“MRS. FOLEY'S BABY BOY”
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
In one of the upper levels of Arcadia, Zeus wanders safely, but with Ares close behind him as an escort. On these levels of Arcadia, the rich and prosperous reside.
They turn a small corner, approaching a quaint cottage like door. Zeus knocks carefully.
When the door opens, the last face we expect to see is his, Felix Foley. The Puppetmaster looks dishevelled, his beard overgrown and his t-shirt stained in various colours.
“Low and behold my surprise when I had your records pulled and realized you were in one of my upper echelons,” Zeus says with a shake of his head.
Felix ashamedly closes the door too slightly.
“There’re three different types of people in Arcadia, Felix. There’s the up above, the down below and those in the middle. Thousands of people and you’re one of the few.”
Suddenly, the door opens, and an elderly woman barges past Felix, right into the face of Zeus. Ares lunges, but he’s waved off by the Baron.
“How dare you fire my baby boy, Sonny-Jim,” she says, wagging her finger in his face.
“Mrs. Foley, I presume?” Zeus says with a stern expression. “Your baby boy was fired because there’s darkness following him and a friend of his.”
She turns to look at Felix with a perturbed expression.
“Oh, Felix…”
“Mom…”
Zeus interrupts.
“But actually, I’ve come to offer your son his job back on a condition. Damien Wolfe wriggled his way back onto the roster and I’d like to offer you the opportunity to destroy him at Ring of Dreams.”
Mrs Foley looks at her baby boy, shaking her head. He looks down at her, smiles and then looks back to Zeus.
“I’d be honoured, sir,” he says with a big cheesy grin. “I’d like nothing more than to come back to OSW; for the kids.”
The Baron nods in agreement, before signalling to Ares that it’s time to leave. As they walk away, Mrs. Foley takes her baby boy inside and closes the door.
“Felix,” she pleads. “You can’t go back there, son. What would your father say?”
The Puppetmaster shrugs his shoulders and walks away, leaving her to muse alone in the hall.
Cut.
“RUN FOR YOUR LIVES”
Previously.
Suddenly, panicked and in a state of terror, Drexl storms into the room. He’s breathless, and Drewitt immediately turns the gun in his direction, stepping between them both and pointing it at either.
“He…”
Big Slim can barely catch his breath.
“He took the club,” Drexl says gasping for air. “Tombstone. He’s coming.”
Drewitt looks at Teddy O’Toole.
Teddy O’Toole looks at Drexl.
Drexl puts his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
Flutter.
Suddenly and abruptly, Tombstone appears. He grabs Drexl by the back of his head, slamming him violently from his knees, face first into the concrete floor.
Drewitt walks forward, trying to plead with him.
“It’s not what it looks like,” he begs off.
The Ferryman grabs him by the face mask and runs him backwards into he glass office window that overlooks the factory floor, cracking it with the impact.
“It looks like you’re in cahoots,” Tombstone growls.
With one big thrust, he shatters the window entirely, opening blood on the back of Drewitt’s head as he cracks it open. The Explorer falls to the floor in a state of unconsciousness, leaving just Teddy O’Toole.
The Candyman gulps, but lunges for a drawer on his desk. He pulls out a pistol, firing it blindly in the direction of Tombstone.
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
Three bullets slam into his purple shirted chest. Smoke pops from each one, but the monster just keeps coming.
He grabs the barrel of the gun, bending it with one hand and grabbing O’Toole by the throat with the other.
“Easy big fella,” Teddy carefully pleads. “You’ll need me.”
Tombstone tilts his head in confusion.
“I’m the only one who knows the truth,” he reminds him.
The Ferryman reluctantly releases him, backing up.
“I’ll see all three of you at Ring of Dreams,” he growls. “You’ll end this, or I will.”
Flutter.
And he’s gone.
Cut.
The Conservator and the Trophy Hunter will be bound by a strap when they go to battle tonight!
The bell rings and Grim yanks the strap, and thus Wolfe, right at him and nearly takes the conservator’s head off with a vicious lariat! Grim doubles up the strap in his hand and whips Wolfe over the back with it— and again— AND AGAIN! Wolfe is howling in pain!
Grim yanks Wolfe up by the strap and places him like a trophy atop his shoulders into the torture rack— THE HARVEST! Grim shakes Wolfe violently, but Wolfe slips out and behind, managing to wrap that strap around Grim’s neck— HE’S CHOKING THE BAH GAWD LIFE OUT OF HIM!
Wolfe takes Grim down to the mat, effectively grounding him, but Grim’s strength shows as he pries Wolfe’s hands away from his neck and manages to separate himself from his foe! As Grim catches his breath on all fours Wolfe sprints at him— STATUTORY DAMAGE— but the knee trembler misses!
Grim ducked it and again yanks that strap, sending Wolfe towards him uncontrollably— BLOOD SPORT!! THE BROGUE KICK CONNECTS!! Grim let’s out a primal growl and grabs ahold of the strap again as Wolfe gets to his feet, and forcefully yanks the strap— SPEAR!!! THE GREAT PURSUIT!!! Cover— ONE! TWO!! THREE!!!
Luther Grim picks up the big victory tonight ahead of Ring of Dreams!
WINNER: LUTHER GRIM
“INFILTRATE II”
Previously Recorded
We find ourselves inside the Vault, a world hidden behind the heavily guarded walls filled with wonders and beauty. Colt Ramsey moves quickly, looking for a specific item contained within the splendour.
“This has got to be it.”
He moves forward to a glass case, with a carefully folded mound of fabric sitting on a display stand. After a few moments fiddling with the case itself, Colt manages to get the door open and scoops the fabric up into his arms without so much as a fuss, as the chaos outside the compound has drawn away the security.
Colt turns, eager to hightail it from the Vault, but stops in his tracks as a figure emerges, clapping slowly.
“Well done, amigo. You’re always ready for a fight.”
Caesar XL steps forward, one of the men that had helped him infiltrate the Vault itself at his flank. Colt backs away, clutching the material tightly to his chest.
“He works… for you?”
“Relax, Ramsey. I’m not interested in that particular material, no matter what special properties it may possess.”
Colt doesn’t relax an ounce.
“Then why help me?”
Caesar smiles.
“I like it when people owe me favours… and now you owe me one.”
He motions towards the exit door and his henchman rushes off.
“I’ll collect that favour when the time is right. For now, I prefer those in my debt to stay alive so we need to get you out of here.”
Colt begins to relax, ever so slightly.
“Well, at least you’re not the Uprising”
Caesar slaps him on the back, hard. At that moment, the henchman enters back through the door and nods at Caesar.
“Lucky for you, or else you’d be next on the Killing Floor. Now go, I’ll be in touch.”
He pushes Colt towards the exit door and Colt dashes away, having successfully stolen the material, but at a cost known only to Caesar.
Cut.
A mobile medical bay is rolled next to the ring by Zeus’ men! Inside is a gurney, medical supplies, and soon to be one of these competitors!
Drewitt starts us off as he clobbers Foley with a massive running clothesline! He’s wasting no time in hauling Felix up and whipping him towards the ropes! Drewitt follows BUT GETS THROWN OVER! HE RUNS RIGHT INTO A BACK BODY DROP! Foley gets onto the apron and hits a leaping senton!
Both men land outside of the ring and as Foley tries to force Drewitt up towards the ambulance the Explorer nails a gnarly headbutt to the bridge of Foley’s nose! He blocks a haymaker and nails a blow to the jaw BEFORE HOISTING FOLEY UP AND RUNNING HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE AMBULANCE DOORS!
Foley stumbles to his feet BUT CATCHES AN AMBULANCE DOOR TO THE FACE! Drewitt flung the doors open and grabs Foley by the throat! He whips him towards the ambulance- FOLEY REVERSES! FALL GUY! FALL AWAY SLAM THROWS DREWITT INTO THE AMBULANCE!
The Puppeteer is slow to rise and as he tries to close the doors Drewitt grabs him and pulls him into the ambulance! Both men trade blows in the crowded interior with neither giving an inch! FOLEY GRABS A NEEDLE FROM THE MEDICAL TABLE AND JABS IT INTO DREWITT’S CHEST! THE EXPLORER STUMBLES GROGGILY BACK! Foley leaps out, slamming the doors shut to the ambulance!
Felix once again defends his title! Despite Drewitt’s massive strength, Foley walks out victorious!
WINNER AND STILL VHS CHAMPION: FELIX FOLEY
“BACK DOWN, LITTLE COYOTE”
Deathrow Wrestling.
Stood in the middle of the ring, surrounded by the convicts of Deathrow, The Red Hood cuts a lonely figure. He’s spent what feels like an age trying to pry the location of a weapons cache from Jiro – the only man who knows where it is.
He’s failed.
Prometheus led this charge, his knowledge of Arcadia being vital in their mission.
And he’s dead.
“Next week, it’s Ring of Death,” Hood announces. “And one of the remaining competitors of Deathrow will gain their freedom.”
The prisoners slam the canvas, their cell doors and more with cups and their hands.
“Harold Attano and Gustav Morgue will fight in a match to the death, right here in this very ring,” he says to roars. “One of them will die before your eyes.”
He starts to pace the ring.
“Harvey Escher and Aster Grey will settle their differences. Amataga Tuga will defend his Deathrow Championship against Jiro, but I can tell you right now that after what he did to Prometheus, he won’t be winning his freedom.”
Suddenly, the entire cell block falls silent as Max Meadows begins walking through them. The prisoners part like the red sea as he hops onto the ring apron and enters the ring.
“Where’s your puppet?” He growls, demanding of Hood.
Before Red can respond, CJ Thorpe hobbles out into frame, stood outside the ring. With his back still hurting from Dead Men Walking just a matter of weeks ago, he slowly gets inside the ring.
“Looking for me?” Thorpe says with a shuffle.
“Your boyfriend here is about to announce our match for Ring of Death,” Meadows says with a grin. “And I just want to make sure that you’re up for it. After all, I nearly killed you a few weeks ago and at ROD, I might just finish the job.”
“You seem to forget that the first time we met, it was I who beat you,” CJ says with a grin of his own. “After everything you did when we were inmates together, you deserve the beating of a lifetime.”
Max steps closer, getting in his face.
“You’re a snide, Meadows,” The Coyote reminds him. “And everyone here knows it.”
The crowd begin booing, chanting and smacking anything they can in displeasure as Max looks around them.
“Have it your way, boy,” he snarls.
The Red Hood finally steps forward, pushing Meadows back and warning him against any action here tonight. The convict puts his hands up and does as he’s told, backing off.
“Next week, you will back down, little Coyote,” he warns. “Trust me.”
Cut.
“MANIPULATION”
Blood Runners’ Compound.
WHAM!
A Blood Runner goes flying like a sack of shit.
Kaiju Chiba is here!
Last week, the Blood Runners ambushed and assaulted him. Now, it’s his turn.
Chiba moves with a determined stride, his massive seven-foot frame clearing a path of fear and awe among the guards.
They crumble before his mighty fists, blown away like leaves in a hurricane.
Each punch he lands reverberates through the compound’s heart, a steady beat drumming the rhythm of his indomitable will.
As he bursts into the main chamber, he finds a calm scene for once.
At its center, on a grotesque throne made of skeletal remains, sits…
Gemini?
A malicious smirk playing on her lips, she radiates a sense of dangerous allure.
SLAM!
BLACKTOOTH NAILS CHIBA WITH A CHOP BLOCK, BRINGING THE BIG SAVE DOWN TO A KNEE.
The Devil of the Wastes places a blade to Kaiju’s throat.
“Want me to do it?” He calls out to Gemini.
“She’s manipulating you, Blacktooth,” Chiba growls, his words thundering off the cold steel walls.
Blacktooth merely chuckles, the sound echoing eerily throughout the chamber.
“Aye, maybe she is,” he admits, his voice raspy, like the grinding of gears, “But maybe we’re all using each other, eh Big Save?”
The atmosphere thickens as Blacktooth’s words hang in the air. Before Chiba can retort, there’s a familiar puff of smoke, and the good Gemini appears.
She takes in what’s happening, and rushes down off the throne to separate the two men. Blacktooth licks his lips, taking in the body of this new Gemini.
You know what they say about twins.
“Enough!” Gemini says. “Just like I’ve got to learn to fight Kpavio, you two need to settle this among yourselves!”
Her gaze meets Chiba’s, and in her eyes, he sees an unwavering resolve.
Kaiju looks at Blacktooth, and the pair seem to have reached an understanding.
“Ring of Dreams then?” Blacktooth asks.
Chiba nods.
“You bring your bitch, I’ll bring mine.”
Cut.
One man’s dream is another man’s nightmare tonight, as Grimskull takes on The Burned Man in a fever dream inferno match!
The bell rings and the inferno of flames surrounding the ring gives off smoldering heatwaves that evoke beads of sweat from the fans in the crowd. The heat is worse yet for the two competitors inside the squared circle. Grimskull rushes at The Burned Man to tie up collar and elbow…
BURNED MAN DROPS TO THE CANVAS AS IF HE’S SEEN A GHOST! THE FLAMES SURROUNDING HIM ARE TOO MUCH FOR HIS PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING! As TBM lays in the fetal position, rocking back and forth and wrought with PTSD, Grimskull lays in stomp after stomp on the defenseless Arcadian Mummy!
After concluding the striking onslaught, Grimskull tries to peel TBM off the mat, using all his strength to deadlift him, but TBM’s dead weight is too heavy a burden to bear, so Grimskull changes course and hops up onto the top rope— PRAYER!!! BUT TBM ROLLS AWAY FROM THE FLYING HEADBUTT!!!
TBM grounds Grimskull in the center of the ring, latching on the crossface chickenwing— ETERNAL BURNING!! TBM is holding on for dear life, stretching Grimskull out with all his strength… AND GRIMSKULL IS OUT! TBM ragdolls Grimskull to his feet and drills him with a modified tiger suplex— SENDING GRIMSKULL INTO THE FLAMES!!!
Burned is indeed past tense, as TBM defeats Grimskull and his own demons with a big victory!
WINNER: THE BURNED MAN
“A CURZE ON YOUR HOUSES”
Mannfred Curze, rarely seen outside of The Bleak aside from his visits to Olympus, makes his way through unfamiliar territory. He walks around a level that appears to be well kept, though it has areas that are harsher on the eyes.
Curze approaches a gate, and sees a snake carved into the wooden post.
“Interesting…” he muses, continuing onwards.
As he walks on the surroundings get murkier. His tip off was to expect something untoward, but he can’t help the feeling of unease growing as he continues his journey.
Finally, he comes to a building. It looks like the rear entrance of some industrial unit – where the deliveries might be made. From a distances all seems calm, but as he gets closer he begins to hear sounds.
He can’t quite make them out, so he continues inching closer and closer, towards a slightly rusted metal door at the foot of the building.
Finally, he’s within touching distance of the door, and he can make out an embossed image of a snake eating an apple.
But the sounds he could hear? Now he has no trouble making them out. Those noises are 100% the sound of human screams. Hanging in the air, they make the hairs on Curze’s neck stand on end. They are not screams of pleasure or joy. They are screams of pure unadulterated terror.
What is this place?
Cut.
“SETTING DATES”
Narcissa Balenciaga is readying herself backstage for a massive match later tonight. She has her eyes closed in preparation, sitting on a bench when she senses the presence of another. Her eyes shoot open in an instant, but her looks softens from the initial fight or flight when she recognises the figure intruding her space.
Yet, it is not exactly a look of love that she gives to Colt Ramsey as he draws closer to her.
“I’ve done it, Narcy-Doll.”
He kneels down before her, presenting the fabric on his arms in an over-dramatic fashion. Narcissa’s face turns into a look of impressed surprise.
“You actually broke into the Vault for me?”
Colt nods, a proud and cocky smile forming on his face.
“Yep, I’ve done my bit. Now, you remember your end of the bargain?”
Narcissa draws a deep breath.
“You’re right, one date is what I promised. But I said it would be on my terms. I don’t want you taking me to some sleazy club or seedy eatery. Our date will be my choice.”
Colt’s eyebrows raise.
“Well, I do like a woman who knows what she wants.”
Narcissa moves forward, trailing a finger along the material in his arms, feeling its softness as she speaks.
“You want a chance to get as close as you like to me?”
Colt nods.
“Where we can dance, where anything goes?”
Colt nods, an eager smile on his face.
“Well then, Colt… I have the perfect date. At Ring of Dreams… Our date will be you and me, in that ring. A match to seal the deal. Then, you can get as close as you like to me.”
Colt looks a little stunned. He stands up, pulling the fabric away from her slightly as he thinks on her words.
“Our date is a match?”
Narcissa smiles.
“You catch on really quick, Colt. But be aware… if you think you’re going to use this as a chance to get close to me. I’m going to get reeeeaaal close to you too.”
With that, she slaps him across the cheek. He backs away, taking the fabric with him and looking a little confused still.
“I’ll bring your material to Ring of Dreams, you can get it in the ring. I wouldn’t want to give you an excuse to not show up to our date.”
Narcissa smiles almost sweetly at her date, blowing him a little kiss.
“Now Colt, you need to be ready tonight. I need you at your best. Consider it a pre-date warmup.”
Cut.
Within the depths of Arcadia lies the boiler room. Pipes, tools, and assorted machinery surrounding both Titans as they prepare to brawl!
Vision is immediately on the attack as he slams into Doom with surprising speed! Stubbins collides with headfirst a metal pipe and Vision forces his neck across it! HE’S CHOKING DOOM OUT WITH THE PIPE! Vision refuses to let go as Doom already begins to fade! He’s going to pass out!
BANG! DOOM JUST DROPPED A FLASHBANG! The loud noise stuns Vision and Doom slams him face first across the nearby wall! Vision grabs onto the pipe to steady himself BUT DOOM ELECTRIFIES HIS GLOVES AND GRABS IT! BRAINS OVER BRAUN! VISION IS GETTING TAZED THROUGH THE METAL!
Stubbins has the upper hand as he grabs The Awoken one and whips him into the boiler itself! Doom runs forwards with a knee to the back that slams Vision into the boiler again! He goes for another knee- BUT VISION SPINS A WHEEL ON THE BOILER! BURNING HOT STEAM HITS DOOM IN THE FACE!
The Scientist screams in agony when Vision grabs him and nails an STO into the nearby machinery! Stubbins is down and Vision slowly begins to try and escape the boiler room! But Doom tackles him from behind! Both men fight at the doorway WHEN VISION GRABS A NEARBY WRENCH! HE SLAMS IT ACROSS DOOM’S FACE AND SENDS HIM TO THE GROUND BEFORE FORCING HIS WAY OUT OF THE BOILER ROOM!
The Awoken One slams the door behind himself, claiming victory here tonight!
WINNER: VISION
“ADAPTATION”
We find ourselves deep within The Groves, the vegetation seemingly untouched in quite some time…until a strange rustling sound catches our attention.
Upon closer inspection, we find a figure creeping through the brush, a ripped-out page in hand, with an aura of shadow that can only mean one person in particular.
Kpavio.
The Skull appears to be searching for something as he rummages through another bush, talking to himself all the while.
“Simply beating the light out of Gemini won’t be enough, I fear. I need something more, something to help her vision adapt to the darkness within.”
Kpavio stops for a moment, tugging away at a plant in the ground until it pops out. The Skull analyzes the root of it, looking over at the page on the ground beside it with a nod of assurance.
“Only then will Gemini truly see,” remarks Kpavio, stuffing away the page before placing the root in a satchel. “Only then will she finally understand what must be done.”
Not wanting to draw any attention from whatever may be roaming The Groves right this moment, Kpavio slinks away, looking curiously smug about the situation at hand as he utters one last statement to himself, as if making a promise he intends to keep.
“I will help show Gemini the way at Ring of Dreams…and if she doesn’t accept my offer to find the truth, I will blot her out for good.”
With that, the Skull disappears back into the dark once more.
Cut.
The table is set for a dramatic Rewind Championship match between Destructo Boy and Drexl: who will be the one to go through that table?
The bell rings and Destructo Boy launches himself at Drexl with a drop kick into the corner which sends Big Slim bouncing to the canvas. The Kid hits the ropes as Drexl gets to his knees – IMPACT BREAKER – Corkscrew Headbutt to the Jaw of Big Slim sending the Pimp tumbling under the bottom rope to the floor!
As Drexl begins to recover and gets to his feet Destructo Boy springboards looking to hit the JUSTICE GRENADE – 630 Senton onto the stage below! Big Slim side stepped it and follows it up with a running senton onto the Kid— HIPPIE FLIP! The Pimp grabs a table and sets it up near Destructo Boy.
This however gives The Hero enough time to recover, and he bounces Big Slim’s head off the very table which he’d set up! The Kid then rolls the stunned Drexl onto the table before punching Big Slim in the face and climbing the ropes, looking to drive the Pimp through the table…
But Drexl’s playing possum, and he jumps up meeting The Kid on the top rope! Both men struggle with each other until Drexl finally gets Destructo Boy on his shoulders – AVALANCHE BOOTY CALL! He hits the Attitude Adjustment off the top rope through the table on the stage below and the bell sounds!
The question has been answered, and The Kid’ll be picking splinters from his ass as Drexl walks away with his Championship intact!
WINNER AND STILL REWIND CHAMPION: DREXL
“DEATH”
Vision and Grimskull walk side by side, in the slums.
“You have done well to take on board my teachings, though I know you have struggled with some of them,” says Vision.
“It’s not that I have struggled – it is that I do not agree with them,” comes the retort from Grimskull.
“And yet, you are still here. You have not walked away from any of my teachings or challenges so far. You could have, but you did not. I think you are open to having your mind changed, more than you wish to admit.
Grimskull stays quiet.
“You don’t have to reply to that. We’ve arrived anyway.”
Vision motions for Grimskull to enter a segment of the slums curtained off with heavy fabric. Grimskull enters, and sat on a makeshift chair within the confines of the makeshift tent is a man. A man not trapped, but sitting still.
“I told you these final facets would test you in ways you could not imagine. Do you remember this man?”
“Yes, he’s the man you showed me at Pandemonium, when you were explaining charity. The man you took in alongside his wife and child.”
“You did pay attention,” Vision smiles. “Now listen closely. You’ve done well with the facets so far, but this is the final facet, and it is also the hardest to attain. The final facet is indigo, and it’s the facet of death.”
Grimskull looks at Vision, an odd look in his eyes. Vision presents something to Grimskull – a curved dagger.
“This man has done nothing to you. He has not hurt you. He has not betrayed you. He has not hurt anyone you care about.”
Vision bows his head slightly.
“Kill him.”
There’s a silence hanging over them. The man panics but doesn’t dare move, given the sudden presence of the Third Eye surrounding the makeshift tent.
“What?” comes the reply from Grimskull. “If he’s done nothing wrong, why would I kill him?”
“It’s because he’s done nothing wrong that you MUST kill him. The final facet of death requires that you are not afraid to kill when it is requested of you by a higher power. You should not hesitate, no matter the circumstances. So, this man may have done nothing to you – but if the alpha requires it, or you see it in your Third Eye, you must be able to take action. So, take the dagger I placed in your hand. And do it.”
Grimskull approaches the man, who is white as a ghost, and sweating.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers lightly, as he slices his throat wide open. The man sinks to the floor, dead. The makeshift tent materials drop to the floor, and the Third Eye disappear, leaving only Grimskull to consider what he’s done.
Cut.
Teddy O’Toole has brought more than just sweets to this hardcore match against Blacktooth, but the Devil is craving violence and more as he takes on the Candy Man!
Blacktooth hasn’t entered the ring yet, instead instructing one of his Blood Runners to grab a weapon from under the ring, which yields a steel chair! The Devil flashes his sharpened teeth with a smile as he takes the chair…but soon sees O’Toole take a dive over the top rope!
The Candy Man collides against the chair, slamming it against the face of Blacktooth as they both fall to the floor! Teddy is back to his feet, grabbing the steel chair for himself before throwing it at the incoming Blood Runner, taking the Devil’s crony right out of the equation!
Sensing an opportunity, O’Toole brings Blacktooth back to his feet…only to take a jab from Miss Liz, ripping into his shirt and leaving behind a small gash! This infuriates Teddy…but Blacktooth rushes at the Candy Man, wrapping the chain right around his throat, dropping him into a camel clutch position!
MUTILATION! Teddy is struggling to catch a breath, getting to his knees…but Blacktooth leaps up, looking to drive the Candy Man down with a curbstomp! DIRT NAP! Teddy looks out of it here, as Blacktooth wraps the chain even tighter around his throat this time! MUTILATION PUTS TEDDY OUT COLD!
Blacktooth beats the Candy Man into submission here, his hunger satisfied for now as the Devil wins out over Teddy O’Toole!
WINNER: BLACKTOOTH
“WHAT'S MINE”
The Burned Man’s shack. We’ve been inside of it many times before but now it’s different. The few possessions Arcadia’s Mummy owned are strewn across the ground, the bed is tipped on its side, and it looks like a hurricane went through! Standing in the middle of the destruction digging through a trunk is Destructo Boy.
Tears streaming down his face.
“Where is it!?” His voice is desperate, the facade of a hero cracked as he frantically searches through the chest, finding only a few spare credits and tools which soon finds its place on the floor. He stands up, turning towards the door of the cabin and kicking it open in a rage! Only, on the other side stands The Burned Man himself. Before Destructo Boy can even react he catches a boot to the chest that sends him sprawling!
“Looking for this?” The Sole Survivor coughs, dragging the Kingdomblade behind himself as he looms over James. He places his foot on the young hero’s chest, keeping him pinned as he holds the blade over him.
“Give it back! That’s my blade-” Destructo Boy’s tirade is cut short by The Burned Man pressing his foot down on his former friend’s chest.
“No, I think it’s mine now. This is how Arcadia works, Boy. Villains and thugs take whatever they want and once they have it? It’s theirs. Credits, weapons, lives. Everything belongs to someone, it’s just up to someone else to take what they think is theirs.”
Without warning, The Burned Man buries the blade into the dirt right next to Destructo Boy’s head! The young hero flinches, but despite the disadvantage he still fights, refusing to show fear.
“If you want it back? Come and take it from me, Boy.”
He presses down once more, knocking the wind out of Destructo Boy before exiting his now ruined home, the blade being drug disgracefully across the ground the whole way. Meanwhile, Destructo Boy slowly begins to stand, a look of pure determination in his eyes.
Cut.
At Warforged, both of these monsters among men brutalised one another but will Tombstone defeat the Artist again or will Redgrave be the Bell that Tolls for the Ferryman?
The bell sounds as both men rush forward, clobbering blows from two monsters that barely seem to affect either man. Heavy lefts and rights from Jasper countered by stiff forearms and elbows by the Ferryman before Redgrave staggers Tombstone back before he delivers a hard Big Boot, then a second, a third, a fourth each one staggering Tombstone back a few feet before he backs up and lariats the Ferryman over the ropes to the floor below.
Tombstone tumbles to the outside but he manages to land on his feet as he grabs hold of Jasper’s ankle, pulling the Artist to the outside. Jasper lands on his feet right into a brutal headbutt before he’s lifted up high, ODE TO CHARON! Jackknife Powerbomb hits hard but Tombstone doesn’t let go, landing a second, but Jasper slips out of a third, drilling Tombstone low before lifting him up high.
VANISHING POINT INTO THE SPEAKERS! BUT TOMBSTONE NO SELLS IT! The Ferryman instantly sitting up, Redgrave just sneering as he rushes forward right into a seated Belly to Belly Suplex, sending him flying off the stage down to the unforgiving concrete below. Jasper slowly gets to his feet, holding his back in pain as Tombstone sizes him up for a moment before diving off downwards
RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK! Jasper nearly takes Tombstone’s head off but doesn’t let him fall before hoisting him to his feet, as he tries to hook both arms but Tombstone slips out. GOOZLE, FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS FULL FORCE! Tombstone lands the two handed Chokeslam out of nowhere, collapsing onto Jasper for the cover as the referee slides in for the one…two…three!!!
Tombstone manages to pin the Artist’s shoulders once more but he again had to go through an absolute war to do so.
WINNER: TOMBSTONE
“EMBRACE ME”
“I’ve decided what to do with you.”
The voice of Jasper Redgrave snaps Jackson Cade out of a restless sleep, his body drawn to its limits by the tendrils of the Embrace of Pain.
Redgrave himself materializes from the darkness, his sadistic pleasure palpable as he looks at his latest exhibit.
“The perfect Exhibit. Your bones stained with the blood below you, contorted into the shape of the Little Eagle you are. Suspended from the ceiling, watching over the Riggs family.”
He pauses, making sure Cade’s gaze finds his.
“Doing nothing.”
The room echoes with his cold, cruel laughter, each word a calculated strike intended to shatter Jackson Cade’s spirit.
But Perseus’s spirit will not be shattered today.
“And you call yourself an artist?” He spits, his words dripping with defiance. “You hide behind Grimskull’s machine. Anyone else, you just kill them. But me? You don’t have the balls.”
In a flash, Redgrave’s amusement curdles into anger.
Scary quick, the Artist closes the distance between them.
SLAP!
Another!
Another.
Each blow he lands on Cade sends shockwaves through the Embrace of Pain.
With each strike, the mechanical monstrosity groans, its grip on Jackson weakening incrementally.
For Jackson Cade, the pain is exquisite, a white-hot torrent of agony tearing through him.
But today, he doesn’t just endure the pain.
He welcomes it, feeds on it, letting it fuel his will to escape.
He embraces it.
The Embrace of Pain shudders and whines, the mechanisms overloading until they can no longer hold him.
BOOM!
With a final roar of defiance, the apparatus sends out a shockwave of energy, knocking the enraged Jasper Redgrave backwards in a gust of smoke.
The Artist leaps up, grimacing at the sound echoing through the chamber like the death knell of a behemoth.
But that’s not why he grimaces.
Jackson Cade now lays on the floor beside the pool of blood, the taste of freedom mingling with the metallic tang of his own blood.
He pushes himself to his feet, swaying slightly. His eyes lock onto Redgrave’s, a spark of determination igniting within their depths.
Cade spits his blood into the pool.
“Let’s make some art, motherfucker!”
Cade launches himself at Redgrave.
Cut.
Darkness engulfs the arena.
A single spotlight illuminates two figures standing on the entrance ramp. One twirling a cane in his hand and the other holding a guitar. Through the darkness, El Mariachi begins to play, a flowing Mariachi song on his guitar. As he plays through the introduction of his song, fire appears around as he sings.
“Hoy, que alguien cantaba una buena canción,una muchacha dulce, un angel dije yo,
que estilo aquel que suerte…”
FIT TO PRINT!
O’Death were so caught up in their Concerto la Muerte that they didn’t notice Colt Ramsey sneaking up behind before he levels the world champion with that brutal facebuster. Death turns around, swinging wildly with the cane but Ramsey manages to duck under, Narcissa coming out of nowhere as she springboards off Colt’s back
WITH SOME HIGH FASHION AND A BRUTAL SPINNING HEEL KICK!
The Tag Team champions are down and possibly out as Colt and Narcissa run down the ramp, trying to quickly get into the ring to grab those tag titles but they barely get to the stairs before that mystical tune begins to cut through the air. The paralyzing melody of El Mariachi stopping Pretty Ugly in their tracks for a moment but it’s all O’Death need
DOUBLE BULLDOG INTO THE CONCRETE BY DR DEATH!
The Luchadoc slams both Narcissa and Colt face first down into the steps, rolling forward as he sprints up the steps before grabbing a ladder at ringside. Mariachi quickly follows behind as Pretty Ugly shake off the cobwebs, managing to stumble up the steps just as Death slides the ladder into the ring. Mariachi swings hard at ringside, throwing a wild right at Narcissa but Colt blocks it with his face, wincing hard before motioning for his partner to go after the luchadoc.
Death slides into the ring after the ladder, getting to his feet
RIGHT INTO SILK PERFECTION WITH THE WRAP AROUND HEADSCISSORS!
Death goes flying into the ropes, bouncing off into a pair of double knees to the jaw that rock him before Narcissa rushes to the ropes,
RIGHT INTO A BRUTAL LARIAT THAT TURNS HER INSIDE OUT!
El Mariachi nearly takes Narcissa’s head off with that brutal clothesline, the Designer groggy and glass eyed as she slowly staggers up to her feet, Mariachi looking for a second as he rushes forward
RIGHT INTO A PUMP KICK FROM COLT RAMSEY!
Mariachi staggers back up to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights before he grips him around the neck, looking for some B-Roll
LETHAL INJECTION! Death lands that brutal cutter out of nowhere, Colt staggering up to his feet in an absolute daze right into a brutal pump kick to the jaw before he’s lifted up off his feet into the Piledriver position, El Mariachi wrapping him up as Death leaps off the ropes
FLAT LINE CONCERTO! ASSISTED PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! COLT IS OUT FUCKING COLD!
The Journo rolls out of the ring in a heap but El Mariachi barely gets up to his knees before he joins Colt on the outside
THANKS TO THE BLUE STEEL METEORA TO THE BACK OF HIS NECK!
Narcissa levels the playing field here as she gets back to her feet, staring down a foe she’s familiar with in Dr Death. The Luchadoc motions her forward as the Designer obliges, rushing forward as Death tries for a clothesline that she ducks underneath, springboarding off the ropes as she tries for another Blue Steel but it’s ducked under as Death grabs her from behind
SNAP GERMAN!
Narcissa lands hard on the back of her neck, slowly staggering up to her feet into a kick to the gut
SPINAL CONTUSION! BRAINBUSTTTERR!
Narcissa collapses to the mat, Death quickly picking up the fallen ladder, slamming it down hard onto the hurting Narcissa before setting it up in the middle of the ring. He slowly begins to climb up, one rung after another until he’s nearly at the top, his fingertips caressing the leather strap of the tag belts but he suddenly doubles over, wincing in pain
FROM A LOW BLOW COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER!
Narcissa rushes up the ladder, slamming Death’s head down hard into the steel before pulling his arms and legs through the metal rungs and locking in a modified version of the WEFT AND WARP! Death is screaming out in pain as Narcissa bends his spine around the steel, trying to snap the luchdoc in half with every ounce of strength she has as she bridges back with all the leverage she can muster
48 ROSES! DOUBLE FOOT STOMP OUT OF NOWHERE TO THE EXPOSED SKULL!
Narcissa lets go of the hold, the only thing keeping her up is the interlocked legs of the Doctor. Death slowly recovers, kicking Narcissa’s legs out from his but doesn’t let her fall. He grabs her by the front of her dress, pulling her back to the ladder as he climbs up to the top rung, hoisting her up with him as he lifts her up into the air
POWERBOMB
INTO THE SPRINGBOARD LUNGBLOWER FROM EL MARIACHI
THE LAST FLATLINE!
That very well could be it for the Designer but the tag champs aren’t convinced. Mariachi peels Narcissa up off the mat, hoisting her into the Package Piledriver position as Death gets onto the apron, centering himself for a moment before he springboards off
LEAPING SPEAR CUTS DEATH DAMN NEAR IN HALF!
Colt Ramsey comes out of nowhere, saving Narcissa from the Concerto. Mariachi distracted for a moment as Narcissa finds the strength to backdrop her way out of the Piledriver. El Muerte staggering up into a hard spinning elbow to the face that spins him around into a flurry of blows from the Designer before she caps it off with a brutal Fast Fashion Superkick that drops Mariachi to his knees. Pretty Ugly lock eyes as Colt winks at Narcissa who just rolls her eyes before nodding as the pair sprint across the ring, Colt bouncing off the right ropes, Narcissa bouncing off the left.
DESIGNATION OF PERFECTION! SANDWICH METEORA COMBINATION!
Mariachi looks completely out cold as Narcissa drops to one knee, barely able to stand herself before Colt lifts her up to her feet. She staggers forward, trying to climb up the ladder but barely gets a few rungs up before collapsing again, her bell still being rung from the brutal double team assault. Ramsey just shakes his head before lifting himself up underneath her, placing Narcissa onto his shoulders as he begins to climb for the both of them. Ramsey climbs up the ladder with Narcissa on his shoulders, quickly getting to the top rung as she reaches up, her fingertips caressing the leather straps
LETHAL
FUCKING
NO….
Colt sees the flying Death just in the nick of time as he pulls down Narcissa, forcing Death to fly over the ladder and crash to the floor below. El Mariachi climbs up behind, wrapping that guitar string around Colt’s throat, telling him to Dream A Little Dream but before he’s pulled down, Ramsey manages to put both hands on Narcissa’s ass and push her upwards before falling backwards onto Singing Death. Everyone else has collapsed to the canvas as Narcissa takes her opportunity and reaches up once more before pulling down the tag team titles. WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
The unlikely duo of Pretty Ugly have become the third team of olympians to hold the tag straps as they beat the seemingly unstoppable champions in a brutal contest here tonight.
WINNER AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: PRETTYUGLY
“ALL FALLS DOWN”
Was this what El Mariachi Muerte foresaw with the music?
As Colt Ramsey and Narcissa Balenciaga wheel away in joy, holding their newly won Tag Team Championships, the OSW World Champion is helped back to his feet by his friend, Dr. Death.
“Is this what the music told of?” He asks, desperate to know.
Suddenly, the PA system begins to play. The arena lights dim, focusing only a spotlight on O’Death as the sound of the old Mariachi playing that very song commences.
His raspy voice, recognisable.
“When friends, more like brothers, stand side by side.
Together, whenever, they beat back the tide.
Their bond is strong and should never be broken.
But within one, a beast has been awoken.”
In the ring, Dr. Death and El Mariachi Muerte stand, side by side.
“A moment of glory, a moment to remember.
A moment of history, a moment to savour.
But now comes a choice, which will be his end.
When his brother kills, his very best friend.”
WHAM!
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE FUCKING SKULL!
OH MY GOD!
HOLY SHIT!
What the fuck is this!?
El Mariachi Muerte lays out Dr. Death! The fans can’t believe it. As the song abruptly cuts, Muerte drops down on top of his best friend and begins laying into him with brutal and ferocious right hands.
He gets back to his feet, putting both hands on his face. He’s conflicted. He’s tormented. It’s like he didn’t want to do this but had no choice.
The OSW World Champion stumbles away, hopping through the middle rope and exiting the ring. Death lays unconscious in the middle, having yet no idea that his best friend had turned on him here tonight.
As he hops down the steps and approaches the ramp, he’s stopped by a looming figure – Zeus.
And he’s not alone.
The Baron is flanked either side by Stubbins Doom and Teddy O’Toole.
“Far be it for me to come between friends,” he says with a smirk. “But I think you’ve already done that, have you not?”
Muerte just looks at him.
“Well, at Ring of Dreams in just a matter of weeks, you’ll defend your OSW World Championship against the two men that won Lambs to the Slaughter; Teddy O’Toole and the man you just turned on, Dr. Death.”
“What about him, amigo?” El Mariachi says, pointing at the grinning Stubbins Doom.
Zeus looks at the former Champion.
“He’ll be taking his option of a rematch at Ring of Dreams, Champ. Therefore, making your Championship defence a Fatal Fourway.”
The Baron backs away, leaving O’Toole, Doom and El Mariachi staring at one another.
It all falls down for El Mariachi Muerte. The Champion turned on his best friend and only ally because a song spoke of death – what next for all four of these men, I hear you ask?
Ring of Dreams.
Cut.