I AM THE TERROR
OUTSIDE THE ARENA
“Red River Jack, you’re being arrested on suspicion of terrorism,” [one of the officers says, placing him in handcuffs.] “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, but if you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you.”
[Red doesn’t speak, he simply laughs.]“You think this is funny, huh?”
“Don’t you, man?” [Jack responds spitting his cigarette out.] “Do I look like a terrorist? Look at me, man. Look at me. I’m not one of these sheep, following orders like some kind of puppet. I’m not a terrorist, I am the terror.”
[They grab him by the back of the neck and toss him violently into the back of one of their trucks. Before they can shut the door, Jack hisses at them.]“You can’t keep me locked down forever, man. The world will know the truth about your lies and deceit. They will wake up.”
[The door is abruptly slammed shut, cutting him off.] [The camera pans out as the officers get back into their trucks and drive off into the night. A plume of smoke fills our screen until we zoom out and spin around, showing Hannibal Corvin standing nearby, having watched it all.] [And yet one truck remains behind.]HANNIBAL CORVIN VS. CASANOVA ENGLISH VS. HDG
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
FOOD CHAIN
BACKSTAGE
“So the sheep has teeth does he?”
[He pauses, showing the bandages the cover his collarbone before tearing them off, letting the crowd see the bite marks.]“He may have drawn blood, but he hasn’t wounded me. He’s the sheep in the flock and I am the wolf looking to pounce on my meal. I’m the top of the food chain here.”
[As Manson chuckles again, that familiar red mist rolls into ringside. Manson leans to the ropes, scoping out the mist, looking back and forth for what’s causing it.] [Then he shows himself.] [Shark leaps from the mist right into the ring!] [Manson is knocked back by Shark, the beast swinging and biting at Manson, forcing him backwards with a flurry of blows. Manson backs to a corner as Shark picks up the dropped microphone, bringing it to his lips as he stares down David.]“Top of the food chain? Top. Of. My. Food. Chain? You’re severely mistaken Manson. I was molded by this primal instinct, you simply tried to usurp my throne.”
[Shark crawls towards David, his teeth bared, biting at the air.]“This world is eat or be eaten, David. And I’m starving.”
[A referee enters the ring, forcing Shark to a corner as the match gets underway!]THE SHARK VS. DAVID MANSON
SINGLES MATCH
BLURRY VISION
BACKSTAGE
“Where is SHE?!”
[The near shriek-like sound of Smiley’s voice screeches through the corridors of The Tap Room as any backstage hands are trying their best to avoid The Deranged One. Smiley drags the edge of his crowbar along the walls as his fierce gaze is darting left and right. He finally rounds a corner and spots a familiar head of red-hair.]“You. YOU DID THIS!”
[Stephanie Rose turns around just in time to see The Deranged One making a beeline towards her. He swings for the fences!] [THUHM!] [His crowbar smashes into the water-cooler that Stephanie was getting a drink from. His crowbar manages to get lodged in the thick plastic as water begins to trickle out, yet the crowbar is lodged. Smiley tries to yank it back out, but Stephanie takes advantage. She drills him with a dropkick that smashes him into the wall!] [She grabs him by the hair and holds up his face as his scarred face just turns into a horrific grin.]“I did this?! You pursued me! I didn’t ask for your ‘protection!’ I didn’t ask for the end of your tag team! I didn’t ask for ANY of this!”
[A laugh begins to bubble to the surface as Smiley’s eyes open wide.]“You were supposed to be perfect, my little Rose. Now…”
[PSSSSSHHHHT!] [In the hand of Smiley is mace! He just sprayed Stephanie right in the eyes! She staggers backwards into the opposite wall of the hallway as Smiley pulls himself to his feet as well. Tears are now running down his face as the entire hallway has been doused in this putrid toxin. Stephanie tries to feel her way down the hallway as Smiley is reaching out for her.]“Wasn’t your fault?!”
[His voice is near breaking from pain from the mace and the sheer anger.]“It was YOU who needed saving from Nevermore!”
[He reaches the opposite wall as he’s only a few feet away from her.]“It was YOU who caused this rift in the 2016 Tag Team of the Year!”
[He reaches out as his fingers interweave into her hair. She cries out in surprise.]“It IS YOU who will pay for your transgressions in blood, my little Rose.”
[CRACK!] [The crowbar is brought back into focus as it smashes into the side of Smiley’s head. The wielder comes into picture showing the first glimpse of the third participant in this contest.] [Smiley slumps to the floor as Doubt slowly grabs Stephanie by the hand. She recoils momentarily, but Doubt slowly pulls her to her feet.]“I told you that I’m here to protect you – not harm.”
[They begin to walk away from the mace, although Doubt seems to be undeterred by the effects of it. As they leave the picture only Smiley is shown clutching his head with a grin on his face and his blood-red eyes piercing through the haze.]“No one takes MY brother.”
THUNK VS. CHASE HERO
SINGLES MATCH
THE THIRD DEGREE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Now, you two do what have to get that fuckin’ rotting sandworm to talk! Get it on tape. Make him say everything, verbatim.”
[From behind double-sided glass, Frank Harrison orders his men. His voice, pulsating under their earpieces.]“You dipshits have got the script, right?” [They nod] “Good. I paid a lot for that…. After he reads it, and we release it, him and that Ali Baba-lookin’ bastard are dead-fuckin’meat!”
“As for Greer…..”
[He finishes his muffled diatribe; The Agents crack their knuckles. The Elder hasn’t moved. He hasn’t fought back. In fact, he’s smiling.]“Are you gentleman are going to interrogate me?”
“Oh, you’ll talk.” [Charles says]
“Ah, I see. Well, what information would like? Is this about that mall?”
[He chuckles. Both Agents noticeably halt; everyone can hear Harrison yelling at them.]“Don’t try anything funny.” [Benson slips on some gloves] “It won’t work.”
“Very well. You’re obviously too smart for me…. After all, you did drug me. Tie me up. You got me here, and you did it all under Salah’s nose, right?“
[Suddenly Benson lands the first blow! Charles follows, both men brutalizing The Elder! They wail away without remorse! One rams him into the table; the other chokes him! They demand he reads!]“That’s it…. That’s its……. Break his fuckin’ spirit! But don’t kill him….. Make sure he says Greer’s a sleeper agent. That he’s recruiting for ISIL or Asshole or whatever! Just make him fuckin’ read it!“
[Blood and bruises are plastered all over The Elder. He’s pinned down……]“FINE. I’ll do it.” [He screams in Arabic, writhing in agony! Charles broke a finger!] “RAHMA!!“
[A moment passes….. Exhausted, frail and wounded, The Elder swallows his pride.]“Please. You win.” [He glances up] “Are you rolling?” [The Agents nod, Frank audibly yelling]
“Good.”
“Greetings, America.” [His voice is cracking] “….. You don’t know me, but I am your country’s greatest threat. My men have infected your culture, permeated your businesses, and impregnated the hearts of your children with the message of Almighty Prophet Muhammed….”
[Everyone listens.]“Regretfully, I am here to tell you tonight, you beat me.” [He smiles] “But you’ve won………. nothing.”
“The fuck kind of script is that?!?”
[Suddenly Maaz Azim Salah breaks down the door! The Agents freeze; Harrison’s even speechless.]“الموت للكفار“
[Salah quickly punches out the light! The scene ends almost just as it began…..]
DOCTOR PANAX VS. THE HORROR
RECORDED EARLIER
“Can you hear me, Doctor?”
[The very disturbed voice of The Horror echoes throughout the Tap Room as the tron flashes to static. That static soon goes away, revealing a darkened and dirty warehouse. He’s sat on three barrels of what looks like toxic liquid. You can hear it bubbling, squelching and squeaking.]“Do you know what it feels like to be helpless? To be locked in a cage like some kind of animal. Do you know what it feels like to be told when to eat and medicated to sleep? Do you know what it feels like to be docile, by force?”
[Suddenly, The Horror drops off the barrels, pulling the lids off. He exits the frame and comes back, dragging a man that kicks and screams at him.]“Let me go, please, I’ve done nothing to you. What about my kids? They need their father!”
[The Horror slams him against the vat, watching as liquid spews up and catches the man on his face. It immediately starts to burn, and his screams send shivers down people’s spines. He’s in agony, writhing, clawing at his face but that just makes it worse. Flesh starts peeling away in his very own hands.]“Do you remember David?” [The Horror asks, looking at the man he’s held captive.] “David was the orderly you paid to medicate me, Spencer.”
[Back inside the Tap Room, Doctor Panax stands looking at the tron in horror. He doesn’t know what to do or what to say, he simply stands, his mouth agape.]“And I know, I just know you expected me to be there tonight. You expected to have your chance at medicating me, at putting this beast back inside his cage. I know that’s what you wanted. I know that’s why you’re there.”
[He bends down slightly, grabbing David and hoisting him up into the air. Panax immediately jolts inside the ring, placing a hand out in front of him, begging the footage to stop.]“You did this.”
“Please, argh,” [David begs through breathless weeping.] “Doctor, please save me.”
“Even a Doctor can’t help you now.”
[The Horror tosses him overhead into the vat, a massive splash of liquid shooting into the air as he does. He walks away, leaving us with the vile and disturbing sounds of David screaming until silence. Until the acid was swallowed and ate away his ability to scream and cry.] [Until nothing but bubbling.]THE APPREHENSION OF MIKE LANE
BACKSTAGE
“We picked up Jack, but our job is not done, people,” [he yells to the men and women in police uniform that follow from behind.] “I want you to rip this place apart, room by room, office by office, until you find Mike Lane.”
[The officers disperse in all directions, duty bound to hunt down The Shadow.] [The Agent cockily walks down the hall, carefully looking left and right before entering the boiler room. He carefully walks into the darkness, seeing it gently illuminated before him by a single light. It’s Hysteria.]“What’s the matter? You look a little nervous,” [Hysteria notices.] [He checks his surroundings.] “You said if I gave you Lane, you’d let my family go. I gave you Lane. I handed him to you at The Asylum and this black eye is all I have to show for it. Now tell me, where the fuck are my wife and daughters?”
“Daughters,” [Hysteria muses.] “I used to have those. It’s a shame, you know? It doesn’t matter how many times you close your eyes, bang your head against the wall or slip into unconsciousness, you can never stop hearing them scream.”
[Gulp. The agent’s attitude quickly changes.]“Please, I’ve done what you asked,” [he pleads.] “Just give them back to me. I’ll make sure that Mike Lane is apprehended and never makes it to your match.”
“That’s your job, Agent Dufrene. If I’m not holding two of these,” [he says holding up the Showcase Championship.] “By the end of the night, I’m going to burn your family alive and make you watch.”
[Tears begin to well up in his eyes.]“What’s the matter? You scared?”
[Hysteria laughs maniacally, flicking off his lighter and walking back into the darkness. Dufrene sucks it up, heads back towards the door and tries to put his game face on. He has to find Mike Lane tonight, or else his family dies.]MAS VS. FRANK HARRISON VS. CODY GREER
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
SURPRISE GIFT
BACKSTAGE
“Hero man wants to make friends” [Thunk laughs.] “The hunt is over.”
[As we follow the excited Thunk further into the room we notice what appears to be a folded piece of paper sitting on the box. The monster of man glances down at the paper in wonder before picking it up and unfolding it.]My dear Thunk,
Please accept this gift as a form of congratulations on your success in Old School Wrestling thus far. You truly are the master of the hunt.
Sincerely,
XXX
[Thunk’s face lights up even more and he allows the letter to fall to the floor without much thought; reaching down to grab the box and ripping off the lid.] [Suddenly, his expression sours. Thunk looks into the box as if nothing is there and in angst he lifts the box to his chest reaching in with his hand to dig through what appears to be a bundle of confetti.] [SSSSSSSS!] [In a split second, Thunk is driven back by a surprise strike from a black snake. He groans in both surprise and pain, dropping the box to the floor as he falls to the concrete himself.] [Confetti goes everywhere and when the box tips out slithers a cottonmouth. ] [Thunk thrashes in anger as he shakes off the bite, his face already beginning to swell with redness from the bite. And from our angle we see the bottom of the empty gift box.]But as you hunt the field, don’t miss the snake in the grass!
DOUBT VS. STEPHANIE ROSE (C) VS. SMILEY
DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE SHADOW HAVE THEIR KING
BACKSTAGE
“Alright, so no-one knows where he is?” [The Agent asks, looking around his men.] “No-one has seen him all night long? How can that be? He’s competing in the Main Event tonight.”
[Dufrene’s face is pale. His nerves are wrecked.]“I want each and every single one of you ringside for the Main Event. If he comes out, I want him arrested and taken to jail. Okay? He does not fight Hysteria tonight. He does not win that World Championship. We have to make sure that he’s in custody.”
[The officers begin walking towards the ring, Dufrene following in close proximity, though watching his back for the ‘just in case’.] [Meanwhile, watching from the Shadows, a figure peers out.]“Sometimes, you ought to be careful what you wish for,” [the voice of Mike Lane rattles in the shadows.] “Because sometimes, you might just get it.”
[The Shadow King leans back into the darkness and before we can follow, he’s gone; vanished. The camera steps back, watching as the officers head in the opposite direction, leaving us to wonder if Mike Lane is really going to head out there to the ring tonight, knowing he’s a wanted man. Does this mean that Hysteria will win the Championship by default?]JON DAVENPORT VS. TOMMY HAWK
SINGLES MATCH
PRECIOUS, BUT PROTECTED
RINGSIDE
“You absolute savage,” [A voice suddenly calls out.] [Hawk looks around the arena, but he can’t see where it’s coming from.] [WHACK!] [STAMP OF APPROVAL!] [From behind, Frank Harrison clobbers him with a giant kick to the face as he turns around, knocking him to the canvas in one fell swoop. With a microphone in his hand, the vicious sound echoes throughout the arena.] [But the fans, they simply don’t understand.]
“Finally, you have proven to the world that your people cannot be trusted. Do you know how long I’ve been pulling the strings on this particular puppet,” [Harrison says, abruptly kicking Davenport aside.] “For months, Thomas. And do you know why?” [He says with that Politician Smile™.] “Because your land is precious, my dear boy. Precious, but protected.”
[He kneels down next to Hawk.]“I needed to prove that your tribe were violent and vicious animals. I needed to prove that you cannot govern yourselves, or police your land. I needed to prove that Chief Thomas Hawk, was a menace to society. Jon Davenport here, had my full support to rip apart your entire life. I gave him the mercenaries. I gave him the money and the weaponry.”
[Tommy tries to reach out, but Harrison gets up and stomps at his head, viciously stamping him into the canvas.] [Then he straightens out his tie.] “Because you see Thomas, if I could prove all of that then I could force you people from your land; land that I wished to purchase. If I could prove all of that, your land would no longer be protected. I have friends in high places that made sure of it. So, thank you, dear boy,” [That Politician Smile™ returns.] “Thank you.” [Harrison throws the microphone down and grins, being booed as he does. He simply chuckles, exiting the ring, leaving Hawk there to suffer the consequences of everything he’s been through.] [Jesus Christ, who saw this coming?]THE RETURN OF MIKE LANE
RINGSIDE
“Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face and stars fill my dream. I’m a traveller of both time and space, to be where I have been.”
[Just then, Smiley eats a face full of Shadowkick that sends him tumbling backwards over the barricade. The Shark quickly tries to attack but Mike Lane appears with a steel chair, laying waste to him with a violent shot to the skull. Hysteria points and yells, shouting at the entrance ramp.]“Get him! Get him!”
[Officers storm around the bar towards him, each one getting a more vicious and vile chair shot than the next. He hits them so hard, they fall like bricks. It isn’t long before the chair is dented and Lane has to toss it aside, delivering right hands to just about anything that moves and attacks him.] [It’s like he’s taking on the Miami PD.] [As officer’s fall, one makes the mistake of using his baton, catching Mike right in the stomach. He quickly disarms him, clocking him across the head with it. The final officer takes one to the throat, falling to the floor in a heap.] [The crowd are going absolutely wild, pulling officers away and dragging their bodies from every corner, making sure that they aren’t to get back involved in the action. Mike Lane carefully eyes Hysteria, walking towards the ring and dropping the baton.] [It’s time, folks.] [Oh holy shit, it’s time.]MIKE LANE VS. HYSTERIA (C)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE RISE OF HYSTERIA
RINGSIDE
“I think you ought to let that man go,” [says The Chief from his balcony.] “You people never had my permission to be here tonight. You didn’t have a warrant. You didn’t have probable cause. You invaded my bar and now you think you’re going to arrest my employee?”
[Hysteria, now with a microphone, turns to look at The Chief.] “Hysteria has taken over, hasn’t it Chief?” [he mocks with a chuckle.] “It’s okay Dufrene, let him go.” [Reluctantly, Dufrene undoes the handcuffs and releases Mike Lane – who is immediately sucked into a crowd of people, protected by his fans.] [The Chief isn’t impressed.]“For as long as I know where the bodies are buried, Mike Lane is going to hunt me down. For as long as I hold this, [he raises the OSW World Championship.] “Mike Lane is going to hunt me down. I can have him arrested today, I can have him dropped into the same pit as Doctor D’Ville but if there’s one thing about cockroaches, those bastards are resilient and they nearly always come back.”
[The fans begin to throw bottles of beer into the ring, which makes The Chief smile.]“So, there’s only one thing for it. I’ll have to put an end to Mike Lane, just like I did Alex Reese, just like I did Ozric Mortimer and just like I will your family, Dufrene.”
[His eyes widen.]“Welcome to the Asylum.”
[He laughs hysterically.] [Then abruptly stops.] [Cut.]