In a vehicle parked outside The Slaughterhouse, Viper Roberts and Two-Face have met back up to discuss Viper’s findings. Roberts has the photograph given to him last week in his hand.
“I had someone in my organisation take a look at this,” he says, tossing it back to Two-Face.
“And?” He growls.
“It’s fake,” Viper announces. “Berkshire Ellison Green has been imposed onto the photograph using technology. He wasn’t ever there.”
That makes the former politician angry.
“Then Corvus must’ve lied to me,” he concludes.
Click.
Suddenly, all the doors in the car lock.
Viper doesn’t get it. He immediately grabs his key fob and tries to unlock them but something isn’t right.
Nothing is happening.
Just then, a figure appears in front of the car.
It’s Corvus.
“I may be responsible for many things, but I’m not responsible for your explosion, Whitlock.”
That further angers Two-Face, who starts frantically trying to grab and pull the door handle, looking for an escape.
When he see’s that Corvus has a can of gasoline in his hands, panic truly sets in.
“But what I do know is that Viper’s lying,” he announces, climbing up onto the hood of the vehicle and taking a seat. “Isn’t that right, Roberts?”
Two-Face turns to look at him.
“The photograph is real?” He queries angrily.
The Head Snake shakes his head.
“No, it’s fake. I know that for certain. Corvus is the one lying to you, not me.”
The Crow shrugs, standing up. He grabs the gas can and starts pouring it all over the hood and top of the vehicle.
Once he’s finished, he drops off and reaches into his pocket.
It’s a lighter.
“If I’m going to be blamed for something I didn’t do, then what’s to stop me actually doing it?” He asks, opening the lighter with a smirk.
Suddenly, the engine revs.
Before even another word is spoken, Viper Roberts drives right for Corvus who barely dives out of the way, dropping his lighter in the process.
The car speeds off out of the parking lot and into the distance, luckily escaping the wrath of The Crow.
We remain with Viper and Two-Face as they narrowly escape certain death.
“If I find out you’re lying to me, I’ll topple your organisation, Roberts,” Two-Face growls at him.
“And if you negate our agreement and don’t help me in Level Up, your disfigured face will be the last of your concerns.”
They stare at each other.
There’s a nod.
Cut.
In surely a clash of styles and philosophies, we see a Stoner, a Reflection of Perfection, and a Murder Fist facing off in a submission match!
Miller and CXDY immediately go after Stoner, a temporary alliance as CXDY pummels him with kicks and Miller digs in deep with some heavy punches…but with Stoner seemingly broken down, so too is the alliance as CXDY and Miller tear into each other instead with some heavy lefts and rights!
CXDY sends Miller into the corner before charging…but Miller ducks out at the last second, sending CXDY into the corner with a thud! Miller looks for a DDT to follow up with, but CXDY quickly counters out and gets some momentum before connecting with a running lariat! BIG IN JAPAN!
Miller’s down, but Stoner looks to take advantage of the opening with some flailing lefts and rights on the Reflection of Perfection! Stoner looks like he might have CXDY down for the count as he goes for that dropkick to the knee…but takes a flurry of slaps and kicks instead!
PERFECT RUSH! CXDY brings Stoner down hard after that combination, but Miller takes advantage by throwing him out of the ring before hoisting Stoner up for a German suplex…but Stoner counters out of it! BONG HIT! Stoner with that Shining Wizard, and the triangle choke locked in…MILLER IS OUT COLD!
Stoner has pulled off a big win tonight over the debuting Michael Miller!
With the match over, Stoner stands alone in the ring. A microphone grasped in his hand. He looks relaxed to say the least.
“What’s up everybody?”
A few people clap.
“So, as you guys know, my name’s Stoner. And like, weed is totally one of my passions. Maybe a few of you can relate.”
Some cheers from the crowd. A couple “hell yeahs.”
“But it’s my opinion that some people still don’t get just how fucking sweet smoking weed is. It has all kinds of health benefits and fucking gets you pretty baked.”
Suddenly, a thick cloud begins to fill the arena from the vents.
People begin coughing. Some people, terrified it could be a terrorist attack, start fleeing towards the exit.
“So you all might notice some smoke entering the Slaughterhouse right now. It’s actually a vapor, not smoke. But basically, I brought a big ass vaporizer and shoved it in the vent. We’re all about to get high as balls.”
Cheers from the audience. No one came here to get high, but they’ll take the free buzz.
A small chant starts up!
THANK YOU STONER, clap clap clapclapclap
THANK YOU STONER, clap clap clapclapclap
THANK YOU STONER, clap clap clapclapclap
“Hell yeah! Everybody must get stoned!”
Suddenly, the vapor swirls and, as if guided by magic, moves towards the entrance ramp.
“What’s happening!?!” Stoner screams.
The smoke swirls and swirls. Then?
Poof. It vanishes.
And standing there in it’s place? Leah Lincoln.
“You know, after our last encounter, I was just going to leave you alone. But as a witch, I’ve been forced many times over by men to be something I’m not. You can be a stoner all you want — but I’m not letting you force anyone else to be.”
The crowd boo.
Stoner rolls his eyes.
“Dude, I’m helping these people to have fun,” Stoner says. “I’m vibin’ with my people, Lenny! Like, honestly? You’re kind of ruining my moment and that basically sucks.”
FUCK YOU LEAH, clap, clap, clapclapclap.
FUCK YOU LEAH, clap, clap, clapclapclap.
FUCK YOU LEAH, clap, clap, clapclapclap.
“Well guess what?” Leah says, a sinister grin spreading across her face. “Next week, I’m going to ruin a lot more than just your moment.”
Cut.
Recorded Previously.
The grave of one Sherman Dewey.
Amidst the downpour of rain and the sound of thunder in the distance, we see a lone figure kneeling at the grave, looking at it, slumped over in an unseen agony.
His identity only given away by the red, white, and blue cape placed upon his back.
Ultimo America.
“Yo B!”
The sound of voices in the distance startle him, the American turning towards the source to see the people who promised to be by his side through thick and thin.
The Forever Friends.
Miles runs forward, covering his hair from the rain as Chunky and Leah Lincoln follow closely behind. The trio come to the grave where Ultimo slowly rises, revealing his face in full beneath the moonlight. Swollen eyes and gritted teeth show what cannot be seen through the rain.
Tears on Ultimo’s face.
Miles reaches out, placing a hand on Ultimo’s shoulder that is brushed off.
“You can’t run off like that! We got worried when you left. Why did you go after Leif? He’s massive!”
Chunky nods in agreement, the large gamer walking forward.
“Yeah, we got worried something might’ve gotten ya. Come back to our hiding place, it’s safer there!”
Both men have to yell to be heard over the storm, but their words still fall deafly on Ultimo’s ears as his lips curl into a scowl.
“I can’t. I can’t sit around and try to be safe when I know who did it! I knew you wouldn’t listen to me, so I came to talk to Sherman! He would want us to hunt down Leif! He’s the big boss at the end of the dungeon, he killed our party member and you’re just going to let him keep walking around with those wolves like he did nothing wrong!?”
This time Leah buts in to speak.
“This is why I am here, is it not? I offered to help-”
Ultimo cuts her off.
“I know you did, and we’re grateful. We all want to see him again but taking down Helvig? That’s something he would want, something we can do right now! Besides, we have a match tonight and…”
“That doesn’t matter,” she promises. “I said I’d help you, and I will.”
The Forever friends try to reason with Ultimo, but he rushes forwards! Chunky and Miles are pushed aside as Ultimo runs into the night, yelling in anger and anguish as his friends begin to follow after him.
Meanwhile, Leah smirks.
Cut.
DOWN THE RABBIT…NO! Monty spins out of the X-Factor, lifting Alice up before delivering THE COMMERCIAL BREAK in one swift sequence. Alice is stunned for a moment as Monty looks to apply the finishing touches with Straight Shooting but the Dreamer manages kick him away before rolling Monty up in a surprise small package
ONE…TWO…Straight just gets the shoulder up but he can barely get to his feet before he’s planted into the mat with a hard bulldog. Alice backs up, beginning to hop like she’s very terrible late but she stops herself before she begins to climb up the nearby turnbuckle.
The Dreamer sizes up the fallen Straight for a moment on the top before she leaps three times across the ropes….GUILLOTINE LEG…NO! Monty moves out of the way as Alice hits hard on the canvas. Straight pounces on her mistake, turning Alice over in an instant and locking in the Straight Shooting! Alice is dazed and in pain as she’s forced to tap out!
The Straight Shooter picks up the big victory here with his intelligence and guile but can he do the same when he reintroduces the Judge to his never ending game?
What a match between Monty Straight and Sweet Alice!
Pyre is out with her guards! She has a mic in her hand.
“You can leave Monty, I’m the one making deals tonight.”
Alice looks at her somewhat confused.
“Deals? I thought you were going to attack me!”
“You thought I was going to attack you only a week later? While I admit it’s always funny to see you so defensive, I thought you would know me better by now. No, I don’t want to fight you, I want to show you something. Lose yourself and go inside that cracked mind of yours.”
“I’m not cracking in front of you ever again.”
“You sure? Not even for some friends? Bring them out!”
Four more card guards make their way to the stage!
They have two of the first friends Alice ever made in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. Both are trapped in handcuffs.
“Why are they here, what did you do?”
“I went to a tea party but it seems I went on the wrong day. You see its the hare’s birthday and I had to give him a present.”
“They don’t celebrate birthdays.”
“I know but I do.”
Pyre smirks.
“Now if you want to know what I did, crack and look at where they host the tea party.”
“Should I Hatter?”
The Mad Hatter looks more solemn than mad and simply nods yes.
Alice closes her eyes and takes herself to the tea party.
Tables are burnt to ash. Tea cups and plates are shattered. Some embers are still flickering.
A tear falls down Alice’s cheek as she opens her eyes and is mentally back in The Slaughterhouse.
“Why did you do that? That is the place that made me love Wonderland.”
“You just answered your own question Alice. It’s the people and places you’re close to that make you crack not me. That little tear shows you’re turning to water again. I’m ready to see a flood.”
Pyre walks to the March Hare.
“Happy birthday you mad rabbit.”
Pyre grabs the March Hare’s head.
“Don’t you dare!”
“Or what?”
Pyre smirks.
Twist!
Snap!
The March Hare slumps and falls to the ground.
He is dead!
“You bitch! I thought you were to make deals not attacks.”
“You’re right. Here’s the deal. You can come to Wonderland freely and I’ll never bother you but the Mad Hatter joins the hare or the Hatter lives and you can never visit again.”
Alice sighs but she knows the choice she has to make.
“Give me Hatter, I’ll leave Wonderland to you.”
The guards let him go and he runs to Alice.
“You do know if you return it won’t only be him right?”
Alice nods her head.
“You should have never came to Wonderland or the Hare might still be breathing. I see why they don’t like birthdays now.”
Pyre laughs and leaves with her guards leaving the Hatter and Alice to mourn.
Cut.
A blip on a screen.
Unmoving, a stationary blip in amongst a massive scale map of New York. Zero sits at the driver’s seat of the computer, zooming the sceen in to look at the dot more closely.
“No movement, it’s been all week now.”
BEG smiles at the sentiment.
“It appears our message may have gotten through. Darby Sorrow, at least for the moment, is taken care of.”
Zero turns, away from the screen to look at BEG.
“You’re fuckin’ bonkers if you think he’s gonna stay gone, Berk. Not after we dropped him off a fuckin’ bridge. He’ll be coming for us all next we see him.”
BEG again smiles.
“Oh, I’m counting on that.”
But it is CXDY who seems uneasy with the whole situation.
“So, we’re just sitting around having a circle-jerk till we wait for him to storm the doors down? No. I’ve got other fish to fry. I want Corvus… And I want him now!”
The words cut through the air, sucking all of the jubilation out of the room.
“I’ve had enough of waiting. I’m getting itchy sitting back, Corvus… Now.”
BEG’s smile has long since faded by now. The dissention in his ranks does not fall on receptive ears.
“I’ve told you. We follow the plan. We stick to our plays and everything happens in due time. You can’t go off on your own crusade just because you don’t agree with the plan.”
CXDY doesn’t take no for an answer lightly.
“Are you really going to stand in my way on this?”
His fists ball tightly, but before the tinderbox can explode Alby Shaw steps in with an arm across CXDY’s chest, leading him away. Shaw tries to reason with him.
“All in good time. But for now, you’ve got to wait. We can’t risk spreading ourselves too thin with all of these balls in the air.”
CXDY beckons to the screen, speaking in a hushed but frustrated voice.
“The fucking dot hasn’t moved all week. Either he’s playing possum or he’s fucked off. Either way, that leaves enough of an opening for me to get what I want.”
Alby shakes his head.
“Patience. Wait. Everything works out in the end.”
CXDY brushes past Alby with tense frustration. Fists still balled and shoulders tight, he returns to the rest of BMI as they discuss their next move… as a group.”
Only… Zero catches their attention as a message pops up on his screen.
‘I can dig any grave… But ONE of you will dig Blood Money Inc’s before too long.’
BEG looks up at the message on his screen and the unmoving blip. And his fists ball themselves tightly too.
Cut.
Leif Helvig has made a terrifying impact on OSW in just a few weeks, physically destroying several OSW lambs. Tonight, The Reaper, one of the most stubborn wrestlers in The Slaughterhouse, takes up the challenge of halting The Beast of Slaughter’s berserker rampage!
On the first D of the timekeeper’s bell Reaper launches onto the attack, into the air…SHOTGUN BLAST!!! THE SUPERMAN PUNCH CONNECTS!!! BUT THE BEAST OF SLAUGHTER IS STILL STANDING THERE!!! Reaper can’t believe it! The Harvester launches himself at Helvig again but he’s caught in mid-air…VALKYRIE KALLAR!!! The viking throws Reaper straight into a turnbuckle and The Harvester slams hard into the canvas from the impact.
The official begins a count but Helvig dismisses it, he’s not through yet. Leif peels Reaper off the mat and drags him across the ropes and ties his head up in the top and middle ropes…GLEIPNIR’S BOUND has Reaper choking. Helvig casually walks across the ring before steaming in at The Harvester and nails a running bit boot with such brutal force, Reaper is released from the ropes but sent stumbling through the ropes and out of the ring.
The Beast of Slaughter joins Reaper outside. The Harvester tries to mount a comeback with repeated punches, but Helvig takes every shot Reaper can throw, then after half a dozen of these he grabs his prey and slams his head into the nearest ringpost. Helvig lifts Reaper and repeats the steel head bump on the opposite post.
Reaper gets to his feet, his face a bloody mess….FRIGORAAA!!! Helving scythes Reaper in half with a violent spear into the steel steps. The Beast of Slaughter heads up the ramp as the official initiates his ten count. It looks a formality until The Reaper gets to his feet on the count of EIGHT! He slides into the ring and he’s calling Helvig back for more. There is a wry smile on the Viking’s face. He charges to the ring and hits a second FRIGORA and there is no getting up this time. Reaper remains down for the referee’s TEN COUNT!!!
The Beast of Slaughter continues his feast on the OSW roster with another brutal and violent win!
“Can I help you?” He asks.
“You’ve been spending time with The Chief and we have questions,” Luke pipes up rather demandingly. “And you ought to as well.”
That seems to surprise Sigil, who takes a seat.
“There’s things at play here,” Sigil remarks. “Things that your tiny brains couldn’t comprehend. I’m not going to answer your questions, not after what I’ve seen.”
Banzan shakes his head.
“Our tiny brains?” He offers angrily. “You don’t get it, do you? There’s a war between Heaven and The Underworld, but Bishop was one of the first victims of it?”
The Collector shrugs.
“And?” He scoffs.
Luke Storm then steps forward.
“Bishop was an asshole. That son of a bitch killed innocent people and monsters. He had no scruples, yet hell hounds tore him apart?”
“It doesn’t make sense,” Banzan continues. “Surely The Underworld would’ve commissioned Bishop, not murdered him. He would’ve been perfect to help win their war.”
Sigil stands up, shaking his head.
“What’re you trying to say?” He says bluntly. “I’ve been with The Chief and I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe. I wouldn’t rule out that Hell killed him.”
Banzan taps Storm on the arm as if to say ‘this guy’, before turning his back and pacing away.
Luke closes in, almost face to face with Sigil.
“You may not want to listen to us now, but you will. I don’t know what you’re up to or why you’re collecting those crystals, but my brother left something you need with me.”
That suddenly changes Sigil’s tune. The Collector’s body language immediately morphs into a more aggressive nature.
“You know about that? We made that arrangement a very long time ago.” He queries.
“Know about it?” Storm chuckles. “I know exactly what you need – he left me all the information. You’re going to help us figure this out, Sigil; or you’ll never complete your collection.”
The Tempest smirks as he backs away slowly and heads off in the same direction as Banzan.
Cut.
Previously Recorded.
In the former Nygma Towers, we find Redwing sat in front of a window overlooking the city below.
Nay, we find Bill Kirby.
Most of his Redwing suit is piled on the floor beside him, and he is wearing just the bodysuit underneath. In the background, we can see a long hallway that seems to have something under construction behind it, a faint glow emanating from the end of the hall.
In his hand, he is holding the toy Mister Andy gave him last week. The pristine action figure invoked quite the reaction from Crimson Justice, and as he holds it in his hand, we can see there is a small CRT television on the nightstand beside him, hooked up to an old camcorder.
The TV lights up with some sort of old home video. There’s no audio.
It’s of Christmas time, with a date stamp of 1989. A little boy is sat in front of the Christmas tree, wearing Batman pajamas.
A young Bill Kirby?
He is ripping gaudy wrapping paper off of a small box. With a gleeful grin, he pulls out a carded action figure. It’s of Batman, and he holds it tight and we can see him mouth a ‘thank you’ to whomever got him that gift.
The video ends in static as Kirby has disconnected the camcorder. He shakes his head, and looks down at the action figure, which seems to be the same one from 1989, just customized by someone to look like the Redwing suit.
Kirby lowers his eyes to it, emotion still taking him, as it did when Mister Andy handed him the toy.
Why is he so upset about a toy he got for Christmas over 30 years ago?
Cut.
Albert Shaw has been taking names and cashing lots of cheques signed by Berkshire Ellison Green since he became the muscle of Blood Money Inc. Next in his little black book of victims is OSW very best – the World Champion, Voynich. A streetfight is very much The Guv’nor’s playing field, so can he pull off a career-best win tonight?
DING! DING! Shaw is immediately on the attack, he wants to assert himself against the World Champion. A few blows has Voynich on the back foot, whip into the ropes…ISHTAR GATE!!! Voynich surprises The Guv’nor with the running lariat!!! Shaw shakes it off and he’s quickly to his feet, Voynich looking for the whip but Shaw counters with a ripcord knee, sends Voynich into the ropes and knocks the Best Kept Secret over the top with a clothesline.
The Guv’nor slides out of the ring and grabs a steel chair…he swings…THUD!!! GREAT COUNTER BY VOYNICH!!! DROPKICK INTO THE STEEL CHAIR!! The World Champ now in control…snap suplex on the concrete floor of The Slaughterhouse. Cover for ONE…TWO…THRE-KICKOUT!!! Shaw uses the timekeeper’s table to get to his feet, Voynich grabs him….DING-DONG!!!! The Guv’nor nails the World Champion with the timekeeper’s bell!!!
Shaw is foraging under the ring and pulls out a barbed wired cricket bat. Taking his guard, The Guv’nor waits for Voynich to get to his feet….HIT FOR SIX!!!! A MASSIVE PULL SHOT ALMOST TAKES OFF VOYNICH’S HEAD!!! Shaw follows this up with nimble footwork and a perfectly timed STRAIGHT DRIVE to the torso of the World Champion, the barbed wire tearing away chunks of flesh!!! Cover…ONE…TWO….THREEE….NO!!! Voynich gets a shoulder up!!!
Shaw wants to finish this while he is on top. He stalks the World Champion as he rises…GBH!!! NO!!! Voynich counters the Claymore Kick…SAVATE KICK!!! The World Champion strikes back….EIGHT WONDER OF THE WORLD!!! CONNECTS!!! ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!!! ONE…TWO…THREEEEE!!!!!!! IT’S FINISHED!!!!
The World Champion remains not out, surviving a brutal “bodyline” assault from The Guv’nor!!!
After the show.
“Choices!”
The sound of Monty Straight’s voice welcomes us to the scene, a light shining and blinding us.
“We make them every day. But on a very special episode of The Show That Never Ends I give two very important choices to a man we call The Judge!”
The shows theme song begins to play and the light dims down to reveal Monty Straight himself! The Showman finds himself standing not on set, but in front of a large scale. One side holds a man who stands there terrified, the other is empty… until Monty steps onto it! The scales level out.
And the camera pans to the other side to reveal The Judge standing in the same room, watching in confused awe as Monty materializes his microphone from seemingly nowhere.
“Well hello there, Judge. I’m glad you could make it. As always, I have a choice for you.”
He chuckles, snapping his fingers. Two doors appear above the scales. One opens revealing a ladder above the terrified man.
And the one above Monty opens to reveal a large shredder.
“What is the meaning of this, Straight. How did you get me here?”
“Can’t tell you that, Judge. It’s a trade secret! But here’s what I can tell you!”
He chuckles, twirling the microphone in his hand as he points at the man on the other scale.
“On one scale stands Mr. James Troy. James is a father of two with a beautiful wife named Delilah. He, as you will surely know, is destined to save a child from a car accident. Now, here’s where it gets interesting, Judge. Above both of us is a door. In his lies a route of escape that puts him back with his wife and keeps him on track for his destiny!”
Judge growls, interrupting Monty.
“Enough nonsense! Release him, now.”
“I’m getting to that, Judge. Above me, you see, is a shredder. It would surely kill me if I go into it! Now, this scale will tip depending on the platform you yourself get on.”
“Of course.”
“And! You can choose. Get on his side and I go up into the shredder. I die. But! You end up trapped here alongside James. However, you step on my scale, and James gets his freedom… and so do you I’ll be able to free you from this room.”
Judge looks on in shock at the very notion, literally weighing the options in front of him as Monty hangs onto the chain that holds up his weight.
“Would you like to make a choice?”
Monty’s sparkling grin is all we see as Judge contemplates the situation in front of him.
Cut.
The concrete jungle of New York is a dangerous place these days, where seldom folks tend to venture and definitely not in the night air. But it is here we find The Reaper, pressing on with determination, clearly with a destination in mind.
That is, until a hulking figure drops seemingly out of nowhere and blocks his path.
“Running away, little human?”
Darklord towers over Reaper, causing The Reaper to physically look up to even see him eye to eye.
“You throw your weight around like you’re King around here, but this is not Carthus. You have no rule here, and you brandishing your cock around like I’m supposed to be impressed?”
Darklord’s head tilts sideways, trying to determine the point of Reaper’s sentiment.
“You’re all about the size of the dog in the fight. But we humans, we’re more about the size of the heart of the dog. What you fail to see, is that nobody has more heart in them than me. You can knock me down, but you’d better kill me because I’m going to keep getting back up.”
The Reaper picks up a brick from a pile of rubble fallen from a nearby building and uses it to attack the knee of Darklord. He gets in several strikes to the knee before the big Carthian topples to the ground.
Reaper is on him in an instant, brandishing elbows and fists and a few shots to the Carthian’s skull with the brick before he stands up.
Darklord is weary but not unconscious. The Carthian sits up but Reaper is gone, disappeared into the night.
“Very well, mouse warrior. You want me to crush you, I’ll be happy to oblige.”
Cut.
America’s Son grief has reached fever point as he recklessly throws himself to the wolves. However his path sends him through the great swamps of Louisiana. Will Ultimo make it to 1 Up or will the killing field become his doom?
The bell sounds as Ultimo leaps forward, peppering the Swamp Witch with furious lefts and rights that surprise Leah more than hurt her as Ultimo rushes to the ropes, trying for a clothesline that Leah ducks under…
DROWNING IN FIRE! That Yakuza Kick could be it as Leah turns over the limp America for the cover, ONE…TWO…THRE…LAST SECOND KICKOUT! Too much heart in this kid but that may have been a mistake as Leah grabs his legs, and locks in the DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND! The foot is pressing down on Ultimo’s head as he’s in tremendous pain, he may well be forced to give here.
BUT AMERICA NEVER QUITS! Somehow, someway Ultimo slowly drags himself to the ropes, just grabbing ahold of them as he forces the break. Ultimo is barely able to stand as Leah tries to pull him up, HEADBUTT! The Swamp Witch feels all of that as Ultimo rolls her up into a surprise small package
ONE…TWO…LEAH JUST KICKS OUT! HEADBUTT OF HER OWN! Ultimo is out on his feet as the Swamp Witch rushes to the ropes, DROWNING WITH FIRE! The Second Yakuza Kick hits flush and this should be it as Leah covers for the ONE…TWO…THREE!!!
The Swamp Witch picks up the victory here but Ultimo once again came so close and sooner or later, he’ll finally make the red white and blue proud
The match is over, and Ultimo is left alone in the ring, the Real American taking the time to gather himself before rolling out of the ring, his head hanging as he begins to walk up the ramp.
When a blood curdling howl sounds out through the arena.
And with it, Ultimo is instantly in fight or flight mode, but his mind, body, and soul chose fight in an instant! The scrawny wrestler takes a fighting stance and circles around himself, looking for the source.
Only he’s not prepared for what comes next.
Running from seemingly out of nowhere are Hati and Skoll! The massive wolves lunge at Ultimo, the underdog rolling just barely out of the way but soon finding himself surrounded as the massive beast circle around him, their teeth bared and maws snarling. America doesn’t back down, but the crowd can’t help but yell out in terror on his behalf!
“Framganga!”
At the sounds of the word ‘attack’, Hati and Skoll lunge again at Ultimo! The masked wrestler swings wildly as fangs dig into his skin, claws shredding his cape, and snarling ringing in his ears!
But he never stops fighting.
He keeps fucking swinging wildly, his punches doing nothing to the dogs!
Until one lucky shot, one haymaker to the jaw, causes Hati to let out a whimper.
“Heel!”
Leif, now revealed at the top of the ramp, orders his dogs off of Ultimo, an anger in his eyes as he walks towards his battered rival. Ultimo looks up at the massive warrior from his knees, sneering at him despite his state.
“You tried to hunt me last week. So this week, I hunt you.”
Ultimo spits blood in Helvig’s face!
And Leif does exactly what you expect him to.
HE FLINGS ULTIMO INTO THE RING!
Ultimo tries to roll to his feet only for Helvig to peel him up and slam him back down into the ground!
RASERI I SLAKTERIEGHT!
VIOLENT FOREARMS BEAT ULTIMO INTO A PULP RIGHT THERE IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
When the flurry of blows is done, Helvig simply gets up, turning away from his prey without a second thought and whistling for his wolves as he begins to leave the ring.
Leaving us with the image of Ultimo in the center of the ring, his shredded American flag cape draped over his body.
Mr. America slowly beginning to stir as we fade to black.
Cut.
Backstage at the Slaughterhouse, the World Champion waits. Voynich paces back and forth, fresh off his match with Albert Shaw earlier. He’s watching the long hallway to the entrance area with focused eyes.
“You should know by now,” the voice of the Sandman cuts into his movement, “that I am not some monstrous villain who will attack at will.”
Voynich stops and smiles.
“No, I never once believed that.” He retorts. “Your continued attack on my dreams, however, show me that no matter how rich with power you find yourself because of Sandy Rogers, you still don’t have what it is that you desire.”
He slings the World Championship over his shoulder.
“You want this.” Voynich taunts. “You killed to get this title, and you’ll kill to take it back. But all I see is weakness, Sandman. All I see is a powerless figure who thinks that he’s going treat me like he did a broken Luke Storm at Red Snow. It’s not going to happen.”
Voynich turns in a circle to find the Sandman is now stood in the hall. With a creepy smile etched on his face.
“Weakness?” Sandman asks. “I’m stronger than I have ever been. You call yourself the Best Kept Secret, but as I tell you every night in your dreams, the secret’s out. No one will ever underestimate you again. No one will ever look at you as an underdog.”
The Champ grins as Sandman continues, the pair circling one another.
“I won’t attack you. I won’t blindside you. I will even stop haunting your dreams.” Sandman whispers. “Instead, I want you at your full strength, with not a single excuse in your satchel. That will make the moment when I crush you that much sweeter. Just seeing the knowledge in your eyes that no matter how good you are, I will always be your better… that’s the energy I thrive off, even after I close your eyes permanently.”
“Is that all you got?” Voynich says after Sandman is finished.
“No.” The Sandman responds.
Then he vanishes, leaving Voynich alone.
These two bulls are going to lock horns in a week’s time.
And it’s going to be a barnburner!
Two otherworldly beings sharing 740lbs between them. The Sandman is an agent of pure chaos, renewed by his recent capture of Jessie Williams. Can The Judge bring a little order to the havoc the Dream Demon has been wreaking?
These two big men circle each other on the ding of the bell. They come together in a test of strength but there is no inch given on each side and they separate. The Sandman tries to gain the momentum by running into another test of strength but Order is an unrelenting bulwark and he pushes the Dream Demon off, following up with a clothesline…and another….and another…cover for ONE…TWO…KICKOUT!!!
Judge lifts Sandman and delivers an elbow smash, the Dream Demon falls back onto the ropes, Judge charges in looking for THE VERDICT!!!! SANDMAN FLOPS!!!! Judge is left hanging on the top rope, the Night Terror is quickly up and nails a REVERSE CUTTER!!! Cover…ONE….TWO…THR-NO!!! Judge gets a shoulder up.
Sandman peels Judge off the mat, he’s looking for DEEP SLEEP!!! NO!!! Counter from Judge into a waistlock….GERMAN SUPLEX!!! HOLY SHIT!!! WHAT AN IMPACT!!! The Dream Demon rolls out of the ring looking for some respite, but Judge is quickly on….BACK ELBOW!!! Sandman was playing possum!!! DEEP SLEEP!!!! ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!!!
The Night Terror rolls Order back into the ring and grabs a steel chair. The Dream Demon is back into the ring with it and the official is giving him a stern warning….SPARTA KICK!!!! Order clobbers Sandman through the steel chair!!! Now The Judge lifts the Night Terror….RESTORATION!!! ON TO THE STEEL CHAIR!!!! Judge covers…ONE….TWO…..THREE!!!!
Order delivers his judgement to The Dream Demon!!!
He flicks through a couple of pages, reading back and forth.
Suddenly, a voice echoes inside his head.
“We’re connected, you and I,” the voice says. “We’re sworn enemies and always will be.”
Deathnote shakes his head, trying to break free of whatever menace resides and holds a grip within it.
“Do you remember?” The voice asks.
Suddenly, the door opens and in walks Luke Storm.
The light flickers on and we see Deathnote sat on the floor, looking rather perplexed.
He leaps to his feet and grabs Storm, slamming him into the wall. They immediately begin tussling, slamming each other around the room.
“Get out of my head!” Deathnote yells.
Storm doesn’t understand, lamping him with a Headbutt that stumbles him backwards.
“You’re not hearing me,” Storm exclaims. “But you will.”
“What do you want?” Note says whilst holding his head.
“There’s going to become a point when sides have to be taken in this war between Heaven and The Underworld,” Luke confirms. “I’m not foolish enough to know which side you’d take, but I’d ask that you consider taking mine.”
Deathnote grimaces.
“I will oppose Simon,” he announces angrily. “Whether your side or not, I will be his opposition. Make of that what you will.”
Luke nods as Deathnote walks away.
Cut.
Ten of OSW’s brightest stars clash in an historic 5-on-5, 1-fall-to-a-finish match. Who will level up ahead of +1UP!?
Corvus’ scarred visage twists into a sneer as he stares down Banzan. The burned politician, however, flips his coin…
Whether it landed heads or tails, we’ll never know, but he tags in an unsuspecting Corvus!
The Crow’s lip curls. He takes his teammate’s place, however, readying himself for a mountain hike—
HIP TOSS BY BANZAN!
Corvus rolls through, onto his feet, and whips round—
SLAP – MONGOLIAN CHOP HEARD AROUND THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE!
Reeling, Corvus finds himself being hurled across the ring…
JUMPING HIP ATTACK BY THE SUPERHEAVYWEIGHT!
The monk’s deceptive speed and agility floor the assassin—
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
KICKOUT!
Deathnote, who’s halfway through the ropes, stands back up on the apron.
Banzan’s team applaud his early efforts, as he peels Corvus up, then drags him into their corner.
HE TAGS IN MISTER ANDY!
The Toy Maker floats Corvus over with a snapmare.
THUD – HE KICKS HIM IN THE SPINE!
With gritted teeth, The Shadow Walker flexes his fingers, checking his extremities!
Andy hits the ropes—
DROPKICK RIGHT IN THE MOUTH; WAS THAT A TOOTH THAT WENT FLYING!?
Grounding Corvus, Andy rolls him onto his front. He jams his heel into his back, then pulls on his arms—
THAT’S THE STRETCH ARMSTRONG!
Corvus caws in agony, as the toyshop proprietor bends him in half – WILL HE TAP OUT!?
SIMON DARTS INTO THE RING…
TIGER FREAKIN’ SUPLEX TO MISTER ANDY!
HE JUST SAVED CORVUS’ BACON!
The referee orders Simon outside.
With both combatants down, their respective teams stomp the apron and lean over the ropes with their hands extended.
WHO WILL GET THERE FIRST!?
DOUBLE HOT-TAG!
DEATHNOTE AND REDWING CHARGE INTO THE FRAY!
Left, right, left, right – The Slaughterhouse oohs and aahs as they trade blows.
The Author of Death seizes the upper hand, owing to his size advantage and longer reach. The vigilante digs deep, however, visualising every dirtbag on the streets who’s ever sucker-punched him…
HE BLOCKS A URANAGE WITH AN ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL!
Deathnote releases him and stumbles forwards groggily. Redwing grabs a waistlock—
GERMAN SUPLEX!
DEATHNOTE FOLDS LIKE AN ACCORDION!
REDWING ERECTS A BRIDGE—
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
…
VIPER ROBERTS BREAKS IT UP!
The Head Snake slithers into action, driving a double-axe handle into the gut of Redwing.
Luke Storm is set on retaliation, but the official prevents him from entering the ring. Roberts winks at him as he leaves, further riling him up.
Redwing punches the canvas, pushing himself up from his knuckles. He pulls Deathnote to his feet—
HEADBUTT TO THE ABDOMEN!
The Watchful Protector doubles over, spluttering. Deathnote wraps his arms around his mid-section…
GUTWRENCH SUPLEX!
Redwing kicks his feet against the mat, as he nurses his ribcage. The penman steps over him—
TAG TO TWO-FACE!
Having abstained from helping any of his teammates thus far, Two-Face nonchalantly climbs inside.
Stalking the downed Gotham antihero, he snaps his toecap shoes into his midriff! Redwing gnashes his teeth against the searing pain. Two-Face yanks him to his feet—
HE RAMS HIS SHOULDER INTO HIS GUT!
Pinning Redwing against the turnbuckle, Two-Face stomps a mudhole in him, then walks it dry. Grabbing his arm, he pulls his deadweight towards his team’s corner.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
WHOOSH!
SIGIL TELEPORTS BESIDE THEM WITH THE COSMIC LEAP—
HE CHOPS TWO-FACE IN THE BACK OF THE NECK – WHAT A MERCIFUL ACT!
Disappearing as quickly as he appeared, Sigil breaks up the pin – potentially saving this match!
His team don’t rush to thank him, though; The Realm Walker acts in his own interest, rarely showing his hand!
Redwing crawls towards his comrades, keeping his knees drawn close to his chest.
Behind him, however…
VIPER ROBERTS TAGS HIMSELF IN!
The serpent lowers himself onto all fours—
HE MOCKINGLY CRAWLS ALONGSIDE REDWING!
The crimefighter’s team challenges Viper, but he’s only too happy to continue playing with his food. Pulling him towards a neutral corner, he grabs his head…
HE’S RAKING HIS EYE ALONG THE ROPES!
The referee commands him to stop, which he does – at the count of four.
On his knees, half-blind, with possibly broken ribs, Redwing gulps down air. Roberts merely shoves a snakeskin boot in his face, forcing him onto his back.
The cult leader stands over him triumphantly, having done little to no work in putting him there.
“I want you all to sit up and watch,” he calls out to The Slaughterhouse, “as I kill your heroes, one-by-one.”
Viper snatches Redwing by his cowl, heaving him to his feet. He has him in a front-facelock; he’s going to drop him like a bad habit!
Having heard and taken onboard his message, a handful of attendees can be heard chanting DDT, DDT, DDT!
Roberts slaps his back…
ODE TO THE SNA—DENIED!
REDWING SPINS OUT OF THE DDT!
KNEE LIFT TO THE RIBS!
Giving Viper a taste of his own medicine, Redwing doubles him over—
RETURN TO ARKHAM, RETURN TO ARKHAM!
EAT YOUR HEART OUT, VIPER – NOW THAT’S A DDT!
Nailing the double underhook, Redwing is running on fumes as he spins round—
HE TAGS IN LUKE STORM – THERE’S A LOT OF HISTORY BETWEEN THOSE TWO!
VIPER GROGGILY TAGS IN DEATHNOTE!
LIGHTNING STRI—COUNTER!
DEATHNOTE DUCKS THE SUPERKICK!
HE LIFTS LUKE INTO THE BURNING HAMMER!
HE’S GOING TO GRANT HIM HIS DYING WISH – OR IS HE!?
LUKE DROPS DOWN…
DOOOOWNPOUR – THE CODEBREAKER!
Deathnote springs through the air, landing spreadeagle.
Storm, however, wheels round—
THE TEMPEST IS THROWING LIGHTNING RODS AT VIPER, TWO-FACE, CORVUS, AND SIMON!
HE SENDS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM PACKING!
MY GOD, LUKE STORM IS ON FIRE!
Turning his attention back to Deathnote, he pounces into the cover.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
HE’S TAKING IT FOR HIS TEAM!
…
NO HE’S NOT – KICKOUT!
Indulging his anger inadvertently gave the God of the New World just long enough to recover.
Luke is unfazed, though. Not missing a beat, he pulls him into position and scales the ropes.
TIME FOR THE BEST MOONSAULT IN THE BUSINESS…
THUUUN—GAMBIT, GAMBIT, GAMBIT!
SIMON CLIMBS THE APRON AND DECKS HIM WITH THE SPINNING BACKFIST!
STORM IS SEEING STARS…
DEATHNOTE TAKES HIM ONTO HIS SHOULDERS—
BURNIIIING HAMMEERRR – DYING WISH!
The one-two combo puts Luke down.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THAT’S GOTTA BE IT—
WHAT THE – A SHADOW OF SOMEONE FLAPPING THEIR ARMS LIKE WINGS!?
…
FLIGHT OF THE ORNITHOPTERN!
MISTER ANDY COMES CRASHING DOWN WITH A TOP-ROPE SPLASH ONTO DEATHNOTE!
The referee mops his brow with his shirt, desperately trying to maintain order as he ushers The Toy Maker out of the ring—
CORVUS FREAKIN’ KICK!
CLATTER!
THE FLASH KICK SENDS ANDY INTO THE STEEL STAIRS!
Anarchy is quickly descending, as we’ve a game of one-upmanship on our hands.
Simon, Two-Face, and Viper enter a tense standoff against Banzan, Redwing, and Sigil. Both teams assimilate their downed brothers-in-arms.
Additional officials and agents spill out from the back in a bid to prevent an all-out war!
In the ring, Deathnote and Luke Storm come to, holding out their hands and wondering where their partners are. Simon and Banzan race back to the battlefield—
THE TASKMASTER AND INDESTRUCTIBLE MOUNTAIN ARE TAGGED IN!
GAMB—BLOCKED!
Banzan catches the spinning backfist, like a fly with chopsticks. Disarming Simon, the spiritualist raps him over his bosom—
FIVE-POINT PALM STRIKE – TIGER CLAW!
Simon staggers back, not daring to tread more than five paces. Banzan hoists him up…
SAITO SUPLEX – DUKKHA THAT, BITCH!
Hit with the reminder that suffering exists, Simon struggles onto his knees. Head lolling, he watches helplessly as Banzan closes the distance between them—
HE FOLLOWS THE ENLIGHTENED PATH – KINSHASAAAA!
SIMON EVADES THE MAGGA!
BANZAN TURNS ON HIS HEEL, READY TO TREAD THE SAME PATH…
THE INTELLECTUAL, HOWEVER, TRIPS HIM!
HE SPINS AROUND HIS TREE TRUNK-LIKE LEG—
FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK – CHECKMATE, BANZAN!
He may study the art of zen, but even the Tiger’s Nest alumni can’t shut out this level of pain! Simon cranks up the torque, stranding his far large foe dead-to-rights in the middle of the ring.
The Mountain doesn’t look so Indestructible here, as his hand hovers perilously close to the mat – IT COULD BE OVER ANY SECOND…
DARKNESS FALLS, DARKNESS FALLS OUTTA NOWHERE!
REDWING CURB STOMPS SIMON’S BRAINS!
Crimson Scourge motions for Simon’s teammates to bring it – an offer they gladly accept!
GODWATCH RIPCORD KNEE TO CORVUS!
Inadvertently avenging Mister Andy, Redwing hurriedly turns round—
TWO-FACE SOCKS HIM IN THE GUT!
Aggravating the vigilante’s abdominal injury, Two-Face slings his leg over the back of his neck…
FLIP THE COIN – OVERDRIVE NECKBREAKER!
Spiking him into the mat, Two-Face doesn’t notice Banzan drape an arm over Simon—
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
…
THR—TWO-FACE MAKES THE SAVE!
Banzan very nearly had the win right there.
Two-Face barges past the long-suffering official. Grabbing Banzan’s tied-up hair, he goes ham on the big-man—
BANZAN DUMPS HIM OVER THE ROPES WITH A BACK BODY DROP!
SPLAT – TWO-FACE LANDS ON THE COLD, HARD CONCRETE!
SIMON TAGS IN CORVUS!
BANZAN COLLAPSES INTO A TAG TO SIGIL!
The Collector and The Crow both hop over the top rope.
The master of shadows goes to sweep the legs, but Sigil leaps into the air—
ROUNDHOUSE TO THE FUCKING JAW – EVERYTHING IS FINITE!
Corvus reels, and Sigil immediately bends him over his knee…
ELBOW AFTER ELBOW AFTER ELBOW; IT’S A LONG, LONG ROAD AHEAD FOR CORVUS—
WAIT – HE GETS HIS GUARD UP!
EVEN WHILE BENT LIKE A PRETZEL, CORVUS MANAGES TO BLOCK SIGIL’S ELBOW…
HE ROCKS HIM WITH A THROAT THRUST!
SIGIL STUMBLES BACK—
A PALM STRIKE SENDS HIM INTO THE ROPES…
JUMPING ELBOW STRIKE – THE MURDER OF BLOWS LEAVES HIM LYING!
Motioning that it’s time to end yet another life, Corvus scales the turnbuckle.
HE’S GOING FOR IT, HE’S GOING TO HIT IT—
THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS – NEVERMORE!
NEVERMORE, INDEED, AS SIGIL GETS HIS KNEES UP!
The Cloak-and-Dagger writhes in a world of anguish. Sigil, however, snatches his leg—
HOLY SHIT – CALF-CRUSHER!
SIGIL HAS CORVUS ON WOUNDED LEGS!
Corvus screams in torment; were his knives within reach, he’d happily cut his own leg off to save himself from this agony!
Two-Face suddenly pops into view, having pulled himself up using the ring skirt. Spotting his teammates’ predicament, he reaches in to help – stopping just shy.
The Crow holds his hand out eagerly. Arch-nemesis or not, the fate of this match hangs in the balance!
The scorched and disgraced politician, however, instead reaches inside his breast pocket—
FISHING OUT HIS COIN, TWO-FACE FLIPS IT…
WELL – WAS IT HEADS OR TAILS!?
He checks it, then looks Corvus in the eyes.
“Too bad.” He says, with a smirk.
TWO-FACE WATCHES HIS TEAMMATE AND ENEMY SUFFER!
THAT SON OF A BITCH WILL THROW THIS ENTIRE MATCH—
KISS OF MOTHERFUCKING DEATH!
DEATHNOTE OBLITERATES SIGIL WITH THE DIVING DOUBLE-FOOT STOMP!
HE SIGNED HIS DEATH CERTIFICATE WITH THAT ONE!
He’s not done there, though.
No.
He shovels Sigil’s remains up…
HE’S GOT HIM IN THE GO 2 SLEEP—
GATHER THY—GOOOOORE!
SPINE-ON-THE-PINE, BABY!
MISTER ANDY LIFTS HIM UP AND SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH THE SUPERFINE TURBINE BLAST!
Sigil is dropped on the mat, though it’s a much better outcome than the alternative.
Satisfied that he isn’t helping his bitter rival, Two-Face rolls under the bottom rope—
HEADS OR TAILS – SISTER ABIGAIL TO ANDY!
Chuckling to himself, Two-Face turns around…
GALE FUCKING FORCE, SON!
LUKE STORM DROPS HIM WITH THE STUNNER!
Stormborn drags Sigil into their corner and darts through the ropes – HE TAGS HIMSELF IN!
CORVUS, HOWEVER, TAGS IN VIPER ROBERTS!
WHICH WILL PROVE FATAL, FASTER – LIGHTNING, OR VENOM!?
Viper unfastens his snakeskin belt in the blink of an eye.
LIGHTNING—BLOCKED!
THE 6’7” VIPER GRABS THE SUPERKICK!
SMACK!
CRACK!
SLAP!
ROBERTS IS WHIPPING LUKE LIKE A GOVERNMENT MULE!
HE’S TANNIN’ HIS HIDE!
Luke staggers away, his flesh peeling and bleeding.
Viper grabs him by the shoulder and spins him round…
HE SWINGS FOR HIS FACE WITH THE BELT—
STORM DUCKS IT!
HE KICKS HIM IN THE GUT!
STUNNER!?
NO!
VIPER SHOVES HIM OFF!
LUKE COMES BACK FOR MORE—
SNAKE OIL, SNAKE OIL, SNAKE OIL!
VIPER SPITS HIS MYSTERIOUS SUBSTANCE INTO THE EYES OF THE STORM!
LUKE STUMBLES BACK, PUNCHIN’ AT NOTHIN’ BUT THE BREEZE, BLINDED!
HERE IT COMES – THE HEAD SNAKE TEARS INTO THE ROPES…
WRAPAROUND NECKBREAKER – SNAKE BITE!
LUKE IS TAKEN DOWN BY THE SNAKE BITE!
Viper slithers into the cover—
ONE!
…
EVERYBODY IS DOWN AND OUT!
…
TWO!
…
IS THIS FINALLY IT!?
…
…
THREEEE!
IT’S OVER, IT’S OVER!
Viper Roberts slinks and slithers into a monumental victory for his team, having waited and struck when the moment was right!
When the people clear, there’s just one Angel left standing.
Nightstick.
The Chief approaches quickly, rushing to bend down and check on the fallen Angel’s that fought by his side.
They’re dead.
“We were ambushed,” Nightstick warns with exhaustion. “I was leading them to safety; it was my duty to protect them. I swore to it.”
He lowers his head in shame.
The Chief stands to console him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Their souls have gone,” he admits. “They’re no longer there or in heaven. They have… simply ceased to exist.”
Both of them stare at each other.
That seemingly comes as a surprise.
“When you die here, you don’t return to heaven – I can feel it, their souls aren’t there.”
Upon hearing that from The Chief, Nightstick angrily turns away – he’s almost beside himself with shame and rage in equal parts.
“When this war began, you refused to get involved. I understood your objections,” Chief reminds him. “I let you and those who wished not to fight to hide without consequence. But now we’re here and the war has found you, Nightstick. You must join us in repelling the threat.”
The Officer doesn’t say anything at first. He just stands there, contemplating it.
“When you came to heaven, you were bestowed an extremely important gift,” Chief continues. “And you’re squandering it. You must know that this war in part depends on you?”
Nightstick folds his arms.
“I’ll fight for heaven,” he agrees. “But unless you find a way to send those demons back to Hell and reseal The Underworld door, there’s no end to the carnage.”
He then steps forward.
“And I want the man who killed me to suffer,” he demands. “I want The Butcher.”
“I’ll arrange it, but you must go to the others in hiding, those only you can find, and assemble them.”
Cut.