FRANK HARRISON SENDS HIS REGARDS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Mr. Harrison asked me to send his regards.”
[Before Tommy could respond, the large man had grabbed him from his seat, tossing him backwards over another metal table, into numerous inmates who quickly flee. Hawk rolls off, landing on the floor hard with a thud.]“Come on ‘injun, I was told you were a fighter,” [The inmate proudly boasts, walking around the table to see Tommy snatch a tray and catch him upside the head. Reeling, he laughs.] “That’s more like it, fish.”
[Hawk throws the tray down and runs at him, looking for The Scalp – only he ducks out of the way and pushes him into the wall. Coming in from behind, the inmate nails him with some big forearms to the kidneys, driving the wind from his belly.] [With painful gasps, he’s turned around and right handed to the floor, busting him open. Tommy rolls away, getting back to his feet just in time to duck another right hand. He acts as fast as he can, grabbing the man into a Side Headlock and bouncing him off the nearest surface.] [Just then, guards storm into the cafeteria, screaming and yelling. Faced with batons and shields, both men stop what they’re doing and join everyone else in kneeling.] [But the damage has been done.] [Blood drips from Tommy Hawk’s head, as his violent attacker sits opposite, grinning an almost toothless grin.]WYNTER VS. THE SHARK
SINGLES MATCH
BODILESS SCREAMS
BACKSTAGE
“What the f…”
[“Hollywood” mutters out loud as he kneels to hoist the jar up in front of his face.] [Teeth!] [A mouthful to be exact. Bloodied as if they have only recently been pried from the mouth of an unwilling victim.]“He didn’t need them!”
[A deep voice echoes out from down the hall. Royce hops to his feet, ready; spinning to come face to face with none other than Muerte.]“Not where he was going!”
[Muerte speaks again in his sinister tone. Neither man budging from their positions.]“Your time is almost up Royce and when the Great Reaper takes you to hell the Best Looking Man Alive will learn that even his soul looks ugly when it screams!!”
[Royce’s eyes light up in both fear and rage, but then…] [FLICKER!! BBZZZTT!] [The lights malfunction again and in one split second the menacing figure of Muerte is there while in the next only his evil laughter remains.] [Recognizing his lonesomeness, Royce glances around in frustration unsure of what to do before thrusting the jar into the wall bursting it into pieces of glass and teeth that fly everywhere.] [We fade to black wondering if what Royce just experienced has put too much Doubt in his mind before tonights contest.]DOUBT VS. MIKE ROYCE
SINGLES MATCH
WARRIOR’S WAY
BACKSTAGE
“You just can’t get enough, can you?”
[North snorts at that comment, and walks towards Stephanie with his hands held out in a gesture of peace.]“Last week, you showed me that you were a true warrior.” [North begins, stepping up to Steph’s side.] “I can’t hold you at fault for choosing to fight. It’s why this score between us must be settled.”
[Rose seems confused by his comments, but North continues on.]“But I happened to overhear a little conversation last week where you were trying to volunteer to go to the Asylum to rescue the little Lane girl?”
[The question hangs in the air, but Steph wastes no time in answering.]“It would have been the right thing to do.”
[North laughs.]“So instead of letting the vaunted Shadow King fight his own battle, instead you’d rush off into certain doom and find yourself joining Hannibal Corvin in Hel? Do you not value your career?”
[Stephanie gets flustered, but North cuts her off before she can answer him.]“Make no mistake, little Rose. I won’t let you rob me of this glory that awaits me in just seven days. This war has been a long time in coming, and I will not see you throw it away on a fool’s errand. Let the Shadow fight his own war. Don’t forget what’s right in front of you.”
[Rose seems rather angry at this comment, stepping up to get in North’s face.]“Oh I know what is right in front of me.” [She says with a snort of her own.] “And I’m going to show you who the better person is.”
[North is nonplussed.]“I don’t care who the better person is. I care who the better warrior is, and I will not be beaten by a foolish girl that does not understand war. Nor will I allow your slight to go unpunished.”
[The Skull Splitter sneers at Rose, the guile dripping from his voice.]“If I cannot defeat a distracted foe, then I am not worthy of the endowments and mission given to me by the gods.” [North begins.] “Should you rise up in victory, I will resign myself to labor in my small village for the rest of my days, shame and cowardice being branded on my soul. Should I rise up in victory, you will be banished from the battlegrounds, forced to watch from the sidelines as the rest of the weak and infirm.”
[Rose seems bothered by that declaration.]“I don’t think that’s necessary, Viktor.”
[North shakes his head.]“You insult me, Rose. How dare you not stand upon the warrior’s way and accept my terms.”
[Backed into a corner, Steph takes a moment to think before finally nodding.]“Fine.” [She says as she pushes past North.] “But don’t even think about complaining when you come up empty in our match.”
[Viktor watches Steph as she leaves, the adrenaline flowing through him as war looms on the horizon.] [These two will settle their score at RetroACTIVE.] [But only one of them will still have their career.]THE HUNT IS ON
BACKSTAGE
“Thunk smell you. Thunk not fooled again.”
[The sound of a can of beer opening is heard as Greer walks out from behind the wall, chugging his drink before tossing the can behind his shoulder, reaching down to grab another from the six pack in his other hand.]“I’m not tryna fool ya, man. I just had to make sure you were in my kinda environment without your ‘family’ nearby to stop a civil conversation.”
[Thunk quickly pounces towards Greer, trying to grab the redneck who holds his hands up, attempting to calm the irritated Thunk. The brute stops mere inches from Greer, a sneer on his face as he leans towards Cody.]“You hunt where Thunk hunt. You treat Thunk like animal. Thunk no animal.”
“I was just showin’ ya I could hunt better than you thought. Now back up, you almost made me spill my beer.”
[Thunk backs up ever so slightly, not amused by Greer’s concern over his drink.]“Last week I had somethin’ to offer ya. At first, I just wanted to challenge you to a hunt. But now, now I gotta prize I think you’re gonna like.”
[Greer places down his beer, moving around the corner and coming back with something else.] [The Double Feature Championship.]“I hunted and I beat some dangerous prey for this. And if you think you’re such a good hunter, then I’m willing to put that to the test. At RetroActive, we’re gonna hang this above the ring, and we’re gonna battle it out til the best hunter climbs up and takes this shiny lil’ trophy here as their own. That is if you think you can battle it out with me and win.”
[Greer smirks at Thunk, the brute looking at the title then back to Cody.]“Thunk accept challenge. Thunk smash puny hunter and claim shiny trophy for True King of Jungle. Then hunter no longer come near Thunk prey.”
“It’s a deal then. May the best hunter win.”
[Thunk backs away from Greer, turning away and leaving him behind in the hallway. Greer drinks what remains of his beer and tosses it behind his shoulder.]“Looks like the hunt is on then.”
[He shoulders his title and walks away, needing to get ready for his match later in the night.]MARVOLO VS. SMILEY
SINGLES MATCH
ARE YOU FRIGHTENED?
BACKSTAGE
“Where are you Doubt? You’re it! You haven’t found me yet; I’m growing tired of waiting!” [His gruff voice fills the void.] “Come out, come out, wherever you are!”
[He rounds a corner, but nothing is there. Somehow he has entered an area where everything seems… darker…]“Are you frightened?” [He smiles, showing his jagged, yellowed teeth.] “Remember, you can run but you can’t hide!”
[Then the emotion’s voice comes from the shadows.]“I seem to be hiding just fine, thank you.”
[Hyde roars and smashes a stack of crates on one wall. Doubt is not there. His voice calls out from an entirely different direction, this time seemingly in an adjoining room.]“What’s the matter? Can’t you find me?”
[Hyde turns and kicks in the door. He rips the room apart, but Doubt isn’t there. Back out in the hallway, the Emotion’s voice rings out.]“Is everything okay, Hyde? You seem… uncertain…”
[Hyde rushes back to the hall with a roar. His fury is growing, but he seems slightly confused. He looks from side to side, milky eyes nearly glowing. And from somewhere unknown, the voice.]“You won’t find until I let you. Next week at RetroACTIVE, I’ll be ready for you… Until then, goodbye!”
[Hyde roars again, and his body seems to twitch uncontrollably. Filled with rage, The Horror begins destroying anything he can get his hands on. He shrieks in anger… and maybe fear?… as the scene fades.]CODY GREER & THUNK VS. KING ROYAL & BRUCE VAN CHAN
TAG TEAM MATCH
DEFIANCE
RINGSIDE
“Bruce. You’re quite the troublemaker, aren’t you? First, you spit in my face by not accepting my kindness, then you injure multiple guards and defy word that is law in MY kingdom. I was even being kind to a former friend by allowing you to only be sent to the dungeon. But now? Now I only wish to see you publically punished for your crimes against me and my people!”
[Bruce sneers at Royal and walks forward, snatching the microphone from Royal! The King tries to snatch it back but BRUCE NAILS ROYAL WITH THE MIC! Nigel smacks the ground hard and Bruce looms over him, nothing but anger in his expression.]“You will NEVER hold power over me. I refuse to allow anyone to have power over my life except for myself. I defied RAGE, I defied Jake Jeckel, and I will defy YOU!”
[BRUCE STOMPS ON ROYAL!]“And for the record, we were NEVER friends. I always knew you were a rat I couldn’t trust. To me, you are no king, you’re just-”
[TAZER FROM BEHIND! MARVOLO IS ON THE SCENE! Bruce convulses with the shock and drops the mic, falling to his knees as Marvolo refuses to let go of the trigger. Royal rises to his feet, practically foaming at the mouth as he looks down at the helpless Bruce. BOOT TO THE FACE! Marvolo lets go of the tazer and picks up the mic.]“Oh good, you learned to aim for the face-”
[Royal angrily rips the mic from Marvolo’s hands. He grips Bruce by his hair and hoists him up, getting inches from his face.]“I’m tired of you, Van Chan. I am tired of giving you chances.”
[ROYAL PUNCHES BRUCE RIGHT IN THE JAW!]“I am done being benevolent with you. So come RetroActive, you will face judgment by the king himself. Me and my knight will deliver your punishment ourselves!”
[ANOTHER SHOT TO THE FACE!]“I will tear you apart, and I will make you bow!”
[Royal wails on Bruce, Marvolo having to actively restrain the rampant king. Number One pulls Royal to the outside, stopping his brutality from going on any further.] [The scene comes to an eerie close as Bruce fights to stand up, his face bloodied by the assault. He refuses the help of ringside staff, pushing his way to the backstage by himself.]VIKTOR NORTH VS. HYDE
SINGLES MATCH
BOILING OVER
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“So The Sharkman can’t stand the blood that once made him so strong. Interesting.”
[A gust of wind billows into the room with a chilling touch that even draws goosebumps to skin of Smiley who shivers. A smile spreads upon his face as he seems to know the source.]“Come out, come out Sharkie. No need to hide outside my door.”
[Smiley quickly rushes to the door and opens it to find nothing. No one is there, but a letter is attached to the door itself. He pulls the letter down and begins to read.]“Oh Sharkie, you shouldn’t have.”
[Very quickly, Smiley exits the room and begins following signs until he finally finds where he was looking for: the Boiler Room. He opens the door and begins looking through the various pillars of steam and darkness.]“Smiley.”
[The voice is dark and ominous as Smiley’s head whips around to see the source of it. Standing atop of a large, metallic water heater is The Sharkman. Most of his body is shrouded by the darkness around him, but a single beam of light shines upon his face as his eerie toothy grin gives a horrid image.] [Smiley walks over to stand just under him.]“What is it, ‘Sharkman’?” [says Smiley with mockery in his tone.]
“I’ve called you here to put you upon trial for your actions. My vengeance will not be denied by mere blood.”
[Smiley laughs as he holds up his scarred hand. He goes to reach for his knife yet looks a little puzzled.]“Looking for this?” [The Sharkman holds up the same knife that Smiley had utilized last week.]
“Give that back!”
“In just a moment.”
[The Sharkman punctures the water heater as water shoots out of the hole and strikes Smiley flush upon the chest! He cries out in pain just as The Sharkman tackles him to the ground with the blade upon his throat.]“MONTHS you took from my life by feeding the vile blood of innocents. You thought I would just let this slide? You thought I’d never realize the horrors that you were forcing me to commit?”
[Even through the pain, a small spattering of laughter comes from Smiley’s mouth.]“Forced? Ha he he he… you enjoyed it. You enjoy the blood!”
[Smiley forces his own throat up to the knife as it slices him slightly. Blood trickles down as The Sharkman seems paralyzed for a moment.]“See? You want it, Sharkie. No need to deny yourself. Feed!”
[Despite the mask covering the face, you can practically hear the saliva forming within the mouth of The Sharkman. He quickly gets off and disappears into the darkness once more. Smiley staggers to his feet with his chest already bubbling up at the source of the burn.]“You can’t keep running, Sharkman! I will find you and when I do… you’re going to feed once more!”
[Another horrendous laughter as the picture slowly fades to black.]MIKE LANE VS. STEPHANIE ROSE
SINGLES MATCH
REMEMBER, VOTE HARRISON
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Up!” [he yells abruptly, dragging Hawk to his feet.] [He barely has time to speak.]
“Where are we going?”
[With his question ignored, he’s dragged out into the prison yard. Inmates surround him in a circle as he’s forcibly pushed through to the centre. Whilst there, Frank Harrison appears with the warden, smiling.]“How do you like your new arena?” [Harrison says arrogantly. He stops short of Hawk, smiling.] “It isn’t exactly Old School Wrestling but it’ll have to do. You see, I’ve agreed a deal here with the warden and we’re going to stage a fight, right here tonight, for all you wonderful people.”
[The inmates cheer.]“You should have listened, Hawk. You should have done what you were told. Since you decided that you should be allowed your own opinions, things have changed, haven’t they?”
[He shakes his head, watching as Hawk looks on with a raised eyebrow.]“But tonight, you will learn your lesson, won’t you? Remember gentlemen, when you find your freedom, don’t forget to vote Harrison.”
[Frank steps backwards, and the sea of inmate’s part to reveal Charles and Benson, wearing orange prison scrubs like Tommy Hawk.] [The fight is on.]CHARLES AND BENSON VS. TOMMY HAWK
SINGLES MATCH
RELEASE HIM
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“You said we’ve be able to claim prison violence took his life,” [the Warden claims.] “But now what? Your men shouldn’t have even been here!”
[Hawk slowly walks over to Frank, guards quickly getting in his path as he does.]“Do you want to take my life?” [Hawk asks.] “Because I thought you were a business man, Frank Harrison. I have something to offer you – a trade, if you will. At Retroactive, if you face me in a match for my freedom, I will place the Invasion Briefcase on the line. The loser will be banished from Old School Wrestling.”
[Frank thinks about it for a moment, his horror turning to a satisfied smile.]“I can see my business mind has rubbed off on you, ‘injun,” [He says with a chuckle.] “But you know what? I love it. What better way to end this saga of us than to take your trophy and leave you with exactly what you deserve; nothing.”
[Tommy smiles, a sadistic grin appearing across his face.]“Then we have a deal.”
[He reaches out, offering a handshake that Harrison accepts.] [Whack.] [A nightstick suddenly clobbers Hawk across the back of the head, knocking him out cold. Frank turns to the warden and nods.]“Release him.”
MUERTE VS. HYSTERIA
BURIED ALIVE MATCH
*CHOP*
“WOO!”
*CHOP*
“WOO!”
*CHOP*
“WOO!”
[Three big chops send Hysteria into the corner! Muerte whips Hysteria-No! Hysteria reverses the whip on Muerte! Muerte hits his back on the corner as the man of Little Hope charges in with a Yakuza kick in the corner! That had to shake some teeth! Hyssy throws Muerte aside as he climbs the top rope! Muerte turns around, THE FALL OF MA-MUERTE CAUGHT HIM! MUERTE CAUGHT HIM MID MOVE!] [The Mastermind claws the Reaper’s eyes though, forcing the big man to drop him to the mat. Hysteria takes this opportunity to sweep him off his feet, in an attempt to lock in a Boston Crab. Muerte kicks his legs back, though, flipping Hysteria onto his back. The Mad Mastermind rolls out of the ring as Muerte stands up, hot on his trail. Death climbs over the top rope and hops off-HYSTERIA RUNS OVER WITH A CHAIRSHOT TO THE FUCKING HEAD! MUERTE DROPS TO ONE KNEE! Hysteria throws the chair down and grabs Muerte by the head-DDT TO THE CHAIR!] [Boos rain onto Hysteria, who completely ignores them in favor of dragging Muerte back to his feet. He takes Death by the head, forcing him along to follow his footsteps. Hysteria stops by the staircase and violently slams Muerte’s face against the steel. Feeling cocky, Hysteria does it a second time. And a thir-NO, MUERTE STOPPED IT! The Reaper grabs the Mastermind by the hair and SLAMS HIS FUCKING HEAD INTO THE POST!] [Muerte grabs the shovel as Hysteria backs up to the entrance ramp. He seems intent to try and decapitate the Mastermind with it as he makes his way back up to the entrance ramp. Muerte readies it BUT HYSTERIA KICKS LOW! Death grabs his crotch in pain as Hys has him set up for The Mockery. He lifts!…He lifts again!…Hysteria just can’t get him up! Muerte has gone dead weight on him! He lands a few forearms on Death’s back before going for a third try!] [He lifts and actually gets him off the ground! Muerte slips out though! APPLE-DODGED! THE LOST HOPE! Muerte clutches his back as Hysteria is slow to get up, landing badly on the ramp! He drags Death up to his feet and leads him to the hole in the Earth pile. The Mastermind has the shovel now, but he’s struggling to get the three hundred monster up the incline. Eventually, he gets him up.] [Hysteria gets ready to push him in, but he seemingly freezes in place. He looks up at the shovel head in a trance. It’s almost like it’s talking to him or something…] [Muerte is up to his feet, just in time to catch a shovel to the fac-HE DUCKS IT! Hysteria ends up throwing the shovel backwards out of surprise! As he turns around to get it-SCYTHE! A RUNNING SCYTHE! HYSTERIA FALLS INTO THE HOLE, DAZED AND CONFUSED! He hits the ground with a loud thud as Muerte calmly scoops some of the soil onto Hysteria, clearly in no rush.] [The bell is rung as construction workers and medics rush into the scene. Muerte, satisfied, walks away nonchalantly. He might have taken down the World Champion, but to him, he was just another name in the long list of souls to reap.]CAN’T NO GRAVE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I’m sorry that I’ve had to do this,” [he remarks with a depth of sadness.] “But I didn’t know where else to turn.”
[The camera comes to rest behind him, revealing that the graves belong to Hysteria’s wife and children. There’s no bodies inside, just a reminder of ash and dust.]“Your father, your husband, he’s let you down. He’s become something uncontrollable and disrespects your memory with every life he takes in your name,” [Mike sincerely seems upset, running his hand through his hair.] “He has my daughter, and my ex-fiancé. He wants to replace you with them and fill that void with lies.”
[The Shadow changes from sitting, to kneeling.]“But I know where the bodies are buried. I know why the lies are told. I won’t disrespect you like he has. I won’t sit here like he would, and damage your memory.”
[Mike places the flowers on their grave, carefully.]“And I won’t go looking for my family. I won’t play his games and I know that I won’t find them. But I promise you, all of you, that when I’m finished, Hysteria will finally meet justice. Your memories will be restored and then, and only then, can I hope that he finds peace.”
[Our focus then shifts from the grave site in our footage to the grave site at ringside.] [A gloved hand suddenly bursts through the dirt, closing a fist in the air.] [It’s Hysteria.] [And he heard everything.] [Cut.]