SOMEWHERE ELSE
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
It’s a chilly, dark, New York City night as we join The Butcher beside a Grave. He’s knelt on the slightly wet floor, tending to the headstone with care.
As he brushes small twigs and debris away, his eyes slowly well up with tears.
“I’ve failed you so terribly,” he admits, quietly sobbing to himself. “I fucked up, hon.”
He wipes his eyes.
“I just wanted to see you again. That’s why I did it. I know that you’d have never sacrificed what I did,” he says solemnly. “But now I’m stuck. I’m so close to losing everything and I don’t know what to do.”
Cough.
Colin peers over his shoulder, looking at Lance Norman who stands behind him with Rick Plant and Anna Goodchild beside him.
“There’s more to you than meets the eye, isn’t there Butch?” Lance says, careful to keep his distance. “Something you’re not telling us, perhaps?”
The Butcher stands up, only Plant and Goodchild converge to ensure he doesn’t get too close.
“You’ve been following me?” Colin sneers. “Did you think I’d lead you to it?”
Lance nods.
“I thought there was a chance.”
Colin steps even closer, this time stopping right before Norman’s protection.
“It’s safe and in a place where no-one will find it; especially you,” Colin says with a smirk. “So, follow me all you want, fuckhead.”
Plant suddenly reacts, cracking The Butcher as hard as he can in the jaw with a right hand.
Colin doesn’t stumble.
He just re-arranges his jaw.
“That all you got?” He asks.
Rick quickly attempts to strike again, only The Butcher grabs him with one hand around the throat and squeezes.
Within seconds, ‘Power’ is on his knees, choking.
Goodchild approaches but Norman wisely pulls her back, realizing the position they’re in.
“I think it’s time you people were introduced to the real me,” he groans, holding Rick Plant on his knees. “And I’m done fucking around.”
Colin pushes Plant backwards onto the ground, watching as he clutches at his throat, spewing and coughing for air.
“Before all this began, I was the one man in New York you didn’t fuck with,” he announces proudly. “Then my wife died. Then The Skull Order convinced me to sacrifice all I had left to see her; only it never transpired. You can see there’s more to me Lance? Good. Because at Red Snow, when all is said and done, we’re going to get better acquainted.”
The Butcher almost growls as he walks away, leaving Lance Norman to gulp in sheer terror.
SINGLES MATCH
Two heavy hitters in Jac Bastard and Punchout find themselves in the crosshairs of someone looking for more than just a fight in Vex!
Bastard sends her to the ropes, sending her to the outside with a clothesline before turning his attention to Punchout…who clocks him with a massive right hand!
Jac is sent reeling to the corner, where Punchout continues the attack with some heavy punches to the midsection before winding up for a big haymaker…but Vex comes running in from behind, dropping him to one knee with a chop block with a resounding THUD!
This ends up serving as an opportunity for Bastard to get back into the swing of things, immediately going after Punchout with some hard strikes of his own…but is cut off by an increasingly angry Vex, who unloads a set of quick strikes on Bastard before she goes for a DDT!
CRAAAAACK! HEADBUTT BY BASTARD, TAKING VEX DOWN HARD!
Vex is down and out as Bastard goes for the cover!
ONE!
PUNCHOUT WITH A LEG DROP TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
The heavy hitters go back at it, trading punches with Mr. KO clearly having an advantage as he sends Bastard reeling to the corner once more. This time, however, Punchout takes a couple step backs, warming himself up before going for a shoulder tackle…
…Only for Bastard to dodge at the last second, which sends Punchout on a one-way trip into the steel post! Mr. KO is favoring his shoulder now as he turns his attention back to Bastard…
MUMBLES SMILE! ROLLING ELBOW TO THE HEAD OF PUNCHOUT, AND BASTARD’S GOING FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT BY PUNCHOUT!
Punchout gets to his feet as Bastard smirks, still confident that he’ll put the big man down tonight. Vex has other plans however, once again going on the attack with another flurry of offense that sends Punchout to the outside! Punchout looks like he’s completely out of it after his earlier battle with Bastard in this matchup!
Vex looks excited to have things under control as she turns her attention to Punchout, charging at Mr. KO as fast as she can…
…BUT IT’S BASTARD WHO KNOCKS HER OUT COLD WITH THE GYPSY KISS! COVER BY BASTARD, AS THE WEAKENED PUNCHOUT IS STILL ON THE OUTSIDE!
ONE!
TWO!!
PUNCHOUT HAS MADE IT INTO THE THE RING…
…THREE!!
Jac Bastard just manages to squeak out a win in this triple threat match, defeating Vex in the process!
RINGSIDE
After a hard fought battle, both Jac Bastard and Punchout set their eyes on each other, completely ignoring Vex who is slumped in the opposite turnbuckle.
“You need to get out of my ring, prick! I’m gonna teach the little cunt a lesson about what happens when she takes a swing at the king,” Bastard bellows, signaling for Punchout to leave the ring.
Punchout quick shoves Bastard, showing the Welsh madman he intends to go nowhere.
“Fuck you, this little bitch is mine. I’m going to mess her up so bad that she’ll end up an act in our freak show.”
Punchout and Jac Bastard begin trading blows, each unable to knock the other off their feet. In the corner, Vex stands and begins laughing at the sight of the two brawling men.
“Boys, boys, there’s no need to fight over little ole me. There’s plenty to go around. Plus, our time together is not quite through,” Vex states, grinning broadly.
Both Punchout and Bastard realize their true enemy and turn their attention to Vex. All of a sudden, the lights of the Slaughterhouse begin to flicker and turn off. Vex begins to shake violently with her eyes rolling back into her head. A screeching voice begins to echo within the arena.
“Vex, you have failed me for the last time, your reckoning is here”
“No master, I haven’t failed you, I can still fix this,” Vex screams, fighting back the intense pain overtaking her body.
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
The lights of the Slaughterhouse quickly come on. Jac Bastard and Punchout look around the ring, but Vex is gone, vanished into thin air.
Cut.
SOMEWHERE ELSE
A few days ago.
Sigil and Voynich are searching through the library of Alexandria, they are in KL’s personal collection.
Voynich is surveying the place.
“Monty said it was in his contestant’s old office so you would think it’s here in the collection.”
“You would think, wouldn’t you? I didn’t amass my collection by thinking Voynich and neither did this contestant it seems, we amassed it by searching, so stop thinking and help me search.”
Voynich shrugs and resentfully nods.
“We can do it your way Sigil, this isn’t about preservation, this is about power.”
“Now you’re getting it.”
They are scouring through every cabinet they can find, even forcing open ones that are locked.
Nothing they find is getting them any closer until Voynich finds a purple key with the word office engraved into it.
“I think I stumbled upon the contestant’s key.”
“Now, we just have to find the office.”
They take the elevator to the lobby and talk to the librarian.
“Where’s KL’s office?”
“In the basement, of course, it’s the foundation of this institution but we haven’t been able to get into it.”
“Ah, ok, understood, keys get lost. Thanks anyway.”
Sigil and Voynich nod. They go to the elevator again but this time all the way to the basement.
“There it is, purple door and everything, you would think it’s his favorite color or something. “
Sigil shakes his head.
“I’m tired of seeing it, to be honest, let’s just go in.”
They open the door but this is no office. It’s a temple, every single piece of ancient writing adorns its walls and in the center of it all is a large tablet with a language hard to decipher covering it.
“Go on Sigil, this is your moment.”
Sigil walks to the tablet and touches it carefully.
Power unlike any he has felt surges through him. He can understand all language including what is written on the tablet. He deciphers it with ease.
He tells Voynich what he read and how it feels.
“You think it would work for me?”
“You can try, if anything it would help your scholarly ways.”
Voynich touches it but something is off.
“I don’t feel anything.”
“Interesting, I feel more powerful than I have ever been but I’ve seen this before, sometimes artifacts are picky about who they will themselves to.”
“Well, we have what you wanted, now what?”
“We wait.”
Sigil snaps his fingers and makes two portals appear.
Cut.
SINGLES MATCH
The Queen of Flames takes on the VHS Champion… Will Pyre be All That Remains? Or will it be the Last Gunslinger who rides off with the victory?
The bell rings and this one is underway. The big, powerhouse Bishop bulles Pyre into the corner with a running shoulder block, and proceeds to ram his shoulder into her midsection over and over. Pyre attempts to cover up as Bishop pummels her with rights and lefts, mixing it up between her stomach and up top. He finishes it off with a hard right that drops her into a seated position in the corner.
He grabs her by her hair and wrangles her up onto her feet. Bishop scoops up Pyre and drops her face first on the top turnbuckle.
Bishop hits the ropes, he charges at Pyre full steam ahead–
BIG BOOT ACROSS THE FACE! CROSSHAIRS!!!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-NO! Kickout.
Pyre gets to her knees and Bishop shoves her head. Pyre strikes him in the gut but it doesn’t faze the champion. He pulls her up onto her feet by her hair and she immediately goes on the offensive. Multiple kicks to the legs of Bishop, trying to chop him down to size. Running shoulder block barely budges Bishop. Pyre runs the ropes, and ducks underneath a clothesline. She comes running back —
TILT-A-WHIRL HEADSCISSORS!!!
She immediately hops over the top rope and sizes up her opponent. She springboards onto the top rope– HURRICANRANA!!! The momentum of the maneuver sends Bishop to the outside. Pyre gaining the upperhand, she dashes across the ring and dives between the middle and bottom ropes–
LOPE SUICIDA!!!
NO!
Bishop catches her in mid air and tosses her over his head like a rag doll onto the concrete floor. He grabs her by her fiery locks and hits her on the crown of her head with the point of his elbow. He delivers a hard knee to the midsection and then proceeds to toss her into the barricade. Bishop tosses her into the ring post as she screams in anguish. Bishop points at her and locks in his target. He charges at her but at the last moment she escapes–BISHOP HEAD FIRST INTO THE POST! He staggers backwards, trying to shake off the cobwebs. He reaches up to his forehead and stares at his hand, covered in blood. This angers him, he looks up–
Pyre dives through the middle and bottom turnbuckles–DIVING SLINGSHOT TORNADO DDT ON THE FLOOR!!!
Bishops bloody head bounces off the floor, stamping it crimson. Pyre backs up into the ring apron and wipes the corners of her mouths with the back of her hand as Bishop staggers back onto his feet. She manages to push him back into the ring and hops onto the ring apron. Bishop, blood pouring from his forehead, groggily turns around. Pyre leaps onto the top rope with grace and speed, and flies into the air with a picture perfect flying clothesline that takes the big man off of his feet.
COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!
Pyre smacks the ring canvas in frustration as Bishop starts to stir. Pyre sizes him up and runs the ropes–
BISHOP TOSSES HER INTO THE AIR AND SLAMS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT!
He wipes the blood off of his face and stares at it in his hand. He angrily peels Pyre off of the mat and ragdolls her up and drops her onto the canvas with a huge powerbomb! He holds on! He lifts her up again and drops her in a heap with another powerbomb!
NO!
HE’S NOT DONE!
He powers her up once more and charges for the corner–
BUCKLE BOMB!!!
He charges at her in the corner-
WHAT WAS THAT?!?!
PYRE JUST TOSSED A FIREBALL INTO BISHOP’S FACE!!!
HE STUMBLES BACKWARDS AND RUBS HIS EYES TRYING TO REGAIN HIS VISION.
Pyre scales the ropes, perched on the top turnbuckle.. She leaps into the air…
DANCING FLAMES!!! DANCING FLAMES!!!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Pyre picks up a huge victory over the VHS Champion! A brutal battle of fire and crimson, but she is All That Remains!
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Alton Whitlock sits in the back of a black SUV as it coasts through the city night.
The vehicle comes to a halt at a stoplight in a busy commercial district. A pair of huge digital billboards display a Telegon ad. A TV in a shop window shows footage from the election controversy.
Outside, a family is playfully stomping in the leaves, laughing.
Alton closes his eyes, relaxing for just a moment.
“Mr. Whitlock…,” his driver says suddenly–with a noticeable panic.
As Whitlock opens his eyes, he already knows what he’ll find:
The masked visage of Anonymous. It’s staring at him from every screen within sight.
The digital billboards, the storefront televisions, the phones of bystanders, and even the console screen in Whitlock’s SUV. He occupies them all.
“Open the sunroof,” Whitlock says calmly. “And if my campaign megaphone is still up there, hand it to me.”
As the sunroof opens, Whitlock leaps to the top of the car, megaphone in his hand.
“You may think you can frighten us,” Whitlock begins.
“Demoralize us.”
“Intimidate us.”
“You may believe that you can break my spirit. And the spirit of the American people.”
“But you will not succeed, Anonymous.”
“You will fail. Because you do not dream! Because you do not believe in anything!”
“But I do. I believe in a better world.”
“And I can see more clearly than ever that building that better world starts with ending you.”
“All you want is to watch the world burn,” Whitlock says. “But I don’t think you want it bad enough.”
“This ends tonight!” Whitlock shouts. People on the street begin to cheer. Whitlock stares defiantly at the myriad images of Anonymous.
Then the laughing starts.
On the screen, Anonymous’s head barely moves. But a noise emerges from electronic devices all around: a shrill, distorted, sickening, maniacal laugh. It’s absolutely ear-piercing.
People around the SUV drop to their knees. Store windows shatter; the windshield of Alton’s SUV develops a long, thin crack.
Suddenly, all the screens go black. The noise stops.
Whitlock looks out at the crowd around him–then climbs down to check on the people in the area.
Cut.
BACKSTAGE
Backstage, Monty Straight is walking down the halls getting mentally ready for his match.
He’s grabbed from behind by Hayden Hardkore and Cody Williams!
Tyler Brooks opens a door nearby and they shove him in!
They follow right behind him.
“What is this? Another interrogation? While I understand the appeal of a common trope, you got to change it up a bit guys.”
Hayden starts to laugh.
“Change it up? You’re a punk ass game show host, you don’t change anything.”
Monty shrugs and Tyler speaks.
“Anyway, yes but it’s not like last time unless you make it that way, look at the table.”
In front of Monty is a wooden table with ten stone tablets on top of it.
“We found the tablets at the largest library, now which one is it?”
“Did you steal every single one?”
Terror Squad all shrug and laugh.
“Fair enough, sorry boys, it’s not any of them. You went to the wrong library.”
The mood in the room changes and Cody grabs the back of Monty’s hair!
“The wrong library!? Are you sure about that? Are you sure these are the wrong tablets? Take a closer look.”
Cody smashes Monty’s head into the tablet!
Monty looks out of it as Cody and Tyler lay him on the table!
Hayden Hardkore climbs some shelving in the room!
He jumps!
Flying Kiwi!
He hits all of it and Monty is driven through the table!
Tyler stands over him!
“Well if you don’t have any information for us, it looks like our time together is over, we have to get ready for our match.”
Terror Squad make their way to the ring while Monty is lying in a heap!
Cut.
TRIOS MATCH
It is time for our trios match! Terror Squad is taking on Collector’s Edition and Monty Straight! They have been searching for the mighty tablet but it is time for action in a ring not words on a stone! What team will come out on top? We find out next!
TERROR SQUAD IS MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE RING!
THEY’RE LOOKING SMUG AND ACTING LIKE THEY’VE ALREADY WON THIS!
THEY’RE ON THE RAMP!
WHAT?!
THEY’VE FALLEN?!
A PORTAL IS ON THE RAMP!
WHERE HAVE THEY GONE?!
THUD!
“Hello, boys.”
THEY’RE IN THE TEMPLE!
THE FIGHT IS IN THE TEMPLE!
Sigil and Voynich rush at Terror Squad! Sigil and Voynich hit studio basement dropkicks! Tyler Brooks and Hayden Hardkore are down! Cody hits a running knee strike to Voynich! Sigil starts throwing massive right hands! He is following with elbow strike after elbow strike! Tyler Brooks comes from behind with a massive chop block! Jumping knee strike by Cody! Sigil is down in a heap!
THE NUMBERS GAME HAS CAUGHT UP TO THEM!
TYLER DOES A SLIT THE THROAT GESTURE!
HE IS READY TO FINISH THIS ALREADY!
CODY HOLDS UP A PRONE SIGIL!
EYE OF THE SAVIOR!
SPINNING BACK ELBOW!
NO! VOYNICH PULLS SIGIL AWAY!
TYLER BUSTS OPEN HIS OWN TEAMMATE AND CODY IS DOWN!
The numbers have been evened up a bit for now! Voynich takes advantage of a stunned Tyler and nails him with a jumping neck breaker! Hayden Hardkore hits a crisp dropkick to Voynich when he gets up! Sigil and Hayden start throwing rights and lefts at each other!
SIGIL IS GETTING THE ADVANTAGE!
HARD PUNCH AFTER PUNCH!
SIGIL HOLDS HIS HANDS UP LIKE CLAWS AND STARTS CLAWING AWAY AT EVERY LIMB OF HAYDEN!
FOR THE COLLECTION!
NO!
LOW BLOW FROM CODY!
SIGIL HUNCHES OVER AND HAYDEN GRABS THE HEAD AND PUTS IT IN PILEDRIVER POSITION!
HE FLIPS!
CANADIAN DESTROYER ON THE STONE FLOOR OF THE TEMPLE!
HAYDEN GETS UP AND MARCHES TOWARDS VOYNICH BUT VOYNICH LEVELS HIM WITH THE ISHTAR GATE!
THAT RUNNING LARIAT TURNS HIM INSIDE OUT!
Hayden and Sigil are both down and Voynich does a quick dropkick to the knee of Cody. Cody drops to a knee and Voynich hits a superkick to the prone Cody! Voynich pulls Cody and Irish whips him into the wall! One of the ancient writings falls beside him and Voynich smirks!
HE PULLS CODY UP BY THE NECK!
HE RUNS TOWARD THE WALL!
HE RUNS UP THE WALL AND FLIPS!
EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD!
HE HITS ALL OF THAT SLICED BREAD!
TYLER INSTANTLY RUNS IN WITH A PUNT TO THE FACE OF VOYNICH!
Tyler is stomping away on Voynich! Tyler drags him up to his feet and starts slapping him! “You two got your hands on the tablets, all that means is we have to kill you quicker.” Tyler Sparta kicks Voynich to the wall! He drags one of the ancient writings and leans it against Voynich’s head! He has evil intentions here!
TYLER BACKS UP!
HE CHARGES!
RUNNING DROPKICK!
NO!
SPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE BY MONTY STRAIGHT!
SIGIL KNEW EXACTLY WHERE TO PUT THE SECOND PORTAL AND MONTY HAS SAVED VOYNICH FROM CATASTROPHE!
Monty pulls the ancient writing off Voynich and he winks to Sigil! Collector’s Edition and Monty Straight all pull up Tyler! They are ready to end this! Voynich and Monty Straight lift Tyler in a double back suplex position and they nod at Sigil!
SIGIL BACKS UP AND CHARGES!
PLANESWALKER!
SIGIL GOT ALL OF THAT RUNNING DROPKICK!
VOYNICH AND MONTY FALL FOR THE SUPLEX WITH IT!
TYLER IS HIT WITH SO MUCH FORCE, HE SPIKES THE BACK OF HIS HEAD ON THE FLOOR!
TYLER IS OUT COLD!
IT’S OVER!
Collector’s Edition and Monty Straight come out victorious against a very game Terror Squad!
RINGSIDE
Alice…
Dear, Sweet Alice.
Have a look around.
Alice opens her eyes. Only, these aren’t her eyes at all, are they? They don’t feel like her eyes. They don’t see like her eyes.
But everywhere, everything, everyone she can see…
Why, they’ve been reduced to ash and soot.
Well, everyone but the fair lady who stands before her.
“Are you the Red Queen? You look… Different.”
Not quite. She says, though her mouth does not move. I am, however, the queen of fire.
Pyre. In all her blazing glory.
We are standing in what is left of your lost mind, Sweet Alice. I’m afraid I found it long before you and, well, if you know anything about me, you know that I couldn’t simply let a lost mind be found without leaving my mark on it first.
“Are you returning it to me, then, o’ Queen of Fire? I miss it dearly.”
For now.
“Oh, thank you. Thank you. But I must be going. I’m afraid I’m late for my match with my new friend, Banzan. I simply can’t be late.”
Foolish girl. Do you honestly believe Banzan is your friend? No. Believe me. Now that I’ve returned your mind to you, he’ll be able to find the answers to his questions. In truth, Banzan is more your enemy at this moment than he ever was your friend.
The sad fact of it all is, he never meant to help you. He was looking for your mind only so he could find his answer. Had he truly intended to help you, he may have found the answer he was looking for.
“Will he not find it now?”
Perhaps. But he’ll have to sift through the ashes if he intends to find it in here. I’m afraid the only thing you know at this exact moment, Alice, is what it is to burn.
“But why? Why have you done this to me.”
A smile spreads across Pyre’s face.
I wanted to.
BANZAN VS. SWEET ALICE
REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP
Months of questions in the hunt for truth in the death of a beloved friend has lead the Mountain to an unlikely source of truth but can he unravel the mind of madness or will Sweet Alice be the final dead end in this tireless search?
The bell sounds as Sweet Alice rushes forward, trying for a flurry of blows that the Mountain easily blocks. Alice grabs him by the head, but an attempt at a DDT is powered out before a sharp headbutt staggers Alice back. Alice shakes out the cobwebs before rushing forward, feinting high before managing to get Banzan down to one knee with a legsweep before leaping high right into Banzan’s clutches
URANAGE SLAM!
Banzan nearly drives Alice through the mat, spiking her on the back of her head as the Mountain tries to pull up to follow up
THROAT THRUST!
Alice playing possum here, driving the points of her fingertips into the adams apple of Banzan, the Mountain struggling to breath as he lunges forward with a wild right that Alice dodges, delivering a hard bellclap across both ears that disorientate Banzan before a hard right hook to the bridge of the nose stuns the Mountain, Sweet Alice leaping up high
SPIKE DDT!
The Mountain gets driven into the mat as Alice hops up high
TERRIBLY LATE!
The Legdrop crashes down hard on the Mountain, Alice staying down in the legdrop position for an early pinfall attempt
ONE
…..
TW…..
HARD KICKOUT!
Alice gets thrown clean off the Mountain, The Dreamer rolling through as she tries for a running dropkick to the face but Banzan catches it, holding Alice in the air as he gets to his feet before throwing her hard into the turnbuckles. Alice manages to grab hold of the corner, springboarding off
RIGHT INTO A ROUNDHOUSE KICK!
Sweet Alice collapses to the mat, all 340+ pounds put into that monstrous kick as she may be out cold. Banzan isn’t convinced, pulling the limp Alice up as he lifts her up high with a pair of stiff knees before spinning her around
DUKKA!
Saito Suplex as once again Alice lands on the back of her head with a thud, Banzan immediately going for the cover
ONE
…..
TWO
…..
…..
KICKOUT! 2.9999
Alice just gets the shoulder up, just avoiding the loss there as she stumbles to her feet into a knee to the jaw that rocks her
TIGER CLAW!
The Five Point Palm leaves Alice out on her feet as Banzan backs up, looking for the killing blow as he rushes forward
MAGG…..ALICE DUCKS UNDER! The Dreamer continues running to the ropes, springboarding off as she leaps up in a hopping motion
STANDING TERRIBLY LATE!
Sweet Alice takes Banzan down out of nowhere with a Leg Lariat but she doesn’t waste a single motion, rolling down with the Mountain before quickly locking in a Camel Clutch on the stunned Banzan
TEA PARTY!
Alice has the hold locked in tight, the Mountain trying to fight out of it but Alice is clinging onto him like a furious hellcat as the lack of oxygen begins to make the champion fade. Alice hooks back with all her might as Banzan gets a large rush of energy, leaping forward
GRABBING THE ROPES AS HE BREAKS THE HOLD!
The effects of the hold have taken their toll on the Mountain though as he struggles to stand right into
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE!
Alice quickly hooks both legs for the cover
ONE
….
TWO
…..
NEW CHAMPION?
….KICKOUT!
Banzan just gets the shoulder up but Alice doesn’t waste any time in anger, quickly heading to the apron as she looks to take Banzan’s damn head off to win her second championship. The Mountain staggering to his feet as Alice slingshots over the ropes
OFF WITH HIS HEAD!
The Slingshot Lariat hits hard as Alice collapses onto the falling Mountain for the cover
ONE
…..
TWO
…..
…..
THREE!!!!
Sweet Alice does it here tonight, her mind might be in pieces but she’s the new Rewind Champion either way
RINGSIDE
After that fantastic match, Banzan gets back to his feet, utterly exhausted.
He’s no closer to the answers he’s been searching for.
For months, Banzan has watched someone murder those close to and around him. He’s been unable to tie down a suspect, until now.
Sweet Alice.
She bumbles back to her feet, still shocked about Pyre – almost as if she doesn’t know what’s hit her.
“I need to know if it was you,” Banzan says, approaching Alice menacingly. He lifts her off the ground by her throat, walking her backwards into the corner.
She chokes, gasping for air.
“Did you kill Aesop?” He barks. “What about Gabriel Drake?”
Suddenly, a fireball erupts over Banzan’s shoulder, forcing him to dive and roll to the left to avoid another. He spins to see Pyre, stood with a smile.
“You can’t kill her, Banzan,” she declares. “Alice is ours.”
The Mountain rises.
“She didn’t kill your friend. She isn’t responsible; that much I can assure you.”
He looks utterly deflated.
Suddenly, Alice and Pyre vanish.
Just like that.
In an instant.
Perhaps into Wonderland?
The Mountain gloomily places his hands on his hips and begins making his way towards the entrance ramp.
He stops at the top, looking back at the crowd with one last shake of the head.
BOOM!
A thunderous boom echoes throughout The Slaughterhouse as blood, viscera and clumps of red gloop fly across our screens.
Banzan is damn near eviscerated.
Cut in half.
His body lying on the middle of the ramp with a ginormous hole in the middle. He chokes, looking up with blood spewing from his mouth.
At first, all he can see is the Shotgun.
Smoke pouring out.
Then the face of his killer.
Bishop.
Dressed in the attire of an outlaw, Bishop stands with the shotgun pointed at the face of Banzan, a wry smile on his face.
“Lookin’ for me, son?” He asks casually.
Jesus Christ.
Bishop is the Serial Killer?
He chuckles to himself.
“Now, come on, don’t make me look bad,” he says, tapping a bleeding out Banzan on the shoulder. “We both know what happens next, don’t we?”
A white aura suddenly begins to fill the air around them.
“There you go,” Bishop says as he backs away.
The aura drives itself like a force inside of Banzan, healing his wounds from the inside out. The Mountain stands, wiping the blood away from his mouth.
Just like that, he’s whole again.
“Why?” He growls.
“Because killing Monsters is what I do.” The Hunter says with a tip of his cap. “It’s what I’ve always done. Whilst men like Malice and Thom were fighting one war for our great country, I’ve been fighting another.”
The Mountain goes to take another step, but the Shotgun stops him.
“I know what you are, Banzan. I knew what they all were.”
There’s a slight pause.
“I’ll be seeing you at Red Snow and when I do, I’ll put you down just like I did them.”
Slowly but surely, Bishop backs away.
Clearly, a Shotgun isn’t enough.
But what is?
SINGLES MATCH
Two of Dr. D’Ville’s monstrous creations clash inside The Slaughterhouse. Who will have the last laugh and who will leave with their heart in tatters on the last stop towards Red Snow, the Ring King or Mr. Make Believe!!!
DING! DING!
Both men are less than two feet apart in the middle of the ring. Nygma is laughing, SeeSaw unloads a big right hand. Nygma LAUGHS. Huge overarm left from Mr. Make Believe. Nygma takes the blow with a step back. He LAUGHS. SeeSaw runs at Nygma and floors him with a savage headbutt. Nygma shakes his head, smears the blood from the wound that has gushing out his nose and LAUGHS. SeeSaw starts to LAUGH back.
Nygma gets back to his feet, these two crazies are facing each other LAUGHING like teenagers on a Nos sesh. SeeSaw swings an arm but Nygma ducks and drills Mr. Make Believe into the back with a back drop suplex. SeeSaw gets to his feet, Nygma runs at him….
NEVERMIND!!!
NYGMA NAILS THE IMPLANT DDT!!!
But no cover from The Laughing Man. Instead he pulls out a set of brass knux from his outfit. SeeSaw gets to his feet and Nygma punches him between the eyes. Mr. Make Believe stumbles back into a corner, Nygma runs in and plants a hard shot into his ribs, then slams his fist into the side of SeeSaw’s head.
BRUTAL SHOTS FROM THE RING KING! THERE’S BLOOD TRICKLING OUT OF SEESAW’S FACE!
Nygma is choking SeeSaw on the top rope but Mr. Make Believe counters with a mule kick. Nygma turns away holding his groin, but he’s still laughing. SeeSaw wraps lassoes his arms around Nygma’s neck…
WOODY’S ROUND UP!!!
AND NOW THE STRETCH ARMSTRONG!!!
SeeSaw has his foot planted on Nygma’s back and he’s yanking back Nygma’s arms. There is still LAUGHING but this time it’s from Mr. Make Believe and Nygma is screaming out in pain.
SEESAW IS TRYING TO RIP NYGMA’S ARMS FROM THEIR SOCKETS!!!
Surprisingly though SeeSaw lets go of his enemy and stomps down hard on Nygma’s head. Turning Nygma over, Mr. Make Believe covers…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
KICKOUT!
SeeSaw has Nygma on his feet, Irish whip into the ropes…
LOU THESZ PRESS!!
SEESAW IS POUNDING AWAY AT NYGMA!!!
BOSH!!!
NYGMA COUNTERS WITH A BLOW FROM THE DECK WITH HIS BRASS CLAD FIST!!!
Both men get to their feet but SeeSaw has pulled a claw hammer out of his outfit and he runs at Nygma with it. The Ring King sidesteps and takes SeeSaw down with a drop toe hold and slams that brass into the back of Mr. Make Believe’s head. Nygma grabs the claw hammer…
CRACK!!!
NYGMA SLAMS THE HEAD OF THE HAMMER ON TO SEESAW’S RIGHT HAND!!!
AND AGAIN!!!
AND AGAIN!!!
SeeSaw reels away clutching his hand, Nygma’s CACKLE is back as he sizes up Mr. Make Believe. The former YouTuber is on his knees, he’s crying out DADDY in anguish. Nygma runs in looking for…
AIN’T NO LAUGHING MATTER!!!
COUNTER!!!
MR. MAKE BELIEVE EVADES AND COUNTERS INTO ROCK-A-BYE!!!
HE MAY HAVE CRIPPLED NYGMA!!!
SeeSaw heads for the corner and climbs to the top rope.
FLIGHT OF THE ORNITHOPTER!!!
CONNECTS!!!
LEGS HOOKED!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE-
.
NO! SHOULDER UP!!!
SeeSaw is showing a little frustration but he digs around inside his pants and pulls out a flick knife. Nygma gets to his feet and Mr. Make Believe starts slashing at him with the blade. Nygma dodges each lunge, LAUGHING through it. SeeSaw throws the knife at Nygma, he ducks but it gives Mr. Make Believe the opening to shoulder charge Nygma to the canvas. He’s got Nygma up again, Irish whip into the ropes but Nygma counters…
THE JOKE’S ON YOU, BUDDY!!!
FOLLOWED UP BY THE ENIGMA THEREOM!!!
NO!! COUNTER!!!
SEESAW HAS NYGMA CLINCHED…
TEETER-TOTTER!!!
CONNECTS!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE!
.
IT’S OVER!!!
Mr. Make Believe has the last laugh as he defeats Mr. Ring King and ensures there is no heartbreak for Emporium this evening.
RINGSIDE
With their match complete, SeeSaw and Nygma are slowly back to their feet in the middle of the ring.
D’Ville is quickly inside it, hoping to cool things off before too much information gets exposed.
“Look, let’s not do anything drastic, okay?” Doctor D’Ville pleads whilst looking at the grinning face of Nygma.
“Oh, Andy pandy, I bet you’re just dying to know my little secret, aren’t you?”
SeeSaw frowns.
“YOUR FATHER IS DEAD AND LUKE HAS HIDDEN IT FROM YOU!”
Abrupt.
Rude.
Utterly out of left field.
And for the first time, Nygma doesn’t smile.
He can’t.
His mouth shakes and stirs, trying to form the basis of the very thing we’ve become accustomed to seeing on his face.
Only something stops it.
“How about that for a secret?” D’Ville continues. “Luke found out at Ring King, that’s why he didn’t present you with your crown. Your mother begged to see you but your brother denied her; he refused.”
Nygma begins to shake with rage.
Suddenly, he begins to calm.
Carefully and with hubris, he walks over to SeeSaw and stops before him. He’s not smiling; he’s not grinning, he’s simply staring.
“You were an experiment, created by your father many years ago. His famous tonics weren’t capable of much, until he began using your blood to build them. You see Andy, you weren’t created the old-fashioned way, like he led you to believe.”
“Stop,” begs D’Ville.
Nygma continues.
“You were manufactured in a test tube, just like your brother Mez, just like hundreds of others. Many of them died, many of them roam even to this day, but none were as successful as you.”
SeeSaw looks at Doc with a horrified expression.
“Daddy?” He queries.
“The real you is in there somewhere, pushed down as far as he could get it, so the monster inside might come out. He’s using you, just like he always has. Every memory of your childhood – fabricated by him. Every torture you endured – crafted by him. He’s played God long enough, buddy.”
The Riddler turns to face D’Ville.
“I suppose we both got the truth, didn’t we?”
He slowly exits the ring, leaving Doc to try and reason with SeeSaw, who’s trying to take in everything he’s learned.
He reaches out for a hand, only to have it pushed away.
Cut.
FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH
Four men, intertwined and tangled in a chaotic web of ‘whodunnits’. The past has come full circle, and their stories all culminate into this night. Reaper wants to know who killed his family. Redwing has been trying to get the bottom of The Shark’s story. The Judge has been keeping a close eye on his lead suspect, the Reaper himself and the Shark… Well, the Shark simply wants blood.
The match starts with one hell of a bang. It is Reaper who comes out of the gates swinging.
SHOTGUN BLAST! RIGHT OUTTA THE GATES!
HE HITS BLOOD SHARK WITH VENOM AND THE SHARK DROPS LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES!
There is agony in Reaper’s fist, an agony he’s only too happy to take out on The Blood Shark. But he has no time to wallow in his thoughts as the opportunist Redwing takes him down…
DROPKICK KNOCKS REAPER INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
REDWING NAILS REAPER WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK IN THE CORNER TO FOLLOW UP!
The calculated Judge had simply stepped back and let chaos ensue. He continues to watch, having not left his corner as Redwing picks Reaper up from the canvas.
DDT! HE DRILLS REAPER’S SKULL INTO THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE!
REAPER ROLLS OUT OF THE RING AND FLOPS TO THE FLOOR!
It is now that Redwing spies the all-too-relaxed Judge from across the ring. He makes a bee-line for him, stepping over the downed carcass of the Blood Shark as he does so. But from underneath him, a hand grabs at his crimson-clad ankles.
THE SHARK HAS HIM! ANKLE LOCK!
HE STANDS AS HE TWISTS THE ANKLE, BRINGING IT CLOSER TO HIS MOUTH… LOOKING FOR A BITE!
SMACK!
THE BLOOD SHARK IS KNOCKED OUT COLD WITH A CLUBBING BLOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
THE JUDGE HAS FINALLY DECIDED TO STEP IN!
He picks Redwing up, holding him high above his head in a MILIRARY PRESS…
AND TOSSES REDWING RIGHT OUT OF THE RING!
HE LANDS DIRECTLY ON TOP THE REAPER WHO IS BUSY STRUGGLING TO HIS FEET!
BOTH MEN ARE DOWN AND OUT!
THE JUDGE COVERS THE BLOOD SHARK!
HE COULD HAVE THIS IN THE SMOOTHEST OF FASHIONS!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
NOT EVEN CLOSE!
The Blood Shark kicks out, but it is The Judge who keeps his finger on the momentum. He shoulder charges the Blood Shark and drives him into the corner.
THE VERDICT!
NO!
BLOOD SHARK DUCKS THE KICK AND THE JUDGE GETS HIS FOOT TANGLED IN THE TURNBUCKLE!
BLOODY MARY!
THIS ONE HITS!
The Blood Shark took advantage of the Judge’s predicament and nails him in the corner. But it is not enough to topple the Judge, whose leg is still tied up. Frustrated, the Blood Shark comes at him again…
BUT HE’S PUMMELLED BY BOTH REAPER AND REDWING!
THEY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE THAT TURNS BLOOD SHARK INSIDE OUT AND UPSIDE DOWN!
DOUBLE ELBOW DROP FOR GOOD MEASURE ENSURES THAT THE SHARK STAYS DOWN!
WHAT TEAMWORK FROM REAPER AND REDWING!
But the teamwork is soon short lived, as both men turn to each other. They exchange lefts and rights, throwing caution to the wind in an effort to rock the other. A stalemate seems to ensue, as blow after blow after blow hits home and leaves both men groggy.
BIG BOOT TAKES OUT REDWING!
CHOKESLAM DROPS REAPER!
THE JUDGE CLEANS THE FUCKING HOUSE OUT!
He picks up The Reaper, marching him over to the corner where he can separate him from the other two. It looks like this is going to get personal.
YOUR PAST MAY BITE YOU!
HOLY CRAP!
REAPER IS BUSTED OPEN FROM THE BITE AND PLANTED WITH THE CUTTER FOR GOOD MEASURE… RESTING BACK FIRST UP AGAINST THE TURNBUCKLE!
The Judge backs up slightly, before charging at Reaper once more.
RUNNING KNEE STRIKE IN THE TURNBUCKLE!
REAPER’S HEAD LOOKED LIKE A PINBALL!
As he unleashes a mountain of stomps onto Reaper, across the ring, The Blood Shark is coming to. He eyes his adversary aa well, picking up Redwing and Irish Whipping him into the ropes.
BOOM! RUNNING HEADBUTT FROM THE SHARK SEES REDWING FLY!
HE FLIES RIGHT INTO THE RING ROPES AND CRASH LANDS UP AND OVER THE ROPES, ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!
The relentless Shark simply follows him out, lifting Redwing up and slamming him back first into the Butcher’s office. He backs up, charging forward to look to drive Redwing through the window, but Redwing meets him head on with a SPEAR!
THE BLOOD SHARK IS FOLDED IN HALF AND DRIVEN TO THE GROUND!
REDWING MOUNTS THE BLOOD SHARK AND BEGINS HAMMERING DOWN ON HIM WITH HEAVY FISTS!
Meanwhile, back in the ring, The Judge has stomped dry the mudhole of Reaper’s carcass. He hurls him from the floor and places his foe on the top turnbuckle. With Reaper in position, he climbs up after him…
THAT’S A HELL OF A LOT OF FLESH ON THAT TOP ROPE!
PERFECT BALANCE!
THE JUDGE JUST DROVE REAPER HALF WAY TO HELL!
HE COVERS FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
REDWING IS STILL BUSY LAYING INTO THE BLOOD SHARK AND DOESN’T SEE THE IMPENDING DOOM!
..
..
THREE!
THE JUDGE HAS DONE IT!
In this war, it is The Judge who finally stands tall. But even as he celebrates, Redwing and The Blood Shark rush the ring. The tensions continue to boil over into a three-way brawl. On this night, the Judge stands tall, and the brawl winds up seeing Blood Shark clothesline Redwing over the top rope. Redwing grabs a fistful of mask and both men tumble out of the ring once more, leaving the Judge to celebrate in peace.
RINGSIDE
The match is over. And as Redwing and Blood Shark tumble to the outside of the ring, Reaper makes his way to his feet. He and the Judge finally have the ring to themselves. Alone. Face to face.
Reaper narrows his eyes, vengeance and rage fueling him. He looks down at his wrist, to where the black spot tarnishes his skin… The Judge’s tracer. The Judge, on the other hand, simply points his finger at Reaper.
“The time has come…”
But the Judge stops, studying Reaper intently.
“There it is again. That look. At first, I could not see it. I could not understand what it meant. But I have stayed true to my word. I have tracked and followed you. I have studied you. And I have come to one conclusion.”
The Reaper does not budge, but he does ball both fists, waiting for any excuse to shove his fist right into the Judge’s helm.
“I do not feel like you humans do. So your emotions take time for me to decipher sometimes. Particularly when they’re masked with such anger, vengeance and hurt as yours are. But therein your eyes lies the Something that has never left you.”
Reaper draws a deep breath, his voice snapping in frustration.
“What the blue blazes of hell are you talking about.”
The Judge studies him again, intently, before answering.
“Love.”
Reaper is stunned by the simplicity of the word. It washes over him and has an instant effect. His fists un-ball and his defenses drop, but the pain and frustration in his eyes remain.
“What are you talking about?”
The Judge places its hands over its chest.
“I have been wrong in my assumptions. The look of love that you show for your family cannot be replicated. It is genuine. Clearly, you would never have sacrificed them for yourself, no matter the cost. Love like that, you would have taken their place in a heartbeat.”
Reaper’s eyes soften. He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out. The Judge fills the silence.
“I can see that you loved your family and would never risk their lives for your own. You are NOT responsible for their deaths. That is your fair judgement.”
But the words do little to quell Reaper’s rage. Finding himself once more now that the initial wave of emotion had washed over him, he stands tall.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all alone. And you’ve wasted all this time chasing waterfalls? We are still no closer to any answers, are we?”
The Judge thinks on the comments for a moment.
“In your eyes, no. But in mine, I now know you are not responsible. We will find out the answers, but again… Our paths seem to point in the same direction.”
Reaper turns, beginning to leave the ring, and leaving Judge to ponder his judgement. But he turns as he does so.
“I swear… Before this is all over, I’m going to break my fist in that shiny little bucket on your head. No more screwing around. We both need to finally get some damned answers.”
Cut.
SMOKE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
The smell of smoke fills the air as it so often has for the last month. We hear coughing and rushing as an unseen figure runs through the blackened air, pushing through it with surprising speed despite the soot forcing its way into his lungs!
Bishop.
The marine gets into a clearing, looking around himself in a haze before spotting what seems to be a stairwell, finally giving some clarity to where he is. From the looks of things, he has found himself in an apartment building. He wipes the sweat from his brow and heads upwards, pushing through the burning hallways until he reaches a heavy steel door, throwing himself into it and pushing out onto the rooftop!
“I saw smoke, how’d I guess you went off to burn more after our match?”
He’s exhausted, both physically and mentally as we come across the familiar fire starter who has made herself home upon the scorched rooftop, a sickening smile on her face as she watches the flames dance in the floors below.
“What can I say? You really want me away from that wedding. And I suppose I might just stay away after getting my fix here.”
She chuckles, not even turning back to Bishop or even acknowledging him for a few moments.
“You’re so… determined. If I’m being honest, after a certain point I could’ve cared less about the wedding, just seeing how much my flame seemed to drain you was enough to keep me interested.”
Bishop sneers, approaching Pyre but finding the roof itself falling away beneath him and stopping him dead in his tracks.
“You’re sick. Is this all some kind of game to you?”
Pyre chuckles.
“Maybe it is. And I don’t know if I’ll ever stop. This building? The lives people lived here full of memories all consumed by my flame? Your time, determination, and love for your friend turned to tinder in my hellfire? But I think you, like this building, are but a coal now.”
She turns to Bishop, watching as he backs away, finding a fire escape still attached to the building behind him.
“I’m a fire too big to be put out. But good on you for trying.”
Bishop leaps onto the fire escape! He runs down as the burning building begins to crumble, just narrowly getting to the street below as it all falls inwards! And as the smoke plume extends ever upwards, he sighs, hoping Pyre is content with what she has already taken from him.
Cut.
SINGLES MATCH
Jessie Williams has said he’s going to do whatever it takes, including beating the snot out of Sandy, to be able to find out where his dad is being held. Rogers has done everything he can to warn the Prince away from chasing the Sandman, but tonight he’s going to have to face down his friend in the middle of the ring.
Sandy Rogers sticks his hand out for a handshake with his friend. Jessie accepts, quickly shaking Rogers hand. He’s impatient to get this underway, pacing in circles like a caged animal.
Collar and elbow tie up. Williams takes control with a side headlock. He juices it with a grimace on his face.
“Come on, Sandy.” He taunts. “Let’s get this over with and get to sleep.”
SANDY ROGERS SNEAKS A FOOT BEHIND AND ESCAPES! BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX!
Rogers quickly transitions into an armbar, shaking his head at Jessie’s impatience.
“You want the Sandman?” Rogers retorts. “He’d already have killed you.”
Williams reaches out for the ropes, grabbing the bottom one with an exaggerated grasp. The official breaks the hold, and both are back up to their feet. Jessie shakes off his arm, while Sandy watches patiently.
“Let’s shut up and fight, then.” Jessie says as he approaches with anger in his eyes.
Another tie-up! Sandy grabs the advantage, twisting Jessie into a wristlock, but the Prince gets out of it.
SHORT ARM CLOTHESLINE! IT ROCKED MR. ROGERS INTO A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD!
Jessie makes the universal motion for the match being over as he heads to the top rope.
SWANTON BOMB!
CALL OF THE CHOSEN!
Jessie doesn’t bother hooking the leg.
ONE!
TWO!
NO! IT’S GOING TO TAKE MORE THAN THAT!
The Prince is back to his feet, lifting up Sandy as he does so, but Rogers was ready.
DELIRIUM!
POP UP CLOTHESLINE-NO!
JESSIE LIFTS SANDY UP IN THE AIR FOR SOME KIND OF POWERBOMB VARIANT!
BUT SANDY WRAPS HIS LEGS AROUND JESSIE’S NECK!
THE UGLIEST HURRICANRANA YOU’LL EVER SEE FROM SANDY ROGERS!
Jessie rolls through the move, rushing in at Sandy with all he has. But Rogers moves.
Schoolboy!
ONE!
TWO!
JESSIE KICKS OUT WITH EASE!
They both reset to their feet, Jessie is ready for more, but so is Sandy!
LUCID FALLS! DROP TOE HOLD!
Rogers rolls atop Williams.
DOUBLE FISH HOOK!
WITH THE PUPPET!
HAPPY FACE! HE’S CHANNELING SMILEY!
Jessie flails about, trying to escape. The hold has him stunned! Rogers gets up to his feet to wrench it in, but that allows Jessie to kick straight the fuck up!
KICK TO THE BALLS! SANDY RELEASES!
The Prince did what he had to do!
Rogers staggers backwards, and Williams is up, and has him lined up in his crosshairs. He rushes in and leaps up into the air.
BOOMSTICK-NO!
ROGERS DUCKS THE SUPERMAN PUNCH!
HE’S GOT DOUBT ON HIS HAND!
FEELING BLUE! THE PALM STRIKE LANDS FLUSH!
Rogers falls into the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE-NO! JESSIE GOT THE SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST SECOND!
Sandy is up to his feet first. He nods with understanding as he draws out his final puppet.
The red one.
Anger. Freight Train motherfucking Ferguson.
He’s going to kill Jessie with fire.
BOOMSTICK! JESSIE DIDN’T LET HIM GET FERGUSON ON!
WILLIAMS KICKS THE PUPPET OUT OF THE RING!
AND HE’S GOT THE FAMILY BOOMSTICK READY!
Sandy knows what that means. He quickly darts to the corner before Jessie can strike. Williams charges in, but gets an elbow to the face!
ROGERS WITH THE WIND UP PUNCH!
JESSIE DUCKS!
HE’S GOT ROGERS IN A FIREMAN’S CARRY!
SANDY SLIPS AWAY.
BACK ELBOW TO WILLIAMS-MISSES!
CLOTHESLINE TO WILLIAMS-MISSES!
BOTH MEN HIT THE ROPES! THE BOOMSTICK IS BACK IN JESSIE’S HANDS!
BOOYAH!
NO! IT MISSED!
KICK. WHAM. STUNNER!
ROGERS HITS QUICKSAND!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE! SANDY HAS DONE IT!
Sandy Rogers wins the match. Jessie gave a hell of a fight, though. He’s proved to Sandy he’s ready for the next step. But what will that be?
BACKSTAGE
The Blood Red Shark is stood in a dark service elevator. It is slowly descending, to where we don’t know.
SCREEEK!
The elevator grinds to a halt, with Shark looking around confused.
This isn’t his stop.
With a flash the lights come back on.
And Redwing is stood behind the Shark.
WHAM! REDWING PUSHES SHARK UP AGAINST THE RAILED WALL OF THE ELEVATOR CAR! A REDBLADE TO HIS THROAT!
“I knew you had another way to get to your lair.” Redwing growls.
“You plugged my other one.” Shark responds, a chuckle following.
The Emporium member feels he’s in control here, apparently. Redwing snorts in return, his breath visible in the chill chamber.
“You here to save me?” BRS taunts.
“No.” Redwing retorts. “I can’t. You have to save yourself.”
“I don’t need saving.” Shark fires back.
“You’re drowning, Axel.” Redwing pleas. “But it’s not with that red mist. It’s with sorrow. With guilt. You still blame yourself for what happened.”
With inhuman strength, the Blood Shark pushes Redwing away. He pounces on his foe with a shark intake of his tubed mask.
“Don’t go there, Kirby.” Shark threatens. “Let it go. Walk away.”
Redwing shakes his head.
“All you wanted to do was be close to your brother. You became a wrestler so he could see you on TV.”
“Shut up!” Shark roars.
“You became a camp counselor to spend summers with him.” Redwing continues.
SLAP! Shark goes crazy with a vicious slap to Redwing, but the Red Knight persists.
“And you drove a school bus so you could see him before and after school.”
SLAP! PUNCH! KICK! SHARK IS GOING MAD!
Redwing absorbs the hits, standing to his feet. Righteousness in his tone.
“The bus wreck wasn’t your fault.” Redwing says. “No matter how much they blamed you. Or how much you blamed yourself.”
Is Redwing saying Axel’s bus wreck killed his brother?
The Blood Red Shark kneels in the corner, the fight gone out of him. Redwing looks up.
“It wasn’t your fault.” He repeats. “Until you know that, no one is going to be able to save you. I’m going to work on getting an antidote from D’Ville.”
The Red Knight looks up.
“You work on whatever’s going on in your head. It wasn’t your fault.”
With a flash, the lights go back out, and Redwing disappears into the darkness with the whirl of a zipline.
As a broken Blood Shark descends to his watery lair, Redwing looks down on him from his ascension.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Cut.
BACKSTAGE
In the backstage area, Lance Norman sits at a large table in the locker room area, surrounded by his many disciples.
“At Red Snow, our invasion ends and so does Old School Wrestling,” Norman states emphatically. “We’ve made our mark, but our job isn’t yet done.”
Tyler Brooks steps forward.
“We’re here to put an end to this shithole, pop,” he says with a sinister smile. “Just tell us what you need.”
Lance nods in gratitude.
“Tyler, Cody, Rick, Anna and Rain, you’re my choices for battle at Red Snow. Colin has made his decision on Monty Straight, Major Thom, Luke Storm, Jac Bastard and Banzan.”
That causes some murmurs amongst the group. Rick is the first to respond.
“No Nygma, SeeSaw, Sigil or Sandman?” He queries. “Voynich was a force the last time we fought and yet he’s not included?”
Norman shakes his head.
“It’s curious, I’m sure. The only competitor you’ve been able to scout for this one is Monty Straight. The rest are unknown variables, which I’m certain was on purpose. He’s tactically chosen a different squad.”
All attention turns to Rain, who hasn’t said a word yet.
He looks up, shaking his head.
Remember, it was he who defeated Sandman last time at Warzone.
“It doesn’t matter who we face,” Rain declares. “The Internet Wrestling Federation will destroy Old School Wrestling at Red Snow; we’ll end it. Our planet is no longer their playground. Think about what you’ve lost and remember, these people work for those responsible.”
Everyone looks at each other, different expressions on their faces.
Cut.
SINGLES MATCH
Life hangs in the balance in The Slaughterhouse and on the outcome of this match. US Presidential wannabe Alton Whitlock must defeat his nemesis Anonymous in single combat to save from the guillotine the neck of his former ally, Berkshire Ellison Green.
Before Anonymous can even make it to the ring, The Candidate is charging at him. A running clothesline sends Anon tumbling to the concrete in The Slaughterhouse. The Masked One is on his feet but doubled over as Alton drives a knee into his gut, then an elbow to the back of the head. Anon is back on the floor and Alton is stomping a mudhole in him.
WE’VE NEVER SEEN THE CANDIDATE LIKE THIS BEFORE…HE’S FROTHING LIKE A RABID DOG!!!
Whitlock has taken the action to the ring, Anon is on his hands and knees, crawling. Whitlock lands a big stiff kick to the ribs, Anon flops on to his back. Wide-eyed with rage, The Candidate is looking like a berserker with blood in the nose. Alton has Anon on his feet and slams him face first…
INTO A TURNBUCKLE!!!
The Candidate drags Anon to the next corner…
FACE INTO ANOTHER TURNBUCKLE!
AND ANOTHER!
AND ONE MORE TO COMPLETE THE SET!
Alton slides out of the ring and folds a chair, wielding it as a weapon upon re-entering the ring. The Candidate is about to swing it at Anon when the ref grabs it and pulls it away. The official wags a finger and makes a cut-throat gesture. Alton smiles, recaptures his composure and re-adjusts his tie but the distraction works for Anon…
ENZIGURI!!!
Anonymous rolls out of the ring and starts heading up the ramp. Whitlock begins pursuit, which forces Anonymous to move from a walk to the jog, this means Whitlock has to pursue him with greater urgency.
WHAT IS ANONYMOUS DOING HERE?
As Both men exit the arena, we cut to a camera backstage. It’s focused on Alton Whitlock, he’s searching for Anonymous.
“HEY, WHERE ARE YOU?” The Candidate shouts.
“YOU WANTED A FIGHT. COME AND FACE ME, COWARD!”
The Candidate turns a corner and he finds himself face to face with Anonymous.
He gulps.
There are TEN Anonymous standing in his way.
WHICH ONE OF THEM IS THE ANONYMOUS?
The Ten pounce on Whitlock and although he tries to fight back, he’s quickly overwhelmed.
THERE ARE SWINGING ARMS ALL OVER THE PLACE!!
Suddenly the black robed army start to splinter and fall back…
THE CANDIDATE IS FIGHTING BACK!!! LOOK AT THIS SWING IN POLLS!!!
The Candidate fends off one, two, three with right hands. A fourth is slammed back first against a corridor wall. Kick to the gut of a fifth…PARTY POLITICS!!! In comes number six…HIP TOSS!!! FOLLOWED BY A STOMP TO THE FACE!!! Number seven and eight and grabbed and THEIR HEADS SLAMMED TOGETHER!!! Number nine scarpers, leaving one.
Whitlock and the remaining Anonymous are face to face in the corridor.
BANG!!!
Out of nowhere a figure in black clobbers Whitlock to the back of the head with a MacBook that is smashed to pieces in the process!
ANONYMOUS STRIKES A CRUSHING BLOW TO NEOLIBERALISM!!!
The real Anonymous dismisses the last of his legion and continues to go to work on Whitlock, choking him with the MacBook charger. Whitlock is scrambling around for something. He’s got his hands on the charger transformer and slams it into the side of Anon’s head, releasing the choke.
Whitlock is now on top and Anon and he’s repeatedly bashing his head with the transformer until it breaks in his hands. The Candidate drags Anon back through the corridors and we’re soon cut back to The Slaughterhouse arena. Both men are back in the ring. Whitlock is wearing a crimson mask, Anon’s Guy Fawkes remains in place, but there are red smudges and some cracks. Whitlock grabs his foe…
WHITLOCK LOOKING TO MAKE THIS A BETTER WORLD!!!
NO!
REVERSAL! ANON SLIDES OUT!!!
ENZIGURI!!!
WHITLOCK IS DOWN ON ONE KNEE.
ANONYMOUS OFF THE ROPES…
GUNPOWDER PLOT!!!!
HE’S NAILED IT!!!
Anonymous covers Whitlock…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THE GUILLOTINE IS ABOUT TO FALL ON BEG!!!
.
THREE!
.
NO!!!
HE KICKED OUT!!!
ALTON WHITLOCK IS STILL FIGHTING!!!
Both men crawl to the ropes and use them to get back to their feet, both blowing hard. They charge at the same time…
SIMULTANEOUS CLOTHESLINE!!
They roll away in opposite directions, there’s a 50/50 split in the crowd as both fighters again climb back to their feet. Anon runs at Whitlock and attempts a roundhouse kick but The Candidate ducks and he pounces…
BETTER WORLD!!!
THE VERTEBREAKER JUST BROKE THE SYSTEM!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE!
.
I DON’T FUCKING BELIEVE THIS!!!
.
ALTON WHITLOCK HAS…
.
NOT WON!!!
.
ANONYMOUS GOT A SHOULDER UP!!!
The Candidate cannot believe it. He’s got two handfuls of hair and he lets out an agonised scream. This is interrupted by a sound from the PA.
WE ARE ANONYMOUS. WE ARE LEGION. WE NEVER FORGIVE.
Repeating over and over again with holograms of Anonymous flashing all over the ring.
WTF IS GOING ON HERE!!!
Whitlock is on his feet, he’s swinging wildly at the holograms as they appear, taking out only fresh air. It’s the perfect distraction because it allows Anonymous to recover and he surprises Whitlock with…
BETTER WORLD!!!!
AND A COVER!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
ANONYMOUS IS GOING TO BEAT WHITLOCK WITH HIS OWN MOVE!
.
THREE-
.
NO!!! ANOTHER KICKOUT!!!
HOW DEEP IS ALTON WHITLOCK HAVING TO DIG HERE?!!!
Alton slowly gets to his feet, he looks completely exhausted. Anonymous looks laboured as he comes off the ropes looking for…
GUNPOWDER PLOT!!!
NO!!!
WHITLOCK COUNTERS!!!
BETTER WORLD!!!
AGAIN!!! AND A COVER!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE-
.
YES!
.
THAT’S IT!
ALTON WHITLOCK HAS DEFEATED ANONYMOUS!
A massive win for The Candidate but will this be enough to spare the life of BEG?
RINGSIDE
With the match over, Anonymous gets back to his feet and clicks his fingers.
The tron suddenly flickers.
Static.
It’s BEG.
He’s being held on his knees as three members of Anonymous stand over him. He looks beaten and terrified.
“I won,” Whitlock pleads. “We had a deal, didn’t we?”
He’s suddenly thrust to his knees by Anonymous and his friends.
“Please, don’t do this; there has to be another way?” Whitlock pleads. “Please?”
“Isn’t it funny how you’re begging to save the life of the man who tormented you?” Anonymous growls. “Isn’t it funny that you still don’t understand the true hard nature of this world?”
“I understand!” Whitlock spews in reply. “Of course I fucking understand,” he says, cursing for what is undeniably a rarity.
Anonymous nods.
“Please, just don’t do it. Please think about this. There has to be another way.”
The three men behind BEG suddenly pull out pistols and shoot him in the back, each unloading their clips violently into him.
Bullet after bullet slams into his face as Anonymous forces Whitlock to watch, grabbing his head and pointing it at the tron.
Berkshire falls to the floor, face first.
The footage pauses.
“Life isn’t fair,” Anonymous says.
Whitlock suddenly loses his temper. He isn’t weeping or broken, he’s enraged. He backwards Headbutts one of his captives, sending him sprawling across the ring.
The other charges in, walking into a tremendous right hand that quite literally knocks him out cold.
Alton is pissed.
Anonymous backs away, holding his arms out.
“Wait,” he growls. “Just wait.”
“Why?” Whitlock demands to know. “You don’t have any leverage and I’m finished being Mr. Nice Guy; the Presidential Candidate, the welcome mat, the victim. If you want to see a victim, you’re going to have to look in the mirror.”
“Finally,” Anonymous says, clapping his hands sarcastically. “FINALLY.”
He reaches for the mask, slowly pulling it away from his face.
ANONYMOUS IS GOING TO REVEAL HIMSELF!?
BERKSHIRE…
ELLISON…
GREEN!
WHAT!? WHAT!? WHAT!? WHAT!? WHAT?! WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!
ANONYMOUS IS BEG…
HOW!?
Alton Whitlock’s jaw drops. He stumbles backwards into the ropes, barely able to believe his eyes.
He looks at the tron, watching as the footage is unpaused and shows BEG getting back to his feet.
The bullets were dummy rounds!
Wait a minute. Wait just a damn minute.
“It’s amazing what you can do with a mask, old sport,” Green says, throwing it at Whitlock. “And when you had me fired, I had to come up with something, didn’t I?”
Alton is speechless. For the first time in his life, he’s utterly speechless.
“See, the beauty of a mask is that I don’t always have to be under it. I can be stood right by your side whilst someone I paid wears it, pretending to be me.”
He carefully backs away, exiting through the ropes as the rest of his paid Anonymous cronies join him.
“I can see you’re in shock, so I’ll wait to explain everything;” he says with a chuckle. “But at Red Snow, this ends once and for all. It’s been over a year – us doing this dance; it’s time to wrap it up.”
As Green exits, we focus on the look on Alton Whitlock’s face, which tells a story in itself. He’s in a state of shock.
Alton Whitlock versus Berkshire Ellison Green may be set for Red Snow VI, but there’s so many questions left to be answered.
Cut.
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Previously Recorded
Luke Storm lies, battered, dirty and bleeding. Dirt had long since turned to sludge in the driving rain that befalls him. He blinks, clearing his eyes as his vision slowly comes into focus. The setting, all too familiar.
But the sound, in his confusion, he can’t quite place it.
A scraping sound, of metal on dirt. Rhythmic. After a few moments, it stops, replaced by a sinister laugh.
“You’re awake.”
Luke sees a figure approaching through the downpour. He doesn’t even need to see to know who it is. Rain. The Monster grabs him by the scruff of his neck and hauls him to his feet.
“You know where we are, don’t you?”
The Monster is enjoying toying with him. Luke gives no response, so Rain pushes him to his knees once more, driving him head first into a concrete slab jutting out of the sludge.
A polished concrete that meets with Storm’s face. He knows the words upon it even as Rain reads them out for him.
“Here lies… Rachel Storm. Loving wife and mother.”
Storm looks back up at Rain, tears streaming down his face to mix with the rain and mud. Rain laughs once more.
“Its fucking touching. I know you’d like to see her again. Be reunited? I can arrange that.”
Again, he grabs Luke Storm by the scruff of the neck, dragging him to where her grave is. Only, there are now two holes in the ground. The original grave-site, dug up to expose the coffin down below. The lid of the coffin is open, revealing the skeletal remains of Luke’s wife.
It is enough to make a man retch, and Storm buckles at the knees. Rain’s laughter again catches Luke’s attention. It is only then that he notices the second hole. A much smaller grave, for a much smaller person. This one, as yet, empty.
“Don’t you worry Luke. I’ll make sure all three of you are reunited before long. Consider this a promise.”
Rain grabs Luke by the throat and lifts him up into the air. He steps forward, tossing Luke towards the grave with the open coffin. BUT LUKE KICKS THE MONSTER IN THE GUTS AND RAIN DROPS HIM RIGHT NEAR THE TOP OF THE HOLE!
LIGHTNING STRIKE TAKES DOWN RAIN!
LUKE STORM IS BEYOND PISSED!
“You leave her… Leave THEM… The FUCK… ALONE!”
Storm fumbles around in the sludge for a moment, before grabbing hold of the shovel that Rain had used to dig the holes.
TWANG! TWANG! TWANG!
SHOVEL TO THE HEAD OF RAIN!
Luke tosses the shovel aside, dropping to his knees, emotionally exhausted. His whole body rocks as he weeps. But by the time he turns again to exact more revenge on Rain… The Monster has vanished.
Cut.
SINGLES MATCH
The Enforcer has weathered infinite storms since the very birth of OSW but he may face his greatest threat here in a war of the heart. Can the Enforcer defeat someone he loves to save his son or will the woman he considers a daughter be the one to finally end Brent Kersh once and for all?
The bell sounds as both competitors are in the ring, Michaela pacing nervously around the ring as the Enforcer looks stoic, ready for anything tonight as he walks forward, signalling for a lockup that Michaela accepts, the two jockeying for position that the larger Kersh gets the advantage of, nearly pinning the smaller Lane to the mat in a test of strength before she bridges back, letting go for a moment as she sweeps the leg, dropping Brent to the mat before rolling through and locking in a headlock.
Michaela grinds down on the headlock before Brent pushes out, throwing Lane to the ropes who ducks under a Lariat attempt before taking him down with a stiff neckbreaker. Kersh rolls up as Lane rushes forward, but slows down as she gets closer, seemingly reluctant to follow up that gets her a huge Lariat for her hesitation. The Enforcer rushes to the ropes, bouncing off
TRIPPED TO THE MAT!
Someone on the outside trips Kersh as the Enforcer looks over, it’s JAY FREAKING JECKEL! The Juggalo jaws at Brent before flipping off the referee who tries to send him to the back as Kersh turns
SPRINGBOARD HURRICANRANA FROM SANCTUS BELLATOR!
Kersh gets flung across the ring, the referee furious as he tries to get Bellator out of the ring but Brent Kersh stumbles to his feet, waving him off as he urges all of Legacy to come at him. Jay rushes forward with a wild right that Kersh ducks but a low kick to the knee from Bellator hits hard, the Enforcer dropping down to one knee as both men swarm him. Michaela just looks on, not stopping the attack but not in any hurry to join in as the Enforcer is pulled up, Jay leaping up with a hard knee strike before Sanctus grabs him by the head, looking for that Around the World DDT
Brent tosses Bellator away, Sanctus rolling to his feet
SUPERKICK!
The Enforcer nails Sanctus with a beautiful superkick but he can’t follow up as Jay drops to his knees behind
J.U.G.G.A.L.O!
That twisted low blow to the twig and berries drops the Enforcer like a shot as both Legacy members drag Kersh out of the ring, pulling him up roughly before tossing him hard into the barricade, stomping down on the prone Kersh before the pair pick him up and toss him headfirst into the turnbuckle post. Brent looks dazed and confused but Legacy aren’t done, Sanctus and Jay lifting Brent up high as they stand on the steel steps
DOUBLE TEAM BRAINBUSTER ON THE STEEL!
Blood begins to pool down the head of Kersh as this may be what does him in, both men tossing Kersh in as Lane shakes her head before dropping down for the cover
ONE
…..
TWO
…..
KERSH KICKS OUT!
Legacy can’t believe it as Michaela pulls the still dazed Kersh up to his feet, taking a deep breath before peppering him with right hands as she tosses him into the ropes, dropping her head down a little too early for a Backdrop
DDT!
Kersh can’t take the advantage though as he’s drilled with a lariat from behind by Jay. The Juggalo stomping down hard on the fallen Kersh before picking him back up and throwing him hard into the waiting arms of Sanctus, Bellator lifting him up high before running forward
YAHWEH’S SIGN! The Crucifix Powerbomb hits hard as Michaela staggers down for a cover once more.
ONE
….
TWO
…. KICKOUT!
Kersh kicks out once more as the Enforcer tries to stand but gets a hard punt kick to the ribs from Jay. Jeckel pulls the Enforcer up, lifting him onto his shoulders
THE HATCHET!
Brent Kersh crashes down to the mat but Jay isn’t done, backing up as he draws his thumb across his throat, ‘time to die ya old fuck’ before rushing forward
THE MIGHTY….MICHAELA STOPS HIM MID-STRIDE!
Lane pleads with Jay not to do this, not wanting to hurt Brent this badly as Jay listens to her for a moment before pushing her aside
ENFORCER SPINEBUSTER!
Jay gets spiked down to the mat, as Kersh turns around
STANDING TERRA TREMUIT! STANDING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP!
Sanctus looks to finish Kersh up, pulling him up to his feet
IMPERTI….KERSH BLOCKS IT, TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! Kersh stopped the Side Slam in mid-rotation, spiking Sanctus into the mat as Michaela rushes him from behind, delivering a hard roaring elbow to the back of the head before backing up
LIGHT PIE…KERSH CATCHES THE FOOT, LARIATO!
All three members of Legacy are down as Kersh looks to finish this to finally get a chance at getting Tank to see sense, the Enforcer does what he rarely does and decides to go high risk as he slowly begins climbing up to the top rope, sizing up Michaela for a moment before diving off
KIP UP, LIGHTPIERCER!
Michaela Superkicks Kersh out of the goddamn air, the Enforcer dropping like a stone as she quickly covers him
ONE
…..
TWO
…..
…..
This has to be it, the legendary career of Brent Kersh has come to an end
…..
THRE…..
KICK OUT! HOW IN THE HELL DID THE ENFORCER KICK OUT?
Michaela backs up, sizing up the Enforcer for a final Lightpiercer as she waits for him to slowly rise up, rushing forward
But she can’t do it, stopping mid-rung as she can’t will herself to finish off Brent Kersh.
Kersh is dazed on his knees, as he urges her forward, a slight smile on his face as he motions for her to finish it.
Tears in her eyes, Michaela runs forward, killing blow loaded up
LIGHT PIERC….DROP TOE HOLD!
Michaela lands face first into the bottom turnbuckle as Kersh spins her down into a tight small package
ONE
…..
TWO
…..
…..
THREE!!!
The Enforcer does it, enduring the shit out of this match as he uses his veteran instincts to live another day and keeping his dream of bringing Tank home alive for another day.
RINGSIDE
Brent Kersh did it.
Somehow, someway, he pulled off a God damn miracle.
Michaela can’t believe that she lost. She falls back into the corner, sat on her ass in utter shock.
Sanctus and Jay slide into the ring, ready to deliver more damage.
Only they stop when their eyes meet the entrance ramp.
Because stood there is Tank.
And this is his father.
Tank storms to the ring with a purpose and slides in, rubbing his face is absolute despair. He bends down, helping his exhausted father to his feet.
“Why won’t you just quit, dad?” Tank pleads. “Why?”
“Because I love you,” he mumbles in reply. “I love you more than anything in this world and I won’t stop until I save you.”
Tank lowers his head.
“You don’t get it, do you kid? I’ve fought each and every single one of your friends. I’ve won and lost wars against them all. I’ve kept fighting, tooth and nail, because that’s what Brent Kersh does for his family. Do you think you’re safe? You shouldn’t be here, kid. This anomaly that you call Legacy is a blip in time that needs to be fixed. At what cost does that come?”
As Legacy begin to surround him, they may as well be invisible to the pair, who lock eyes only with each other.
Father and Son.
Family.
“You have no idea what you put us through, do you dad?” Tank replies with a hint of anger. “There’s an end to your story and what happens to you is a constant. I have to live with that. Mom has to live with that.”
He leans in, grabbing his father by the head.
“I’m begging you dad, go home. Go home.”
Kersh grabs him back, so they’re head to head.
“I will when you do,” he replies. “That’s all I want.”
Suddenly, Tank lunges forward with a reluctant headbutt that almost breaks his heart. He immediately recoils, but not out of fear or pain, but out of disgust and fury.
Kersh hits the deck, his nose splattered across his face.
“If you won’t go home, then at Red Snow, I’ll make you,” Tank hisses. “It’s the only way to change the future.”
Cut.
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Later tonight.
In small bedroom at some dive hotel somewhere in Hell’s Kitchen, Jessie Williams lays on a bed. Sandy Rogers is sat beside him, speaking.
“…found what you’re looking for, pull yourself out.” Rogers is instructing. “Don’t engage your father, or anyone else you may find. Do not linger, or Sandman will find you, and he will take what he wants from you.”
Williams nods, and lays back.
Time passes for a moment, a stillness in the air. Jessie’s breathing slows and regulates.
He’s asleep.
Rogers sighs, and sits contendly.
Darkness.
When the lights come back on, Sandy Rogers is gone.
In his place, leering over the sleeping Jessie Williams, is Mr. Sandman.
Sandman looks the Prince up and down, baring his teeth in an approximation of a smile. He runs his hand over Jessie’s face, seemingly caressing it.
“Finally,” He whispers. “You will give me the Necronomicon.”
Resting his hand over Jessie’s temples, he leans back.
BOOMSTICK TO THE FUCKING FACE!
Sandman is blasted through the nearest wall by a shot from Jessie’s prosthetic, the Williams family weapon. Sandman gets to his feet, enraged at the attack. But he doesn’t press the attack once he sees who is holding the Boomstick.
JIMMY.
FUCKING.
SARTYR.
“Didn’t you read the sign?” Jimmy taunts. “No demons allowed.”
Sandman looks at Jessie, then back at Sartyr.
Darkness.
The lights come back immediately and Sandman is gone.
Sartyr looks around, ready for a fight.
GASP!
Jessie Williams wakes up with a start, like he’s just been born again.
He sees that Sandy is gone, the hole in the wall, and Sartyr standing guard.
“Good thing you texted me.” Jimmy greets. “Big ugly decided to step up.”
“Thanks again, buddy.” Williams says, sitting up with a smile. “I found it.”
Determination floods his eyes.
“I know where my dad is.”
Cut.
OSW CHAMPIONSHIP
A promo package airs, recapping the events which brought us to this dance…
Rain tossing the late Mark Gouldern out of a window, to his demise; Lance Norman, having transferred Mark’s shares to himself, using his power to book this match; Rain projecting into Luke’s head a haunting vision of himself standing over Scarlett; The Monster dragging an incapacitated Storm to god-knows-where; the OSW Championship desecrated—violated—by the IWF logo.
As is customary, the challenger—and the man who would defile the OSW Championship—makes his entrance first.
The lights dim to darkness and “Blackened The Sun” by Tech N9ne begins to play.
“How do I describe my pain?
It just rains and it brings at the same time flame
I am bane, insane in my veins
No restraints can chain or contain me, I’m dangerous”
Soon enough Rain steps out onto the ramp and closes his eyes, taking a moment to compose himself. He soon begins his walk to the ring, ignoring the audience.
“Because I’ve blackened the sun and I’ve bloodied the moon
I bring gloom when I step in the room
With the fumes of a tomb I consume all the light in the day”
He slowly takes each ring step and walks across the ring apron, entering through the middle rope and approaching the opposite corner whilst his music comes to a close.
“Everyone, are you ready for doom?”
The OSW Champion might have something to say about that…
The lights begin to flash like a paparazzi’s camera as Deep Purple’s “Stormbringer” hits the Slaughterhouse. Smoke fills the entrance tube as the lyrics kick in.
“Comin’ out of nowhere
Drivin’ like rain”
There he is. Luke Storm walks through the clouds like a lightning bolt to stand at the head of the ramp. He whips off his sunglasses, but rather than flash his pearly-whites at the crowd, he burns a hole through Rain.
The Soul Taker stares right back at him, through his curtains of black hair.
Shedding his leather jacket, Luke unfastens his title belt and makes a beeline for the ring!
“Ride the rainbow
Crack the sky
Stormbringer coming
Time to die—”
LUKE SLIDES UNDER THE ROPES AND TAKES THE PAIN TO RAIN!
THE TENACIOUS FIGHTER GOES TOE-TO-TOE WITH THE 6’10”, 270-POUND BEHEMOTH!
The crowd are whipped into an instant frenzy, as the mixed martial-artist socks The Monster right in the eyesocket! Rain staggers back, Storm hounding him with a smorgasbord of strikes.
“Break it up, dammit! Lemme call for the bell!” The referee interjects himself, but Rain shoves him aside and throws a clothesline at Luke—
STORMBORN DUCKS IT!
HE SLAPS THE MONSTER RIGHT IN THE MOUTH!
LUKE JUST SLAPPED RAIN!
IS HE FRICKIN’ SUICIDAL!?
BIG POP!
Rain’s lip curls, and his eyes bulge in their sockets.
He.
Is.
PISSED!
Seizing what may be his only opportunity, the referee calls for the bell to officially light this powder-keg!
DING, DING, DING!
RAIN IMMEDIATELY WRAPS HIS HANDS AROUND THE THROAT OF STORM!
He plucks him off the mat effortlessly. Luke tries to pry Rain’s hands apart, but he quickly turns purple as the challenger chokes the life out him!
“No chokeholds on my watch, Rain!” The official commands.
ONE!
He initiates a five-count – Rain is going to get himself disqualified!
TWO!
THREE!
It’s going to end before it has a chance to start!
FOUR—
Still clutching his prey, Rain spins round to face the referee. The supermassive black hole projects such bad juju, that the referee nopes the fuck out of there – diving between the ropes!
RAIN THROWS STORM HEADFIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
THE CHAMPION IS BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL!
With Luke slumped in the ropes, Rain backs up into the far corner. He stampedes towards him—
LUKE GETS HIS FEET UP!
RAIN RUNS RIGHT INTO A BOOT TO THE FACE!
He stumbles back, though he shows no ill effects. Flicking his hair out of his face, he snarls at Storm…
LUKE LUNGES FORWARDS—
LIGHTNING STRIKE!
The fans gasp—
RAIN CATCHES IT!
THIS MATCH COULD HAVE JUST ENDED IN A HEARTBEAT!
The audience groans, as Storm’s deadly superkick is blocked.
GOOZLE!
Oh, shi—
RAIN HAS LUKE BY THE THROAT!
HE HOISTS HIM UP…
TO DUST, TO DUST, TO DUST!
NO!
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS – DOWNPOUR!
STORM NAILS THE CODEBREAKER!
RAIN, THOUGH, IS STILL STANDING!
HOW IN THE HELL IS HE STILL STANDING!?
Luke gets to his feet and stares at the hulking spectre incredulously.
Has anybody just eaten a Downpour like that!?
“FALL DOWN, YOU BIG DUMB SON OF A BITCH!” Storm roars in frustration.
The faintest trace of a smirk is framed by the walls of Rain’s raven hair.
With a growl, Luke springs to his feet and charges his adversary—
ONLY FOR THE 6’10” RAIN TO LIFT HIM UP INTO A MILITARY PRESS!
STORM THRASHES AND STRUGGLES, IN A DESPERATE BID TO UPSET THE BALANCE…
RAIN TOSSES HIM OVER THE ROPES LIKE YESTERDAY’S GARBAGE!
SPLAT!
STORM LANDS IN A HEAP ON THE CONCRETE!
The audience collectively winces, as the reigning Champion writhes in agony on the floor. Rain exits the ring backwards over the ropes.
The official doesn’t like where this is headed, but he’s powerless to stop them – there are no count-outs in The Slaughterhouse!
Rain envelops Luke’s skull with one massive paw, then pulls him to his feet with one arm!
THE MONSTER STRONG-ARMS HIM RIGHT INTO THE STEEL STAIRS!
THUNK!
STORM HITS THE STEPS KNEES-FIRST, FLIPPING OVER THEM!
Landing on his back, Luke props himself up on his elbow. He grits his teeth as he nurses his left kneecap.
That’s the leg with which he delivers the Lightning Strike!
No rest for the wicked, however, as an ominous raincloud hovers over him. Rain manhandles Storm, seating him on the edge of the ring. He grabs his afflicted limb—
RAIN SLAMS HIS LEG INTO THE RING APRON!
AGAIN!
AND AGAIN!
Luke howls in pain, clutching his extremity. Rain, however, shows no mercy. He pulls him off the apron – but Storm grabs hold of the ring skirt!
Rain tugs his victim, but he won’t let go of the Heartbreaker-themed tarp! Rain yanks and jerks—
LUKE PULLS THE RING SKIRT OFF!
The steel frame of the ring is exposed, along with the department store of weapons underneath it. Rain releases him, advancing on his downed foe—
STORM THROWS THE TARP OVER RAIN’S HEAD!
Pulling himself up onto shaky legs, he pursues his blinded aggressor…
THE PERFECT STORM LEVELS RAIN WITH A HAYMAKER!
RAIN STAGGERS BACK, DAZED UNDER HIS MAKESHIFT HOOD!
Storm rocks him with thunderous lefts and rights. The crowd grow louder with each blow, rallying behind the Champion. He pushes the blindfolded Rain further and further back – right into a steel barrier!
The fans clamour over each other to grab Rain, like a herd of zombies! They hold him in place—
LUKE POUNCES—
RAIN SNATCHES THE COVER OFF…
LIGHTNING STRIKE!
NO!
RAIN BACKDROPS STORM OVER THE BARRICADE!
Luke disappears into the sea of fans. Shrugging off the hands of the unwashed masses, Rain moves his lower jaw until it clicks back into place. Without so much as a grimace, he turns back to face the diehard OSW spectators.
They form a wall behind the railing, shielding Storm from sight.
“Fuck you, Rain!” One particularly brave fan yells.
“I hope Storm kicks your fuckin’ head off!” Another barks, flipping Rain off…
RAIN HOPS THE BARRIER!
THE CROWD SCATTERS, AS THE MONSTER ENTERS THEIR MIDST!
THEY DON’T WANT ANY PART OF THIS NATURAL DISASTER OF A BEING!
RAIN GRABS WOODEN CHAIRS AND LOBS THEM AFTER THEIR OCCUPANTS!
THEY SPLINTER AS THEY SMASH AGAINST THE STONE BLEACHERS!
RUN FOR YOUR DAMN LIVES, RAIN IS ON A RAMPAGE!
Standing tall over an island of splintered wood, like Godzilla looming over a levelled Tokyo, Rain looks around…
Then up.
THERE MAY BE RAINCLOUDS IN THE SKY, BUT…
CAN YOU HEAR THE THUUUUNDEEERRRR!?
LUKE STORM.
MOONSAULT.
FROM THE TOP OF THE BLEACHER TUNNEL!
The crowd explode as Luke soars through the air, felling the blacked-out redwood that is Rain.
THE MONSTER FINALLY GOES DOWN!
BOTH MEN SPLAT AGAINST THE SOLID STONE FLOOR – NOT AN OUNCE OF GIVE!
Lying on their backs, their sweaty bodies are covered in dust and grime. Storm drags himself away from the wreckage, in the direction of the ring.
He can’t end the match outside. He also can’t shift Rain’s deadweight – not with his injured leg!
With the aid of his fans, Luke gingerly climbs over the railing. Landing unceremoniously on the other side, he grabs a breather…
UNTIL, THAT IS, RAIN REAPPEARS BEHIND HIM!
THIS FUCKER WON’T STAY DOWN!
STORM’S SIXTH SENSE KICKS IN, HOWEVER, AND HE WHEELS ROUND—
A HEADBUTT BY RAIN SENDS HIM REELING!
Luke crawls away on all-fours. Rain swings a tree-trunk sized leg over the barrier, stepping over it with ease. He grabs hold of Storm’s ankle. Luke screams and claws at Rain’s hands, but the spectre twists the ankle. That same ghost of a smile can be seen, as Rain plays with his food!
Dragging Storm closer, he snatches him off the ground…
RAIN LIFTS HIM UP INTO A VERTICAL SUPLEX—
NO – NO!
NO WAY!
NOT OUTSIDE THE RING!
DON’T DO IT, RAIN—
NOOOO!
HE SPIKES HIM INTO A PILEDRIVER!
THE STEINER SCREWDRIVER—WHEN IT RAAIINS—ON THE FLOOOR!
MY GOD, LUKE STORM COULD BE A PARAPLEGIC!
The crowd collectively gasps, covering their mouths and craning their necks to observe the human car-wreck before them!
Black-and-white stripes, who has been unable to police this assault thus far, kneels next to Storm. A hush falls over the audience as the referee leans in close, talking inaudibly to the motionless Champion.
Is he okay? What would an injury mean for this match – for the title?
Luke doesn’t visibly respond…
RAIN BARGES PAST THE OFFICIAL!
WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING!?
HE LUGS STORM TO HIS FEET AND CARELESSLY TOSSES HIM UNDER THE ROPES!
THE PEOPLE GRILL RAIN FOR HIS INHUMAN MERCILESSNESS!
Rain takes his time; ascending the steps, walking the length of the apron, he steps over the top rope.
THE MONSTER PUTS HIS FOOT ON LUKE’S CHEST!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?
ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, RAIN COMMANDS THE REFEREE TO COUNT!
If it were anyone else—under normal circumstances—the official might protest, or outright refuse. Rain’s soulless eyes, however, penetrate the referee’s core – his soul. Wilting under the intense gaze, he sinks into a count…
ONE!
…
…
NOT LIKE THIS!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
THIS IS NO WAY FOR THE MATCH TO END – FOR A REIGN TO END!
…
…
…
LUKE STORM KICKS OUT!
The fanbase explodes as their hero somehow digs deep and stays in this—
THE FEEL-GOOD MOMENT DOESN’T LAST, THOUGH!
RAIN PULLS A GROGGY LUKE TO HIS FEET!
A symphony of boos rains down on the challenger.
HE GRABS THE BACK OF HIS NECK AND DRAPES HIS ARM…
HE UPROOTS HIM—
TO DUST!
TO DUST!
INVERSE TO DUST!
FALLING CHOKESLAM TO STORM – FACE-FIRST!
LUKE’S KNEECAP CRACKS OFF THE CANVAS!
RAIN ROLLS HIM OVER – HE HOOKS THE LEG FOR GOOD MEASURE!
ONE!
…
…
THIS IS IT! IT’S OVER!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
WE’RE CROWNING AN IWF CHAMPION!
…
…
…
NOT TODAY!
LUKE JUST BARELY GETS A SHOULDER UP!
THE FANS ARE ON THEIR FEET!
SCREWDRIVERS AND CHOKESLAMS CAN’T KEEP HIM DOWN!
Rain slowly sits up, his hair covering all but his mouth. It’s impossible to get a read on him, as he ruminates about this sequence of events… Did he predict that Storm would kick out? Has Luke’s resilience caught the cerebral competitor off-guard? Have we just seen a crack in the obsidian makeup of Rain!?
THE SOUL TAKER WRAPS HIS MITT AROUND LUKE’S WINDPIPE!
HE PULLS HIM UP AND DRAPES HIS ARM!
GOOD LORD, HE’S GOING TO BREAK HIM IN HALF!
ASHES TO ASHES…
DUST—
TO DUST!
A SECOND TO DUST!
D-D-FUCKING-T!
STORMBORN COUNTERS WITH A DDT TO RAIN!
HE PLANTS HIS BRAINPAN INTO THE MAT!
THE CROWD ARE AT A FEVER PITCH!
BOTH MEN ARE DOWN AND OUT…
Can Storm capitalise!? Will he join the elite list of competitors to score a pinfall on The Monster!?
COME ON, LUKE!
COVER HIM!
…
HE PUTS AN ARM ACROSS HIS CHEST!
ONE!
…
…
STAY DOWN, RAIN!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
LUKE TO RETAIN!
…
…
…
…
KICKOUT!
RAIN LIVES!
Luke doesn’t want to believe it, but he knows it’s going to take more than that to put an end to Rain. He slowly pulls himself up using the ropes. He looks to the audience; they come unglued at his knowing glance.
HE STOMPS THE MAT—
AND WINCES!
THAT’S THE SAME LEG RAIN HAS BEEN TARGETING!
Luke rolls his kneepad down and massages his joint, but Rain is already stirring on the canvas. Storm makes a snap-decision, changing his stance to redistribute his weight. Time for Plan B! He stomps the mat with his right leg, each interval decreasing…
STOMP!
…
…
…
STOMP!
…
…
STOMP!
…
Rain is resurrected. The titan slowly turns round—
LIGHTNING STRIIIIKES!
THE SUPERKICK CONNECTS!
PAGE THAT FAN FROM EARLIER – LUKE STORM JUST KICKED RAIN’S FUCKIN’ HEAD OFF!
RAIN IS TAKEN CLEAN OFF HIS FEET AND LANDS SPREAD-EAGLED!
LUKE COLLAPSES INTO A COVER!
ONE!
…
…
…
RAIN IS OUT COLD!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
STILL YOUR OSW CHAMPION, LUKE STORM!
…
…
…
TWO AND THREE-QUARTERS!
RAIN KICKS OUT!
GODDAMMIT!
The Slaughterhouse groans in dismay, as the unkillable Rain continues to draw breath. Luke runs his hands through his hair.
The Lightning Strike—albeit with the opposite leg—wasn’t enough. What does he have to do to keep the juggernaut down!?
Climbing to an unsteady base, he stalks the wounded Monster. Sure enough, Rain slowly rises from beyond the grave. The hunter becomes the hunted, as he turns around…
THE REAL DEAL LEAPS UP AT RAIN!
HE CLASPS HIS HANDS AROUND THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!
COOODEBREAAKEERR – THE DOWNPOOUUUR—
NOOOO!
SOOOUUUL PUUUNCH!
RAIN, THE SOUL TAKER, PUNCHES HIM SQUARE IN THE HEART!
Storm drops like a stone, wheezing and crossing his arms over his chest.
RAIN SINKS INTO A COVER!
YOU’RE NOT PUTTING YOUR FOOT ON HIM NOW, HUH!?
ONE!
…
…
…
HOW TRAGICALLY APT, THAT LUKE MAY LOSE AT HEARTBREAKER, TO A BROKEN HEART!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
SAY IT AIN’T SO!
…
…
…
…
TWO-POINT-EEIIIGGHHT!
THAT WAS A CUNT-HAIR AWAY FROM THREE!
LUKE STORM STILL HAS HEART – UNLIKE THE HEARTLESS BASTARD, RAIN!
The attendees themselves are experiencing a collective arrhythmia, as they follow this rollercoaster of a showdown!
The pale rider, Rain, gets to his feet. Once again, he appears to be processing what has transpired. Did he underestimate Storm? Is the gutsy Champion giving Rain cause for concern!?
It may be a telltale sign, that as the referee checks on Luke, Rain busies himself with something in the corner…
HE’S UNFASTENING THE TOP TURNBUCKLE COVER!
The fans turn up the heat on Rain, who discards of the covering.
THE STEEL BOLT IS EXPOSED!
WHAT EVIL MACHINATIONS ARE WHIRRING IN THE MIND OF RAIN!?
The omen once again steps past the official and peels Luke off the mat.
HE GRIPS HIM BY THE THROAT WITH BOTH HANDS!
UH-OH…
LUKE HAS ALREADY BEEN BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL ONCE TONIGHT!
RAIN IS GOING TO CRACK HIS SKULL LIKE AN EGG!
WAIT – STORM PULLS THE STRAPS OF RAIN’S SINGLET…
RAIN LURCHES FORWARDS—
CLINK!
HIS HEAD BOUNCES OFF THE EXPOSED STEEL TURNBUCKLE!
HIS PLAN BACKFIRED ON HIM!
HE STUMBLES ROUND—
DOOOWNPOOOUUUUUR!
STORM FOLDS HIM WITH THE CODEBREAKER!
RAIN SNAPS INTO THE CANVAS!
WHAT AN OVATION FROM THE CROWD!
LUKE DIVES INTO ANOTHER COVER!
ONE!
…
…
…
JESUS, HAVE MERCY, THAT’S IT!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
THEY’LL CALL HIM THE MONSTER-SLAYER AFTER THIS!
…
…
…
…
…
THREEEE!
NOOOOOO!
RAIN KICKS THE FUCK OUT!
THE AUDIENCE CANNOT BELIEVE IT – AND NEITHER CAN LUKE STORM!
The Hollywood resident visibly—and audibly—cusses, slapping the mat. He has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at Rain, and the big, invincible bastard has taken it all. Allowing himself a brief repreive, Storm merely looks up at the lights, wondering if this will ever end?
An exhausted crowd appear to be thinking exactly the same thing…
Catching his breath, the defending Champion supports himself on the ropes. Having just discovered the turnbuckle pad, the official holds it up, questioning Storm. The actor casually shrugs his shoulders, offering some levity to these draining proceedings.
Avoiding interrogation, Luke looks to his supporters…
HE POINTS AT THE CORNER!
ANOTHER POP!
They’re enthusiastic, for sure – but trepidatious, too. They want to see his majestic moonsault again, but how much more does he have left to give!?
The Perfect Storm seems determined to find out himself, as he turns his back on Rain and ascends the ropes – stumbling due to his wounded leg…
ALLOWING RAIN JUST ENOUGH TIME TO SIT-UP!
THE MONSTER WHIPS HIS HEAD TO THE SIDE, SPOTTING LUKE ON THE TOP ROPE!
LIKE SOME DEMONIC GAZELLE, RAIN CLOSES THE DISTANCE…
HE WEAVES THROUGH THE ROPES AAAAND—
GOOOOZLE!
RAIN STANDS ON THE APRON, HIS HAND CLENCHED AROUND LUKE’S NECK!
SURELY NOT!?
RAIN…
RAIN BEGINS CLIMBING THE ROPES – STILL GRABBING HOLD OF STORM!
IS HE SERIOUSLY GOING TO…!?
HE DRAPES LUKE’S ARM!
HOLY…
THE PINT-SIZE REFEREE CROSSES HIS ARMS, AS THOUGH SIGNALLING TO AN INCOMING PLANE!
TO DUST!?
WAIT – LUKE IS FIGHTING IT!
SCRAPPIER THAN A PITBULL, STORM TAKES LUMPS OUT OF RAIN!
THE MONSTER FIGHTS BACK!
THE TWO TITLE CONTENDERS TRADE BLOWS ATOP THE TURNBUCKLE!
…
…
LUKE BREAKS RAIN’S GRIP AROUND HIS THROAT!
HE CRADLES HIS NECK, DUCKING HIS OWN HEAD UNDER RAIN’S ARM…
THEY SPRING BACKWARDS, INTO THE RING—
THE AUDIENCE LIGHTS UP WITH CAMERA FLASHES!
TOP-ROPE SUUUUUUPERPLEEEEEX BY STORM!
THE RING SHAKES AND TREMBLES AS THEY CRASH-LAND, BOUNCING ON IMPACT!
THE CROWD ARE AT A BOILING POINT HERE IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE!
THESE WARRIORS ARE KILLING THEMSELVES – ALL IN THE PURSUIT OF PRIDE AND GLORY! THAT GOLD WILL BE IMBUED WITH THEIR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS!
LUKE PUTS HIS ARM ACROSS THE CHEST OF RAIN ONCE MORE!
ONE!
…
…
…
…
PLEASE, LET THIS BE IT!
…
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
…
WE CAN’T TAKE ANYMORE!
…
…
…
…
…
THREEEEEEE!
NOOOOOOOO!
RAIN THE IMMORTAL!
You know what they say: sometimes, you just have to laugh. That’s precisely what Luke Storm does. He laughs to himself, as he hobbles his way back onto his feet, his body screaming out for rest and recuperation.
He waits in the corner, counting down until the inevitable.
Sure as the sun will rise, Rain slooowly sits up—
LUKE LIMPS OVER TO HIM AND THROWS HIMSELF ON TOP OF HIM!
RAIN GETS HIS GUARD UP AS THE FIGHTER MOUNTS HIM!
STORM PUMMELS AWAY AT THE INFURIATINGLY PERSISTENT CHALLENGER!
“WHY WON’T YOU JUST DIE!?” HE SCREAMS!
THE CROWD CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT THEY’RE SEEING!
LUKE STORM UNLOADS WITH GREAT VENGEANCE AND FURIOUS ANGER!
THE OFFICIAL TRIES TO PRY HIM OFF, BUT IT’S LIKE SEPARATING TWO SCRAPPING DOGS!
RAIN FINALLY THROWS HIM OFF!
An exhausted Luke scrambles onto all fours. Sucking air, he props himself up in the corner. He motions for Rain to get up.
“COME ON!” He yells. “GET YOUR BIG ASS UP!”
Has Rain finally met his match – his equal!?
The shadow of the IWF rises – and he is BLOODY!
LUKE STORM HAS BUSTED RAIN OPEN!
THE MONSTER IS WEARING A CRIMSON MASK!
SPITTING A MOUTHFUL OF BLOOD ONTO THE CANVAS, HE MOTIONS FOR STORM TO BRING IT!
THIS GUY JUST WON’T STOP!
LUKE, HOWEVER, IS ONLY TOO HAPPY TO OBLIGE—
LIIIIIIGHTNIIIING STRIIIIIKE!
BLOCKED – GOOZLE!
TO DUST, TO DUST!
RAIN PULVERISES STORM WITH A ONE-ARM FALLING CHOKESLAM AAAALL THE WAY TO HELL!
HE COVERS—
ONE!
…
…
…
There’s nothing left…
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
No more…
…
…
…
…
THREEEEEE!
IT’S OVER!
NO!
ROPE BREAK!
LUKE STORM GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPE!
People in the bleachers look to be on the verge of fainting from following this never-ending drama! Even the poor referee is exhausted, mopping his brow with his jersey.
In what might be the most telling moment of the evening, Rain actually shakes his head! The Monster himself seems to be in a state of disbelief at the resiliency and fortitude of his opponent.
Standing tall over the prone form of Luke Storm, Rain’s brilliantly dark and twisted mind runs through a million permutations of what to do next.
Settling on a plan of action, he bends down and picks his battered foe up.
Ragdolling Storm, he—
LUKE SHOVES HIM OFF…
LIGHTNING STRIKE OUTTA NOWHEEERRREEEEE!
QUICKER THAN A FLASH OF LIGHTNING, LUKE HITS THAT SHIT!
RAIN GOES DOWN!
LUKE SLUMPS BACKWARDS INTO THE CORNER!
Operating on auto-pilot, powered by nothing more than fumes, the Champion heaves himself up onto the middle rope. With Herculean effort, he hoists himself all the way up onto the top turnbuckle.
He’s facing inwards… If he’s not going for the Thunder moonsault, then what the hell is he looking to do!?
Tilting dangerously forwards—almost falling off the ropes altogether—Luke barely has the energy to mouth “GET UP!” once again to Rain.
The official shakes his head, not buying that even Rain could conceivably recover at this point…
But, of course, he does.
It’s going to take nothing short of a silver bullet to keep this unholy motherfucker down for the count!
Luke seems to be thinking the same thing, whatever it is he has up his sleeve…
Rain slooowly comes to. Haphazardly getting to his feet, he throws his hair back. That alone throws him off-kilter, as the blood congeals on his face. Putting up his dukes, he turns around in a daze.
LUKE READIES HIMSELF…
HE SPRINGS FORTH FROM HIS PERCH, WOUNDED LEG AND ALL—
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!
TOP-FUCKING-ROPE SUUUPERKIIIICK!
THE LIGHTNING STRIKE TO END ALL LIGHTNING STRIKES!
PIERCING THE EARTH FROM THE HEAVENS ABOVE, IT CARVES RIGHT FUCKING THROUGH RAIN!
THE SUPER-SIZED SUPERKICK SLAAAAAYS THE MONSTER WHERE HE STANDS!
LUKE UNCEREMONIOUSLY HEAVES HIMSELF INTO THE COVER…
ONE!
…
…
…
…
…
AS GOD AS MY WITNESS, RAIN IS D-O-N-E!
…
…
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
…
…
THERE’S NO COMING BACK FROM THAT!
…
…
…
…
…
THREEEEEEEEEEE!
IT’S A THREEEEEEEEE!
LUKE STORM HAS CONQEURED THE MONSTER, RAIN!
Leaving it all in the ring, Luke Storm cradles his head. Without a doubt, that has to have been the toughest, most gruelling fight he has ever fought in his life!
The official—on the verge of passing out himself—hands Luke his hard-earned OSW Championship.
RINGSIDE
The ring is decorated beautifully.
As the show draws to its conclusion, we have one last moment for the world.
A wedding.
Malice stands beneath an alter in the middle of the ring, dressed in his suit, missing his face-mask. He looks utterly thrilled to be here. Beside him, Bishop nods and smiles.
As ‘Here Comes The Bride’ plays, Wynona slowly begins her walk to the ring, looking beautiful. Her long white wedding dress trails behind her as she makes her way up the ring steps and enters the squared circle.
The officiant stands before them.
“To honor the strength of love and the role it plays in our lives, Miles Jackson and Wynona Cartwright have called upon the audience here tonight to join them in their moment of matrimony.”
They both stare lovingly into each other’s eyes, holding hands before the officiant.
“There are no vows more meaningful and powerful than those which will be shared here today. Your wedding vows are a sacred declaration of your love for each other, the foundation of your relationship as a married couple, and the life you want to build together.”
Reading from a book, he turns his attention to them both, instead of it.
“Please face each other as you declare these vows to one another. Wynona, you may start.”
“I, Wynona Cartwright, take you, Miles Jackson to be my wedded husband. I promise to stay by your side through good and bad times, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I vow to stay true to you and love you unconditionally for the rest of my days.”
Miles closes his eyes.
“Miles, please now make your vows.”
“I, Miles Jackson, take you, Wynona Cartwright to be my wedded wife. I promise to stand by your side through good and bad times, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I vow to stay true to you and love you unconditionally for the rest of my days.”
Static.
A blood curdling scream dominates our ears as blood splashes against the camera, blinding us momentarily.
The Officiant falls to the ground, having been pierced through the heart by some kind of spear.
Wynona is immediately covered in blood, her lovely white dress but a mere red gown of death.
Gas fills the arena.
There’s coughing and choking.
Malice turns to see Bishop dragged over the top rope to the outside, but his immediate thought is Wynona. He rushes towards her, but the gas makes it impossible to see.
Her screams continue to haunt, until finally he reaches her.
With his giant arms wrapped around her, he tries to drag her away, only he suddenly and abruptly stops dead.
Dead.
Blood begins seeping out of his mouth.
We look down, hearing Wynona scream even louder.
It’s the spear, right through his heart.
Malice falls to the ground, holding the spear as he slumps over to one side.
The smoke slowly begins to dissipate.
And Wynona is left all alone.
With Sigil.
The Collector stands before her, looming like a fucking menace.
Outside the ring, Legacy now stand in unison, watching.
What the fuck is going on?
With the smoke having finally cleared, Voynich can be seen visibly shook in the corner of the ring. He didn’t sign up for this. He had no idea that their mission would lead to this.
There’s blood everywhere.
The officiant.
Malice.
There’s murder strewn across the ring.
Voynich looks as white a ghost, shaking his head emphatically.
Sigil closes in on Wynona.
“I found you,” he growls. “Hiding in plain sight, all this time.”
She gulps.
“This was brazen, I must admit – I suppose you thought he could protect you?” The Collector says pointing to the body of Malice. “But you were wrong.”
Wynona tries to back away, but Legacy are now inside the ring, surrounding her.
“Everyone wondered why Malice was acting like such a love sick puppy. They couldn’t understand why this alpha male was suddenly such a fucking pussy. I have to be honest; I didn’t get it myself.”
He begins pacing.
“When The War Machine were sent on a mission to intercept you, they had no idea what they were truly getting themselves into. One of them was always supposed to fall for you, weren’t they? They had no idea. But when The Skull Order commissioned them for this mission, it was with the intention of keeping you hidden in plain sight, wasn’t it?”
Sigil chuckles to himself.
“Because you see, Wynona, you’re not just a simple girl caught up in the big bad world of Old School Wrestling – you’re Rubrum. The holder of the crystal of love herself. That’s why the hardest man in OSW fell so hard for you, isn’t it? You cast a spell of love over him.”
Wynona smiles wryly.
“You think you have all the answers, don’t you?” Wynona replies with a sneer. “But when you do what you’re about to do, you’re going to make a new enemy; one that will stop you.”
He shrugs.
“So be it.”
Legacy join hands around them, creating a wonderful red hue of mist as Sigil lunges forward and drives his hand into the chest of Wynona, ripping her heart out from within. As the power fades, Wynona drops to her knees along with Legacy, leaving the still beating heart clasped firmly in the hand of Sigil.
The Collector crushes it, watching it fall to dust as it turns into a Red Crystal.
Voynich meanwhile looks on, utterly horrified.
“YOUUUUUUUUUU FUCKING CUNNNNNTTTTTTT!”
Those three words bellow excruciatingly from the entrance ramp, roared unlike anything we’ve ever heard.
The sound of boots slamming against the ground with a thunderous pace can be heard as a figure enters the ring and rushes to cradle Wynona.
Sigil steps backwards in shock.
Everyone is shocked.
It’s The Butcher.
His eyes are red and sore.
Tears stream down his face.
He cradles Wynona in his arms, immediately rocking back and forth as he sobs.
Sigil looks at Voynich – who has no answers.
Then at Legacy, who quickly slide to the outside and vacate the ring – a wise move if there ever was one.
“Winnie,” he sobs. “I-I-I’m so sorry.”
Sigil steps back again.
“Winnie?” He queries quietly, curiously even.
“You killed my fucking daughter,” he sobs. “My sacrifice, my family, the one thing I had left in this world.”
Zap.
The Collector doesn’t even think about it, he teleports out, leaving The Butcher knelt alone in the middle of the ring, his daughter cradled in his arms.
“I’m sorry. I’m so, so, so sorry.”
Sob.
Cut.