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WARZONE #374

A Kiss From A Rose

Jasper Redgrave may have punished Jackson Cade last week but the man who finished the job he started on him has stepped up to the plate. Gravedigger versus Jasper Redgrave in a non title bout headlines this one.

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Misfire


Click.

Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner as we go back to last week.

Jackson Cade stares, unblinking, at the figure across from him.

The hollow gaze of his brother, C.J. Thorpe, pierces through the suffocating silence. Cade’s breath catches, his hands tremble, and for a moment, panic takes hold.

“No. No, no, no.” His voice cracks, the weight of the impossible suffusing the air. He grips the wooden bench, knuckles white, as if holding on will anchor him in reality. But the boat sways, indifferent. C.J. remains still, his eyes now fixed on the water.

Cade swallows hard, pushing down the swell of fear.

He’s been here before.

The tricks, the mind games—it’s all too familiar. His voice steadies.

“This is bullshit, Gravedigger. The old Ferryman couldn’t break me, and you sure as hell can’t.”

Gravedigger stands at the helm, his towering form outlined by the faint glow of a lantern.

“I’m no Ferryman,” Gravedigger announces, eyes locked on C.J. “Call me Valkyrie now.”

C.J. says nothing, staring down into the water as if drawn to its depths.

Jackson lets out a bitter laugh, his defiance cutting through the oppressive air. “You misfired, Valkyrie. Thinking this would break me? Seeing him again? Nah. This is a gift. A reminder. You’ve given me focus—laser focus. After I kick your ass, I’m going back after Redgrave.”

Gravedigger turns sharply, his eyes ablaze. “You’ve got a big night next week, Cade. You will face Harold Attano in the middle of the ring. And then I go after Redgrave. Not you. Never forget who is in charge here.”

Cade gasps awake, lying in the empty ring, long after everyone has left Olympus. He clenches his fists, anger and sorrow churning within. Determined, he pulls himself up, fire in his eyes.

This fight isn’t over.

Not yet.

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The Bargaining Chip


Recorded a few days before Warzone...

Deep within the Slums, Red and Mighty Mighty are walking down a long abandoned alleyway, hidden from the dwellers and other unwilling bystanders in the war. The larger man observes his surroundings uneasily, much to Red's annoyance.

"Having issues with your 'private bouncer?'" A voice mockingly rings out from the darkness. Both men jump at the sound of the quip, causing Mighty to turn on a flashlight, revealing the Reverend standing alone, with his hands on his hips.

"Mind telling me why we're meeting here and not your club?" Ezekiel asks, marching closer towards the duo. "When you agreed to meet me, I expected that we'd be talking business there."

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Apostle is surprisingly cordial considering what he did to Red's club a week ago. I know he's by himself, but I imagined there'd be some hostility between them.

MATT RUBY: I'm still trying to figure out what the Concierge wants with that big tub of lard. There's no way he brought him here just to act as his muscle.

"Place is bugged." Red states matter-of-factly. "I have my men looking into it and trying to find the culprit." The Reverend nods in understanding as he gets face to face with both men.

"I want you to stop this crusade" Red demands, motioning toward Mighty to get ready to mediate if need be. "You attacked my club and scared off my patrons. I can't open it back up without your Disciples coming in and wrecking the place."

"Not until I get a slice of the pie." Ezekiel says. "Whatever operation it is you're running in guise of that hive of filth, I want a piece of it. Otherwise, the attacks on your club will continue until you decide to let me in on whatever you've got."

After a moment of tense silence, Red lunges forward with a punch to the Reverend's jaw. As Ezekiel hits the floor, Red proceeds to mount him and rain punches down upon the Purifier. Mighty, meanwhile, is trying to pull Concierge off the Apostle, who tries his best to defend himself.

While this is going on, we cut to Nero in his lair, who is watching all this unfold silently.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Looks like the former Cybercop has a bargaining chip of his own!

MATT RUBY: I'd hate to be in these men's shoes, knowing that everything was caught on film.

Cut.

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BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It's time for a trios match as Wolf Fang Ayame, Mighty Mighty, and Red face Gemini, Captain Arcadia, and El Muerte Mariachi to see which threesome will come out on top.

MATT RUBY: Put me in a threesome with Ayame and Gemini and I'm always coming on top.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Let's get to the match, we both know it would be like now, you in a chair watching the action.

DING! DING!

Mighty Mighty and Muerte start the match! Muerte charges in with a shotgun dropkick that sends Mighty into the corner! Mighty bounces off the turnbuckles with a pounce! He sends Muerte into the opposite corner and charges!

CANNONBALL!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: All 300 pounds crush Muerte!

MATT RUBY: Luckily for him, Gemini blind tags herself in to save him, worry was in her eyes as she tagged in!

Mighty Mighty chuckles and tags in Red, he wants to share the fun! Gemini and Red tie up! Red twists the arm into a wristlock, Gemini reverses into a go behind, but Red snapmares her to a seated position! Round kick to the spine!

RED PULLS HER UP INTO A PILEDRIVER POSITION!

SCORPION KICK BY GEMINI TO GET OUT OF IT AND SHE FOLLOWS WITH THE SNAPSHOT!

CODEBREAKER BY GEMINI!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Both are down and crawling to their corners! Gemini is a little faster and tags in Arcadia!

MATT RUBY: Red tags in Ayame! At least I still get to watch one woman in the ring!

Ayame comes in hot with rapid strikes! Arcadia matches her energy with strikes of his own! Back and forth at it but speed beats strength here as she claws at him! She catches the neck! He's cut open enough where he grabs the neck and Ayame has a clear moment!

SHE RUNS THE ROPES CHARGES BUT SHE'S NAILED WITH A SPINNING SUPERMAN PUNCH!

PUNCH OF THE BROTHERS!

ARCADIA FOLLOWS BY GOING TO THE TOP ROPE!

STAR SPANGLED SPLASH!

HE GOT ALL OF THAT FROG SPLASH AND COVERS!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Even with a cut to the neck, Captain Arcadia shows that blood is flowing with resilience as he wins it for his team!


WINNERS: GEMINI, MUERTE & CAPTAIN ARCADIA
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Origins, I


Many Years Ago. 

A younger looking man that seems familiar, walks with an even younger girl in the middle of the night. The atmosphere is wonderful. There’s balloons, fireworks and glee. The sound of coins rattling can be heard in the backdrop, accompanied by laughing children and adults being amused. There are rides, and queues for them as far as the eye can see.

“Mister Cade,” the young girl questions as they walk. “Are you sure my daddy won’t find me?”

George puts his arms around the girl and crouches down, comforting her.

“Michaela, I swear to you, I will never tell him where you are, none of us will,” he promises with a sincere nod. “I’m taking you to a man I know well.”

They continue walking down the path until they arrive at a large tent. George pushes aside the tent opening and steps inside, Michaela following steadfast behind him. They’re met immediately by a desk, and a cheery fellow sat at it.

“Roll up, roll up!” He says happily. “You must be my newest acquisition!”

“Cut the shit, Zephyr,” George demands with a grimace.

“I just wanted to the young’un to feel welcome,” he says, his smile fading into a depth of sadness. “I’m sorry kiddo. Don’t worry though, you’ll be safe here with us. We’ll teach you any trick you wanna know.”

Michaela looks at George who nods at her to let her know it’s okay. She walks further into the room, looking at black and white photographs that adorn the wall until she stops at one. Zephyr notices and walks over, taking a glance of his own.

“A contortionist, huh?” He says with a big grin. “Now that we can do, young’un. Ajax, Damien… come meet our newest member of the family.”

A young man, built like a sturdy house at a very tender age stumbles into frame with Damien following behind. They meet with Michaela, who takes one last look back at George for comfort. He nods, and she follows them into the tent.

George walks over to Zephyr, looking him dead in his eyes. Safe. Do you understand me? You keep her safe, Zee.”

Zephyr pats Cade on the back.

“If a brother can’t be trusted, then who can, young’un?” Zephyr asks with a smile, revealing the nature of their relationship. “Now, how’re my two nephews?”

Cut.

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MATT RUBY: Up next BB it’s Destructo Boy taking on Nero.  The Anti-Hero versus the Cyberhound in a battle of the brooding edgelords. 

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Matt, these are two warriors about to lock horns in competition. 

Referee Mills Stanton calls for the bell... 

FIREWALL – SUPERKICK!  DUCKED BY THE ANTI-HERO!  WHO FOLLOWS IT UP SHINING WIZARD! 

SEE 

NO 

EVIL! 

DRIVING THE KNEE TO THE MASKED FACE OF THE RED ROBOT! 

Destructo mounts The Cyberhound violently, driving a headbutt between Nero's eyes before raining down right hands. James pulls Nero back to his feet, whipping the Cyberhound into the ropes. 

PACKET STORM!  SPRINGBOARD CUTTER FROM OUT OF NOWHERE INTO THE OMOPLATTA CROSSFACE – ZERO-DAY LOCK! 

Destructo manages to roll with the pressure to escape the hold and spin back up to his feet!  Setting up Nero... 

Omega Driver! 

NO – NERO SPINS OUT, LANDING ON HIS LOCKING IN A GUILLOTINE CHOKE BEFORE HITTING AN IMPLANT-STYLE DDT!  THE RED REBOOT LAYS OUT DESTRUCTO BEFORE ROLLING OVER TO MAKE THE COVER AS MILLS MAKES THE COUNT!  

ONE! 

TWO! 

THREE! 

MATT RUBY: Well, look at that. The Surviving Fruit of the Mummy’s Loins fails again. 

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s a bit disrespectful to say that “Destructo” James Jackson lost to Nero on this occasion! 

MATT RUBY: I am just keeping it real; I speak only the truth Bronco.  I’m sorry if it hurts, the facts don’t care about your feelings. 


WINNER: NERO
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Kill the Bitch


Previously Recorded – Backstage at Red Snow

The screen flickers to life with shaky, hidden-camera footage of a dim backstage room. Chaos unfolds. Eclipse stands in the center, her black wedding dress torn in jagged strips. Mascara streaks her flushed, tear-stained face. Her wild hair clings to her damp skin as she paces erratically, breathing raggedly.

Suddenly, she lets out a guttural scream, grabbing a chair and hurling it against the wall.

“SHE RUINED EVERYTHING! MY DAY! MY MOMENT!”

She storms to a table and flips it, shards of glass and petals flying. Clutching her torn veil, her voice cracks with fury.

“Aurora is DEAD! You mangy little bitch—you’ll regret crossing me!”

She stumbles forward, her bare feet crunching on broken glass. Picking up a shard of the shattered mirror, she stares into her distorted reflection, her lips curling into a twisted snarl.

“Kill the bitch. I’ll rip her apart piece by piece, and make her beg for the end.”

With a piercing shriek, she hurls the shard against the wall.

“KILL THE BITCH!”

She tears the veil to shreds, her movements frantic and unhinged. Letting out another wild scream, she storms out, slamming the door behind her.

The camera lingers on the destruction—shattered glass, a broken table, and torn veil pieces scattered across the floor.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She’s lost it! Someone needs to stop her before she burns the place down!

MATT RUBY: Why? Let her! Crazy’s hot, BB. You can’t deny the energy!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You’re a moron. This isn’t energy, it’s chaos.

MATT RUBY: Chaos? My type of date night!

The screen fades to black, the echoes of Eclipse’s screams lingering.

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Sprinkle a Little Sunshine I


Elysium, Anton Savor’s restaurant, is nearly empty tonight. What little staff remain scurry about busily.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A majority of Anton Savor’s staff walked off the job last week, urged to by Captain Arcadia.

MATT RUBY: I hear he’s been trying to find replacements, but there’s bugger all that will even consider working for him, not in this climate.

“Next…”

A would-be chef walks forward from a line of waiting candidates, their oversized chef’s hat barely scraping through the top of the double door. Savor barely looks up from as the figure enters.

MATT RUBY: That’s a fucking ridiculous hat, what a knobhead.

“I hope you can impress me a little more than the last jackass.” He beckons towards the line of stoves. “Recipe is on the bench… wow me.”

The chef picks up the pan and begins pouring in a random assortment of oils, liquids and powders from the kitchen supply, much to the bemusement of Savor.

“What are you doing?!” He spits through gritted teeth. “Hot pockets, and now you. You have no idea what you’re doing in a kitchen.”

The chef turns around, tipping his novelty sized hat at Savor. Underneath is the smiling face of Sunshine.

“Why, with a sprinkle of this and a dash of that we can all have our bellies fed. Can’t be too hard now, can it?”

Savor rises, ready for action, but Sunshine waves him down.

“Relax, friend. We don’t want to ruin a perfectly good meal by squabbling, do we?” By now, the dish on the oven is on fire. “Now, we both have our secrets, but why should the clouds of the past take away our present sunshine?”

Savor is fed up.

“This war. I’m losing customers left, right and centre. There is nothing but storm clouds, fuckwit.”

Sunshine smiles, but his eyes remain trained on Savor.

“We do not need Captain Arcadia sniffing around, looking for clues. Even a blind squirrel may find a nut or two. What say you make sure he doesn’t find anything?”

“Why the hell should I?”

“You need customers, of course. What does your kids' menu look like?”

Savor looks somewhat startled.

“Kids menu?”

“Never mind. I have everything you need.”

From under his novelty sized chef’s hat, Sunshine retrieves two packets - frozen chips and chicken nuggets.

“Anybody could cook these… and the children of the Sunshine Club will come flocking.”

Sunshine winks, stepping back through the double doors and leaving the packets on the countertop.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sunshine is going to send the children of his Sunshine Club to help ensure Savor’s doors stay open.

MATT RUBY: In return, Savor silences Captain Arcadia. Maybe this Sunshine isn’t quite the buffoon I thought he was.

Cut.

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BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Night may be terrifying in his own right, but can he put fear into the heart of Arcadia's Warden of Weird?

NIGHT CAP! SHOULDER TACKLE RIGHT OUT THE GATE!

Klaus hits the ground like a ton of bricks and The Night mounts him, raining down blow after blow! He peels Klaus up, whipping him across the ring and popping him up for the back body drop!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: KLAUS LANDS ON HIS FEET!

MATT RUBY: CIRQUE DOULEUR! HE PUT THAT GOTHIC NINNY DOWN WITH THE STORMBREAKER!

Way plays to the crowd, strutting around before going for a bow! He turns around, hitting the ropes and nailing a springboard moonsault! Klaus grabs onto Night, rolling through to his feet and hauling him up in a fireman's carry!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE NIGHT SLIPS BEHIND! GOODNIGHT VIENNA! SOMERSAULT SIDEWALK SLAM FACEBUSTER!

MATT RUBY: How the hell did he do that!?

Darkness Incarnate lays into Way with massive stomps, each one begging Klaus to get to his feet! The Ringmaster slowly rises as The Night calls for the end!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NIGHTFALL! SOL SNATCHER- NO!

MATT RUBY: BIZZARO! SPINNING UNPRETTIER BY THE FREAK! HE GOES FOR THE PIN!

River Moonfoot slides in for the count!

ONE!

...

...

TWO!

...

...

THREE!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Terrifying as The Night may be, Klaus Way has proven that nothing is too weird for him as he claims victory here tonight!


WINNER: KLAUS WAY
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Infliction


Anthesteria.

Fire crackles.

People scream.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By god, what are we witnessing? This is pandemonium, it's demented!

MATT RUBY: No, Bronco, I think what we're watching is called War.

Drewitt kicks open the door to a building, the horseman throwing a lit torch inside! The domicile goes up in flames, joining a slew of others already engulfed in flame! One of the inhabitants tries to fight back only for Drewitt to reintroduce him to the side of his home teeth first. Before he can continue his onslaught, however, Grimskull appears, pulling Drewitt away.

"Stop! I know you want an answer but this isn't the way!" Grimskull pleads, but his words fall on deaf ears as Drewitt pulls away from him.

"Violence begets violence, an eye for an eye. Either they can answer me or I can make their whole world go blind."

"Stop." Another voice rings out amongst the carnage. Drewitt and Grimskull turn to see  El Mariachi Muerte and Gemini exiting their hiding place, a group of six Seekers flanking them. Drewitt immediately looks to advance, Grimskull barely holding him back.

"The only thing I can do, my friends, is offer an apology. I know it cannot be enough, but it is all I have." Muerte stands firm as he speaks.

"Please," Gemini begins, "stop taking your anger out on Anthesteria. These people have done nothing wrong!"

MATT RUBY: I'd listen to that pretty mouth of hers if I was Drewitt.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DESOLATION! DREWITT JUST TOOK DOWN ONE OF THE SEEKERS WITH A CLAYMORE KICK! HE ISN'T  LISTENING TO ANYONE!

The remaining Seekers jump into action, swinging away at Drewitt! Grimskull rushes in to even the odds as both horsemen lay waste! However, in the commotion, Muerte and Gemini make their escape.

The fires of  Anthesteria roaring behind them as the fight rages on.

Cut.

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Helpers


Stories from the Civil War. 

Jade clutches her threadbare teddy bear, its button eye loose, as she walks through the shadowed alleyways of the Slums, now nothing more than dug out trenches and war tents. The air feels heavy with smoke and despair. Her small feet shuffle over cracked pavement, her wide eyes darting at every sound. She stops when she hears voices—harsh, whispered tones of adults nearby.

“Kid’s parents led a charge at the ‘vationists,” says a gruff man.

“Poor thing,” mutters a woman.

Jade doesn’t recognize their faces or voices, but their words pierce through her like jagged glass. Parents. Gone. She grips her bear tighter, her knuckles white.

“What are we going to do with her?” another voice asks, softer now, but it makes Jade’s knees weak.

She doesn’t remember how she’s led away, the haze swallowing her thoughts. She barely notices the small, patchwork tent she’s brought to. Inside, there’s a strange warmth, despite the cold world outside. Other children sit huddled on worn blankets, their faces pale and quiet.

Then, she sees him: a man with kind eyes and a gentle smile.

Felix Foley.

He kneels in front of her, his puppets arranged behind him, their bright colors a strange comfort.

“Hi, Jade,” he says softly, taking her trembling hand. “I know it feels like the world is broken right now. But your parents did something so brave. They wanted to give you a better life, like all parents should.”

Tears spill down her cheeks as he continues, “When bad things happen, you look for the helpers. They show who they really are in times like these.”

She collapses into his arms, sobbing into his shoulder. After a moment, he pulls back gently and smiles.

“Now, Jade, which puppet would you like to see first?”

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BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Reverend is taking on the Fashionista here tonight, and this should be a hell of a contest.

MATT RUBY: I hope the Night doesn’t come after her again.

The bell rings, and Narcissa wastes no time darting around Ezekiel Graves, her speed and agility a sharp contrast to his towering frame.

Graves swings a powerful lariat, but Narcissa ducks under, rebounding off the ropes with a running forearm that barely fazes him. Graves smirks, absorbing the blow as he steps forward.

BACKBREAKER! GRAVES DRIVES HER SPINE INTO HIS KNEE!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves is wasting no time asserting his dominance!

MATT RUBY: But Narcissa is too smart to let him keep control for long.

Graves drags Narcissa up by her arm, but she counters with a swift eye gouge, causing the big man to stumble back.

BICYCLE KNEE! UPRISING!

Graves goes down to a knee, and seizing the moment, Narcissa launches into a series of strikes. Slaps, Elbows. Knees. Then she springboards off the ropes…

LARIAT! SHE RIPPED OFF THE HOLY WRATH!

MATT RUBY: It’s Narcissa’s Wrath, BB!

She hooks the leg for the pin.

ONE!

TWO!

KICK OUT! GRAVES POWERS OUT AND THROWS NARCISSA ACROSS THE RING!

She looks shocked but rushes in with a series of kicks to Graves’ ribs. He absorbs the hits, catching her leg and pushing her away.

GOOZLE!

NARCISSA GOES UP!

AND BACK DOWN HARD! THE FINAL FUCKING JUDGEMENT!

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a finish there!

MATT RUBY: Just brutal.


WINNER: EZEKIEL GRAVES
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Night Terrors, II


BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hell of a match between Graves and Narcissa, Matt.

MATT RUBY: I’d sure love to go one on one with the queen.

Narcissa is preparing to the leave the ring, signaling to her guards to come down the aisle.

Flicker.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Not again.

The lights dance erratically, casting fleeting shadows across the ring. The energy in Olympus shifts. Murmurs ripple through the crowd. Narcissa stops mid-step, eyes narrowing.

MATT RUBY: Get those damn guards out here!

Flicker. 

Smoke begins to seep from the ring posts, creeping along the mat and curling around her boots. She steps back, her poise faltering as her gaze darts around.

And then she sees him.

The Night. Stood on the ramp.

She spins toward the crowd—he’s in the front row.

She whirls around—there he is.

“What the hell do you want?” she screams, voice echoing in panic. Her carefully composed demeanor shatters, her hands trembling as she backs into the center of the ring.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s the real question, Ruby.

MATT RUBY: No, the real question is where the hell are her guards!

The hooded man vanishes again, the smoke thickening. The air grows colder, the tension suffocating.

And then, a voice.

The voice of the Night.

“Vengeance.”  It booms from everywhere and nowhere, a distorted echo that shakes Olympus to its core.

The lights stabilize, the smoke dissipates, and the ring is empty—except for Narcissa, her breathing ragged, her mask of control shattered.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Vengeance for what, Ruby?

Cut.

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Sprinkle a Little Sunshine II


Captain Arcadia is busy backstage, his neck wound being tended to by medical staff.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We don’t normally get to see how the Titans get packed back up, but tonight we see the Medical staff working their magic.

MATT RUBY: Take a blade to his neck, save us all a bit of trouble.

A new nurse walks into the medical tent, tutting as they inspect the cut.

“That’s a nasty little cut, isn’t it.” The voice is familiar, but Cap is lying on his front with his face through a massage table. He doesn’t need to see the figure to know who it is.

“Sunshine…” He mutters, trying to stand up, but a hand holds him down.

“Tut-tut. Steady there, we don’t want to make your little gash any worse, do we?” Nurse Sunshine fusses about the cut. “A little steri-strip here…”

MATT RUBY: What is Sunshine doing here? I thought he had a deal with Savor.

“We need to chat. No need for things to get… dark.”

Captain Arcadia sits himself up, glaring at Sunshine.

“You have some explaining to do. I’ve been chasing answers for too long now.”

Sunshine places his hands on Cap’s shoulders.

“That sounds frustrating, friend.” Sunshine’s voice is soft, understanding. “You’ve been given the run-about, made to look like a fool in front of all of Arcadia.”

Captain Arcadia’s eyes narrow.

“Get your hands off me or lose a finger.”

Sunshine holds his hands up in apology, beaming a smile at Cap.

“Temper, temper. I am not the one who you’re truly angry at.”

Captain Arcadia stands.

“Oh, I’m plenty angry at you. Something lies behind that smile that connects you to the Zookeeper, and I will damned sure uncover what it is.”

Sunshine tuts again.

“Anton Savor is coming for you though. You can’t afford to be distracted by little old me, when he’s the one that wants to steal your sunshine. You have unfinished business to tend to.”

Cap falls silent, mulling but he isn’t convinced. Sunshine continues.

“A war fought on two fronts is a bad idea. He’s weakened. Hit him where it hurts while you can, you won’t get another opportunity.”

Cap thinks for a moment.

“You want me to take down his restaurant?”

Sunshine claps enthusiastically.

“Well done! See, you’re not as stupid as he says you are.”

Captain Arcadia doesn’t look happy, but he nods.

“I’m keeping my eyes on you. When I’m done with Savor…”

“I’ll be right here waiting. Well, not here… You know, around.”

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sunshine is playing both sides of this battle, a catalyst between Anton Savor and Captain Arcadia.

MATT RUBY: While they’re busy fighting each other, they’re not fighting him. There appears to be a brain behind the smile after all.

Cut.

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BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Straight after seeing Sunshine stirring the pot between Savor and Captain Arcadia, we see Savor in action. He’s got other things to worry about right now.

MATT RUBY: Like a very game Felix Foley looking to score a win over the Double Feature Champion.

Foley takes the early action, locking Savor up with a Collar and Elbow tie, before Suplexing Savor straight to the canvas. Savor isn’t down for long though, fighting to his feet only to find himself in the clutches of Foley once more.

FALL GUY! THE FALL AWAY SLAM!

SAVOR JUST SLAMMED INTO THE MAT, AND ROLLED RIGHT OUT OF THE RING!

MATT RUBY: Foley needs to get out there and capitalize!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix Foley has been around the block, he knows better than to take those kind of risks. He has the high ground.

Savor rises to his feet, and rolls back into the ring. Foley grabs him by the wrist and flings him to the ropes.

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR… HITTING NOTHING BUT AIR!

SAVOR DUCKS THE BIG BOOT!

CRÈME BRÛLÉE!

THE SUPERKICK NEARLY TAKES FOLEY’S HEAD OFF!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Just like that, the momentum swings. Savor is the champion for a reason.

MATT RUBY: Foley should have taken advantage when he could. Now he’ll need a visit to the dentist to straighten his teeth back again.

Savor picks up Foley, groggy, pushing him into the corner turnbuckle. He starts softening him up with body shots. Then a series of rapid chops!

FLAMBÉ!

HE’S COOKING WITH FIRE!

SPINNING BACK ELBOW SEALS THE DEAL!

NO!

THUMB TO THE EYE FROM FOLEY!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Demi Sky never saw the thumb to the eye. Desperation from Foley.

MATT RUBY: You gotta do what you gotta do. Now, kick him in the balls.

Savor walks away from the corner, blinking to get his vision right. Foley comes after him.

CUT THE STRINGS!

HE HITS THE DOUBLE ARMED DDT AND COVERS FOR THE PIN!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix Foley just took down the Double Feature Champion!


WINNER: FELIX FOLEY
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Destructo! Destructo! Destructo!


Felix Foley has beaten the Double Feature Champion! He gets back to his feet to celebrate with the cheering fans, his arms in the air with glee.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a moment for Felix! This is a huge, dare I say, upset victory.

MATT RUBY: What’s that whirring sound?

Suddenly, Foley is showered with tiny little nodes that fall from the sky, landing all around him in the middle of the ring.

“What the?”

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions rock the canvas, thrusting Foley back into the corner, shrapnel driving into his arms, face and chest. He falls to his knees, gasping for breath.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?

MATT RUBY: SOME KIND OF IED?

The arena lighting drops to complete and utter darkness.

As the introduction of 2CELLOS popular Vivaldi Storm hits, it comes to a stop before the lighting returns as the music does, revealing Stubbins Doom stood at the entrance ramp.

He has two drones floating around him as he makes a fast paced and focused walk down the aisle.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This was only a matter of time. Foley’s former best friend is…

MATT RUBY: Is coming to do what Tombstone couldn’t and end this little cockroach!

Doom slides into the ring…

BREAKING THE JAR!

RUNNING PUNT KICK!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THAT WAS YOUR BEST FRIEND GOT DAMMIT!

MATT RUBY: NOT ANYMORE!

And here comes Nox.

The Chemical Mastermind makes a methodical walk to the ring as Doom mounts Foley, slamming heavy gloved fists into his skull – one after the other.

Nox has a microphone in hand. “Poor Felix,” he grunts. “There’s no rest for the wicked, is there?”

The fans are on their feet.

“DESTRUCTO! DESTRUCTO! DESTRUCTO!”

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: C’MON KID! THEY’RE CALLING FOR YOU!

MATT RUBY: He ain’t coming, BB!

“Yes, call his name,” Nox implores. “But he’s not going to come. He’s not the hero you people want or need.”

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: C’mon Destructo…

Doom motions for Nox to drag Foley back to his feet and he does, holding him there, limp.

“This is how it had to be, old friend,” Doom says with a sinister tone, grabbing him by the face. “You were making me weak; docile, dormant, a pathetic shell of my former self.”

Foley stammers. “But I loved you…”

Doom nods in agreement. “And in my own way, I you.”

The Scientist scoops him up…

DEATH

VALLEY

DRIVER!

IMPENDING DOOM TO FELIX FOLEY!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GOT DAMNIT! GOT BLOODY DAMNIT!

MATT RUBY: Destructo! Destructo! Destructo!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Will you stop!?

Cut.

Image

Front Row Seat


We come back from a small break to find Jackson Cade and Harold Attano in the middle of the ring, their match about to start.

"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. The silhouette takes full form as "The Artist" Jasper Redgrave steps into the light.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Not this asshole!

MATT RUBY: That’s your World Champion you’re talking about.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s not MY Champion!

With a chair in one hand and a microphone in the other, Redgrave places it down on the entrance ramp and takes a seat, unstrapping his World Championship and placing it over his lap.

“Gentlemen,” the Champion says into his microphone confidently. “Being a member of the Preservationist’s has its benefits. For example, my good friend Zeus was quick to have Scott Sterling book this match at my behest.”

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I knew he had something to do with it.

MATT RUBY: He’s playing chess whilst they’re playing checkers, BB.

“Last week, I was this close,” Redgrave says making finger motions. “I was this close to having you join your brother in the Afterlife. No-one here seems to quite comprehend just how close I was… until Harold Attano stuck his nose in my business.”

He grimaces.

“And now, if I can’t be the one to end you, I will be the one to watch you be ended,” Jasper says with his grimace turning to smile. “And by a member of your own Seekers, no less.”

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It looks like Jasper Redgrave is gonna watch the match, Ruby.

MATT RUBY: I wish he’d join us down here!

Image

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a return to an old rivalry here tonight. Harold Attano and Jackson Cade have gone through wars together and although they trust and follow one another in this war against Zeus, they find themselves against one another again tonight in what surely has to be a ploy to weaken the Seekers.

MATT RUBY: It's a brilliant move by Zeus, let the two idiots tear eachother apart and watch this Uprising fall before it even began. I love it BB.

The bell sounds as both men rush forward, Jackson going for a clothesline that Attano ducks underneath before trying for a Venomous Scorpion Kick that Cade manages to partially block with his arm, pushing Attano away. Nobody rocks Cade with a hard elbow before trying to whip him across the ring, Cade ducking underneath a clothesline before bouncing off the other side.

BREACH AND CLEAR! SLINGBBBLLLLADDDEE!

Cade rolls to his feet, sizing up Attano for a moment before rushing forward

HOSTILE...NO! Nobody sees it coming as Cade staggers over him, not seeing Attano rush to the ropes, bouncing off

KNEECAP! Shotgun Dropkick drops Cade down to his one knee as Attano backs up, raising one fist to his jaw before sprinting forward

BUT CADE SAW IT COMING AS HE DODGES THE RUNNING ELBOW! Attano turning around, INCENDIARY ROUND! BULLHAMMER KNOCKS NOBODY ON HIS ASS!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You'd think these two would take it easy against one another but they're determined to beat one another senseless here tonight.

MATT RUBY: Wouldn't expect anything else from these idiots.

Cade steps back, taking in the energy from the crowd as he watches Attano slowly rise to his feet groggy before leaping forward

HOSTILE DOWN! Jaw cracking Superkick knocks Attano down as Cade falls onto him for the pinfall, Demi Sky sliding in to make the

ONE

..............

TWO

................

...................

THREE!!!!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade picks up a big victory here tonight, dropping his friend Nobody with that Superkick and showing why he's both the leader of the Seekers and possibly the next OSW World Champion.

MATT RUBY: Leader of losers is still a loser BB, and he might be able to beat a Nobody but the King and our OSW World Champion is going to destroy him at Thunderstrike. 


WINNER: JACKSON CADE
Image

Cirque du Soleil


Jasper Redgrave’s face is a picture of pride. These two men tore lumps out of each other, ticking both of his boxes. Both men rise back to their feet, squaring off once again in the middle of the ring.

Before they can say a word or even go as far as to shake each other’s hands, they’re blindsided!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: AJAX ADONIS FROM BEHIND ON CADE!

MATT RUBY: DAMIEN SOLUS WITH A STEEL CHAIR TO HAROLD ATTANO!

Both men are immediately taken down to the canvas by Way & Co. Ajax pulls Cade back to his feet, pulling him into THE BEAR HUG!!

A GIANT’S GRASP!

Jackson wails in agony!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Look at that sumbitch Redgrave! He’s smiling! Do you think he had anything to do with this!?

MATT RUBY: That smile says all it needs to, doesn’t it? Klaus Way must’ve joined The Preservationists!

Solus meanwhile has Attano on the canvas, his arms locked.

SHARE

MY

PAIN!

VICIOUS HEADBUTTS TO ATTANO!

Ajax finishes squeezing the life out of Jackson until he’s unconscious, tossing him aside like a rag doll.

Solus meanwhile releases Attano, his face bloodied from the repeated Headbutts.

SPINNING HIDDEN BLADE TO JASPER REDGRAVE!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: KLAUS WAY! KLAUS WAY! KLAUS WAY!

MATT RUBY: WHAT ARE YOU DOING KLAUS!?

With everyone’s attention on the ring, Klaus Way has run from behind the seated Jasper Redgrave and nailed him with a Spinning Hidden Blade!

The Ringmaster gets back to his feet, pulling Jasper up…

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: STORMBREAKER ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP!!

MATT RUBY: CIRQUE DOULEUR!!

Way laughs at himself whilst sat there, his eyes immediately drawn to the World Championship. He picks it up, taking a moment to look at it with intent before lifting it into the air.

The fans boo, but it’s too late. Ajax and Damien head up the ramp to meet him.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Way & Co have made a huge statement here tonight.

MATT RUBY: I guess he really is The Wild Card!

Image

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a huge main event here ladies and gentlemen as the OSW World Champion faces off against the new deliverer of the undead and hopefully this time the match will go as planned without Pantheon shenanigan's. 

MATT RUBY: Hey, just cause our dumbass sheriff didn't see it coming doesn't mean there were shenanigans. This is going to be a clean cut contest between two good members of Arcadia, I guarantee it BB.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Between the sadistic bastard that Redgrave is and the monstrous man Gravedigger has become, clean cut is going to have nothing to do with it.

The sound of dirt being shucked from grave to grave echoes throughout the arena.

The piano keys ominously pang as smoke fills the entrance ramp. The sound of fluttering occurs for a moment as Gravedigger appears on the entrance ramp, his head lowered and a shovel in his right hand.

And Jasper Redgrave is right behind him with the OSW World Championship in hand.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Clean cut contest huh? Our so called champion is about to do the same damn thing he did last week. 

Gravedigger seemingly doesn't notice Redgrave, slowly walking down the ramp to the ring as Jasper waits until he's at the bottom before sprinting forward.

WHAM!

THE ARTIST NAILS HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE OSW CHAMPIONSHIP!

AND IT DOES NOTHING!

Jasper's eyes go wide as Gravedigger just slowly turns around. Jasper staggers back, before trying for another title shot

THAT GETS KICKED RIGHT BACK IN HIS FACE WITH A GIANT VALKYRIE SIZED BOOT!

Redgrave staggers to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights before gripping Redgrave by the back of the head and throwing him inside the ring as Cole Holt rings the bell to start the contest.

DING DING DING

Jasper staggers to his feet as Gravedigger slides in, the King rushing forward to try and stomp Digger out but the Valkyrie grabs one of the boots, flipping Redgrave backwards before getting to his feet. Redgrave stumbles up into a flurry of lefts and rights from the Valkyrie before he throws him across the ring.

The world champ bounces off as Gravedigger leaps up, DROP DEAD...NO! Redgrave blocks the knee, pushing Gravedigger back as he spins around

SANGUINE ABSURDISM! DISCUS LARIAT TURNS GRAVEDIGGER INSIDE OUT!

MATT RUBY: YES! Beat his ass champ, show them those stupid Underworld powers ain't no match for the Artist.

Redgrave doesn't get to follow up though as Gravedigger immediately sits up. With a scowl on his face, he tries to get up off the mat only to get a hard kick to the jaw before he's pulled up to his feet and lifted up high in a Suplex.

That's turned into a hard side slam as Redgrave shows Arcadia the PORTRAIT OF A KILLER with the Nightmare Pendulum.

But again he can't follow up as Gravedigger just sits up.

Again Redgrave kicks the Valkyrie hard in the face, backing up as he waits for Gravedigger to get to his feet before rushing forward

SUPERKICK! Gravedigger doesn't go down, instead stumbling into the ropes as Jasper spins around

SPINNING BACK ELBOW! COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE! Gravedigger seems out on his feet as Redgrave quickly grabs him in a front facelock before passing him through the ropes onto the apron and pulling him forward.

AND PAINTING THE CANVAS WITH THE VALKYRIE'S BLOOD! Sickening Rope Hung DDT snaps Gravedigger into the canvas and that may well be it as Redgrave hooks the leg, Cole Holt sliding in to count

 

ONE

 

.................

 

..........GRAVEDIGGER EASILY KICKS OUT!

And the World Champion is starting to get frustrated.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Redgrave may well be seeing dejavu here, he of all people know how tough the last ferrier of the dead was to defeat and Gravedigger looks like he's become a chip off the old block.

Jasper goes to pull Gravedigger up but the Valkyrie surprises Redgrave with a hard headbutt, staggering him back. Redgrave rushes forward

RIGHT INTO THE DROP DEAD JAWBREAKER! Hard knee to the face connects, stunning Redgrave as Gravedigger spins him around, locking the arms,

CREEPING...LOW BLOW! Redgrave with that sly kick to the dick, doubling over the Valkyrie as Jasper spins around, lifting him up into the air before rushing forward

VANQUISHING POINT! CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Gravediggers back may well have snapped in half but he's still on his feet as he staggers forward

INTO THE KICK

WHAM

SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY PEDIGREE!

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That has defeated so many in the past but can it put down Gravedigger here tonight?

Redgrave turns Gravedigger over, hooking the leg as Cole Holt slides in to count

 

ONE

 

...................

 

.........................

 

TW....GRAVEDIGGER KICKS OUT AND JASPER REDGRAVE IS FUCKING LIVID!

MATT RUBY: I call hacks BB, why the hell does our world champion have to deal with another of these supernatural freaks?

The Artist springs to his feet, backing Cole into the corner as he screams at him 'Count the fucking fall properly'. Holt stands his ground, threating to disqualify the world champion again as the Artist backs away scowling, turning back to see Gravedigger has vanished.

FLUTTER

The Valkyrie is up and right behind the world champion, fury in his eyes as Jasper turns around slowly,

RIGHT INTO A VICIOUS HEADBUTT! 

Jasper staggers back into a flurry of lefts and rights before another big headbutt sends Redgrave stumbling into the ropes, bouncing off into

THE SHOVEL! Bullhammer Elbow nearly breaks the Artist's jaw but he's still on his face as Gravedigger grips him in a front facelock,

NEVERMORE! Evenflow DDT spikes Redgrave into the mat, The Artist looking down but Gravedigger isn't done as he mounts Redgrave, gripping him by the throat with one monsterous hand

AND GRAVEL POUNDING HIM NEARLY THROUGH THE CANVAS WITH SICKENING FOREARMS!

One final forearm to the temple glazes Redgrave over as Gravedigger gets to his feet, calling for the end as he lifts one hand up into the air, slowly waiting for the world champion to get to his feet.

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Killer King about to be sent on his way here.

Redgrave stumbles up to his feet into a goozle, Gravedigger staring him in the eyes for a moment

KICK TO THE DICK! 

Redgrave with a desperation move, the goozle loosening just enough for him to slip out and grab Gravedigger from behind

THE BRUSH STROKE! FORWARD RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP sends Gravedigger face first into the canvas, Redgrave hooking both legs as Holt slides in to count

ONE

 

...............

 

...................

TWO

 

................

 

.......................

 

THREE!!!

MATT RUBY: YES! Ha I told you BB, our Killer King overcomes everyone even the second rate Ferryman with all his spooky powers couldn't overcome him here tonight. 

BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Careful Ruby, I ain't lifting a finger if the Valkyrie drags you to the underworld for that comment but like it or not, you're right. Jasper Redgrave pulls out the victory again tonight, somehow, someway. 


WINNER: JASPER REDGRAVE
Image

In Hell It's Hot


The air is thick and humid.

Fiery pits. Red hot molten lava spewing from the rocks, overflowing into rivers of screaming men and women, scorched beneath its red hot touch.

Ezra stands in the middle of a rocky wasteland nearby, a pickaxe in hand. He’s slamming it down into rocks, breaking them into pieces. Once the rocks are broken up, he places them into a wheelbarrow with one flat tyre and struggles to push them towards a cliff edge, whereby he tips them over.

The rocks tumble over the edge, crashing down into men and women below, crushing them.

The Already Dead backs away from the edge, wincing at the sounds of the screams before returning to the rocks that he’d already destroyed, starting over.

The Underworld is a dire and brutal place.

“I’ve been searching for you,” a dark and raspy voice says from the shadows. A mystical aura of smoke appears, revealing what can only be described as a gaunt and pale looking elderly man. His fingers are like bone, with barely enough skin stretched across them.

Ezra stops working, sweat pouring from his brow. Why? He questions sternly.

“You shouldn’t be here, Ezra,” the man continues. “You were in service. Immortality cannot be retracted because someone severs the binds that held you.”

He looks around himself for a moment, shrugging. “Yet here I am,” he groans, retrieving his pickaxe and beginning to crush rocks.

With every grunt, his watcher grows impatient and frustrated.

Stop! He yells gutturally. The yell is that significant that it doesn’t demand of Ezra to stop; it compels him. The pickaxe falls from his hands and he, unwittingly, falls to his knees. “I’m The Grim Reaper in control of Arcadia. This is my part of the universe, Ezra, and you were chosen to be my Ferryman. I did not sanction your replacement!”

Ezra looks up at him, strained, but unable to move – until something within him roars up. Within moments, he’s seemingly defied the grasp of The Grim Reaper, pulling himself angrily to his feet.

This doesn’t infuriate the Reaper; it pleases him.

“There you are!” He says with a grin. “Now, you listen to me. I’m sending you back to Arcadia, not a man, because as I said, that cannot be done. I also can’t send you back as a Ferryman, because your chain has been severed and someone else finds themselves attached. You are The Already Dead. You are immortal, Ezra.”

“That’s not my name,” he growls angrily back at The Grim Reaper, who nods in agreement. “My name is Tombstone.”

“And your title is that of Ferryman,” he’s sharply reminded. “Now, go back to Arcadia and take back your chains.”

Snap.

In a snap of his fingers, Tombstone is gone.

Static.

A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as we fade to black.

Cut.