SANCTUS BELLATOR & THE IMPALER
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Catacombs.
Sanctus Bellator walks through a makeshift tomb, the Holy Warrior furrowing his brow at what he sees. The stone coffins surround him on either side as he enters into a large clearing, a circle of caskets around him.
“What is…”
His eyes widen as he peers into the coffins, recognizing everyone he sees. Standing before him are the shambling mounds he had seen weeks prior in the bell tower, all of them returned to rest.
“Do you like them, Sanctus?”
The smug tone of The Impaler rings out, prompting Sanctus to turn around, taking a combat stance. He looks on as Impaler calmly walks in, admiring the coffins.
“What do you mean, Impaler?” Sanctus stays on his guard, backing away as Impaler caresses the face of one of the corpses.
“I asked if you liked them. They’re… my family in a way.” He chuckles, glancing over to a very confused Sanctus.
“What did they want with me? What did they want with my mask, my legacy?”
“Your legacy? Oh, you so horribly misunderstood, Sanctus. My family doesn’t care about the mask on your face. They care about the one you could be wearing.” A sickening grin spreads across Impaler’s face as he turns to Sanctus, the latter still confused by what he hears.
“Could be? You mean-” He’s cut off by Impaler putting a finger to his lips, shushing him.
“All will be revealed in time, Sanctus. Soon enough you shall see the light, your mask shall come off, and you shall learn the higher power you have been chosen for.”
Darkness.
The lights in the catacombs go out, and when they return The Impaler is gone, leaving Sanctus alone in the dark.
Cut.
DEATHNOTE, KAINE KNIGHTLORD & CALLIHAN vs. TENCHU, NIGEL ROYAL & THE IMPALER
Trios action kicks us off tonight, with the team of Deathnote, Kaine Knightlord, and Callihan looking to topple Tenchu, Nigel Royal, and The Impaler!
The match starts with Callihan and Impaler squaring off, with the powerhouse making short work of the upstart rookie! Waistlock takedown followed by a side headlock to wrench the neck of Callihan, who manages to slip out and make a tag to Knightlord, who rushes at Legion with full force!
Impaler leaps up, looking for a lariat! ADAM SMASHER…NO! Kaine dodges it, pulling Legion in with a ripcord into a lariat of his own! BLOODY STREAM! Legion is down as Kaine goes for the cover, but Tenchu is right there to break it up with a kick to the skull!
Knightlord gets to his feet but is quickly sent reeling to his corner, where Deathnote gets the tag as he rushes the Metal Shadow! He sends Tenchu back to the corner, turning his attention back to The Impaler, who’s back on his feet…AND CONNECTS WITH THE ADAM SMASHER THIS TIME!
Impaler quickly gives a tag to Tenchu, who charges at the Author of Death…LEATHAL BLOW! Deathnote looks loopy after that Death Valley Driver, but Royal demands to be tagged in! Tenchu complies as Nigel runs in…BUT DEATHNOTE TURNS THE PAGE ON HIM INSTEAD! Deathnote with the cover! ONE! TWO! THREE!
The STO by Deathnote garners him, Knightlord, and Callihan a win here!
CAEL GABLE, ISRAEL GRIMWOLF, TWO-FACE & SIMON
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Hooked up to all kinds of machines and with an IV drip in his arm, Cael Gable rests in a hospital bed. But he is alive, and he is awake, even though that seemed impossible just days ago.
“Israel,” he says, his voice hoarse and weak. “I don’t know how I survived. I saw my life flash before me. But I can’t face him again. Please, speak to whoever you know and find out how to shut him down and end him permanently.”
“Yes, me matey,” replies Grimwolf, his mood a lot more sombre than usual. “You don’t even need to ask, I’ve already put me feelers out with the usual rammel.”
Suddenly the lights flicker before dropping out, completely into darkness.
Splish.
Splash.
Splosh.
Splish.
Splash.
Splosh.
The hospital’s backup generator kicks in, and though the noises persist, The Nekken is not here yet. Instead though, as Grimwolf and Gable cower in anticipation of his arrival, the door bursts open.
Two-Face and Simon pour into the room, taking advantage of the clearly spooked Pirate Gold to stomp a few mudholes. Two-Face takes Gable out and Simon goes to town on Grimwolf, and before long both have stopped fighting back. Both the Faces of Reason give their respective enemy one last blast with the right fist before letting them drop to the floor.
They smirk and leave, The Nekken still nowhere to be seen.
Cut.
SIGIL vs. PYRE ©
The Ring King Tournament continues as the Collector fights the Fire Bitch for the right to go onto the second roundThe bell sounds as Pyre rushes forward, ducking under a wild Sigil Roundhouse before stunning him with a stiff leaping uppercut to the jaw. Sigil staggers backwards into a flurry of punches and kicks before Pyre grabs him by the head, rushing to the ropes before leaping off as she spikes him head first into the mat with a Tornado DDT.
She doesn’t cover, instead dropping down as she tries to lock in the Awakening but Sigil manages to slip out, gripping her skull with a claw like hold before sending her crashing to the mat with an STO. Sigil backs up, moving behind Pyre as she gets to her feet, MERCIF…PYRE DUCKS UNDER THE CHOP!
She sweeps the leg out, taking Sigil’s leg out from under him before floating over and locking in the Awakening! Pyre cranks back on the Dragon Sleeper for a moment but she barely gets it hooked in fully before Sigil manages to get a foot on the rope.
He’s groggy and hurting though as he slowly stumbles to his feet, trying for a wild right that Pyre ducks before delivering a big DDT that spikes Sigil into the mat. The Fire Bitch heads up to the top rope, waiting for Sigil to slowly rise to his feet before diving off with the DANCING FLAMES! The Eclipse hits flush as Pyre hooks the legs for the ONE…TWO…THREE!!!
Pyre does it here, putting down the Collector as she moves onto the second round of Ring King
JESSIE WILLIAMS, MORDECAI, THE SANDMAN, & KAINE KNIGHTLORD
Mordecai and Jessie Williams.“No, my friend,” Mordecai begins. “I cannot speak to what has happened to your sister. You Williams’ seem to dislike dreaming.”The Prince shrugs.
“Call it learned behavior. The Sandman always seems to be lurking.”
As if on cue, Mordecai’s features tense up. Jessie rolls his eyes.
“He’s behind me, isn’t he?”
Turning around, it turns out the kid was right. The Sandman is here. The Dream Demon is in a foul mood as he looks at the two before him.
“Do you believe that the demise of Sandy Rogers’ shade truly ends his legacy?” Sandman queries.
“No.” Jessie answers quickly. “But it damn sure felt good. If you’d like to be next, then I’m sure we can work something out.”
The Sandman laughs in response.
“Always the naïve one, aren’t you Jessie? Always believing you can be the hero that gets the dream ending.”
“You ruined that dream for me, Sandman.” Jessie responds, steel in his tone.
“Sandy Rogers is gone for good now.” Mordecai interjects. “I hope the second time around hurt just as much as the first.”
His teeth drawing backwards creepily, Sandman leers at Mordecai.
“Well said, brother, but ultimately pointless.” The Dream Demon retorts. “My mission continues now. There are dreams to haunt, and terror to relish in.”
Sandman vanishes into nothingness.
“Then my mission also continues.” Mordecai says, vanishing as well.
Left alone, Jessie Williams shrugs, and starts to sit down, when a voice calls out of the shadows.
“He’s right, you know?”
Kaine Knightlord.
“You are naïve.” The Dark Detective continues. “But perhaps I have better eyes than you.”
Williams is over it.
“Spill it, Batboy.” He says, exasperatedly.
“Mordecai will betray you. Always remember, Jessie. Blood is thicker than water.”
With that, Knightlord offers a small bow and leaves Jessie alone, who looks around for anyone else who wants to pop out of the shadows at him.
Cut.
ISRAEL GRIMWOLF vs. SIR RENAULT
The Terror and The Crusader stand off against one another. Which one can make it to the next round and become one step closer to the crown?
KEELHAULED! ROARING ELBOW RIGHT OUT THE GATE BY GRIMWOLF! The Terror of the Seven Seas smells blood in the water as he begins raining boots down on Renault! The Crusader isn’t a brawler and Grimwolf seems to know that as he mounts him for a brutal series of haymakers!
Sir Renault tries to block the assault but Israel is tearing him to pieces! Darth Jesus is on the ropes! HE CATCHES A FIST! RENAULT ROLLS GRIMWOLF OVER AND LOCKS IN THE PENTANGLE! CRUCIFIX ARMLOCK! Israel struggles against the submission hold, howling in pain as Renault puts all of his strength into it!
Grimwolf looks ready to tap! He’s biting at his arm like a trapped animal! GRIMWOLF SLIPS OUT! RENAULT ROLLS TO HIS FEET AND CATCHES A BOOT TO THE GUT! POWERBOMB! RENAULT JUST GOT PLANTED! Grimwolf stumbles back, his arm dislocated! The captain grabs it and yells as he shoves it back into place!
The crowd lets out a collective gasp at the display as The Horror pounds the mat, begging for Renault to get to his feet! Israel stalks him and begins to pounce! HEADBUTT TO RENAULT! DEAD MAN’S CHEST! HEART PUNCH DROPS RENAULT AND GRIMWOLD COVERS! ONE! TWO! THEE!
And with that Grimwolf is one step closer to claiming the crown for his own!
ZERO & SIGIL
The Subway.
In the Subway system of New York City, Zero is slowly walking towards a large set of lockers at the very back.
He approaches carefully and places an item inside an empty locker – the bone necklace he recently acquired. Whilst checking around to see who’s watching, he locks the door with a combination padlock and begins to walk away.
Only as he does, he meets the gaze of someone else.
Sigil.
The Collector has curiously followed him down here and has some questions.
“You fuckin’ followin’ me?” Zero demands to know, immediately pissed off at his presence.
Sigil nods.
“Something isn’t right. What’re you doing with that collectors item? Who’re you giving it to?” The Collector demands to know. “You’re up to something and I want to know what. Who’re you working for, Zero?”
Zero suddenly attacks, running at him and slamming him back first into a column, sending a dust cloud into the air, given the impact. Sigil manages to push him away, but The Hacker slams his bionic fist straight through the concrete column with a right hand that The Collector barely ducks under.
The next shot catches him hard in the gut and is quickly followed by a downward punching bionic right hand that damn near knocks Sigil out. Zero lifts him up by the throat and walks towards the edge of the platform, tossing The Collector off and onto the tracks.
“That’s need to know and you don’t fuckin’ need to,” he growls.
The undeniable sound of a train arrives as Sigil slowly comes to…
WHOOSH!
It flies past us, seemingly running obliterating Sigil.
CAEL GABLE vs. CORVUS
The Olympian and the Crow battle it out in this first-round match up to see who moves on in the tournament to decide the 2021 Ring King!
Corvus rushes at Gable who grabs a side headlock. Corvus shoots him off, and is taken down with a shoulder block. Gable runs the ropes, Corvus leap frogs over Gable. He stops The Olympian with a hard boot to the midsection, thrusting uppercut, palm strike, huge jumping elbow! MURDER OF BLOWS!
Gable ducks and secures a waistlock and delivers 10 german suplexes — 10 KARAT! The straps come down and Gable scales the turnbuckles. Corvus pops up, huge flash kick — CORVUS KICK! As soon as he lands he immediately leaps again — CUT THROAT DRIVER! Dropping Gable on his head with a hurricanrana!
Corvus looks down at his dirty work and slowly picks Gable up. Out of nowhere, almost desperation, he charges at him and delivers a massive spear — GOLD RUSH! Nearly taking The Crow out of his boots. The two competitors lay on the mat, exhautsed.. Giving everything they have for the chance to be crowned Ring King.
They both stand up and begin trading blows. Corvus swings with a clothesline and misses. Gable with a huge release German suplex! — Corvus lands on his feet! GARROTE! REAR NAKED CHOKE! NO! Gable fights it off! Kick to the midsection, stalling suplex — PUGHPLEX!!! THE STALLING SUPLEX INTO A CUTTER!!! DROPS HIM IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! COVER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
The Olympian pulls out all the stops in the round of 16 and is one step closer to being called Ring King, as he advances to the quarter-finals!
TENCHU & CALLIHAN
We go backstage, eerily silent in one of the halls of the Slaughterhouse until a single word breaks through.
“Fascinating.”
That word draws us to the one who spoke it, the hotshot journalist himself…Callihan. He adjusts his glasses before scribbling furiously into his notebook…and a single word, underlined, alludes us to the subject of his notetaking.
TENCHU
We quickly get a glimpse from down the hall, where Tenchu can be seen making his way toward the exit until Callihan shouts for his attention.
“Mr. Tenchu!”
He runs down the hallway, hoping to get a statement from the Metal Shadow after what he witnessed firsthand earlier tonight.
“Mr. Tenchu, can I get–”
Callihan is cut off immediately as Tenchu swiftly unsheathes his blade, taking a defensive stance when he turns his attention to the journalist. Silent as he may be, Tenchu makes it abundantly clear to Callihan not to tread lightly, forcing him to take a step back.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I was hoping to get a word from you on your origins, because you are one amazing machine here in–”
Again, the journalist gets cut off…this time by the Metal Shadow’s blade drawing dangerously close to his neck as Tenchu stares him down. Callihan is frozen in panic as Tenchu steps in closer, making sure the rookie is aware of the danger he’s in as he speaks in a firm, stoic tone.
“I have nothing to share with you. Stand down. This is your one warning.”
Tenchu slides the blade down Callihan’s shoulder, drawing just a sliver of blood to emphasize this warning before quickly making his exit from the Slaughterhouse. Jimmy holds his shoulder in pain, but the bleeding has already stopped…this time. He looks at the cut that remains, amazed by his findings as he scribbles some more into his notebook.
Cut.
DEATHNOTE & VIPER ROBERTS
Somewhere Else
A park. Autumn leaves litter the ground around a bench seat that overlooks a large pond, with a track snaking its way around the pond egde. On the bench seat we find Deathnote, bowed over his notebook. It is open to a particular page, and he examines the contents most closely.
A look flickers across his eyes as he reads on, relief? Or shock?
At that moment, he is approached by an elderly woman. She is shaky on her feet, mouthing out for help without voice. Deathnote looks up from his notebook, only to see her collapse at his feet.
Deathnote stands, shocked and leaps instinctively into action to assist her. But just as he bends to place his notebook down on the bench and free his hands, he stops himself. He stands up straight, leaving the old woman at his feet.
“Nice try.”
Deathnote calls out into the air.
“You think I’m going to leave this where you can take it with one of the oldest tricks in the book? I can see her mark.”
Surely enough, on her wrist, partially hidden by her sleeve is a very small snake tattoo. Deathnote kicks out at the lifeless woman.
“Though the fainting was very realistic, I must applaud you on that part.”
Nothing. Stillness. Not another soul about, then from behind a nearby tree a voice sounds.
“Well… The death is very much real. She was on her last legs anyway. You can’t blame one for trying.”
Viper Roberts slithers out from his hiding place, a knowing smile on his lips. He cuts Deathnote off before the Shinigami can even speak again.
“I need answers and you have them in that little book of yours.”
Deathnote clutches the notebook to his chest.
“Not interested.”
Deathnote turns to walk away, not wanting to even hear Roberts out.
“Oh come on. Humour me a little?”
Deathnote stops, turning on his heel.
“I know what you want. Like I said, not interested.”
Viper slithers right up to Deathnote, so that a whisper even between the pair can be heard.
“I have something you want too.”
A knowing smile, Roberts taps his Championship belt. Deathnote’s eyes glue to the belt and a silence befalls the pair. It is only broken as Deathnote very slowly utters his next sentence.
“You put that on the line at Ring King, and I will tell you what’s in this book of mine. Only then.”
This time, Deathnote does turn and walk away, leaving Viper Roberts with a cheshire smile on his face.
Cut.
CXDY vs. TWO-FACE
A mind under duress is capable of anything and no-one exemplifies that more than Two-Face. Can CXDY put his personal strife behind him, or will his ambitions be fractured by the duality?
CXDY is straight out of the blocks. BIG IN JAPAN!!! Lariat runs Two-Face down. CXDY has Two-Face hoisted in the air…stalling vertical suplex!!! Cover for ONE…TWO…SHOULDER UP!!! Wry smile from the Gold Standard. CXDY is out to hurt someone and screams at Two-Face “you want some, I’ll give it ya!”.
The Gold Standard lifts The Split to his feet, he’s looking for a Perfecting Ending…COUNTERED!!! Two-Face with a back drop and now he’s laying into the grounded CXDY with swinging fists. Out comes the coin, flipped and the choice revealed. The Duality smirks and out comes a revolver.
YOUR FORETOLD DESTINY!!!! Out of nowhere CXDY nails the roundhouse kick. Two-Face is hanging over the ropes. CXDY with a running knee to the back! NO!!! Two-Face sandbags…and hits the FLIP THE COIN neckbreaker!!! It’s a cover….ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!!!
They are out on their feet. The Fracture peels CXDY off the mat but the Standard explodes with hand slaps, spinning chop, roundhouse kick….THE PERFECT RUSH-COUNTERED AT THE LAST!!! SWINGING REVERSE STO….HEADS OR TAILS….NO!!! PERFECT ENDING!!!! CXDY with a reversal into the brainbuster DDT and cover…ONE! TWO! THREE!
CXDY progresses to the next round!
SIR RENAULT AND PHINEAS MOODY
Previously Recorded
We are moments after the Crucifixion match. Sir Renault is still bound to the cross as Phineas eerily creeps up the structure to stare at Yahweh’s Warrior.
“I thought you were it. You carry His mark on your chest. You profess an unwavering faith in a dead god, desire to bring him back. I searched for such a warrior. You are not the one I seek.”
Moody climbs down the cross and turns his back for a moment before finding a sharp piece of broken wood.
“You can hang on that cross, and die like your god. A failure, just like Him.”
Phineas Moody stabs the wood into Renault’s side, a cry of anguish as blood comes pouring from the wound. A twisted grin crosses the face of the Ringmaster as the life fades from the eyes the Templar.
“I heard there was a God King here. Perhaps he will provide the battle I seek.”
Phineas makes his way out of the church laughing maniacally.
Several hours later
GASP
A breath is taken quickly as we are taken back to the cross where Sir Renault has suddenly come back to life, terror in his eyes as he tries to figure out what just happened to him.
With a sudden burst of strength he breaks free of his restraints, but immediately collapses to the ground.
He turns to the cross, eyes filled with sorrow.
“I have been to the other side. It was nothing but empty, hopeless. Hell would have been a kinder place.”
Tears can be seen in the eyes of the Templar Knight.
“He that is within me is greater than he that is in the world. That is what you said. You said that as long as we believed, You would be with us. So why’d You let Moody win? Let evil win! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GREATER THAN THE EVIL IN THE WORLD!”
Sir Renault walks away from the cross, his faith broken.
Cut
ALBERT SHAW vs. SEESAW
It’s the first round of Ring King. Albert Shaw is on a quest to get the world title back but will SeeSaw want that shiny toy more? We find out next!
DING! DING! Shaw charges out of the corner with a shotgun dropkick! It launches SeeSaw into the corner but he bounces off it laughing and levels Shaw with a lariat! Shaw goes down hard and rolls out of the ring! He’s trying to recover but SeeSaw goes to the top rope!
FLIGHT OF THE ORNITHOPTER! No! Shaw jumps out of the way of the diving splash! SeeSaw crashes hard and gets a kick in the ribs for his effort! Shaw yanks him and has him in a gutwrench! Gutwrench suplex into the barricade! SeeSaw is feeling his mistake but Shaw is not done!
He mounts SeeSaw and starts raining down massive elbows! SNITCHES GET STITCHES! Those elbow strikes bust SeeSaw wide open! Shaw pulls SeeSaw and rolls him into the ring! Shaw steps back into the ring but SeeSaw kicks the middle rope out of desperation! That rope hits the uprights!
Shaw hunches over in pain! SeeSaw isn’t done! PIN THE TAIL! He hits headbutt after headbutt! That’s for the elbows! They’re both busted open now! SeeSaw is laughing and he hoists Shaw on his shoulders in torture rack position! He’s spinning! BIG WHEEL! He grabs the neck and drops him with the cutter! He covers! ONE! TWO! THREE!
SeeSaw has done it! He has defeated a former world champion and is on his way to the second round of Ring King!
NIGEL ROYAL & ALBERT SHAW
Albie Shaw returns backstage after his match with SeeSaw, but before he can even close the door to his dressing room Nigel Royal appears from behind him.
“Shaw,” he barks.
Shaw bristles at his presence, but answers through gritted teeth.
“Yes?”
“You’ll mind you address me properly in future, given you work for me now.”
Silence.
“Now listen close, Shaw. I need you to take in all of this. We’re in line for the tag titles at Ring King, and this time, I need you to make sure we win them.”
“Me? But you’ll be in the match too, if we both-”
Royal interrupts, a look of annoyance on his face.
“Yes, Shaw, I will be in the match too, but what I need you to do is shift the odds in our favour before the match. And if you refuse, well, I’ll enact my plan.”
Shaw starts losing colour in his face.
“Yes, of course…boss. Count me in. What do you need?”
“I’m glad you asked. Bring me the head of Pyre. We’ll kill two birds with one stone – bMf won’t stand a chance of retaining those belts, and the rest of OSW will support our reign. You’ve heard the rumours, I’m sure, that Miss Pyre has been doing some extra-curricular pyro?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard.”
He turns to leave his dressing room once more, but stops and turns back to Royal.
“You want her head? I’ll bring it to you on a platter.”
And with that he leaves the room.
Cut.
VOYNICH vs. MORDECAI
Voynich came of age at Ring King 2020 and seeks a route back to the top. Mordecai has his own ambitions, can he start his campaign to become the King of Dreams?
Voynich, wearing a wrap around his neck, charges in at Mordecai but the Gatekeeper of Dreams lifts the Best Kept Secret in the air and drops him down to the mat. The former OSW Champ gets to his feet but Mordecai is on him and instigates MYOCLONIC TWITCH!!!! Voynich is flattened by the Air Raid Crash, Mordecai covers….ONE! TWO! SHOULDER UP!!!!
Mordecai lifts Voynich up into a cobra clutch, but the latter breaks free and hits the ropes, flying back at the Gatekeeper….ISHTAR GATE!!!! Running lariat floors Mordecai. The Dream Protector lumbers back to his feet….HAMMERSTONE!!!! The Superman Punch lands and Mordecai bounces off the ropes….HAMMERSTONE!!!! A second Superman Punch lands. Voynich hooks the legs…ONE! TWO! THR-KICKOUT!!!
Voynich starts to lift Mordecai but the Gatekeeper of Dreams takes the Best Kept Secret by the throat – wound inflicted by Sigil still healing! In desperation, Voynich kicks out between the legs of Mordecai. Voynich looking for the MONOLITH!!!! But he can’t lift the Gatekeeper, who counters with NEUROSIS!!!!
Voynich gets back to his feet using the ropes. Mordecai with a running big boot but the former OSW Champion ducks…Voynich pounces and hits the EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD!!!! Sliced Bread #2 connects. Voynich covers….ONE! TWO! THREE!!!
Voynich progresses to the next round!
LUKE STORM & SEESAW
Backstage, Luke Storm is sitting down talking on his phone to his agent.
“No, you don’t get it, I’m starting to get typecast again, I don’t want action to be all I’m known for.”
His agent responds but he’s getting visibly frustrated.
“Yeah, I know when I signed up for OSW, it was to be seen as legitimate, I’ve proven it. Let me prove I can be something else.”
Storm clenches his phone tightly and pinches his brows.
“I know you’re trying to make me the most money but I don’t care about it right now. I want to be seen as a serious actor and if you aren’t willing to let me try, I’ll find a new agent. Is that clear? Now don’t call back until you have a good pitch for me.”
Luke hangs up and sighs as he slouches in his chair.
“Agents right? Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.”
Luke looks up confused and sees SeeSaw. Already angry, he lashes out at him.
“What the hell do you want and what the fuck do you know about agents?!”
SeeSaw laughs and smiles.
“I know they’re money-hungry parasites who feed on the hopes and dreams of big time players like you and give the scraps to kids with more hope than you could ever remember just hoping to ensnare them in the same trap they caught you in so they will always get paid without ever truly having to work. As for what I want, a creative endeavor that you might be interested in.”
Luke Storm nods his head in agreement about what SeeSaw said about agents.
“Well SeeSaw, it doesn’t look like you’re fully crazy. You at least understand more than him. What endeavor did you have in mind?”
SeeSaw looks excited, almost surprised by how open Storm is.
“Well, how do you feel about directing and acting in a psychological thriller? If you pull this off, people will be talking about you like they did about Welles after Citizen Kane.”
Storm looks cautiously excited and replies.
“Big words SeeSaw, what do you have in mind?”
“Glad you asked, think The Truman Show but add suspense to it. The only difference is it won’t be an actor playing Truman but someone around here who actually has no idea they’re in a movie.”
Luke Storm is nodding.
“As long as I’m not shooting someone, a little late for that, you know? I’m intrigued though, who?”
“Voynich. After what he just went through, he’s going to be paranoid.”
Luke smiles for the first time today.
“I like it, I know someone who can+ make it look like where he probably just came from.”
SeeSaw is smiling.
“So when do we start this, director?”
“Soon SeeSaw, just one question, what do you want out of it?”
“Two things, one, I want a chance at your title and two, to be the antagonist in your movie.”
Luke Storm flashes his trademark smile.
“Consider yourself the antagonist and a contender, you’ve got a deal. A shot at immortality is much better than a title shot.”
Luke reaches his hand out and SeeSaw shakes it aggressively.
Cut.
BANZAN vs. THE SANDMAN
The Ring King Tournament continues as the Dream Demon faces off against the Mountain. Can the Sandman go on in his first Ring King Tournament or will Banzan move on to a possible repeat Ring King final?
The bell sounds as both men rush at one another, heavy lefts and rights go flying from these two big boys before a huge headbutt staggers the Sandman back. A big clothesline drops The Dream Demon to the mat, stumbling back up to his feet into a hard forearm to the back before he’s spun around.
DUKKA! Banzan drops the Sandman right on his head before backing up, looking to finish this match off early here. The Dream Demon slowly rises to his feet as Banzan rushes forward. MAGG…DEEP SLEEP! Sandman countered the knee into the STO out of nowhere as this may be what he needs to get back into this match.
Sandman pulls up the groggy Banzan, drilling him with several elbows to the side of the head before goozling him but before he can lift the Mountain up into the air, Banzan begins to fight out. Delivering a mammoth headbutt that breaks the hold on his neck, before quickly slipping back, DUKKA!
Banzan drops the Sandman on his neck once again before rolling back as the Dream Demon stirs to his feet. SAMUDAYA! Banzan has that Triangle Choke locked in tight, the Sandman trying to fight out of it but it’s locked in tight, losing consciousness he’s forced to tap out!
Banzan does it here tonight, defeating the Dream Demon in a hard hitting contest to move onto the second round of the 2021 Ring King
CXDY, SANCTUS BELLATOR, THE IMPALER, & CORVUS
“I need your help. Please.”
The words come out in a trembling, shaken tone. We find ourselves witnessing a bizarre scene in front of us. CXDY slumped on his knees, a wad of money in his hands as he looks up at Corvus. The Timeless stares down at the other man, an eyebrow raised. The two appear to be meeting in an alleyway, only the moonlight illuminating them.
“You wish me to track down the man who took your family-”
“And butcher him,” CXDY cuts him off, raising the money to Corvus who shakes his head.
“You must truly be desperate to ask me to do this. But I’m not going to take your money to kill a man who neither of us have ever seen-” He’s cut off again as CXDY gets to his feet and backhands The Crow!
“Yeah? You killed Tyler without giving a single fuck and now money ain’t any good to you!? Take the God Damn money and put a knife in that mother fucker!” CXDY is obviously distraught, tears of anger falling down his face from behind his sunglasses. Corvus, however, is unfazed by his action, merely sneering at the other man.
“I won’t be doing anything for you, Cody. Now step aside before-”
“Before you what? Kill me for free?”
Their argument is broken up by the sound of footsteps.
The Impaler appears as if out of nowhere. He chuckles, walking towards the pair.
“Oh God Damn it! Why are you here?” CXDY growls out, turning to face the Impaler, Corvus doing the same.
“I agree. Did you follow him?”
Impaler merely chuckles, approaching the two. “Of course. I had my own inquiries about your services. But it appears you have another customer.”
Corvus shakes his head. “I don’t. He was just leaving.”
Before CXDY can retort, Impaler holds up a hand. “Well, how about I offer you both something. I have something that needs doing, and I don’t quite care who does it.”
Both men look on, Impaler pulling out his own wad of money as well as a picture.
“I need this man tormented. I want him hunted down and tortured. I want him absolutely helpless. If you do it, Corvus. I’ll pay whatever fee you want, be it money or blood. And dear Cody? If you do it, I’ll help you hunt down the man who took your family.”
Impaler turns around the photograph to show them the target. Corvus merely nods, but CXDY can’t help but look on in shock at the man he sees.
Sanctus Bellator.
Cut.
JESSIE WILLIAMS vs. SIMON
Can The Prince become a king, or will Simon get his pieces back on the board for the next assault on the OSW Champion?
Williams bursts out of the blocks, swinging bomb after bomb at Simon but The Taskmaster’s defence is strong and he counterstrikes with a drop toe hold. The Taskmaster wants to transition to a submission but Jessie scrambles to the ropes and the official calls a break. The Prince is back on his feet and looking to get on the front foot but Simon lashes out with a spinning back fist….GAMBIT! And a cover for ONE! STRONG KICKOUT BY WILLIAMS!
Simon peels The Prince off the mat, looking for the SIMONPLEX but it’s a chinbreaker counter by Williams, who lands an uppercut that drops Simon to his knees, slingshot tornado dropkick from The Prince completes GROOVY ECLIPSE!!! Now Jessie goes to the air and responds to the CALL OF THE CHOSEN!!!
The Swanton Bomb pancakes Simon and the legs are hooked for ONE! TWO! SHOULDER UP!!! Williams activates the Boomstick, he’s looking for a finishing strike now. Simon groggily back to his geet…BOOYAH!!! NO!!! Simon was playing possum, counter into a crossface!!!
The Intellect puts everything into the lock but Jessie fights the pain to inch his way forward and get a finger on the ropes. Simon drags The Prince into the middle of the ring time, securing the figure four CHECKMATE! COUNTERED!!! SHORT-RANGE BOOYAH!!! Legs are hooked for ONE! TWO! THREE!
Williams progresses to the next round!
SANDMAN, MORDECAI, JESSIE WILLIANS & KAINE KNIGHTLORD
Jessie is taking a moment to collect himself after his battle with Simon. He breaths heavily and begins to walk out of the ring when the lights go out. When they come back, Jessie is no longer alone in the ring.
SANDMAN!
The Dream Demon is in the ring, and Jessie turns around right into him! A monstrous clothesline meets the Prince, causing him to spin in the air!
Sandman grabs Williams by the throat, when the lights go out once again. When they return…
MORDECAI!
The Gatekeeper is in the ring glaring at Sandman who releases Jessie Williams. Williams collapses to the mat, as the Dream Demon prepares for a fight with his opposite, his brother.
The tension is thick as Jessie looks up from the mat, he goes to escape but Mordecai is quick and grabs the Prince and lifts him up.
“You alright?” Mordecai asks Jessie, who nods in reply.
SNAP!
Without warning, Mordecai snaps the neck of Jessie Williams just like he snapped Sandy Rogers’ neck at Ring of Dreams. Sandman looks confused for a moment.
“We are siblings. No matter how much either of us hate each other, we bring balance to the other.”
Both of them leave the ringside area, up the ramp side by side.
A few moments later, Kaine Knightlord makes his way into the ring. He looks at Jessie, kneeling over him. Just then, Jessie returns to life shaking his head as he sees the Dark Detective standing over him.
“If only you listened, then I wouldn’t have to say I told you so.”
With that, the HellBat walks away with a bit of a grin on his face as he makes his way out of the ringside area.
Cut
VIPER ROBERTS © vs. LUKE STORM ©
Which leather-and-gold strap will prove superior, as the OSW Champion goes head-to-head with the Double Feature Champion!?
Both men engage in a spiritual dick-measuring contest, as they hoist their respective belts as high as they can. Viper hands his to the referee, followed by Luke—KICK TO THE GUT, DDT! That scaly fuck, Roberts, hits ODE TO THE SNAKE outta nowhere! He covers – ONE… TWO… TWO-POINT-NINE! The storm is only just beginning.
Viper pulls him and goes for the wraparound – SNAKEBITE neckbreaker!? SANDBAGGED! Luke grabs the top rope, keeping himself upright. Roberts rolls onto his feet—DOWNPOUR! Hollywood floors him with the codebreaker. He heads up top and bides his time… BLOCKBUSTER! Storm covers – ONE… TWO… SHOULDER UP! Roberts stays in by the snakeskin of his teeth.
Bad Mother Fucker, Luke, scales the turnbuckle again, looking to the heavens… THUN—SLAP! Viper silences the THUNDER moonsault, TANNIN’ THE HIDE of Storm with his snakeskin belt! Hollywood slumps into a tree of woe. Roberts backs up… BASEBALL SLIDE – NOBODY’S HOME, as Luke sits up! THUD – Viper crotches himself against the steel post!
Storm stomps the mat; you know what’s comin’! Roberts recovers… LIGHTNING—SNAKE OIL—NO! Dodging the superkick, Viper spits his blinding substance, but Luke ducks – leaving the official to eat it! The referee collapses in agony, as a backup sprints to the ring. LIGHTNING STRIKES! The Head Snake falls into the ropes – GALE FORCE stunner! ONE… TWO… THREEE!!!
What happens to a snake when it’s struck by lightning? The same thing that happens to everything else!
TWO-FACE
Just as we did several weeks ago, we join Two-Face outside of a nondescript building somewhere in the city. Just as before, he flips his coin.
This time, he gets a different result.
He knocks on the door, but the answer comes quickly.
Vivian Whitlock greets him, with cold rage in her eyes.
“I was wondering when you’d finally have the balls to come in here.” She says, paying no mind as Two-Face paces into the room behind her. “You abandoned me, and you act like it’s a damn act of congress to knock on my door.”
“Abandoned?” Two-Face mutters, his face twisting at the word. “We did not abandon you! You threw yourself in with Viper Roberts, the man that did this to us!”
The wind out of her sails, Vivian seems to change into a different person just as Two-Face’s anger rises.
“It’s true, then.” She sighs. “You really are fractured. It’s a battle between the man you were, and the man you want to be. I didn’t want to believe it.”
“Liar!” Two-Face roars, his anger a palpable beast between them.
Vivian doesn’t even blink, meeting his gaze with steel.
“What about the tattoo on your wrist!?” Two-Face pleads. “We saw it when you were on the television. That’s the mark of Viper Roberts.”
With a confused look, Vivian pulls up her shirt sleeve. She holds her wrist out to her husband.
“That is the tattoo we got on our honeymoon.”
Indeed, we see that instead of twisting serpents, the tattoo is a melding of the letter “A” and “V”.
Alton and Vivian.
Grabbing Two-Face by the arm, Vivian twists it until she can point at his own wrist.
“You have one, too. You’re so obsessed with the snake that you see the whole world pointing to him.”
With a shell-shocked look on his face, Two-Face looks down to confirm the truth.
Vivian wasn’t lying.
“You’re so consumed with anger at what happened to you that you can’t see straight. That anger isn’t just the scars from that explosion. Its anger at letting people take advantage of you for your entire life. Viper Roberts is just the latest in a long line of people who’ve screwed you over.”
His voice low, Two-Face looks at Vivian with sharp eyes.
“Like you?”
SLAP!
To be continued…
PHINEAS MOODY vs. ZERO ©
Step right up and witness a marvellous massacre, as hi-tech meets low-tech, when cutting-edge bionics are trapped inside a steel cage!
Having made his entrance with his trusty cane in hand, Phineas is confronted by the official, who demands that he relinquish the walking aid.
Moody tightens his grip on the stick, crinkling his scarlet nose at the stench of humanity. How dare this revolting worm tell him what to do!?
“Hey, old-timer – give up the shit before I break your hip!” Zero threatens The Scourge, advancing on him—
PHINEAS JABS HIM IN THE GUT WITH THE HANDLE OF HIS CANE!
The hacker doubles over, nursing his abdomen…
CRACK – MOODY CANES HIM ACROSS HIS BACK!
Zero stumbles away, flexing his fingers—
PHINEAS DRILLS HIM IN THE TEMPLE WITH THE TIP OF THE CANE!
The dual VHS & Tag Team Champion goes down.
Moody goes to town on him, kicking his ribs with the points of his shoes. Zero tries to cover up, but a windmill kick lifts him off the mat and flips him into his back! Phineas kneels down—
HE’S CHOKING ZERO WITH THE FREAKIN’ CANE!
Why, oh why, didn’t you take the damned thing off him before he got in the cage, ref!?
Oh, well – it’s not as though he can disqualify him.
Zero’s eyes bulge in their sockets, his tongue turning blue as he gasps for air…
HIS BIONIC ARM OVERPOWERS MOODY, LIFTING THE CANE OFF OF HIS WINDPIPE—
CLINK – ZERO SENDS HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE CAGE!
Phineas’ top-hat is knocked off, and he staggers backwards. Tossing the cane between the grating and to the floor, Zero grabs a fistful of greasy, black hair…
RATTLE – HE LOBS HIM INTO THE OPPOSITE WALL!
If he weren’t disfigured before, then he sure is now!
Moody grimaces, clutching his scarred, painted face. Zero yeets him into the ropes…
BIIIIIG BACK BODY DROP, SHAKING THE CANVAS!
The hellspawn ringleader climbs to his feet. Shaking off the cobwebs, he charges at his augmented foe…
BIONIC HANDSTAND – HEADSCISSOR TAKEDOWN!
PHINEAS GETS A LITTLE HEADRUSH!
He sits up groggily. Zero hits the ropes like they slept with his sister—
BLOCKBUSTER – OR, AS HE CALLS IT, BIONBUSTERRR!
Having put an end to the circus, Zero turns his attention to the cage. Getting a foothold, he wraps his fingers around the mesh and begins to climb…
WILL THE BIONIC LIMB GIVE HIM AN ADVANTAGE?
CAN ZERO ESCAPE BEFORE MOODY COMES ROUND!?
THREE-QUARTERS OF THE WAY UP…
UH-OH – HERE COMES PHINEAS!
Zero kicks at him, catching him flush on the nose. Blood gushes down his mouth, dripping from his chin onto the canvas.
Moody, though, spits out a mouthful of blood and keeps on climbing!
Now shoulder-to-shoulder with the double-Champ, he decks him with a right hand!
Zero fires back with a left – but Phineas was smart enough to get on his non-enhanced side!
RIGHT!
LEFT!
RIGHT!
LEFT!
The Slaughterhouse audience chant along with each haymaker as they duke it out near the top of the cage!
LEFT, LEFT, LEFT!
THE FREAKSHOW IS GAINING THE UPPER HAND!
I SWEAR, THE DEVIL HIMSELF BIRTHED THIS GUY IN HIS BURNING TENT!
WAIT—
ZERO TRAPS HIM IN AN IMPROVISED, LAST-DITCH ANACONDA VICE!
THAT’S THE BIONIC VICE!
HE SQUEEZES THE LIFE OUT OF, AND STOPS THE BLOODFLOW OF MOODY!
PHINEAS IS FADING…
Fading…
THUD – GOOD GOD, WHAT A SICKENING SOUND!
THIS IS WHAT IT’S LIKE WHEN SKULLS COLLIDE, AS MOODY HEADBUTTS ZERO!
HE JUST BROKE THE HACKER’S TRADEMARK YELLOW SHADES!
THUD, THUD, THUD – THREE MORE BREEZEBLOCK HEADBUTTS!
HE BREAKS ZERO’S GRIP – AND LOSES HIS OWN!
THEY FALL TO THE MAT IN A HEAP!
“Mothafucka!” A busted-open Zero growls, holding the yellow shards of his smart-glasses in his palm, before crushing them.
Phineas cackles with delight, having orchestrated another hellacious exhibition.
They pull themselves up using the ropes and cage…
ZERO CLOSES THE GAP—
FIREWALL!?
NO!
MOODY DUCKS THE SOUPED-UP, BIONIC CLOTHESLINE!
HE SCOOPS ZERO UP…
CLATTER – FALL AWAY SLAM INTO THE STEEL MESH!
PHINEAS PUTS HIM AWAY WITH THE STRONGMAN!
Zero gets tangled up between the chicken-wire and ring ropes, his back looking as though a cheesegrater has been rubbed against it.
MOODY TURNS ON HIS HEEL AND STARTS SCALING THE FAR SIDE OF THE CAGE!
HE COULD HAVE THIS ONE IN THE BAG!
HOLD UP…
ZERO IS UP, AND HE SPRINTS ACROSS THE RING—
THE MATRIX LEAPS ONTO THE CAGE!
HE SUBDUES PHINEAS, DRAGGING HIM ONTO HIS SHOULDERS…
NO – NO WAY!
C-P-FUCKING-U DRIVER!
BURNIIING HAMMERRR FROM THE CAGE!
ZERO AND MOODY LAND IN A MANGLED PILE OF FLESH AND BONE!
The canvas rapidly staining brown with drying blood, both competitors scratch and claw their way to their feet…
FIIIREWALL, BITCH!
ZERO KNOCKS PHINEAS’ DICK STIFF WITH AN UPGRADED, BIONIC CLOTHESLINE!
Blowing a snot-rocket onto Moody for good measure, Zero sets his sights on the cage.
THE BAD MOTHER FUCKER IS CLIMBING THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!
WILL HE WALK OUT OF THIS THREE-RING CIRCUS, BEATING THE DEMONIC CARNIE AT HIS OWN GAME!?
HE PREPARES TO SWING HIS LEG OVER THE TOP—
BUT THE RINGMASTER HIMSELF IS RESURRECTED!
PHINEAS GRABS ZERO’S ANKLE!
ZERO TRIES TO KICK HIM OFF, BUT MOODY PAWS HIS WAY UP HIS BODY!
CARNEVIL SNATCHES ZERO BY HIS PURPLE DREADS—
HE WRESTLES HIS HEAD BETWEEN HIS THIGHS!
SURELY NOT!?
HE’S GOING FOR THE SPIKE PILEDRIVER!
IF HE HITS THE BIG TOP DROP, HE WILL KILL ZERO – AT THE VERY LEAST, HE’LL PARALYSE HIM!
ZERO BREAKS FREE!
SLUGFEST ATOP THE CAGE!
BLOODIED AND BATTERED, THEY SWING FOR THE FENCES!
…
GOOOOZLE!
ZERO CLAMPS HIS BIONIC HAND AROUND THE THROAT OF PHINEAS!
GOOZLE SQUARED!
MOODY WRAPS BOTH HIS HANDS AROUND ZERO’S NECK!
SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE HERE!
…
…
HOLY SHIT!
THEY PLUMMET FIFTEEN FEET FROM THE TOP OF THE CAGE!
ABSOLUTE ZERO!
BLACK SCORPION!
THE CHOKESLAM AND THE DOUBLE-HANDED CHOKE WIPES OUT BOTH COMPETITORS!
The bloodthirsty fans bay for more blood, as both competitors litter the mat like a human car-wreck!
It’s up for grabs to the first person who stands, but I’m not sure they can stand after absorbing so much punishment!
Proving their mettle—and total disregard for their own wellbeing—both warriors rise to their feet, albeit shakily!
They stagger back into each other, abruptly spinning round upon colliding—
KICK TO THE GUT BY ZERO!
PUNK CITY KIL—EAT METAL, MOTHERFUCKER!
MOODY SHOVES HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE MESH, ESCAPING THE STUNNER!
ZERO REELS…
HE TURNS AROUND—
INTO THE DAZZLING!
EXCITING!
EXTRAORDINARY MR. MOODY!
THE BULLHAMMER CLEANS HIS FUCKING CLOCK!
Making Zero see 1s and 0s, Phineas throws his blood-soaked, greasy hair back. He clambers up the cage – uncontested.
HE NEARS THE SUMMIT…
AND SWINGS HIS LEG OVER!
MOODY CLIMBS DOWN THE CAGE AND HOPS ONTO THE FLOOR!
Zero hacked away at the demented Ringmaster, but Phineas shut his ass down!
SIGIL & VOYNICH
Flash!
A portal opens in the backstage area and Sigil barely falls through it, the sound of a train whooshing by in the background as it closes behind him. It looks like he barely managed to escape being murdered by Zero – something The Hacker will certainly have to answer for later.
The Collector kneels on the floor, gasping for breath after that violent attack. He slowly gets back to his feet, taking a deep breath as he does.
Whack!
Whack!
Whack!
The sound of three slamming motions can be heard quickly as Sigil suddenly drops to his knees, reaching wildly for his back.
It’s Voynich.
The Best Kept Secret stands behind The Collector with a bloodied knife in hand, having just stabbed his former best friend and more common enemy to death.
As Sigil bleeds out on the concrete floor, Voynich kneels over him, placing the knife to his throat.
He leans in, whispering.
“I only wish this was your end,” he admits with a sneer. “But none of us can die.”
Sigil gasps, likely bleeding from his mouth behind the mask.
“All we can do is inflict pain and death upon one another, hoping that the very last time we do, The Endless is gone and it sticks,” he clarifies with a smile. “But before then…”
Slice.
He slits Sigil’s throat.
“I’ll be back to find you so that we can do this over and over again.”
Cut.