“THE FALL”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Click.

Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.

Judgement Day.

In the dead of night, merely hours after the apocalypse was averted, humanity slept easy, unaware of how close they came to the end of the world.

But in the night’s sky, something strange was happening.

Pale blue orbs illuminate the pitch black in their number, falling at a rate of knots towards the ground. With giant thuds, each one impacts powerfully, sending dirt and rubble flying into the air. The noise in the area is powerful and intense.

When the pale blue hue surrounding them finally fades, we see their form.

Odin. Zeus. Anubis. Themis. Shezmu. Xochipilli. Shiva. Ahriman.

The list goes on.

The fall of the Gods.

Odin turns to his fellow Gods; a wave of shock having overcome each one. He looks up at the sky, watching as others fall.

“This cannot be,” he angrily proclaims. “No, this cannot be!”

Zeus approaches, frowning. “He chose them, Odin.”

“I told him not to intervene. He sought my council and I warned him of his involvement; he knew what would happen to us if he dared to step between them and their fate.”

Zeus angrily grabs Odin by the throat, only he’s powerless. There’s nothing. No thunder, no lightning, no aggressive show of Godly force. He looks at his hand in shock, surprised that he’s weak.

And Odin, an old man, simply stands, shaking his head.

“We’re powerless, you fool,” Odin grunts, stepping away from a shocked Zeus. “Yahweh has taken over The Tap Room. People believe in him now.”

“What do we do?” Zeus asks, panicked.

“We head to Elysium Fields, regroup and keep our heads down. If it finds us, we won’t survive.”

Cut.

“CEASE FIRE”
RINGSIDE

“Built for This” by Method Man plays over the speakers as Tomasso Vitale comes out.

He’s ready to fight, but he didn’t come here alone. Flanking him are the same men who have been with him all along. He steps into the ring as his two associates stand behind him. Vitale motions for a microphone.

He’s given one as he rests it on his chest for a moment as he looks over the crowd.

“I requested this time before my match tonight to say one thing.”

Vitale looks away.

“I’m sorry, V.”

Tony taps Tomasso’s shoulder, but he just brushes him off.

“For whatever you think my family has done to you, I’m sorry. But this slaughter of my friends… my family… has to stop. A friend of mine has been missing for three weeks, and I know that you know where I can find him.”

Tommy takes a step forward as his eyes focus.

“He has a family, V. He has a wife and two little girls waiting for him at home. He made a poor decision and decided to turn his back on us, but he doesn’t deserve DEATH for it.”

Tony’s eyes furrow on the back of Tommy’s head remembering their original task from The Boss.

“Symphony No. 9 IV” by Dvorak begins to play as the lights dim for a moment before turning out completely.

A scream is heard through the arena before the lights return.

Vengeance has come!

He’s standing in the ring only a few feet away with a piece of paper in his hand. He motions for the microphone which Vitale gives.

“I hold in my hand the address to where I left Franky.”

Tommy moves towards Vengeance who begins to ball it up.

“If you think you’re worthy of being trusted with the address, then show me.”

Vengeance puts the piece of paper in his pocket as he lowers his stance slightly.

“Show me what you’re made of, kid.”

VENGEANCE VS. TOMASSO VITALE
SINGLES MATCH

Two men locked in a war bigger than both of them are set to do battle here tonight!

As the bell sounds, Tomasso gives the sign of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit before slapping his cheeks to get himself pumped up.

The two lock up in the center of the ring, but it’s Vengeance who gets the upperhand using his size and power! He begins to bend Vitale backwards before just releasing and nailing Vitale with an elbow smash as he staggers back into the ropes. Vengeance quickly charges him and nails a clothesline sending Tomasso to the floor! Vengeance steps out of the ring as the two flunkies of Tommy come into picture. Vengeance points at both of them before grabbing Vitale and sending him into the barricade. Vengeance charges with a big boot, but Vitale dodges out of the way!

Vengeance finds himself crotched on the barricade as the fans pat him and yell at him.

Vitale gets to his feet, taking a moment to catch his breath, before rushing towards Vengeance and nailing him with a big boot of his own that finds the mark. V falls off the barricade and into the ringside area as Tomasso lifts him up and rolls him into the ring.

Vitale covers!

ONE…

KICKOUT!

Vengeance isn’t even close

Vitale quickly leaps on top of him and hooks his head before wrapping his legs around him in a dragon sleeper!

SLEEP WITH FISH!

Vengeance is in some serious pain now as his hand reaches out for any sort of reprieve! Vitale yanks back on the hold, but Vengeance manages to squirm a hand into the hold. He begins pulling apart the arms of Vitale before flinging him over himself! Vengeance staggers to his feet, but Vitale springs to his feet with a superkick!

THE KICK UP!

But Vengeance catches the kick! He traps the leg between them before hooking the waist of Vitale and nailing a delayed German suplex into a bridge!

ONE…

TWO…

KICKOUT!

Vitale works his way back to his feet, but Vengeance has come for him!

CRACK!

The sound of Vengeance’s hand connecting with the flesh of Vitale’s chest echoes through the arena as Vitale’s mouth is frozen in a state of shock. Vengeance quickly nails him with three more chops to the chest!

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRACK!

Vitale’s chest is beat-red already as his eyes are watering.

SHOTGUN BLASTS!

Vengeance pulls him towards himself before hooking the arms of Vitale to his legs and lifting him up for a package powerbomb!

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE!

Vengeance covers him!

ONE…

TWO…

….

THR-KICKOUT!

Vitale is breathing heavy as Vengeance looks down at him with mild surprise before slowly rising to his feet and barking at Vitale to do the same. Vitale begins climbing up Vengeance who allows it.

Tommy begins reaching into the pocket of Vengeance!

But Vengeance stops him with a stiff right hand to the nose as blood begins to pour from his nose.

Vengeance grabs the arm of Vitale before spinning him out and yanking him close for a Ripcord Knee!

DOWN AND OUT!

Vitale slumps to the mat as Vengeance covers him!

ONE…

….

TWO…

….

TH-KICKOUT!

Vitale kicks out with passion! He begins pulling himself to his feet as Vengeance has a little smirk on his face. Vengeance hits the ropes and rushes towards Vitale who is shaking his hair which is starting to fall from sweat.

CLAYMORE KICK!

10-7!

Vitale does a flip in mid-air before slamming down to the mat with a thud. Vengeance covers him.

ONE…

….

TWO…

THREEEEE!

Vengeance looks down at Vitale with a smirk before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the piece of paper before stuffing it into the mouth of Vitale. Vengeance doesn’t hang around as he just rolls out of the ring and heads up the ramp as Tony and the other pull Vitale to the edge and pull the piece of paper from his mouth.

“THE BENCH III”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Continued.

Brightness.

As we open in a park, fixated on a bench, the world around it looks almost picturesque. There’s something perfect about it. The lighting is bright and powerful, the bushes and trees are slowly swaying with a soft breeze and the birds are chirping happily.

We’ve been here before.

The Bench.

“Because all along, you were designed for that purpose.”

There’s a bellow of laughter.

“Then why have I done the things I’ve done?” He asks with a hint of disbelief. “Tell me that?”

The Chief nods, understanding his trepidation. “Because had you not, you wouldn’t be fit for the fight. You’ve had to acquire a taste for the violence you’ve perpetrated to be able to save the world from what comes next. To be, you’ve had to become. You’ve had to live in the shadows, fight in light and overcome the taste for blood. I don’t expect you to be decent. I don’t expect you to be a moral compass. That isn’t what’s required to save us all.”

“Are you asking me to save Gods?”

He looks up. “Yes,” he says. “I’m asking you to save them all if you can. What comes next won’t care about Gods or men. When it comes, it will slaughter them all equally. The burden of my decision weighs heavily on me and in saving humanity from the Apocalypse, I have betrayed an oath so powerful, so life altering, that everything and everyone is in danger.”

The Chief stands up.

“Go to the Tap Room, join my fight and you’ll understand your purpose.”

Cut.

“HOUNDS OF WAR”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Just after midnight.

An old, military bunker.

Inside of which resides the Revolution.

Redmond Quinn sits in his office, quietly preparing a lecture for his students.

In a meeting room just down the hall sits Luther Creed, at the head of a long table. On each side of the table sits four of his top advisors, two on each side.

“The Hounds think that they can defeat us before the match even happens.” Creed looks to each side of the table as he speaks. “Danvers might be a psychopath and Arthur might be a zombified mother fucking king, but neither of them are stupid. They started this war with mind games and that’s how they want to finish it.”

Luther pounds the table with his fist. “We need to brainstorm some ways to throw some mind grenades back at them. The usual moves we make won’t hit home with them.”

The first advisor to his left nods and makes a suggestion. “Well, they keep wanting to talk about what lies beneath. Let’s show them what lies beneath. Let’s rip it out of them.”

“Dissect them? No, man.” Replies the man sitting next to him. “We can’t go round for round with these guys.”

The man across from him nods. “We gotta finish them.”

Suddenly, Quinn opens the meeting room door and steps into the room. “It occurs to me that, if you men are in here attempting to come up with a solution for Danvers and Arthur, it is possible that you’d be considering it from the wrong angle.”

Creed lifts an eyebrow. “How do you mean?”

“Luther, I love you brother. But not every battle is a war.” Quinn sits down at the other end of the table and continues. “You’ve been chosen by Yahweh to fight for him in a war. A real war, against twelve others on three completely different teams. Arthur and Danvers may be in that war as well, but this thing with them? It’s just a battle. And we can resolve our battles in the ring.”

Luther pauses briefly. He clears his throat. “They cut you open Redmond. They were turning you into an organ donor. That isn’t some ‘just a battle’ type shi–”

Footsteps run down the hall towards them. “Help! Help! Holy fucking shit he’s gone crazy!”

The footsteps get closer until one of the Revolution’s ranks runs into the room, his left arm basically cut to pieces. Blood all over him.

Quinn, Creed, and the top men all turn towards him, eyes wide. He falls to his knees.

“He’s killing everybody.”

Luther and his top advisors immediately stand and pull out their guns. Quinn does as well, only a touch more hesitantly.

“Who is?” Creed demands. “Danvers? Arthur?”

The man looks down at the floor. Is he laughing or crying?

“He’s killing everybody in their sleep.” He looks up and points with his right index finger at Creed, and his left at Quinn. “He’s howling for you.”

The Revolution and their top guys immediately run out of the meeting room. They sprint down the hall and into a stairwell. Down the winding, metal stairs they go, past the main floor, further down to a basement.

They hit the basement floor and Creed swings the only door available to them wide open. They run into what essentially amounts to a small barracks for new recruits. Like boot camp, the beds are lined all in a row, bunked and spaced as one expects to find in the military.

The room could hold twenty new recruits.

Nineteen of the beds soak and drip with blood. In eighteen of them, eighteen men lay dead. Massacred.

One man’s bed is clean. And he stands in the middle of the room.

He wears the Revolution black. He holds a blood soaked butcher’s knife in his hands.

He wears a mask of Anubis over his head.

“Turn their insides out.” He says to them blissfully. “Show my liege and I what lies beneath them. That’s what he told me to do.”

He giggles as he looks around at the massacre. “So that’s what I did.”

BANG!

Everyone turns to see Quinn’s pistol smoking, extended out at the man in the mask.

A bullethole straight through the mask, and the man’s cranium, drops him where he stands. Blood pools from his head onto the floor.

Creed grabs Quinn by his arm, which remains extended, his gun still pointed at the fallen masked man. “Still think this is just a battle, my brother?”

Cut.

THE REVOLUTION VS. THE HOUNDS
TAG TEAM MATCH

It’s a tag team match between Team Death and The Revolution here at Chain Reaction!]

The bell sounds as it seems like Luther Creed and Isaac Danvers are going to start off this tag team match. They lock up in the center of the ring, but it’s Isaac Danvers who gets the better of the first exchange with a big headbutt! The beak of Danvers’ mask just barely missed the eye of Creed! The Voice of the Voiceless staggers back before Danvers rushes him with a huge clotheline! Creed is blasted over the top rope to the floor. Danvers tries to go after him, but the referee is pulling him back away from the ropes. King Arthur steps off the apron and slides around the corner towards Creed.

KING’S CROSSING!

The running knee strike just flattened Creed as King Arthur quickly steps away from the scene. Redmond Quinn rushes over and begins checking on his tag team partner. With Creed being dumped out of the ring, Quinn rolls into the ring to take his place. Danvers goes for a clothesline on him just as he did with Creed!

But Quinn lowers his shoulder as Danvers is lifted over the top rope and onto the apron. Quinn stands back to his feet, but Danvers blasts him with a big forearm strike! Danvers goes to step into the ring, but Creed is grabbing his foot! Danvers kicks down at him and kicks him off. He turns back towards the ring before he’s blasted by a European uppercut that sends Danvers off the apron and into the barricade!

Danvers begins to pull himself from the barricade before Creed rams him back into the barricade with a huge STO! Quinn rolls out of the ring and grabs Danvers before sliding him back into the ring and covers!

One…

Two…

BROKEN UP!

King Arthur breaks up the pinfall! He grabs up Quinn before hitting a hip toss! Arthur resumes his place on the apron as Danvers quickly rolls over and tags out!

King Arthur enters the ring with an intense look as he moves towards Quinn. The Tutor throws a punch right into the midsection as Arthur quickly responds with a kneelift to Quinn! The King wraps up the leg of Quinn into a kneebar!

GUINEVERE’S GRACE!

King Arthur is really torqueing on the knee of Quinn! Arthur manages to sit up and drive a hand down into the midsection of Quinn right on the stitches of Quinn! Redmond is rubbing his head with balled fists in agitation!

Quinn reaches out for the ropes, but he begins motioning for a tap out!

Creed drops an elbow onto Arthur from the top rope! He unfurls their legs before lifting up Arthur and hitting a death valley driver!

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE!

Creed drags Quinn across Arthur before rolling out of the ring.

ONE…

….

TWO…

….

THR-NO! Arthur kicks out at the last second!

Quinn is slow to his feet as is Arthur, but the King kicks Quinn right in the midsection as he curls over clutching his abdomen. King Arthur grabs Quinn, but Quinn rolls him up in a schoolboy pin!

ONE…

….

TWO….

TH-KICKOUT!

Arthur quickly turns around and drives a knee into the side of Quinn’s head! Arthur whips Quinn into his corner and tags out to Isaac Danvers.

The Plague Doctor enters the ring and drives two quick jabs into the ribs before wrapping up the head of Quinn into a vice-grip!

THE LOBOTOMY!

MISSILE DROPKICK!

Creed just blasted Danvers across the ring with that missile dropkick! Both Danvers and Quinn are down, but Quinn is right beside his corner!

TAG!

In comes Luther Creed!

Danvers gets to his feet before getting rocked by a huge spear! Arthur enters the ring and catches a big boot right on the chin! Creed grabs Danvers, but Danvers rams him back into the corner. Danvers backs towards the opposite corner and Creed catches a big clothesline! Creed staggers out before Danvers reaches his arm back and….

THE CURE!

The elbow smash just floored him as Danvers pushes him down with a cover!

Isaac Danvers has him covered!

ONE….

….

TWO….

….

THRREEEEE!

Team Dead picks up a win here tonight, but will they be able to sustain and survive in the Chain Reaction match later on?

“ZO”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Shivering.

The form of a man wrapped in a blanket sitting on a porch staring out into the nothingness comes into picture as Franky has seen better days.

As he adjusts the blanket, you can see the cauterized scar across his chest.

A car pulls up as a man steps out of the car. Balding, slightly rotund, and with a five o’clock shadow, the man puts his hands on top of the car and looks at him.

“Shit, Franky…”

The man pulls out a bottle of liquor from his car and takes a swig from it before walking around the car and handing it to him His eyes look up at the man before slowly taking the drink.

Franky clears his throat.

“Th-th-thank you, Lorenzo.”

“Aw c’mon… call me ‘Zo.”

Lorenzo takes a step forward and holds Franky close as he begins to cry.

“I d-d-didn’t mean to talk, ‘Zo! He… he did terrible things to me.”

Franky opens his blanket to reveal the huge V slash across his chest. Zo covers his mouth for a moment before turning around with a pained expression upon his face. His eyes look around the abandoned street before he reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a small pistol.

“Zo, you gotta believe me!”

Lorenzo slowly turns around and raises the pistol.

BANG!

The gunfire echoes through this abandoned street as Franky falls back onto the steps of the porch he was sitting on. A single bullethole on his temple is shown as he’s slumped back. Lorenzo puts the gun away before walking over and snapping a picture with his phone.

He begins dialing.

“It’s done, Boss.”

He clears his throat before taking the bottle from Franky’s dead grasp and taking a quick swig.

“I’m about to dispose of the body, just like the others.”

He hangs up as he grabs the legs and begins to drag him towards the car. He mutters underneath his breath.

“Just like the rest.”

Cut.

“ASSESSED”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

We are transported back to the light place where Yahweh’s trials began. A place with no being, merely pure light. A place where Yahweh resides. Where he communicates. A half-way house, if you will, between Earth and Heaven. But it is in this place that we find four souls, floating not in human form but as light through the void. Gameboy, D’Von Chambers, Bruce Van Chan and Luther Creed. With no distinguishing features to identify them, it is their voices alone that allow us to determine which beam of light belongs to which soul.

“Bonus level?” One of the four voices beams, the light pulsing as Gameboy’s voice emanates from within.

“Is this heaven? The final trial is death?” Van Chan’s voice seems determined to figure out his answers through his own logic. Calm and collected, he seems unwavered despite the conclusion he has drawn. “Will I finally get to see my family again?”

Before either of the other two light beams can chime in, a voice fills the entire void. It does not come from a source of light like the others, but seems to BE the very source of light itself within this void. The voice is familiar, the voice of Yahweh.

“My children. Of whom I am well pleased.”

Silence. Reverend silence. Each of the four beams of light remain still.

“You have been tested and tried. Throughout the trials, you have been assessed in your faith. I allowed Lucifer himself to attempt to break you, as he tried with Job. But the Prince of Darkness will never learn. True faith is unshakeable. Just as Job did, you kept believing. But more than that, you leaned on each other when the bond between you could have been broken. For that, I am well pleased.”

The four beams of light seem to circle around each other, in a strange looking dance of celebration upon receiving their Lord’s approval, but Yahweh has more.

“You have passed the trials. Firstly, to learn to need each other. And secondly to learn to trust each other. Even when your minds were toyed with, you did not lose the faith. Your bond is stronger because of these trials. And what God has put together, let no man tear asunder. The war that is ahead… You will need each other now more than ever. My chosen few – the fields are ripe unto harvest. You are all that stands in defense. Outlast the enemies at the gate, in the name of Yahweh who brings you life.”

The beams of light begin to solidify, showing the foursome standing together, arms linked in solidarity.

“Gameboy, D’Von, Bruce and Luther.” Yahweh’s voice seems to beam with pride. “Each of you has been gifted with a set of unique gifts and abilities. No two of you are the same. This difference is what brings you strength. You are four links of the same chain. A chain that they will try to break. You cannot let them. There is a time for everything and the time for war is nigh upon us.” Yahweh’s voice pauses for a moment… “Go now, go in the strength of the one true Lord.”

Cut.

REDWING VS. THE OUTCASTS
TWO V ONE MATCH

Jigsaw has worked hard to destroy the mind of Redwing, but tonight, the Caped Crusader gets his chance for revenge. But as Redwing waits alone in the ring, something seems not quite right about all of this.

POW! SOLMAN NAILS REDWING WITH A HUGE FOREARM!

Heath Solman storms the ring, surprisingly alone. Redwing ducks a follow up shot from Solman, throwing his opponent into the corner.

“Where is Jigsaw?!?” He exclaims.

“You know where he is!” Solman retorts, practically spitting in the Red Knight’s face.

Redwing staggers back for a moment, just in time to take a lariat from Solman, who mounts the Red Knight, and begins laying in with shots.

“I saw you take him!” Solman accuses. “You told me he was going to get what he deserved.”

Redwing throws Solman back into the ropes, twisting himself to a knee to duck another lariat attempt. Solman rebounds and leaps at Redwing.

SPINEBUSTER!

The Caped Crusader is on a mission, and will not be deterred, despite Solman’s claims.

“You’re lying.” Redwing states, no doubt in his voice.

FOREARM!

“Is this another game?”

FOREARM!

“Take my suit, and try to ruin my name?”

FOREARM!

“Where is Jigsaw?!?”

FOREA… SOLMAN GRABS IT!

Solman kicks Redwing off of him, and both men reset to their feet. Redwing has determination in his eyes, while Solman seems confused.

“We didn’t take your damn suit.” Solman yells. “Jigsaw’s no thief. He wanted to break you, make you go mad, exploit you where you were weak.”

Redwing finally stops his approach, shaking his head.

“Then why were you snooping at the Kirby house?” Redwing queries.

“Who the hell are the Kirby’s?” Is the response. “Jigsaw wanted me to tail you, and distract you so he could plant a tracker in your suit.”

Redwing’s eyes narrow.

A tracker in his suit?

Anger finally takes the Caped Crusader as he rushes in. Solman vainly tries to fight, but Redwing has entered a new level of anger and determination.

BRAINBUSTER TO SOLMAN! ON THE KNEE! NEW JUSTICE!

But Redwing’s not done. He lifts Solman up by the shirt, grabbing his arm and twisting it.

CUT THROAT DRIVER! HE CALLS IT HUSH!

Heath Solman looks dead on the mat, Redwing looks at the referee, who has observed this confused as everyone else, and puts his foot on Solman’s chest.

ONE

TWO

THREE!!!

Redwing has emerged victorious here tonight over Heath Solman. He reaches to his sleek utility belt, drawing out a small device. He scans most of his body, before reaching out to pluck off a small inconspicuous device.

The tracker.

The Caped Crusader seems to have a light bulb go off in his head, as he runs from the ring with a mission.

Can he reverse engineer the tracker to find Jigsaw?

“THE KEY”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

In the middle of Jerusalem, hidden underground in a bunker, a man stands wearing a large red cloak. His face is hidden beneath a hood, and he’s stood before painted hieroglyphics, reading in Latin. His voice grows with a booming thunder as he repeats the same words, over and over again.

“Dominum invocavi te. Missione in servitium meis, coram te peto. Amen.”

A large white glowing light suddenly appears before him.

And none other than The Chief steps through. A portal, from heaven to earth – a rare appearance on this plain for The Chief since Judgement Day.

“Solomon, is that you?”

The man pulls his hood down, revealing Solomon Rhodes.

He kneels before him, his allegiance confirmed.

“Stand, my child. I’m very glad to hear from you. We’ve not spoken for the longest time.”

Rhodes stands and bows his head. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been all over the globe in my mission. I’ve found it, my Lord. I’ve actually found it.”

The Chief’s eyes widen. “The key to Lucifer’s cage? H-how?”

“Right now, that’s of little importance. What I have to tell you will reshape your entire perspective. Lucifer isn’t what you think he is. He isn’t the evil you long abhorred; everything he’s become has been because of you, my Lord. You did this to him. You created the monster.”

Yahweh doesn’t seem to understand. He doesn’t react, he just stands there in shock.

“This is a lot to take in, I know. Please, allow me to explain. With the information in my possession, everything will become clear.”

The Chief nods, taking a seat.

Solomon Rhodes joins him.

Cut.

“DISCORD”
BACKSTAGE

King Arthur stands alone backstage. He seems to be taking a silent moment of reflection before the battles to come. But he soon finds that he is not alone.

Rain has joined him.

“I’m sorry to bother you, King Arthur.” The Misfit quietly says. “But I needed to speak with you.”

Arthur regards Rain before motioning for him to be out with it.

“You were once an honorable king. But, why do the voices warn me…”

“Warn you from WHAT?”

Isaac Danvers lumbers into the scene, wedging himself between Rain and Arthur. The Good Doctor sneers at the Misfit, grabbing him by the jacket.

“As I told Mister Lynch, there will be no discord sown. ”

Rain frees himself and pushes Danvers back. It’s in this moment, that we see the three of them are framed by two forms.

Shiva. Anubis. The gods these three have sworn themselves to.

But as the good doctor comes at Rain, another form jumps into the fray, he himself flanked by none other than the god Shezmu.

Gallows Lynch.

“Are you mad?” The Hangman says to both Rain and Danvers. “Let’s work together tonight, and win it all. Then you two can tear each other apart.”

Danvers nods to Lynch.

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard from you, Lynch. Maybe we can be FRIENDS, after all.”

Arthur steps forward to hold out his fist.

“Together.” He begins. “We shall win the day, and our foes wilt tremble at thine victory.”

They all mouth words of agreement as Misfit has a grin on his face, in spite of a cocky Lynch.

“No thanks to you, I’ve brought this team together.” Gallows taunts. “You’d better not ruin this.”

Rain’s grin only grows as Shiva steps out forward, the exposed gods surrounding their chosen team.

“I told you, my child. All they needed was a reason to unite. You sowed discord, and gave them that reason.”

Rain nods, growing more determined.

“Now it’s time to take this team of outcasts and win it all.”

Rain purposefully sowed discord to bring the team together! This team is more united than ever!

Cut.

EDWARD NEWTON © VS. DAVID MANSON
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

The unstoppable champion, the insolvable riddle. Many call the very thought of Edward Newton a living nightmare but sometimes it takes a Horror Show to reveal to the world how terrible it can truly be. Can David Manson do what no man has done or will he just another man who couldn’t solve Edward Newton?

The doors to the Tap-Room open as the Riddler emerges. Looking truly focused as he puts aside every emotion to walk towards the canvas where he is King. Newton begins walking down to the ring when he’s grabbed by an overzealous fan dressed in a hoodie. Newton shakes his head, turning to remove the hand from his shoulder.

AS HE’S SPUN AROUND AND A THICK RED MIST IS SPIT INTO HIS EYES!

The fan leaps the barricade, tossing aside the hoodie revealing the Nightmare himself. Newton manages to wipe the mist away from his eyes but it’s too late as he’s stunned by a hard headbutt to the temple before a huge kick to the stomach sends Newton flying into the concrete wall. The Riddler crashes to the floor as Manson pounces, gripping the back of his head and driving it into the wall over and over again. Desperate, Edward drives a thumb into Manson’s eye to try and get to his feet.

Newton lands a hard knee to Manson’s jaw, rocking him just enough to hook him underneath one arm

NEVER…LOW BLOW!

Manson just punts The Riddler right in the jewels, Newton dropping to his knees in pain as Manson backs up, eyeing the champion down for a running kick to the face but the Nightmare stops mid-run, his gaze averted to something dropped on the floor just by the doors. A sadistic smile grows on Manson’s face as he bends down, picking up the object of his fancy.

The OSW World Heavyweight Title.

Manson stares down at the gold for a moment, before rushing forward and delivering a sickening HOME RUN SHOT TO THE SKULL!

The Gold busts Newton open, the blood dripping down the Champion’s face as Manson drills him once more, staining the gold crimson red before tossing it to the referee, who’s trying valiantly to get Manson to take the action to the ring to start the contest off properly. Manson just ignores him, watching patiently as Newton pulls himself up by the thick metal doors before rushing forward once more.

AND YAKUZA KICKING NEWTON RIGHT THROUGH THEM!

Newton goes flying into the backstage area, the damn metal denting from the force of the impact. The Riddler struggling to get to his feet, Manson just smiling, slowly walking forward as he begins stalking a crawling Newton. A stiff kick to the ribs sends Edward sliding into the wall with a crash, Manson pulling him up by his suit lapels. The Riddler tries fighting back but a sadistic headbutt takes all the fight out of Newton. Manson continues the flurry of headbutts, The Riddler’s blood flowing freely now as it drips down the Nightmare’s face. Manson just smiles, stopping the assault for a moment.

BEFORE RUSHING FORWARD AND THROWING NEWTON THROUGH A NEARBY PLATE GLASS WINDOW! GLASS IS FUCKING EVERYWHERE AS THE RIDDLER IS SLUMPED ACROSS THE WINDOWSILL, LOOKING BARELY AWAKE, LET ALONE ALIVE!

Manson looks at his handiwork, the Champion a bloody broken mess before snapping his fingers as a wave of Family members come rushing in. On Manson’s signal, they lift the limp Edward Newton high before following behind the Nightmare who slowly heads toward the ring. The crowd are in shock as they see the broken Riddler, barely able to boo the Nightmare Family who quickly get to ringside, sliding the out Newton inside the ring as Manson casually gets up onto the apron, climbing into the ring before dropping to his knees and hooking the outside leg for the cover.

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!.

NEWTON KICKS OUT! IT WAS NEVER GOING TO BE THIS EASY!

Manson grimaces for a moment, catching his anger as he simply pulls the Riddler to his feet but Newton manages to slip out of Manson’s grasp, peppering him with lefts and rights before a big european uppercut stuns The Nightmare. Newton rushes to the ropes, bouncing off.

RIGHT INTO A MASSIVE LARIAT THAT TURNS HIM INSIDE OUT!

Manson cracks his jaw, shaking his head at Newton who’s struggling to pull himself to his feet gripping Manson’s pants as the Nightmare thrusts Newton between his legs, double underhooking both of his arms before running forward.

AND SHOWING THE RIDDLER THE NIGHTMARISH HORRORSHOW!

RUNNING DOUBLE UNDERHOOK PILEDRIVER!

Newton gets spiked into the mat, his blood inking into the canvas as Manson turns him over, dropping down into a lateral press.

ONE

….

Could this be it?

TWO

….

The streak may well be over

……

THREE!

WHAT THE HELL! DAVID MANSON HAS DONE THE UNTHINKABLE, AN ENDLESS NIGHTMARE HAS COME TRUE AS WE HAVE A NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION AND WITH BARELY AN OUNCE OF OFFENSE FROM THE RIDDLER!

NOPE.

FOOT ON THE GODDAMN ROPES!

Manson can’t believe it, rising to his feet with a wide grin on his face that quickly turns to fury as the referee explains what happened. Manson goes to strike the referee, stopping himself at the last moment as he swallows his rage, not wanting to make the same mistake every one else does and give the Riddler an opening.

Manson turns, swinging a hard right at the champion but it’s blocked by an open palm as Edward Newton catches it.

Newton looks up, his face a bloodied mess as the front of his suit is dyed dark red but his eyes are open wide, staring holes deep into Manson that make even the Nightmare flinch in shock. The Riddler has his second wind, the champion is in the zone as he pushes Manson away, rising to his feet before urging Manson forward with one hand.

Manson rushes forward but Newton ducks under the Yakuza Kick this time, rearing up BEFORE UPPERCUTTING MANSON RIGHT IN THE BOLLOCKS!

Manson drops to his knees, as Newton sizes him up for a moment.

BEFORE DRILLING HIM IN THE FACE WITH A PAIR OF DOUBLE KNEES!

Manson is reeling, as he stumbles to his feet. Newton spinning him around before thrusting his head into his arm.

NEWTON LIFTS MANSON HIGH INTO THE AIR BUT A PAIR OF HANDS PULL DAVID BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS!

A horde of Nightmare Family members roll into the ring but the champion is ready for them. Nailing them with lefts and rights, clothesline, headbutts, elbows. A mass of bodies roll out to the floor, each scalp firing up the Riddler as he nails the last one with an almighty kick to the side of the head before turning around

WORLD TITLE TO THE SKULL!

The Nightmare Family was a distraction as Manson nearly dents the belt with the force from that blow. Newton isn’t down but he’s dazed as Manson quickly pulls him close.

Before running forward.

ANOTHER HORRORSHOW!

HE’S GOT HIM!

ONE…

…..

TWO…

…..

THREE!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

NEWTON KICKS OUT!

The Riddler still stands tall, refusing to take the fall as Manson is beside himself. Ripping at his hair in frustration, he pulls Newton up to his feet in fury only for the Riddler to slip out

KICK TO THE GUT!

NEVERMIND!

JUMPING IMPLANT DDT!

THIS HAS TO BE IT! NEWTON HAS THIS WON AFTER A HELLACIOUS WAR!

HE COLLAPSES UPON MANSON, EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY SAPPED FROM HIM

ONE…

….

TWO…

….

THREE!!

NOOOOOOOOO!

MANSON JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!

Newton begins chuckling to himself, shaking his head as he can barely stand let alone fight. Crimson red covering him, complete exhaustion cowering his every muscle as he fights to his feet, forcing himself to find some way to beat the Nightmare and retain his championship and streak.

Newton slowly gets to his feet just as Manson staggers to his, both men nearing their utter limits here.

Fury in their eyes, they rush forward, meeting one another in middle.

Left hand by Newton.

Right hook by Manson.

Right. Left. Right. Left.

Each blow taking a little of whatever energy these men had left in them.

Newton fumbles a right that Manson just dodges, backing up

SPARTAN KICK!

Newton’s sent flying into the ropes as Manson grabs him on the rebound, lifting him up high.

THE HORRORSHO…

NO!

EDWARD SPINS AROUND IN MID-AIR…

NEVERMIND!

MANSON GETS SPIKED DOWN OUT OF NOWHERE AS NEWTON COLLAPSES UPON HIM ABSOLUTELY FUCKING SPENT

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!!!!!!!! IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER! EDWARD NEWTON RETAINS HIS FUCKING TITLE!

MANSON’S PULLED OUT OF THE RING!

The Nightmare is just saved from what could’ve been defeat as Newton looks over, the sea of Nightmare Family members parting to reveal Manson’s saviour.

ELI FOREVER

Eli pulls Manson up to his feet, staring the Nightmare down for a few moments before nodding his head and signalling him to roll into the ring. Newton is on his feet as he drills Manson with a right hand but a stiff elbow to the side of the head from the fresh Eli drops Newton like a shot. Eli signals Manson to pull Newton to his feet, as he grabs the fallen World Title from the canvas.

Manson holds Newton in place as Eli backs up

BEFORE RUSHING FORWARD

AND SMASHING THE GOLD INTO MANSON’S FACE!

The Nightmare drops like a shot as Newton falls to his knees, looking in shock at Forever’s betrayal who just rolls out of the ring withought a word.

Blood is pouring down Manson’s face as he reaches out in anger

BUT NEWTON STOMPS DOWN ON HIS HAND!

EDWARD SNEERS AT HIM, FORCIBLY DRAGGING HIM TO HIS FEET!

NEVERMIND!

IMPLANT DDT!

HE COVERS….

ONE…

….

….

….

….

TWO…

….

….

….

….

THREE!!

IT’S OVER! DING DING DING! The bell sounds and this one is over!

Edward Newton rolls off David Manson, exhausted from the absolute war as he’s barely able to hold the title belt up before collapsing in pain. Against the odds once more, Edward Newton retains the OSW World Heavyweight title…thanks to the help of an old enemy.

“THE CAGE”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Hells Fire and Brimstone.

In the deepest darkest pit beneath hell, surrounded by lava and fire, an indestructible cage sits lurking within the flames. We hear footsteps approaching, footsteps that are shortly revealed to belong to The Chief.

He approaches the fiery cage, putting a hand against it. Unbelievably, the flames subside.

Inside, there’s blood and viscera everywhere. Lux Bellator hangs on hooks, bleeding profusely from every orifice. His once white mask is stained a horrid red, his eyes rolled back into his head. He can’t die here, but he wishes he could.

Stood before him? Lucifer himself, in the form of Noah.

“Hey pops,” Lucifer says with a wry smile. “It’s been a long time since I had some company that wasn’t a muttering, mumbling, screaming mess. This putrid creature wails like a banshee.”

The Chief shakes his head, utterly disappointed.

“I came to apologize to you, son. I knew you’d torture him, but I’m ashamed to see you enjoy it so.”

Lucifer cackles, leaning backwards with the hilarity. “Oh really? Don’t be stupid, dad; you don’t apologize for anything.”

“I did this to you,” he admits with a sombre shake of the head, rubbing a hand across his face in the process. “I turned you into this monster. I’m sorry for that. I thought you could handle it. I thought you, my most fierce lieutenant, would be able to fight it. I was wrong. It amplified everything you hated, everything you loathed and turned you into this vile, jealous, horrid creature. Then I banished you here. I’m a terrible father but you must believe me, I thought you could handle it.”

“Well, you were wrong, weren’t you?” Lucifer says with a big toothy grin. “The great big power in the sky was WRONG. What do you want? We both know this cage is locked tight. You’re not getting in and I’m not getting out.”

“That’s not true,” The Chief says to his surprise, turning his back to the cage. “Thanks to Solomon Rhodes, I have the key.”

That gets his attention.

“But if you want out and back to your Kingdom, I have terms.”

Cut.

“TERROR”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

An abandoned office building.

The abandoned office building. Where Jigsaw killed nine people.

CRASH!

Redwing kicks down the wooden boards put up to tell people to stay out of this imploded building. Still filled with rage from his beating of Solman, the Caped Crusader charges into the rubble of the building.

“JIGSAW!” Redwing roars.

There is no answer, but as Redwing charges deeper in, he finds a scene that shocks him.

Jigsaw has been bound to a chair, his clothes in shreds. Dried blood covers most of his body, some fresh wounds pouring out. Standing above him is a man wearing the stolen prototype suit of Redwing, a knife in his hand.

“You took my sister!”

HE SLICES JIGSAW’S CHEST OPEN!

“My fiance!”

The thief hoists the knife in the air, but Redwing rushes in to grab his hand. The two men lock eyes, and Redwing stands back in shock as he recognizes the man.

Jason Richards.

The survivor of the explosion at Exodus.

“Jason?” Redwing whispers. “Wha…”

“Don’t stop me.” Jason cries, tears flowing down his face. “I heard you. You promised me vengeance. Justice. And where is it?”

Redwing takes a step back, and Jason throws the knife down, frustration filling his voice..

“No. Don’t give me any bullshit. He took everything from me. When I walked out of that hospital, I beat up every two bit thug I could find until I got sight of him. I followed Jigsaw to that house. And I’m not an idiot, either. I know what that house means. That’s why I took the suit, so I could be what you weren’t.”

Redwing shakes his head, recognizing the veiled threat.

“What do you want?”

Richards holds out his hand.

“Teach me. Help me let go of this pain. I’ll do it your way. We’ll turn him over to the cops. But you have to train me. Show me how to do what you do. ”

The Caped Crusader sighs, angry that his hand has been forced.

“It won’t be easy.” Redwing says, resignation in his voice. “No more stealing. No more torture. We don’t instill terror, we do things by the book.”

Jason nods as Redwing reluctantly takes his hand.

“I’ll help you, Jason.”

“No.” The other man responds. “Not Jason.”

“Darkwish.”

[Cut.]

CHAIN REACTION
It’s that time.

Four teams of four men stand, one per corner, deciding who’s going to start the inaugural Chain Reaction Match. Unsurprisingly, Zander Zane demands that his team back off, and as Captain, he’s going to kick this one off.

Across the ring, Gallows Lynch has stepped forward.

Joining him in their own respective corners are Bruce Van Chan and Spero.

Eli Forever and David Manson can barely look at each other.

DING DING DING!

The bell sounds and this match is underway. There’s no cagey opening to this bout. Bruce Van Chan is caught eagerly by Gallows Lynch, who drives a knee into his mid-section. That doubles him over as the Hangman goes to work with right and left hands. Meanwhile, Zander Zane and Spero have locked up. Zane sends Spero across the ring and into the ropes, swinging wildly with a Clothesline on the return.

SPERO DUCKS.

LEAPING INTO THE ROPES! SPRINGBOARD HURRICANRANNA!

Zander spills to the canvas, rolling through the back of Lynch’s legs like a bowling ball. Getting back to his knees, Lynch looks up to see the former Vindicator run up his back and DOUBLE LEG CLOTHESLINE TO BRUCE VAN CHAN IN THE CORNER!

Spero drops down to the floor and rolls over, catching Lynch with a brutal kick to the face for his troubles. He dives into the cover on Lynch.

ONE….

TWO….

KICK OUT!

The Great Hope gets back to his feet, turning to find Zane with a boot waiting for his gut. He drives it home, pulling him straight into a fierce DDT. He plants him. Zane pops back up just in time to see Van Chan in the corner, running at him!

URUNAGE!

BRUCE VAN CHAM SLAMS HIM DOWN INTO THE CANVAS!

The Warrior of God looks up at the top turnbuckle and leaps atop it. Oh boy, we know what’s coming now, don’t we?

SHOT THROUGH THE HEART!

AND YOU’RE TO BLAME!

DARLIN’…

KNEES UP BY THE ROCKSTAR! ZANE COUNTERS THE 450 SPLASH!

Bruce bounces off, but his chest plate took most of the damage. He gets back to his feet, watching as Zander writhes in agony, holding his knees. There’s every chance he could’ve broken them.

Knowing he has to take his chance, he dives into the cover.

ONE….

TWO….

KICK OUT!

Van Chan looks perturbed but that soon vanishes when a foot reaches the back of his head with such ferocity that he’ll undoubtably suffer from Whiplash. It’s Gallows Lynch and he’s not in the mood to screw around. He drags Bruce to his feet, snags his rope around his neck and throws him towards the ropes.

THEN PULLS BACK ON IT!

THE SHORT DROP!

Bruce’s neck violently snaps back as he smashes onto the canvas. Gallows uses his rope and drags him over to his corner, tagging in Rain. The Impairer of Worlds enters the ring and starts stomping down on Bruce, delivering boots to his neck and chest.

But here comes SPERO!

The Last Hope Dropkicks Rain back into the corner, slamming him against the turnbuckles. He stumbles out with a fierce boot, catching Spero as he gets to his feet. Rain pulls him back up and whips him into the ropes, looking for a Clothesline but Spero ducks under.

THE HARBINGER OF DEATH SPINS AROUND!

ZANDER ZANE POPS UP OUT OF NO-WHERE!

STUNNER! STUNNER! STUNNER!

A VARIATION OF THE MIC DROP!

Zane is barely able to get back to his feet before Bruce Van Chan leaps into the air!

GOOD NIGHT!

CUTTER!

Zander rolls back to his corner, Mysterion tagging himself in!

Mysterion leaps onto the top rope in his corner, LEAPING OFF!

SHOOTING STAR PRESS!

DDT! DDT TO BRUCE VAN CHAN, RIGHT OFF THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS!

Mysterion covers…

ONE….

TWO….

KICK OUT!

Spero meanwhile has tagged in Berengar! Berengar meets Mysterion head on, scooping him up and dropping him with a SPINEBUSTER! The Knight gets back to his feet and runs Rain back into the corner. He starts driving Shoulder barges into his mid-section.

But here comes Bruce Van Chan with a Double Axe Handle. Bruce pulls him away and into a Snap Suplex. The Angel pops back to his feet, only for Rain to drive out of the corner with a Clothesline! The Impairer of Worlds grabs Berengar, looking for the DDT!

BROTHER MINE! NO! BERENGAR WITH THE REVERSAL, SPINNING OUT!

RIGHT HAND!

MYSTERION LEAPS INTO THE AIR!

THE PUNCH OF DOOM TO RAIN!

MYSTERION ROLLS THROUGH AND LEAPS IMMEDIATELY ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE!

SPRINGBOARD!

POWERBOMB! THE VANQUISHER BY BERENGAR!

POP UP POWERBOMB!

Behind Berengar though is Bruce Van Chan! He rolls him up!

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

BERENGAR HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

We have our first elimination and would you believe it, The Knight of the Void is out of here!

Spero should get into the fight but David Manson stops him, demanding that Eli Forever get inside the ring instead. The Heir Eternal snarls at him, but does as he’s told. He enters the ring and runs towards Van Chan, decking him with a Clothesline. He quickly turns his attention to Mysterion, picking him up and dropping him chest first across the top rope.

Rain looks him up and down as he turns around, both men meeting in the middle of the ring to trade right hands. Forever takes the upper hand with a knee to the mid-section.

ANOTHER!

ANOTHER!

ANOTHER!

ANOTHER!

CHOP! CHOP! CHOP!

THE SEVEN SINS!

Down goes Rain! The Heir Eternal turns and is met by Bruce Van Chan who nails him with a chop of his own, ducking underneath a Clothesline attempt and into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bruce Van Chan bridges for the cover!

ONE….

TWO….

KICK OUT!

Bruce almost eliminated his second participant! He gets back to his feet and is grabbed by Rain who drops him with a Russian Legsweep. The Outcast barely has a chance to get back to his feet before Mysterion leaps off the top rope, catching him with a Hurricanranna that sends him barrelling onto the middle rope himself.

Right in 619 territory.

Mysterion hits the ropes and STORMS ACROSS THE RING!

THY LORDS PRAYER!

TILT-O-WHIRL GORDUSTER BY ELI FOREVER!

Eli is setting up to end this. Mysterion gets up to his knees but FROM BEHIND!

DAVID MANSON!

The Horror spins him around, kicks him low and DRILLS HIM!

THE HORROR SHOW!

DOUBLE UNDERHOOK RUNNING PILEDRIVER!

If you could see Spero’s face beneath his mask, you’d believe he was in shock. Manson slides to the outside, yelling into the crowd.

“I’ll do this by myself,” he yells, spitting literally with rage. “Fuck him!”

Mysterion covers Forever.

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

ELI FOREVER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Spero re-enters the ring, almost in disbelief. He isn’t sure what to do or who to go after.

He meets Bruce Van Chan in the middle, both men tussling in a lock up. Bruce swings Spero into Yahweh’s corner, but the Last Hope reverses, sending Van Chan instead. He hits hard and tags Luther Creed, who blocks a right hand by Spero and enters the ring. He beats him backwards into the ropes, sending him across and dropping him with a big Clothesline.

Elsewhere, Rain has tagged in King Arthur and one half of the hounds is making a b-line towards his enemy. Creed looks up, quickly acting with a Drop Toe Hold that crashes Arthur face first into the mat. He’s ready to fight! Luther side steps Mysterion who attempts a right hand, turning him around and scooping him up.

BODYSLAM!

The Revolutionist hits the ropes.

GIANT LEGDROP!

CONNECTED!

Creed pops back up but there’s Spero with a Dropkick to the knees, taking his legs out from beneath him. Mysterion comes to and the double team is on. With Creed kneeling…

DOUBLE DDT!

King Arthur is back up and angrily wants a piece of Creed. He grabs Spero, tossing him over the top rope to the outside. Mysterion sidesteps the clutches and starts working away at his knees. Arthur though grabs him, pulling him into a Headbutt!

The Cloaked Conundrum stumbles.

THE KINGS CROSSING!

RUNNING KNEE TO MYSTERION!

Arthur gets back up and there’s Creed. Luther with a giant SPEAR!

Luther starts beating the holy crap out of him with right hands, mounting him to deliver every vicious blow. Spero though CLOCKS him from behind with a SUPERKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!

Creed goes down!

Spero into the cover…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

LUTHER CREED HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

We’re down three now. Team Freedom has lost Berengar and Eli Forever, whilst Yahweh is down by one with Luther Creed.

Chambers enters the ring in his place, catching Spero who leaps at him with an attempted Crossbody, tossing him overhead with an Overhead Suplex. He’s back up immediately, lumping Mysterion with a Headbutt for good measure – stumbling him back into his corner, where Nightstick makes the tag. Chambers grabs Arthur as he rises…

FALL AWAY SLAM!

But here comes Nightstick! He storms the ring, catching Chambers as he gets back up…

HARD JUSTICE!

CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!

Spero gets back to his feet…

HARD JUSTICE!

ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!

HOLY SHIT, NIGHTSTICK IS HANDING OUT NAPS!

King Arthur is back to his feet, running…

THE KINGS CROSSING!

RUNNING KNEE!

NO!!

NIGHTSTICK FUCKING CLOBBERS HIM IN MID-AIR WITH A CLOTHESLINE, TURNING HIM INSIDE OUT!

HARDER FUCKING JUSTICE!

He covers Arthur…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

KING ARTHUR HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

And here comes Isaac Danvers!

Danvers angrily goes after Nightstick, ramming him backwards into the corner. Shoulder barges follow, as does a couple of thumbs to the eyes as The Mad Doctor makes a point.

He aggressively grabs him by the head, tossing this great hulk of a cop across the ring in one fell swoop. There’s nothing in this world that’ll stop Danvers right now.

Except D’von Chambers.

Chambers SPEARS him to the canvas out of no-where, driving home right hands down upon him. He gets back up as Nightstick does, kicking him low.

THE PASTORAL PLUNGE!

RAZORS EDGE POWERBOMB!

WAIT A MINUTE, THERE’S SPERO ON THE TOP ROPE!

THE LAST BEACON!

CORKSCREW SHOOTING STAR PRESS DOWN ONTO NIGHTSTICK!

But wait, ISAAC DANVERS LEAPS INTO THE AIR!

THE CURE TO D’VON CHAMBERS!

THE CURE TO SPERO!

A VICIOUS ELBOW TO THE TEMPLE!

OH MY GOD! HE JUST TOOK THEM BOTH OUT!

Danvers grabs them both over, covering them both!

Could this be?

A DOUBLE COUNT.

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

D’VON CHAMBERS AND SPERO HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED!

OH MY GOD, DAVID MANSON IS ALONE ON HIS TEAM!

And that makes the sick fuck smile.

Nightstick meanwhile is groggy, getting back to his feet, barely knowing what just hit him.

And here comes Gameboy!

LEVEL ONE!

SUPERKICK TO NIGHTSTICK!

DOWN GOES THE COP!

GAMEBOY RUNS….

THE RESET!

RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS TO NIGHTSTICK!

HE COVERS…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

NIGHTSTICK HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Mysterion doesn’t want to wait even a minute. He pulls himself onto the top rope, SPRINGBOARDING INTO THE RING!

MANSON LEAPS

NO FUCKING WAY

NECKBREAKER!

WELCOME TO MANSON STREET!

A MID-AIR FUCKING NECKBREAKER TO MYSTERION! MANSON WATCHED, WAITED, LEAPT BEHIND HIM AND AS HE FLEW INTO THE RING, CAUGHT HIM SWEET!

Manson covers…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

MYSTERION HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

This match is incredible! We’re down to the final eight and here’s how it shapes up.

Isaac Danvers, Rain and Gallows lynch remain.

Troy Solveig and Zander Zane remain.

Bruce Van Chan and Gameboy remain.

And finally, David Manson… remains.

The Elysium Fields team of death hold all the cards.

Meanwhile, Isaac Danvers, Gameboy, David Manson and Troy Solveig are now in the ring and the action continues.

Troy Solveig runs towards Manson, Baseball Sliding beneath his legs and popping up the other side. What he doesn’t see is Gameboy who steps up him with an Enziguri. Isaac Danvers meanwhile grabs Manson into a Side Headlock, wrenching him down to his knees.

Manson pushes Danvers off into the ropes, Rain making the tag as Isaac comes barrelling back to be met with a big boot.

Gameboy meanwhile drags Solveig into his corner, going to town with right and left hands. He uses his boot to hold The Viking there, tagging in Bruce Van Chan. The Angel comes in, grabbing Troy and snapping him down to the canvas with a Suplex.

Rain punches Manson back into the ropes, looking for the DDT!

BROTHER MINE!

NO!

LOW BLOW BY THE NIGHTMARE!

Rain falls to one knee as David hits the ropes, LEAPING INTO HIS FACE WITH A KNEE!

BUT RAIN DUCKS! Rain gets back to his feet and BROTHER MINE!

DDT TO DAVID MANSON!

Rain covers, but here comes Bruce Van Chan from the top rope!

SHOT THROUGH THE HEART

AND YOU’RE TO BLAME!

DARLIN, YOU GIVE LOVE, A BAD NAME!

450 SPLASH!

RIGHT DOWN ACROSS THE BACK OF RAIN AND RIGHT DOWN ON DAVID MANSON TOO!

Rain rolls off and Bruce Van Chan covers…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

KICKOUT! RAIN KICKS OUT!

THAT WAS CLOSE.

Bruce gets back up but doesn’t see Solveig from behind!

VALKYRIE!

SUPERMAN PUNCH!

Van Chan stumbles…

KICK TO THE GUT!

THE HAMMER OF THE GODS!

JACKHAAAMMMMEERRRR!!!!

Troy Solveig is surely going to eliminate Van Chan. He covers…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

BRUCE VAN CHAN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

What a performance from The Angel. Bruce Van Chan gave it his all here tonight. Gameboy is the last competitor for Yahweh and he enters the ring with vigour, spinning Solveig around.

There’s a lot of history in the ring right now.

But Solveig grabs Gameboy by the throat, squeezing him down to his knees.

LIGHTS OUT.

Where the fuck has the lights gone?

There’s an eerie silence inside The Tap Room as the lights struggle to come back on.

They’re back and… wait a minute….

Gallows Lynch has gone.

Where the hell has Lynch vanished to? The fans can’t believe it. Rain can’t believe it. Danvers can’t believe it. That son of a bitch must’ve upped and ditched his squad!

Rain gets back to his feet suddenly stops dead.

His eyes widen.

He walks towards the corner, his head titled.

“What happened?” He asks in complete and utter disbelief. He’s standing there, talking to absolutely nothing. “Talk to me, Lynch!”

What the fuck?

Wait a God damn minute.

Is….

Is…. is.. Gallows Lynch dead?

FROM BEHIND! MANSON TURNS HIM! KICK TO THE GUT.

RUNNING DOUBLE UNDERHOOK PILEDRIVER!

THE HORROR SHOW TO RAIN!

MANSON COVERS…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

RAIN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

What the hell is going on? Isaac Danvers is incensed. He looks towards Rain in disbelief, trying to figure out what’s going on when…

LIGHTS OUT.

AGAIN?

FLUTTER

NO FUCKING WAY.

THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AND IT’S HIM… HE’S HERE!

THE SCARECROW!

THE SCARECROW STANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING WITH HIS ARMS PERCHED!

EVERYONE LOSES THEIR FUCKING MIND.

THE ENTIRE TAP ROOM HAS EXPLODED INTO A MASS OF CHEERS.

The Hayman grabs Isaac Danvers by the throat.

BYE BYE BIRDIE!

CHOKESLAM!

CHOKESLAM TO ISAAC DANVERS! DID THE SCARECROW KILL GALLOWS LYNCH AND TAKE HIS PLACE? IS THAT WHAT RAIN SAW? IS THAT WHAT CHANGED THE ENTIRE DYNAMIC OF THIS MATCH!?

The Scarecrow steps over the top rope and waits on the apron that once belonged to the men who treasured death, watching as Troy Solveig slinks into a cover with a smile.

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

ISAAC DANVERS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

And now we’re down to five.

Zander Zane & Troy Solveig.

Gameboy.

The Scarecrow.

And David Manson.

The Scarecrow enters the ring to join the fight as Zander Zane becomes the only person now on the ring apron. The advantage goes to the team he’s captaining here tonight. Gameboy tries running at The Scarecrow but he takes him out with a Big Boot.

Next up is David Manson, who the Hayman PUNCHES HARD IN THE CHEST.

THE HAYMAKER!

He crumbles.

Troy Solveig steps up next, standing toe to toe with The Monster. They look at each other, their chests puffed out.

This is going to be epic.

“I’ve brought you a message, little birdie,” The Scarecrow says. “From Yahweh himself.”

Oh my…

The Scarecrow is the one The Chief was recruiting? It was him on the bench?

TROY LUMPS HIM WITH A HEADBUTT.

The Scarecrow stumbles. Solveig swings with a Clothesline but The Monster ducks under, grabbing him by the throat.

CHOKESLAM

NO! SOLVEIG SLAMS DOWN ON THE ARMS TO ESCAPE.

AND WAIT, GAMEBOY ROLLS SOLVEIG UP FROM WITHIN.

ONE….

TWO….

KICK OUT!

DAVID MANSON SPINS THE SCARECROW!

KICK TO THE GUT!

HE’S GOING FOR THE HORRORSHOW!

NO!

THE SCARECROW SPINS HIM.

BYE… BYE…. BIRDIE!

CHOKESLAM! CHOKESLAM! CHOKESLAM!

HE COVERS…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

DAVID MANSON HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

That’s it! Manson’s team has been eliminated from the match!

There’re only three teams left in this now.

Solveig dispatches Gameboy over the top rope to the outside and turns around to meet Scarecrow.

Only that isn’t who stands there.

SWORD THROUGH THE CHEST OF TROY SOLVEIG!

OH MY FUCKING GOD!

IT’S NIGHTSTICK!! WHAT THE FUCK!? NIGHTSTICK JUST DROVE THE SWORD OF JUSTICE THROUGH THE CHEST OF THE VIKING! IT PIERCED HIS ARMOUR AND THEN HIS HEART!!!

SOLVEIG LOOKS AT HIM WITH BETRAYAL.

“Justice has been served,” Nightstick quips, pulling Solveig close enough with the sword still in his hand. “Shadow sends his regards.”

NIGHTSTICK HAS BETRAYED THEMIS!

OH MY GOD!

NIGHTSTICK HAS BETRAYED TROY SOLVEIG!

Gameboy enters the ring, looking down at the bloodied Viking. He RUNS.

THE RESET!

RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS FOR GOOD MEASURE!

HE COVERS…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

TROY SOLVEIG HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

That’s it. We’re down to the final three. We have Zander Zane, The Scarecrow and Gameboy.

The Scarecrow may have taken Gallows Lynch’s place but he’s on the side of Gameboy, let’s not forget it.

Zander cautiously enters the ring with a gulp.

He knows his back is up against the wall.

The Rocker runs towards The Scarecrow, ducking underneath a Clothesline and leaping into a Neckbreaker. That drops The Big Man. Gameboy quickly attacks from behind, running him into the corner chest first. He rolls away as Zane turns around.

BUTTON MASHER!

RIGHT HAND, RIGHT HAND, RIGHT HAND!

Zane barely knows what’s hit him. The Scarecrow gets back up. Gameboy runs across the ring, leaping into the air, looking for a DROPKICK!

THE ROCKER DUCKS!

DROPKICK TO THE SCARECROW!

STUNNER!

MIC DROP AS THE SCARECROW REELS!

MIC DROP TO THE SCARECROW!

Zane barely gets back to his feet and

LEVEL ONE!

SUPERKICK! NO! ZANE CATCHES THE LEG!

HE SPINS HIM AROUND

MIC DROP!

STUNNER! STUNNER TO GAMEBOY!

ZANDER LEAPS INTO THE COVER…

ONE….

TWO….

THREE!!

GAMEBOY HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Yahweh’s original team has been eliminated! It’s The Scarecrow vs. Zander Zane.

Should Zander Zane win then his team will headline Over The Limit and one of them will become the NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO EDWARD NEWTON!

Should The Scarecrow win, whether he likes it or not, it’ll be RAIN vs. ISAAC DANVERS vs. THE SCARECROW vs. KING ARTHUR at Over The Limit!

Both men get back to their feet, standing in the centre of the ring. This is the first time they’ve ever come face to face. They lock up, Zane taking Scarecrow into a Side Headlock only for the Hayman to push him out into the ropes. He comes back, into a massive SPINEBUSTER by The Monster.

Crow doesn’t cover. He instead pulls Zane back to his feet, slapping his giant paw like hand around his throat.

BYE BYE…

ZANDER DROPS DOWN!

Kick to the gut!

DDT!

The Rock God slowly gets back to his feet, DEMANDING that The Scarecrow meet him.

The Hayman lumbers back to a stand point.

KICK TO THE GUT!

MIC DROP!

STUNNER!

NO! THE SCARECROW SCOOPS HIM UP AND ZANE ROLLS OVER AND DOWN.

RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP!

NO!

ELBOWS BY THE SCARECROW.

THE HAYMAN WHIPS HIM OFF INTO THE ROPES!

BIG BOOT!

ZANDER DUCKS BUT CONTINUES HIS RUN.

CROSSBODY!

NAILED HIM!

Zane into the cover…

ONE….

TWO….

KICK OUT!!

The Rock God slides to the outside, grabbing a steel chair. He’s desperate to put an end to this one way or another.

He enters the ring and is MET BY A BIG BOOT, SLAMMING THE CHAIR BACK IN HIS FACE!

THAT HAD TO HURT.

The Scarecrow signals for the end.

BUT WAIT, HERE’S RAIN…

ISAAC DANVERS…

AND KING ARTHUR!

WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING BACK OUT HERE!?

DANVERS NAILS HIM WITH THE ELBOW TO THE SKULL!

THE CURE!

Rain kicks The Scarecrow low.

BROTHER MINE!

DDT!!

The Scarecrow bounces back up to his knees, barely knowing what’s hit him.

THE KINGS CROSSING!

RUNNING KNEE!

ALL THREE OF THEM JUST LAID OUT THE FUCKING MONSTER! HOLY SHIT!

THEY’RE PISSED!

Zander Zane crawls into the cover as all three exit the ring…

ONE….

….

TWO….

….

THREE!

….

KICK OUT!!

THE SCARECROW KICKS OUT!!

UNBELIEVABLE! HOW THE FUCK DID HE KICK OUT OF THAT!?

Zane can’t believe it.

He gets back to his feet and angrily grabs The Scarecrow by the head. He’s going for Mic Drop. He pulls him back to his feet.

BUT THE HAYMAN COMES ALIVE!

OH JESUS.

HAND AROUND THE THROAT.

BYE…. BYE….. BIRDIE!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

ZANE DROPS DOWN AND CATCHES HIM IN MID-AIR!!

EPIC MIC DROP! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!

THE SCARECROW BOUNCES AWAY WITH SUCH FEROCITY THAT THIS ONE HAS TO BE OVER!

ZANDER ZANE SCRAMBLES INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG…

ONE….

….

TWO….

….

THREE!

IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER! ZANDER ZANE HAS ELIMINATED THE SCARECROW!

No-one can quite believe their eyes. What a match.

Zander Zane, Nightstick and Mysterion will be heading to Over The Limit to decide who faces Edward Newton for the OSW Championship at Shattered Dreams!

But what of Troy Solveig?

What a match.

“THE ONLY WAY”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Sometime later..

Somewhere in the darkest recesses of Eli Forever’s family home, the aforementioned is rifling through some drawers with only a candle for light. He’s searching frantically for something in a place he isn’t allowed to be.

That’s when a voice interrupts him.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Manson says, referring to his actions tonight that cost them everything. “There’s gonna be repercussions.”

Eli is immediately startled. “You can’t kill my precious mother, Manson. Without her, you don’t have any leverage. Without her, this whole charade collapses.”

David approaches calmly, smiling.

“You’re right. The longer I keep her in my possession, the longer I have control over you and your followers. I’ve taken the courtesy of making her disappear, Eli.”

That shocks The Heir, who’s eyes begin to well up.

“You’ll get regular contact to keep you in line,” Manson says with a chuckle. “But after what you did with Newton, you’ve forced my hand. I’m looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

Manson cockily walks out of the room, leaving Forever to contemplate his dire situation. For a moment he pauses before returning to the drawers. When he finally finds the document he’s looking for, he smiles.

A voice then interrupts from the shadows.

“Are you sure you want to use that?”

Forever nods. “It’s the only way.”

“You’ll turn the eternal river red with blood, brother,” the voice says, stepping out of the shadows to reveal himself as Judah. “There may be no coming back.”

Eli stares at him.

“Then so be it.”

Cut.

“MASSACRE”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Elysium Fields.

Screams.

Horrifying, terrifying, howling screams fill the air as we open to a scene of destruction. The windows outside the Elysium Fields hotel are shattered and broken. We head inside to see blood, entrails and bloodied masses littering the floors, walls and ceilings. Something or someone has torn down the insides of this sanctuary, destroying those who took safety from within.

There’s a panicked breathless sound of someone running down the halls, trying to escape the carnage.

It’s Themis.

“Please, no, please,” she begs, finally cornered. “I’m begging you, please.”

Slash.

The camera cuts to one side, just as blood sprays the wall behind her. She slumps to the floor, her throat slit from side to side and blood spewing from the wound, rapidly pooling at the now slumped body on the floor.

A gloved hand reaches inside her chest, pulling something out.

Her soul.

We turn to see bodies littering the hall.

Shezmu is dead.

Fortuna is dead.

And that’s when we see Odin, stood in the corner, staring at us.

He grabs at the door handle, frantically trying to open it. He tries his powers, but nothing seems to be working.

“How did you find us?” He demands to know, still trying to escape. “How did you get past our warding?”

The sound of something trundling towards him echoes loudly, only it stops suddenly when a flash of white light appears.

It’s so powerful that it blinds us all.

And when it finally fades away, Odin is gone.

But the carnage remains.

There’s blood and viscera in every corner. Someone or something terrible has slaughtered Gods. It’s a massacre.

Who survived?