GOODNIGHT
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: OH MY ZEUS… SHE KILLED… SHE JUST KILLED….
Slosh. Thwap. Slosh. Thwap.
Blood spurts in every direction with every vile swing of the bat. Narcissa is covered in it – that and viscera. Brain matter. There’re clumps of it clung to her hair.
She stops swinging the bat for a moment to take a deep calculated euphoric breath.
NICK DIAMOND: I’m going to be sick…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That poor… what did he do to deserve that?
The victim?
Lucky Landucci.
Narcissa stands over the spasming body of Lucky, chuckling maniacally to herself. Has she lost it? The Uprising surround Apokalypsis, looking surprised. They didn’t know it was coming. No-one did.
“Failure is not an option,” she says, whipping her hair back behind her.
Flashback.
Attano stirs on the mat, trying to get to his feet as Lucky rushes over, trying to deliver one of his deadly right hands but Attano catches it, pushing Lucky backwards
…….INTO THE LADDER AS NARCISSA CRASHES TO THE MAT!
Lucky looks shocked as he quickly picks Narcissa up, trying to brush her off but she pushes him away, clearly hurting and pissed off. She orders him to leave.
No Man’s Land.
“If I’m willing to do that to a member of the Uprising who failed me, what do you think I’ll do to you?” Narcissa swings the bat around and approaches Gemini. She puts the bloodied bat against her head and then changes her mind, walking over to Grimskull instead. “Last chance, spikey. What’s the door do?”
The Preacher, who’s arm hangs loosely and broken, defiantly shakes his head.
“Not a single soul among us will share the secrets you seek, girl. You can break us, bend us or kill us – our mission supersedes your casual desires,” he mutters angrily at her.
“Very well,” she nods.
NICK DIAMOND: Noo… please… not again…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This must stop!
Narcissa lifts the bat high…
“STOP!” A voice booms from behind. She reluctantly turns around to see an unexpected face. A face that isn’t alone.
In fact, The Uprising are now themselves surrounded.
It’s Vision and The Third Eye.
NICK DIAMOND: OH MY ZEUS! THAT’S VISION! VISION IS… VISION IS HERE!
“Lower the weapon, or we’ll be forced to do it for you,” the leader of the Third Eye says with a snarl. Narcissa reluctantly does as she’s told.
“This isn’t your fight,” she growls back at him angrily. She isn’t a fan of being interrupted. “Turn away, blind man.”
“Even a blind man can see these people won’t tell you what you want to know and by murdering them, the answers you seek will vanish into the underworld with their souls,” he continues.
Narcissa and the Uprising step forward, standing toe to toe with The Third Eye members.
“But more importantly than that, Narcissa… and I sincerely want you to understand this, if your fight is with OSW, it is also with us.”
She smiles.
Now she understands the playing field.
“What now?” She wants to know. “A fight?”
Vision shakes his head.
“No,” he declines the offer. “Sterling has set the parameters of your demise. I won’t hasten it. Not today..”
She chuckles slightly, nodding to her crew.
“Let’s go Uprising,” she demands, walking away casually, blood dripping from the bat in her hand. “I think we know at least one member of Team OSW for Ring of Dreams.”
The Uprising carefully exit, following behind the casual Narcissa, leaving Vision to go check on Grimskull and Apokalypsis.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: There’s so much history between these two men. A few weeks ago, Grimskull stopped Gemini from killing Vision and tonight, he stopped Narcissa from killing them.
NICK DIAMOND: Could this be a rekindling of their friendship?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: We have here tonight a much anticipated debut Nicky as Master Ken makes his entrance into Olympus for his very first match.
NICK DIAMOND: And it may well be his last match Johnny. Colt Ramsey has gone toe to toe with the very best, he’s a former champion and Master Ken may well find out the calibre of wrestlers here in Olympus far eclipses that of those he fought in the Olympics.
The bell rings as Colt rushes in, nearly decapitating Ken with a brutal running clothesline. Ken stumbles up into a second and then a third before he’s grabbed in a Full Nelson, Colt looking for the end early here but the Sensei manages to slip out, sweeping low with the STREET SWEEPER!
Colt staggers up to his feet, slightly limping into a flurry of hard blows from the strike master, a hard knee to the gut taking all the wind out of the former Journo before Ken backs up.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: ENTER THE DRAGON! A deadly scissors kick to the back of the head may be all she wrote there as Ken covers for the one…two…NO! Colt just gets the shoulder up
Ken raises his arms, looking for that Crane Kick but Colt doesn’t get to his feet, instead swinging low as he pulls the Sensei throat first onto the nearby ropes. Ken staggers up as Colt grabs him in the Full Nelson once more
FIT TO PRINT! Colt nails the Full Nelson Facebuster as he quickly drops down, hooking both legs for the pinfall as Demi Sky begins to count
ONE
………….
TWO
…………….
THREE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Colt using some underhanded tactics to secure the victory here tonight but loss or not, Master Ken proved he’s ready for the competition in Olympus.
WINNER: COLT RAMSEY
SORTING THIS MESS OUT
NICK DIAMOND: Looks like we’re stopping by to see The Authority.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s as crooked as they come, Nicky.
The Authority of Old School Wrestling moves through the backstage, a knowing look in his eyes as he comes across his small office. He looks around, pushing his way inside and into a cushy office space. “Thank you for joining me. I hope I’m not intruding-“
“You are.” A voice shoots back from the other end of the office, the chair not turning around, merely brushing Scott off without a second thought. It belongs to Narcissa, who sits opposite Harold Attano – a single invasion briefcase between them. “Now, a smart man would turn around and leave us to resolve this. Are you a smart man?”
Scott chuckles, not the least bit intimidated as he steps forwards, placing a hand on the desk. “Oh, I’d say I’m quite smart. In fact, I invited you here because I’m looking to resolve this problem before it comes to blows. Don’t you both want to be invasion holders?”
There’s a pause from Narcissa, who sits comfortably in the chair. Attano meanwhile stands in the corner, arms folded. He leans back, eyeing Sterling. “What do you propose?”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: By Zeus, something is afoot.
NICK DIAMOND: Well, they both won it, Johnny.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: And look at that.. that’s a second briefcase in Sterlings hand.
“This is yours,” Sterling pushes the briefcase towards Attano. “And the one on the table, that is yours, Narcissa.”
“What’s the meaning of this?” Narcy asks, deadly serious.
“You both have until Invasion next year to invade,” Sterling says sternly. “You can both invade at the same time or against one another. All options are on the table.”
Harold nods his head, sneering as he offers Sterling his hand.
“And what’s the catch?” He asks.
“There’s no catch, Harold,” The Authority says with a smirk. “Now, why don’t you both get out of my office? If you’re both smart, that is.”
The both grab their respective cases and exit, leaving Sterling to take a seat and smirk.
NICK DIAMOND: That was cagey.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Something about that exchange was off. What is The Authority up to?
Cut.
GONE ROGUE?
The Sanctuary.
It’s Chaos. Members of the Kingdom are pacing back and forth, angrily yelling at one another. The Black Panther turned on them last week and they have no idea why. The Yellow Python sits in the corner, his knees up to his chest and his head lowered.
Suddenly, the console in the middle of the room buzzes.
The Zookeeper speaks.
“Does anyone know anything?” He asks.
“We left him here to recover from his wound,” The Red Falcon says with a shrug. “He hadn’t spoke since awakening. We have no idea what’s happened.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Last week at Invasion, The Black Panther turned on The Yellow Python, folks. We don’t know why.
NICK DIAMOND: The Kingdom must be distraught.
“His mental state?” The White Bear questions. “Post traumatic stress from the shooting, perhaps?”
The Blue Shark shakes his head.
“That mother fucker was always a half second away from turning his back on us,” he reminds the rest.
“Python?” The Zookeeper asks. The Yellow Python stands up, dusting himself off. “Are you okay?”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You can tell he’s hurting by his body language.
NICK DIAMOND: I don’t blame him. That was a betrayal.
“I dunno dude,” TYP says with a shrug, putting his hands on his hips. “Why’d he do that? I thought we were bros.”
Everyone looks at him. You can feel their sadness.
“You need to be vigilant,” the Zookeeper continues. “None of you have ever seen one another’s faces. He could be anywhere. He could be anyone.”
There’s an immediate increase in the tension in the room.
“Wait a minute,” Python interrupts. “Is he… hunting us?”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh boy..
NICK DIAMOND: Hunted by a Panther? That could be terrifying.
That was the question on all their minds.
“I just don’t know yet,” Zookeeper says cautiously. “I just don’t know. Get your heads on swivels. If The Black Panther has gone rogue, he knows where we are, he knows our inner most secrets and more importantly, he knows how to hurt us.”
The Kingdom look at one another.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Up next we have Aster Grey taking on Spiros the Great, but can the Great One take down a member of the Uprising?
As the bell rings, the two men trade punches until Spiros sends Aster to the ropes…but the Gray Man ducks a clothesline!
Aster builds up speed against the ropes, but he gets caught with a basement dropkick from STG that sends him face-first into the canvas!
Spiros starts to get back up but is quickly cut off with some kicks by Grey…but the Great One makes it to his feet, cutting Aster off with a right hand!
One after another, laying the smackdown as only Spiros can before winding up for one final blow that sends Aster reeling toward the ropes!
Grey looks for a clothesline on the rebound, but the Great One ducks as Aster heads across…only to be cut off with a powerful spinebuster upon his return!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SPINE ON THE PINE! Aster may have had the air knocked clean out of him as Spiros makes the cover!
Cole Holt with the count!
ONE!
TW–NO!
NICK DIAMOND: Aster showing he’s still got plenty of fight left in him!
Spiros insists he’s got this, bringing the Gray Man to his feet…but gets driven into the canvas with a double underhook DDT instead!
KINDNESS!
Aster’s not done yet though, bringing STG to his feet once more…for a chokeslam!
ALL GRAY!
Aster with the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Hotly-contested bout here ends with Aster Grey picking up the win over Spiros the Great!
WINNER: ASTER GRAY
MANIFEST TROY-STINY
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Doom Factory always gives me chills to see, Nicky.
NICK DIAMOND: I think Felix really spruced the place up! Look at the decorum!
We find ourselves looking at Doom’s precious laboratory. The inside has been decorated with pieces of Felix’s show, ranging from colorful chairs to a few puppets scattered about! The Friendly One himself stands in the middle where Doom is shaking his head.
“Don’t you just love it, bestie? I figured you’d be a little sour about Invasion so I wanted to brighten up your day! And your lab. A multitude of colors promotes a creative mind!” Foley speaks happily as always, though Doom merely sighs.
“Yes, yes I know.” The Scientist looks at the new additions to his laboratory, shaking his head. “But if you must- What’s that sound?”
“PRAISE ZION!”
“PRAISE ZION!”
“PRAISE ZION!”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: By Zeus not these guys again.
NICK DIAMOND: I believe you mean ‘by Zion’, Johnny.
The Children of Zion enter Doom’s lab, parting to reveal Lionel Troy and Colt Ramsey! Mama Troy’s Baby Boy smiles excitedly, looking around the lab and turning to his congregation. “This is it! Zion himself has spoken unto me and he has told me of a new land, a new world, for Zion to claim! I present to you the newest part of our wonderful church!”
The Children of Zion cheer at the declaration! However, Doom clearly doesn’t share the excitement as he grabs Troy, forcibly spinning him around. “Who the hell do you think you are!”
“Language!” Foley chimes in.
Doom rolls his eyes. “Who the heck do you think you are? This is my laboratory! No one, and I mean no one, can lay claim to it but myself!” Doom pauses for a moment. “And Felix.”
“Well,” Colt Ramsey finally speaks. “Troy had a vision, he saw a new land where he could hold even larger sermons and house even more congregates! It just so happens that land is here. In his words, we’re here to manifest his… Troy-stiny.”
Doom immediately squares up, hand shooting to his gauntlet as the Children of Zion surround him! However, Foley steps in, trying to diffuse the situation. “Wait wait wait! Before we get violent, could we maybe discuss this further? Perhaps with a tea party? If you’d be willing to come back next week then I’m sure we could get this figured out!”
Everyone stops for a moment, looking towards Felix who merely grins. Troy takes a moment, surveying the scene. “We can meet next week to discuss the destiny of Zion!” He glances to Colt, nodding to the Journo who turns to coral the Children of Zion out of the lab. “For what is Paradise without a lovely meal?”
The Children leave, and Doom looks on in confusion before turning towards Foley. “What was that?”
“It’s like children fighting over a toy! I’m sure we can discuss this rationally! I’d do it today… But I don’t have enough tea for that many people.” Felix pats Doom on the back, the Scientist merely shaking his head as the scene fades out.
Cut.
PREEMPTIVE, I
The Mortuary.
Igor Mortis sits at a desk, quietly filling in his logs of the latest souls to be ferried. He doesn’t even turn his head as Tombstone enters.
“Was it true, Igor? Did you wish Gemini to defeat me so I could return here to the Mortuary, and leave OSW behind?”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Remember, Nicky, Gemini claimed Igor said that as part of her mind games.
NICK DIAMOND: But were they just mind games, Gomez?
Igor Mortis slowly turns and meets Tombstone’s gaze with an unflinching resolve. “I never said such a thing,” he responds, his voice echoing slightly off the ancient walls. “As I told you months ago, if you are to exist in both worlds, then you will dominate them. Your path is yours to carve, not to be swayed by the whims of others.”
Tombstone nods in response as he reaches into his pocket. The air between them thickens as he draws out the lighter given to him by Gemini, pulled from Igor’s pocket. “What about the lighter, then? What was that about?”
Silence reigns for a moment. But when it ends, Igor’s reply is cryptic. “The answers to that question can only come from within,” he says, offering no further insight. “But let us not dwell on distractions. There are more pressing matters at hand.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What’s more pressing than the lighter?
“Jasper Redgrave is your next challenger for the World Championship. And with him, and Narcissa, looming, the Uprising is sure to poke their nose into your business. They will stop at nothing to attain their desires.”
FLUTTER.
Before Igor can delve deeper into his forewarning, Tombstone is gone.
NICK DIAMOND: Uh oh, Gomez. Methinks Tombstone has bad intentions.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You got that right.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jasper has just cemented his spot as a number one contender! Can Python prove his worth by getting a win over this demented artist?
The match begins and Python explodes out of the gate with a flying knee to Redgrave! He executes a wild combo of haymakers and kicks before leaping off of the ropes- And right into a big boot by Redgrave! Jasper peels him up and throw him through the ropes!
NICK DIAMOND: BLOOD ON THE CANVAS!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: VICIOUS ROPE HUNG DDT!
Redgrave smiles wickedly as he peels Python off of the mat and whips him towards the ropes! The Serpent flies back and gets clocked with a massive clothesline! The Python looks out as Jasper heaves him onto his shoulders!
NICK DIAMOND: VANISHING POINT! CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: NO! HE SLIDES ONTO THE APRON! SPRINGBOARD SWANTON TO THE STANDING JASPER! SLITHERING SLAM!
Yellow Python flattens Redgrave and rolls to his feet with outstanding athleticism! He rushes up the nearest turnbuckle and leaps off with a moonsault that keeps Jasper down! He makes distance, begging the Artist to rise to his feet before firing off a wild roundhouse kick!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HE DUCKS THE KICK!
NICK DIAMOND: AND HITS HIM WITH A MASSIVE GERMAN SUPLEX! THE PYTHON IS BROKEN IN HALF!
Jasper stalks the ring, begging Python to get to his feet!
NICK DIAMOND: SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: PEDIGREE! PYTHON HAS TO BE OUT!
Redgrave covers!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Yellow Python fought hard, but Jasper Redgrave has once again proved why he’s one of OSW’s most dangerous here tonight!
WINNER: JASPER REDGRAVE
PREEMPTIVE, II
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What a match between Jasper Redgrave and the Yellow Python!
NICK DIAMOND: Both these men are going to remember this one for a long time!
Jasper Redgrave has gotten up to his feet in the center of the ring. The Number One Contender for the World Championship requests a microphone from ringside.
But none is forthcoming.
FLUTTER.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tombstone is here!
Redgrave, caught off guard by the appearance of the World Champ, backs towards the ropes. But it’s all in vain as without a word, Tombstone advances. He reaches for Redgrave, grabs the goozle, and hoists him high in the air.
NICK DIAMOND: For Whom The…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: No! Jasper Redgrave just threw sand in his eyes!
A giant cloud of sand obscures the ring, as Jasper Redgrave produced some from his pocket and threw it into the eyes of Tombstone.
The Champ reels backward as Redgrave kicks him in the gut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Symphony of Symmetry on Tombstone!
The Pedigree takes the blinded Champ down, and Redgrave reaches back out for the microphone.
NICK DIAMOND: He loves to play with his prey, Gomez.
Redgrave stands over Tombstone, a smirk playing on his lips. “A man who can’t die? I’d love an endless supply of blood for my art,” he taunts, his voice echoing with a sinister delight. “But I’ll settle for taking the World Championship from you.”
His triumph is short-lived as Tombstone sits up. Before he can get to his feet and lurch at Jasper, the Artist bails from the ring.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jasper Redgrave wants to make sure this fight happens on his terms.
NICK DIAMOND: But Tombstone made the pre-emptive assault!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: If we know Redgrave, he’s going to escalate it even further.
THE ELDERS V
Many Years Ago.
Hyperion bursts into his domicile, panicked. He’s looking left and right, searching for a bag that he quickly finds. He rushes into another room, interrupting a younger man who seems surprised to see him.
“Dad?” He asks, watching as his dad rushes around his room, pulling things from drawers. “What’s going on?”
“We need to get packed, Helios. Soon, we’re going to have to make moves,” he says hurriedly.
Helios stands up, hands on hips.
“What does that even mean? Where are we moving to?” He demands to know.
“Safety,” Hyperion asserts firmly. “Arcadia is bullshit, son. It’s built on bullshit and lies. Cronus has agreed to end it.”
“End it?” Helios queries with a twinge of fear. “But dad, thousands of people…”
Hyperion stops him in his tracks.
“Ours is not to reason why, boy. Ours is to get our asses out of the way and quickly. Cronus is hosting The Classic and it’s there that he’s going to announce to Arcadia that…”
“That what? What dad?” He worriedly demands to know. “What!?”
Hyperion stops.
He just stops.
Placing the bag on the floor, he takes a seat on his son’s bed and offers him to sit down alongside him.
“It’s over,” he mutters solemnly. “Arcadia is coming to an end.”
They both sit in silence.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tonight we have a battle of the behemoths as two of Olympus’s toughest competitors go head to head but will either men be fresh after a hellacious Invasion?
NICK DIAMOND: Foley went through a war to try and get that briefcase and Drewitt…what the Uprising did was sick and no man would be in a right state of mind after that.
The bell doesn’t even start as Drewitt rushes forward, absolutely annihilating Foley with a massive Lariat, almost turning the 260 pounder inside out. Foley staggers up into heavy lefts and rights before a mammoth headbutt has him seeing stars as he’s lifted up high into the air.
SIGHTSEER! ALABAMA SLAM NEARLY THROUGH THE RING! Drewitt doesn’t cover though, immediately pulling Foley up for more punishment.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Drewitt looking to unleash every bit of his rage out onto an unsuspecting Foley here.
Drewitt lifts Foley up high in the air, possibly looking for that Orange Crush but Foley slips out of the Suplex, grabbing Drewitt from behind and and nailing a German Suplex. Foley pulls Drewitt up, looking to Cut His Strings but Drewitt goes low, kicking Foley right in the balls before Goozling him.
NICK DIAMOND: ARDUOUS JOURNEY! That chokeslam had some stank on it but Drewitt doesn’t cover. You might be right here, he’s looking to inflict pain and misery here Johnny.
Drewitt backs into the corner, slicing his finger across his throat as Foley slowly gets up to his feet before rushing forward,
DESOLATION! The Claymore Kick hits hard as Drewitt covers, Mills Lane quickly rushing in to count the fall
ONE
…………….
TWO
……………..
THREE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Drewitt picks up the victory here as Foley stood nearly no chance against a raging War tonight.
WINNER: DREWITT
FEARS
Cold open. A teeneage boy sleeps, tossing and turning in the throws of a nightmare.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What the hell is going on here?
NICK DIAMOND: That looks like Destructo Boy, only younger. Where the hell is he? How did he get here?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I have a feeling what we’re seeing may be a little distorted.
The Kid is breathing quickly to the point of hyperventilating, his eyes shoot open.
“No!” The Kid calls out. “Mom…”
But the flames that fill his dreams are not really there, the visage of his mother remains in front of him, slowly tutting at him.
“You failed me, James.” She scolds. “And you thought that Pool would enlighten you.”
She laughs, a wheezing laugh that we have heard before.
“You ruined him James. Do you honestly think that HE is the solution to finding my killer? After what you did to him?”
The visage of his mother abruptly fades, into the bubbling green waters that suddenly surround him, out of nowhere.
He’s drowning.
Breathing in, he sucks in only water.
But somehow, he can still hear her voice.
“You ruined him, James. Look at what he’s become because of you. You’re a failure of a son.”
The light fades, he’s dying.
All that The Kid can hear in the closing moments is that wheezing laughter.
Until light, blinding light, streams into his world.
And before him is a mask, a face.
Destructo Boy, as we know him, has no idea where he is or how he got here. But he’s trapped inside a room with a glass door separating him from freedom. Nox’s masked face peers through the glass at him, writing notes on a clipboard.
“Interesting. So there is much to unpack within your fears, James. There is much more fear where this comes from, thank you for your time and willingness.”
Nox walks away from the door, and as he does so gas begins spraying into the small cell of a room he has Destructo Boy contained in through pipes in the walls. The Kid collapses to the ground, his world fading to black again.
…
In what seems like mere seconds, Destructo Boy awakens. The door is open, and he is alone.
JOHNNY GOMES: It seems whatever Nox was testing in him has concluded.
NICK DIAMOND: He’s free to go. Get the hell out of there!
Destructo Boy has no idea how he got here, or where he is. But he knows one thing, that he wants to leave. He walks out of the door, into an empty compound. An exit doorway is illuminated, and still alone, he walks towards it.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It’s the last rider of the ACA, Mr. Kleen doing battle with Narcissa Balenciaga for the Double Feature Championship.
NICK DIAMOND: And referee Demi Sky is assigned to tonight’s Championship festivities Johnny.
Demi calls for the bell and we’re underway with Kleen surprising Hera with a Flying Head Scissors sending the Fashion Plate Flying and staggering back to her feet!
Kleen follows up Curb Stomp sans Bucket!
CLEANLINESS IS…
KA-RAK!
Narcy Doll counters with a Jumping Spin Kick…
NICK DIAMOND: THAT’S SOME HIGH FASHION THERE, JOHNNY!
Kleen is staggered back against the ropes Hera follows up locking the Tarantula!
NICK DIAMOND: AND THIS IS WET AND WILD, JOHNNY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: WHEFT AND WARP, NICK! BUT WAIT, MS. PERRYWINKLE!
VALERIE PERRYWINKLE SPRAYS CLEANING CHEMICALS IN THE EYES OF HERA WHILE DEMI IS OUT OF POSITION!
THIS ALLOWS CLEAN TO PULL HER OFF THE ROPES AND DROP HER DOWN WITH A VARIATION OF THE DUDEBUSTER INTO THE PIN!
DEMI SLIDES INTO POSITION!
ONE…
TWO…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: IS THIS GOING TO BE A “CLEAN WIN” NICK?
THR…NO COUNTER ROLL-UP BY NARCY DOLL!
NICK DIAMOND: HERA KEEPING HER WITS ABOUT HER!
NARCISSA GRABS THE MIDDLE ROPE!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Narcissa manages to keep her Championship by hook or by crook as Demi Sky misses the blatant cheating!
WINNER AND STILL DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPION: NARCISSA
TEST YOUR MIGHT
We cut backstage, where Spiros the Great has been searching the halls of Olympus to no avail…for what, one can only assume is the man who got involved in his business at Invasion.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Spiros looks like a man on a mission now…and he’s got his sights on a stagehand!
Sure enough, a young woman quickly falls victim to STG’s frustration as he approaches her with an angry glare from behind his shades.
“Tell the Great One this, toots,” he states with a gruff tone. “Where did that two-credit karate teacher run off to?”
The woman’s eyes widen, a mixture of shock and worry running through her face as she stammers through a response.
“I’m…I’m assuming you’re talking about M-master Ken,” she finally replies, pointing down the hall toward one of the exits. “I understand he’s…he’s already left to head back to his D-d-dojo.”
“Is that s-s-s-s-so?” The Greatest retorts sarcastically, something between a scoff and a chuckle leaving his mouth shortly after. Spiros then looks directly into the camera, staring us down from behind his shades.
“Let the Great One ask you something, Ken,” Spiros continues. “Especially after you tried to embarrass the Greek God at Invasion.”
Spiros reaches up, taking his shades off to reveal the sheer intensity in his eyes now.
“You call yourself a Master?” he asks with a slight snarl on his face. “Come prove to the Great One that you deserve it. You want to test your might? Step up and go one on one with the Great One. The Greatest has a lesson for you, the fans, and…”
Spiros turns to the young woman standing beside him, still looking at the Great One in fear.
“What is your name?” he asks the stagehand, who starts to respond before he cuts her off. “It doesn’t matter what your name is!”
The stagehand runs off crying as Spiros turns his attention to us once more.
“What matters is this, Ken,” Spiros states. “Whether it’s in that ring or at your little school, you WILL sit down, shut up, and learn from The Greatest.”
Those final words come with a raised eyebrow before STG storms off.
NICKY DIAMOND: What a statement from the Great One!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You gotta wonder how Master Ken’s going to respond to this!
Cut.
HEAT
We find Narcissa backstage, fresh out of her match. Though she is flanked by members of the Uprising, she motions for them to leave her as she heads into a private dressing room.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It’s been another busy night for our Invasion Co-winner.
NICK DIAMOND: She’s going to powder her nose, freshen up a bit.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Why do I get a bad feeling about this?
NICK DIAMOND: That could just be that dodgy burrito you had earlier.
Soon, she is alone.
But the door slams shut behind her.
“It was ours.” A gravelly voice sounds, seemingly from nowhere. “Just like everything else you have lain your hands on in this world, you stole that briefcase.”
Narcissa is sweating, she wipes her forehead with the back of her hand.
“This is about so much more than a briefcase. Justice must be done, the scales must be balanced. And nobody in Arcadia has tipped those scales more than you, Hera.”
Fire.
The very walls of the dressing room erupt into flame.
NICK DIAMOND: Holy hotsauce! NXT is on fire!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Do we need to evacuate all of these people?
Through the burning wall, a figure emerges. Stepping forward from the flames as if walking down the catwalk himself. Narcissa has no time to react before Blaze has her in his clutches.
“Every time I see the flames flicker, I remember her face a little more. I see a little more of a snippet of that night. I see another figure… I just can’t make it out.”
His head burns, alight with flame.
“Tell me, Hera. How far back does your treacherous reach go? Were you the one that tipped the scales of my life out of balance… Was it you?”
Narcissa looks afraid, but shakes her head.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I swear. Your wife?”
Blaze erupts, throwing Narcissa to the floor.
“Do not speak of her!”
Narcissa scrambles to her feet, stopping herself from skidding into the wall of flames Blaze had tossed her towards.
“All of that happened so long ago. There’s no way I could have…”
Blaze turns away, not listening to the rest of her pleas. When he turns back, his fists are clenched.
“You have justice to pay for everything you have done to Arcadia. I will find her killer. If you are involved, at all, I will kill you myself. Justice demands it.”
Blaze steps back into the flames and is gone. Moments later, members of the Uprising come flooding into the room, dousing the burning walls with fire extinguishers and pulling her to safety.
NICK DIAMOND: Just in the nick of time, the Uprising save the day. They’re heroes.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: A few moments later, this could have been really bad.
Narcissa shows no fear as she addresses her followers.
“Blaze has to be stopped. He’ll burn Arcadia to the ground to find out his answers. And I’m not going to be caught in the backdraft.”
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: For our main event, we have a Deathrow championship match as CJ Thorpe defends against Victor Doom!
NICK DIAMOND: That’s not all Johnny, they’re surrounded by lumberjacks ready to get their hands on either of them if they go out of the ring!
DING! DING!
Thorpe is hot out of the gates and he rushes Victor Doom into the corner! He’s throwing right hand after right hand! Doom isn’t showing much of a reaction as he shoves Thorpe with enough force to make him roll backwards!
THORPE SPRINTS RIGHT BACK AT DOOM!
GLASS SHATTER!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Doom turns Thorpe inside out with a big boot!
NICK DIAMOND: Thorpe is going to have to do more if he’s going to keep that title.
Doom starts stomping away at Thorpe! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Doom jumps for a big one and Thorpe rolls out of the way! Thorpe hops to his feet! Dropkick by Thorpe! Another Dropkick! Another Dropkick! Doom is stumbling backwards but still standing!
THORPE IS CHARGING AT DOOM AND GETS A HEADLOCK!
PATHFINDER- NO!
DOOM COUNTERS THE HURRICANE DDT ATTEMPT WITH JUST TOSSING THORPE OFF HIM TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s out with the lumberjacks now Nicky!
NICK DIAMOND: More like wolves Johnny!
The uprising lumberjacks pick him up into a crowd surfing position! They drop him onto a barricade! Stereo superkicks to a prone Thorpe! They roll him back into the ring!
DOOM TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY AND COVERS THORPE!
ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s showing the heart the got him this title in the first place!
NICK DIAMOND: I don’t see him lasting much longer though Johnny!
Doom yanks Thorpe up and hoists him on his shoulders! He starts marching around and Thorpe slips put the back! Dropkick to the back of Victor Doom sends him to the outside!
THE LUMBERJACKS POUNCE ON DOOM!
ALL OF THEM BUT ONE HAVE HIM TIED UP!
CHAIR SHOT! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! RAPID FIRE UNTIL DOOM DROPS TO A KNEE!
THEY SHOVE HIM BACK INTO THE RING!
THORPE’S TURN TO CAPITALIZE!
HE LOCKS IN POLICE BRUTALITY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He has that massive body locked in the Rings of Saturn!
NICK DIAMOND: That police training looks like it came in handy!
Anybody else would tap here but Doom starts standing up with Thorpe still holding on! Doom falls backward! That modified Samoan drop crushes Thorpe! He pulls him up and locks in a full nelson!
TORN ASUNDER!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s getting shaken like a rag doll!
NICK DIAMOND: It looks like he’s going to pass out!
THORPE IS FADING!
DESPERATE BACK KICK TO DOOM’S NETHER REGION!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That low blow makes Doom release the hold!
Doom is down to knee and Thorpe nails a DDT! Thorpe goes to the corner and starts untying the top turnbuckle! Now the middle and the bottom!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He is more desperate than normal Nicky!
NICK DIAMOND: He is facing a monster Johnny!
Victor Doom is right behind Thorpe and he charges the chainbreaker! Thorpe gets out of the way at the last second and Doom runs right into the turnbuckles!
NICK DIAMOND: He’s busted open Johnny!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s still moving like it’s nothing though!
Doom rebounds off the exposed turnbuckle and is still charging after Thorpe bloody and all like its nothing! Gut kick by Thorpe like he planned it and lured him in!
THE RIGHT THING!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He got all of that pedigree!
CJ THORPE COVERS!
ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!
DOOM POWERS OUT AND LAUNCHES THORPE THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND BOTTOM ROPE TO THE FLOOR!
The lumberjacks were ready to attack and one whips Thorpe into the barricade! Two others set up a table! Make that two! They’re stacked on top of each other! They roll Thorpe into the ring like an offering!
VICTOR DOOM HOLDS THORPE UP IN A STALLING SUPLEX!
HE DROPS HIM WITH THE ACE CRUSHER!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He nailed that eternal chaos Nicky!
NICK DIAMOND: He’s not done Johnny!
Doom yanks up Thorpe and has him in a gorilla press! He’s rushing towards the ropes looking to launch him! No! Thorpe fights out of the press and lands on his feet!
DOOM RUSHES AT THORPE!
SPEAR-NO!
TRUST!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Thorpe counters with a knee trembler!
NICK DIAMOND: He’s showing that resiliency he’s famous for!
THORPE COVERS!
ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!
DOOM KICKS OUT WITH AUTHORITY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Thorpe isn’t the only resilient one in this match!
Thorpe shakes his head in frustration and goes to the top rope trying to make sure this ends! He’s waiting for Victor Doom to get up! Victor Doom sits up and gets to his feet quickly. Doom rushes to the corner and climbs to the top rope with Thorpe!
CLUB TO THE BACK BY THORPE!
CLUB AFTER CLUB AFTER CLUB!
DOOM IS STUNNED AND THORPE IS GOING FOR A PEPSI PLUNGE!
HE JUMPS BUT DOOM CATCHES HIM!
AIR RAID CRASH OFF THE TOP ROPE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Both men are down!
NICK DIAMOND: How are they still fighting?
They’re both slowly getting up and Doom is up first! He pulls Thorpe up and whips him into the exposed corner! Thorpe’s back is bleeding now! He hoists Thorpe on the top rope and climbs to the top!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They’re both standing on the top rope!
NICK DIAMOND: What are they going to do?
THEY’RE FIGHTING EACH OTHER ON THE TOP ROPE!
KICK TO THE KNEECAP STUMBLES DOOM!
THORPE SEES AN OPENING!
FREEDOM THROUGH THE STACK OF TABLES!
DOOM IS OUT COLD!
NICK DIAMOND: He’s done it Johnny! CJ nailed the Pepsi Plunge and the monster has been vanquished! Thorpe is still your Deathrow champion!
WINNER AND STILL DEATHROW CHAMPION: CJ THORPE
OSW vs. THE UPRISING
With the match over, The Uprising remain around the ring. CJ Thorpe may have retained his Championship but there’s no celebrations. It’s all very matter of factly.
Just then, the raucous boos from the crowd turns to cheers as Harold Attano steps out onto the stage with his Invasion Briefcase in one hand and a microphone in the other.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: IS HE GOING TO INVADE ON CJ THORPE!?
NICK DIAMOND: That wouldn’t be a wise idea!
“That’s an impressive win, CJ,” Harold says with a phony smile. “But at Bad Company, you won’t need to think about winning. You’ll need to think about surviving.”
Thorpe grabs a microphone of his own.
“What’s the matter, Harold? You couldn’t be a father to your own daughter, so you think you can replace her with me?” Thorpe asks.
“YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!”
The fans did not like that.
Thorpe smirks.
“Family values, isn’t that what you called it? Who do you think you are to lecture me on family values? You abandoned yours to be the lapdog of Zeus!” He continues to drive in the verbal knife.
“Is this who you are, CJ?” Attano asks honestly. “A man that stands down there, at a safe distance, insulting the father of a daughter murdered by your friend Jasper Redgrave? Is that who you are?”
The Deathrow Champion has no response, so Narcissa takes the microphone as he begins pacing, thinking about it.
“Tonight isn’t Bad Company,” she reminds Attano. “But if you want a fight, come on down and get one.”
Nobody thinks about it for a moment. The crowd urge him to remain where he is, but to their surprise, he begins a fast paced walk to the lion’s den.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He must be crazy! He’s about to step into the ring with The Uprising!
NICK DIAMOND: They’ll murder him, Johnny.
Harold hops into the ring and goes face to face with Narcissa and Thorpe. The rest of the Uprising quickly slide in, surrounding him in the middle of the ring.
“You’re not very bright, are ya?” Balenciaga says with a chuckle. “Sic’ him boys.”
“Whoa whoa whoa,” Attano interrupts, stopping them in their tracks. “I must be going senile in my old age. I forgot to mention, I didn’t come alone.”
Suddenly, Gemini, Grimskull in a sling, El Mariachi Muerte, Jackson Cade and Vision storm the ring from all different directions, attacking The Uprising.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THIS IS WAR!
NICK DIAMOND: IT’S OSW VS. THE UPRISING!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HAROLD SENDS NARCISSA OVER THE TOP ROPE!
NICK DIAMOND: IRON STRIKE BY VISION TO ASTER GRAY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: ONE SHOT ONE KILL ON THORPE!
NICK DIAMOND: CUTTER BY ATTANO!
As the brawl sprawls throughout the ring and ringside, the fans are on their feet.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That’s all we’ve got time for folks, but my Zeus, what a war!
NICK DIAMOND: There’s carnage everywhere! Look out Johnny, Victor Doom is bringing Jackson Cade our way!
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
Static.
Click.