THE ATTIRE MAKETH THE MAN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Deep underground, back in the sterile lab, a figure stands with his back to camera, draped in a large white coat.
He’s monitoring some information on a machine when a voice emanates from behind.
“Sir, we’ve acquired the uniform,” he says, entering the room.
The man is roughly thirty, clean shaven and carrying a large red metal case. He places it down on the table and backs away, watching as the original figure enters frame to look at it.
We still can’t see his face.
He pops the lid, pulling out a perfect red attire, covered in Kevlar body armour.
“This’ll be perfect,” he muses. “He’ll love it. I’m sure of it.”
“Do you think he’ll be back in action come Pandemonium?” The man asks, curious. “He took quite the punishment. I didn’t think you’d be able to save him.”
There’s a sly chuckle.
“I have many ways, dear boy. Many ways. My old friend is one of the toughest men I’ve ever met. What happened to him was a tragedy, but rest assured, he’ll return to the fight stronger than he’s ever been before.”
“And your other plans, sir?”
“Pandemonium will be the beginning of something marvellous,” he muses with enthusiasm. “Just you wait and see.”
Cut.
THE PLAGUE RAT VS. THE JUDGE
SINGLES MATCH
Blood running down his hands, will the Judge make TPR pay for his murderous crimes or will the Plague Rat have another victim here tonight?
The bell sounds as the Plague Rat rushes forward right into a hard right hand by the Judge that puts him on his ass for about a second before TPR is on his feet again, taking the Judge by surprise with a flurry of blows that barely put a dent in his armored shell before a stiff headbutt puts the Plague Rat on his ass again. This time when TPR gets to his feet, the Judge is ready with a stiff kick to the gut before he throws him into the corner with a huge Belly to Belly Suplex. The Pandemic stops himself from hitting the buckles, grabbing hold of the ropes and launching himself forward
RIGHT INTO THE VERDICT! The Judge Spartan Kicks the Plague Rat right in mid-air, sending him flying with massive force into the buckles this time as the Pandemic staggers out right into a huge Lariat that turns him inside out. The Judge shakes his head as the Plague Rat is clawing at his ankles, dazed but still frenzied as he pulls him up to his feet, biting down hard on TPR’s forehead as blood begins to pool down his forehead before dropping him with a cutter YOUR PAST MAY BITE YOU!
The Judge backs up, waiting for TPR to get to his feet, who does with DELIRIUM! A massive Pop Up Clothesline leaves The Judge barely breathing from the vocal assault before he’s lifted into the air with force and driven down to the mat with CONTAGIOUS! TPR quickly hooks the leg for the cover, ONE…TWO…The Judge just gets the shoulder up!
TPR picks the Judge up to his feet, delivering a stiff knee to the jaw before trying to lift him into a crucifix that The Judge manages to slip out before grabbing The Plague Rat by the throat as he turns around and driving him into the mat with a massive chokeslam. The Judge doesn’t waste time, peeling TPR back off the mat before lifting him up and driving him down with RESTORATION! The Judge quickly covers after the Powerbomb. ONE…TWO…THREE!!!
The Judge delivers a harsh verdict to the Plague Rat here tonight but he had to fight hard to put down the Pandemic
ON A STRING
BACKSTAGE
Enough is enough.
That’s what Luke Storm is thinking as his footfalls echo in the dark hallways of The Slaughterhouse.
The trickery, the games, the plots within plots. He’s had his fill.
Sigil. Newton. The Red Death. The whole lot.
He’ll do anything to protect his daughter. Including reminding those threatening her that while they may be holding all the cards–he’s still got an ace in his sleeve, an ever-present trump card.
Himself.
At his destination, a precise kick sends a locker room door splintering to the ground.
As the Storm King steps through, he finds an unexpected scene.
Newton and Sigil sit, casually sipping cups of tea.
The Riddler grins as Sigil rises from his arm chair.
“Nice of you to join us,” he says.
“You just don’t know when to quit,” Sigil scoffs.
“You think I don’t know what you did?” Storm asks, glaring at Newton. “Manipulating that sick man’s mind further with… illusions from this asshole? You’re framing me in the mind of a lunatic.”
Newton chuckles.
“You’re a step behind, Luke,” he says, taking a sip of steaming tea. “I’m surprised it took you so long. All the stress clouds your mind. It was never meant to be a secret.”
A wave of disgust crosses Storm’s face.
“I despise you,” Newton says. “And I want to see you suffer. I want to grind you into nothing. And our friend Bill is such a useful tool for making it happen.”
Newton leans back in his chair, smirking.
“It worked, too,” Sigil says condescendingly, stepping forward. “When The Red Death finally splits you and your daughter’s heads wide open, he’s going to kneel down and lap up the blood like a happy dog.”
Storm’s fist flies forward the instant the last word exits Sigil’s mouth, but The Collector is prepared.
A quick sidestep turns that haymaker into a glancing blow–and then Sigil’s own ferocious right hand impacts Storm’s face. A line of blood flows down Storm’s nose.
Sigil delivers another cutting punch.
Storm drops to a knee, dazed.
“I will enjoy taking your championship from you at Pandemonium,” Sigil says.
He goes to deliver a devastating hammerblow to Storm’s head…
But the Storm rises!
Luke springs upward and delivers a powerful ascending upper-cut to Sigil!
The Collector falls backward, tumbling into the chairs behind him. Storm stands, face bloodied. He looks at the hurting Sigil, then at Newton.
Fury rises in Luke’s face. But he turns and walks away.
As Sigil lies there, just slightly beginning to stir–Edward Newton laughs quietly to himself.
Cut.
AESOP VS. THE RED DEATH
SINGLES MATCH
Pain and darkness meets Optimism…only one can prevail.
Aesop takes control early with his grappling skill and sends the smaller Kirby flying with a JUDO THROW! Some rapid back hand chops back Death into the corner before a kick to the gut stalls Aesop’s attack. Kirby goes back to the well – again & again…. & again. With Aesop doubled over, Death connects with a FRONT HEADLOCK DDT! Kirby pins! ONE! TWO! NO!
Red Death grimaces as he would’ve gladly taken the early win. He gets back to work, pulling Aesop back to his feet and figures he has enough time to set up the RED JUSTICE!? Aesop has recovered! He reverses! HUGE SUPLEX! The center of the squared circle CRASHES as both men hit the mat! Aesop rolls Kirby’s leg! ONE! TWO! THREE! NO!!!
Red Death will not let Aesop reveal his finale, Aesop thinks it was a late kick and a stern look towards the official costs him precious milliseconds of momentum because Kirby is now in motion! AXE KICK ELBOW SMASH! He catches Aesop square on the button. Death times Aesop’s return to his feet with another attempt off the ropes! Aesop catches him in a fireman’s carry!
AESOP IS GRINNING EAR TO EAR! He brings Death to the center of the ring figuring he has him right where he wants him. DEATH SWINGS ENOUGH MOMENTUM! He has Aesop in a headlock! FRONT HEADLOCK DDT! The Reaper has a twisted ending planned. As AESOP crawls towards the nearest rope, Death grabs lock of both wrists. DOOM! Aesop’s chin goes crashing with what looks to be a certain broken jaw. DARKNESS FALLS! Kirby has all day. ONE! TWO! THREE!
Tonight the story of pain and suffering was on brilliant display.
PLAY NICE
BACKSTAGE
Junkrat strides across the backstage area, a different man than we’ve seen in weeks past. More focused, more dangerous.
Suddenly, something catches his attention.
Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo…
He raises his crooked eyebrow and starts walking towards the noise.
Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo…
Junkrat looks around.
It’s not coming from his left, nor his right, nor beneath him.
“Oi, where the fuck is that cuckoo bird?”
He looks up. A net hoisted high above him, containing hundreds of cuckoo clocks.
Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo…
His eyes widen as the net drops.
“Oh, bugger.”
Junkrat covers his head, but it does nothing to stop him from being BURIED beneath the mound of cuckoo clocks that cover him, breaking and splintering apart over his body.
By the time the last cuck is cooed, Junkrat is deep beneath a pile of splintered wood, gears, and mechanical birds.
A little giggle from the shadows.
“That was fun!”
SeeSaw.
He skips with glee towards the pile of broken clocks, and smiles.
“It’s okay, Mr. Rat! Not everyone learns how to play nice with their peers! That’s why you’ve got me, buddy. You’re new best friend, and more importantly, your new teacher!”
SeeSaw grabs Junkrat’s leg and drags him out from beneath the debris. He drags Junkrat down the hall by his legs, gleefully singing a little tune.
“Old McSeeSaw had a box, ee-i-ee-i-ooooh! And in that box he kept a rat, ee-i-ee-i-oooh!”
SeeSaw looks down at Junkrat, who remains unconscious.
“We’ll have you playing nice in no time. Soon, you’ll be my sweetest friend!”
Cut.
SEESAW VS. KAZAKU
SINGLES MATCH
Mr. Make Believe squares off against the Yakuza Juvenile tonight. Is it going to be playtime tonight, or can Kazaku stop SeeSaw’s playdate early?
Kazaku lowers herself into a fighting stance as SeeSaw bolts across the ring, looking to clobber her senseless. She ducks under an incoming CLOTHESLINE from SeeSaw and follows through with a ROUNDHOUSE KICK of her own that sends him sprawling into the corner. SPRINGBOARD ENZIGURI! SEESAW IS DOWN!
With SeeSaw crumpled in a heap at the base of the turnbuckle, locks in a LOTUS LOCK! She receives a yelp of pain from Mr. Make Believe, followed by a series of hysterical laughter. The laughter grows louder as SeeSaw rises, with Kazaku still wrapped around his shoulders. He flips her forward… GORILLA PRESS SLAM PLANTS KAZAKU!
The Okami Warrior is planted dead center of the ring, and SeeSaw takes the time to step on her chest, putting all of his weight onto her sternum. She cries out in pain, which only serves to delight SeeSaw more. He picks her up and drives her into the turnbuckle…
SUPERFINE TURBINE BLAST! The Gore hits Kazaku in the corner. SeeSaw lifts her up to end this one, but she throws her balance and lands on her feet behind him. ZIG ZAG! Kazaku takes SeeSaw down! She approaches him to lock in a hold but he gets a THUMB TO HER EYE! TEETER-TOTTER! SEESAW DRILLS HER INTO THE MAT FOR THE PIN! ONE! TWO! THREE!
That’s all she wrote for Kazaku. She fought valiantly, but it was SeeSaw who had the answers here tonight!
BECOME
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Alton Whitock Campaign Office
Whitlock stands, looking out the window over the run down part of the city his offices overlook. Streets that had become a casualty of the war he had involved himself in. His head is pounding, has been all week. He takes a pair of Aspirin and downs them with a glass of water, before reaching for a second glass and downing a shot of whiskey with a grunt.
His offices are deserted, only himself present. The phone pressed to his ear clicks into life as somebody picks up on the other end.
“Yes… No, this is unacceptable. Not altogether unexpected, but it’s clear that loyalty means nothing these days… Well, I’m sorry you feel that way… Hello?”
He takes the phone away from his hear, seeing the ‘call ended’ screen and realising he had been hung up on. Enough frustration to make his head pound harder, Whitlock rubs his temples.
“Mister Whitlock?”
A voice interrupts him from the shadows of what once was a bustling campaign office, where world-changing decisions were made on a daily basis. Alton spins around, taking a second gulp of whiskey as he does so. A tough looking man, dressed in a suit that he has never looked comfortable in, looks inquisitively at him from across the room. The man stands staunch, watching Whitlocks movements.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Mister Whitlock.”
Alton’s eyes flash through several emotions in quick succession, but land inevitably on betrayal.
“Andrews… I need a security detail. Things are only getting rougher out there, now with a madman after me, and all of this shit has gone to hell.”
The man stands stoically without answering him. Whitlock growls.
“So they’ve got to you too? This is what things have become?”
“I am not at liberty to discuss that with you, Mister Whitlock. Surely, you know that.”
Whitlock nods his head, tensely. His former security officer need not answer at all. Without another word needed, the man turns and walks away, leaving Whitlock looking out over the city in darkness and solitude. He muses to himself.
“In a sense, you are right, Red Death. These streets have never been more dangerous. But you are part of the problem, and despite all my failings, I tried to be part of the solution. I know you’re out there, watching me. Waiting, biding your time.”
He glances across the line of rooftops, looking for the shadowy figure.
“They took everything I worked for away from me, but they will not break me and neither will you. I will do what’s right. No matter the cost.”
He downs the rest of the glass of whisky and places the glass down upon his desk, before turning back to the window and staring in silence.
Cut.
THE REAPER VS. SIGIL
SINGLES MATCH
The Collector meets the Bounty Hunter who will walk away with their end game?
The standing ovation the crowd built up to after the bell run proved this is one the fans have been waiting for. They both approach slowly, respecting the other trying to read one another’s first move. Sigil breaks the fever pitch of energy in the Slaughterhouse with a COSMIC LEAP! Reaper’s head is on a swivel in anticipation. SIGIL FLASH! Sigil unleashes a flurry of crosses in combination as Reaper puts up a strong defense but it eventually backs him into a corner and Sigil lands a heavy left that rocks Reaper and sends him reeling.
Sigil wants to create some momentum with an Irish whip, FINITE!! Leaping Roundhouse Kick! ONE! TWO! NO! Reaper comes to and kicks out, tossing Sigil off. He throws his own flurry of crosses, as he drives Sigil all the way back into the opposite corner with a huge kneeling punch to the gut to cap it off. Reaper has full-control and nails a picturesque GUT WRENCH POWERBOMB!
No quick cover, instead a stiff leg drop that lands square on Sigil’s throat. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Sigil shakes to and Reaper stays on top of him sending him head first into the turnbuckle. Reaper whips Sigil into the corner and follows him with a high impact spear to his back side, transitioning quickly to a thunderous GERMAN SUPLEX!
WAIT… WHAT!? SIGIL COSMIC LEAP! HE’S GONE! Reaper’s momentum causes his head to CRASH to the mat taking all of the force. Reaper slowly stirs to his feet but Sigil reappears and lands a HUGE FRONT DROP KICK! PLANESWALKER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
The fans of the Slaughterhouse we’re not disappointed! They are at full blast after a wild display! Sigil makes good on his collection.
THE GREAT UNIVERSAL ARGUMENT
SOMEWHERE ELSE
The Reaper gets back to his feet, absolutely exhausted.
Suddenly, he vanishes.
Pitch Black awaits us.
When we return, The Reaper stands in a ginormous circular glass building with a view right into outer space.
He’s in absolute awe.
Until The Judge appears.
“Welcome to my chambers; the observatory,” he mutters solemnly.
He walks in and takes a seat on a large metal framed chair. It’s like a throne in the middle of the room.
“What’s the meaning of all this?” Reaper demands to know, folding his arms.
“You wanted answers, did you not?” Judge asks, using his hand to bring up a display that sits in the middle of the room. He whips through certain parts, stopping at one in particular. “But first, let’s talk about you.”
The scene chosen by The Judge suddenly starts playing before us.
It’s The Reaper, in prison scrubs, fighting for his life against three inmates. The battle is short lived as Reaper dispatches the goons, though he takes a beating in the process.
“How many men have you hurt or killed?” Judge asks.
Reaper rolls his eyes.
“I’ve only ever killed when I’ve needed to,” he barks back. “I don’t take pleasure in it.”
“That’s interesting,” Judge replies with a shake of the head. “Yet many of those you’ve murdered have families, don’t they?”
There’s a pause.
“We’re not here to talk about me. If you want your axe back, you’ll tell me why my family had to die; you’ll explain the balance of that to me.”
The Judge stands up, walking over to him.
“The great universal argument awaits us both,” Judge says, looking him square in the ends. “Actions have consequences. You may demand to know why, but you have awoken something more than that. I’ve realized that you’ve gone unnoticed in my observatory. Your actions have been recorded, but you’ve not appeared on my radar.”
The Reaper steps forward, closing in on him.
“And let me guess, you want to know why?”
The Judge nods.
Cut.
LUKE STORM VS. JESSIE WILLIAMS
SINGLES MATCH
Jessie Williams seeks to find more answers in the search for his uncle, but when you come at a King like Luke Storm you’d best not miss!
This clash of royalty starts in favor of the Prince, as Williams plays the power game with some hard offense against the Stormborn King. A series of punches wears the champion down, bringing Storm to the canvas before Jessie goes for the Boomstick…only to take a roundhouse kick by Storm!
This sends the Prince reeling back, as Storm strikes quickly and efficiently with a set of kicks that takes Jessie to the corner. Storm props Jessie up before landing some more kicks to the midsection…but Jessie blocks the last one! BOOMSTICK! JESSIE WILLIAMS JUST KNOCKED THE CHAMP THE FUCK OUT!
Storm falls to the canvas as Jessie regains his bearings, now looking to keep the momentum on his side as Storm slowly gets to his feet. Jessie’s charging up his Boomstick, launching it long-range at the champ…but Storm just manages to dodge it before running at Williams! DOWNPOUR ON WILLIAMS!
Williams is down, and Storm manages to dodge the Boomstick on its return to the Prince as he slowly gets back to his feet…BUT STORM NAILS HIM WITH A LIGHTNING STRIKE! Jessie is wobbly after that superkick, but not completely out…ANOTHER DOWNPOUR! Storm with the cover now! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Luke Storm comes up victorious in this clash between King and Prince!
SHOWDOWN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
In the middle of no-where, Flavo the Yellow Skull stands alone, looking up at the dark nights sky.
It’s the desert and he’s purposefully alone.
Until he’s not.
With a wisp of the air, a figure arrives wearing a Green Mask.
Viridi.
“I’m surprised you asked to meet with me,” Viridi says, covered in a black cloak.
“Our feud comes to an end shortly. I wanted to see you one last time before that happened,” Flavo said, taking a seat on the sand beneath him.
“Your confidence is amusing,” Viridi replies, taking a seat next to him. “You’re desperate to see me defeated, aren’t you?”
Flavo shakes his head.
“You betrayed us,” he growls. “You betrayed me.”
“I found something special and I couldn’t abandon it; why could you never understand that, brother?”
“It changed you for the worse,” Flavo angrily replies. “You’re no longer my brother.”
Viridi abruptly stands up, deciding to walk away.
Only he stops.
“If you send Sigil after me, I’ll kill him and take back the crystal,” he says sternly. “Then I’ll sit at your table and take back my rightful place.”
“That won’t happen. He’s going to kill you, Viridi. He’s going to sever your connection to the time crystal and end your miserable life, once and for all.”
Flavo gets back to his feet.
Both men stare at each other.
Their relationship revealed.
Cut.
EDWARD NEWTON VS. BANZAN
SINGLES MATCH
The unbeatable man faces up against the immovable mountain tonight as The Riddler goes one on one against Banzan.
The bell sounds as Banzan moves forward with surprising speed, taking Newton by surprise with a hard uppercut to the throat the dazes the Riddler before a hard headbutt drops Newton to the mat. He struggles up right into a pair of hands around his throat before Banzan tosses him across the ring with a hard choke toss. Newton pulls himself up by the ropes in the corner right into a hard running elbow to the jaw before Banzan lifts him up into the air.
DUKKA! Newton gets dropped onto his head with the Saito Suplex as Bazan hooks the leg for the cover, ONE…TWO…Newton gets the shoulder up! Banzan pulls Newton up to his feet, getting a poke to the eye for his trouble as Newton quickly drops Banzan to the mat with a quick Russian Legsweep. A stiff legdrop to the back of the head follows up as Banzan tries to get to his feet as Newton goes for the pinfall.
ONE…TW..Banzan quickly kicks out! Newton pulls Banzan to his feet, delivering a quick kick to the gut before trying for the end but the Mountain’s girth is a little too much for the Riddler as he can’t get him up into the Death Valley. Newton groans in pain as another headbutt leaves him out on his feet before a stiff roundhouse puts him down on the mat.
Banzan backs up as Newton slowly struggles to his feet, raising his knee up high as he rushes forward, MAGG…JIGSAW PIECE! Smoke fills the ring as a hard thwack is heard and as it dissipates, we see Banzan holding his groin for a moment before Newton rolls him up with a schoolboy. ONE…TWO…NEWTON HAS THE TIGHTS…THREE!!!
The Riddler rolls out of the ring, the furious Banzan recovering slowly as the ever opportunistic Riddler steals the victory here tonight.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
After the show.
RED ALERT! RED ALERT!
A siren rings through the air, red lights flashing from every direction, a completely disorienting view for anyone watching on.
The sound of footsteps are heavy on polished floors as Mark Gouldern rushes through the halls of his Telegon building. He seems to be running for some kind of panic room, the mogul looking to his telegauntlet with fear in his eyes.
“Give me a status update. Now!”
“The premises has been breached by an unknown force. We are trying to lock dowwwww-”
The gauntlet gargbles that last bit of information as the communications equipment built into the building seem to have been cut off. Gouldern rounds a corner and heads into a meeting room. Just as he closes the doors, steel cages coming down to lock him in, the power goes out.
And Gouldern is left alone in darkness. He checks his gauntlet once more, readings on the screen indicating that power to the building, his high tech palace, has been entirely cut.
And the only light other than the gauntlet on his gauntlet, is one we see outside of the window. The fire of a pipe reflecting off of the glass window of one of the doors leading into the room. Gouldern’s eyes go wide as he sees what we see.
Pickpocket, the once lovable street urchin stands in front of the door, one that will be impossible to open with the steel cage in the way. Gouldern watches as Pickpocket puffs the pipe, a scowl on his face as he speaks.
“You’re scum, Mark. Everything you do, everything you’ve done. It’s all been selfish, built upon the deaths of human beings that you viewed as statistics.”
Gouldern can hear Pickpocket, and he goes to reply but Pickpocket slams the door with an enraged fist, silencing Gouldern.
“Be happy I’m not you, Mark. I would have killed you the moment I could. No, I’m going to give you what you haven’t given anyone else. A chance. I’m going to do something, something really bad. And you’ll have the chance to survive and not become another number on a spreadsheet for your employees.”
Mark stays silent, swallowing as he looks around himself, wondering just what Pickpocket has planned.
“It’s simple. I’m going to use this pipe, this pipe my friend loved in life, and I’m going to use it to light a little trail of gas. This whole building will burn down. That’s not something you have a choice in. But you can survive. The windows behind you aren’t sturdy, they’ll shatter if you throw yourself against them. Just be weary of the three story free fall.”
Gouldern, at this thought, becomes infuriated, yelling at Pickpocket through the door.
“You will do nothing of the sort! You are nothing, and you’re too weak to do what you’re claiming. I doubt you killed my men, and I know you won’t set this building on fire. You’re a coward. And when I get out of here, you’ll be sorry you meddled with Imperium!”
Pickpocket merely shakes his head, dumping the flaming ash out of his pipe onto the ground, a fire lighting in front of the door. He walks away, almost too calmly.
“Catch me if you can, Mark.”
Pickpocket disappears into the smoke, leaving Gouldern trapped in the offices. And as the scene fades out, we are left to watch him stare at the windows, his options laid out before him.
Cut.
THE WAR MACHINE VS. IMPERIUM
TRIOS MATCH
A rare tagteam handicap match tonight, it’s the trio of War Machine vs. Gouldern and Whitlock of Imperium!
The bell rings, and it’s Malice and Gouldern to kick things off! Malice and Gouldern lock up, but Malice quickly takes the upper hand, transitioning Gouldern into a side-headlock! Gouldern backs up and bounces off the rope, heaving Malice forward! Malice bounces off the other side! A BIG TIME LARIAT TURNS GOULDERN INSIDE OUT!
Malice whips Gouldern into War Machine’s corner! Major Thom and Bishop hammer Gouldern as Malice stomps a mudhole into his stomach! Gouldern is brought back up to his feet by Malice, and he tags in Bishop! Bishop steps over the top rope! TELEGAUNTLET STRAIGHT INTO BISHOP’S GROIN! Gouldern, somehow manages to escape the War Machine’s corner! THE DISRUPTION!
Gouldern crawls towards his corner. Bishop slowly begins to stagger to his feet. Bishop reaches his feet just as Gouldern is able to SLAP HANDS with Alton Whitlock! Whitlock rushes into the ring! He DUCKS the Big Boot from Bishop, and nails Major Thom with a flying forearm! Major Thom drops off the apron!
Whitlock climbs to the second turnbuckle. Bishop turns around! ACE CRUSHER FROM WHITLOCK! Major Thom, from the floor, tags himself in as Bishop lays motionless! He climbs into the ring, Whitlock beckoning him forward! Whitlock charges Major Thom, but CATCHES A BICYCLE KICK TO THE CHEST! Whitlock hits the ground! Thom scoops him up and onto his shoulders! CODE RED!!! MAJOR THOM MAKES THE COVER!!! ONE!!! TWO!!! THREEEEEEEE!!!!
The War Machine prove they are a formidable force with a huge victory over Imperium!
YOUR TURN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Backstage, Kazaku is walking after that tough match with SeeSaw when Drake Gabriel comes out of the shadows.
“It’s always a grueling skirmish with you, isn’t it Kazaku? Do you have to be at death’s door to use your true power? No jester, no magistrate, not even an enigma would have a chance against you if you showed them what Okami really meant.”
Kazaku scoffs.
“Is that how you keep winning? You use your powers against people? If this is what you must do to survive in the slaughterhouse? At first, I was worried about you. Now I realize why you hunt your kind, it’s because they didn’t give you a shred of the power you’re owed.”
Gabriel Drake shakes his head.
“Do not dare to speak about power in my presence, little girl. I am not like you, scared to use what you were gifted with against mortals, so scared you become their pet instead of their leader. I know my place in this world and I prove it against these mere men. When will you?”
Kazaku stares daggers at Drake.
“I will use my power when I see fit, you’ll see my full power next week, you chose the one day of the month there is no choice. You keep wanting to see what I’m made of. It’s your turn to show me. You are not the only creature doomed to walk this earth for centuries and you’re about to face him one on one. I don’t care if you beat him, I only care about how you get to the destination. If you face him without your powers, I’ll actually be impressed.”
Kazaku and Drake are staring at each other, not one budging from the other. Drake’s music begins to play.
“That’s my cue and powers or not, I will win.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Cut.
GABRIEL DRAKE VS. THE CRYPTKEEPER
SINGLES MATCH
The Lord of Shadows has reigned supreme since his debut but he faces stiff competition tonight. Can he feast well tonight or will he be just another story in the Keeper’s tale?
The bell rings as Drake rushes forward, drilling The Keeper with a stiff uppercut that rocks him back a few steps as Drake continues his flurry with lefts and rights that back Keeper into the corner before a sickening headbutt stuns the Keeper for a moment, allowing Drake to back up before nearly decapitating The Cryptkeeper with a massive Lariat into the steel. The Keeper staggers out into a grasp around his throat as he’s lifted high up into the air for THE FALL! The Chokeslam plants the Keeper into the mat as Drake hooks the leg for the cover
ONE..TWO…CRYPT KEEPER GETS HIS SHOULDER UP! Drake pulls the Keeper up to his feet only to get a thrust to the throat before a huge right hook sends him to the mat. Drake is pulled to his feet but an attempted eye rake does nothing as Drake flashes his claws, slicing them down the Keeper’s face with the BLOOD DRIVE. No blood comes from his skeletal face but it hurts like hell as Drake whips the Keeper off the ropes, trying for a clothesline that the Keeper ducks under before rebounding off with THE END! A Big Boot nearly takes Drake’s head as the Keeper goes for a fall of his own.
ONE..TWO…Drake gets the shoulder up! He slowly gets to his feet into another right hook before The Keeper hoists him into the air, trying for the Bumped His Head but Drake manages to slip out of the Piledriver attempt, swinging forward with a SHADOW enforced cape swipe that leaves the Keeper out on his feet before a stiff DDT sends him into the mat.
Drake backs up, looking to finish the Cryptkeeper off once and for all and as he slowly stands, Drake grabs him from behind, locking in the Cobra Clutch. The Cryptkeeper refuses to tap as Drake lifts him into the air with incredible strength before nearly snapping him over his knee with a backbreaker. FEAST OR FAMINE! Drake doesn’t try to tap the Keeper out, instead throwing the broken body of the Keeper down to the mat as he covers him for the victory. ONE…TWO…THREE!!!
The Hunter has his fill here tonight as he makes the Cryptkeeper another on the ever growing list of his victims in OSW.
BAIT
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Later tonight.
Banzan and Aesop, Fable, the OSW Tag Team Champions, stand inside of a dark room.
“They’ve escalated.” Banzan remarks.
“As we knew they would.” Aesop responds.
The pair are looking down at a table, with multiple pieces of paper strewn about it.
Photographs.
Each one seems to be a capture taken with a sniper rifle. Each one seems to be of random people in libraries, in monasteries.
Peaceful people.
Learned people.
Innocents.
“They need to be taught a lesson.” Banzan says, his eyes meeting his partners.
“It’s a bluff. Bait.” Aesop shakes his head. “They’re on a short leash. Whoever they report to won’t loose them on civilians.”
Agreement rules the air as both men look at the photographs.
“Nevertheless,” Banzan cuts in. “I think they have judged us as pacifists. Weak.”
“Pacifism is not weakness.” Aesop chuckles. “But either way, they’ve judged us wrong.”
Banzan clears the table, the photographs falling to the ground. He leaves one piece of paper. This one has a set of coordinates scratched on it.
“Let’s pay our friends a visit. It’s time for them to learn that war may not always be the answer, but once it begins, there’s only one thing to do.”
“Burn them down.” Aesop agrees.
The pair leave the room, ready to go to war with the War Machine.
It’s a war that we already know the result of. The War Machine will find out that Fable isn’t to be trifled with.
Next week, they will go to war in the ring.
For the Tag Team titles.
PICKPOCKET VS. BEG
I QUIT MATCH
Tonight, Pickpocket has his chance at revenge as he faces BEG in an I Quit match! Will he get vengeance for Scrimshaw or will he beg for mercy? We find out now!
DING! DING! Pickpocket charges at BEG and starts hitting him with right after right driving BEG to the corner! He is not letting up! Punch after punch! BEG is getting rocked but he rakes Pickpocket’s eyes! He tosses Pickpocket through the ropes and he lands hard outside! BEG rolls out of the ring and hits a knee drop on Pickpocket’s spine! Pickpocket is screaming in agony and BEG is wringing his hands together waiting for Pickpocket to stand up!
PICKPOCKET IS STARTING TO GET UP!
BEG INSTANTLY SNATCHES HIM AND LOCKS IN A SLEEPER HOLD!
IT’S THE BILLION DOLLAR DREAM!
PICKPOCKET LOOKS LIKE HE MIGHT FADE AND THE REF HOLDS A MICROPHONE TO HIM!
HE ASKS, “DO YOU QUIT?”
PICKPOCKET SAYS “NO!”
HE PLANTS HIS FEET AND HOISTS BEG ON HIS BACK!
HE FALLS BACKWARD ON THE BARRICADE!
The landing makes BEG let go and Pickpocket gets right on top of him! He is choking BEG out and bashing his head against the barricade! BEG looks like he might be stuck there! The ref goes to ask BEG if he quits but Pickpocket slaps the mic out of the ref’s hand! He is not done with BEG! He does not realize he has let go of BEG! BEG sees an opportunity!
LOW BLOW!
BEG KICKS PICKPOCKET HARD THROUGH THE UPRIGHTS!
PICKPOCKET IS HUNCHED OVER AND BEG PULLS HIMSELF UP!
DDT ON THE FALLEN BARRICADE!
PICKPOCKET IS PLANTED!
BEG is happy with his handiwork but he is not done! He grabs a chair! He starts bashing Pickpocket’s head in! Chair shot after chair shot and Pickpocket looks helpless! BEG yells at the ref, “Pick up the damn mic!” The ref grabs it and holds it to Pickpocket’s face to ask him!
“DO YOU QUIT?”
“NO!”
SMASH!
“ASK HIM!”
“DO YOU QUIT?”
“NO!”
SMASH!
“ASK HIM!’
“DO YOU QUIT?”
“NO!”
SMA-NO! PICKPOCKET ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! THE CHAIR HITS THE BARRICADE HARD AND BEG IS FORCED TO DROP IT!
BEG IS SHAKING HIS HANDS!
PICKPOCKET SEES AN OPENING!
SNATCH AND GRAB!
PICKPOCKET GRABS BEG’S ARM AND PULLS HIM INTO A KNEE STRIKE!
BEG is down and Pickpocket drags his head on top of the chair! He grabs the back of BEG’s head and starts bashing him face-first into the chair! BEG looks completely out of it and Pickpocket is grabbing another chair! Pickpocket is licking his lips as he raises the chair!
CON-CHAIR-TO!
ANOTHER ONE!
ANOTHER ONE!
BEG MIGHT BE OUT COLD!
PICKPOCKET LEAVES THE SECOND CHAIR ON TOP OF BEG’S HEAD AS HE ROLLS BACK IN THE RING AND CLIMBS THE TOP ROPE!
WHAT IS HE DOING!?!
HE JUMPS!
HE’S GOING FOR THE DOUBLE FOOT STOMP BUT BEG THROWS THE CHAIR INTO POCKPOCKET’S FACE!
MID-AIR COLLISION! PICKPOCKET FALLS ONTO THE EDGE OF THE APRON!
He hit his back on the hardest part of the ring and BEG sees a chance! He jumps on Pickpocket like a shark smelling blood in the water! Stomp to the back! Another stomp! Another! He grinds his heel into Pickpocket’s back on the last one! BEG is smiling that wicked smile as he grabs Pickpockets’s arm!
HE TRAPS PICKPOCKET’S ARM BETWEEN HIS LEGS AND STARTS CHOKING HIM OUT!
FINANCIAL CRISIS!
HE HAS LOCKED ON THE CRIPPLER CROSSFACE!
BEG HAS IT LOCKED IN TIGHT AND PICKPOCKET LOOKS LIKE HE MIGHT PASS OUT!
THE REF ASKS, “DO YOU QUIT?”
PICKPOCKET SHAKES HIS HEAD NO AS HE REACHES UNDER THE RING!
HE FINDS A KENDO STICK!
HE SWINGS IT BEHIND HIMSELF TO GET BEG OFF HIM!
BEG lets go and both men are down! Pickpocket uses the kendo stick as a cane get up while BEG slowly gets to his feet! Pickpocket swings the kendo stick at BEG’s leg! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Pickpocket is not stopping! BEG is wincing in pain until he can’t take it anymore! BEG grabs pickpocket’s hair and throws him into the ring steps!
BEG IS NOT DONE!
HE GRABS PICKPOCKET’S HAIR AND STARTS BASHING HIS FACE INTO THE STEPS REPEATEDLY!
SMASH!
“ASK HIM!”
“DO YOU QUIT?”
“NO!
SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!
“ASK HIM!”
“DO YOU QUIT?”
PICKPOCKET SAYS “NO!” AS HE SPITS OUT BLOOD!
Beg shakes his head and laughs. He figured this is how it was going to be so he points to his head and looks under the ring! He has found it! What is he grabbing? A dolly!? What is he going to do with that? He slides it under the ring! It looks like he is picking up something heavy as he tilts that Dolly very slowly!
IT’S A BATHTUB FULL OF WATER!
“READY TO JOIN YOUR FRIEND PICKPOCKET?”
BEG GRABS THE BACK OF PICKPOCKET’S HAIR AND DRAGS HIM TO THE BATHTUB!
BEG IS DROWNING HIM!
PICKPOCKET IS FIGHTING IT BUT HIS BODY STARTS TO GO LIMP AND HE LOOKS LIKE HE MIGHT FADE TO BLACK SOON!
BEG PULLS HIM OUT AT THE VERY LAST SECOND!
“ASK HIM!”
“DO YOU QUIT?”
“NO!”
BEG SHRUGS AND SAYS, “I GUESS YOU DO MISS HIM THAT MUCH.”
HE GOES TO DROWN HIM AGAIN!
“I QUIT!”
PICKPOCKET QUITS BEFORE HE HAS TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!
BEG has done it! He’s not only survived Pickpocket’s revenge, but he has also won!
SQUEAKY CLEAN
RINGSIDE
Static.
We’re at the stately manor of Berkshire Elision Green – only he’s just finished fighting Pickpocket in one hell of a match.
Alton Whitlock sits on the porch, his shirt unbuttoned and his tie hanging from his pocket.
“I believed in what we did.,” he growls.
His eyes waiver.
“Being in Imperium with you, Green, I believed that I could change this country for the better. That’s why I laid down for you. That’s why I signed on.”
He sighs.
“But now I realize that becoming President of the United States of America is a pipe dream. To accomplish it, I’d have to become something else.”
Alton stands up, walking away from the porch. It’s then we realize that the door is open. There’s a trail of fluid leading from inside to out.
“I just won’t do it,” he roars.
He reaches inside his pocket and pulls out a cigar. He follows that up with a match, lighting it before tossing the lit match behind him.
Whoosh!
Fire immediately enters the house of BEG, setting fire to everything inside.
Whitlock smiles.
“You’re not the only one who can play games, Green,” he says with a snarl. “And for me to become President, I’d need a squeaky-clean image.”
Suddenly, police cars speed onto the scene, surrounding him.
“There goes that.”
Officers rush him, tossing him to the floor and slapping cuffs on him. Alton laughs almost hysterically as he dragged away, the fire raging behind him.
Cut.