If The Wheels Turn
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
“Mr. Attano, please, just think about this!” A voice kicks off our telecast, begging and pleading with Harold Attano.
We’re in Medical and Nobody sits in a wheelchair dressed to compete. His face is one of determination and pain, but he’s willing to fight through it. There’s nothing he wants more than to get out of this room and his medical team are all that prevent it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You’ve gotta be kidding me. Is Harold Attano legitimately on his way to Olympus!?
MATT RUBY: In a wheelchair no less?
“If you go to Olympus and attempt to wrestle, it could be the end of your career. Your surgery has healed, your discs and spine are recovering well but any severe impact could set your recovery back in permanence,” his physiotherapist tries to reason with him.
Harold though cannot be reasoned with. His eyes are focused on the door and the words of reason being spoken are in one ear and out the other. He grabs his wheels and begins pushing, barging past those who attempt to stand in the way.
“Please,” she begs one last time. “Think of your daughter. Would she want this?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’ll touch a nerve.
MATT RUBY: As long as it doesn’t stop him from coming here and getting his career ended once and for all, what does it matter?
That stops him in his tracks. For just a moment, a thousand thoughts run through his mind. What does she know about his daughter? Why would that stop him? He spins his chair around quickly to face her, making her turn white with fear.
“I’m doing this for her,” he emphasises angrily.
She shakes her head, disagreeing. “You’re doing this for you, Mr. Attano and if you’re not careful, it could be the last thing you ever do.”
Nobody nods in agreement, turning his chair back around and wheeling his way towards the door.
Harold Attano is heading to Olympus for his match with George Cade. How he intends to fight in a wheelchair is one thing, but how he intends to walk or wheel himself away from this one in one piece is another.
Welcome to Ring King
And now, Old School Wrestling presents... Ring King!
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOOOOOM!!!
Fireworks explode from the stage as the fans get on their feet for our tenth annual Ring King. "Heavy is the Head" by the Zac Brown Band featuring Chris Cornell plays us in. Last year, Tombstone took the crown and became The King of Destination. Atop the entrance ramp sits a throne, its crown sat upon it.
The fans are cheering at the top of their lungs, with various signage held across Olympus. We head over to inspect a couple individually.
We believe in you Foley!
I’m a sunbeam!
Kill them all, Redgrave!
Put them in the dirt!
The camera then circles around the audience before zipping down to ringside where Bronco Blackwood and Matt Ruby eagerly await.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Ring King! Felix Foley, Mister Sunshine, Jasper Redgrave and Gravedigger stand before the precipice of greatness in their biggest ever night in professional wrestling. One of these four men will become King!
MATT RUBY: The crowd have their favourites, as do we, Bronco. Tonight is the night one of them takes the crown from Tombstone and ferries us into a new era in his stead.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By the end of the night, one of those four men will sit atop that throne with their crown placed firmly upon their head. Before that though, we must talk about how this show started. Harold Attano is on his way!
MATT RUBY: In a wheelchair, BB. What does he think this is? A wheelie good time?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wheel find out. Get it?
MATT RUBY: Leave the jokes to me, old timer. Harold Attano is wheeling his way to his own retirement and I can’t wait to see it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well folks, as is our tradition, our Semi-Finals begin now!
The camera quickly moves away and points towards the ring, where the first of our two semi-finals is up next.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And now we have the Ring King Semi-Final with the most history involved. What very well could have been a rematch from last year between the Besties is now between Felix Foley and the protege of the man he hates the most. These two have been involved in brutal matches in the past but tonight this match may well top them all.
The bell doesn't even get to ring before both men rush forward, exchanging heavy lefts and rights before a big headbutt staggers Gravedigger back. The Shovel staggers backwards as Felix rushes forward.
THESE BOOTS...NO! Gravedigger ducks underneath the Big Boot attempt before delivering a DROP DEAD JAWBREAKER as Foley turns around. The Leaping Knee doesn't drop Foley, instead staggering him back as Gravedigger rushes forward
BELLY TO BELLY OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Foley chucks The Shovel head over heels into the turnbuckle, the back of Gravedigger's head smashing against the steel as he flies through the air.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Brutal suplex slams Gravedigger skull first into the buckles, the Shovel barely able to get to his feet in time to take a running Cannonball Splash that nearly drills right through him.
Foley rolls to his feet, gripping both ropes with his hands as he has an uncharacteristic scowl on his face but he quickly swallows it as the crowd begin to roar his name. He closes his eyes for a moment, nodding his head
AND INTRODUCES GRAVEDIGGER TO FELIX FOLEY'S CORNER AS HE STOMPS A MUDHOLE DRY INTO GRAVEDIGGER'S MIDSECTION!
MATT RUBY: Come on Shovel, you gotta get up and fight. I bet a cool couple thousand on you winning the whole thing.
Felix peels Gravedigger out of the corner, lifting him up onto his shoulders, BUMPED HIS....NO!
Gravedigger slips out at the last second, swinging wild as Foley turns around
SHOVEL READY! BULLHAMMER ELBOW RIGHT TO THE TEMPLE!
Foley is stunned as Gravedigger grabs him in a headlock
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NEVERMORE! Gravedigger plants Foley into the mat with a stiff DDT but he doesn't look done. The Shovel looking like he's about to fly and maybe pay Felix some Last Respects.
Gravedigger climbs up to the top rope, sizing up Felix for a moment before diving off
LAST...BICYCLE! Foley kips up at the last second, kicking the Shovel right out of the goddamn air! Foley quickly picks Gravedigger up, lifting him up onto his shoulders
BUMPED HIS HEAD! Death Valley Driver plants Gravedigger into the mat as Foley drops down for the cover, Cole Holt sliding in to count the fall
ONE
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TWO
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GRAVEDIGGER JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Foley gets to his feet, looking visibly frustrated but swallows it down as he smiles for the crowd, signalling for the end as he raises his right hand.
MATT RUBY: Foley looking to shove that dirty looking hand down Gravedigger's throat, hopefully the Shovel bites off a finger or two.
Gravedigger staggers up, slamming his head forward suddenly and stunning Foley with a headbutt. Foley's dazed as Gravedigger lifts him up onto his shoulders.
CRADLE TO THE...NO! Foley slips out, rocking Gravedigger with a headbutt of his own before lifting him up onto his chest
THE FALL GUY....GRAVEDIGGER SOMEHOW LANDS ON HIS FEET! Foley is spun around
ASHES TO ASHES! RIPCORD BICYCLE KNEE ROCKS FOLEY but Foley slips out of Gravedigger's grip as he tries to lift him up
AND LOCKS IN THE PUPPETSHOW! The Mandible Claw is on tight but Gravedigger refuses to drop to his knees as he swings wild
SHOVEL READY! Bullhammer hits hard but Foley refuses to let go. Gravedigger beginning to drop to one knee as he swings wild once more.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Foley lets go as Gravedigger swings wild. Felix grabbing him from behind suddenly and SNIPPING THE STRINGS! FULL NELSON SUPLEX RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!
Gravedigger crashes to the mat as Foley is on him instantly, locking back on the Puppetshow as Gravedigger collapses to the mat. Cole Holt beginning to count the shoulders down.
ONE
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TWO
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THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: ZEUSDAMNIT! Sure thing my ass, how in the hell did Gravedigger not beat Foley here?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You of all people should know just how tough Felix Foley is Ruby. He's proven himself time and time again and this time around he's gotten a huge victory and is now advancing to the Ring King Finals.
Excommunicado
Many Years Ago.
Long before Old School Wrestling was a concept realized by Zeus, a shadow board sat in control of numerous secret operations. Whilst Zeus had the monopoly at his feet, an organisation called The Corporation held major interest in seeing his vision to fruition.
In the boardroom is where a majority of these decisions were made; decisions that shaped various facets of Arcadian life.
A man sits in a swivel chair, his back to a large boardroom desk surrounded by many others.
“As you know, I’ll be going away for quite some time,” the man says with a voice we recognise as familiar, even if we can’t see his face. “The trial is scheduled for next month and when convicted, which is inevitable, The Corporation will need new leadership.”
The board members shuffle uncomfortably in their seats, although we likewise cannot see their faces – we can only hear their discomfort, our vision focused purely on the back of the seat of the man speaking.
“Therefore, it is with great regret that I’ll be resigning my position of Chairman of the board,” he announces to one or two gasps from behind. “Our mission does not change. Each and every single one of us answers to a purpose bigger than our role in it.”
The chair slowly turns around, revealing The Chairman.
Roderick Pym.
Once a former member of The Uprising – murdered by Narcissa under suspicion of being turncoat, he sits in charge of the Corporation.
We know that he headed to Deathrow, before his eventual escape.
“We’ll handle Corporation affairs,” another familiar voice replies – a voice we know but once again cannot place. “Both of us.”
“Both of you?” Pym asks, smiling. “I like the sound of that.”
Cut.
You Need Help
Felix Foley stumbles through the curtain to the backstage – victorious, but still in deep trouble. Waiting for him are Momma Foley and Doom, the former with a dear look of concern on her poor face.
“Baby, you really need to get some help,” Momma says, putting her hand on his sweaty face. He winces.
“I can’t momma,” Foley replies apologetically. “I’ve got a final to fight in. After tonight, I promise I’ll get some help, okay?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I hate to say it, but maybe they're right, you know? Foley does need help.
MATT RUBY: He's needed help for a long time. I'm surprised they're only just offering him it now.
Doom grunts. “You’re seeing things, Felix. You need rest and recouperation. I’d advise a long stay on the sidelines in the company of your mother. Let her take care of you, friend.”
That surprises both Foley’s, who find it unexpected to see Doom so… caring.
Momma can’t help but agree, though. As you’d expect.
“Ring King isn’t worth it, son. Doom is right, let him handle your tag team title defence and come home with me,” she tries to convince him.
Foley, however, is having none of that.
“No chance!” He declines vehemently. “I’m not gonna let you down, good buddy. It’s one more night. Just one. I’m so close to becoming Ring King now, I can taste it. Anything Tombstone can do, I can do too. I need to prove that to myself.”
The Puppetmaster stumbles off down the corridor, looking at the ground to avoid eye contact with those he now see’s as muppets.
Doom looks at Momma Foley, who sighs.
“I’ll try my best to take care of him,” Doom says earnestly. “But you know he won’t allow me out there to support him in the final. He’ll need to do that alone.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Doom is gonna have to carry Foley through the Tag Team Championship match tonight, but I can't see that happening. Felix will always give it his all.
MATT RUBY: Oh, he's such an underdog, isn't he? It's sickening.
“I know,” Momma admits. “I know.”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a huge Ring King Semi-Final matchup here as the Artist faces off against Mr Sunshine here tonight. The winner will advance to the finals of the 2024 Ring King and I have to say Ruby, this is a match that could easily go either way.
MATT RUBY: Yeah if you're a numpty Bronco. Anyone who thinks that idiot Sunshine's going to fluke his way to another victory has another thing coming. Redgrave knows how to win tournaments and he's absolutely my pick for the next King.
The bell sounds as Sunshine walks forward for a handshake but he doesn't get even a step closer before Redgrave rushes forward and nearly decapitates Charlie with a mammoth Big Boot. Sunshine staggers up to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights before a big headbutt staggers him back.
SUPERKICK!
Redgrave nails Sunshine right on the button, the pleasant fellow staggering back into the ropes as Jasper spins around
AND SHOWS SUNSHINE THE COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE! Superkick/Spinning Elbow combination rattles some braincells there but Sunshine doesn't go down, instead stumbling through the middle rope and collapsing to the outside.
Redgrave barely lets Sunshine get outside though, quickly rolling out as he observes the fallen Sunshine for a moment, a sadistic smile on his face before he hoists him up to his feet before grabbing him from behind and tossing him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: RELEASE BACK SUPLEX ONTO THE STEEL STEPS! Mr Sunshine may well have broken his spine from that move And Redgrave is smiling ear to ear from his agonized cries.
MATT RUBY: Told ya BB, always bet on the psycho's.
Redgrave lifts Sunshine back up onto his feet, lifting him up onto the apron as he drags him forward until his legs are the only thing holding him aloft.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh no he's not going to do this.
BLOOD ON THE CONCRETE! ROPE HUNG DDT ONTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
The crowd begins to heavily boo the sadistic Redgrave who just smiles that vile grin before picking the limp Sunshine up and throwing him back into the ring. Jasper takes his time sliding back through the ropes before dropping down for a lackluster cover as Demi Sky slides in to count
ONE
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TWO
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..................REDGRAVE PULLS THE SHOULDER UP
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh what is this now? Redgrave clearly had this wrapped up but he's still going for more punishment.
MATT RUBY: It's called setting an example BB. Guy like Sunshine doesn't deserve to be in the ring let alone in the semi finals and the Artist is gonna make sure he not only loses but retires tonight.
Redgrave peels the limp Sunshine up off the mat, lifting him up high before rushing forward
VANISHING...NO!
SUNSHINE SLIPS OUT THE BACK BEFORE RUSHING TO THE ROPES!
REDGRAVE TURNS AROUND AS SUNSHINE YELLS OUT
'CATCH ME!'
RUNNING CROSSBODY TAKES REDGRAVE DOWN!
Sunshine isn't done though, grabbing Redgrave's legs as he crashes down on him before beginning to swing the Artist around and around
SUNRISE, SUNSET! The Big Swing sends Redgrave spinning through the air before he comes crashing down near the corner. Redgrave slowly rises to his feet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: AVALANCHE SPLASH! Sunshine squashes Redgrave into the corner, grabbing him as he stumbles out...is he dancing with the Artist?
MATT RUBY: I knew Sunshine was a little light in the loafers but this is ridiculous BB. There ain't no rain to be dancing in dumbass.
Sunshine grabs a stunned Redgrave, dancing his way out of the corner before swinging him in, SWINGING STO....NO!
SANGUINE ABSURDISM! Redgrave slips out, spinning around and nearly takes Sunshine's head off with a vicious Discus Lariat. The Artist looks pissed as he pulls Sunshine up to his feet.
SUNSHINE LIFTS HIM UP ONTO THIS SHOULDERS! He's spinning round and round in the Airplane Spin, dizzying both men before he falls back
INTO THE DIZZY GAME! SAMOAN DROP PLANTS REDGRAVE INTO THE CANVAS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This could be it Ruby, Sunshine's up as he's looking to welcome Redgrave to his exclusive club. Full Nelson applied....LOW BLOW!
MATT RUBY: HA! The Artist resourceful as ever as he doesn't want any happy welcome. And all that's left is the kick, wham, SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!
Pedigree plants Sunshine into the mat, Redgrave turning Sunshine over as he hooks both legs. Demi Sky sliding in as she counts the fall
ONE
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TWO
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THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: YES! I told you BB, that's my winner and the next Olympus King. Jasper Redgrave's going all the way babay.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus forbid but Redgrave has done it before. He has one huge test in the finals though before he can hold that crown.
Recovery
CJ Thorpe is hurting.
Last week, Narcissa stabbed him brutally in the shoulder with a blade and left him to bleed it out on the floor of his bedroom. This week, CJ has been stitched up by his father, and now sits before him having the wound reassessed.
“If it wasn’t such an important night, I’d tell you not to bother going out there,” George says looking over the stitches. “With your brother in the boiler room with that monster and my troubles, I hate the idea of you going it alone.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can't believe this kid is upright, let alone able to compete tonight.
MATT RUBY: He won't be for long. You just wait until Narcissa finishes the job. She weakened him.
CJ shrugs. “I’ve had to do that a lot, dad. Look, I survived Deathrow. I survived damn near having my back broken by some prick called Max Meadows and I survived this. I’ll be fine.”
George muses with a wry smile.
“You’re a tough son of a bitch, kid,” he says, nodding with approval. “But let’s hope you’ve had enough recovery to get the job done. I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but the last thing we need is Narcissa with that belt.”
The Chainbreaker nods in agreement. He takes a moment to wind up his arm, checking his shoulder.
“You’re right, being fine isn’t going to be enough,” he admits. “But I’m coming home with the OSW World Heavyweight Championship. You can bet on it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That's confidence.
MATT RUBY: Misplaced confidence, if you ask me. Narcissa will come to play tonight and CJ Thorpe isn't 100%. That'll matter, whether he wants it to or not.
George nods proudly. “Good. Your mom will be proud. I don’t like leaving her alone tonight, but I’ve something I need to take care of.”
“Attano?” Thorpe grunts.
“Attano,” Cade agrees.
Cut.
Watching You
The Agora.
Filled with the hustle and bustle of Arcadia's citizens, we don't view it from our usual vantage point. No, we instead see it through the eerily familiar lens of of a shaky video camera
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: In a crowd? This creep is just begging to get caught. I hope Aurora finally catches them and gives them what they deserve.
MATT RUBY: A POV angle for the fans?
The camera scans through the crowd of Arcadians, finally landing on Aurora's signature blue hair. The Thrillseeker looks exhausted as she wanders through the level, bags under her eyes, a look of sleeplessness laid plainly on her face. The cameraperson zooms in on her face, watching her intently as she approaches a bodega off to the side.
"Energy drink. Any kind." She speaks quietly, the man behind the counter having to lean in to hear her. Aurora places credits on the counter, watching as he turns around to grab her drink.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This scumbag is getting awfully close...
MATT RUBY: You usually have to pay good credits for tension like this.
A gloved hand comes out in front of the camera, reaching out towards Aurora! We see them get mere inches away before sinking back as the bodega owner turns around! Slowly the camera sinks back into the crowd, catching only wayward glimpses of Aurora as she chugs down her drink. The Thrillseeker turns around, eyes scanning the crowd.
But by then the cameraperson is already too far away, leaving Aurora as a bright blue speck amongst the sea of people.
Cut.
Best Laid Plans
Gravedigger is fuming.
He paces backstage, glaring at Malakai Midnight. His fists are balled, and he looks like he’s about ready to punch a hole in something… or someone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gravedigger has been a force lately, but it looks like he’s still none too happy with the way Malakai Midnight wants him to conduct business.
MATT RUBY: I wouldn’t be too happy with that sleazeball telling me what to do either.
“Trust the process.” Malakai sidles up to him, reassuring him. “Everything is as it was planned to be.”
This stops Gravedigger. He cocks his head, cracking his knuckles.
“Are you serious?” His voice is pushed out through gritted teeth. “I do things your way and where does it get me? Everything turns to shit and we get taken out by The Besties. Explain to me how that is… as it was planned to be?”
Malakai smiles.
“Because we have a shot. Just what we needed. Fists might win battles, but we’re here to win wars. And nobody wins a war without a couple of bruises.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell?
There’s a commotion. Shouting.
MATT RUBY: Not these clowns!
Burning Justice burst into the scene ready to fight. But a dozen Night Owls appear out of the shadows to keep them at bay from Gravedigger and Midnight.
Malakai tuts at the pair, as the Night Owls overwhelm Destructo Boy and The Burned Man.
“I wouldn’t make it that easy would I?”
With Burning Justice indisposed, another figure appears. It’s AJAX!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We haven’t seen Ajax since he was put in medical at the hands of Gravedigger.
MATT RUBY: He looks like he wants to repay the favour.
AJAX BLINDSIDES GRAVEDIGGER!
PURE POWER! POLISH HAMMER SENDS GRAVEDIGGER FLYING INTO A STORAGE CRATE!
The Circus are here, and take the fight to Malakai and the Night Owls.
FISTS FLY IN ALL DIRECTION!
NIGHT OWLS ARE SENT SOARING!
DAMIEN SOLUS TAKES OUT DESTRUCTO BOY!
THE BURNED MAN REPAYS THE FAVOUR!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: All hell has broken loose here. We’re going to need more stretchers.
When the dust settles, Klaus Way stands tall, surveying the destruction before him. But it’s not the mass of bodies that catches his eye. It’s a single drone, which he stares down the lens of.
ELSEWHERE…
Doom is watching a screen, pointing with a gauntleted finger. He speaks uncharacteristically soothingly to his bestie.
“See?” His voice is happy. “Our foes will tear each other apart. We have nothing to worry about, my friend.”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This next fatal five way match is all about the contract placed on Roland Gray by a mysterious man.
MATT RUBY: I thought about cashing in by taking out Gray, but it’d be too easy.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t think there’s anything easy about this match, all five of these people want to win, that may take precedence over the bounty.
MATT RUBY: I’ll just make sure Ayame gets a load a’me.
The bell rings, and as expected, Mighty Mighty charges at Roland Gray.
Gray counters with a stiff forearm to the chest, but Mighty absorbs it, hoisting Gray up for a thunderous body slam.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The big man’s going to get this bounty.
Anton Savor slips behind Mighty, locking in a waistlock and attempting a German suplex.
MATT RUBY: I don’t think so!
MIGHTY POWERS OUT! BREAKS THE GRIP!
HE SWINGS SANTON AROUND!
MASSIVE BACK ELBOW!
Anton staggers back, just as Wolf Fang Ayame has hit the ropes.
Springboard…
FLYING KNEE TO THE FACE!
Lutherian Locke seizes the moment…
CLOTHESLINE TO AYAME!
The Light Bringer turns to Gray, who’s back on his feet, and the two exchange rapid punches.
Right.
Left.
Right.
Left.
Ri—LOCKE DUCKS THE RIGHT HOOK, LIFTS UP GRAY…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BUCKLE BOMB!
Locke ducks under a right hook and retaliates with a spine-crushing Buckle Bomb, but he’s not done.
RUNNING KNEE STRIKE—NO!
MIGHTY MIGHTY INTERCEPTS!
BACKDROP!
As Lock writes, Mighty Mighty turns back looking for Gray…
SUPERKICK FROM ANTON!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Crème Brûlée hits flush! But it won’t take down the big man!
MATT RUBY: But here comes Roland Gray!
LARIAT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Quickdraw from the Gunslinger!
There’s no rest for the weary, as Roland Gray has a target on his head.
Wolf Fang Ayame is up top…
HEAVEN’S HOWL! HER KNEES SMASH INTO HIS BACK!
MATT RUBY: I’ll show her heaven!
She transitions into a pin attempt, the first of the match.
ONE…
…
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TWO…
…
…
TH—NO!
ANTON SAVOR IS THERE WITH A STOMP TO BREAK IT UP!
HE LIFTS AYAME UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s going to make her go to sleep!
MATT RUBY: That’ll save me a pill at least!
THE FINAL COUR—NO! AYAME GETS FREE!
ENZIGURI!
Locke is coming!
SPEAR TO WOLF FANG!
HERE COMES ROLAND GRAY!
BLACK HOLE SLAM TO LUTHERIAN LOCKE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He unholstered that Six Shooter at the right time!
BUT HERE COMES MIGHTY MIGHTY…
CANNON BALL SPLASH INT THE CORNER TO LUTHERIAN LOCKE!
Mighty sets his sights on Roland Gray, but Wolf Fang Ayame is back up on the top rope.
TAIL STRIKE FROM THE TOP!
MIGHTY ISN’T DOWN…
SCORPION KICK FROM AYAME!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CRESCENT MOON KICK! IT… IT… TAKES THE BIG MAN DOWN!
MATT RUBY: Those legs’ll take any man down. Can’t wait to get between them!
It’s a pier six in the ring!
AYAME AND LOCKE ARE FIGHTING!
GRAY AND ANTON ARE FIGHTING!
MIGHTY IS GETTING BACK UP!
Anton swings away from Roland Gray for just a moment, grabbing Lutherian Locke!
HE NAILS A FLURRY OF CHOPS!
HERE IT COMES!
SPINNING BACK ELBOW!
MATT RUBY: That Flambé is exquisite.
Mighty Mighty grabs Anton Savor…
SWINGING ROCK BOTTOM! THE MIGHTY CAROUSELL HITS FLUSH!
Ayame scrambles to the top rope as she’s done several times. But this time, ROLAND GRAY JUMPS UP WITH HER.
HE TRIES TO ATTACK, BUT AYAME LEAPS UP!
HURRICANRANA FROM THE TOP!
MATT RUBY: Yeah baby, wrap those legs around my head, but that’ll be the only wrapping up done tonight!
GRAY TRIES TO GET BACK UP, BUT AYAME'S ON THE MOVE!
CRESCENT MOON KICK HITS FLUSH! SHE DROPS INTO THE COVER!
NO! SHE DOESN'T!
ANTON SAVOR IS THERE, HE PUSHES HER OUTSIDE OF THE RING AND GETS THE COVER HIMSELF!
ONE…
…
…
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TWO…
…
…
…
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Anton Savor just stole that one away from Wolf Fang Ayame, Ruby. What’s going to happen with the bounty now?
MATT RUBY: Forget that, what’s going to happen after Ayame gets a load a’me? Once you go Rube, you never need lube, BB.
Who Sent You?
With Anton Savor getting back to his feet in celebration, Roland Gray is furious. He’s had four opponents tonight because someone put a contract on his head, but who?
Gray quickly grabs Mighty as he gets back to his feet, slamming him into the corner. “Who sent you!?” He angrily yells at him. “Tell me!”
Mighty panics. “No-one sent us! There was a contract pinned backstage. It’s everywhere back there, man. It’s out in Arcadia, even. It said to make you suffer in a match. I don’t know why they took it, but I wanted to make a name for myself.”
Roland releases him.
“Get out of here, or the only name you’ll make for yourself is an obituary,” The Gunslinger warns.
CRÉME BRULÉE!!!!
SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK!
ANTON SAVOR DOWNS ROLAND GRAY!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING!?
MATT RUBY: The Chef hasn’t finished cooking!
Anton pulls him back to his feet, chopping him hard in the throat. Roland doesn’t know what’s hit him and stumbles away, only to be grabbed and pulled in close…
FRAME BROILER!
BURRRRNNIINNNNGGGGG HAMMMMMERRRRRR!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE KILLED IT WITH FIRE!
MATT RUBY: Is Savor the man who put the contract out on Gray!? Could he be the man from the video last week?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Why else would he be doing this!? Surely he must be involved.
Savor looks over to the broken Gunslinger with a wry smile, rolling away and exiting the ring as Mighty Mighty looks on in shock.
Is The Lord High Emperor of Sustenance the person who put these contracts out on Roland Gray?
Stay The Fuck Down!
The doors of Olympus are wide open, revealing fans buying merchandise and enjoying beverages as the show continues around them. Their excitement is soon compounded by the arrival of Harold Attano.
Nobody wheels himself in, looking somewhat exhausted.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe he made. Attano just traversed Arcadia to be here tonight and in a wheelchair no less.
MATT RUBY: He should’ve stayed in the hospital.
The crowd cheer both inside the arena and before Attano, only to quieten quickly and separate. As they step aside, the reason why becomes clear.
George Cade.
The Elder Cade stands with his arms folded. “You shouldn’t have come, old friend.”
Attano nonchalantly shrugs.
Cade doesn’t waste a beat, rushing towards Harold and leaping atop him, tumbling both the wheelchair and the man in it to the ground with a thud.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: OH, THAT SON OF A BITCH!
MATT RUBY: GET HIM CADE!
He immediately pounds away at him, beating the holy hell out of Nobody who can barely protect himself from the blows.
George gets back to his feet and forcibly pulls Attano off the ground, scooping him high into the air and STRAIGHT DOWN ONTO THE CONCRETE FUCKING FLOOR!
SPINEBUSTER!
SPINEBUSTER!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO! NO NO NO! NO GOD DAMNIT NO!
MATT RUBY: Oof. Did you hear that sickening thud? Nobody is done. He’s finished. Cart him back to the hospital on a stretcher in a neck brace. He’s not coming back.
Harold writhes in agony, but somehow gets to all fours, looking to crawl back towards his chair. Cade can’t believe it. He looks absolutely flabbergasted. The Elder Cade stalks him from behind, watching as he tries to escape.
“Stay the fuck down!” He roars at him to boos from those watching in horror.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE WON’T! HE CAN’T!
MATT RUBY: What the hell is this guy’s problem? If he doesn’t stay down then he’ll learn the hard way!
George walks past a bench where tools reside, swiping a wrench from it as he follows the slow moving Harold Attano. Harold makes it back to his wheelchair that has been put back up by the fans…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DON’T YOU DO IT YOU SON OF A BITCH!
MATT RUBY: WRENCH TO THE BACK! WRENCH TO THE GOD DAMN BACK! DID YOU HEAR THAT BRONCO?! I HEARD A VERTEBRE BREAK!
The guttural yell from Attano can be heard echoing throughout Olympus as the fans fall deathly silent. Cade watches as Attano collapses face first on the ground, spent, exhausted and in more pain than he’s ever felt.
“I told you,” George grumbles, tossing the wrench aside. “Stay the fuck down.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s it folks. That’s it! The dream of Harold Attano wrestling again is over… George Cade has made sure of it.
MATT RUBY: I can’t say I’m sad about it. I’ve wanted this dream to be over since it came to fruition, and it is. Harold Attano is a broken man.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: George Cade will answer for this. It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but George Cade will pay the price.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The NXT Level Championship is on the line tonight as Reverend Ezekiel Graves attempts to take the belt from Old Nick Morningstar.
MATT RUBY: Take the belt? He’s been a scared little pussycat since Morningstar showed him what he’s truly capable of.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Can he overcome the fear of what Morningstar is capable of and show the power of his God, or will the Devil Himself continue to have his number?
Old Nick stalks the ring as the bell tolls, cornering Graves by the turnbuckle. Graves is a sitting duck to Morningstar’s attack and wears a brutal CLOTHESLINE, knocking him into the corner.
OLD NICK PUMMELS GRAVES WITH BRUTAL BODY SHOTS!
MARK OF THE BEAST!
DEATH VALLEY DRIVER SMASHES EZEKIEL HEAD FIRST INTO THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my Zeus! He may have snapped his damned neck!
MATT RUBY: Ezekiel Graves has looked feeble so far, and Morningstar has simply taken advantage of that.
Morningstar pulls his feeble foe to his feet, letting him stand groggily for a second, before whipping him into the ropes. Graves rebounds off the ropes out of control and comes soaring back…
STRAIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT FROM MORNINGSTAR!
THAT HAD TO HURT!
The Harbinger’s skull bounces off the canvas. He fights to sit himself up, backing away in fear as Morningstar approaches once more. Graves holds his hands up, but Morningstar reaches down and pulls him up by the throat.
CHOKE TOSS INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
GRAVES HAS NO ANSWER TO ANYTHING THROWN AT HIM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There’s nothing Ezekiel Graves can do to stop this. He’s powerless against the power of Morningstar.
MATT RUBY: He’s going to reach the same fate as that poor beggar if he’s not careful. Morningstar is destroying him.
Graves pulls himself to his feet using the ring ropes. He’s battered but still manages to stand. Again, he holds his hands up in front of him, palms out. Morningstar, instead of remorse, merely laughs at the gesture before stepping forward to continue his attack.
THWACK!
A RIGHT HAND FROM EZEKIEL GRAVES!
BUT IT SEEMS TO MERELY BOUNCE OFF THE FACE OF MORNINGSTAR!
ANOTHER THAT BARELY GLANCES HIM!
A KICK… BUT MORNINGSTAR STILL APPROACHES!
CAST FROM PARADISE!
THE STEINER SCREWDRIVER HITS HARD AND GRAVES IS DOWN!
Old Nick Morningstar stands one foot on the chest of his fallen foe for the pinfall.
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
TH-NO! GRAVES KICKS OUT!
MATT RUBY: Oh, there’s a sign of life. I thought we were going to have to get the waivers out for a second there.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves has had minimal offense so far tonight, and every shot he’s taken has seemed to have no effect.
MATT RUBY: He’s fighting scared, like a little wimp. He needs to man up and fight fire with holy fucking fire.
Morningstar snarls as he pulls Graves to his feet again. He’s getting frustrated now, but sets back to beating Graves senseless.
SLAP!
EZEKIEL GRAVES SLAPS MORNINGSTAR RIGHT ACROSS THE CHEEK!
MORNINGSTAR DEFINITELY FELT THAT!
BANG!
AN ELBOW STRIKE HITS HOME TOO!
BOOM!
A KNEE TO THE STERNUM DRIVES MORNINGSTAR BACK INTO THE ROPES!
BA-BOOSHKA!
CLOTHESLINE FROM GRAVES SENDS BOTH MEN TUMBLING TO THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE RING!
Neither mane seems to move for an eternity, when finally, Graves starts to stir. He pushes himself to his feet with all the effort he can muster. Morningstar stands relatively easily without support but is met by the Harbinger.
HOLY WRATH!
THE REVEREND IS HITTING MORNINGSTAR WITH EVERYTHING HE’S GOT!
MORNINGSTAR WEATHERS IT ALL, BUT LOOKS GROGGY!
THE LARIAT PUNCTUATES HIS ASSAULT, AND MORNINGSTAR FALLS BACKWARDS INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ezekiel Graves has found his mojo. The fear seems to have passed and he’s taking the fight to Morningstar.
MATT RUBY: Thank Zeus. He’s finally making a match out of this!
Graves backs away across the ringside area, before charging back at his foe.
MORNINGSTAR IS HIT WITH A RUNNING KNEE TREMBLER!
KNEE TO SKULL ON THE STEEL STEPS!
WHAT A SICKENING SOUND!
Ezekiel pulls Graves to his feet and rolls him back into the ring, following him in as the Devil Himself starts struggling to his feet.
THE CONFESSION!
HE LOCKS IN THE MODIFIED CAMEL CLUTCH!
HE WRENCHES BACK, YELLING INTO MORNINGSTAR’S EAR!
“CONFESS! CONFESS! CONFESS!”
But Morningstar doesn’t confess anything. He grabs hold of the ropes and pulls himself up, Graves on his back.
THE DEVIL HIMSELF SWINGS GRAVES INTO A PENDULUM BACKBREAKER!
MATT RUBY: Well, he may not be afraid of Morningstar’s power any more, but he’s still getting his ass kicked.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves is down, but he’s calling on the holy power of his God. Morningstar is laughing at this display!
Graves powers up, calling on his holy power and throwing off the effects of Morningstar. Morningstar lines him up.
CAST FROM PARAD- NO!
GRAVES BREAKS THE HOLD, GRABBING MORNINGSTAR’S THROAT!
THE FINAL JUDGMENT!
THE FORCE ROCKS THE RING!
HE PINS!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ezekiel Graves sends Old Nick Morningstar back to the Underworld with the force of that and walks away as your NEEEEWWWW NXT LEVEL CHAMPION!
Casting Doubt
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a hell of a match! The Reverend looked like he finally overcame his fear of Old Nick and pushed him to his limit!
MATT RUBY: Not really, BB! Look, Morningstar is getting up!
Nick rises to his feet and stands over the exhausted and downed Ezekiel. He forces the Harbinger up to a standing position and backs him into a corner with a couple well placed body blows.
"You might have gotten over your fear of me," Old Nick begins. "But you and your God are still no match for me at my full power. Allow me to give you a taste of true hell."
Morningstar places the Apostle in a chokehold, which snaps Ezekiel awake as he tries to force himself out of it!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Someone needs to put a stop to this, the match is over for Zeus's sake!
MATT RUBY: I think someone just heard you! Down the ramp! Here comes the calvary!
Two large men accompanied by a sharply dressed man rush down the ramp. They each slide into the ring and break up the choke that Morningstar has on the Reverend, throwing the assailant to the canvas!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hang on a gosh darned minute! That's Malakai Midnight and two of his Owls! What the hell are they doing here!?
Mr. Midnight helps his followers stomp a mudhole into the Day Star as the Harbinger tries to regain his breath. After a little bit, the two henchmen hoist Nick to his knees as Malakai gets a microphone from the timekeeper's table.
"When I arrived in Old School Wrestling, my objective was to bring the Devil to Arcadia. So when I heard he arrived without the help of Tombstone and the rest of Six Feet Under, my interest was piqued, to say the least."
Malakai sneers at Old Nick, who's still dazed.
"However, I know now that you are not the man we're looking for. I intend to prove that to the rest of my little owls right-"
Before Malakai can continue, Graves attacks with a big boot!
Midnight and his owls flee the ring as Graves pummels Nick with rights and lefts. Security rushes in and pulls Ezekiel off his foe. The Reverend looks up at the fleeing Midnight Man with a steely glare.
MATT RUBY: Something tells me that things are heating up now that Malakai's involved.
Cut.
Demons in The Wood
The Groves.
Deep in the woods of the Groves, the sound of running can be heard. Thunderous footsteps blast quickly through the brush.
Suddenly, they come to a halt.
It’s Wolf Fang Ayame. Her eyes glow in the darkness of night. She sniffs the air, taking in a deep breath.
“I can smell you,” she says with a slight growl. “Come out come out wherever you are.”
Lutherian Locke exits his hiding place behind a set of bushes, making himself known to her.
“I hear you’re able to destroy demons with your bare hands,” he asks, tilting his head as she looks back at him in silence. “I could use your help.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Locke has a real problem with this split personality, Matt. I’m not sure why he thinks Ayame could help him.
MATT RUBY: I heard he thinks one of his so called personality is a demon. That’s what she claims to do, isn’t it? She claims to be able to destroy demons.
Wolf Fang snarls slightly, stepping backwards. She doesn’t trust him and why should she?
“And why would I do that?” She wants to know. “I know we went after the same contract, but that doesn’t make us friends.”
Suddenly, Locke’s personality changes. His face seemingly contorts, and his attitude becomes darker. His split personality comes to the fore.
“Listen bitch,” he growls at her roughly. Ayame’s eyebrows raise with surprise. “If you come near him, I’ll kill you myself.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Whoa, he changed!
MATT RUBY: That was scary, I’m not gonna lie.
Confused, Ayame takes a moment. “You need to leave my wood, or we’ll find out if the words you dare speak here are as possible as you believe.”
Lutherian somehow pulls himself back from the other personality, stopping himself before he says another word. She moves in, watching him walk backwards and into the wood from which he came.
As he leaves, she stops to smell the air again.
“I know you’re here,” she demands of the thin air. This time, Mighty steps out of the shadows. “What do you want?”
Mighty puts his hands up. “I just want to party, Ayame. I was looking for a spot.”
She doesn’t believe him, watching as he backs away.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Something odd is going on. What did Mighty really want? Why was he spying on Locke and Ayame?
MATT RUBY: I think she needs eyes in the back of her head, BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: In a tale as old as time, we see Gino Carelli take on Candy Kane. Does the gumshoe have what it takes to put him away?
As the bell rings Gino is quickly on the offensive! He assaults Candy with a flurry of blows that knock the detective for a loop! There's a fire in Gino's eyes as he fires away, eventually backing Candy into the corner and whipping her across the ring before rushing behind her!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BADA BING! NORTHER LARIAT- NO! CANDY DUCKS!
MATT RUBY: ONE HARD JAWBREAKER! REVERSE BULLDOG FROM CANDY!
Carelli hits the mat and Candy is quick to her feet! She waits for Gino to stir, begging him to stand before leaping with a float over DDT that drops him right back to the mat! The gumshoe has the momentum firmly on her side as she hits the ropes for a shining wizard!
ONLY TO CATCH A RISING BIG BOOT TO THE DOME FROM GINO!
Candy Kane gets dropped and Carelli hits the ropes!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BADA BOOM! DIVING FOREARM SMASH CATCHES CANDY RIGHT IN THE MOUTH!
MATT RUBY: Not her candy red lips!
But the Boss isn't done as he grabs hold of Candy and pulls her to the middle of the ring! He nails her with a vicious stomp to the chest to keep her down before grabbing her legs and forcing her onto her stomach!
THE SICILIAN CRAB! HE HAS THE BOSTON CRAB LOCKED IN!
The Private Eye lets out a scream of agony as Gino leans into the hold, forcing all of the pressure onto her lower back and wrenching with all his might! Candy reaches towards the ropes but she's trapped in the middle of the ring with nowhere to go! Referee Moonfoot asks her if she wants to tap but she tells him no! She's refuses to give in!
MATT RUBY: Just give up! I'll massage your back for you after the match!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SHUT IT, RUBY! SHE'S REACHED BACK AND GRABBED HIS FOOT! CANDY ROLLS THROUGH AND LOCKS IN AN ANKLE LOCK!
Carelli finds himself immediately on the defensive again as Candy wrenches on the hold! But Gino lashes out with a massive kick to the gut that forces Candy off of him! The gumshoe stumbles back into the corner and Carelli rushes her down with a clothesline!
NO!
PENDULUM KICK BY CANDY!
Gino gets caught by the blow and Candy nails him with a massive right hook that knocks him right back into the corner! She hits a harsh shoulder tackle before forcing Carelli up to the top rope! Candy leaps to the top turnbuckle!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GUMDROP PARADISE! TOP ROPE FRANKENSTEINER! SHE MIGHT HAVE JUST BROKEN HIS NECK!
MATT RUBY: BUT WHAT A WAY TO GO!
The massive move leaves Gino broken on the ground and Candy tries to capitalize with a pin! River drops for the cover!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
KICK OUT! CARELLI HAS MORE LEFT IN THE TANK!
Gino forces his shoulder up with vigor as Candy can't believe he's still got fight left in him! She forces him back to his feet, nailing him with a left hook before going for a haymaker that Gino ducks!
BADA BING! HE SLIPPED BEHIND FOR A MASSIVE NORTHERN LARIAT!
Candy drops like a ton of bricks and Carelli pushes the assault with a sharp soccer kick to the ribs that sends the Gumshoe sprawling! He's refusing to let up as he begins to stomp a mudhole into the detective! Candy tries to defend herself but is unable to stop the mobster's brutal offense!
MATT RUBY: She can't defend herself! Who sees a thing of beauty like her and tries to destroy it!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE WON'T LET UP! GINO FORCES CANDY UP! FUGGEDDABOUDIT! SPINNING FISHERMAN BUSTER!
Candy lands head first on the mat but Gino refuses to go for a pin! He forces Candy up by her hair, nailing her with a knee to the jaw!
"You fucked with my business!"
Another knee!
"You fucked with the Carelli family!"
Another!
"This ain't business anymore, this shit is personal!"
He forces Candy back to her feet but the detective is ready! She headbutts Gino right across the bridge of the nose and sends him back into the ropes! She lunges forwards!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CANDY CANE CRUSH! SHE HAS THE MANDIBLE CLAW LOCKED IN!
MATT RUBY: SUCK THOSE SWEET FINGERS, GINO!
The hold is locked in and Gino is fighting for his life to not give in! He lays into Candy with body blows over and over but Candy refuses to let go!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: STRICTLY BUSINESS! SKY HIGH POWERBOMB! GINO JUST PLANTED CANDY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
MATT RUBY: Moonfoot slides in for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gino Carelli has just claimed victory over Candy here tonight! But it looks like we're not quite finished yet!
Case Closed
As soon as the match comes to an end the whole scene is bathed in black and white. Both competitors are exhausted, but Carelli is still able to get to his feet, producing a switchblade from his pocket! The Don holds it towards Candy, approaching with ill-intent as his voice plays over the scene.
"I had her dead to rights. She was a poison flavored lollipop and I was about to crunch down and get rid of her once and for all. Except I made one mistake. The saying goes, never hate your enemies, it affects your judgement."
Candy stands tall, practically begging Carelli to come closer! She speaks silent words, Carelli screaming wordlessly back, a quiet venom in his expression as he looks to lash out.
"She told me it didn't matter what I did. Between the squealer, the Maxwell documents, and what I was about to do? Well, I'd need a pardon from Zeus himself to see the outside of a cell ever again. I just told her that I've hidden before, I can do it again. Who's gonna miss one dumb broad?"
Suddenly, from the crowd, APD members swarm the ring! Guns trained on Gino, the boss looks between them and Candy before dropping his blade. He moves to his knees, placing his hands behind his head. Candy, meanwhile, rolls to the outside of the ring, limping towards the crowd.
"But like I said, I made a mistake. As the pigs cuffed me, I could still taste the poison on my tongue. Because I hated her, I despised the thorn in my side. But Candy? Well, she followed the saying to a tee. She didn't hate me. I was just another case on her desk."
The scene begins to fade, Candy's voice leaving us with her final words.
"And this case is closed."
Cut.
The lights dim in the arena as the opening of “For the Glory” play throughout the arena. A spotlight shines on the entrance as George Cade appears on the stage.
Bronco Blackwood: You know, the fans really don’t know how to react to George Cade. After everything they’ve seen, they don’t like him, but they’re enamoured with his sons.
Matt Ruby: I’m his biggest fan tonight. After what he did to Attano earlier, I’m hoping if he must, he finishes the job.
He stands at attention for a moment before making his way to the ring.
Bronco Blackwood: Well, I’d be surprised if this one even gets started, Ruby.
George stands patiently in the middle of the ring, an assured confidence that his brutal attack earlier tonight would’ve gotten the job done.
The lights drop in Olympus, and we hear the rattling of chains and then…
“I will stay and fight as long as I'm alive…”
-Silence-
“And Kill ‘Till I Die!”
-Beat-
A spotlight is suddenly thrown onto the stage, awaiting the arrival of Harold Attano…. only he doesn’t appear.
Bronco Blackwood: Where is he?
Matt Ruby: I told you; he’s not coming.
George leans on the ropes, watching as the music cuts and the fans boo.
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Bronco Blackwood: Listen to these people, Matt; they’re furious!
Matt Ruby: Soak it in, Georgie! Enjoy their admiration!
Just then, surrounded by medical officials, Harold Attano wheels out onto the stage in his wheelchair. He’s clearly hurting, his face a contorted mess of pain as medical officials try to convince him to go backstage.
Bronco Blackwood: I don’t think this is a good idea, Harold. You need to listen to medical advice! I know you want to know about your daughter, but nothing is worth this!
Matt Ruby: HERE COMES GEORGE!
Cade rolls out of the ring and begins thundering his way up the rampway, barrelling through the medical staff like skittles to clobber Harold Attano right out of his wheelchair with a Clothesline.
He doesn’t stop there, immediately lifting Attano off the ramp – chair n’ all, back to a seated position.
Bronco Blackwood: DON’T YOU DO IT, YOU SON OF A BITCH!
Matt Ruby: EEEEEEK!! HE’S RUNNING HIM RIGHT OFF THE BLOODY STAGE!!!!
“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”
The fans roar as George Cade wheels Harold Attano as fast as he can off the stage, into a ten foot drop to the concrete floor below! Harold must be broken in fucking half!
George looks down at him, dusting his hands off and walking back down the ramp towards the ring. The medical officials reorganise themselves and rush down to meet Attano, who’s sprawled across the concrete floor in a heap.
Bronco Blackwood: This one is over!
Matt Ruby: Stick a fork in ‘im, folks, he’s done!
The Medical team get Nobody back to his feet and begin walking him back around the ramp, basically carry him with their arms over their shoulders.
But Harold stops them.
He tosses one aside!
ANOTHER!
HANG ON A MINUTE!!
Bronco Blackwood: ATTANO IS FIGHTING BACK! HE’S FIGHTING BACK!
Matt Ruby: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
It might be the adrenaline, it might be that he’s one of the toughest sons a bitches you’ve ever met, but Harold Attano is like the fucking Terminator! He turns around, his eyes wide and looking in the direction of George Cade!
Cade gulps!!
You bet your fucking ass he gulps!
Bronco Blackwood: OHHHH BOYYY! HERE HE COMES! HERE HE COMES! LIMP, HOBBLE AND STUMBLE, HERE HE GOD DAMN COMES!
Matt Ruby: GET HIM GEORGE!
George rolls to the outside and meets Attano at the bottom of the ramp.
RIGHTS!
LEFTS!
RIGHTS!
LEFTS!
RIGHTS!
LEFTS!
Harold beats Cade back into the ring apron, BOUNCING HIS FUCKING SKULL OFF IT FOR GOOD MEASURE!
“ATTANO! ATTANO! ATTANO!”
Harold winces in pain, holding his back. He grabs George and rolls him into the ring, gingerly following himself. How the hell is he doing this!?
George stumbles back to his feet, not knowing what level he’s on! Attano attacks as quickly as he can, backing Cade into the corner and pummelling away at him. He backs off, signalling for it…
Bronco Blackwood: Don’t do it! Your back won’t handle it, Harold!
KNEECAP! KNEECAP!
SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!
BUT THAT DID AS MUCH DAMAGE TO ATTANO AS IT DID TO GEORGE, IF NOT MORE!
George drops to a knee, but Nobody finds himself writhing in agony. The Elder Cade gets back up, his knee sore, but he’s on his feet.
“You should’ve stayed down,” he growls at Attano, clicking his knuckles to end this.
He forcibly pulls Harold back to his feet…
DIAMOND CUTTER!
ONE SHOT ONE KILL!
Bronco Blackwood: WHERE DID THAT COME FROM!?
Matt Ruby: CUTTER OUT OF NOWHERE!
With both men down, Harold rolls to the outside, demanding the medical staff bring him his wheelchair and naturally, they oblige.
Bronco Blackwood: What’re they doing!?
Matt Ruby: Hopefully they’re going to escort this cripple out of here!
Attano receives the wheelchair and drags it up the ring steps, lifting it over the top rope and dumping it in the middle of the ring. Whatever he has in mind, it won’t be good. He gets inside and puts the wheelchair on its wheels, grabbing Cade and seating him in it.
“How does it feel, huh?” Attano roars at him. “You will tell me what the fuck happened with my daughter!”
A groggy Cade’s head slumps as Attano steps backwards and begins ascending the turnbuckles….
Bronco Blackwood: Oh no! Please… think of your spine, Harold. If you do this, you may never walk again.
Matt Ruby: CLIMB CRIPPLE CLIMB! DO IT! DOOOO IT!
Attano stops on the top rope, wincing and holding his back…
SHOT… GUN… DROPKICK… TO THE BACK OF THE FUCKING HEAD, KNOCKING OVER CADE AND THE WHEELCHAIR FORWARDS WITH THE SHEER FORCE!
KILL… IT… WITH… FUCKING… FIRE!!!!
THE LAST GASP OF A DYING GOD DAMN MANNN!!!!
Bronco Blackwood: IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER! IT’S GOTTA BE OVER!
Matt Ruby: Harold’s career must be, you’re right!
Harold somehow turns George over and covers with an arm…
ONE….
TWO….
THREE!
IT’S OVER! The bell sounds and Harold Attano is victorious, but my lord, he doesn’t look it!
Bronco Blackwood: I can’t believe what we’ve just seen. Nobody has defeated his former friend and ally – the man who did something to his daughter on the orders of Zeus.
Matt Ruby: He might’ve just ended his own career, BB. He could barely walk coming into this thing and just did the unthinkable. It doesn’t matter what George did. Harold has surely sacrificed his career to find out… nothing.
Have Wheels, Will Travel
Harold Attano has put everything into this fight.
But it wasn’t for nothing.
He came for a purpose and if he has an ounce of fight left in him, he’s going to fulfil it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How on Arcadia is he getting back to his feet?
MATT RUBY: I’m half tempted to go in there and break his back myself.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’d like to see you try.
Attano stands over George Cade and collapses atop him, mounting him in a position to punch the holy shit out of him.
And he does…
Lefts, rights, lefts, rights.
“Tell me about my daughter!” He demands. With every blow, blood spurts out of the mouth and nose of the Elder Cade. “Fucking tell me, damnit!”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Just tell him, George. Please…
But he doesn’t. He shakes his head in refusal.
Resolute. Defiant. Callous.
George Cade refuses to tell Harold Attano what he wants to know. Attano calls to the medical staff who rush to the ring and grab the wheelchair, taking it back outside onto the ramp. They’re preparing to help Nobody outta here. It’s over.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hang on a second…
MATT RUBY: What’s this madman doing!?
Nobody rolls to the outside cautiously, reaching back into the ring and pulling George with all his might. He roars in agony with every pull of the heavier man, finally pulling him to the outside. Harold struggles, propping a near unconscious Cade in the wheelchair, getting behind it and…
And….
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Where’s Harold Attano taking him!?
MATT RUBY: He’s wheeling him away! Attano is kidnapping George Cade!
Stepping as softly as he can, Harold Attano wheels George Cade up the entrance ramp and backstage…
To be continued.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tonight The Besties defend tag team gold against The Circus, Six Feet Under, and Burning Justice!
MATT RUBY: They've defended those titles well so far but the odds are not in their favor tonight.
DING! DING!
All eight participants jump into the ring! This looks like Lambs to the slaughter with all the bodies in the ring! The Besties go after Burning Justice! No love lost there as stereo super kicks from The Besties send Destructo Boy and Burned Man out of the ring!
Stereo dropkicks from The Circus to The Besties and Doom and Foley roll out of the ring!
DROP DEAD JAWBREAKERS!
A LEAPING KNEE FROM GRAVEDIGGER TO KLAUS!
ANOTHER ONE FROM MALAKAI TO SOLUS!
SIX FEET UNDER QUICKLY COVER!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
BOTH OF THE CIRCUS STRONGLY KICK OUT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That's not gonna cut it!
MATT RUBY: Look what's happening outside BB! It's Chaos!
On the outside, The Besties and Burning Justice are brawling and Destructo Boy hits a drop toe hold on Foley who crashes into the steel steps! Doom spears The Burned Man into the barricade! Doom and Destructo Boy charge at each other!
THE SPLITTER!
DOOM NAILS A POWERFUL GORE TO DESTRUCTO BOY!
HE DRAGS DESTRUCTO BOY TO THE RING POST!
DOOM CHARGES!
BREAKING THE JAR!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE JUST KICKED HIS HEAD IN!
MATT RUBY: HE'S OUTTA HERE! OH MY GOD!
PUNT KICK TO A PRONE DESTRUCTO BOY!
Back in the ring, Six Feet Under is stomping away on The Circus! Unlikely allies climb to the turnbuckles! Felix Foley on one corner and The Burned Man on the other!
PHOENIX DOWN!
DIVING LARIAT FROM THE BURNED MAN TO MIDNIGHT!
FALLING WITH STYLE!
DIVING CROSSBODY FROM FOLEY TO GRAVEDIGGER!
DOOM TRIPS THE BURNED MAN FROM THE OUTSIDE!
HE STUMBLES INTO CUT THE STRINGS!
DOUBLE ARM DDT BY FOLEY!
HE COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
KLAUS BREAKS THE COVER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That was close!
MATT RUBY: What a near fall that was.
Doom slides into the ring to back up Foley and Solus stands next to Klaus Way! The Besties and The Circus start swinging lefts and rights at each other! The Circus gets the best of the Besties and drops them with stereo DDTs!
KLAUS WAY CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE AND STANDS AS TALL AS HE CAN!
DAMIEN SOLUS CLIMBS ON WAY’S SHOULDERS!
BROKEN WINGS!
DIVING HEADBUTT FROM AN EXCEPTIONAL HEIGHT!
HE NAILS ALL OF THAT ON DOOM AND COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
LAST RESPECTS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ELBOW DROP!
MATT RUBY: BOOM!
GRAVEDIGGER NAILS THE TOP ROPE ELBOW DROP TO BREAK THE PIN!
KLAUS WAY NAILS A FLIPPING NECKBREAKER TO GRAVEDIGGER!
Everyone is down except for Destructo Boy who pulls a table from under the ring and slides it in! The Burned Man pulls himself up and sets the table up against the corner of the ring!
KLAUS WAY IS GETTING UP!
FLAMETONGUE!
JOHN WOO DROPKICK SENDS WAY FLYING INTO THE TABLE!
THE BURNED MAN COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT BREAKS UP THE COVER!
The Burned Man stands up and starts brawling with Malakai! Destructo Boy slides in to help his father and does rapid kicks to Malachi's leg and follows with a jumping spin kick to the jaw!
EVENING THE SCALES!
DESTRUCTO BOY AND THE BURNED MAN BOTH GRAB MALAKAI AND NAIL A DOUBLE URANAGE!
MALAKAI GETS SLAMMED HARD AND DESTRUCTO BOY COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: KICK OUT! KICK OUT! This Kid is incredible. How the hell is he kicking out after what he's been through in this match so far?
MATT RUBY: Stupidity, most likely.
SELF HARM!
DAMIEN SOLUS BREAKS UP THE PINFALL WITH THE SPIRAL TAP!
Damien stands up right into a goozle by The Burned Man! Chokeslam-no! Damien slips out and traps The Burned Man’s arms!
SHARE MY PAIN!
HEADBUTT AFTER HEADBUTT!
THE BURNED MAN DROPS TO HIS KNEES!
SOLUS DOESN'T STOP UNTIL THE BURNED MAN COLLAPSES ON HIS BACK!
SOLUS COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
DOOM BREAKS THE COVER AND DEFENDS HIS TITLE!
Doom pulls Solus up and hoists him on his shoulders! Solus slips out from behind and shoves Doom! Klaus Way capitalizes and snatches Doom’s arms from behind!
HE TURNS DOOM AROUND AND HAS HIM TRAPPED!
HE RUNS THE ROPES!
SO MUCH UNPRETTIER!
HE NAILS BIZARRO AND COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
FOLEY BREAKS IT UP!
Foley pulls up Klaus Way but Klaus Way snatches his wrist and begins to twist! Foley counters with a headlock! Klaus charges towards the ropes and shoves Foley off! Foley bounces off the ropes!
DOOM RUNS UP BEHIND KLAUS WAY!
HUG IT OUT!
DOOM AND FOLEY CRUSH A RUNNING KLAUS WAY WITH A DOUBLE SPLASH!
KLAUS IS STUNNED AS DOOM LIFTS HIM UP AND FOLEY DROPS HIM WITH THE CUTTER!
DOOMFACTORY DEATH DEVICE!
THE BESTIES NAIL THE 3D AND DOOM COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
SHOVEL TO THE SPINE OF DOOM!
What a shot by Gravedigger as he nails Doom's back! He makes The Besties feel each other's pain as he nails Foley in the face with a shovel! Gravedigger is going crazy with the shovel and nailing everyone! Shovel to Doom again! Shovel to Destructo Boy! Shovel to Klaus Way! Shovel to Burned Man! Shovel to Solus!
EVERYONE IS DOWN BUT SIX FEET UNDER!
GRAVEDIGGER HOISTS SOLUS ON HIS SHOULDERS!
CRADLE TO MIDNIGHT!
GTS FOLLOWED BY A BIG BOOT!
MIDNIGHT COVERS SOLUS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING!
FOLEY HITS A BIG BOOT TO GRAVEDIGGER WHO FALLS INTO MIDNIGHT TO BREAK THE PIN!
Foley pulls up Solus and sets him up on the top rope! He pulls Solus down into a tree of woe and backs into the corner! Foley sprints at full speed.
SEE NO EVIL!
DESTRUCTO BOY NAILS THE SHINING WIZARD AND COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
FOLEY GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Solus pulls himself up and does a trust fall into a cutter on Destructo Boy! Solus pulls up Gravedigger by the hair and spikes him down with a hair-pulling neckbreaker!
SOLUS GOES TO THE TOP ROPE!
SELF HARM!
NO! GRAVEDIGGER GETS THE KNEES UP!
HARD LANDING FOR SOLUS AS GRAVEDIGGER ROLLS HIM UP!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
BREAKING THE JAR TO A PRONE GRAVEDIGGER!
DOOM NAILS THE PUNT AND COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THR-NO!
THE BURNED MAN BREAKS IT UP!
Doom stares a hole at The Burned Man and charges at him!
THE SPLITTER!
NO!
THE BURNED MAN DODGES AND TOSSES DOOM OUT OF THE RING!
THE BURNED MAN TURNS AROUND INTO A MANDIBLE CLAW BY FOLEY!
THE BURNED MAN TRIES TO FIGHT OUT OF IT BUT TO NO AVAIL!
HE FALLS TO THE MAT AS FOLEY TURNS IT INTO A PIN!
ONE!
. . .
. . .
TWO!
. . .
. . .
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They've done it! Another great defense by one of the best teams I've ever seen.
MATT RUBY: In any sport?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Any sport.
Welcome to The Pantheon
The Pantheon.
It’s been quite some time since we sat in the Pantheon office. The same shiny table resides in the middle with numerous leather chairs around the outside. Figures filter into the room, one by one, masked and hooded to protect their identities.
They’re shortly followed in by Zeus, Narcissa and Ares.
“Thank you for gathering on such short notice,” Zeus says chairing the meeting. “I’ve called this meeting this evening to discuss the future of the Pantheon.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We’ve not seen the Pantheon in quite some time. Do you remember that debacle with Ares, Matt?
MATT RUBY: We weren’t in situ then but yeah, I remember hearing about the affair and how that panned out. It wasn’t good for those running Arcadia.
The audience of Pantheon members sit with bated breath.
“Foremost, I’d like to welcome my wife Hera back to the table. She’ll once again be responsible for marriage, women and family here in Arcadia,” he says, clapping his hands. The rest of the board clap too, naturally. “You’ll be pleased to know that she has already reported a rise in birth-rate this quarter.”
There’re some nodding heads.
“Meanwhile and very importantly, we have two new members of the Pantheon. Please welcome Asclepius and a replacement for Hephaestus,” he announces, looking at two new cloaked figures. “I have longstanding arrangements with both of these prominent Arcadian figures. Hephaestus has needed replacing since his attempted murder on Ares and I’ve found the most perfect of replacements for him.”
“However, I should note that both members are also titans for Old School Wrestling,” Zeus announces to gasps from the other members of the board.
“Is that wise?” Hermes asks with distaste of the idea. “Your project is one thing, Zeus, but having members of it here in the board is…”
Poseidon is quick to chime in. “Reckless.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hang on a second! Two members of the OSW roster are on the shadow board helping run OSW!? That can’t be right!
MATT RUBY: That’s a lot of influence and power.
That comment brings about an immediate hush. Zeus looks at Narcissa and then at Ares, rage boiling in his eyes.
Narcissa steps in to quell their concerns.
“These men own The Corporation,” she brazenly announces. There’s a quick shift in the aura of the room.
“That’s quite a coup,” Dionysus remarks calmly. “We’ve used the Corporation for various projects throughout the last few years. I’d think they’ve earned their place amongst us, wouldn’t you?”
The group seemingly agree, including those who spoke out. Zeus nods as well, grateful for Narcissa and her explanation.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m telling you now, whoever these Corporation members are, they’re dangerous. They’ve been influential in the ruining of Destructo Boy and The Burned Man’s lives and now this?
MATT RUBY: That’s just the things we know about, BB.
Cut.
The Final Act
We find ourselves ringside as Aurora finishes her entrance! Arcadia's daredevil however isn't trying to hype up the crowd, instead opting to stare down the entrance ramp as she awaits her opponent. However, as the arena plunges into darkness we don't hear Redgrave's music. The crowd sits in quiet confusion before a video appears on screen.
A Redgrave Production
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And just what the hell is this?
MATT RUBY: Do you need your reading glasses, you geezer? It's a film!
Flashing before our eyes is a strange compilation of 'scenes' taken from the past two months! Multiple angles of Aurora as she escapes from Redgrave's Gallery with the Artist in hot pursuit. Interlaced shots and images of Aurora's frustration as she shouts, cries, and pleads all while fighting for her life!
The Thrillseeker looks on in pure rage, teeth grit as Redgrave makes her relive the trauma he's inflicted.
We see her speaking on the walkie-talkie before cutting to the blood dripping from her hands after his assault in the bleak, followed immediately by his attack on her home! The film reel begins to decay as Redgrave is sent through Aurora's window, finally burning up and coming to an abrupt end.
Then silence. An uncomfortable, prolonged silence only broken by Redgrave's voice. "Your agony was... Beautiful, my Little Star. Yet, my first foray into film is unfinished. After all, every film needs a climax. And tonight, live, shall be the final act." The lights come up to reveal Redgrave in the ring behind Aurora!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: TURN AROUND! BY ZEUS TURN AROUND!
MATT RUBY: HE'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU!
The bell rings, this match is about to begin!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: TURN AROUND! AURORA TURN AROUND!
Jasper wraps his arms around Aurora's throat! He's strangling the life out of her! The Thrillseeker scratches as Jasper's face in pure desperation but he powers through and slams her head first into the turnbuckle! The crowd gasps as he swings her around like a rag doll, watching as she begins to go limp in his arms.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE'S GOING TO KILL HER!
MATT RUBY: FOR THE LOVE OF ZEUS DOES ANYONE HAVE A SAFE WORD?
The Artist smirks sadistically as he tightens his grip around Aurora's throat, her face turning blue, eyes rolling back.
CHOMP!
AURORA JUST BIT INTO REDGRAVE'S ARM! BLOOD COVERS HER FACE AS SHE BITES DOWN WITH ALL HER MIGHT!
Jasper lets go of the hold and Aurora hits him with an arm drag that plants him in the center of the ring! Redgrave gets to his feet in anger as his blood drips from Aurora's lips.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SOLAR STORM! THE RUNNING METEORA CRUSHES JASPER INTO THE MAT!
MATT RUBY: Look at those legs put in work! Jasper should've chose a less leggy final girl!
Aurora rolls through with the move, immediately bouncing off of the ropes with a massive leaping double foot stomp to the chest! Redgrave is down but immediately trying to get back to his feet! Aurora lays into him with thunderous kicks over and over but Jasper is undeterred as he rises!
HE CATCHES A KICK!
Redgrave wraps a massive hand around Aurora's throat and pulls her into a skull rattling headbutt! Aurora stumbles back towards the ropes and Redgrave rushes her!
SUPERKICK!
SPINNING ELBOW!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE LAND FLUSH!
MATT RUBY: SHE'S SENT OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Aurora lands outside the ring in a heap and Jasper takes his time as he slowly begins to follow her, leaping off of the apron and grabbing Aurora by her hair! He forces her up to her feet before running her right into the steel steps with a terrifying crash! The Artist grabs his victim by the skull and slams her straight into the steps over and over!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A CRIMSON MASK! BLOOD IS FLOWING DOWN AURORA'S FACE!
MATT RUBY: I'm terrified for her... But she's pulling off the bloody survivor look.
One last slam leaves Aurora laid out over the steps and Jasper begins to look beneath the ring for a weapon!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What's he doing!? He'll get DQ'd!
MATT RUBY: No he won't! Cole Holt's the referee and he's looking the other way!
Redgrave comes at Aurora with a chair! He prepares to bring it down right on top of her head!
LOW BLOW!
AURORA JUST LASHES OUT WITH A VICIOUS LOW BLOW!
Redgrave drops the chair and The Breath of the Heavens grabs him!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX RIGHT ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!
MATT RUBY: NOW THIS IS A CLIMAX!
Aurora grabs the chair and stares Jasper down with murderous intent! She lines it up and brings it down edge first right to Redgrave's ribs! She lays into him brutally, slamming it violently over and over until Redgrave looks to not even be moving! The Artist could very well be unconcious! But Aurora isn't done! She gets onto the barricade with the chair in hand!
MATT RUBY: What is she doing!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NORTHERN LIGHTS OUT WITH THE STEEL CHAIR! SHE JUST LEAPED FROM THE APRON TO THE STEEL STEPS WITH THE TWISTED BLISS!
Redgrave gets sandwiched between Aurora and the steps and the Thrillseeker rolls off to the ground! She's put Redgrave down, but now she needs to get him into the ring! She grabs hold of the mad man, pulling with all her might but being unable to move him to the ring! The crowd eggs her on!
CLAP! CLAP!
GO AURORA!
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
GO AURORA!
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Surged by the crowd she rolls Redgrave into the ring and slides in after! But Redgrave reaches into his pocket!
CLICK!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT!
MATT RUBY: I JUST HEARD AURORA SCREAM!
The lights come back on to reveal Jasper has Aurora in a crucifix!
VANISHING POINT! THE CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB SLAMS AURORA RIGHT INTO THE FUCKING TURNBUCKLE!
Redgrave, with a grimace on his face, forces Aurora back to the turnbuckle and slowly begins to haul her to the top rope! The crowd begs him not to as forces her to the top and calls for the end! He sets up the pedigree!
MATT RUBY: I CAN'T WATCH!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ILLUSION OF CHAOS! REDGRAVE LEAPS OFF WITH THE PEPSI PLUNGE!
KILLED!
WITH!
FIRE!
Aurora lands face first from the brutal move! Redgrave pushes her onto her back and hooks the leg as Holt drops for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!?
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Holt calls for the bell! It sickens me to say, we've just seen the Final Act here tonight. Your winner... Is Jasper Redgrave.
Love
What an incredible match. Jasper Redgrave barely pulled out the stops to beat Aurora but beat her he did.
He leaves the ring; his final masterpiece having been lain bare before the world. The Thrillseeker slowly crawls back to her feet, using the ropes to get back to a standstill. The crowd cheer for her in a standing ovation, rewarding her for a tremendous performance.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Listen to this crowd. They’re on their feet in appreciation for Aurora. She may not have been successful here tonight, but they want her to know how behind her they are.
Static.
The tron flickers.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hang on, what’s this?
The lights dim.
On the tron is a picture of Aurora – a still from the very first footage we saw of her in her underwear by a window. It’s held in the hands of the presumed recorder.
“I’ve been alone all my life,” the person says, sighing sadly. “But when I saw you defend those you cared about, I wished it was me.”
Aurora looks confused.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Does he mean Raven?
MATT RUBY: I remember that. Aurora challenged Midnight over his treatment of Raven, though he turned his back on her and betrayed her.
“When you did that, it triggered something in me that I didn’t know existed. I’ll admit, I’ve been a little obsessed with you since then,” he says with a somewhat sinister tone. “I know you’ve not appreciated my advances or methods of showing you my appreciation, but I wanted Arcadia to see you in the glory that I did; the beauty and fierce determination of a woman that I love.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Love?
MATT RUBY: This is disturbing, even for me.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s saying something.
“Who are you!?” Aurora yells back at the tron, demanding answers.
Gazump.
The tron shuts off, as does the lights.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is some kind of nightmare. Where have the lights gone?
MATT RUBY: I get the feeling that when we return, we’ll have all our answers, Bronco!
The lights return…
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
The crowd immediately turn on the stalker, who now stands behind Aurora in all his glory. She slowly turns around, her eyes waiting to meet his for the first time.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: IT’S… OH GOD… NO WAY…
MATT RUBY: SHOVEL TO THE SKULL! LOOK OUT!
WHAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCK!
IT’S GRAVEDIGGER!
Gravedigger clocks Aurora right across the head with his shovel, knocking her immediately to the canvas, unconscious. He smiles a sinister grin, rolling her out of the ring with his foot.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Someone needs to stop this. Gravedigger has been the one stalking Aurora. He’s depraved, damnit!
MATT RUBY: He just loves her so much, BB.
The Shovel exits the ring and grabs Aurora by her ankle, dragging her up the entrance ramp to the backstage as the crowd boo wildly.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Where’s he taking her!?
MATT RUBY: I don’t know, but I’m guessing it won’t be fun for Aurora.
Buried With Your Secrets
The Mortuary.
The sound of someone shovelling dirt can be heard echoing throughout the night sky. It’s dark, scary and ominous as we zoom in to see Harold Attano putting dirt into a grave that contains George Cade.
George is kneeling, bloodied and battered, his face a crimson mask.
Harold falls back in exhaustion; the adrenaline having carried him this far.
“I’m gonna kill you,” Attano says between wincing and gasping breaths. “I’ll bury you with all your secrets.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He said he was gonna do it and by golly, he’s gonna.
MATT RUBY: George may as well spill the beans. This guy is a terminator.
He somehow pulls himself back to his feet, grabbing the dropped shovel.
“I made a promise,” George mutters, his own pain exasperating. “You were gone. She needed someone to look after her.”
Nobody stops, looking down in confusion. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
George looks up, the white of his eyes bright against the darkened crimson that covers his face.
“Zeus wanted me to kill her. He said you’d betrayed him and that she was penalty for your crimes. He wanted to send me,” George announces. He’s still defiant, even in his defeated state. “But I convinced him otherwise.”
Harold just listens.
“She always thought you’d get out. She was petrified that you’d come back. When she’d learned the kind of man you’d become, she wanted nothing to do with you and that’s the truth,” he says honestly, meaning precisely what he’s saying. “So, I agreed to make her disappear. I helped her.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my, what a revelation. George didn’t kill Michaela or make her vanish because he wanted to.
MATT RUBY: He was protecting the girl!
As the truth rings true for Attano, he can’t help but shed a tear. He’d been looking for answers regarding Michaela, in anticipation that they could be reunited, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
She wants nothing to do with her dad.
“That’s why I haven’t told you where she is. It wasn’t because I’d done something to harm her but because I didn’t want to betray her trust,” Cade admits.
Harold throws his shovel down and takes a careful seat on the edge of the grave. He puts an arm into George, reaching down to help pull him out of the mire. Cade accepts, barely escaping enough to pull himself into a seated position next to Attano.
“I’ve been heavily debating what to do, you know,” he says looking at his former best friend. “And then I checked in on her. The truth is… I’m worried about her safety.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s never good.
MATT RUBY: I wonder where she is. He’s kept this secret all this time and if she’s not safe now and he’s close to revealing it, it must be bad.
“Where is she?” Nobody wants to know, his eyes desiring more of the truth, even if deep down he can’t handle it. “Please. Wherever she is, if she doesn’t need my help, I’ll leave her be, you have my word.”
George Cade thinks about it for a moment. His heart beats slowly but his mind races. Deep down, he knows what he must do. He knows that the truth will set him free. More importantly, he knows that she might not be safe.
“I took her…. to the circus,” Cade says, astonishing Attano who’s eyes open wide. “She’s a contortionist there, but Klaus Way has his claws in her now and…”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No! That’s not good news. Klaus is a tyrant! Poor Michaela must be terrified.
MATT RUBY: I dunno about that, Bronco. That Circus is a pretty cool place to be, if you ask me. I bet she’s having a great time.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I sincerely doubt that.
Attano aggressively gets back to his feet, stumbling. “And that’s why she’s not safe.”
Cade nods in agreement. “He wasn’t there when I took her, you must believe me. He took over by force and now she’s trapped.”
His words call out after his friend, who is already walking away. George looks down into the grave with shame.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Klaus Way had better watch out!
MATT RUBY: The Terminator is coming!
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Paragon has stepped into Olympus tonight to bring the truth to people. He challenged El Mariachi Muerte to bring whatever that truth is to his so-called love Gemini…
MATT RUBY: Oh piss off, Blackwood. Every man keeps secrets from his woman. Their delicate disposition can’t handle real business.
El Mariachi Muerte wastes no time, launching forward with lightning-quick strikes, but Paragon pushes him off, shaking his head.
The Truth Bringer goes for a grapple, but EMM spins free and rebounds off the ropes…
SPRINGBOARD LUNGBLOWER!
Paragon crashes to the mat.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Paragon needs to watch out for El Mariachi Muerte’s quickness.
MATT RUBY: He needs to watch out for more than that, Muerte’s a former World Champ!
Paragon rolls back to his feet, charges in, ducks a clothesline…
…rebounds…
BULLHAMMER ELBOW INTO MUERTE’S JAW!
Paragon drops into a cover.
ONE…
…
…
…
TW—KICK OUT!
Paragon picks Muerte up and sends him into the ropes. This time, Muerte ducks a clothesline attempt, stopping to wait...
WHISKEY LULLABY! THE OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SENDS PARAGON FLYING ACROSS THE RING!
MATT RUBY: See?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There’s more to Paragon than meets the eye, Ruby.
From the corner, the Mariachi grabs a rose and puts it between his teeth before ascending to the top rope.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We know what’s coming next!
HE LEAPS OFF!
DOUBLE FOOT STOMP!
THE 48 ROSES TO PARAG—
NO!
PARAGON ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!
THE TRUTH BRINGER’S STILL IN THIS FIGHT!
As they both rise, Paragon rushes in, trying to grab a struggling EMM up for a piledriver.
IS HE ABLE TO HOOK THE LEG?
IS IT TIME FOR TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES TO MEET EL MARIACHI MUERTE!
NO! IT’S NOT!
MUERTE IS ABLE TO ROLL AWAY, FIGHTING HIS WAY OUT OF CERTAIN DOOM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: If Paragon hit that one, this match would have been over.
MATT RUBY: Have you no faith in Zeus’s chosen Mariachi?
Not wasting a second, Singing Death leaps up to the ropes…
Springboard…
LUNGBLOWER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE LAST CARNIVÀLE!
MATT RUBY: YES, SEND THIS FAKE NEWS BACK WHERE IT CAME FROM!
ONE…
…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
…
THREE!
…
NO!
PARAGON KICKED OUT!
AT THE LAST FUCKING SECOND!
MATT RUBY: I don’t believe it.
Frustrated, Mariachi bangs the mat, then picks up his rose again, putting the stem between his teeth. He sizes Paragon up, then puts his head between his legs.
PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! HE’S GONNA FADE TO…
NOTHING!
PARAGON WIGGLES DOWN, MAKING DISTANCE BETWEEN HE AND MUERTE!
BUISAKU KNEE!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE TRUTH BRINGER!
ONE…
…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
…
THREE—NO!
The crowd’s on their feet as Paragon lifts up the Mariachi back. He sizes him up…
BULLHAMMER—NO!
MUERTE SWINGS AROUND PARAGON, A GUITAR STRING SUDDENLY IN HIS HAND!
HE WRAPS IT AROUND PARAGON’S THROAT!
MATT RUBY: MAKE THAT BASTARD DREAM A LITTLE DREAM, MUERTE!
Paragon struggles, gasping, as EMM tightens the choke, placing his rose into the mouth hole of Paragon’s mask.
The Truth Bringer fights back, desperately clawing at the string, his pink between it and his neck.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s gotta be over now.
MATT RUBY: Finish it!
THE STRING SNAPS!
With sheer power, Paragon breaks free!
BULLHAMMER!
THE TRUTH SHALL SET MUERTE FREE TONIGHT!
Paragon doesn’t even go for the cover. He stomps the rose into the mat, and sizes Muerte up for another!
MATT RUBY: Don’t get up, Mariachi! Please!
A SECOND BULLHAMMER!
NO!!
MUERTE DUCKS UNDERNEATH!
HEAD BUTT!
ANOTHER!
PARAGON IS STAGGERED!
MUERTE MOVES QUICKLY.
PACKAGE PILEDRIVER TO PARAGON!
FADE TO BLACK! FADE TO BLACK!
PARAGON HAS FADED TO BLACK!
IT’S GOTTA BE OVER!
ONE…
…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
…
THREE?
…
…
…
…
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The truth did not set Paragon free tonight, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Of course it didn't. Now will Paragon tell us what the hell he knows?
The Truth Shall Set You Free
The Mariachi gets back to his feet and looms over Paragon, who struggles to get back to his. Before Muerte can do or say anything though, the crowd pop.
The iconic riff of Paramore's "That's What You Get" echoes throughout Olympus. Gemini walks out into the arena, a huge smile on her face. The Rogue feeds off the energy from her people – but tonight, she looks less than impressed.
She waits for her music to die down and then produces a microphone.
“Stop!” She demands of her boyfriend, El Mariachi Muerte. “Enough of this. I’ve had enough of the lies and secrecy.”
Gemini rolls into the ring between them.
“I need to know the truth, Muerte. Whatever is going on between you and Zeus, we can get you clear of it, you just need to tell me what’s happening,” she pleads.
Muerte looks immediately at Paragon. “Don’t…”
The Watcher shakes his head at Singing Death, signifying that he’s not on the same page. He can and he will.
“What I know is bigger than both of you,” he announces, making the crowd murmur. “But that isn’t for tonight. That isn’t why I came. I actually came for you, Gemini.”
That confuses them both. El Mariachi looks as if he could explode, but he can’t. He knows that if he did that, he’d ruin everything.
“Your boyfriend is a murderer,” Paragon says to Gemini softly, calmly and as kindly as possible. Her face turns white. “Along with Zeus and Narcissa, he entombed Drewitt, Grimskull and John The Revelator. He ensured the deaths of all three.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No… Please tell me that’s not true. That’s where Grimskull, Drewitt and John The Revelator went to?
MATT RUBY: That’s a revelation of its own if true.
EMM looks at his girlfriend with shame in his eyes. She didn’t believe it at first, but the look on his face tells her everything she needs to know.
“You were there too,” he announces to The Rogue, who’s own eyes widen further. “And when you were in recovery, your boyfriend sang you a song to forget. The Watchers saw everything.”
The Rogue has been absolutely stunned. She drops her microphone and exits the ring, walking away in tears as Muerte calls for her to stay. Singing Death turns to Paragon, rage in his eyes.
“I came bearing truth for you too, Mariachi,” Paragon surprises him. “Your friend Zeus sent Grizzly St. Claire to attack both you and your girlfriend. He was tying up loose ends.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my God! Are you serious!? Zeus sent Grizzly!? That devious…
MATT RUBY: Careful, that’s your boss and Baron you’re disrespecting. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What does it matter? Zeus tried to have Muerte and Gemini killed, Matt. He tried to silence them both. There’s a bigger secret than even the ones we’ve learned here tonight at play. What is it?
Paragon backs away, dropping the microphone and a bombshell bigger than TEC. Muerte doesn’t know whether to stick or twist, his mind blown.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We go to the boiler room of Olympus where Tombstone and Jackson Cade are already inside and our Boiler Room Brawl is underway!
MATT RUBY: Will Cade be able to run away and escape the Boiler Room like the coward he is or will Tombstone walk over his corpse to exit that Boiler Room?
We transition to the Boiler Room as Tombstone is searching for Jackson Cade when...
*CRASH!*
A STACK OF METAL PIPING FALLS ON TOP OF THE FERRYMAN BURYING HIM UNDER A MASS OF METAL AND REFUSE AS CADE REVEALS HIMSELF TO BE THE MAN WHO PUSHED IT OFF THE GRATING IT HAD BEEN STACKED IN!
Cade surveys the wreckage he’s perpetrated before dusting his hands and making a b-line for the exit.
MATT RUBY: He’s a coward look at him run with his tail between his legs!
The Officer is ten steps away from the door when the lights flutter and Cade turns back to the pile of metal to see just that, and no Tombstone. Only to turn around...
CADE QUICKLY DISCOVERING HE CANNOT RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!
Bossman Slam on the uncaring concrete knocking the wind out of Jackson’s lungs!
Tombstone scoops up Cade onto his shoulder taking a running start and lawn-darting Jackson headfirst into the concrete wall. Leaving a wet bloody stain on the wall as Perseus staggers around into Finger Tip Uppercut...
ONCE!
TWICE!
THRICE?!
THE FERRYMAN’S K-NO! CADE MANAGES TO SNAG THE ARM OF TOMBSTONE SWINGING AROUND THE BIG MAN PUTTING HIM INTO A HAMMERLOCK FOLLOWING IT UP WITH PEPSI TWIST CLOTHESLINE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I HEAR HE CALLS THAT THE LOCKDOWN PROTOCOL!
MATT RUBY: Sneaky backdoor sucker punching Sherriff! That was a lucky shot!
The Law staggers to his feet and looks at the storage grating next to himself and pulls himself up until he gets to the top about fifteen feet above the Ferryman before taking flight!
SCREAMING EEEEEEEEEAGLE! BIG MACHO STYLE ELBOW ACROSS THE THROAT OF TOMBSTONE! CAUSING TOMBSTONE TO SPIT A MIST OF BLOOD ACROSS THE ROOM!
Blood flows from Jackson Cade’s forehead as he stares dead at The King of Destination before looking for the Kimura Lock.
THREAT CONTAIN-NO BEARHUG! TOMBSTONE SNAPS BACK TO LIFE, SCREAMING AS BLOOD FLOWS FROM HIS MOUTH WHILE ADRENALINE COURSES THROUGH HIS UNDEAD VEINS AS HE GETS BACK TO HIS FEET AND LIFTS CADE OFF HIS FEET!
THE FERRYMAN HAS A SOUL TO CARRY!
Tombstone begins marching around the room, slamming Cade’s back into anything solid.
POST!
WALL!
STEEL RIVETTED WATERHEATER!
Jackson slumps in The Ferryman’s grasp as he’s lowered to the ground and Tombstone GOOZLES THE OFFICER!
FOR WHOM THE - *KER-FUCKING-RAK!* INCEDARY ROUD!
DESPERATION BULLHAMMER FUCKING ELBOW CATCHES THE KING OF DESTINATION OFF GAURD SENDING BLOOD ARCHING ACROSS THE ROOM AS CADE STRUGGLES TO KEEP WEIGHT ON HIS LEGS!
MATT RUBY: Sucker punch there by Jackson Cade, the Shady Sheriff of Arcadia!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’ll say that was a desperation blow from a desperate man but that shot came face to face there Mattie, no blindsiding at all!
Cade wipes blood out of his eyes before hooking Tombstone up for a Brainbuster!
MASTERK-OUNTER! TOMBSTONE LIFTS JACKSON INTO A VERTICAL SUPLEX POSITION BEFORE SHIFTING CADE INTO POSITION AND DROPPING TO HIS KNEES DROPPING THE OFFICER ON THE CROWN OF HIS HEAD WITH A TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
JACKSON CADE IS WALKING THE ELYSIUM FIELDS!
Tombstone mounts Officer Cade and just starts laying into the wound on the forehead of Jackson.
*WHAP!*
ONCE!
*WHAP!*
TWICE!
*WHAP!*
THRICE!
The Ferryman then just begins to rip and claw with gloves hands at the weeping wound on Cade’s forehead looking to rip it open more before taking his bloodied gloved hand and dragging it across his face painting it in Jackson Cade’s blood!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s disgusting that’s another man’s blood!
MATT RUBY: All’s fair in love and war. That’s psychological warfare at it’s finest!
Tombstone seeing Cade is no longer fighting back pie-faces Cade essentially dribbling his head off the concrete floor, standing, and slowly walking toward the exit.
As he approaches the exit of the Boiler Room there’s a clattering off screen.
“Where are you going you Terminal fuck?!”
Cade spits out holding himself up by a nearby railing blood coating his face as he motions for the Ferryman to bring it!
“I ain’t dead yet you soulless bastard!”
Cade adds before hawking a bloody loogie at feet of The Ferryman who rushes back to re-engage the Officer.
*KERR-MOTHERFUCKING-RACK!*
LEAPING FUCKING SUPERKICK BY JACKSON CADE!
TOMBSTONE IS THE HOSTILE DOWN!
Cade breathlessly starts to stagger toward the door when….
*BZZZZZT!*
The lights flicker once more and Cade turns around to see the monster Tombstone eyes glowing white sitting up and staring directly at him. Cade mouths the words, “Oh, fuck me”. Before rushing back at the Ferryman…
PUNT KICK!
50 CALIBER ROUND CHAMBERED AND CAUGHT!
Cade’s eyes go wide as Tombstone catches his leg and uses it to pull himself to his feet staring dead eyed into Cade’s soul before wrapping a gloved hand around Cade’s throat. Hoisting The Officer into the air and into a Rock Bottom...
JACKSON CADE HAS BEEN SENT...
ON...
HIS...
WAY!
BACK FIRST ACROSS THE SAME RAILING HE USED EARLIER TO SUPPORT HIMSELF!
TOMBSTONE JUST KILLED... IT... WITH... FIRE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus H. Christ! Tombstone may have just broken another man’s back!
MATT RUBY: I’m lucky but I’m not that lucky.
Tombstone looks down, stepping over the prone body of Jackson Cade slowly and stoically walking out the exit to the Boiler Room where Cole Holt is waiting to declare him the winner!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a war, Tombstone and Cade left their life blood in that boiler room. Tombstone managing to reinforce the image of the indestructible monster potentially crippling yet another man tonight.
MATT RUBY: Jackson can go keep his mother company! Tombstone has proven he is the myth come to life and may have to ferry Jackson Cade on his way after tonight!
Open and Shut
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He gave it all he had.
MATT RUBY: FUCK THE POLICE! JACKSON CADE CAN ABUSE AUTHORITY, BUT HE CAN’T ABUSE TOMBSTONE!
Jackson Cade sinks to his knees, sweat and blood dripping from his face as he gasps for air.
The Boiler Room hums around him, the heat pressing down, suffocating.
Tombstone stands on the other side of the doorway.
Smirking.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That sick son of a bitch. What is he going to do next?
With a slow, mocking wave, Tombstone slams the heavy door shut. Cade lunges forward, fists pounding against the steel.
“What the fuck!?” He shouts, his voice hoarse. “You bastard!”
He falls silent as he hears the distinct clatter of chains.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He wouldn’t…
MATT RUBY: It’s an open and shut case, BB! Lock his ass up!
Outside, Tombstone loops the chain around the door, each link clinking with cold finality. He pulls it taut, snapping a padlock into place, as his smirk fades into an expression of grim satisfaction.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Somebody needs to get down there!
Inside, Cade continues to beat on the door, his fists slamming with the fury of a man fighting for more than just escape.
But outside, it’s silent.
From outside the Boiler Room, there’s only the muffled groan of metal, the hiss of steam.
“Someone would like a word,” Tombstone's voice grumbles as he dusts off his hands and walks away.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Call the APD. Call George. Call C.J. Call somebody!
MATT RUBY: Nobody can hear him! The poor Sheriff is all alone.
Or not. Narcissa approaches the door, nodding in the direction of the leaving Tombstone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Perhaps not nobody. What the hell does Narcissa want!?
“You know something Jackie-boy, I thought keeping you locked in here was all about beating your brother for his Championship,” Narcissa muses, her ear against the door. “But I soon realized it's about more than that.”
Narcissa sighs.
“Truth is, you've been balancing the line between hero and villain for the longest time and I've taken interest. I wonder, Jackie.. what will it take for you to become what you despise?” Narcissa asks with a sinister smile. “I think it's time we found out.”
The Fashionista chuckles to herself and walks away.
Inside, Jackson Cade pounds the door until his fists bleed, but the door doesn’t budge.
All he’s left with is silence and darkness.
MATT RUBY: Here we go BB, the moment everyone has been waiting for when the most beautiful broad in Arcadia regains her rightful title that no good criminal stole from her all those months ago.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Narcissa lost it fair and square last time I checked Ruby but this is the rubber match here tonight. It's one and one between the pair in world title matches and you have to think this'll prove the point once and for all who is the better competitor. Is it the Coyote or is it the Queen of the Gods?
The bell sounds as Thorpe rushes in, trying for a clothesline that Narcissa manages to duck underneath. She nails him with a hooking kick to the skull but as she grabs him, looking for a backslide, Thorpe rolls through, rolling back and rushing forward with a basement dropkick.
Narcissa stumbles up to her feet into a flurry of lefts and rights before a huge Lariat takes her down. Thorpe doesn't let go of Narcissa, pulling her up into a second and then a third before spinning around
INTO THE UPRISING! BICYCLE KNEE ROCKS THORPE
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Narcissa catches Thorpe with a hard knee but she looks a little worse for wear there from the repeated lariats.
Narcy shakes off the cobwebs, running forward as Thorpe staggers to his feet. She grabs him around the waist, rolling him forward into a Monkey Flip but Thorpe just manages to avoid getting sent into the buckles. He turns around
HIGH FASHION! Picture perfect Superkick right on the button rocks Thorpe. He's out on his feet as Narcissa grabs him, bending the injured arm behind his back before rushing forward
AND DRIVING HIS WOUNDED SHOULDER INTO THE TURNBUCKLE POST!
MATT RUBY: YES! Teach that ruffian a lesson Narcy, rip his damn shoulder off
Thorpe screams out in pain, the knife wound possibly reopening from the sheer impact of the steel as Narcissa grabs his bad shoulder, pulling it through the ropes with all her strength. Thorpe screaming out in pain as Mills warns Narcissa, threating her with disqualification. Hera lets go of CJ's arm with one final tug of the arm as Thorpe staggers forward, his arm in absolute agony.
Narcissa leaping off the ropes, SPRINGBOARD ARMBREAKER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Narcissa trying to destroy that injured arm here, the arm she carved into not even a week ago. A wound purposely created to weaken the world champion and it's a winning strategy so far.
Thorpe is in pain but he fights through, dodging a high kick from Narcy before delivering a hard right with his good hand. He follows up with a kick to the jaw before rushing to the ropes, and springboarding off
PATHFINDER! ONE HANDED HURRICANE DDT!
Thorpe rolls to his feet, his arm still in agony but he fights through the pain. Sizing Narcissa up as she slowly rises to her feet as he sprints forward
MATT RUBY: DROP TOE HOLD BABY! My Queen suckered in the Coyote there as she drops his ugly mug onto the middle rope.
Thorpe is stunned on the ropes for a moment as Narcissa rolls back before catwalking up CJ Thopes' back and delivering the TIGER FEINT KICK! CJ staggers back as Narcissa gets onto the apron but she doesn't leap up for the Dragonrana. She instead rolls through the ropes, rushing forward and grabbing the bad arm as she spins around before dropping to the canvas
AS SHE LOCKS IN A FUJIWARA ARMBAR ONTO CJ THORPE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Narcissa locks in a tight armbar onto the injured arm there, Thorpe screaming out in pain from the agony he's already going through in this match and the grievous wound he was inflicted last week. The Coyote is ultra tough though so it may well take a lot more to make him tap out here.
Narcissa pulls back with all her weight, trying to inflict further damage if not break Thorpe's arm here as CJ grits his teeth through the agony as he slowly pulls himself with the other arm towards the ropes. Narcissa pulling back with all her strength but Thorpe is tenacious and outweighs her by over a hundred pounds as he slowly gets his way to the ropes, his fingers dangling on the bottom rope.
Narcissa breaks the hold.
She gets up, kicking Thorpe square in the face before pulling him back into the middle of the ring and locking the armbar back on. But this time, she sits back, pulling the bad arm through her legs as she wraps both arms around the injured shoulder and pulls it back into a seated armbar.
MATT RUBY: Lucky bastard. I'd take a little pain to stimulate my Queen anyday of the week.
Thorpe screams out in pain, Narcissa trying to rip his damn arm off at this point but CJ refuses to give in. Slowly pushing himself up to his feet, Narcissa dangling in the air for a moment before he bridges backwards and plants Hera's shoulders onto the mat with a modifed Suplex. Mills drops down to count as Narcissa keeps the hold locked on.
ONE
..................
........................
TW.....
........................
.............................
Narcissa breaks the hold just as CJ's arm gives out, collapsing to the mat as that may well have been it for the Coyote there. Narcissa gets to her feet, waiting for Thorpe to get to his feet before rushing forward
RIGHT INTO A SPARTAN KICK! Narcissa goes flying back into the corner as Thorpe stands up tall, his bad arm hanging limply by his side but he eyes down Narcissa all the while. Raising his good hand in the air
As he urges her to come get some.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is exactly the type of champion CJ Thorpe is. Battered and broken but he's not out as long as he can breath. Narcissa's going to have to pull out something huge to win that title here tonight.
Narcissa rushes forward, looking for some High Fashion that Thorpe manages to duck under but Narcissa rushes to the other side, bouncing off
METEORA! Narcissa takes Thorpe down but she's not done as she bounces off the other side
BLUE STEEL! METEORA TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
MATT RUBY: This match is done and dusted and all my queen needs to do is kill this trend of CJ Thorpe as a world champion.
Balenciaga backs up into the ropes, looking for the killer shot as Thorpe staggers up. She handsprings off
THE TREND...THORPE HEADBUTTS NARCISSA RIGHT OUT OF THE TWIST! Thorpe is enraged as he allows his anger to fuel him, lifting Balenciaga up
KICK
WHAM
DO THE RIGHT THING!
Thorpe collapses onto the downed Narcissa, barely able to roll his good shoulder onto her as Mills drops down to count the fall.
ONE
..................
.....................
TWO
..................
......................
..............................
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: NO! How in the hell did my queen lose to that rube? Damn Cades always ruining everything around here.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Narcissa tried every trick in the book here but the Coyote is world champion for a reason and with one arm, he proved that tonight by retaining the championship. But can he do the same against whoever becomes King tonight?
Bits and Pieces
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CJ Thorpe has done it! Another Championship defence in the bag for our reigning Champion, and against the odds too. He was hurting coming into this one, but pulled out the big win.
MATT RUBY: Yeah yeah, why don’t you two get a room?
"Please allow me to introduce myself.."
"I'm a man of wealth, and taste.."
The arena falls into darkness. A single stage light beams down on the entrance way as it begins to fill with a thick fog. "Sympathy for The Devil" by The Rolling Stones begins hammering the sound system and the fog slowly begins to part until the silhouette of a man stands just behind the spotlight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell does he want?
MATT RUBY: He’s in the Ring King Final. Why else would he be out here? Give him a break, Bronco.
The silhouette takes full form as "The Artist" Jasper Redgrave steps into the light. The crowd of Arcadians stare in awe at the killer as he bends at the knees suddenly and smacks the stage with his right hand. Immediately, he bursts forward into a standing position with both arms raised in taunt before methodically making his way down the aisle and sliding into the ring. He pulls a microphone from the inside of his jacket pocket.
“You seem lonely,” Redgrave says with a sly grimace. “Your brother and father are a little bit preoccupied, so that leaves just you and I.”
Thorpe scoffs. “Any time, any place.”
The Serial Killer nods in agreement.
“How about Red Snow?” Jasper asks with a shrug. “Because you see, you and I are a long time coming, kiddo. I haven’t forgotten that you betrayed me and whilst we’ve both had our own different issues elsewhere, it’s time that ours came to a head.”
Before CJ can speak, Jasper thunders forward!
Kick to the gut!
PEDIGREE!
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!!!
PEDIGREE TO THE OSW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a cheap shot!
MATT RUBY: He’s sending a message, BB. Thorpe betrayed him, remember. This is only payback.
Redgrave reaches down to the canvas and picks up the dropped OSW World Championship. He looks at it for a minute before tossing it down beside Thorpe, who writhes in agony. He reaches once again inside his jacket, this time pulling out a little box. Jasper puts the box down next to the title and backs away, watching from the corner.
CJ carefully begins to stir, holding his mid-section. He looks up and spots the box.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What’s in the box!?
MATT RUBY: A present? A present doesn’t seem like something you’d want from Jasper Redgrave.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Absolutely not!
The World Champion grabs the box, carefully opening it. He immediately recoils, falling backwards and closing the box.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my… what has he just seen!?
MATT RUBY: His face has gone white, Bronco!
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Redgrave says, removing his jacket. “I have a Ring King tournament to win. If I see your face again tonight, the next box you receive will be even worse. You shouldn’t test me, kiddo. Ask your brother why not.”
Unbelievably, Thorpe doesn’t do anything. With the box in hand, he grabs his Championship and rolls to the outside, backing up the entrance ramp with a shocked look on his face.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell was in that box!? He looks terrifi
"You've Got A Friend In Me" by Randy Newman hits to a tremendous ovation from the sold out crowd.
Green flashing lights adorn the entrance as Felix Foley comes less than enthusiastically out from the entrance way, waving to the crowd with a look of terror.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It must be so scary seeing what he's seeing, Matt.
MATT RUBY: I guess it would be.
He heads down the entrance ramp, up the steps to the ring and steps inside, ready to give it his best shot - despite the issues plauging him.
Ding Ding Ding!
The bell signals the start of the match. Felix Foley cautiously approaches Jasper Redgrave, circling him as the larger man stands still, almost as if calculating how he will dismantle his opponent piece by piece. The crowd chants Foley’s name, trying to give him an early boost. He needs it. After months of abuse by Tombstone, Felix finally has an opportunity to turn his fortunes around.
Jasper makes the first move, charging at Felix with terrifying speed for a man his size. Felix dodges, ducking under the attempted collar-and-elbow tie-up. He lands a quick forearm to Jasper’s back, trying to stay nimble and avoid getting caught in the artist's deadly grip.
But Jasper isn’t here to play around.
With a snap, Jasper spins around and drives his knee into Felix’s gut, doubling him over. Jasper immediately grabs Felix by the neck and delivers a devastating knee strike to his face, sending him staggering back into the corner. The crowd winces as the first signs of domination begin.
Jasper stalks toward Felix, who’s trying to recover in the corner. Without mercy, Redgrave lifts Foley's arms over the ropes and starts laying into him with methodical, vicious strikes—elbow after elbow to the side of Felix’s head. The referee counts to four, warning Jasper to step back, but "The Artist" paints his masterpiece at his own pace.
After a few more punishing shots, Jasper steps back, but not for long. He grabs Felix’s head and pulls him into ropes, positioning him through them and pulling him back inside, hooking his arms…
BLOOD ON THE CANVAS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ROPE HUNG DDT!
MATT RUBY: Cover him, Jasper!
The crowd gasps as Jasper drops him head-first into the mat with a sickening thud.
Jasper rolls him over for the first cover of the night.
ONE….
TWO…
Felix kicks out! The crowd roars in relief, but it’s clear Felix is already in trouble.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You know, I’m not liking this, Matt. Felix is already under the cosh here. He needs to do something, or Redgrave will run right through him.
MATT RUBY: This is a former Spartan Cup winner we’re talking about here.
Jasper smirks and drags Foley to his feet. “You’re not fit to wear the crown,” he mutters before launching him into the ropes. Felix rebounds, but as soon as he does, Jasper meets him…
COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE!
The superkick connects flush with Felix’s jaw, sending him crashing back into the ropes only to bounce off—straight into a spinning back elbow that knocks Foley flat on his back.
Another cover.
ONE….
TWO…
Felix kicks out again!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Another kickout! Look at how frustrated The Artist is.
MATT RUBY: He needs to remain focused. Anyone who knows Felix Foley knows that he won’t go down easy – unlike his mother, so I hear.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Rude.
The frustration is starting to show on Jasper’s face, but it quickly fades into cruel amusement. He pulls Foley up again, lifting him into position for the VANISHING POINT Crucifix Powerbomb.
Jasper holds him high in the air, parading him around the ring like an artist showing off his latest work. But just as Jasper is about to drop him, Felix wriggles free!
He lands behind Jasper…
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN’!
Running big boot! It doesn’t take Jasper down, but it staggers him. Felix sees his opening and charges for a running Dropkick, slamming The Artist into the corner! He scoops him up and plants him in the tree of woe, backing away..
Foley turns, runs, but as he reaches the corner.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: YES FELIX! GO GO GO!
MATT RUBY: RUNNING DROPKICK!
NO!
FELIX FOLEY CORNER INTO NOTHING BUT TURNBUCKLE PAD! Jasper Redgrave pulled himself up! He untangles himself from the corner and re-enters the fray, watching as Foley gets back up and in desperation, runs at him…
HE CATCHES HIM IN MID-AIR!
With shocking ease, Jasper turns it into a sickening PORTRAIT OF A KILLER!
NIGHTMARE PENDULUM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GOD DAMNIT! THE PUPPETMASTER CAN’T CATCH A BREAK..
MATT RUBY: Here comes the cover… we’re gonna have a new Ring King!
Jasper covers again.
ONE….
TWO…
THREE!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Foley kicks out at the last moment!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: My God that was close.
MATT RUBY: How many point 9’s were on that thing!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Huh?
MATT RUBY: Nevermind.
The crowd erupts, chanting "Felix! Felix!" but the underdog looks worse for wear. He’s barely moving as Jasper stands over him, his lips curling in disdain.
Jasper, growing impatient, signals for the end. He drags Felix to the centre of the ring and hooks his arms, ready to execute The Pedigree...
Jasper pauses, as if relishing the moment, soaking in the crowd’s anticipation of the final stroke on his violent canvas.
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!
NO!
Felix twists out of it, using every ounce of strength he has left! He grabs Jasper’s legs and trips him, sending the larger man crashing onto his back. Felix collapses onto the mat beside him, both men exhausted.
The crowd senses a shift as Felix struggles to his feet, using the ropes for support. Jasper is already stirring, though, and he’s furious. He charges at Felix, but Foley ducks under the clothesline and SENDS HIM BARELLING OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!
Felix wastes no time. He goes to the corner and begins climbing, waiting for Jasper to stand up outside the ring. As soon as Jasper rises to his knees, Foley LEAPS WITH A GIANT DROPKICK FROM THE RING TO THE OUTSIDE!!!!
DOWN GOES JASPER!
DOWN GOES FELIX!
The fans are once again excited for the moment, rising to their feet to chant for Foley at the top of their lungs. He slowly pulls himself back up, hurting, but willing to fight.
Felix knows he must end it now. He wraps his hand around Jasper’s mouth…
THE PUPPETSHOW!
MANDIBLE CLAW!
BUT IT’S ON THE OUTSIDE!
MATT RUBY: You can’t win it out there you buffoon!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Get him in the ring, Foley!
Jasper fights with every ounce of his being to try and escape, but Foley has it locked in deep. The crowd explodes as Felix wrenches his fingers deep into Jasper’s throat, trying to sap the strength out of The Artist.
Jasper fights, trying to pry Felix’s hand away, but the hold is tight. The crowd is on their feet, willing Felix to finish the job.
But Jasper, with a sudden burst of power, stands up! He hoists Felix into the air, breaking the mandible claw….
AND SLAMS HIM RIGHT DOWN ON THE RING APRON WITH A FUCKING POWERBOMB! JESUS CHRIST!
Both men are down.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a match. Jasper has been dominant, but Felix just won’t give up. He’s got more fight in him that we could ever imagine.
MATT RUBY: You can see why Tombstone wants to end him, can’t you?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well no, not really, Matt.
The Artist is the first to his feet, his well barely ran dry of ways to torture the Puppetmaster. He knows this match won’t end in Disqualification – how can it? It’s fucking Ring King. He reaches under the ring itself, pulling out a steel chair.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Put that away!
MATT RUBY: He’s taking advantage of the importance of this match. There’s no way an official is calling a disqualification on one of the biggest matches of the year. It’s shrude, Bronco.
Jasper is calculated and menacing in every motion. He puts the chair underneath the neck of Foley and grabs him by the back of the head..
RUNNING HIM INTO THE FUCKING RINGPOST!
JESUS CHRIST!
THAT SOUND WAS VILE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sickening! Absolutely sickening!
MATT RUBY: Music to my ears.
As Foley rolls around on the floor, gasping for breath, Jasper Redgrave is ready to finish this. He pushes the steel chair into the ring and rolls Foley in, knowing what the final stroke of his brush intends to be.
The Artist walks callously back up the ring steps, taking his time and drawing in the ire of the crowd.
He leans through the ropes…
FOLEY’S UP!
HE GRABS HIM BY THE ARMS AND HOOKS HIM!
DOUBLE ARM DDT!
CUT THE STRINGS! CUT THE STRINGS! CUT THE STRINGS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: LISTEN TO THIS CROWD! COVER HIM FELIX! COVER HIM!!
MATT RUBY: NO… NO WAY…
ONE…
…
…
…
TWO….
…
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE’S DONE IT! OUT OF NO-WHERE AND NOTHING! FELIX FOLEY HAS BLOODY WELL DAWG GON DONE IT!
MATT RUBY: NO! I DEMAND A RECOUNT! THIS CAN’T BE RIGHT!
Foley rolls away from the one armed cover, holding his throat. He can’t believe it. Everything has led to this moment. Everything had led to this triumph. All those defeats, all those mauling’s by Tombstone, his trip from the top of the cell to the floor and the fact he’s so badly concussed that he’s seeing things.
It all led here.
Felix gets back to his feet and raises his arms.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wait a minute. What the hell?
MATT RUBY: LOOK AT THAT, BRONCO! LOOK AT IT!
Jasper Redgrave.
As pointed at by the referee…
Has his foot..
… on the ropes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh you have gotta be kidding me! Foley hasn’t won it! He’s not the Ring King.
MATT RUBY: The Puppetmaster is still in the fight of his life!
Felix holds his head in both hands, listening as the referee explains the count and the decision. He could be speaking Spanglish, for all Foley knows. He thought this was his triumph, but it’s far from it.
Not yet at least.
What he doesn’t see though is the looming figure of a terrifying Jasper Redgrave rising behind him like the tower of sheer force and violence that he is.
HE TURNS HIM AROUND!
KICK TO THE GUT!
PEDIGREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!!
MATT RUBY: NAILED IT!
Redgrave rolls him over and covers immediately…
ONE…
…
…
…
TWO….
…
…
…
THREE!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE KICKED OUT! HE GOD DAMNIT KICKED OUT!
MATT RUBY: HOW!? WHAT IS THIS IDIOT MADE OF!?
The Artist looks at the referee, his face an often unseen show of emotion. It’s not fear. It’s not terror. It’s rage. The often calculated Jasper Redgrave gets straight back to his feet.
COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE!
SUPERKICK TO THE REFEREE! SUPERKICK TO THE RIVER MOONFOOT!
HE BOUNCES BACK INTO THE ROPES…
HIGH VELOCITY SPINNING BACK ELBOW KNOCKS HIM TO THE OUTSIDE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THAT’S UNCALLED FOR! HE JUST TOOK OUT AN OFFICIAL FOR NO GOOD REASON.
MATT RUBY: Wait, there can be a good reason? Good to know.
The crowd are discontent. They were euphoric when they thought Felix had done it, but now they’re looking at the unconscious referee and realizing just how much trouble their hero is in.
This was supposed to be his tale, his story.
HIS glory.
Japer Redgrave grabs the steel chair and waits patiently for Foley to get back to his feet. The crowd are willing him to stay down, but he won’t. He can’t. That’s not his personality, is it?
Slowly but surely, he rises.
Jelly-legged but rising.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Please Jasper, think of the children.
MATT RUBY: He’s a murderer, Bronco. I don’t think that’s a good idea, do you?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: STEEL CHAIR TO THE SKULL!
MATT RUBY: HE BROKE IT! HE BROKE THAT BLOODY CHAIR, MATE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s over. Foley’s dream is over!
Miles Stanton, OSW’s head referee, makes a b-line for the ring.
Jasper covers…
ONE…
…
…
…
…
…
TWO….
…
…
…
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That son of a bitch has done it! Jasper Redgrave, that sickening individual, is our newest Ring King.
MATT RUBY: And it’s glorious!
The Artist gets back to his feet, basking in the boo’s that surround him. The entire audience is disgusted that he of all people has won Ring King. Confetti starts falling from the sky, dropping onto the faces of those who look up in horror.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He gave it everything he had, but Jasper Redgrave was dominant.
MATT RUBY: I mean, sure, for a man seeing everyone as muppets… he did alright, I guess.
Miles Stanton raises Redgrave’s hand in victory.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hold on, what is River doing?
MATT RUBY: Moonfoot wants the glory of raising our new King’s hand.
Moonfoot bravely tells his boss that he’s made a mistake.
“Look at his foot,” he yells, pointing down at the bottom rope. “You got it wrong, boss.”
The crowd can’t believe it.
Mills can’t believe it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The bell hadn’t sounded. River stopped that from happening before it ever could.
MATT RUBY: You’re not serious!?
Jasper looks at them both in disbelief.
Did Foley find a way to kick out… again?
Mills Stanton retrieves a microphone. “This match is not over,” he grumpily demands. “The bell hadn’t sounded, so it may continue.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: YES! YES! THANK GOD FOR THAT!
MATT RUBY: THIS HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF JOKE!
He tosses the microphone aside and exits the ring, leaving River to admonish Redgrave for the earlier assault.
As The Artist staring a hole through him, he has no idea that rising from behind is none other than Felix Foley.
It’s not a monster.
It’s not a maverick.
It’s not even a hero.
It’s a man, just like all these people here tonight, trying to become something!
MANDIBLE CLAW!
THE PUPPETSHOW!
MANDIBLE CLAW TO JASPER REDGRAVE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE’S GOT IT LOCKED IN!
MATT RUBY: THIS ISN’T RIGHT! THIS ISN’T RIGHT FOR GOD SAKES!
Redgrave struggles to escape. He’s fighting with all his might but he just hasn’t got it in him to dislodge those rancid fingers.
GAZUMP.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The lights have gone! Where have the lights gone!?
MATT RUBY: I CAN’T SEE A BLOODY THING! IS REDGRAVE OKAY!?
When the lights come back on, Tombstone stands in the middle of the ring.
His head is lowered and the brim of his hat points in the direction of Felix Foley. The Puppetmaster immediately drops his hold on The Artist, his eyes wide with terror.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: IT’S THE FERRRYMAN!!!
GOOZLE!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!!!!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: FALLING CHOKESLAM TO FOLEY! OH GOD DAMNIT WHAT A CHOKESLAM!
MATT RUBY: THAT SHOOK THE RING!
Tombstone remains on his knees, looking at Foley with a sinister smile.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: After everything he’s been through here tonight, are you telling me that it’ll be Tombstone who finishes this?!
The Monster gets back to his feet and exits the ring, heading to the backstage as Jasper Redgrave coughs and splutters. The Artist realizes that his time is now. He doesn’t even hesitate to climb into the cover and hook the leg, rolling Foley over on himself with vigour.
ONE…
…
…
…
…
…
TWO….
…
…
…
…
…
THREE!
DING DING DING!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He did it again! Tombstone cost Foley the Ring King tournament. After everything that animal has done to him, when will Felix ever be free of his torment!?
MATT RUBY: Who cares!? JASPER REDGRAVE HAS WON RING KING! Jasper Redgrave is our new King, Bronco! You need to show some respect! Following in the footsteps of last years winner, Jasper Redgrave is the man around here!
A Chemical Reaction
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe this is our King, Matt. Poor Felix Foley gave it everything but his poor head... his poor heart…
MATT RUBY: Wah wah wah! Who cares!? The Killer King, Bronco! We’ve got a Killer King!
Jasper Redgrave celebrates his victory with his arms raised before rolling to the outside and storming up the entrance ramp to where the throne resides. He scoops up the crown and puts it on his head, taking his rightful place on the throne.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And there’s our King. Listen to his crowd, Ruby; they hate it!
MATT RUBY: What they think isn’t important! The Killer King is not only our Ring King but he’s going to Red Snow for a Championship Match against CJ Thorpe!
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Felix Foley gets back to his feet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What an ovation for Foley. He just wouldn’t say die here tonight.
MATT RUBY: I’ve gotta credit him. I don’t like him, of course, but he wouldn’t stay down.
Suddenly, green smoke starts filling the ring.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: [Coughing] What the hell… I….
MATT RUBY: [Gasping] I can’t breathe… what is that!?
NOX!
The Master of Chemicals rises from the green fog like a terror in the night. Foley stumbles, the gas overwhelming him into the corner. Nox approaches calmly – collected, murderous, evil in his eyes.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Rockets suddenly explode in the ring before Nox, stumbling The Chemist back.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: IT’S.. DOOOOOM
As the commentary team struggle from the gas, Doom suddenly floats in from the ceiling on a large drone, stopping between Foley and Nox.
“You can’t stop the inevitable,” Nox warns him as The Doctor waves away his drone, standing now between Nox and his target. “Step aside, or you’ll befall the same fate as your best friend.”
Doom stands firm, watching as Foley stumbles to have his back. “Who sent you? Tombstone? I’ve had enough of his games.” He growls.
Nox shakes his head. “The Ferryman is not my purpose for being here,” he states firmly. “He is,” pointing to Foley.
Felix pushes his way past Doom, coughing and spluttering.
“You don’t scare me!” The Puppetmaster declares bravely. “Do your worst.”
MUTALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION!
MAD! MAD! MAD!
HANDFULS OF EXPLOSIVES ROLL ACROSS THE RING… RIGHT AT FELIX FOLEY’S FEET!
WHAT THE FUCK!
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCKING FUCK!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO! THEY HIT FOLEY! THE EXPLOSIVES GOT FELIX!
The explosives throw Foley backwards into Doom, who captures him, stopping him from falling to the canvas.
DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
IMPENDING DOOM TO FELIX FOLEY!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NOOOO! NO GOD DAMNIT! NO NO NO! DON’T YOU… DON’T YOU BLOODY DARE!
MATT RUBY: I can’t believe what my eyes are seeing!
DOOM HAS TURNED! DOOM HAS TURNED ON HIS BEST FRIEND, TAG TEAM PARTNER AND ONE HALF OF THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
Doom sits on the canvas, his eyes covered by his mask. His emotions? It’s impossible to tell. Nox offers a hand and helps him back to his feet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That son of a bitch has turned on his best friend. I can’t even watch this! What the hell is going on here!?
MATT RUBY: Doom has finally had enough of that pathetic leech, that’s what’s going on here!
Suddenly, everyone’s attention turns to the entrance ramp.
The sound of clapping echoes loudly throughout the entire arena.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s Zeus!
MATT RUBY: Wait a second!!
Zeus now stands on the entrance ramp, applauding. He stops for a moment, taking a microphone out of his pocket.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you, the newest members of the Pantheon and leading members of The Corporation; Stubbins Doom and Nox!”
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THOSE ABSOLUTE BASTARDS!!! DOOM AND NOX KILLED SARAH RIJEN! DOOM AND NOX ORDERED THE MURDER OF DESTRUCTO BOY’S MOM AND THE BURNED MAN’S WIFE!
MATT RUBY: And they beat the holy hell out of Felix Foley too! What a night!
Doom and Nox stand tall in the middle of the ring, soaking in the boo’s around them as Zeus watches on with pride.
They’ve killed Sarah Rijen.
They’ve had Hatchet kidnapped.
And they’ve brutalized Doom’s bestest friend in the whole wide Arcadia; Felix Foley.
There’s going to be hell to pay.
Cut.
Static.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as we fade to black.