WARZONE #383
Lambs
Next stop, Pandemonium. But before we get there, we're in for one hell of a penultimate Warzone in which a Fatal Fourway between Ezekiel Graves, Eclipse, The Night and Mister Sunshine fits the bill.
Retribution
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
The static clears, allowing us to see the bruised, bloody face of The Night. He sits in the middle of the blood stained Killing Floor, hands bound behind his back as he sits on a steel chair. It's clear he's been interrogated for hours, if not days.
"Just admit it, Night." The chilling voice of Narcissa enters the scene, Hera's heels clacking across the metal floor as she looms over the captured Shadow. "The bombs were your doing, weren't they? You may as well fess up now, you won't be leaving here either way."
The Anti-Hero spits blood onto the floor, sneering. "Kill me if you want. Doesn't make your accusation any truer." He looks up at Narcissa, grimacing. "Explosives don't care for innocent bystanders. The bomb in Red Light didn't care about my mother any more than they cared about filth like Blacktooth and Drexl. As much as I despise you, I would never resort to that."
This causes Hera to pause, a frown forming on her face. "Your mother...?" She moves across the room, grabbing hold of a large blade. The dim light above glints off the metal as she approaches Night. "I suppose it's fitting that a dreg like her birthed a nuisance like you. Perhaps you weren't behind the bombing..." She brings the blade to his neck. "But I suppose that doesn't save you now, does it? Your death will still be retribution."
CRACK!
NIGHT FIRES OFF A HAYMAKER TO NARCISSA! HE DISLOCATED HIS HAND TO ESCAPE THE ROPES!
Night snatches the blade from Hera, flinging it upwards into the light, shattering it! We hear a scuffle, the door of the Killing Floor flung open to reveal The Night disappearing down the hallway, slamming the door shut behind himself.
Leaving Narcissa still in the dark.
Cut.
Run
Static fades into an earlier recording.
The screen flickers to life, revealing the dark and decaying halls of the Mortuary—a place once feared, now reduced to silence. The camera pans into a cold, stone-walled bedroom, its only occupant a man too weak to flee, too dangerous to be left behind.
Igor Mortis lay in a rusted iron bed, his face pale, his body gaunt and twisted. Tubes ran from his arm, monitors beeped quietly beside him. He was still, as always these days—paralyzed, helpless… but very much alive.
Across the room, a storm was brewing.
Gravedigger stood before a drawer, frantically packing a battered suitcase, throwing in black robes, grim tools, and whatever relics he could find. His usually composed demeanor was cracking—urgency and fear threading through every movement.
The sound stirred Mortis. His eyes fluttered open, bloodshot and clouded. His voice was a raspy bark.
“What are you doing?”
Gravedigger didn’t turn.
“Packing.”
“Why?” Mortis demanded, his tone thick with suspicion. “What’s happening?”
Gravedigger finally looked up from the suitcase, his face shadowed, jaw tense.
“Tombstone and I… we spoke with the Reaper.”
Mortis’ brow furrowed. “So?”
Gravedigger stepped forward, the weight of what he was about to say crushing the air between them.
“Now Tombstone knows. Just like I do.” He leaned in closer. “He knows you’re the custodian of the chains.”
Mortis’ eyes widened in horror.
“You’re the key, Igor. The only thing standing between Tombstone and his rightful place as Ferryman.”
Igor Mortis’ voice trembled now. “No… he wouldn’t—he can’t—”
Gravedigger cut him off. “He will. He can. And he’s coming.”
He zipped the suitcase with finality.
“We need to get you out of here. Somewhere safe. Somewhere he can’t find you.”
Mortis’ lip quivered. “I created him…”
Gravedigger stared at him coldly. “And now you’re going to pay for it.”
Static returns.
The screen cuts to black.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is a charged triple threat match here tonight.
MATT RUBY: Ayame’s not been making the best choices lately, but I am still ready to see her in action.
The bell rings and chaos erupts immediately. Wolf Fang Ayame springs off the ropes, launching herself between Gravedigger and Captain Arcadia, cracking them both with a spinning kick.
Cap stumbles into the corner while Gravedigger absorbs the hit and grins.
Ayame charges again…
CRESCENT MOON KICK TO CAPTAIN ARCADIA—
NO! GRAVEDIGGER CATCHES HER AND THROWS HER TO THE GROUND.
GRAVEL POUNDER! GRAVEDIGGER IS GIVING THE BUSINESS TO AYAME!
MATT RUBY: This isn’t the type of pounding I’d give her!
Captain Arcadia dives in to break it up, nailing Gravedigger with a side kick.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ayame might be fast, but she’s in the ring with two bruisers who aren’t holding back!
Gravedigger goes for a lariat, but Cap ducks…
GRASPS OF JUSTICE! THE REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER SPIKES GRAVEDIGGER!
Arcadia goes for the pin…
ONE…
…
…
TWO—AYAME BREAKS IT UP WITH HEAVEN’S HOWL!
The Wolf grabs Arcadia, and locks in the Inverted Boston Crab.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Mountain’s Peak Crossing from Ayame!
Cap reaches for the ropes, but he didn’t need to. Gravedigger re-enters the scene…
BULLHAMMER TO AYAME! THE SHOVEL READY TAKES HER DOWN!
Gravedigger drags Ayame up—CREEPING DEATH!
THE SKULL CRASHING FINALE FOLDS HER UP!
BUT CAP IS BACK UP!
SPINNING SUPERMAN PUNCH TO GRAVEDIGGER! THE PUNCH OF THE BROTHERS!
CAP HEADS UP TOP—STAR SPANGLED SPLASH!
ONE…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
THR—NO! AYAME MANAGED TO BREAK UP THE PIN WITH WHAT LITTLE SHE HAS LEFT!
ARCADIA GRABS AYAME…
CRESCENT MOON KICK HITS FLUSH! ARCADIA IS DOWN!
BUT GRAVEDIGGER IS UP!
ODE TO TOMBSTONE! THE FALLING CHOKESLAM RATTLES WOLF FANG AYAME!
ONE…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They threw bombs at one another, but Gravedigger has emerged the victor.
MATT RUBY: That was insane, BB.
You Did What?
Backstage, Jasper Redgrave stands alone with his thoughts when the footsteps come—measured, heavy, purposeful.
Ezekiel Graves steps into frame, with Lucius just behind, silent and sharp-eyed.
“You extended an offer to the Nero?” Graves wastes no time.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh boy, I knew the Reverend wouldn’t be happy about that.
MATT RUBY: Would you be?
Jasper doesn’t turn. “You’re welcome.”
“You invited a thief into the fold. A liar. A desecrator.” Graves closes the distance. “Do you even know what that gauntlet is capable of?”
Redgrave tilts his head. “Capable of upsetting you, clearly.”
Graves scowls. “The Lord does not suffer corruption. Nor will I.”
Jasper turns now, eyes cold. “You think this is about corruption? It's about leverage. Nero is a weapon. You can either chase him until he slits your throat in the dark… or hand him a target and aim.”
Graves takes a step closer. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?”
Redgrave smirks. “Sadly, I haven’t read your little book. So your threats are lost on me.”
Shaking his head, Graves takes a different approach.
“Stay away from Jackson Cade this week,” he begins. “Whatever you plan to do at Pandemonium is your business, but the Lord’s business is for me to deliver the World Championship from Cade’s evil.”
Redgrave pauses, but nods.
“As long as you realize my business is to pick up the pieces of my Little Eagle and rip his heart out. Good luck, Zeke.” Redgrave adds sarcastically.
After a tense moment, Graves turns to leave, voice low and certain. “I’ll pray for your judgment.”
He storms off. Lucius lingers.
MATT RUBY: I wish the Reverend would listen to reason.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Has that ever been his thing?
Redgrave looks him over. “Does he really believe all that scripture? His God, his wrath, his war?”
Lucius doesn’t blink. “He believes in the Lord more than you believe in whatever shaky foundation you’re standing on.”
Redgrave’s smile fades, just slightly, as Lucius follows Graves into the dark.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A rollaway ambulance, Anton Savor, and El Dragon Caido! All three ingredients for what's sure to be a brutal match!
MATT RUBY: I'm thinking we'll be getting Dragon Ala mode.
CREME BRULEE! SUPERKICK TO THE JAW BY SAVOR!
Anton grabs Caido and sends him straight to ringside! He hauls El Veterano up only to catch a chop to the chest! Caido grabs an arm and runs up the barricade before arm dragging Savor into the ambulance doors!
Caido flings the doors open but Savor jumps him from behind!
MATT RUBY: Hahaha! Savor's choking him out with medical tubing!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BY GOD HE'S GONNA KILL HIM!
The Chef flings Dragon head first into the side of the ambulance! He leaps onto the back and drags Caido inside with all his strength! Caido struggles against the tubing!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ELBOW TO THE RIBS GETS SAVOR OFF! HURRICANRANA TO SAVOR!
MATT RUBY: HE FLUNG HIM INTO THE GURNEY!
Dragon leaps onto Savor and pounds away with lefts and rights! The Chef reaches out for anything to help himself!
AND HE PLANTS A NEEDLE INTO EL DRAGON CAIDO'S SIDE!
Anton kicks the luchador off of himself and goes to bury the syringe again only for Caido to duck and slam Savor face first off of a cabinet! The Chef stumbles towards the door as Caido grabs for him!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WING BREAKER!- NO! SAVOR SCOOPS HIM UP! THE FINAL COURSE! GTS TO CAIDO!
MATT RUBY: YES! SAVOR LEAPS OUT OF THE AMBULANCE AND SLAMS BOTH DOORS SHUT! HE'S JUST PUT THAT OLD MAN AWAY!
Smoke in The Bones
Previously Recorded
It’s quiet. Eerily quiet. The kind of calm that makes your skin crawl.
El Mariachi Muerte stalks through the corridor, head low, fingers brushing the cold stone walls. He’s back on his feet, upright, voice steady, breath even. Bruises still mark him, but he’s moving like a man who’s got no time for pain.
Then a noise. Sharp. Behind him. A shout rips through the silence and then another much closer now.
Muerte freezes.
A low, menacing hiss slithers through the air. Thick. Heavy. Like something’s about to burst.
And then it does.
Green gas pours through the cracks in the temple walls, flooding the hallway in seconds. It’s everywhere—choking, burning. Muerte slaps a hand over his mouth as the sting claws at his throat.
He bolts, legs pumping, toward the courtyard. Disciples are already dropping around him—coughing, gagging, some crawling on their hands and knees, others sprawled out, still as death.
He bursts into the open air, and it’s hell.
The courtyard’s a madhouse. Panic everywhere. People sprint in all directions, screaming, tripping over each other. Thick smoke rolls across the ground, alive, swallowing everything in its path. Muerte’s voice cuts through the chaos, raw and with anger .
“What the hell is this?!”
The Dragon Princess Ayame stumbles toward him, blood streaking her mask, dragging a limp figure by the arm. Her eyes are wild, but her voice is steady.
“It’s Chemical X they found us.”
Caído’s next, emerging from the haze. His words are sharp and urgent.
“It’s their gas. Laced with something. We can’t stay the Temple has fallen.”
Muerte scans the courtyard. The temple’s drowning in smoke, in screams, in death.
He nods. No words. No arguments.
The three of them Muerte, Ayame and Caído turn and vanish into the choking green fog, escaping together.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a big time trios matchup here tonight folks and an intriguing one at that. Hated rivals Nobody and Hera forced to work together here as the Artist also continues trying to manipulate Nero into joining the Preservationists.
MATT RUBY: Hey, he's just offering the pervert a choice to stop being a creep and join the good guys. Any smart man would take that offer in a second.
The bell sounds with Grimskull and Nero starting off for their teams. Conquest rushes forward for a clothesline that Nero manages to duck underneath before rushing to the ropes, leaping off
PACKET...HEADBUTT! Grimskull nails Nero out of mid-air with that brutal loaded skull of his. Conquest sneers, pulling the groggy Nero up as he drags him towards the corner and tags in Narcissa.
Grimskull throws Nero into the corner as Hera begins stomping a mudhole dry into the Cyberhound before backing up and delivering a hard basement dropkick heels first to the face. Hera throws him out of the corner, backing up as she looks for the final blow.
MATT RUBY: Our queen looking to make this peasant bow. Here it comes BB...
BOW TO THE...NO! Nero ducks as Narcissa flies over him. Hera turns around, rushing at Nero
STANDING SPANISH FLY! Nero slams Narcissa into the mat out of nowhere, both competitors down as Nero staggers up to his feet and managing to tag in Tombstone.
The Ferryman rushes in as Narcissa stands up groggily right into a throat thrust, a second staggers her back but she manages to block the final knock before kicking him hard in the jaw. Hera rushes to the ropes
BUT YOU CAN'T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN! Bossman Slam nearly drives Narcissa through the canvas as Tombstone lifts up the hand, signaling for the end.
Narcissa staggers up but she manages to avoid the goozle, kicking Tombstone low before she leaps forward for the tag
GRIMSKULL IS PULLED OFF THE APRON BY NERO!
Narcissa looks around, shaking her head before reaching for Attano
MATT RUBY: Yes! Come on Nobody, come in and win this for the Preservationists you beautiful man.
Attano tags in, shaking his head as he walks through the ropes
HEADSHOT TO NARCISSA!
MATT RUBY: YOU JUDAS PRICK ATTANO!
Nobody tags back out to Narcissa, throwing her into the ring before stepping off the apron as Tombstone reaches down
GOOZLE! HE HOISTS HER UP HIGH INTO THE AIR
AS THE BELLS TOLL FOR HERA! Brutal Chokeslam nearly sends her through the mat as Tombstone covers, Moonfoot sliding in to count
ONE
..............
TWO
.............
.................
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: That bastard Attano just cost the Preservationists the match, he's going to regret that very soon BB, mark my words.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It was only a matter of time Ruby, Nobody hates the Preservationists more then Harold Attano and one loss is worth it to stick it to them. t
Run To The Hills
Previously Recorded...
Drewitt stands in the shadows near the entrance of the Temple of Bones, having tracked El Mariachi Muerte to this precise location. The Preservationists have long since ran into the sanctuary and attacked those inside.
As we watch the Pilgrim keep a lookout for any escapees, we notice that he spots a person heading for the entrance. Not a fellow Preservationist, but someone who has been on his mind since last month.
Gemini.
She walks toward the temple, unaware of the danger that lies in wait for her within. Just as she nears the doorway, Drewitt grabs her shoulder and spins her towards him, breaking his cover and scaring her witless.
"Don't scream," he says, lifting a finger close to her mouth. "You need to run. Chemical X are in there, and they've got the whole place covered in gas looking for Muerte."
Gemini looks at her adversary with a mix of fear and confusion. Despite her uncertain feelings about his warning, she musters up the courage to ask a simple question.
"Where to?"
"Anywhere but here," he says quietly. "Now go on, get!" He pulls her away from the temple's entrance before leading her out of the level. They only manage to get a few steps in before the Rogue pushes the Explorer's hand off of her and she turns to face him, moving backwards as she does.
"Why are you helping me!?" She snaps at him. "You're a Preservationist! How am I supposed to believe that you aren't luring me to a trap of some kind!?"
Drewitt remains silent, averting his gaze from Gemini as he silently shoos her away. She absorbs the quiet message for a moment before sprinting out of the level.
As the former horseman of War proceeds to walk back to his post, we spot a figure cloaked in even darker shadows who had watched the whole discussion take place.
Grimskull.
Cut.
Fractures & Steel
The show returned from commercial to a sight already in progress—Felix Foley stood at the center of the ring beneath a single spotlight, a microphone in hand. Flanking him on either side stood Captain Arcadia, Destructo, and Hatchet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Welcome back to the ring, folks. We've been joined by the Seekers. Foley has something to say.
MATT RUBY: Put your earplugs in now.
The crowd rumbled with anticipation, sensing something big. Something volatile.
Foley brought the mic to his lips, his tone calm but laced with gravity.
“Tonight,” he said, scanning the crowd, “Hatchet and I go toe-to-toe with a team that should never exist. Destructo and Nox.” The crowd jeered at Nox’s name. Foley nodded. “I know how hard that match will be for Destructo. I know what it means to stand beside the man who murdered your family. And I also know…”
He paused, looking sideways at his volatile teammate.
“...you’ll still give it everything you’ve got. Because that’s who you are.”
Before Destructo could react, Hatchet snatched the mic from Foley’s hand.
“Let’s not fuckin' sugarcoat this shit.” His voice was hard, impatient. He jabbed a finger toward Destructo. “I still don’t trust you, boy. You think one handshake and a sob story’s gonna erase the past? Save it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: These guys have to get on the same page.
MATT RUBY: Don't be stupid, Bronc. Look at em, they're a mess.
Foley rolled his eyes, reaching for the mic—only to be beaten to the punch by Captain Arcadia stepping forward.
“I do trust him,” Arcadia said, taking the microphone instead. The crowd quieted. “I’ve fought wars against this man. I've seen him bleed for people who never thanked him, just like I have. Destructo’s not heartless. He’s just been…” he searched for the word, “...broken.”
Destructo’s head snapped to him.
“Broken?” he hissed. He ripped the mic from Arcadia’s hand, fire in his eyes. “What the fuck does that mean, Arcadia? You think I’m some shattered toy?”
The crowd buzzed, the tension crackling like static.
“Nox killed my mother. Killed my father.” His voice shook with rage. “But Doom tried to kill Foley—his best friend. Nox too. Nox tried to kill you, Hatchet. And Sunshine and Savor did everything they could to maim you, Arcadia.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hooo boy.
MATT RUBY: He's right, they're all pathetic.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't think that's what he's saying at all!
He looked around at them all, his chest rising and falling.
“So don’t you dare act like I’m some special case. I’m no more broken than any of you. And tonight? I’ll prove it. At Lambs to the Slaughter? I’ll prove it again.”
Before anyone could respond—
CRACK!
A steel chair exploded across Foley’s back.
Mister Sunshine.
Another chair slammed into Arcadia’s spine—
Klaus Way.
From behind, the Preservationist pair had ambushed the ring.
Hatchet turned—only to get dropped by a thunderous chair shot to the head.
Destructo charged—BANG. One chair to the gut, another across the back. He crumpled.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: OH MY GOD! SUNSHINE AND WAY HAVE TAKEN THEM ALL OUT!
MATT RUBY: SCORE ONE FOR THE PRESERVATIONISTS BB!
Sunshine and Klaus stood tall over the wreckage, steel chairs in hand, grinning like madmen.
The crowd rained down boos, the chaos echoing around the arena as the Seekers lay motionless in the ring.
War had come early. And this time, it came with steel. Their squabbling nothing but a precursor to their destruction here tonight. Could this be a sight of things to come?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: If these guys can't get on the same page when the stakes are as high as they are now, how can they ever?
MATT RUBY: Up next, Perseus has flown too close to the sun on his wax wing by taking on Drewitt in a Street Fight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You’re thinking of the story of Icarus, Matt, and truly mixing metaphors. However, I will say this has all the makings to be one of the most violent matches in OSW’s recent memory.
Referee Mills Stanton calls for the bell as both Drewitt and Cade duck out of the ring, both men retrieving a steel chair. Both men rush each other on the far side of the ring.
*CLANG!*
*CLANG!*
*CLANG!*
MATT RUBY: Dueling chair shots, fighting back and forth!
*BAM!*
DREWITT DRIVES HIS CHAIR INTO THE GUT OF CADE, DOUBLING THE OFFICER OVER!
*KER-RAK!*
DREWITT SLAMS THE POINT OF THE TOP OF THE CHAIR INTO CADE’S SPINE, LEVELING HIM FACE FIRST ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING!
Drewitt grabs Cade by the seat of his pants with one hand and slings the suffering Officer into the ring, following behind him as Jackson rolls to the center and struggles to his feet...
DESOLATION!
CLAYMORE FUCKING KICK IS ABSOLUTELY FUCKING DODGED AS CADE REDIRECTS HIMSELF CAUSING DREWITT TO WHIFF ON THE KICK!
As Drewitt struggles to his feet...
THE RIGHT THING!
DREWITT ON HIS KNEES, GETTING BACK TO HIS FEET WHEN CADE HOOKS BOTH HIS ARMS AND DELIVERING A SINTILATING PEDIGREE! ROLLING THE EXPLORER OVER AND HOOKING BOTH LEGS AS STANTON COUNTS!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I wonder if Grimskull is going to read anything into this loss to Jackson Cade?
MATT RUBY: Don’t try to create dissension where there is none, BB.
Sermon In The Ring, I
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hell of a match that was!
Jackson Cade stands alone, catching his breath.
MATT RUBY: Why is this idiot still out here?
Then the lights shift as Ezekiel Graves appears on the ramp.
He doesn’t come alone. Lucius walks beside him, flanked by a plethora of others.
They surround the ring like pallbearers.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There’s no running here for Jackson Cade.
Graves nods and the followers are on Cade in seconds. Blows land fast and heavy, no room to breathe.
The Harbinger enters himself, watching. Waiting.
FINAL JUDGMENT TO CADE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is a mugging!
Graves kneels beside him, being handed a microphone by Lucius.
“Blessed are the pure in faith, for they do not waver in the face of heathens…”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’ve heard this one before.
MATT RUBY: Umm… yeah, me too. Definitely have read the Bible cover to cover.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don’t make me tell the Reverend.
“Blessed are the righteous,” Graves continues, “for their hands do not tremble when punishment must be delivered.”
He places a hand over Cade’s heart.
“Blessed are the chosen… for theirs is the kingdom that rises when false thrones fall.”
Graves stands tall, the microphone dropping from his hand with a thud. He nods to Lucius, before looking with disgust down at the World Champion. Lucius hands the World Championship to Graves, who lays it on the body of Jackson Cade.
He walks up the ramp, followers in tow.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That wasn’t all of the Sermon on the Mount, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Right.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves isn’t done tonight, is he?
You Should've Lied
Previously Recorded
The air’s thick, heavy with the stench of smoke and blood.
Nox prowls through the wreckage, green mist still twisting along the cracked stone floor. The temple’s dead quiet now. Nothing left but echoes of screams and the ghosts of what went down.
Eclipse trails him, moving slow, deliberate. Her nails rake the walls as she passes, a slow, a grating scratch that cuts through the silence. She’s listening, hunting.
They stop at a door—charred, barely hanging on, trembling like it’s got a pulse. Barricaded, but not for long. Nox eyes it, voice low, almost a growl.
“If they had half a brain, they bolted through here.”
He slams his boot into the wood. It explodes inward, splinters flying. In the corner of the room, an elder cowers, shaking, coughing up the last of the gas in his lungs. He won’t even look up. Nox steps closer, looming.
“Where’d they go?”
The elder stays mute, eyes glued to the floor. Eclipse glides in, crouching in front of him. Her voice is soft, too soft, like a blade wrapped in silk.
“We know Caído and Muerte got out. What we don’t know… is who’s with ‘em.”
Silence. The elder’s frozen, lips trembling.
Her nails trace down his arm. Slow. Light. Then they dig in, dragging deeper, tearing skin. The elder screams, voice breaking.
“Ayame! They’re with Ayame!”
Nox steps back, a grin creeping under his mask.
“Well, damn. Didn’t see that coming.”
Eclipse doesn’t move. Her eyes flicker, something dark and jagged sparking behind them. The calm mask she wears cracks—just for a second—and the rage underneath burns through.
She stares at the elder, breathing hard, chest rising and falling. Her voice drops, barely a whisper, but it’s laced with venom.
“You should’ve lied.”
SNAP.
His neck twists, clean and brutal. He slumps, lifeless.
The room goes still. Nothing but the wind howling through the shattered remains of what used to be sacred.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tornado Tag action here tonight as Destructo and Nox take on Hatchet and Foley.
MATT RUBY: Destructo just joined forces with the Seekers, and now finds himself squaring off against them… with the man who killed his father. That’s not going to be awkward at all.
Both Hatchet and Foley square off on Nox to begin with, Destructo standing back and looking unsure about things.
WIG SPLIT FROM HATCHET! THE HEADBUTT SENDING NOX RIGHT INTO FOLEY’S ARMS!
BUMPED HIS HEAD!
THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER DRILLS NOX!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nox has been decimated by the Seekers, he’s got no help out there.
MATT RUBY: This could be over before it’s begun. Foley is going for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT FROM NOX!
Hatchet looks from Nox to Destructo, stepping towards him. Destructo comes at him and the pair lock horns.
Bronco Blackwood: They may be on the same side, but Destructo still wants to win.
Matt Ruby: He’s not about to roll over for the greater good, maybe there’s hope for him yet!
Destructo gets the advantage, whipping Hatchet to the ropes. Hatchet holds on, stopping his momentum but Destructo follows him at a rate of knotts.
SEE NO EVIL!
HE NAILS HATCHET WITH THE SHINING WIZARD!
THE FALL GUY!
FOLEY HITS DESTRUCTO WITH A FALLAWAY SLAM!
Foley picks Destructo up to his feet and pushes him into the corner, setting him up in the tree of woe. He pulls Hatchet to his feet as well and the pair line him up…
DOUBLE FELIX FOLEY’S FUNHOUSE TO DESTRUCTO!
DOUBLE DROPKICKS! DOUBLE TREE OF WOE!
But behind them, Nox has risen.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They’re focusing their attention on Destructo, but here comes Nox.
MATT RUBY: Never turn your back on Nox!
NOX OUT TO HATCHET!
THE REVERSE FULL NELSON BOMB!
FOLEY TURNS AND LOCKS HORNS WITH NOX!
CUT THE STRINGS!
FOLEY HIT THE DOUBLE ARMED DDT ON NOX!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nox tried to take matters into his own hands but the numbers proved too much tonight!
Salty
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Many have fallen on hard times in this war. But business at Elysium has never been better. The safety of siding with Zeus, his protection, means that a steady flow of patrons fill Anton Savor’s restaurant.
MATT RUBY: But tonight, that steady flow is heading for the doors. Disgruntled patrons, the hoity-toity of Arcadia, up in arms over the food quality.
“Disgusting. Who could eat this tripe?”
We find Anton Savor facing the angry crowd.
“Whatever is the problem? This food is perfection.”
“This soup has so much salt, I can feel it dehydrating my insides.”
Savor bites his tongue, but turns towards the kitchen.
“Please stay, have a complimentary meal. I will get to the bottom of this.”
He bursts into the kitchen, unleashing warfare on his staff.
“Who the hell is cooking this shite?” The kitchen grinds to a halt as Savor begins throwing half-cooked meals to the floor. “Who the fuck doesn’t know how to season a simple soup?”
Defensive voices sound from all corners of the kitchen, but one figure steps forward from the shadows, chuckling to himself.
“What’s wrong, chef? Looking a little… salty.” Harold Attano stands before him, a ladle filled with salt in one hand and a rather large kitchen knife in the other.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Harold Attano? He's been salting Savor's soup?
"You’ve been salty for long enough, it’s a shame that it’s now rubbing off on your customers. I don’t think they’ll be back.”
“You fucking prick. How dare you show your face around here. I’ll fucking end you.”
Savor doesn’t back down, even as Attano flicks the ladle of salt in his face. Nobody readies the knife and comes at Savor. The knife catches Savor in the shoulder, but he disarms Attano with a punch to the face.
The pair lock horns and the kitchen empties. Savor pushes Nobody over to a bubbling vat of hot oil.
“You want to cook in my fucking kitchen? At Pandemonium, I’ll give you the chance. You and I in a Hells Kitchen match.” He grabs Attano by the hand, forcing it into the vat of oil, a scream erupting from Harold. “I’ll even put the Double Feature Championship on the line.”
Attano barges a laughing Savor off him, cradling his burned hand.
“You’re fucking on, Savor. I’m coming for you.”
MATT RUBY: Things are really going to heat up at Pandemonium!
Cut.
Run For Your Lives
Deep within the Groves, we find the trio of Caido, Ayame, and Muerte sitting underneath an old tree. Each of them are having a much needed reprieve after fleeing from the assault on the Temple of Bones.
Despite finally being able to take it easy, the group remains on the lookout for anyone that comes their way, be it Seeker or Preservationist. Not a moment too soon, they spot someone making their way towards them.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It's Gemini! She made it to the Groves!
MATT RUBY: Just what I wanted to see, a Seeker still alive and kicking. At least this traitor has a nice ass to stare at.
"Amiga!" The Mariachi yells, rushing towards his muse with a smile. Both the Wolf and the Dragon push themselves up to their feet and follow EMM to meet her with the same expression on their faces.
"You have no idea how worried I was about you!" Muerte says with glee. "I'm so relieved to have you with us!"
"I'm glad you're alright as well," Gemini states, returning the smiles. "You got your voice back, too. It means you'll have your strength back in time for the Invitational."
MATT RUBY: Look BB! Behind those bushes! The Preservationists are here!
Chemical X, Grimskull, and Drewitt emerge from hiding behind some shrubbery not long after Gemini's arrival. Eclipse crosses her arms and shakes her head, annoyed at the situation.
"The numbers game was supposed to be on our side," she says, sighing. "We weren't expecting Gemini to be amongst them."
"I'll take care of it." Drewitt says before walking forward. He barely manages to get two steps forward before Nox places a hand on the Explorer's chest.
"No," the Chemist begins. "It'll have to wait until Pandemonium. Right now, retreat is the most necessary and most logical move here." The Pilgrim nods in response as he and Chemical X begin to walk out of sight.
Grimskull, meanwhile, looks between his fellow former horseman and Gemini before silently shaking his head. He follows after them a few seconds later.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a big fatal four way here tonight as four competitors look to gain a little last minute momentum before heading into the 11th annual Pandemonium but this isn't exactly going to be a fair fight here Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Three on one odds against the traiterous Night here but that's what you get for going against the Preservationists. You get what you damn deserve and the Night's going to get his tonight.
The bell sounds as the Night explodes out of the corner, sending Eclipse flying into the corner with a hard running dropkick. He rolls to his feet, just avoiding a running clothesline from Sunshine before leaping off the ropes
SPIKE TORNADO DDT!
Night rolls to his feet into a hard right by the Reverend but he manages to slip out of a Suplex attempt, grabbing him from behind and slamming him down into the mat with a Reverse DDT. The Enigma rolls through to his feet, sprinting and leaping onto the top before diving off with a sky high Moonsault to the back of Graves.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Night all over his three opponents thus far but how long can he keep this up before he's overwhelmed by sheer numbers?
The Night gets to his feet into a kick to the jaw by Eclipse as she tells the groggy Sunshine to grab him, the pair throwing him to the ropes but he manages to land on his feet from the double backdrop attempt, springboarding off the ropes and dropping them both with a double bulldog.
The crowd cheers as the Night is feeling it, turning around
INTO A MAMMOTH RUNNING LARIAT THAT TURNS HIM INSIDE OUT!
MATT RUBY: There it is BB, the kill shot that ends this little Enigma once and for all from the soon to be undisputed OSW World Champion.
Graves mounts Night for a moment, delivering hard lefts and rights that the glassy eyed Enigma can barely defend against as Demi Sky looks like she's close to calling for the bell but Eclipse throws her to the side. Graves gets off Night, the pair pulling him to his feet
RIGHT INTO A RIB SHATTERING RUNNING CROSSBODY BLOCK! The Night certainly caught all of that from Sunshine but the trio aren't done as they lift the dazed Night up onto his knees while Eclipse rushes to the ropes
LUNAR LANDING! RUNNING METEORA!
MATT RUBY: The guy might be getting his ass kicked but he's in my personal heaven right now BB.
Eclipse rolls off Night, Graves pulling up the dazed and barely standing Night, delivering a hard open palm slap before lifting him up high into the air, sprinting forward to the ropes
PURGATORY PLUNGE! HIGH ANGLE POWERBOMB OVER THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR BELOW!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE GODS HAVE MERCY THAT MAN IS BROKEN IN HALF! The Night may be dead but they can't win like this, it's not a handicap match.
As on que, while Graves is looking at his handiwork, Eclipse slips behind him before rolling him back down to the mat with a crucifix. Demi Sky sliding in to count
ONE
...............
Graves easily kicks out, fury in his eyes as he rolls up to his feet right into a hard kick to the jaw.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well that didn't last long.
MATT RUBY: Hey every person for themselves but at least this way the Preservationists win regardless.
Eclipse tees off on Graves with hard strikes but the Reverend doesn't take it lying down, teeing off on her with his own, more powerful blows. Eclipse manages to slip and dodge most but the few that do go through...they rock her. She manages to fight through the pain though, nailing Graves with a hard knee as he rocks her with a brutal elbow, both competitors staggering back before rushing forward
CATCH ME!
RUNNING CROSSBODY BY SUNSHINE TAKES THEM BOTH OUT!
Sunshine gets to his feet, smiling and waving to the vitriol of the crowd as he pulls Eclipse up to her feet
AND BEGINS SPINNING AND SPINNING!
GERMAN SUPLEX BY GRAVES TO SUNSHINE AS ECLIPSE GOES FLYING INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ZEUS IN CHRIST! Graves may have taken out both competitors there, Eclipse may well have broken her neck from that sickening impact.
MATT RUBY: Oh god my beautiful goddess, let daddy know you're safe.
Sunshine staggers up to his feet into a flurry of blows. Palm strikes, elbows, knees, Graves unleashing everything onto Sunshine before spinning around
HOLY...NOPE! Sunshine ducks underneath the Lariat before picking Graves up
AND BEGINS SPINNING HIM!
Sunshine rotates around and around before slamming Graves backwards
INTO THE DIZZY GAME! Sunshine drops backwards, looking to cover as Demi Sky slides in
CRIMSON TIDE! LIONSAULT BY ECLIPSE OUT OF NOWHERE ONTO BOTH MEN!
She kicks Sunshine away, covering Graves as Demi stays down, counting
ONE
................
TWO
....................
GRAVES GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Eclipse rolls to her feet, a little groggy but she rushes to the ropes, springboarding off
MOONSAULT...NO! Graves catches her on his shoulders, spinning around before nearly driving her through the mat with a hard powerslam. He turns into a hard headbutt from Sunshine who rushes to the ropes, bouncing off.
GRAVES CATCHES HIM! Another crossbody attempt is thwarted as the Reverend catches him mid-leap, driving him down over his knee with a hard backbreaker, following up with a second before lifting him up high.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: PURGATORY PLUNGE! The #1 contender nearly drives him through the ring with that Powerbomb, it has to be it there as Graves covers.
ONE
..............
.................
TWO
...................
.......................
DARKNESS FALLS! SEANTON BOMB OUT OF NOWHERE!
MATT RUBY: How is he standing? The Night should be dead from before.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Vengeance never dies and neither does the Night apparently.
Graves holds his back in pain, staggering up into a flurry of blows from the Night but he manages to catch a kick, throwing the Enigma backwards. Ezekiel tries for a Lariat but the Night ducks underneath, leaping off the ropes
NIGHT CAP! Hard shoulder tackle sends Graves stumbling through the ropes to the outside. He turns around into a hard elbow to the back of the head as Sunshine grips him in the Full Nelson,
WELCOME...NO! The Night slips out, rushing to the ropes as he leaps off
NIGHT..JOYFUL EMBRACE!
Sunshine nearly breaks the Night in half with a brutal Spear, lifting him up into the Full Nelson once more
AND WELCOMING HIM TO THE SUNSHINE CLUB! The Flapjack slams the Enigma into the mat, Sunshine hooking both legs for the cover as Demi Sky slides in to count
ONE
.............
TWO
............
..................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Huge victory for Mr Sunshine here, he gains a massive amount of momentum heading into Lambs and who knows? You may well be looking at the winner of the 11th Lambs of the Slaughter right there.
Sermon In The Ring, II
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That main event was exactly what we expected, wasn’t it?
MATT RUBY: Oh yeah, BB. It was…
Ezekiel Graves stands alone in the center of the ring, a spotlight shining down on him.
MATT RUBY: Zip it, the Reverend is going to speak.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s got a sermon to finish.
“And blessed are the wrathful,” Graves says, voice steady, cold, resolute, “for they shall be the hand that strikes down the wicked—”
"For the Glory" by All Good Things hits.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade doesn’t give a damn about his sermon!
Cade hits the ring fast.
HOSTILE DOWN!
NO!
GRAVES SIDESTEPS!
FINAL JUDGMENT TO CADE!
Graves circles over the Champ.
“—for theirs is the blade of judgment, and their mercy—”
The lights cut.
MATT RUBY: What now!?
A flicker. A pulse of red.
FIREWALL!
NERO APPEARS OUT OF NOWHERE, NAILING GRAVES WITH A HARSH SUPERKICK!
The crowd erupts as Graves rolls to the outside, eyes burning as he backs up the ramp.
In the ring, Nero turns to the fallen Cade, whose hand he slapped away last week.
Cade groans, struggling to sit up.
They lock eyes.
For a moment, nothing moves.
Then Nero extends a hand.
Cade takes it as the crowd explodes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nero has made his choice. The Red Reboot has joined the Seekers!
MATT RUBY: What an idiot!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Next week at Pandemonium, Jackson Cade will defend the World Championship against Ezekiel Graves!
MATT RUBY: And the Lambs will be led to slaughter!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Yes they will be, twenty will enter and one will survive to face the winner of the World Championship match at Ring of Dreams!
Static.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as we fade to black.