhile composes himself, placing his pinky finger in his pocket before wrapping his hand in his apron. He smirks, watching them leave.
Cut.
Ever since Sigil opened up a portal to something truly terrifying at Game Over using his blood, D’Von Chambers has been searching for the Realm Walker. For answers to what he had done and possibly some payback but now he’s found him, will Chambers find the answers he seeks or does Sigil not even know what wrath he brought?The bell sounds as Chambers rushes forward, taking Sigil by surprise with a massive clothesline that nearly takes his damn head off. Sigil struggles back to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights before he grabs him around the waist
THROWING HIM ACROSS THE RING WITH A HUGE BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!
Sigil hits the mat hard, slowly stumbling to his feet as he pulls himself up in the corner, right as Chambers rushes forward like a speeding train
LOCOMOTION….COSMIC LEAP!
Sigil ports his way out of the running splash just in time, Chambers stopping himself from slamming hard into the buckles as he turns around into a clawed hand around the temple
LONG ROAD AHEAD! Sigil barrages Chambers with those stiff elbows to the jaw but he can’t power Chambers down to the mat, the vicar absorbing the blows before catching one and tossing Sigil away with his raw power. D’Von gets to a vertical base, charging after Sigil who’s just rolled to his feet who ports away once more
MERCIFUL!
That hard chop to the back of the neck stuns D’Von, who stumbles on his feet into a flurry of claw like blows from every direction as he’s forced to become
FOR THE COLLECTION!
Chambers is slumped down in the ropes, trying to pull himself up but every time Sigil is there to knock him down but he’s not flat on his back yet, the bigger man still fighting as Sigil uses his superior speed to overwhelm the big man. A huge shoryuken like uppercut jacks Chambers jaw hard before Sigil backs up, leaping forward as he portals, springboarding off the ropes behind D’Von
FIN…D’VON CATCHES THE ROUNDHOUSE!
Sigil is suspended in mid-air, D’Von holding him up high as Sigil frantically tries to strike down on the exposed hand but D’Von ignores the pain, quickly swinging Sigil around
SIT-OUT SPINEBUSTER!
The Collector nearly gets driven through the mat from that manouever, it wasn’t pretty but damn sure was it effective. Chambers doesn’t pick Sigil up or try to pin him, instead looking to make him as flat as a pancake as he slowly climbs up the turnbuckles to the top rope, possibly looking the absolve Sigil of his sins.
COSMIC LEAP! SIGIL IS ON THE TOP ROPE OUT OF NOWHERE, HIS LEGS WRAPPED AROUND D’VON’s HEAD
FRANKEN-WALKER! HUGE FRANKENSTEINER SENDS D’VON CRASHING TO THE MAT!
Both men are out on the mat, slowly getting to their feet after that huge top rope manouevere. Sigil is a little faster as he drills a rising Chambers with a stiff kick to the face before backing up as he looks for the end.
PLANESWALKER! D’VON GOES FLYING INTO THE BUCKLES, BLOOD DRIPPING DOWN HIS FACE BEFORE HE COLLAPSES ONTO THE MAT, SIGIL EXAUSTED HOOKING THE LEG FOR THE
ONE
…..
…..
TWO
….
…….
THREE!!!
Sigil once again puts down the Bishop inside the squared circle but a little blood and unconciousness may not be enough to stop him from the answers he seeks from the Collector
Mister Andy.Monty Straight.
Both men stand in the ring expectantly, looking towards the ramp. Andy looks back at Monty, glaring towards him.
“We have a deal then. I help keep him at bay… then you allow me onto your show to seal the deal without him interrupting.”
Monty nods his head, flashing his trademarked smile before leaning onto the ropes, looking to the crowd and realizing that all the silence is no way to run a show! He pulls a microphone seemingly out of thin air, walking into the center of the ring with a flair.
“Ladies and Gentlemen! This may not be the Show That Never Ends, but I’d like to tell you what we have in store here tonight! You see, Redwing has been a thorn in Mister Andy’s side, and for myself he… wasn’t quite the tag partner I had in mind. Now, once he’s down and out we can keep it that way with some time on my show. Would you all like to watch another episode after this match?”
The crowd is captivated, through Monty’s charm, but still chatter amongst themselves for a few moments before a voice echoes through the arena.
“There won’t be another episode.”
REDBLADE FLIES THROUGH THE AIR! IT CATCHES MONTY’S WRIST AND KNOCKS IT INTO THE ROPE HANDCUFFING HIM TO IT!
Monty drop his mic, trying to slip from the handcuffs when Redwing descends from the rafters! Mister Andy charges him but Redwing sparks up a pair of taser gauntlets! Andy stops in his tracks, Redwing holding up his fist, ready to fight.
“I knew SeeSaw was sitting in there somewhere! Making deals with Monty, going to lengths to try and remove me? Kill me? I came prepared, SeeSaw, and I refuse to back down!”
Andy sneers, baring his teeth in pure rage as he shouts back.
“MY. NAME. IS. ANDY!”
And with little time to waste, the match is on!
Redwing is in a desperate search for answers, keeping Monty Straight at bay with his sights set on Mister Andy!
With Monty Straight indisposed, Redwing has an opportunity to go immediately after Andy with some hard lefts and rights, sending the Toy Maker to the corner with an unrelenting flurry of offense.
Redwing continues his attack, looking to hit the Toy Maker with the Killing Joke…but Andy catches him with a glancing blow to the jaw! He’s sending Crimson Justice reeling now as he gets a solid boot to the midsection, hitting a snap-action DDT that drives Redwing into the canvas!
Andy goes for a cover, hoping to end this confrontation early, but is met with a right hand to the face by Redwing!
That seems to have knocked the Toy Maker out, and we get a glimpse of why as we realize that Redwing has brought shock gauntlets into play! He’s absolutely obsessed with stopping Mister Andy by any means necessary!
Meanwhile, an official has come down to sort out how to free Monty from the ropes, a bolt cutter in his hands as he manages to cut Straight loose…but the host is met with a shocking right hand from Redwing!
Crimson Justice has red in his eyes as he turns his attention back to Andy, picking him up to deliver even more damage…but Andy’s fighting back!
Lefts and rights from the Toy Maker are just what he needs to keep Redwing at a safe distance given those gauntlets, as Straight comes to. He seems to be biding his time, catching the Watchful Protector with a chop block from behind!
It looks like Monty is making good on a promise to Andy, who carefully avoids contact with those gauntlets as he hits a leg drop on Redwing, before grabbing hold of the Crimson Knight’s legs!
LINCOLN LOG LEGLOCK!
Redwing is wincing in pain, struggling to escape the hold…but here comes Monty with a kick to the skull of the Toy Maker!
Cover on Redwing! He’s gonna try to steal this one!
ONE!
Redwing kicks out emphatically, showing he’s still got a lot of fight in him as he gets back to his feet. He turns to chastise Monty, but instead gets lifted onto the shoulders of Mister Andy!
BIG WHEEL!
REDWING JUST GOT DRIVEN HARD INTO THE CANVAS WITH THAT CUTTER!
Crimson Justice is now down and out, with the Straight Shooter giving a nod to Andy as the Toy Maker makes the cover on Redwing!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Mister Andy has managed to fend off Redwing, for now at least…with a little help from Monty Straight!
That same dingy warehouse we’ve visited twice tonight.Once again, that rope twists and twirls and creaks.
Once again, we see it is Viper Roberts who hangs there.
He is completely knocked out.
“Are you sure you want him to live?” Darklord asks.
Simon nods. “You have to understand, I’m not comfortable killing brilliance. At least, not like this. He deserves a chance to stand on equal ground with me. Only after that will I distribute the antivenom.”
Darklord scoffs. “I can’t say I agree with your methods here, Simon. If he’s truly so brilliant as you say, allowing him to ever have equal ground would be incredibly dangerous. Haven’t you considered the possibility he could win? Best you? …Kill you?”
Simon nods. “I see every possibility, Carthian. From all angles, and at all times. It would be silly to think I have no failsafes in place for each negative possibility should they play out.”
Darklord scratches his chin and nods.
“Tell me then, Simon. What will this antivenom do?”
Simon chuckles.
“Roberts’ power is in his voice. A million snakes may hear him and only then begin to slither. So suppose his forked tongue no longer spoke. What then?”
Darklord laughs. “You’re a sadist.”
Simon replies, “Even worse. I’m a rationalist. Cut him down. I will meet him in battle. Win or lose, the antivenom will be administered down the road.”
Darklord shakes his head.
Cut.
The God of the New World clashes with The God King in a biblical contest!
Deathnote stares daggers at the being who chokeslammed him to Hell on Fury. Casting a shadow over everyone, Darklord wears what looks like a superior smirk under his mask, with one eye creased.
DING, DING, DING!
Deathnote hauls ass across the ring—
KNEEL!
NO!
Side-stepping the Sparta kick, he blasts Darklord with lightning-fast punches and kicks. Reaching into his gear, he produces his Notebook. He tears into the ropes…
LEAPING NOTEBOOK TO THE DOME!
The innocuous stationery is surprisingly effective, staggering Darklord. The referee lets it slide, utterly bewildered.
Deathnote pulls him into the STO—
SISTER ABIGAIL!
TURN THE PA—
DARKLORD SHOVES HIM OFF…
KNEEL, BITCH, KNEEL!
SPARTA KICK!
Deathnote flies backwards, rolling onto the apron. He pulls himself up—
DARKLORD SQUEEZES HIS WINDPIPE, HOISTING HIM UP…
WARLORD’S HAND CHOKESL—
NO!
DEATHNOTE GRABS HIS ARM…
HE DROPS TO THE FLOOR – SNAPPING DARKLORD’S ARM INTO THE TOP ROPE!
HE MAY HAVE BROKEN HIS ARM!
Carthic Incarnum turns away, nursing his limb.
The Author of Death darts in front of his foe. He mimes laying his head to rest!
HE’S GOING TO MAKE DARKLORD GO 2 SLEEP!
GATHER THY SOUL—
DEATHNOTE GRUNTS AND HEAVES…
HE CAN’T LIFT THE 500-POUND DARKLORD!
The Shinigami is a god of death; he doesn’t possess supernatural strength!
The Carthian lets out a booming laugh—
KNEE TO THE SKULL…
REAR NAKED CHOKE – THE KING’S GRASP!
Deathnote is in a world of trouble. He can withstand inhuman amounts of pain, but this submission cuts off the bloodflow to his brain!
HE KICKS HIS LEGS UP, PLANTING HIS FEET ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
GRABBING THE TOP ROPE, HE PULLS HIMSELF AND DARKLORD INTO THE CORNER—
The referee calls for a rope break, starting a five-count!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE…
FOUR…
F—DARKLORD RELEASES THE HOLD!
Gasping for air, Deathnote falls backwards into a tree of woe.
THE GOD KING CHARGES AT HIM WITH A SPEAR…
DEATHNOTE SITS UP!
CRACK!
DARKLORD GORES THE STEEL RINGPOST!
The Carthian stumbles back, as Deathnote rights himself—
DOUBLE FOOT STOMP – THE KISS OF DEATH!
Deathnote leaps into the cover—
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
TH—DARKLORD BENCHES HIM OFF – THROUGH THE ROPES!
THE CARTHIAN POPS BACK UP – HEY, WAIT…
HE SCOOPS THE REFEREE INTO A BACKBREAKER RACK—
PILEDRIVER – THE OFFICIAL WITNESSES THE EVENT HORIZON!
Carthic Incarnum storms to the back, seemingly blaming the referee for this turn of events.
Ringside personnel elect to ring the bell themselves—presumably from a safe distance—declaring Deathnote the winner as the result of a disqualification!
The Author of Death seethes as he checks his notebook; though he’s victorious, he was cheated nonetheless!
Sweet Alice is walking down the halls distraught after watching what happened to Banzan.”It was gruesome, wasn’t it?”
It’s Pyre!
“What do you want? You want to take me back to Wonderland and try to decapitate me again?”
Pyre laughs.
“No… watching you in that restraint made me realize it won’t be fun to kill you that way. I want to do it with my bare hands.”
“Do it then, no one is stopping you!”
“Don’t tell me what to do girl, I’m the lioness, you’re the gazelle. Half the fun is the chase.”
“I’m done running from you.”
“Oh come on, don’t be a spoil sport. With Banzan preoccupied, it’s back to just you and me. I missed that, didn’t you miss that?”
“Miss what? Being chased by a murderous psychopath?”
“I thought you liked the mad ones Alice.”
“I do, I don’t like you.”
“Don’t be that way. If you’re not going to even bother, I will do it right here. It kind of makes all of Banzan’s efforts worthless though, doesn’t it?”
At the mention of Banzan, Alice smacks Pyre! Pyre grabs her by the throat!
“That’s the Alice I want to see, make it a fight, prolong the story. Just rest assured it won’t be a fairytale ending.”
She chokeslams Alice on the floor!
Cut.
In this battle of cerebral assassins, can Simon solve the labyrinth of Viper’s snake pit and take home the Double Features Championship or will The Taskmaster succumb to the champion’s bite?
Simon is in the ring but he’s alone. The Viper is nowhere to be seen. The Taskmaster is about to leave the ring when dry ice begins to rise and seep through the ropes and fill the ring. Simon is scanning frantically, he smells a snake. Then out of the fog slinks a giant snake. Simon takes a step back as the serpent stands up menacingly.
THIS IS NOT THE SNAKE SIMON EXPECTED TO CONTEND WITH TONIGHT!
Behind Simon, through the fog, Viper Roberts slithers into the ring. The Head Snake spins Simon around, foot to the gut…
ODE TO THE SNAKE!!!!
The bell sounds and Viper covers The Taskmaster.
SIMON SPIKED AND THIS COULD BE OVER!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE-
.
NO!!
KICKOUT!!!
Viper peels Simon off the canvas and slices into The Taskmaster with some backhand chops. Whip into the ropes and a back elbow on the rebound drops Simon. Viper then drops an elbow onto his opponent. Another cover…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
SHOULDER UP!!!
Viper drags Simon back to a vertical base and runs The Taskmaster face first into a turnbuckle, then unbuckles his belt. A snap of the leather signals TANNIN’ THE HIDE…
COUNTER!!!
SIMON EXPLODES OUT OF THE CORNER!!!!
GAMBIT!!!
SPINNING BACKFIST TO THE VIPER!!!
Simon retrieves The Head Snakes leather belt…
TANNIN’ THE HIDE!!!
THE TASKMASTER IS FLOGGING THE VIPER!!!
After half a dozen blows, Simon tosses the belt away, grabs Viper and with a snap…
SIMONPLEX!!!!
FISHERMAN’S SUPLEX!!!
BRIDGED!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
IT’S CHECKMATE FOR THE VIPER!!!
.
THREE!
.
NEW CHAMPION!!!
NO!!!
THE REF IS CALLING A TWO COUNT!!!
The Taskmaster is apoplectic; he’s convinced that was three. But while he argues with the official, Viper drags Simon into a schoolboy roll-up!
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!!!
THAT WAS A RAPID COUNT!!!!
Simon gets to his feet, realising now The Viper may have worked the odds to his advantage, he charges The Head Snake, who sidesteps and takes The Taskmaster into a sleeper hold, coiling his arms around Simon’s throat and squeezing the breath out him. The Taskmaster is fading and the referee wastes no time initiating the count-out.
Simon’s arm is raised but falls when it’s let go.
ONE!
The Taskmaster’s arm goes up and falls again.
TWO!
For the third time the official lifts Simon’s arm and let’s go…
THREE
.
NO WAY!!!
SIMON LIVES!!!
With several back elbows to the ribs, he’s free of Viper’s constriction then a spinning elbow strike staggers the serpent. Simon into the ropes for momentum…
BUT STRAIGHT INTO A SPRAY OF SNAKE OIL!!!!
It doesn’t deal too much damage due to Simon’s mask but his vision is obscured and gives Viper his opportunity.
SNAKE BITE!!!!
WRAPAROUND NECKBREAKER!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
CAN SIMON KICKOUT?
THREE!
NO!
THE TASKMASTER IS DOWN AND OUT!!!
VIPER RETAINS!!!
For the Viper’s venom The Taskmaster has been unable to find an antidote!
‘Clickity, clickty, click.’A darkened corner of the Slaughterhouse, illuminated by the blue light of a single screen. And behind that screen, one man who is just as dangerous with his fingertips at a keyboard as he is within the squared circle.
Zero-1-0.
From the wall, a makeshift assortment of wires have been meshed together into a snake that leads to a device that sits beside Zero at his table. He hums quietly as his fingers fly over the keyboard.
“And now we wait…”
He cracks his knuckles, while moments later, a ding is heard from his screen.
“We’re live folks. Access to the Old School Wrestling Mainframe granted.” He smiles to himself as he thinks out loud. “It’s a funny thing really, how unforeseen events can end up working in your favor. This war threw out my plans, but now it seems, I have full control.”
He flicks his fingers across the keys and watches his live feed of the Slaughterhouse. Inside the Slaughterhouse arena, the lights cut out without warning. Much to Zero’s amusement.
“Oh yes. We can definitely work with this. Now… Just to give the boys a bit of training on how this all works and we can see how this could work to my advantage.”
He flicks his fingers across the screen once more and the lights return, albeit to a flurry of activity from the OSW technical crew who begin scrambling around to find the source of the blackout.
Cut.
The black-and-white colouring of a magpie—members of the corvidae family—is said to represent life and death; the pied piper in this contest knows all too well about that kind of dichotomy.
Corvus adopts a martial-arts stance, grimacing from the torture he suffered at the hands of Two-Face and Endo. Two-Face himself flashes his old politician’s smile.
DING, DING, DING!
The Crow swoops into action—
THROAT THRUST; PALM STRIKE; JUMPING ELBOW!
MURDER OF BLOWS!
The final strike in the deadly combo spins Two-Face round…
REAR NAKED CHOKE – THE GARROTE!
THIS COULD BE OVER BEFORE IT BEGINS—
CORVUS… LETS GO!?
HE’S DOUBLED OVER IN PAIN!
The master-assassin is impeded by his injuries. The referee checks on him—
TWO-FACE BARGES PAST…
OVERDRIVE NECKBREAKER – FLIP THE COIN!
Shoving a forearm in Corvus’ face, he commands the official to count!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
TH—KICKOUT!
The hitman isn’t out of lives yet.
Two-Face rounds on the referee. Seeking guidance, he tosses his coin into the air—
SHING!
A THROWING DAGGER STRIKES THE COIN MID-FLIP – SENDING IT FLYING!
Livid, Two-Face wheels round to face a wounded Corvus. The master-of-death reaches for another dagger—
BUT TWO-FACE INTRODUCES HIM TO LADY LUCK – THE JOKER DRIVER!
Will the femme fatale be enough!?
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
TWO-POINT-NINE!
This isn’t a murder of The Crow just yet!
Two-Face slaps his hand thrice to the referee, who holds up two fingers – “Twooo!”. The former politician exits the ring. He reaches over the barricade—scaring away the fans—snatching a wooden chair. He brings it into the ring – but the official grabs hold of it!
THEY COMMENCE A TUG OF WAR!
TO AND FRO, TO AND FRO…
CORVUS KICK OUTTA NOWHERE!
TWO-FACE EATS CHAIR!
The official is unharmed; Two-Face is disarmed.
Ruling that Corvus did not use the weapon—and that Two-Face brought it on himself—the referee decrees that the match will continue.
Corvus struggles to the top rope. Spreading his broken wings, he leaps from his perch—
SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
NEVERMOREEE!
Clutching his ribs and kicking his feet in agony, Corvus crawls into the cover—
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
TH—SHOULDER UP!
Two-Face beats a three-count.
Sucking wind, Corvus pulls his nemesis to his feet—
HEADBUTT TO THE GUT!
TWO-FACE PULLS HIM INTO THE STO—
CORVUS LOOKS INTO HIS CRAZED EYES…
CORVUS:
SISTER ABIGAIL!
HEADS OR TAI—NO!
CORVUS SPINS OUT…
HE WEAVES BEHIND HIM—
REAR NAKED CHOKE – THE GARROTE!
TWO-FACE THRASHES AND STRUGGLES…
HE PASSES OUT!
The Crow took his chances – and won!
Corvus exits the ring and heads up the ramp to the back. Two-Face, however, hasn’t had enough – he gives chase!
Recorded EarlierDuring the week, and we find Blood Money Inc. together, sitting down around a large table inside one of BEG’s many office spaces. CXDY, Shaw and Zero-1-0 are busy swapping stories when BEG rises to his feet. The talking dies down as all eyes turn to the leader.
“Thank you gentlemen. Well, this week is a big week for us. If we play our cards right we can prove ourselves to be the dominant force around the Slaughterhouse that we know ourselves to be.”
Nods and approval from around the table before BEG continues.
“But like a good little weasel, that Darby Sorrow has been digging around our foundations. And I wanted to ensure that he hasn’t struck a nerve.”
BEG pulls out his wallet and slams it down on the table with a resounding echo.
“There… Albert. Does that sound fucking empty?”
Shaw shakes his head, a smirk on his face. BEG smiles.
“Good. You see, Sorrow would have you believe that I’m in dire straits. He wants to cast that little seed of doubt that would eat away at your loyalty. That maybe, just maybe Berkshire Ellison Green is just like the rest of those fat-cats. Scrambling to save his fortune in these uncertain times.”
BEG picks up his wallet, opens it and shakes out the contents. A thick wad of notes fly into the air, soaring on the airwaves to cover the table.
“Well Berkshire Ellison Green is no pussy. Nobody made a fortune by playing it easy, and nobody kept their fortune by panicking. Rest assured gents. There’s plenty to go around.”
As BMI scoop up the lolly-scramble of BEG’s good fortune, laughter fills the air. BEG smiles as he takes the scene in.
“We are strong as long as we are loyal. Can I count on you?”
All members of the group smile their agreements. Loyalty retained, BEG is as confident as ever.
Cut
Can the almighty dollar stave off Death itself!?
Albert Shaw and CXDY stand at ringside, in a show of solidarity for their employer, BEG. The leader of Blood Money Inc. cackles at Darby Sorrow, who pushes himself up out of the corner.
DING, DING, DING!
Berkshire lunges with a grapple. Side-stepping it, Darby hammers his ribcage with lefts and rights. Green retreats into the ropes, ordering the referee to force a break. The Guv’nor and The Reflection of Perfection applaud their boss’ strategy.
Reluctantly leaving the sanctuary of the ropes, BEG sizes up Sorrow. The Grave Digger throws a haymaker—
BEG BLOCKS IT, PULLING HIS ARM DOWN…
FINANCIAL CRISIS!
NO!
WITH HIS FREE HAND, DARBY SNAPS BEG’S SKULL INTO THE MAT!
The fans gasp with relief, while the sycophants at ringside pile abuse on Sorrow. He walks over the grave of Berkshire, then pulls him up. He whips him into the ropes – Green, however, counters…
FORWARDS ROLL INTO A LEAPING CLOTHESLINE!
IT’S A SORROWFUL LIFE, BEG!
The crowd pops for Darby, who covers his foe—
ONE!
…
Shaw and CXDY pound the apron.
…
TWO!
…
…
SHOULDER UP!
The audience groans in disappointment; Berkshire isn’t broke yet.
Darby makes a rocking motion with his arms, eliciting a cheer from the spectators! He yanks BEG to his feet, then scoops him onto his shoulders—
GO TO SLEEP – CRADLE TO THE GRAVE!
GREEN SQUIRMS FREE—
HE GRABS SORROW’S ARM…
The people root for the half-skull to break free—
FINANCIAL CRI – NO!
Darby kicks him in the gut. Sandwiching his head betwixt his thighs, he pulls him upright.
HE’S GOING FOR THE PILEDRIVER!
SHAW HOPS UP ON THE APRON, DISTRACTING THE REFEREE…
CXDY STORMS THE RING—
BIG IN JAPAN – HE DECAPITATES SORROW WITH THE RUNNING LARIATO!
BOOOOOO!
Second to None bails outside, as the hard-man steps down. The official turns to see both competitors down. He interrogates BEG’s henchmen, who plead ignorance.
Berkshire drapes an arm over Darby’s tattooed chest.
ONE!
…
Albert and CXDY congratulate each other.
…
TWO!
…
They start celebrating BEG’s victory—
KICKOUT!
—Prematurely!
There ain’t no grave can hold Sorrow down.
The Slaughterhouse crowd cheers the graveyard-shift worker. He recovers from the sneak-attack and stands up—
GREEN KICKS HIS KNEE OUT, THEN SPIKES HIM WITH A BULLDOG!
CHIP OFF THE OL’ BLOCK!
He covers him—
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
THR—SHOULDER UP!
Darby lives.
CXDY and Shaw run their hands through their hair. BEG even digs into his pockets, offering their contents to the referee, but the official refuses the bribe!
Berkshire drags Darby to his feet, then grabs his arm—
HE’S GOING FOR THE CROSSFACE AGAIN!
Sorrow fights him…
IF HE LOCKS IT IN, IT’S OVER!
FINANCIAL CRISIS!?
DARBY PULLS HIS ARM FREE—
INADVERTENTLY CLOCKING THE REFEREE!
The official goes down.
Green pounces on Sorrow—
SLEEPER HOLD – BILLION DOLLAR DREAM!
DARBY LURCHES FORWARDS…
HE SENDS BERKSHIRE OVER THE ROPES!
Before Sorrow can recover, however, BEG’s hyenas circle him—
CXDY TRAPS HIM IN A FULL NELSON!
SHAW HAS A SHOVEL IN HAND!
It looks like they’re going to get revenge for Fury. The fans are baying for their blood!
ALBERT SWINGS—
DARBY DUCKS!
THE GUV’NOR BRAINS CXDY!
BIG POP!
CXDY FLIES OVER THE ROPES!
Shaw cusses Sorrow out, then charges at him—
BACK BODY DROP TO THE OUTSIDE!
All of Blood Money Inc. regroup on the floor. Slow realisation dawns on them as they look up—
ARMS CROSSED, THE SUICIDAL SORROW FALLS BACKWARDS FROM THE TOP ROPE…
COFFIN DROP ONTO ALL THREE MEN!
THE PEOPLE COME UNGLUED FOR DARBY!
Broken bodies and tangled limbs litter the ringside. Sorrow powers up and rolls BEG inside. He covers him, and the referee slowly comes round.
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
…
TWO-POINT-NINE!
BEG still has stock in this.
The audience groans. Darby shakes his head in disbelief; if the referee hadn’t been knocked down, it would have been three! He pulls BEG up and lifts him onto his shoulders—
KNEE TO THE HEAD – GO TO SLEEP!
THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE SENDS GREEN REELING INTO THE ROPES…
HE BOUNCES BACK, AS SORROW CALLS FOR THE PILEDRIVER—
BERKSHIRE KICKS HIS TOMBSTONE OVER, THOUGH!
HE PULLS DARBY DOWN INTO THE CROSSFACE!
EVEN THE IMMORTAL IS STRICKEN BY THE FINANCIAL CRISIS!
The fans clamour for him to escape, but he’s stranded in the middle of the ring. CXDY and Shaw come to, rooting for their boss and screaming for Sorrow to tap out…
BEG ADJUSTS HIS GRIP, SQUEEZING DARBY’S CAROTID ARTERY!
DARBY HANGS ON, BUT HE’S FADING—
HE CAN TAKE THE PAIN, BUT HE STILL NEEDS BLOODFLOW…
SORROW… SORROW IS OUT!
HE DOESN’T TAP; HE BLACKS OUT!
IT’S OVER!
BEG finally releases the hold. His Blood Money Inc. partners enter the ring to prop him up and celebrate, as Darby groggily rolls out in defeat.
Backstage, we find Corvus calmly walking down the Slaughterhouse hallways. He seems unflustered by the match he wrestled earlier (or the torture he endured weeks ago).He stands in front of a wooden door for a moment, holding the handle as if he is listening for something. Then, he opens the door and enters the room just as Two-Face comes barreling around the corner.
The former politician is out for blood.
Two-Face storms into the room, ready to continue the war, but before he can even move, he finds himself strapped to a chair with a piece of tape over his mouth. Corvus now stands over him, looking down at him with cold eyes.
“It’s been two months, Whitlock.” Corvus taunts the enraged Two-Face, even more incensed at hearing his former name. “Yet you still chase me, begging for answers like a dog who lost its master.”
Corvus steps to Two-Face’s side, revealing a small television in front of him.
“I told you once before that I had business to attend to here on the night of your explosion, and you have taken that to mean you were that business. But I’m sorry to inform you that I had other business to attend to.”
The hooded man steps behind the TV to press play on a VHS tape. We cannot see or hear what it is being played, but Two-Face’s anger seems to dissipate at whatever it is.
“I did not throw you a coin, Whitlock, nor rig your car to explode. Neither I nor those I affiliate with had any use for you, my friend. But now?”
Corvus places his black hand on Two-Face’s shoulder, looking down at him.
“You’re at the tipping point between order and chaos. I have no care for your situation, but even I can see who it is that you should be waging war with.”
Corvus rips the tape off of Two-Face’s mouth.
“I expect to not see your face near me any time soon. I will not be as forgiving the next time you cross me.”
He places a photograph on Two-Face’s lap, before walking to the door.
“Introduce a little more chaos into OSW, won’t you Two-Face?”
Corvus leaves the room, just as Two-Face realizes his arms are no longer bound. He grabs the photo left on his lap. Its CCTV footage dated hours before Red Snow started.
There’s a man standing outside of the limo that blew up Alton Whitlock. Two-Face crumples the photo in his hand, enraged.
“BEG.”
Cut.
This battle is underway and Ash rushes at Sandman! Sandman looks to Storm and Jessie, and realizing he could get outnumbered grabs hold of Ash!
DARKNESS!
SANDMAN AND ASH DISAPPEAR!
But we get to follow them! The Nightmare and The Chosen One reappear in the attic of the Storm estate! The monster throws Ash head first into a pile of boxes and watches as he crashes through them! The monster goes to approach him-
VASE TO THE FACE! ASH GRABBED FROM THE PILE OF BOXES AND SMASHED SANDMAN RIGHT IN THE NOSE!
The vase shatters to pieces and Sandman is dazed for a moment as Ash leaps at him with a flying elbow! He follows with a flurry of lefts and rights, laying into Sandman with his metal hand with three massive haymakers that bring the weekend demon to his knees!
BIG BOOT TO SANDMAN! ASH CRUSHES HIS HEAD INTO THE FLOOR!
Williams is on fire tonight as he rains down hell on Sandman! The Dream Demon tries to get to his feet but Ash reels back!
BOOMSTICK!
NO! NO! SANDMAN CAUGHT ASH! BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX SENDS HIM FLYING ACROSS THE ATTIC!
The fight feels like it’s only began but Sandman is already looking beaten down! He gets to his feet and grabs at a loose board! The board flies off and reveals the structure underneath! Nails! Nails are exposed in the flooring!
But Sandman turns around INTO A BOOMSTICK!
Sandman gets knocked fucking silly and stumbles backwards!
ANOTHER BOOMSTICK- NO! DEEP SLEEP! END OF FUCKING DAYS SENDS ASH RIGHT ONTO THE NAILS! A NAIL IS STICKING RIGHT OUT OF HIS FUCKING FOREHEAD!
Sandman goes to slam Ash’s head to shove the nail in but Williams yanks it out at the last second! His head meets wood but he’s still alive!
WHAM!
WHAM!
WHAM!
SANDMAN IS GOING WILD AS HE SLAMS ASH FACE FIRST INTO THE WOOD OVER AN OVER AGAIN! THE WOOD SPLINTERS FORWARD AS IS THREATENS TO GIVE WAY!
Ash holds the nail between two fingers as he tries to stop from being put through the floor!
AND HE PUNCHES SANDMAN RIGHT IN THE JAW! THE NAIL IS IMPALED IN SANDMAN NOW!
The Night Terror lets go of Ash and howls in pain as he stumbles back, and Williams capitalizes as he gets to a knee and turns around with a massive punch that shoves the nail further into Sandman’s jaw! Another howl is stopped short as Ash slams into him with a clothesline that brings him down!
Williams peels Sandman off of the floor! He looks at the nearly broken wood and nails and violent thoughts flood his mind!
ALL HAIL! ORANGE CRUSH POWERBOMB FROM WILLIAMS SENDS SANDMAN INTO THE NAIL COVERED FLOOR!
NO!
THROUGH THE NAIL COVERED FLOOR!
SANDMAN CAREENS DOWN TO THE NEXT FLOOR LANDING RIGHT IN WHAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN SCARLETT’S ROOM!
Ash looks down at Sandman with anger in his eyes and takes a deep breath as he steps back!
AND LEAPS WITH THE CALL OF THE CHOSEN! SWANTON BOMB BY WILLIAMS! ASH JUST RISKED IT ALL TO TRY AND BRING DOWN SANDMAN!
Neither competitor moves, Ash laying limp on top of Sandman for a few moments before slowly getting to his feet, leaning against the nearby wall. Blood drips down his face as he takes a breath. He turns around, ready to end this!
But Sandman isn’t there! The Dream Demon is gone and Ash has no clue where he’s went!
A HAND BURSTS OUT FROM THE WALL! SANDMAN GRABS ASH AND DRAGS HIM THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROOM! ASH GETS THROWN FACE FIRST INTO THE BATHROOM MIRROR! GLASS LACERATES HIS FACE IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY!
Ash stumbles back into Sandman!
CHOKESLAM! ASH GOES BACK FIRST INTO THE TOILET AND THE PORCELAIN THRONE CRUMBLES INTO PIECES BENEATH THE FORCE OF THAT ATTACK!
Sandman watches as water gushes out onto Ash, peeling the bloodied mess off of the ground and dragging him out of the bathroom, throwing him into a wall and breaking part of the drywall!
Williams is just barely holding on and Sandman refuses to let up as he punishes Ash with boot after boot! He tosses Ash again, the monster hunter hitting the doorframe and collapsing into the ground! Sandman is going for the kill!
GLASS TO THE GUT! ASH JUST GRABBED A PIECE OF THE MIRROR AND STABBED SANDMAN!
Blood pours out of the wound and Ash shoves Sandman back before getting ready for it!
BOOMSTICK!
NO!
SANDMAN NARROWLY AVOIDS IT AND ASH’S ARM GETS CAUGHT IN THE WALL!
FORTY WINKS! FORTY WINKS TO THE TRAPPED WILLIAMS!
Sandman mercilessly and brutally flings Ash back and forth! HE FLINGS WILLIAMS ACROSS THE FUCKING HALLWAY AND INTO SCARLETT’S ROOM!
The Chosen One is motionless.
Blood seeping from his face.
And Sandman disappears, leaving him in his broken state.
“FUCK! GET BACK HERE!“As Luke lets out his anger he doesn’t see Jessie rising to his feet!OR THE MASSIVE DROPKICK THAT CATCHES THE BACK OF HIS HEAD AND SLAMS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE DOOR FRAME!
Storm’s head bounces off of the wooden entryway and he collapses to a knee!
“Forgetting someone?”
Jessie lays into Storm with a hard big boot that slams him once again into the door frame and knocks him senseless! Jessie drags Storm away from the entrance and peels him up before hitting a stiff headbutt right across the bridge of Storm’s nose! He shoves Luke back and leaps forward for a forearm-
DROP TOE HOLD! JESSIE LANDS FACE FIRST INTO A BOOK CASE!
Storm rolls to his feet and as Jessie turns around shoulder tackles him into the book case again! Williams stumbles out and gets caught with a massive hip toss that sends him to the floor!
“YOU LET SANDMAN GET AWAY!”
Storm leaps onto Jessie, mounting him before delivering a flurry of punches, lefts and rights raining down on The Prince! Nothing can seem to stop the Tempest as he lands blow after blow!
CANDLE STICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! WILLIAMS FUCKING DOMED LUKE WITH A CANDLESTICK THAT FELL OFF OF THE BOOK CASE!
Blood flicks onto the wallpaper, arcing from Storm’s now open wound! He falls off of Williams and rolls to his feet as fast as he can before escaping into an adjacent room! Jessie isn’t deterred as he chases after him, ending up in the dining room!
LIGHTINING STRIKE! STORM WAS IN WAITING AND HE NAILS JESSIE WITH A MASSIVE SUPERKICK!
Williams legs get turned to jelly and he’s looking to fall as Storm lashes out again!
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE! ANOTHER SUPERKICK DROPS WILLIAMS LIKE A TON OF BRICKS! Storm takes a moment to feel his wound, cussing to himself before he goes to continue his assault!
THUNK!
Storm stops in his tracks, turning towards the source of the sound, looking towards the upstairs!
“SANDMAN!”
He goes to chase after the sound-
BUT CATCHES A DINING ROOM CHAIR BETWEEN THE SHOULDER BLADES!
WILLIAMS IS BACK TO HIS FEET AND HE SWINGS THAT HEAVY FUCKING CHAIR AGAIN!
CRACK!
THE CHAIR BREAKS INTO PIECES ACROSS STORM’S BACK! WILLIAMS IS LEFT HOLDING SPLINTERED WOOD!
The Tempest wants to get back to his feet! But Williams refuses to let him up as he grabs plates from the table and flings them like discus at Storm!
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Storm knocks some out of the air but one hits its mark and catches him in the mouth! He reels back and Jessie leaps forwards with a short arm clothesline that slams him into the nearby wall! He follows with a wild haymaker that quells the Storm before whipping him into the dining room table!
Storm cracks back first into the heavy wooden table! Jessie grabs him-
DOWNPOUR! CODEBREAKER TO WILLIAMS!
STORM ROLLS TO HIS FEET!
LIGHTNING STRIKES A THIRD TIME AND WILLIAMS FINDS HIMSELF BACK FIRST ACROSS THE TABLE!
STORM IS ABOUT TO RUN THE WHOLE WEATHER REPORT ON THE PRINCE!
He gets onto the dining room cabinet!
THUNDER! MOONSAULT- NO! WILLIAMS JUST BARELY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AND THE TABLE CRACKS UNDER STORM’S RIBS!
The Tempest lets out a yell as Williams turns him around!
BOOMSTICK ONTO THE TABLE!
Williams crawls on after, peeling Storm to his feet!
HAIL TO THE FUCKING KING! SPINNING PILEDRIVER BREAKS THE TABLE IN TWO AND STORM’S SKULL ALONG WITH IT!
Jessie falls to one side, obviously exhausted as he crawls to the cabinet, using it to pull himself to his feet! He turns around to see Storm already beginning to stir! He stares in awe for a moment before readying the boomstick! He’s got to end this!
BOOYAH-NO! GALE FORCE BY STORM! WILLIAMS GETS CAUGHT IN THE GUT BY A KICK AND GETS ROCKED BY THE BEST STUNNER IN THE BUSINESS!
Williams stumbles backwards into the massive cabinet, Storm launching on him with a barrage of elbows, punches, knees, and kicks that force him back into the furniture behind him!
HAYMAKER- COUNTER CROSS PUNCH BY JESSIE SAVES HIM FROM A KNOCK OUT BLOW!
Both men trade blows, lefts and rights flying with impunity! Neither man wants to give an inch!
STORM BLOCKS A BLOW AND SLAMS JESSIE FACE FIRST INTO THE BOOKSHELF!
ANOTHER GALE FORCE! STUNNER!
Jessie refuses to go down! He’s still standing!
STORM GRABS THE CABINET! HE HEAVES WITH ALL OF HIS STRENGTH AND BRINGS THE MASSIVE PIECE OF FURNITURE DOWN ON JESSIE!
WILLIAMS IS TRAPPED BENEATH! HE’S KNOCKED OUT COLD!
Storm looks down at Jessie in disdain for a few moments before walking away, looking for Sandman.
After those gruelling concurrent fights throughout the Storm home, Luke leaves Jessie Williams unconscious on the ground and decides to go in search of The Sandman.He trundles through the halls of his home, falling against the damaged walls as he walks.
“Sandman!” He yells aggressively. “Show yourself, you fucking coward!”
Storm hears a noise nearby and stumbles into that room.
He’s ready to fight.
But it’s Ash Williams.
And he’s in no good shape.
Busted open, blood dripping down his skull – he barely survived that fight with The Sandman and he knows it.
“Where he is?” Storm barks.
Ash has barely pulled himself off the floor.
“He vanished,” Williams growls in reply, checking the blood on his head. “Hang on, where’s Jessie?”
Both of them stop for a moment and think about it.
Then they run.
Both of them.
Luke leads the way as they run back into the room where Storm left Jessie Williams unconscious.
But he’s not there.
“I left him right there,” Luke says pointing to the ground. “He was right there.”
They look to the wall, where written in blood, is a message.
Ash screams a guttural yell before storming out of the building as quickly as he can.
The Sandman has his son.
Jessie Williams will now be powering Lucid Falls and Sandy Rogers. That poor kid…
Cut.
Previously Recorded.Years ago…
Children.
Children everywhere.
It’s a playground, and each child seems to have their own death wish. They go headfirst down the hot metal slide. They push each other higher and higher on barely-bolted swing sets. They dive into one another, all so they can tag them and continue their game.
In other words, just children things.
It’s a foggy day, fog so thick that you can’t really tell what’s lurking behind it.
Or who.
A man, moving like a shadow, glides through the children, each of them parting like the red sea. Yet it seems as if none of them even see this man. His features are obscured, his clothes nondescript. He’s used to working in the shadows.
With a purpose in his heart, and a mission in his mind, this mystery man walks to the edge of the school yard, stepping between the fleet of school buses that will take these children back home at the end of the day.
Carefully inspecting each one, the man makes his way to one in the middle, kneeling down beside the back right tire. The shadow looks to each side to see if anyone is near before drawing a small screwdriver out of some hidden pocket.
He reaches behind the large bus tire, doing something. After a few turns, he pulls a small bolt out of the wheel well, putting it in his pocket.
He pulls out a small device, seemingly taking a picture of what he did.
We go through the camera lens to see that photo, which turns to black and white. It’s now laying atop a dossier, containing other paperwork we cannot see.
We can’t make it out, but a name is scribbled onto the photo.
Cut.
Voynich. Zero.
Two Champions.
Two impressive resumes.
Two competitors ready to lay it all on the line!
The bell rings!
DING! DING! Voynich and Zero both charge across the ring! Zero attempts an elbow that Voynich ducks. Voynich spins on his heels!
ENZIGUIRI! Voynich’s foot connects with Zero’s temple, staggering the hacker! Zero takes a few steps back!
ENZIGUIRI FROM ZERO!!!
This time it’s Voynich who staggers back! Zero kips up! A spinning heel kick finishes Voynich off and drops him to the ground. Zero quickly scoops Voynich up and whips him across the ropes!
FIREWALL!!! BIONIC ELBOW FROM ZERO!!!
NO!!! VOYNICH ROLLS UNDERNEATH AND OUT OF THE WAY!!!
VOYNICH REACHES HIS FEET AND LEAPS ONTO THE THIRD ROPE!!!
SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT BRINGS ZERO DOWN!!!
VOYNICH HOOKS THE LEGS!!!
ONE!!!
.
.
.
TWO!!!
.
.
.
NO!!!! Zero kicks out just in the nick of time!!!
Voynich immediately reaches his feet, leaps, and drops a leg across the augmented chest of the hacker! He stands back up, another leg drop, but Zero rolls away! Voynich hits the mat! This time it’s Zero who kips up!
THWACK!!! A PUNT KICK TO VOYNICH’S FACE FROM ZERO!!!
BLOOD BURSTS FROM THE OSW’S CHAMPION NOSE!!! JESUS!!!
ZERO LIFTS VOYNICH UP TO HIS FEET!!!
DDT!!!!
But Zero is far from done! You get the sense based on the way he snatches the champion by his hair and drags his unconscious body to his feet that he intends to do more than punish him. Zero wants to make a statement! He whips Voynich into the ropes. Voynich bounces off the ropes and returns to Zero!
A BACK BODY DROP SENDS VOYNICH HIGH IN THE AIR AND OVER THE TOP ROPE!!!
THE WORLD CHAMPION TUMBLES TO THE GROUND OUTSIDE!!!
Zero grins. He soaks in the crowds jeers as though he were a sponge as he climbs to the top rope. He signals to the crowd as the jeering swells into a feverish outcry of boos. Voynich slowly begins to climb to his feet. Zero waits patiently, times it up just right!
ZERO LEAPS!!!
CORKSCREW FUCKING PLANCHA OUTSIDE THE RING FROM THE TOP ROPE!!!
NO!!! VOYNICH TAKES ZERO DOWN WITH A SUPERKICK OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE!!! THE CORKSCREW PLANCHA COUNTERED PERFECTLY BY THE ARCHAEOLOGIST!!!
“HOLY SHIT!!! HOLY SHIT!!! HOLY SHIT!!!”
Both champions lay on the ground outside of the ring, motionless but for their chests moving up and down, sucking in every bit of oxygen they can.
But it’s the World Champion who first begins to stir to his feet. Zero starts moving shortly after him. However, Voynich reaches his feet first, and he whips Zero into the steel guard rail!
CRASH!!! Zero collides into the railing and his body bounces off it like a ragdoll! Immediately, Voynich picks Zero up and whips him into the railing again!!
Finally, Voynich grabs Zero and rolls him back into the ring. Voynich quickly follows suit!
But…
…
Suddenly?
…
…
…
THE LIGHTS GO OUT!!!
ALL OF THE SHOW LAZERS, SPOTLIGHTS, AND BEAMS IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE TARGET THE WORLD CHAMPION’S EYES!!!
HE CAN’T SEE A FUCKING THING!!!
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!?!?!
…
CRACK!!!
JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!! A STEEL CHAIR RIGHT ACROSS VOYNICH’S DOME DROPS HIM LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES!!! ZERO LAUGHS!!!
GOD DAMN IT, ZERO STILL HAS THE ARENA TECHNOLOGY HACKED AND UNDER HIS CONTROL!!!
WHAT A FUCKING LOWLIFE!!!
CRACK!!! CRACK!!! CRACK!!! CRACK!!! CRACK!!!
CHAIR SHOT AFTER CHAIR SHOT AFTER FUCKING CHAIR SHOT TO THE CHAMPION!!!
ZERO IS BEATING VOYNICH INTO A SMALL, PULPY MASS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!!! AND VOYNICH, BLINDED BY EVERY BEAM AND LASER IN THE ARENA, IS COMPLETELY FUCKING HELPLESS!!!
ZERO THROWS THE CHAIR TO THE SIDE AND MAKES THE COVER ON VOYNICH, HOOKS THE LEG!!!
ONE!!!
.
.
.
TWO!!!
.
.
.
NO!!! NOT LIKE THIS!!!
.
.
.
THREEEEEEEEEEE!!!
.
.
.
NO!!!! VOYNICH KICKS OUT!!! THE WORLD CHAMP KICKS OUT!!!
But what is he to do?? Realistically, what on Earth can the champion do here against Zero??
Zero picks Voynich up and drops him right back down on the mat with a scoop slam! Zero is quick to pick Voynich back up, every light still targeting his eyes, rendering him totally helpless. Zero lifts Voynich up on his shoulders!!!
CPU DRIVER!!!!
THE BURNING FUCKING HAMMER FROM ZERO!!!
VOYNICH HAS TO BE DONE FOR!!! ZERO MAKES THE COVER!!!
ONE!!!
.
.
.
TWO!!!!
.
.
.
THREEEEEEEEE!!!!
It’s over! It’s fucking over! And Zero has won–
NO!!! THE REFEREE SEES VOYNICH’S FOOT ON THE ROPES!!! WOW!!!
Zero cannot believe it. He’s practically burned Voynich’s eyes out. He’s beaten the living shit out of him with the steel chair. He’s dropped him with the CPU Driver! And none of it has been enough to keep the resilient Voynich’s shoulders on the mat for three seconds!!!
Suddenly, a damn near evil smile spreads across Zero’s face. He stands up, walks over to the chair, and scoops it up off the floor. Steel chair in hand, the hacker climbs to the top rope.
WHAT DOES THIS SICK SON OF A BITCH HAVE IN MIND!?
Zero places the steel chair behind his back. He focuses in on Voynich’s body!
ZERO LEAPS!!!
SENTON BOMB WITH THE FUCKING STEEL CHAIR TO VOYNICH!!!
CRASH!!!
VOYNICH’S KNEES!!! VOYNICH’S KNEES!!! VOYNICH’S KNEES!!! HE GOT THEM UP!!! ZERO IS PRACTICALLY CRUCIFIED ACROSS THE STEEL CHAIR WITH THE FAILED SENTON ATTEMPT THANKS TO VOYNICH’S COUNTER!!!
VOYNICH REACHES OUT!!! HE GRABS ZERO’S SUNGLASSES AND PUTS THEM ON!!!
VOYNICH CAN FINALLY SEE!!!
He stands to his feet!!! All the lights in the Slaughterhouse focused on his eyes don’t mean anything anymore, thanks to Voynich’s smart thinking!!!
Voynich waits for Zero to reach his feet. Zero slowly staggers up to his feet, swaying and stumbling, grabbing at his no-doubt hurt back. Finally, Voynich grabs Zero around the head!
VOYNICH RUNS FOR THE TURNBUCKLES!!!
HE RUNS UP THEM AND FLIPS!!!
THE EIGHTH WONDER!!! SLICED BREAD NUMBER 2!!! HE NAILS IT!!! VOYNICH NAILS IT!!! HE MAKES THE COVER, HOOKS THE LEG!!!
ONE!!!
.
.
.
TWO!!!!
.
.
.
THREEEEEEEEE!!!!
The OSW World Champion has done it! Against all the odds, all of the hacks, and everything else, he has defeated Zero in the Fists of Rage main event!!!
In the middle of the ring.It isn’t long since Voynich and Zero fought here in a brutal Main Event – but now they stand exhausted at ringside, surrounded by everyone else.
From Luke Storm to Blood Money Inc and many in between, everyone now stands outside the ring looking at The Butcher, who stands in the middle of it with his hand wrapped up, alongside D’von Chambers.
Creatures like The Sandman are of course notably absent.
“I called you here today because everything is about to change. I look across this sea of faces and I see so much hatred and animosity towards each other, but the true war has yet to truly begin.”
Colin turns his attention to the ramp.
“I know you’re out there; I know you’re backstage somewhere, confined to these walls,” he growls. “That means you have to fight your war on our terms inside this ring. Reveal yourselves, so that we can see our enemy.”
There’s a long silence.
Then suddenly, the entire arena dips into darkness.
Niggas wanna be the King, but
Long Live the Chief!”
What!?
A bright white light illuminates the entrance ramp as The Chief of all people steps out onto the stage. He’s wearing an all-white suit and slowly walks his way to the ring itself.
D’von Chambers looks as if he’s seen a ghost, and as well he should have.
The Chief – the Bloodline to Christ, The Holy Grail – he died when giving his body as a vessel to Yahweh, who perished when Death killed all of the Gods.
How is he here?
He steps inside the ring and reveals a microphone.
D’von immediately bows.
“My Lord, thy have risen,” he says with his head lowered.
The Chief puts a hand on his shoulder.
“Not quite,” he says to D’von’s surprise.
Chambers looks up, his brow furrowed.
“I never thought I’d ever be back here,” The Chief admits whilst looking around the new faces. “Not in a million fuckin’ years.”
The Butcher, likewise shocked into utter silence, doesn’t know what to do or say. He just remains dead still.
“When the God’s died, heaven became unstable. There became cracks in armour we thought was impenetrable. As an angel, I was tasked to lead an heavenly army to defend it against our attackers; The Underworld.”
No-one can quite believe it.
“The battle you bore witness to was a skirmish between heaven, hell and something we aren’t quite sure of yet. That skirmish landed here because of you, D’von.”
Chambers stands up, not quite sure what that means.
“When you perished the first time, you were sent to the Underworld for your sins; only for Yahweh to pluck you from perdition and give you a second chance in paradise. You’ll remember neither.”
D’von looks stunned.
“Sigil brought us here.”
Suddenly, a portal opens up in the middle of the ring and Sigil appears.
The Collector doesn’t act at first, he just looks towards The Chief.
“Speak of him and he shall appear,” Chief says with a smile. “You’re responsible for this.”
“I was trying to get to you,” he admits. “When I used Chambers blood it was because I knew he’d been in heaven. What I didn’t count on, was that he’d been to hell too. I needed to talk with someone in Heaven. I’m guessing you’re that someone?”
The Chief steps forward to look at Sigil.
“I’m the Chief Angel – the most senior and foremost of those in Heaven. But that doesn’t matter. The battle between Heaven and Hell takes place within The Slaughterhouse – we’ve been locked within these walls. Should Hell win, there will be no paradise for the souls to traverse; only misery in every ounce of the after-life. The Demons will reveal themselves soon – they will make deals to use bodies as vessels and they will fight to win. Only those of us in the skirmish were transported here; that means we have limited…”
Suddenly, The Collector grabs The Chief and pulls him through the portal, which vanishes before The Butcher or D’von Chambers can hear those final words.
That’s when we hear it.
Growls.
Demonic growls.
Everyone at ringside scatters in different directions as panic immediately takes over.
There’s a war between Heaven and Hell inside The Slaughterhouse and there’s no God to have mercy on their souls.
Where the hell as Sigil taken The Chief?
Cut.