Previously, at Fists of Rage.
As Sigil and The Chief step through the portal backstage, immediately after escaping the ring, they can hear the panic that ensues ringside.
They duck into a nearby locker room, only to find Banzan and Luke Storm awaiting them.
They must’ve escaped quickly.
Banzan looks like he’s been hit with a ton a bricks after Leif’s attack earlier that night, his eyes swollen and his face bloodied, but he’s the first to react.
He grabs Sigil and slams him into the wall.
“You did this?” He growls angrily.
Storm pulls him away, trying to reason with The Mountain.
Banzan angrily let’s go of Sigil and begins to pace.
“Is he here?” The Mountain says, looking towards The Chief. “Is Buddha here?”
The Chief shakes his head.
“I’m sorry but the Gods are dead,” Chief reminds him. “No heaven has an omnipotent leader.”
“Who came with you?” Storm interrupts. “Is my brother…”
“Look, I understand that you have questions, but I’m not here to answer them. All I can tell you is that heaven is an extremely large place. Some people call it Heaven, others call it something else. Consider it like the United States of America with 50 states; there’s a corner of heaven for every religion and every belief. We’re all fighting this war.”
There’s an eerie pause.
Sigil finally pipes up.
“I’m going to hide you away inside The Slaughterhouse, Chief. I need your help and in return, I’ll make sure that you’re protected.”
The Chief nods.
Banzan once again lunges for Sigil, only Luke Storm gets in the way. As Sigil and The Chief vanish into another portal, Luke lets go of the Mountain.
“He’s as deceptive as he is manipulative,” Banzan reminds Luke. “You shouldn’t have let them leave.”
“Your heaven is up there too, Banzan. The Chief being kept safe is paramount. We’re stuck in the middle of a war between Heaven and Hell. The Underworld have yet to strike, but when they do, it can’t be at the cost of The Chief.”
Banzan steps forward, clearly seething.
“They took Bishop’s life,” he says with a grimace. “He was an evil man, but they took it; how does that make sense? Something is awry here, Luke Storm.”
Cut.
The Queen of Flames and The Painted Man meet in the ring in a clash between two unhinged personalities. Can Rune tear down another veil or will The Glitch end up scorched putting his face too close to the inferno?
Rune and Pyre are in the ring, The Glitch is mouthing off already on some monologue directed at The Fire Witch but All That Remains wants to hear none of it, tackling Rune to the ground and unloading a flurry of grounded punches. The Red Queen gets up, springboards off the middle rope looking for a lionsault but Rune rolls away. Pyre lands on her feet, kicks at Rune but The Painted Man catches her leg…ENZIGURI!!! Rune is draped over the middle rope facing the bleacher….619!!! THE RED QUEEN IS BLAZING A TRAIL!!! ONE…TWO…TH-SHOULDER UP!!!
Pyre climbs to the top rope…DANCING FLAMES!!! But The Glitch sandbanks and counters with his big shot of the match….TRUTH HURTS!!! EXPLODER SUPLEX INTO NEXT WEEK! Cover for ONE…TWO…TH-KICKOUT!!!! Rune is still on the attack, he lifts Pyre into a headlock….VEILBREAKER!!! NO!! Backdrop suplex counter by All That Remains!!!
The Red Queen tries to lock in AWAKENING but The Glitch counters the dragon sleeper with a headscissors take down. Now Rune is looking to TEAR DOWN THE VEIL!!! But Pyre with a sandbag of her own. Both get to their feet, Pyre with a toe kick and whips Rune into the ropes, HE’S GOING OVER THE TOP ROPE!!! NO HE ISN’T….WOKE LARIAT!!!! ONE…TWO…THRE-KICKOUT!!! So close for The Conspiracy Theorist.
Rune heads for the top rope. This is unfamiliar territory for the veilbreaker but he let’s fly looking for a flying double axe handle….COUNTERED!!! SAVATE KICK!!! Pyre jumps to the top rope, nails DANCING FLAMES and picks up the ONE…TWO…THREE!!!
The Red Queen burns down The Glitch’s veil!
A big ass doobie burns in the halls of The Slaughterhouse.
Stoner.
He tries to stifle a cough when he exhales, but he still coughs so hard that drool falls out of his mouth.
When the coughing fit is over, he shakes his head, and puffs on that joint once more.
But suddenly…
“Ah,” a voice says. “The Devil’s lettuce.”
Stoner turns his head to see Leah Lincoln.
“You wanna hit?” He holds the joint out to her.
Leah shakes her head. “No, that herb makes you stupid.”
Stoner looks at Leah with a raised eyebrow. “If you think that m’dude, then you’re the one who’s stupid.”
Leah Lincoln steps into Stoner’s personal space. “Maybe you’d like to rephrase that.”
Stoner laughs, hits the joint, coughs.
“I thought witches used to get stoned all the time.”
Lincoln snatches the joint from Stoner’s mouth. She crumples it up in her hand. She stares Stoner down, and drops the joint on the floor.
Leah turns and walks away. Stoner furrows his eyebrows.
He makes sure she turns the corner before he whispers, “Bitch.”
Will the ex-con send the habitual drug-user down!?
Stoner holds out his fist, hoping to get a bump from Albert Shaw. The Guv’nor extends his hand… GRABBING STONER’S BEARD! The referee tries to intervene as the hard-man leads Stoner round the ring, leaving tufts of facial hair in their wake. He pulls him into a headbutt, which sends him reeling into the ropes… A European uppercut floors him!
ONE… TW—KICKOUT! Stoner isn’t blazed yet. Albert picks him up, but Stoner fights back. He backs Shaw into the ropes with lefts and rights, then goes for the whip. Albert counters—Stoner ducks a clothesline—he bounces off the opposite set—THE DROPKICK OF DOOM! Stoner takes out Shaw’s knee. He hits the ropes once more… Shining wizard!
If Stoner can lock-in the triangle choke, Albert will have taken THE BONG HIT! The gangster, however, fights it. Unbeknownst to the referee, Shaw gets his feet on the ropes for leverage. With Stoner’s shoulders on the mat, he has him pinned! ONE… TWO… TH—SHOULDER UP! Stoner barely escapes!
Both men rise. Albert immediately pulls him into the CROSSFACE – KEEP QUIET! Stoner, however, squirms loose before it’s fully applied. He pops up behind Shaw. EDGE-O-MATIC – SPANKER DANKER PICKLE… DENIED! The Guv’nor clutches the top rope, and Stoner hits the mat. He scrambles to his feet – GB-FUCKING-H! SHAW COMMITS GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM WITH THE CLAYMORE KICK! ONE… TWO… THREE!
The hard-man sparks-out the stoner!
Backstage.
Banzan is pacing.
Back and forth, back and forth, almost wearing a hole in the rug. Sweet Alice is sat on a bench nearby, head lowered, contemplating her upcoming match against Leif Helvig.
“Banzan, please, you’ve got to stop worrying,” she pleads.
The Mountain looks at her, having clearly healed his wounds from last week.
“You saw what he did to me, young Alice,” Banzan says with a deep sadness and sorrow. “I’ve not once suffered such violence.”
Suddenly, Luke Storm enters the room.
“We need to talk,” he says with his eyebrows raised in Alice’s direction, suggesting she ought to leave.
“Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of her,” Banzan replies.
Luke slowly takes his glasses off and puts them away inside his jacket pocket.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said and you’re right, something doesn’t add up. Why would The Underworld kill Bishop? He would’ve surely been a prime candidate for their army.”
Banzan nods, crossing his arms.
“Sigil or The Chief must know more,” he concludes.
Luke agrees.
“You need to ensure that Sigil makes it into Level Up. If we can get him there, we can interrogate him during the match. It’s the only time we can be sure that he won’t try and escape.”
Alice abruptly stands up, taking a deep breath.
“I’d better head to my match. Whatever happens out there, please don’t intervene.”
She walks towards the door and The Mountain stops her.
“Please be careful,” he warns. “The spirit surrounding that man is dangerous.”
She nods and exits.
“I’ll make sure that both myself and Sigil make it into the match,” Banzan confirms. “But you’ll need to qualify too.”
“That won’t be an issue – Redwing is an old foe turned friend. He won’t be an issue.”
Cut.
Will Wonderland welcome a new ruler, or will the viking ascend to Valhalla!?
Sweet Alice and the referee look at the ferocious Hati and Skoll warily. Leif Helvig thunders across the ring and gores The Dreamer into the corner! He rams his shoulder into her abdomen, then tosses her across the ring with a biel toss! She pulls herself up using the ropes. The Beast of Slaughter, however, uses them to choke her – GLEIPNIR’S BOUND!
The official begins a 5-count. Leif relinquishes at 4—avoiding a DQ—and rounds on the referee, who bolts away. He turns back to Alice – WELCOME TO WONDERLAND! She domes him with her storybook… HELVIG IS UNFAZED! He snatches her up into the fall away slam. VALKYRIE KALLAR – OVER THE ROPES, TO THE FUCKING FLOOR!
Leif stalks his prey outside. Alice slowly recovers, no stranger to pain—FRIGÖRA!? She bails to the side – HELVIG HURTLES INTO THE STEEL STAIRS! The hellacious spear splits the steps. The Uncrowned Queen climbs the apron and hops like a rabbit – TERRIBLY LATE!? Leif whistles to his wolves… HATI AND SKOLL SNAP AND SNARL AT ALICE! Abandoning the split-leg drop, she darts back inside.
Helvig rises, charging into the fray. Alice pulls him into a sitout facebuster – DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE!? LEIF BREAKS HER GRIP! A battleaxe of a clothesline turns her inside-out. Grabbing her by the scruff, he flings her over his head, slamming her into the mat again and again! Alice refuses to die as she drags herself up – FRIGÖRA! THE SPEAR SEVERS HER IN HALF! ONE… TWO… THREE!
The Beast of Slaughter dominates a game Dreamer!
The match is done, and Leif Helvig stands tall within the ring, his wolves at either side, obediently awaiting commands. As he goes to leave the ring, the sound of a familiar song plays over the arena.
That of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA”.
Standing at the top of the ramp is Ultimo America. The masked wrestler lacks his smile and pep, all of it replaced by a scowl on his face. But even stranger than that, however, is the absence of the Forever Friends.
Leif looks on in confusion for a moment before shaking his head and attempting to leave the ringside.
Only Ultimo stops them. He stands between them and the exit, finally producing a microphone to speak.
“You…”
“Me?”
“You… your dogs… your big, stupid dogs.”
The notion offends Helvig, the Beast of Slaughter almost snarling as he looks to Hati and Skoll.
“They are wolves, boy. Hunters, killers.”
“THEY KILLED MY FRIEND, DIDN’T THEY!? THEY KILLED DEWEY!”
Before Leif can even respond Ultimo is on him in an instant! In an uncharacteristic show of aggression the pint sized warrior leaps at Helvig only to be caught by the big man who doesn’t even flinch!
VALKRYIE KALLAR! FALLAWAY SLAM SENDS ULTIMO FLYING!
The poor Forever Friend slams into the ground and rolls down, skipping like a stone! He just barely stops at the bottom of the ramp, Hati and Skoll soon on him, walking around him and snarling and snapping, Ultimo left with nowhere to go!
“Hati! Skoll! Come. Now.”
The wolves listen immediately, taking off towards Helvig as he exits to the backstage, leaving us to awkwardly stare at Ultimo as he lays on the ground.
Tears slowly falling down his face.
Cut.
The lone figure of Darby Sorrow walks the gravesites of the graveyard, the place he feels most at home. He limps, moving stiffly as still feeling the effects of the Financial Crisis that put him to sleep last week. Darby soon stops, leaning upon a headstone and wincing.
His plans to disrupt the unit of Blood Money Inc. Fell to tatters at Fists of Rage, and the subsequent beating is still being felt. Though, before he knows it, three figures appear seemingly out of nowhere. Jumping Sorrow from behind, it is Albie Shaw that hits Darby first, knocking him to the ground where he and his counterparts begin stomping and kicking the Gravedigger full of new holes – Zero, Shaw and CXDY.
Before long, they have Sorrow bound and are dragging him into the back seat of a dark sedan. With a screech of wheels, the car speeds off with all four men inside it, Blood Money Inc focused on their task at hand, and the injured Sorrow still chiming in between pain-filled winces.
“Don’t you boys get a little tired of being used? Doing the dirty work that Green feels is beneath him…”
An elbow to the throat from Shaw who sits beside him silences him for a moment, Darby spluttering and gasping for air. Soon, a breathless voice continues where it had left off.
“… I’m just saying. All your talents and you’re merely in his pocket. It’s a shame.”
The car abruptly screeches to a halt, CXDY at the wheel pulling off to the side of the road, half way across a bridge spanning over the Hudson River.
The three members of BMI disembark before pulling their bound target from the vehicle as well. Sorrow smiles, chuckling to himself as they drag him to the edge of the bridge.
“Maybe I was wrong about your talents. Gentlemen, surely you realise this won’t work. In case you fools have forgotten, I can dig any grave…”
A gag is forced into Darby’s mouth by Zero, silencing Darby who glares at the trio. Zero smiles his cocky smile as he adjust the gag.
“We know… You’ll survive the fall, and the drowing. But as the water fills your lungs and you struggle for breath, it’s still going to hurt like hell.”
SPARTA KICK FROM ALBERT SHAW SENDS DARBY SORROW OVER THE EDGE. HIS HANDS AND FEET BOUND, A GAG IN HIS MOUTH!
HE SINKS RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM, THE CURRENT DRAGGING HIM DOWNSTREAM AND OUT OF SIGHT!
Then it’s the voice of CXDY, phone out, speaking to the expecting face of BEG on a videocall.
“It’s done. Message sent.”
Cut.
Level Up Qualifications continue here tonight as Forever Friends look to shock the world and pick up their first victory in a big way but they have a very tough task ahead of them if they wish to do so
The bell sounds as Corvus starts with Magical Miles, the Crow staring at the magician with a raised eyebrow, inviting him to take the first punch. Miles gulps before throwing himself forward with a big roundhouse that manages to send Corvus back a few steps who nods before taking Miles damn head off with a huge clothesline.
Corvus pulls up the gasping for air Miles, lifting him up into the air with a trio of stiff knees to the midsection before the MURDER OF BLOWS send Miles back down to the mat. That could be it allready but Corvus peels his limp body up off the mat, throwing him into his corner as he urges one of the Friends to tag in.
Chunky goes to tag but Ultimo stops him, motioning he wants a shot at the Crow. America gets into the ring as Corvus gets blind tagged by Deathnote, Ultimo visibly gulping as the Shingami walks into the ring with a sinister grin. Ultimo puts up his dukes as he rushes forward, running right into a huge Big Boot that nearly knocks out a few teeth. Deathnote pulls Ultimo to his feet, pummeling him with lefts and rights before pulling him up onto his shoulders.
DYING WI…SLOPPY DDT REVERSAL! Ultimo reversed the Hammer in mid-drop as Chunky is begging for the tag. Deathnote trying to stop him but Ultimo leaps forward, tagging in Moses who’s like a house on fire. Lefts and rights and hard chops before Deathnote gets thrown into the turnbuckles right as Simon blind tags himself in , HAHAHADOKEN! The Spear into the buckles nearly cuts Deathnote in half as Simon spins Chunky around, GAMBIT! The backfist hits hard, Chunky goes down but he’s barely on the mat before Simon has the Checkmate locked in tight. Chunky is trapped in the middle of the ring and with his bad knees, he’s got no choice but to tap out!
The trio of Simon, Deathnote and Corvus advance to Level Up but the Forever Friends got that much closer to the elusive victory.
Forever Friends and Corvus have left the ring.
Leaving only Simon and Deathnote to face each other in the ring.
But Simon? Well, for once, he’s been caught off guard.
Deathnote holds a knife to Simon’s neck.
“Any last words, Simon? Or do you find them hard to summon with a knife to your throat?”
A little chuckle escapes Simon’s mouth.
“Simon says drop the knife.”
Deathnote’s hand begins to tremble. As though his mind is fighting it. But the knife soon falls to the ground.
Simon laughs as he pulls away from Deathnote’s surprised grasp. “Simon says pick the knife up.”
Deathnote falls to his knees. Grabs the knife.
“Now cut your own throat.”
Death Note’s eyes widen.
Simon laughs again, “Don’t worry. I didn’t say ‘Simon says.’ You see Old Foe, I have finally learned how to weaponize words. So you ask me if I have any last ones? My greatest enemy, words are infinite.”
Simon chuckles. “And thus, my weapons are infinite.”
Cut.
Sweet Alice is sitting in the hallways recovering after her tough match.
Pyre walks up to her cockily smiling.
“It’s not like you could really be surprised by how vicious he was, could you? I mean, after what he did to Ban…”
Alice stands up and interrupts Pyre.
“Don’t finish that sentence.”
“Why? Are you going to slap me again? That worked real well last time, didn’t it?”
Alice just shakes her head in dismay.
“You’re acting real confident for someone who always fights those below them. Ive never seen you punch up. I’ve never seen you once go after someone you know would beat you.”
“You’re right, I’m not a fool like you Alice. However, I have a lot less people who could beat me than you do. It’s easy to punch up when you’re always at the bottom.”
“Funny, it wasn’t me getting choked out the last time we were in the ring together.”
“It also wasn’t you choking me.”
“We can go back and forth all day Pyre, what do you want?”
“Well, I saw all the fun Leif had, I wanted to have some fun myself.”
Pyre is face to face with Alice inching closer and closer just to try and make her flinch.
Alice doesn’t budge.
“I’m not scared of you anymore. If you’re going to hit me, just do it. We both know it won’t end the same way.”
“You really need to be a better listener, I wanted to have fun like Leif. We’re not ringside you dumb bitch, I want the world to see I’m better than you.”
“Are you trying to convince them or yourself, Pyre?”
“I know I’m better than you, I’m just waiting for the right moment to strike.”
“When’s that?”
“When you crack. Without Banzan here to keep you strong, you’ll break like you always do. You don’t break by me attacking you, you break when I get into your head so Alice, I want you to know it will be after a match but you won’t know what match. It could be next week, it could be next month, could be next year, I can wait a while because watching you squirm is just as fun as knocking you out.”
“I’m not cracking this time.”
“Sure and I’m not the Queen of Wonderland. I’ll talk to you later, you have a lot to think about.”
Pyre pats Alice’s shoulder and walks away.
Alice shakes her head and mumbles.
“Yeah, all the ways I’ll make sure you’re not queen anymore.”
Cut.
In this Level Up qualifier, tag team champion CXDY joins forces with The Swamp Witch to try and overcome OSW veterans Luke Storm and Redwing.
CXDY and Redwing start us off. Collar-elbow tie-up which Redwing takes with a side headlock but The Reflection squirms free and tries to rush Crimson Justice but a duck from the caped crusader and then a front dropkick sends CXDY into the ropes but with the momentum the tag team champion is able to mow down the Red Knight with a running clothesline.
Leah Lincoln is tagged in and she runs to the ropes, nailing a springboard lariat on Redwing, followed by Rolling Thunder and a cover…ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!!! CXDY is tagged in and he drags Crimon Justice away from Luke Storm, urging his partner to tag him in. Fireman’s carry by The Reflection…and the slam…double moonsault…PERFECTLY EXECUTED!!! ONE! TWO! THR-NO!!! SHOULDER UP!!!
Redwing is hanging in there and now it’s Leah Lincoln’s turn. The Swamp Witch is on the top rope and lands an elbow drop to the heart of the Arkham Knight. She peels Redwing off the mat, Irish whip, NO! REVERSAL!!! RIPCORD KNEE!!! GODWATCH!!!! Now it’s a race between Redwing and Lincoln to tag in their partners.
SIMULTANEOUS TAG!!!
Storm charges in…LIGHTNING STRIKE!!! CXDY IS DROPPED!!! Lincoln comes to her partner’s aid….DOWNFALL!!!! The Swamp Witch rolls out of the ring with the impact. The former Storm King turns and he’s met with a flurry of strikes…a huge roundhouse kick from CXDY puts down the Lightning God….leg drop….THE PERFECT RUSH!!! CXDY looks for the cover….ONE! TWO! HE’S GOT IT!!! NO!!! REDWING MAKES THE SAVE!!!
BUT OUT OF NOWHERE!!! THE SWAMP WITCH!!!! VOODOO DROP TO CRIMSON JUSTICE!!! SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT FROM THE APRON!!!!
Lincoln gets to her feet and she’s face to face with Luke Storm. CXDY tries to blindside Stormborn but the last of the Newton male line ducks and The Reflection clotheslines his partner to the mat. Storm pins him around…GALE FORCE!!! STUNNER TO CXDY….ONE! TWO! THREE!!!!
Stormborn & Crimson Justice progress to the next level!
As the tag team qualifier has come to an end, the ringside area begins to empty out as everyone returns to their respective locker rooms.
Redwing is the last to leave, heading up the ramp with purpose. But he comes to a halt as he sees a figure coming out of the entrance tunnel.
Mister Andy.
While his match is up next, Andy doesn’t appear to be that focused on it. Instead, his eyes are directly on the Crimson Protector.
“Monty Straight isn’t here, this time.” Redwing greets, preparing for battle.
But Andy holds up his hands in a gesture of peace. Redwing doesn’t care about that, but instead notices that Andy has something in his hand.
A toy.
An action figure, to be precise.
Of Redwing.
“I made you something.” Andy says, a twinkle in his eyes. “To show that I’m not mad at you like you think I am.”
He holds it out, and Redwing snatches it out of his hands. The Red Knight looks down at the action figure, which seems really well made. His eyes seem drilled into it, a thousand emotions running through his eyes.
“Do you lik…” Andy begins.
“How dare you?” Redwing cuts him off, anger (and perhaps something else) welling up in his eyes. “You monster!”
The Toy Maker cowers slightly at Redwing’s rage, trying to reason out what is happening.
“I’m sorry, did I get the eyeballs wrong? I hate eyeballs, so I never look at them. Do yours always water like that?”
Redwing seems overtaken with emotion, but instead of letting it burst out, he just shoves past Mister Andy to walk away.
Now stood at the top of the ramp, the Toy Maker frowns. He begins muttering to himself as he heads to the ring to await his partners and opponents for his own Level Up qualifier.
But first…
Following Fists of Rage
BANG!
BANG!
The sound of a shotgun being cocked and two shells dropping to the floor. The smell of gunpowder. The face of the Reaper. Eyes cold as ever, the loss still as powerful and heart-wrenching as it ever has been.
If he had thought that putting the Judge down would have finally buried the hatchet of his grief a little, he would be mistaken. But inside himself he knew that it would bring him no rest. Now, shotgun in hand, he proceeds to unload his frustration into the broken concrete wall of an industrial building that had been destroyed in the war.
Flicking the butt of his shotgun open, he loads two new shells inside. That is, until a great shadow befalls him, blocking the little light that he has to work with. Reaper looks up, up, up… Right into the emotionless face of Darklord.
“Your eyes. That… anger.” The Carthian speaks slowly as if choosing each word carefully, or pondering as he talks. “I have experienced that rage before.”
Reaper takes a step back, raising his shotgun slowly in response to the interruption from the huge Carthian.
“What the hell do you want?”
Darklord chuckles to himself as he reaches out and grabs the shotgun, twisting the metal of the muzzle with his bare hands.
“Do you really think your Earthly weapons are going to be any good?”
Reaper lets the shotgun fall to the ground, but balls both fists instead. He’s clearly in no mood for this conversation. Darklord towers over him.
“You have the eyes of a warrior, a fighter. Yet you are no match for a God King. And the last soul who looked at me as you do now, wound up with their head detached from their body.”
Reaper doesn’t speak, but he does wind up.
REAPER UNLOADS A QUICK SHOTGUN BLAST TO DARKLORD’S STOMACH!
DARKLORD DOESN’T EVEN FLINCH!
Darkloard shakes his head, bemused.
“The heart of a warrior, but the strength of a… What do you humans say… mouse?”
WARLORD’S HAND DRILLS REAPER INTO THE CONCRETE WALL!
REAPER IS DOWN!
Darklord stands over him, shaking his head once more.
“A warrior of Earth… How pathetic.”
Cut.
Six superstars look to punch their ticket to the inaugeral Level Up match but with old rivals and hated enemies standing side by side, will cooler heads prevail or will rage overcome glory here tonight?
The bell sounds as Sigil and the Reaper begin this match, Reaper taking Sigil by surprise with a flurry of lefts and rights capped off with a stiff headbutt that the Collector feels even through the mask. The Reaper staggers back from the impact with the mask as Sigil Leaps onto the ropes, springboarding off INTO A SWIFT REVENGE! Reaper had that scouted but he stumbles back into the ropes, still loopy from that headbutt as The Judge tags himself in.
The Reaper stares daggers at his hated rival but the Judge pays him no mind, trying to pull up the woozy Collector but Sigil manages to Cosmic Leap away into his corner as he tags Banzan in. The Mountain rushes in like a house on fire, pounding down on the Judge with heavy strikes that the Judge returns.
Banzan wiffs an overhand that the Judge makes him pay for with THE VERDICT! The Spartan Kick hits hard as Banzan flies into the ropes, MAGGA! Banzan rebounds with that stiff knee and that could be it as Banzan drops down for the cover, ONE….TWO….MONTY BREAKS IT UP!
Banzan gets to his feet as Straight moves around to his back, DEAL BREAKER! FINITE! Sigil comes out of nowhere with that hard roundhouse but he turns around into a SHOTGUN BLAST! Banzan stumbles up to his feet right into another Shotgun Blast as Mister Andy gets into the ring. Reaper just dodges an attempt at a Spear as he loads up the Shotgun once more, SHOTGUN BLAST…HITS THE JUDGE! Andy just ducked under the blow as The Reaper turns around into a SUPERFINE TURBINE BLAST! Andy hooks the leg for the ONE…TWO…THREE!!!
The team of Sigil, Banzan and Mister Andy are heading to Level Up as once again this war between Reaper and The Judge costs them glory.
With the match finally over, Monty looks to make a quick escape as always, not wanting to stick around, especially with who his partners were today.
But Judge, ever vigilant, is on him in an instant! He grabs hold of straight by his collar, catching him just as he stood on the apron!
“Where do you think you’re going?”
A showman smile from and a readjustment of his tie is enough for Judge to wrap his hand around Monty’s neck!
CHOKESLAM BACK INTO THE RING!
Monty bounces off of the mat and holds his throat in pain as Judge grabs his axe, leveling it at Monty! The show host looks up at him, a pained look on his face as he tries to not lose his smile.
“No more running, Monty. You’re the common link. You’re the cause of this headache. And I’m going to do my job to remove you for your crimes against the balance.”
Judge approaches Monty, with Straight getting to his feet, simply chuckling to himself.
“Oh, Judge. You need to realize we’re playing by my rules, not yours. After all, you and the universe are always on air.”
He smirks, snapping his fingers.
“On the Show That Never Ends!”
And in an instant, Judge looks around him. He’s no longer in the ring, he’s on Monty’s stage and the host is looming over him from his podium with that sickening smile. His teeth almost seem to sparkle beneath the lights, a more sinister smile than we’ve ever seen before.
“Don’t try to leave, and don’t try to change the rules! Those are in place for a reason! Now, as one of my return contestants, I’d love to offer you something. I’d love to offer you-”
“Two choices.”
Judge sounds almost tired as he speaks, approaching Monty.
“Correct. But not now. You’re only here to build up the hype, my friend! The audience loves it when they get to see a sneak peak! Isn’t that right?”
The invisible crowd cheers as Judge swings his axe!
But the applause fades out.
And Judge finds himself once more in the ring.
His axe imbedded in the canvas.
Cut.
Two-Face gets back up to his feet, running right into a massive clothesline but as he tries to follow up, Roberts leaps onto his back with a sleeper attempt. Viper is trying to put Chambers to sleep as Two-Face pounds away at Chambers midsection, trying to cut the bigger man down. Two-Face runs into the ropes, bouncing off, CROSSBODY…CHAMBERS CATCHES HIM!
FALLAWAY SLAM RIGHT OVER ROBERTS RIGHT AS CHAMBERS FALLS BACK INTO A MODIFIED SAMOAN DROP ON ROBERTS! Chambers drags both men across one another, bouncing off the ropes, DOUBLE BIG BOY SENTON! Chambers drops down, covering both men. ONE…TWO….KICKOUT!
The Bishop calls for the end, peeling Roberts off the mat as he hoists him up high, looking for that Crucifixion, CHOP BLOCK! Two-Face drills the left knee out of nowhere, Chambers collapsing to the mat as Two-Face drops down, criss-crossing the Bishop’s legs and locking in a modified leglock. Chambers tries to pull himself to the ropes but Roberts drops down himself, locking in an armbar, all the while slamming his legs down on Chambers unprotected face. In tremendous pain, D’von is forced to tap out!
The twisted team of Two-Face and Viper Roberts advanced to Level Up here tonight over a very game, very solo D’Von Chambers
Wrestling Gold.
The Sandman looms like the Night Terror he is.
With inhuman strength, he lifts the prone bodies of Voynich and Corvus up onto his shoulders. Just as he leaps into the air, Voynich slips out of the hold!
SPIKE DDT!
The bleeding Voynich stands up, destiny staring him in the face as he rushes his opponents.
TUTANKHAMAN’S DEVASTATION! DOUBLE SALIDA DEL SOL!
Voynich grabs both of Sandman’s legs, reaching back with all his might as the referee counts.
ONE!
TWO!
THR… KICKOUT! THE SANDMAN KICKED OUT!!
Voynich rolls to his knees, confused as the Sandman rises like a Demon.
“Sandy Rogers lives.” The Sandman growls as he approaches.
40 WINKS!
Voynich drops like a rock as Sandman slides into a cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
Voynich is stunned as Sandman hoists up his OSW World Championship.
“How?” Voynich asks, slowly coming to his senses as the world fades around him.
The Sandman turns towards him as the world turns black and grey around them.
“Did you truly think you could defeat me at full power, little one?” The Night Terror asks. “Or did you believe that you were just that good? I’m afraid the secret’s out.”
Voynich stands to his feet, looking at his title in the hands of his next challenger.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe here, does it?” Voynich spits, strength returning to his body. “This is your domain. I’ll never beat you inside of it. But in the real world, I don’t care one bit about if Sandy Rogers is alive or dead or something else entirely.”
He gestures towards the strap.
“All I care about is kicking your ass. Full power or no power, it doesn’t matter. You want to scare me? Messing with my dreams won’t do it. There’s nothing you can do that will change what I’m going to do when you come at me at +1up.”
The Sandman smiles, his teeth covered in plaque and decay.
“We’ll see.”
FLASH!
Voynich sits straight up in his bed, his eyes going to the OSW World title beside him. He chuckles to himself before laying back down.
Cut.
Here comes the slobberknocker! In tonight’s main event OSW World Champion, Voynich, teams with his rival, the OSW VHS Champion, Zero. On the other side of the ring stands 860lbs of mean and ruthless violence in the duo of The Sandman and Darklord. It’s brains versus brawn, speed versus strength. Who will prevail?
DING! DING! It’s Voynich and The Sandman to start this contest. The current World Champion and the creature he won it from. Voynich offers an arm for a contest of strength but Sandman slaps the hand away and grabs The Best Kept Secret by the throat. The World Champ counters with a kick to the gut and the Dream Demon’s grip loosens.
DDT FROM VOYNICH!!!
Best Kept Secret doesn’t even bother with a cover. He gets to his feet, he’s lining up the Dream Demon…
ISHTAR’S GATE!!!
NO!!
COUNTER!!!
Sandman catches the World Champion…
DEEP SLEEP!!!!
HUUUUUGE IMPACT END OF DAYS ON THE WORLD CHAMP!!!
Sandman wants to punish Voynich though, dragging him off the canvas and across the ropes, tying the Austrian between the middle and top ropes in a strangle. Customary five count from the referee and Sandman walks away, leaving the official to free Voynich. But there’s no recovery time for Best Kept Secret.
RUNNING CLOTHESLINE!!!
VOYNICH IS RUN OVER!!!
Sandman tags in Darklord. The Carthian stalks Voynich, lifting him high into a military press…SNAKE EYES ON TO A TURNBUCKLE!!! Darklord grabs Voynich around the throat. Best Kept Secret punches Darklord several times but the God King is totally unmoved.
WARLORD’S HAND!!!
VOYNICH BOUNCED OFF THE CANVAS!!!
COVER FROM THE CARTHIAN!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THIS COULD BE OVER ALREADY!!!
.
NO!!!
VOYNICH GETS A SHOULDER UP!!!
Darklord’s eyes betray his irritation. He peels Voynich off the canvas.
WHAT’S THIS!!!
VOYNICH IS FIGHTING BACK!!!
ONE PUNCH!!
TWO…
THREE…
FOUR…FIVE…SIX!!!
DID DARKLORD FEEL THAT LAST ONE?
VOYNICH OFF THE ROPES!!!
OOOOH!!!
WHAT A SPARTA KICK!!!
DARKLORD JUST MADE THE WORLD CHAMPION KNEEL!!!
The menacing presence of The Carthian stands over the Best Kept Secret. The God King drags Voynich up into a legscissors, lifting onto his shoulders into the powerbomb position…
COUNTER!!!
WHAT A COUNTER!!!
VOYNICH FLIPS FORWARD INTO A NECKBREAKER ON DARKLORD!!!
THAT’S WHY HE IS THE WORLD CHAMPION!!!
Voynich is now crawling towards the corner, he’s desperate for a tag. He gets closer but Darklord is also getting to his feet. Zero has his arm stretched, it’s just inches away for Voynich. Darklord is up. Voynich throws himself towards his team-mate.
ZERO WITHDRAWS HIS HAND!
HE DROPS OFF THE APRON!!!
VOYNICH IS SHIPWRECKED!
Darklord takes hold of Voynich, but he glances at Zero. Nevertheless, The Carthian whips Voynich into The Sandman’s corner and tags in the Dream Demon, who begins to work over Voynich once again. Zero is now back on the apron but instead of exiting the ring, Darklord makes a run at the Rewind Champion!!
KNEEL!!!
DARKLORD SPARTA KICKED ZERO RIGHT OFF THE APRON!!!
The God King exits the ring and is on top of Zero, launching him into the crowd barrier with a power not of this planet. Darklord peels Zero from the wreckage and whips him into the ring post, the Rewind champion bouncing off with a THUNK before The Carthian has him again and launches him into, dislodging, the steel steps.
CARTHIC INCARNUM HAS OBLITERATED THE REWIND CHAMPION OUTSIDE THE RING!!!
Inside the ring, Sandman has Voynich in a seated position in a corner, the night terror’s foot pressed on the World Champion’s throat. There’s a mandatory five count before Sandman releases. The Dream Demon has Voynich on his feet, Irish whip across the ring and he closes in looking for a corner splash.
VOYNICH ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!!!
SANDMAN BOUNCES OFF THE TURNBUCKLE!!
DROPKICK FROM THE CHAMP!!!
VOYNICH BOUNDS INTO THE ROPES!!!
ISHTAR’S GATE!!!
HE GOT ALL OF IT!!!
MASSIVE LARIAT FROM THE BEST KEPT SECRET!!!
Both men are down in the ring but outside Zero is back on his feet and he’s fighting back against Darklord.
BIONIC HANDSTAND…ZERO LOOKING FOR A HURRICANRANA!!!
DARKLORD COUNTERS!!!
ZERO IS SUCKED INTO A BLACK HOLE!!!
SPINNING POWERBOMB ON THE CONCRETE!!!
We cut back to the action inside the ring, Voynich has Sandman on the ropes, whip across to the opposite ropes…SPINNING HEEL KICK!!! Voynich takes down Sandman and a cover…
ONE!
.
DARKLORD DRAGS VOYNICH OFF THE DREAM DEMON!!!
THE CARTHIAN HAULS THE AUSTRIAN UP!
KING’S GRASP!!!
REAR NAKED CHOKE ON THE WORLD CHAMPION!!!
NO FUCKING WAY….WHAT IS THIS?
40 FUCKING WINKS!!!
SANDMAN IS GOUGING VOYNICH’S EYES…
…WHILE DARKLORD CHOKES HIM OUT!!!
.
.
.
THE AUSTRIAN HAS TO BE FINISHED
.
.
.
HOLY FUCK!!!
ZERO FROM THE TOP ROPE!!!!
DOUBLE FLYING BIONIC CLOTHESLINE!!!
Voynich is freed but he surely can’t have much left in the tank. Darklord gets to his feet, enraged, but walks straight into…
PUNK CITY KILLER!!!
ZERO DROPS THE CARTHIAN!!!
BIONIC CLOTHESLINE!!!
SANDMAN IS SENT STRAIGHT BACK TO THE CANVAS!!
Zero drags Voynich over Sandman…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THR-NO!!!
SANDMAN’S SHOULDER GOES UP!!!
Darklord is back outside the ring, the referee tries to restore order by sending Zero back to his corner. Sandman and Voynich are now both looking for a tag.
THE RACE IS ON!
Slowly inching their way to their corners…
VOYNICH LEAPS…
…TAG TO ZERO…NO MIND GAMES THIS TIME!
HE WANTS A PIECE OF THE CARTHIAN!!!
Sandman tags in Darklord too, but it’s the quicker and agile Zero who is on the front foot.
BIONIC HANDSTAND…
…INTO A DOUBLE FRONT DROPKICK TO THE CHEST!!!
The Carthian bounces off the ropes, Zero looking again for the PUNK CITY KILLER!!!
NOT THIS TIME!
Darklord catches Zero’s leg and throws him backwards. The hacker just about lands on his feet and composes himself, but for long…
CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!!!
Darklord over the top of Zero…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE
.
NOT YET!!!
VOYNICH BREAKS THE FALL!!!
As Best Kept Secret is ushered back to his corner, Darklord tags in Sandman. The Dream Demon grabs Zero…BUT WAIT…
HOLY SHIT!!!
ZERO HAS A BIONIC FIST WRAPPED AROUND SANDMAN’S THROAT!!!
HE DIDN’T!!!!
HE FUCKING DID!!!
ZERO BIONIC CHOKESLAMS THE SANDMAN!!!
THE AUGMENTED WRESTLER PULLS OFF AN ICONIC MOVE ON THE DREAM STALKER!
AND A COVER!!!
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE!!
.
ZERO HAS PINNED THE SANDMAN!!!
.
NO!!!!
DARKLORD HAS PLACED THE DREAM DEMON’S FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!
Zero tags in Voynich. The World Champion gets into the ring, he ignores Sandman, running across towards Darklord…
LEAPS THROUGH THE ROPES!!!
SUICIDE DIVE TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
ONTO THE CARTHIAN!!!
AFTER THE BEATING HE HAS TAKEN, THE WORLD CHAMPION IS STILL PUTTING IT ALL ON THE LINE!!!
Voynich slides back into the ring as Sandman is getting to his feet. The Austrian bounds into the ropes…
ISHTAR’S GATE!!!
VOYNICH PEELS SANDMAN UP…
HE’S LOOKING FOR THE MONOLITH!!!
NO CHANCE HE IS PULLING THIS OFF!!!
HE CAN’T!!!
HE CAN!!!
BRAINBUSTER SPIKES THE DREAM DEMON!!!
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE IS LIT!!!
VOYNICH COVERS FOR…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE-
.
SHOULDER UP!!!
.
SANDMAN KICKED OUT!!!
Voynich has nothing left. He’s having to use the ropes to get to his feet, but he’s closer to his opponent’s corner than his own. Sandman rolls towards his corner and makes a tag with Darklord. The God King stalks the World Champion…
HE GRABS HIM BY THE THROAT!!!
WARLORD’S HAND!!!
BUT HERE’S ZERO!!!
DARKLORD GRABS HIM BY THE THROAT TOO!!
DOUBLE WARLORD’S HAND!!!
DOUBLE CHAMPION CHOKESLAM FROM THE GOD KING!!!
THE CARTHIAN HAS LAID TO WASTE TWO OF PLANET EARTH’S BEST WARRIORS!!!
Darklord takes a few steps backwards after delivering that devastating assault, close enough for Sandman to make a blind tag.
THE CARTHIAN IS FURIOUS!!!
Sandman steps into the ring…
DARKLORD PUTS A HAND OUT TO STOP HIM!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!
A STARE DOWN BETWEEN THESE TWO MONSTERS!!!
IT’S ABOUT TO GO TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!!!
But the showdown that could very well tear The Slaughterhouse down doesn’t materialise because out of nowhere…
PUNK CITY KILLER TO SANDMAN!!!
THE EIGHT WONDER TO DARKLORD!!!!
NOT QUITE!!!
.
.
.
DARKLORD COUNTERS…DRILLING VOYNICH WITH A MESSY LOOKING POWERBOMB!
SANDMAN REVERSES THE STUNNER AND TOSSES ZERO THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE!
Darklord slides out to prevent Zero’s involvement as Sandman covers Voynich…
ONE!
.
TWO!
.
THREE-
.
IS IT OVER?
IT HAS TO BE!!!
YES!!!
IT’S OVER!!!
The Sandman and Darklord bag a huge win over the World Champion and the Rewind Champion!
In the Parking Lot outside of The Slaughterhouse, a vehicle has its engine running with just one occupier inside.
Viper Roberts.
He appears to be waiting for someone when the door to his vehicle opens and in steps Two-Face.
That surprises Roberts, who’s expression is one of immediate anger.
“What’re you doing in my car?” He demands to know, switching the engine off.
“What’s the matter? Are you a little scared of me, Mr. Roberts?” Two-Face asks whilst flipping his coin ominously.
“Do I need to be?” He retorts, peering over his shoulder.
Sssss.
A snake slithers in the backseat.
Two-Face chuckles.
“I’ve come to ask for your assistance. I received this from Corvus last week and I need someone to look into the validity of it,” The Other Half says whilst handing him a picture of BEG stood by his limousine at Red Snow. “I understand that you have people?”
Viper takes a look over the crumpled photograph, thinking about his next move.
“I could have my people look into this but what’s in it for me? You’re not in the best bargaining position.”
Two Face shrugs.
“You want to win Level Up, don’t you?” He asks with a wry half smile. “What better way to do that than to have someone like me, helping you to achieve it.”
That gets his attention.
Roberts nods.
As the conversation continues, we see Corvus stood off to one side in the alley, watching carefully.
“Ever the politician, I see.”
Cut.
Somewhere beneath The Slaughterhouse.
A portal opens into a darkened room, in which Sigil steps out. The Collector walks down a dusty corridor towards a large door, turning a wheel-based handle to open it.
It clicks very carefully as it turns, finally opening.
He walks into the room and finds The Chief sat in deep contemplation.
“Thank you for hiding me,” he says with his eyes closed. “Our powers are significantly weaker individually than when in heaven.”
“What can you do?” Sigil enquires.
The Angel decides to cut the bullshit and small talk, chuckling as he does.
“What do you want from me, Sigil? You said you were searching for a way into Heaven so that you could meet with us; why?”
Sigil folds his arms.
“I need to know how Angels are made,” he admits earnestly – for once, foregoing deceit. “I need to know everything.”
The Chief stands up from his seated position, his brow furrowed.
“The power to create life is a power held only by the Gods themselves. When the Gods died, that power died with them. Humanity is self-sustaining by procreation. The Gods aren’t needed for that purpose.”
“Bullshit!” Sigil shouts.
“Watch your mouth,” The Chief replies.
“You have no idea what I’m capable of, do you? I have possession of the crystals that control Time, Reality and Love.”
The Chief thinks about it for a moment.
“Fine, if you don’t believe me, I’ll have to show you,” he suggests. “Take me to 1982. We must only observe. I need you to use the time crystal to get us there and the reality crystal so that those in 1982 cannot see our presence.”
Sigil thinks about it for a moment.
“My powers don’t work inside The Slaughterhouse and you can’t leave it,” he says with frustration.
“I can take care of that.”
The Chief steps forward as Sigil removes the crystals from a bag inside his waistband. He holds the Green crystal in one hand and the Yellow in the other as The Chief approaches.
He puts two fingers on his head and slowly but surely a white glow envelops the entire room.
Cut.