PANDEMONIUM I (2015)

WELCOME
Pandemonium.

Chaos, uproar, unrestrained disorder.

Everything that summarizes the past few months in Old School Wrestling.

From black we fade to the squared circle – our ring. Standing in it is the figure of Brent Kersh, our number one entry for this evenings main event.

“Look, if you had, one shot, or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted. In one moment

Would you capture it, or just let it slip?”

Suddenly the camera spins and Brent Kersh changes from person to person, becoming Atticus Kyll, Scarecrow, Crash, Fate, Red River Jack and the entire roster before finally settling on a blacked out image that finally implodes.

“Lose Yourself” then blares into chorus as fireworks hit the OSW stage for the first time in a long time. The camera circles the arena, checking out the cheering fans who’ve come to see someone realize their dream at headline Ring Of Dreams.

They’re on their feet with a standing ovation for the hottest ticket in town.

We finally come to rest at the announce table with Rick Walker and Richard Roman.

Rick Walker: “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the biggest show in Old School Wrestling history to date. Tonight, twenty one wrestlers will step inside that ring and compete for the right to headline Ring Of Dreams for the OSW World Championship and truth be told, anyone could win it.”

Richard Roman: “That’s right Rick. From the veterans of this short company to the newcomers, it’s an open field of play.”

Rick Walker: “Meanwhile there’s so much to talk about, so many side stories that have made this one of the most anticipated matches in history. For the past four weeks, we’ve witnessed so much that there’s hardly time to discuss it. Mike Lane defends his Championship against Desmond Cross, who claims that tonight, he will complete the plagues of Egypt and ascend to Desmond Christ.”

Richard Roman: “I think he’ll do it as well. Don’t get me wrong, I was sat on the fence for a long time, wondering if he was a loony but last week with the burning cross, you can consider me a believer.”

Rick Walker: “For once, I can’t argue with you.”

Richard Roman: “Are you sure? That’s not usually how this works.”

Both men look at each other with wry smiles.

Rick Walker: “The fans are in store for such a treat tonight as well. Throughout the evening, between matches, all your favourite and most hated wrestlers have recorded personalized messages.”

Richard Roman: “I can’t wait for that. There’s so many people on this roster I want to hear from tonight and as the show progresses, all the way until the Main Event, we’ll hear each and every single one of them.”

Rick Walker: “That’s right and why not start how you mean to go on? Here’s the number one and number two entries messages – back to back.”

FIGHT KERSH, FIGHT
The scene opens with a rear view of “The Enforcer” Brent Kersh wearing his Americanized wrestling attire along with the Old School Wrestling United States Championship belt wrapped around his waist. Kersh stands with his hands on his hips looking up at a dark blue backdrop donning the 3D Pandemonium banner. In an instant, Brent lifts his hands into the air in unspoken praise of the event manifested by the placard.

“PANDEMONIUM! Meriam-Webster defines it as a wild uproar, a tumult. A disorderly agitation of a crowd. I use words like violent, distrustful, and unfeasible. Ya see that’s where it gets me. Because when I think about unfeasible, when I think about impractical, and when I think about the impossible in correlation to professional wrestling one other word pops into my mind: legacy! Tonight I cement my legacy as the man that will not quit, the man that never says “die”, and the man that means what he says when he says, “The Enforcer” will fight until I can fight no more!!!”

Kersh drops his hands, quickly turning to face the camera. The index finger on his right hand lifting to point in the direction of the camera and joined by an expression of overwhelming confidence, as his tone matches the intensity of his mannerisms.

“All of that starts with you Richard Merriweather. It’s obvious I’ve got something that you want back and it’s obvious that I’m not giving it up without a fight. Edward. Stephen. Nigel! I hope you practiced saying those names, Rick. I hope you came up with an amazing plan. You BETTER, keep them all very close to ringside. Because if it comes down to just you versus me, all the commissioner’s horses and all the commissioner’s men won’t be able to put Merriweather back together again!!”

With a vicious glare, Brent allows his arm to relax so that both hands are now draped in composure at his sides. At the sound of his next word, “The Enforcer” takes his first step forward, slowing moving closer to the camera as he continues.

“As for you Nigel Royal, don’t be concerned about being in the ring with Brent Kersh at the BEGINNING of the Pandemonium match, be concerned about being with me in the end. And in case you’re wondering, in case ANY of you want to find me: Scarecrow, Matthew Cories, Merriweather, Black, all of you in the Old School Wrestling locker room! You won’t have to look very hard. When Pandemonium comes to a close all you have to do to find me is start… in the ring! Because surviving is what I do. It’s who I am. What I’ll always be! Of course, I’m not telling you anything that you don’t already know!”

“The Enforcer” shakes his head with confidence, providing some non-verbal affirmation to his statement, as he walks off the set.

ONCE UPON A TIME
Nigel stands in front of a black background nothing but the Pandemonium logo behind him.

“Quote upon quote upon quote. I am the pinnacle of today’s world. To beat me is to reach a height never witnessed before. Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. My victory is right around the corner, never give up. The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile. I never expect to lose. Even when I’m the underdog, I still prepare a victory speech.”

“Victory is the child of preparation and determination. Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory. It is impossible to win the race unless you venture to run, impossible to win the victory unless you dare to battle. I learned patience, perseverance, and dedication. Now I really know myself, and I know my voice. It’s a voice of pain and victory.”

A wry smile upon Nigels face

“The educated among you will see this is not my work yet my destiny, my legacy if you will. I shall add to the above but only once my victory is tasted shall I be worthy. My speech is ready, my head is primed I am counting down the seconds to my victory. All that get put before me shall squeal in pain, my face a delight to hear it. Quote upon quote upon quote, I am the pinnacle of todays world, to beat me is to reach a height never witnessed before, V is for Victory.”

The scene ends.

NOT TONIGHT
Paloma Ruiz: “The following match is for the Tag Team Championships!”

The lights dim to black, plunging the arena into silent anticipation. When the epic guitar riff of “World on Fire” by Slash hits, a single spotlight illuminates the entrance stage. A large hoop had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, much like that which a Daredevil would leap through. The hoop hangs some ten feet in the air, sitting on a solid steel frame.

Just as the verse plays, the hoop spontaneously bursts into flames. Crash comes leaping through the hoop with a seemingly super-human leap, flying through the air his cape trailing out behind him. The Daredevil is a picture of grace and poise as he hits the ground in front of the ramp and rolls forward to complete his jump on one knee.

With the crowd suitably wowed, the former stunt-double charges off towards the ring, slapping a line of hands along one side of the entranceway as he goes. Crash slides into the ring before charging straight across and springboarding off the opposite second ring rope. Pyrotechnics explode from the ring posts in true ‘daredevil’ fashion as he lands a backflip in the centre of the ring. Flicking his hair back, Crash finishes his entrance with the strike of a pose.

Paloma Ruiz: “Introducing first, he is one half of the challengers… from Greenville, South Carolina.. CRAAASHHH!!”

The quiet beginning of “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy begins and soothes the arena as it falls into pitch blackness. As the chords come in and the singing begins, a spotlight appears at the entrance and from behind the curtain walks Fate. Calmly, Fate walks to the front of the stage, looking left and right at the crowd in front of him.

“…Remember Me! For Centuries!”

BOOM! Fireworks across the stage awaken the arena. The lights are on full blast and frantically moving around and blinking in and out. During the madness, Fate simply opens his arms with a smile on his face. After a few seconds, Fate makes his way down the ramp with energy matching that of the song – escalating. As the song progresses and Fate gets closer to the ring, the more hype he gets. Screaming and interacting with the crowd, Fate slides in the ring…

“…Remember me! For Centuries!”

BOOM! Simultaneously, Fate jumps up and the ring posts ignite the arena once more. Smiling and interacting with the crowd, Fate now moves towards his corner – stretching and awaiting the match to start.

Paloma Ruiz: “And his partner, hailing from Detroit, Michigan… FAATTEEE!”

The lights dim to a shade lighter than darkness as the humming start of ‘To get to you’ brings about the immediate rise of the fans. Red River Jack, David Manson and Brandon Hate step out onto the entrance ramp with the burning ember of Jack’s cigarette being the first immediate thing we see. They stop at the top of the ramp and look down at their angry opponents – except Jack has a microphone.

“Cut the music!” he calmly asks the technicians. Once the music has finally cut off, he continues. “Now I know you want a piece of me, man. I know you do,” he says referring to Crash who’s itching to get his hands on him. “But you see, I’m focused. I’m focused on the platform of all platforms, the stage of all stages, man. I don’t need to come down there and destroy you – there’s plenty of time for that.”

His talk may be cheap but Crash is getting antsy in the ring as Brandon Hate and David Manson slowly make their way towards it.

“What this world needs is people like me, even if they don’t see it yet. David sees it, Brandon sees it and in good time, you will too,” he says with a shrug of his shoulders. “Except it won’t be tonight, man. If you want to step into the ring with me, it won’t be tonight,” Red says to an overwhelming amount of boos. Crash meanwhile is stood on the bottom rope, demanding that he get to the ring. “But at Driven, I’ll drive you all the way to enlightenment, man. I’ll take you all the way there. For now, you’re going to fight Brandon in my stead. Rest assured though, he knows exactly what to do with you, man.”

With that said, Red drops his microphone, turns around and literally walks away. He doesn’t even care to look back at Crash who stands infuriated in the ring. Manson and Hate hop onto the ring apron, ready to kick this thing off.

It wasn’t the match we were expecting here tonight, but the Tag Team Championships are on the line!

THE AWAKENING VS. FATE AND CRASH
David decides to start off for his team as does Fate. They go and hook up and neither gains the advantage so they break. Each man looks the other up and down. Fate goes to hook up but David takes the easy way out and pokes him in the eye. Fate staggers backwards and the referee goes over to admonish David. David walks over to Fate and grabs Fate by the shoulder, grabs his arm and then Irish whips him towards the ropes. David for a short arm lariat but Fate ducks and when he rebounds he executes a perfect flying forearm smash. David goes down and Fate goes down after him and covers him for a quick .. One… David kicks out.

Fate quickly gets up, picks David up and tries to Irish whip him into Crash’s corner but David puts on the breaks and reverses it. He backs up and after Fate crashes into the turnbuckle, David charges and tries for a turnbuckle smash but he only meets corner post as Fate has moved out of the way at the last minute. David bangs his head on the turnbuckle post and staggers backwards, right into the waiting arms of Fate and before David can retaliate, Fate goes for the first German Suplex. He then goes for a second German Suplex and then he tries for and nails a third German Suplex. He quickly covers David for the pin.. One… Two.. Hate comes in and stomps on Fate’s head.

Fate gets up and the referee goes over to admonish Hate but they get into an argument. Fate covers again but the referee totally misses it. The referee turns around, sees the pin, and starts the count but at One.. David kicks out. Fate gets up, picks David up and Irish whips him into the ropes but on the rebound, as Fate goes for a short arm lariat, David executes a Lou Thesz Press which he then follows up with a few head slams. He gets up and wipes his forehead of the blood that is there.

Fate crawls over and tags in Crash while David tags in Hate. Both men get to the centre of the ring and start duking it out in the centre of the ring. Finding this isn’t doing anything, Crash reverses and runs the ropes. Hate sees this and bends over to do an overhead slam but Crash jumps, flies over him into a sunset flip, ending behind him and between his legs, he latches onto Hate’s legs and tries to pull him over. Hate staggers back waving his arms to keep from losing his balance. When he regains his balance, he looks down at Crash and smiles and then strikes downward.

Crash rolls away quickly so Hate strikes all mat but Hate regains his composure and Crash is on his feet at the same time. Both men stare evil daggers at each other. Suddenly Crash whirls into motion and he seems to be all a blur as he does round house kicks, jump kicks, front kicks and thrust kicks in between which are interspersed are elbow strikes and thrusts from his fists. Hate tries to get out of the way but Crash is faster and connects with the side of Hate’s head. Hate takes it full on but doesn’t go down. Crash sees this and runs the ropes and jumps on the rope at the last second and attempts an off the rope hurricarana, he connects and Hate goes flying across the ring. Fortunately it’s in his own corner and David makes a blind tag in and gets in the ring and charges Crash.

Crash jumps over David and when David rebounds, Crash jumps and executes a perfect Yakuza kick. David just falls and crashes on the mat. Crash sees this and looks around at the audience and smiles. He signals and runs to the corner turnbuckle. He looks around and yells out at the top of his lungs which is followed up by the audience. He jumps up and out and for a moment all time seems to stand still and all eyes are on him and as cameras flash everywhere in the arena, Crash does his signature move, Crash Course. A Corkscrew Double Moonsault. He turns, flips and comes down right onto the stomach of David and bounces off holding his stomach in pain while David coughs and holds his stomach too. Crash is quickly up and covering David. Hate tries to interfere but Fate comes in and holds him at bay… One… Two… Three! AND we have NEW Tag Team Champions!

FIRST CLASS
Lord Commissioner Richard Merriweather is stood backstage in front of a giant England flag. Classical music in playing in the background and he looks extremely pleased with himself.

“Everyone on this roster wants to win Pandemonium.”

He scoffs.

“Their minds are well and truly set on it. But none of them are greatness. None of them are first class competitors. When Lord Commissioner Richard Merriweather steps between those ropes, the fans are immediately in awe at what I’m capable of. ‘How can a man of his age fly so high?’ they ask, as I conduct my acrobatics around the squared circle. ‘How can a man so old be so technically gifted?’ they enquire whilst I dominant my opponent on the ground.”

No-one said that – ever.

“Don’t you see? No-one in the Pandemonium match is as talented as I. I’m a first class competitor and it doesn’t matter to me whether I’m throwing my good friend Nigel Royal over the top rope or my arch enemy Brent Kersh – who by all means should not make it that long, I’m still and always will be ahead of the pack.”

He’s almost out of breath as he says it, but never mind, onwards and upwards.

“This is my time to shine. This is my time to show the world that Merriweather stands for legacy, not impotency. It’s my time to show the world that men like Brent Kersh won’t be victorious, can’t be victorious. The fans want my victory, my fellow stars truly know that they too wish for my success and when push comes to shove, there’s no-one on this roster capable of beating Lord Commissioner Richard Merriweather. You can file that away in an envelope and send it off with a first.. class… stamp.”

The scene fades to black.

THE WORLD
The Hangman is crouched over an attached earth globe. The quavering light osculates aloft his mask, only on The Hangman and the globe. The unilluminated area that confines him is unvoiced, his craggy breathing and vice laughter rear of his mask is the only thing heard at this moment.

The Hangman gradually spins the globe around and points at a specific spot. The camera zooms in and focuses on it, it reveals a holographic flick of a riot in the plaza of a city. Cars have been flipped over, stores have been gleefully ransacked, and there are many wounded.

“Pandemonium. The word pandemonium limns the act of chaos, a scene of uproar and confusion. I take a look at this globe, ogling the insensate act of violence engineered by these dullards. Ha, look at them. They’ve flipped cars, fiendishly ransacked our stores, and have injured many of their own kind. These misdeeds enacted calls for a response from our local law enforcement, an attempt to regain control of the people. They threaten our peace with this anarchy and I ask, why must they do such a thing? What is the reason in which they insist on causing so much mayhem?”

He pauses.

“I challenge the acumen of my fellow combatants in the rumble by posing the same question. There has been many weeks of sheer pandemonium building up to this day. The viral act of enmity has claimed us more than once and for some of us, it hasn’t let go. It has claimed the roster and now that it has, no one is prepared for the rumble. We as a whole are more concerned about destroying our foe rather than having our eyes on the prize. Don’t you understand it, child? I’m as focused as ever and tonight, I WILL win!”

The scene fades to black.

MAKING BLACK HISTORY
We fade back into the locker room of Marcus X, who stands at his locker, putting on his boots and wrist bands for his big upcoming match.

“Frederick Douglass; Rosa Parks; John Lewis; Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X; all brothers and sisters of the movement to end racial discrimination. Names that have fought the barriers of prejudice and racism and people who have changed the world for the better. Tonight, I add my name to the list of historical figures that have changed history.”

Putting on his boots, lacing them up.

“Tonight, I fight for something bigger than the chance to fight for the OSW World Championship; I fight for the platform to have our voices be heard; I fight for the right to compete for the OSW World Heavyweight Championship and bring it back to the men and women who have sweated; bled and died to make our nation whole.”

Grabbing the wrist band tape, focusing on putting it on his right wrist.

“Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it and I will. I will take my opportunity with open arms and conquer it. I will take the OSW world belt and make it significant again. Not only for myself but for my people; my community. It doesn’t matter who I have to face to reach my ultimate goal but I will beat whoever stands in my way. It doesn’t matter if It’s Red River Jack; Scarecrow; Kersh … I will get my redemption! X WILL MARK THE SPOT!”

Walking off the scene, X leaves his locker room.

THE DEATH OF HEROES
The scene opens in the backstage area, where Red River Jack sits on a tombstone.

“Death, ain’t it somethin’ man? You all wander around mindlessly, blindfolded, unaware of the reality ahead of you. Then suddenly, when you least expect it, death enlightens you. Those moments in which you’re dyin’ man, they supposedly bring you the clarity you wish you had all along. But for some of us, for me, for Manson and Hate, we’re already awake.”

He pulls a cigarette out of his pocket and sparks it up.

“And that’s what it’s all about, ain’t it? We have the vision to see our goals through, man. I’m not blinded by the fame, the fortune, the superheroes of your generation. Everythin’ is brainwashin’ you, man. Everythin’ is diggin’ deep into your brain like a maggot through a rotting apple, your core tortured by the foundation of lies spread deceitfully upon your person.”

Jack hops down off the tombstone and brushes some of the dirt and dust off, revealing names of his opponents for tonight. You can see Brent Kersh, Crash, Fate and Scarecrow among others.

“That’s why I’ve come after your heroes, that’s why I’m gonna win Pandemonium. Don’t you see it yet, man? Don’t you understand it? The DEATH of your heroes is justified. Your falsehoods, your fallen idols, your wolves in sheeps clothin’, they want you to believe in fairytales and happy ever afters but there ain’t no such thing, man. I’m the man with the sheers, I’m the one cuttin’ away at their weakness, their disguise and I do it to wake you up.”

He takes his cigarette and stubs it out on the tombstone.

“Tonight at Pandemonium, there’s no glory, no title, no victory without sacrifice. I’ll sacrifice myself, I’ll sacrifice your heroes and each and every single one of you if I have to. Tonight is about the stage, man. Tonight is about standin’ at RING OF DREAMS, your fallen Champion at my feet, his title above my head, screaming what you all so desperately need to hear..”

A long pause..

“WAKE UP!”

Fade to black.

TICK TOCK
Through darkness, Reichous Marx’s face faintly appears. The ticking of a clock grows louder and louder as he lifts up a pocket watch until its at the point of view. He stares at it and then starts to whisper along with it.

“Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock.”

The point of view pushes backwards, only to show Marx actually staring at his stone reflection through a fractured mirror.

He tilts his head, studying himself even more.

“The time that symbolizes my silence is running out. I’ve been waiting for tonight for a very, very long time – long before I even had the idea of becoming one with all of you. You see, I expected this moment of evolution because it was written on the walls of my own mind since the day that I was born. The beatings, the neglecting, their confusion over what I was through their eyes…”

Marx furrows his eyebrows with determination.

“It stifled me from seeing my future take shape. It prevented me from embracing the power, the invincibility, the acceleration in my heart for so long – but that was then, and this is now. I am mission from my Spirit Ghosts. I was given the keys to a brand new reality and it’s so beautiful at this distance. It’s so beautiful that I’d be doing a disservice not offering this view to others. In order for me to do that however, I must break through the spiderwebs of opposition. I must remove everything about who I was in order to become the man that I am now in order to destroy, conquer, and revolutionize.”

Marx brings the pocket watch back to view.

“Because time is all that we have, in this world of pandemonium, and I intend on embracing every second that I have.”

MARCUS X AND ISAIAH BLACK VS. THE KKK
Paloma Ruiz: “The following tag team contest is set for one fall and is a Championship vs. OSW Career match.”

The houselights all but die as a slow, pounding bass rhythm signals the start of El-P’s “Stay Down.” Sporadic strobe bursts pierce the darkness in-time with the track’s loose guitar harmonics and soon Isaiah Black staggers from the backstage area, peering disdainfully from beneath his hood, the All-Star title thrown over his right shoulder.

“The Grim” doesn’t stop for fanfare and starts his way down the ramp with his head bowed, cracking his knuckles as he goes. Eventually he reaches the ring and rolls beneath the bottom rope, before hopping to his feet. He pulls the hood back and casts a wide, demented gaze across the arena.

Paloma Ruiz: “Entering first, hailing from Chicago, Illinois , weighing in tonight at 203lbs, he is the very first and current OSW All-Star Champion, Walking Death, ISSSAAAAAIAAAHHH BLLAACKKK!”

I’m On My Way To Freedom Land hits as a chorus of people come out, clapping and singing along with Marcus X’s song, happily singing away as Marcus X himself comes out, walking past them as he makes his way down the rampway and heads towards ringside. Marcus walks up the steel steps, entering the ring as his music fades out.

Paloma Ruiz: “And his tag team partner, from Harlem, New York, weighing in tonight at 220lbs, he is the Freedom Fighter, MARRCUUUSSS XXX!”

Isaiah goes to hand the belt to the referee as Marcus spins him around, both men staring daggers at one another, not noticing two KKK members jumping over the guardrail and sliding into the ring. One lands a huge clothesline on Marcus from behind which takes him out as Isaiah begins landing rights and lefts, trying to keep the pair at bay, the referee quickly calling for the bell. Isaiah is teeing off wildly, landing every strike he can think of to take the two clansmen down as a big elbow staggers the bigger man, as Black takes advantage, landing a huge knee strike before rushing across the rings, as he rebounds with a Lariat that takes turns K-2 nearly inside out. Black roars in triumph, turning around right into a huge Big Boot from K-1 as the referee tries to get some order into the match. Marcus slowly gets to his feet and is ushered into his corner as K-2 gets in his, K-1 pulling Back up to his feet and delivering a knee strike of his own before dragging Black by the hair into his corner before tagging out to K-2

K-2 gets into the ring, throwing Black into the corner as he lands a series of vicious rights and lefts, pounding Isaiah down to the mat before backing up as he rushes forward with a huge knee strike, sandwiching Black’s head into the bottom turnbuckle. K-2 pulls Death up to his feet, throwing him across the ring and trying for a clothesline. Black ducks under though, bouncing off the ropes, BEAUTIFUL DEATH! The Slingblade landed flush but both men are down and out as Marcus begs for the tag. Black slowly limps over, nearly getting to his corner before K-1 comes up from behind, pulling Marcus off the apron. X lands a huge right hand, knocking K-1 to the floor but it allows K-2 to attack Black from behind, grabbing him by the waist and landing a big German Suplex, holding back the bridge for the pin

ONE…TWO…Black manages to get his shoulder up as K-2 pulls him up, but Black begins to fight back, landing right after right that stagger the bigger man as Black rushes to the ropes, landing a big leaping forearm that takes down K-2. As he gets to his feet, Black powers him across the ring into an empty corner as he sets him up, SPEA…NO! K-2 just moves as Black spears himself into the corner, his right shoulder taking most of the impact. The KKK take advantage, K-2 dragging Black towards his corner as he tags in K-1, who lands a few hard punches directly to the right arm as he wraps it behind Black’s back, picking him up and bodyslamming him on the bad arm. Isaiah yells out in pain as K-1 drops down for the cover, ONE…TWO…Black kicks out, instinctively using his right arm as K-1 grabs it, wrapping it into an armbar variation

Black screams out, trying in vain to get to the ropes but K-1 has the armbar locked in tight in the centre of the ring, yanking back with every bit of force he can muster. Marcus tries to rush into the ring but the referee sees and stops him, as K-1 breaks the hold, pulling Black to his feet as K-2 gets in the ring, the two K’s lifting Isaiah high up into the air and delivering a double shoulderbreaker. Black is down on the mat as Marcus yells for the referee to turn around but as he does, all the ref sees is K-1 dropping down for another pinfall

ONE…TWO…THR…Black just barely gets his shoulder up as K-1 tags out, K-2 climbing into the ring and dropping a huge knee drop onto the injured shoulder, before pulling Black up to his feet. Black is rocked by a huge knee, as K-2 lifts Black high up into the air, and drops onto his back, lifting up his knees as Black’s shoulder lands directly on them. Walking Death crumples to the canvas in pain as K-2 doesn’t cover but tags out to K-1 again, signalling for the end. K-1 holds Black down as K-2 backs up, CURB STO….SPEAR! Marcus X has had enough as he saves Black with a huge Spear. K-1 tries to attack X but Marcus nails him with a flurry of punches, before clotheslining him over the top rope. Marcus goes back into bis corner as he and the crowd begin to cheer for Black to get to his feet as Isaiah slowly crawls over to his corner. He’s stopped halfway by K-2 but Black kicks him away, leaping over to his corner and finally tagging in Marcus X

Marcus explodes into the ring, taking down K-2 with a huge clothesline, before mounting him and raining down punch after punch, each blow impacted hard with the skull of the Klan member. Marcus pulls K-2 up to his feet, as he throws him across the ring with a huge Belly to Belly Suplex. Marcus doesn’t get a chance to follow up as K-1 rushes into the ring, leaping off the top rope with an attempted Crossbody, which is caught by X and turned into a huge Sidewalk Slam. Marcus gets up as K-2 slams a fist into the back of his head, attempting a German Suplex but Marcus drops down his back, and gives him a German Suplex of his own, holding on as he delivers a second, and a third, finally bridging back on the fourth as the referee counts

ONE…TWO…K-1 breaks up the pinfall as Black rushes into the ring, taking him down with a huge spear. Black and Marcus pull up the Klansmen, Marcus kicks K-1 in the gut as Black bounces off the ropes, Marcus delivering a huge Blackout to K-1 as Isaiah lands a second Beautiful Death. Black signals for the end, dropping down as he’s almost begging for K-2 to get to his feet, GRAND LEVELER! Black goes to pin but shakes his head, motioning for Marcus to finish it off as Black goes back to his corner. Marcus backs up, waiting for K-2 to slowly get to his feet, CURB STOMP! Marcus pins K-2, a satisfied smile on his face ONE…TWO…THREE!!!

IT ENDS SOON
The KKK roll to the outside and quickly try to avoid anymore action as they back up the entrance ramp. One of the members snatches a microphone from a nearby technician and has the last word.

“Do you think we’re going to go away that easy?” the altered voice of a KKK member says over one of our microphones. “Look at us, we’re the supreme white race and you, you’re nothing but niggers!”

The crowd roar with boos.

“We know that you’re wondering who we are and why we’ve tormented you, disfigured your black whore, hung you from the rafters and stole your Championship. We know that you want answers, don’t you?” the altered voice continues. “Well it’s answers you will finally receive.”

The members continue backing away.

“At Driven, right here in this nigger loving city, we’ll unveil who we are to the entire world. Marcus, Isaiah,” he pauses because the boo’s are so loud he can barely hear himself think. “Would you like to join us as special guests of the Klu Klux Klan? Please say you do.”

Back inside the ring, Marcus X has gotten his own microphone, looking out of breath and furious at the same time.

“You want it? You got it!” Marcus yells to support from the audience. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you want, it ends at Driven!”

The KKK Grand Wizard nods.

“That it does. In the mean time, don’t search for us, we don’t belong within your numbers. In actual fact, my companion here, The Imperial Kleagle will compete in Pandemonium just to make that clear. We arrive when we want, we do what we want and there’s nothing you can do to stop us.”

The Grand Wizard throws the microphone down and backs up the ramp towards the backstage area, The Imperial Kleagle following shortly in tow, shooting one last glance back towards Marcus X and Isaiah Black.

CALL IT A CAREER
Moments before the Main Event here at Pandemonium where every man battles for their shot at Ring of Dreams butterflies are certain.

In the locker room of Dead To Rights, The Former World Heavyweight Champion sits shirtless while bandaging his back after taking part in a violent collision with Jensen Cussen last Monday.
He sits down with his head in his hands.

“April 19th, 2015 was the most interesting day of my life. On one hand I was the new OSW World Heavyweight Champion and on the other I was being put in handcuffs, arrested and taken away. See on that night I climbed to the ultimate high, reached the ultimate peak and that accomplishment cannot and will not ever be taken from me. Some people, hell many people take that accomplishment and they call it a career.

They’ve climbed the highest peak and they WANT NO MORE because what else can they accomplish? On April 19th, 2015 I did the unthinkable and it left me wanting more, needing more, craving more. It must be the addict deep down inside me, the part of me that will never leave. My veins don’t fill with the same drugs that they used to but now, I feel the urge, the need for that gold. You can take the addiction out of the addict but you can never take the addict out of the addiction.

Tonight, in mere moments I don’t relive past glories, I don’t sit on my accomplishments, I begin my journey, my time, my opportunity and I climb back up that mountain. I see no room for games, there is no time for error. I find myself with the golden ticket right in front of my face and I can grab it or I can be a distant memory. I see no need in stopping now because once I start I cannot stop myself. Talk as they say is cheap and I’m done speaking about what I’m going to do, it’s time, Pandemonium, it’s time. Come one, come all and I will leave you DEAD TO RIGHTS!!!!”

Dead To Rights gingerly stands up and leaves the locker room, he’s ready for the battle.

I BELIEVE
The roof of the Wrestleplex. All is in darkness and on the rooftop we see the lights of Las Vegas. A figure steps out of the darkness and we see it is Vespertine, dressed all in black with a black trenchcoat duster. She leans against the wall of the doorway.

“It looks like everyone has forgotten. Or they don’t care or maybe they choose to ignore it. Ignore that which is the undeniable truth. And what is the undeniable truth?”

She lowers her head and sighs then looks back up

“That in this battle, a rumble called Pandemonium, there can only be one winner. In this rumble there are schizos, delusional maniacs, men made of straw. There are royals, heavy hitters, a fricking flying nun and a few long haired freaks, and hippies. But none of these so called combatants in this Pandemonium match realize their mistake. Oh yes they made one fatal mistake. They ignored me. You see among this circus side show, there stands but one lone warrior. One soul who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. One warrior, one fighter… one woman willing to risk it all.”

She looks out at the lights of the city

“It would be easy to turn my back upon the normal constraints of society and become like all the other freaks in the match. Being a freak of nature is easy. Standing out among the crowd and being your own person, that’s the hard part. No one stands out except me. Everyone in this rumble, thinks that in some way, they will be standing tall at the end. They lack conviction because they are not warriors, soldiers, or fighters. They are merely my stepping stones.”

She looks straight back at the camera.

“You, all of you, are a stepping stone to me. In this ring tonight, a lot of us enter, but only one person leaves. Me. You get in my way, you will be eliminated. By choosing to ignore me you have told me that I can’t do this. Well to that I say, I do it because I can, I can because I want to, I want to because you all believe I can’t. I can and I…will…. WIN!”

She fades back into the shadows and disappears.

MOTHER TIME
The scene opens in a darkened room lit by a single candle. In the centre of the room stands Mother holding an hour glass, as we get closer she turns it upside down and the sand begins to run down as she holds it up to the camera.

“Look deep into the hourglass, stare into its golden innards. When you gaze upon the bountiful granules within what do you see?”

She lowers it.

“I know what you all see, with every grain of sand that drops you see your own mortality slowly being eaten away, your own existence being devoured in front of your very eyes. You are its prisoner, sat on death row waiting to be executed and no matter how much you beg no matter how much you kick and scream, it will never free you from its grasp. Your life long battle against time can only ever end one way and that’s when the executioners axe falls down upon you and you draw your final breath.

Tonight at Pandemonium the clock will inevitably count down and as each of you march down that ramp, you enter straight into a battle with a force you cannot even comprehend. As the minutes ebb away and the granules of sand fall I will devour each and every one of you, and when the end is nigh, I will pull on my executioners hood and I’ll bring my razor sharp axe crashing down upon you. I have gone by many names over the years…”

She squeezes on the hourglass until it breaks, she opens her mouth wide and pours the sand down her throat.

“But tonight you can call me MOTHER TIME.”

Her children jump out of the shadows and smash into the camera and all we are left with is darkness.

RIGHTFUL THRONE
“The drums have raged and lines hath been drawn. War is upon us. Tonight I, KING KONSTANTINE OF THE HOUSE ORWELL, RULER OF THE RING, FATHER OF FIRE AND DEFENDER OF WRESTLING shall take my rightful place on the throne of Old School Wrestling.”

“From the time I was a young prince I’ve been preparing for this very moment. Every tear been shed, every sword tarnished, every failure and every victory hath paved my road to immortality. That road begins tonight at Pandemonium and leads me to my birth right: the main event of Ring of Dreams where I, your KING, shall raise the World Heavyweight Championship and the banner of the Lion into the air!!”

Queen Kassandra, Lord Tremblay and the King’s Guard in unison, “ALL HAIL KING KONSTANTINE!!!!”

“Nigel Royal, though you shall enter number two, I do pray I come face to face with your sniveling snout inside that ring on this night. Should Sir Brent Kersh not eliminate you within the opening moments of the war, IT SHALL BE OFF WITH YOUR HEAD THE MOMENT I LAY EYES ON YOU!!”

Once more, Kassandra, Tremblay, the Guard, “ALL HAIL KING KONSTANTINE!!!!!!”

“Tonight mercy doth mean nothing and rage shall be my keeper. Tonight each and every man and woman who dare stand face to face with their King shall be SENTENCED TO DEATH!! Listen closely, each of you foolish enough to wage war with King Konstantine. Once you have crossed the battle lines and raised your banner there is no turning back. It is too late for you Sir Kersh. Too late for the rise of the Scarecrow. Too late for The Hangman’s noose. Too late for Mother’s black magic.”

“Too late for Old School Wrestling. Now. We ride.”

Konstantine’s court cries out, “ALL HAIL KING KONSTANTINE!!!!!!!!!!!”

THE BATTLE
An empty battlefield, littered with rubble and burnt out shells. Smoke billows over the battlefield, hiding the chaos underneath. Slowly, the smoke clears revealing the fallen soldiers, Redcoats and Bluecoats alike, lying face down in the mud. Not a shot is fired; just deafening silence. An unseen voice breaks the silence.

“The battle was pandemonium; the bodies fell thick and fast.”

The camera continues to pan across the chaotic aftermath of the battle as the voice continues.

“But out of the ashes, a single soldier rises. The sole survivor. One man who death could not catch, who the reaper spared. One man who cheats fate every time he blinks an eyelid.”

Slowly, more of the air begins to clear. Footsteps are heard in the distance and a silhouette can just be made out behind the blanket of smoke.

“To survive pandemonium, one must embrace pandemonium. The one man must live life on the edge, look death in the face each and every day and laugh. He is a man with unlimited talent, unlimited energy. He is a man who lights the world on fire every day with feats that they have never seen; a man so high octane that he fires fireballs out of this ass.

It doesn’t matter to him who is lined up in front of him. The big, the small and the ugly. When it all comes… crashing down, they will all be claimed by the pandemonium. But not him…”

The smoke clears further, allowing the figure to be made out. Instead of uniform and rifle, the man wears a cape and puffs his chest out confidently like a superhero.

“He is the true hero. The survivor. The General Lee of 1-2-3.”

CrAsH steps forward, cape blowing in the wind as the last of the smoke clears. Amidst the rubble, he smiles.

“Crash. Out.”

BRENT KERSH VS. LORD MERRIWEATHER
The beautiful flow of O Fortuna hits and out from behind the curtain walks two men, holding it from each side as Lord Merriweather steps through with his arms in the air, seeking the fans immediate approval, which never comes. He turns his nose up in disgust at their boo’s and makes a purposeful walk to the ring, waiting for his two “men” to clean each ring step and then spread the ropes for his entry.

Paloma Ruiz: “Introducing first, the challenger.. LOOORDDD MERRRRIWEEEAATHHHER!”

The sound of “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis is heard throughout the arena, prompting the crowd to rise to their feet with a roar of excitement as the lights slowly begin to dim. Suddenly red, white, and blue pyrotechnic effects begin to explode from the base of the entrance ramp that last several seconds before “The Enforcer” Brent Kersh appears on the upper portion of the structure.

The OSW superstar steps out onto the steel stage with his hands on his hips and looking around the arena in appreciation of the response from the crowd. Kersh is wearing a loose fitting black tee shirt embroidered with the letters “OSW” and soaked in sweat. In addition, “The Enforcer” is wearing his traditional wrestling attire of black tights, boots, kneepads, kneebraces, and white tape wrapped tightly around his wrists. As the colorful collage of sparks begin to die down, Kersh begins his approach to the ring. Maintaining a calm and collected mannerism, Brent moves back and forth from one side of the walkway to the other, slapping hands with the fans lining the security railing.

Once the professional wrestler gets to within several feet of the ring apron, he sprints the remaining distance — sliding under the bottom rope and coming to his feet in the middle of the ring. The OSW superstar lifts both hands into the air as he maneuvers his way around the ring.

Paloma Ruiz: “And his opponent, the UNITED STATES CHAMPION…BREEENNTTT KERSSSH!!”

The bell sounds and this one’s started with the crowd heavily behind Brent Kersh. Lord Merriweather immediately drops to the mat and rolls out of the ring much to the disgust of the OSW fans in attendance. But Kersh rolls out of the ring too and goes for Merriweather. Merriweather RUNS!! We have a chase on our hands. Brent is gaining ground until Edward and Stephen step in front of Merriweather, wait CLOTHESLINE!! Brent Kersh just flattened Edward and Stephen!! Merriweather is back in the ring and hiding behind the referee, Kersh follows suit. Merriweather pushes the referee into Brent but Brent stops the referee before a collision ensues. Kersh turns his back and Merriweather hits a LOW BLOW and the referee didn’t see it.

Merriweather sends The Enforcer off the ropes and connects with a shoulder tackle, which does nothing. Kersh with a kick to the leg, the other leg and Merriweather is on his knees. Swift kick to the chest lays Merriweather out and Kersh goes into the arm bar. Merriweather screams in agony but refuses to give up, finally reaching the bottom rope forcing a break. Merriweather slides out of the ring again, this time dropping to the floor as Edward and Stephen run over to meet their Lord. Ed and Stephen help Merriweather to his feet but Brent Kersh comes crashing down on the three of them with a FLYING KNEE!! Brent Kersh just threw caution to the wind and leapt off the apron onto Merriweather and his stooges. Brent rolls Merriweather in the ring and he’s back in the arm bar.

Kersh switches to the legs and locks Merriweather in a texas cloverleaf. Lord Merriweather is in so much pain you’d think he’s about to tear out whatever hair he has left on his head but the commissioner somehow makes it to the bottom rope again. Kersh breaks at four and is to his feet quickly, pulling Merriweather to his feet in the corner. Brent gets Merriweather to the top rope. He climbs up top as well and connects!! SUPERPLEX FROM THE TOP ROPE!! The Enforcer goes for the first cover of the match 1…2… wait a second Edward just slid in the ring and is pleading with the official, breaking the count. Brent spins Edward around and nails him with a BRAINBUSTER!! The referee begins to roll Edward out of the ring when Stephen reaches under the bottom rope and grabs Kersh’s feet. Kersh slams face first into the mat, Merriweather out of nowhere with the FIRST CLASS STAMP!!!Merriweather covers, 1………2……… BRENT KERSH KICKS OUT AT THE LAST SECOND!!

Lord Merriweather looks at the official and can’t believe it. He certainly thought he had this one in the bag. Merriweather goes for the cover again but only gets a one count despite Brent still feeling the effects of that wicked stomp. Merriweather has had it and starts in with wild slaps to the back of Kersh’s head. Kersh makes it to the ropes to pull himself up but Merriweather nails him with a back rake. That’s gonna leave a mark. Merriweather with a headlock as he drags Brent Kersh’s face along the top rope before shoving him into the corner. The commissioner begins to stomp away at Brent Kersh and the OSW crowd hates it. Merriweather winds up for a wicked punch but Brent ducks, he hooks the arms BACKSLIDE INTO A COVER, 1………2……… MERRIWEATHER KICKS OUT!! Merriweather stands, he’s against the ropes and Kersh sends him to the outside with a HUGE clothesline over the top rope.

Merriweather grabs at his ankle and signals to the referee. The official slides to the outside to check on Merriweather as both Edward and Stephen slide into the ring. Stephen clips The Enforcer’s knee sending him to the mat and the stooges stomp away. They lift Brent into the corner and position themselves across the ring in the opposite corner. Stephen sends Edward into Kersh with an irish whip… but Brent Kersh moves out of the way. Edward finds himself in the corner KICK after KICK to the midsection by Kersh!! Stephen makes a run for Kersh but the Enforcer with a drop toe hold!! Stephen’s face straight into the grapefruits of Edward!! Both men roll under the bottom rope as Lord Merriweather quickly stands on the outside. There was nothing wrong with his ankle, it was all a sham!! The Commissioner slides into the ring and comes face to face with Brent Kersh. Merriweather talks trash before lighting up Kersh’s face with a stinging slap across the face!! Kersh stares into the eyes of Merriweather, lifts him into the air and drives him into the mat with a devastating SPINEBUSTER!! Brent Kersh with the cover 1………2……… LORD MERRIWEATHER KICKS OUT!! HOW DID HE DO THAT??

The Enforcer is just as surprised as the OSW fans. Kersh grabs the legs of Lord Merriweather and wraps him into the LONESTAR!! FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK on Lord Merriweather!! Tears stream down the Commissioner’s eyes as he wriggles around in sheer pain and Brent Kersh seems to enjoy it! The official repeatedly asks Merriweather if he’s done but Richard refuses to give up. Merriweather reaches and reaches and finally rolls Kersh over, reversing the hold!! BUT BRENT KERSH ROLLS THROUGH AGAIN!! LONESTAR LOCKED IN TIGHT!! MERRIWEATHER TAPS! HE TAPS! BRENT KERSH RETAINS HIS UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP! WHAT A MATCH!

MORPHIN TIME
The camera fades open backstage, a green glow dimly lighting a back hallway near the boiler room. A mysterious light mist covers the ground, moving swiftly with the motion of the enigmatic Green Ranger, Matthew Cories. He wields the mythical Sword of Darkness in preparation for the Pandemonium match, which he has been referring to as an all-out war for power. He is wearing his Green Ranger hoodie, zipped up all the way to create the Green Ranger helmet over his face. Pausing briefly, he turns to the camera.

“For thousands of years, the galaxy has been a battleground for war. Millions have laid their bodies on the line in the name of what they believe in. Some… have fought on the side of good. Others have fought for evil. Tonight, there is only one side. Pandemonium will break out across the galaxy as we all put our lives on the line in defense of our empires.

I will fight for power… the ultimate prize. When I win tonight, my empress Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd will control the galaxy. And as a reward, they have promised me the opportunity to fight at their side as their champion. This… OSW as it is called… shall be their kingdom. And soon, I shall be the champion of that kingdom.

These other warriors fight for their empires as well, from Fate to DTR to Crash… they all have their own war to wage. But in the end, there can only be one winner, one empire to rule them all. This is why I’ve been given the Green Ranger power int he first place, and mark my words… it is why I will win this war. OSW… welcome… to my nightmare!”

He slowly unzips the hood, revealing his face.

“It’s morphin’ time…”

STEAL THE SHOW
In a filthy, destitute locker room, Buford and Pickpocket are filling up their patented shopping cart with weapons and a variety of dangerous foreign objects. The Showthief speaks.

“Pandemonium isn’t about lasting longer than everyone else. It isn’t about hip tossing people left and right over the top. It isn’t about not getting thrown over the top rope yourself. It’s about who’s going to thrive in an environment constructed from pure chaos and confusion. As far as Buford and I are concerned, we are the kings of confusion, and chaos has been our playground since the day our daddy left us. Pandemonium? Hell, our lives have been chapter after chapter of pandemonium.

When the competitive mind enters a realm like a pandemonium, it struggles, it fights for control. That ring is going to be filled with competitors pretending they have control over themselves, the match, their lives. What they don’t realize is that control is an illusion. Pandemonium, this wild event that Mr. Flynt has cooked up? It’s merely an expression of life. Life is pandemonium. The ability to pretend you can control pandemonium is such a wildly delusional piece of the superego that you must be a professional wrestler if you think you can.

Buford and I know we can’t. Buford and I go with the flow. Because of that, life, Pandemonium, lifts us up and carries us places that no one could ever suspect, and along the way? We take whatever the hell we want. Buford and I? We want nothing more than to steal this main event. We want nothing more than to dominate Pandemonium in the OSW as we do in life. The rest of this roster can have their false sense of control. Buford and I? We’re going to steal the show.”

The camera fades.

YOUR THROAT
Cut backstage, where Isaiah Black paces back and forth in an otherwise disused section of the. Where, exactly, doesn’t matter: all we need to know is that The Grim’s here, and he has plenty to say.

“OSW! You already know I’m not here for gold, glory and glamour. You know I’ve never given a fuck about becoming champion, and that the All-Star Championship’s never been anything other than a prop with which I taunt the weak-minded, sycophantic underbelly of OSW…”

He pauses.

“… but make no mistake: I will win Pandemonium, and I WILL become OSW Champion. Not because I want to, not because I deserve it… but for the beautiful pleasure of keeping it from every vain, feeble fool on this roster.”

A smirk crawls across his features.”

“From Kersh to Roll, Fate to Cories: I know you all yearn to become champion, sit on the throne, and worship at the altar of celebrity. Being ‘the best’ makes you feel good: the paycheques grow, your stardom swells, your self-esteem blooms… all of your aspirations are realised in one fell swoop. You’ve made it! You’ve reached nirvana…”

Isaiah points to himself.

“I don’t make threats, OSW. All I do is destroy people’s dreams. I exist to ruin the lives of those who deserve to have them ruined. The scenario I’ve just described? Keep that in your head, because for as long as I stalk these halls, that’s the only place it’s ever gonna be. You are the weakest of weak, and the lowest of low, and one I’m done feasting on your hopes and dreams, you’ll know that all that’s left to do is abandon your pretences and choose death…”

He pauses, smiling.

“Pandemonium! I’m comin’ for ya throat…”

Fade.

THE FIRST BORN
Paloma Ruiz: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the following match is scheduled for one fall and is for the World Heavyweight Championship!”

The opening tune of California Love hits the speakers as multi-colored lights cover the arena. The People’s Choice walks out from behind the curtain and places his hands on his hips as he surveys his people.

Paloma Ruiz: “Introducing first, your OSW World Heavyweight Champion… “THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE”… MIKE… LANE!”

He adjusts his Championship and makes his way to the ring, knowing everything is on the line here tonight. He hops onto the ring apron and steps through the ropes, handing the belt to the referee and awaiting Desmond Cross.

“This is what the LORD says: About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again.”

The voice of Desmond Cross precedes the man himself, who is no-where to be seen. Lane look frantically around the arena for him, unable to see which direction he’s coming from.

Then it happens.

Above his head, coming down to the ring attached to a cross is the challenger himself – except he’s not alone.

“You foolish man,” Cross says as he’s lowered to ten feet or so above the ring and Mike Lane. Someone lays attached to the cross beneath him, bolted to it with dried blood down their hands. “I warned you that tonight, at Pandemonium, I would complete my ten plagues of Egypt and ascend to the next Desmond Christ.”

Mike looks on in confusion.

“And I am here to exact God’s will, Michael. For months I have been contemplating this moment. It was asked of me, ‘Why Desmond? Why oh why would you hand Mike Lane the World Championship?’ and I could not answer. I could not answer because God has determined our meeting here tonight, Michael. I had to set you upon a path to sacrifice for our LORD..”

The People’s Choice has had enough and demands a microphone. Paloma passes him hers and exits the ring quickly.

“Enough is enough Cross. If you want to sacrifice me to your LORD so badly, why don’t you stop being a coward and get your ass down here and do it?” Lane says to a cheer from the crowd. He starts pacing below Desmond, frustrated. “C’mon, if you want me, here I am!”

“You’re a foolish man, Michael. I don’t want you. The LORD doesn’t want you. You will sacrifice, but only in heart and soul; only in Championship. For it is HER who is my true sacrifice. For SHE is the FIRST BORN!”

He suddenly whips the hood off of the impaled person to reveal DESTINY! OH MY GOD! DESTINY IS IMPALED TO THAT CROSS! He.. he had her this whole time? Mike falls to his knees in utter shock and despair, frozen as he looks up at his girlfriend in awe. She looks awful, her face bruised and white as a sheep at the same time, her ragged clothes almost unrecognisable.

Desmond meanwhile climbs down, dropping into the ring, leaving her hanging above them.

“The ignorance of you people is unbelievable. Didn’t you get the clue that I left you in blood, Michael? Suffer the destroyer she will and there’s nothing you can do about it. I will ascend to Desmond Christ, I will win back my Championship and I will sacrifice the love of your life to do it. MONTHS, LANE, MONTHS I HAVE PLANNED THIS MOMENT AND EVERY PUZZLE PIECE HAS FALLEN INTO PLACE!”

MIKE LANE VS. DESMOND CROSS
Desmond suddenly strikes out at Lane with a massive boot to the head and the bell sounds, officially making this one underway whilst Destiny lay unconscious above the ring. Mike hasn’t moved an inch, realizing that Destiny’s kidnapper was this close to him the entire time. Cross is quick to mount him, ruthlessly beating the holy crap out of him with right and left hands. The Messiah is unbelievably vicious and gets back to his feet, stomping Mike to the outside and going straight after him. He whips him into the barricade, following up with a giant Clothesline. The People’s Choice hasn’t gotten in any offense yet and the fans are stunned into absolute silence.

Cross pulls him away from the barricade and slams him head first into the ring post, busting him wide open. The sight of blood excites Desmond who drops down again into a mount and punches the holy crap out of him one more time, making sure that wound stays wide open. Finally he gets back up, grabbing Lane by his mop of bloodied hair and slamming him back first into the announce table, again, again and then he throws him straight over it! The Messiah is taking no more prisoners and in a match that reminds of us when Mike won the title, he’s dominating the Champion.

He goes around the table and grabs Lane, slamming him head first off a monitor and then dragging his almost corpse like body across the table and off the other side. He scoops him up into the air and SLAMS HIM STRAIGHT DOWN ON THE ANNOUNCE TABLE – WHICH DOESN’T BREAK! HOLY SHIT. Mike lays spread out across it, spitting blood in agony as Desmond looks set to not only become the World Champion but ascend to Desmond Christ. He pulls him off the table and kicks him low, scooping him up into the Crucifix Powerbomb Position and THE REEDEEMING! THE REDEEMING THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! WHAT A CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB!!

There’s carnage at ringside now and Desmond could end this any time he wants to. He pulls Lane up and rolls him back into the ring, accompanying him. Instead of going for the cover, he picks up a fallen microphone.

“Don’t you see it yet, Michael?” Desmond asks whilst catching his breath. He looks up at Destiny and smirks sadistically. “There’s nothing you can do to stop me. There’s nothing that can halt God’s will, can’t you see that? You’re a broken, beaten, pathetic excuse for a man but that’s okay. I forgive you. I will save you, I will become your salvation.”

Desmond reaches up to the cross and with some sort of power, wills it lower towards the ground. He stands and watches as Destiny meets him at eye level.

“Such a beautiful woman, such a fine, beautiful woman. She is the first born of Errol Flint and must be sacrificed if I am to save Old School Wrestling. The LORD commands it,” he says, reaching into his trousers for a blade. He holds it to her throat, about to cut. “IT IS TIME.”

WHACK!! MIKE LANE JUST NAILED HIM FROM BEHIND!! YES!! YES!! MIKE LANE IS BACK IN THE ACTION!

The People’s Choice cracks him over the back with a forearm, dragging him away from Destiny and attacking in a furious bloodied rage. He beats him into the corner where Cross tries his best to cover up, but can’t avoid the knees aimed directly at his mid-section. Lane has lost it, he’s completely out of control. He pulls him from the corner and spins straight back around, SENDING HIM OVER THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, CRASHING OFF THE RING APRON AND TO THE FLOOR!! “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” he yells, climbing to the top rope as a dazed Cross slowly gets back up.

DIVING AXE HANDLE SMASH FROM THE TOP ROPE!! HE LANDS ON THE OUTSIDE AND NAILS DESMOND SWEET ACROSS THE HEAD!!The People’s Choice gets him straight back up and slams him head first into the ring steps, bouncing him off them one more time for good measure. Finally he backs him up into the barricade and CLOTHESLINES HIM INTO THE CROWD! This action is fast paced, frenzied and full of rage. Mike heads back to the ring for Destiny, approaching her to see if she’s okay. He doesn’t know where to touch at first, brushing her face, checking her wounds, he knows he can’t get her out of there.

And get her out of there he must because just then, Desmond spins him around, scoops him up and AMAZING GRACE! F-5-NO!! LANE DROPS DOWN! Cross turns straight after him and SHADOW KICK!! LEAPING SUPERKICK THAT ALMOST TOOK DESMOND CROSS’ HEAD CLEAN OFF! GO ON LANE, COVER THE BASTARD! The People’s Champion drops down into the cover, knowing that he can go some way to ending this if he walks away with the belt. The fans go wild, chanting the count.

“ONE….”

“TWO…..”

“THREE!”

“YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!”

MIKE LANE DOES IT! HE JUST COVERED THE REDEEMER!! THE FANS ARE ON THEIR FEET AS LANE HOPS OFF, GRABBING HIS SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FROM THE REFEREE! WHAT A MATCH!

Mike gets back up and goes over to Destiny, demanding that someone lift the Cross as he steps on it. Slowly but surely, it starts to rise as Desmond starts to stir. He finally realizes what’s happened as Mike Lane has high tailed it into the sky, leaving him behind. Angrily, The Messiah reaches out to try and pull it back down but fails – the power having seemingly left him. He drops to his knees, pretending to cry, of which soon turns to laughter the crowd look on in shock. Mike Lane has escaped with Destiny and the title, perhaps scuppering the plans of Desmond Cross to sacrifice Destiny and become Desmond Christ here tonight.

TIME FOR A CHANGE
The Scarecrow stands in the darkness.

“Everyone eventually comes across a hill they just can’t climb. Brent Kersh, you believe yourself to be the apex of the wrestling but the truth is far different. You see, in reverse to how it is you think, I’ve climbed your mountain and toppled you. I’ve laid waste to your carcass and climbed the so called apex of the Old School Wrestling. There was no great struggle involved because I lived inside your mind, I had only left to battle you and inside the ring, and as proven, I am a tough individual to defeat.”

He’s perched and immovable.

“I’ve maimed and I’ve slaughtered my way through this roster, including you, including the many others I’ve taken into the depths of despair. You’ve racked up your own surmountable force of defeated opponents though, haven’t you?”

The camera tries to close in but gets too afraid.

“The odds are truly insurmountable for you, aren’t they? I’m sure your arrogance and ego refuse for you to believe that but it’s true, I’ve had your number since the very beginning, I’ve defeated you at every single turn and at Pandemonium, I will do it again. I deserve it, don’t you think? There’s a difference between us yet again and it’s glaring, it’s simple, it’s vital. I’ve climbed every single mountain I said I would, I’ve hit the apex of every single hill, leapt every single bump in the road and people such as yourself have suffered the consequences.”

Suddenly the camera starts jittering as if it’s going to static.

“But perhaps now is the time for change.”

Fade to black.

A SECOND CHANCE
As the camera spans around the room, nothing is visible but the pitch black of darkness. Slowly, barely audible to the ear, the faint sound of footsteps begin to echo in the room. Suddenly, a burst of laughter overtakes the sound of silence and a single match is lit, revealing the face of Desmond Cross.

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.”

Cross again begins to laugh. His eyes widen as he focuses on the single flame of the match.

“On Afterburn, I was chastised because they said that I had cast OSW into darkness, but brothers and sisters, I adamantly disagree. You see, this place, this world has been in darkness for a long time now. Every day, I see people givin’ in to the sins of the demons walkin’ amongst us. I grow sickened when I see these sinners celebrated, immortalized even, all for leadin’ people into the grasp of hell’s gates. I wish to change that for you all, I wish to show you the light of God’s grace. Earlier tonight, I had such an opportunity, but I failed, I feared the darkness had won. I was downtrodden but the Lord said stand up, save their souls, Desmond, the opportunity for salvation is still at hand!”

Cross carefully moves the match and places it against an unseen object. Instantly, the flame spreads throughout the object, revealing a cross. The glow from the flames light up the room, causing Cross to smile.

“He has forgiven me, children and given me a chance at redemption. In the Pandemonium match, I will ascend into the heavens, bringing this dark world into the light. Kneel before your REDEEMER!”

The camera feed cuts off abruptly.

TRUST ME
The camera slowly fades in as we see the backstage area, the locker room of Jensen Cussen in fact as the Mastermind himself, as he paces back and forth across the room, already in his ring attire as he begins to speak

“The nearly man. He’s not mediocre yet not quite legendary, the individual who everyone knows has the skill, acumen and determination to be the best of the best but for whatever reason, never quite does. The man who almost wins world titles, the man who almost headlines prestigious events, the man everyone knows but is constantly overshadowed by others. For the past five years, that’s been me.”

Jensen pauses for a moment, sitting down on a folding chair, as thoughts, memories of his wrestling past flash through his mind. Finally, still deep in thought, he begins to speak again

“I’ve been the man who is respected, revered, even feared by some, an individual everyone knows to be incredibly dangerous but never unstoppable. A man who can fight for world titles but never win them, a man who can start revolutions but fail to end them, a man who can rally the troops but isn’t good enough to lead them. Well that perception of me ends tonight, because this is my time to step up and prove to the world what I have said from day one, that I am one of the greatest in the world today and I will prove it in that ring, by outlasting everyone on this roster, and finally getting my moment”

“You may think I’m wrong, that the odds stacked up against me are far too great, well I’ve fought against the odds my entire career, I’ve fought against reason my entire career, and now my reason tells me I can do this, I will do this. If your reason tells you otherwise, then clearly you don’t know the number one rule, your reason lies.”

A confident smile comes across Jensen’s face as you can see in his eyes he truly believes every word he says

“Don’t trust Reason, but when I say I’m going to Ring of Dreams, for one time only, you can trust me.”

FATE IS FOREVER
‘Powered By Fate’ fades across the screen ending with Fate standing in front of his locker room, shades on and mic in hand. He begins.

“Yes. Yes. If I were you all, I’d love me too. But I’m not here for funny business. Tonight is one of those nights that everyone tries to pretend doesn’t exist. Tonight is one of those nights that everyone has but nobody wants to confess to. Tonight encompasses all those things that scratch and claw and annoy the shit out of you that you wish weren’t there. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, is about fear.”

Fate breaks, removing his sunglasses in the process.

“Not the boogeyman kind of fear, but the gittery kind. The kind of fear people like Mathew Corries have when they’re about to lose their virginity. The kind of fear Scarecrow has when he’s trying to decide which cologne, well…fire repellant, to wear on any given night. Nobody is immune to it. It’s the body’s natural reaction to phenomenon. And there is no other phenomenon like the Pandemonium main event.”

Fate gets really close to the camera.

“This is akin to when the Greek Gods collided with the Titans and brought destruction down on all those who were beneath them. Or like when I meet the toilet after Taco Bell and Bacardi 151. And tonight I take my place as Zeus.”

Fate smiles and puts his shades back on.

“Understand that after all of the lightning and locusts and plagues go away, after all of the royals and lords get done scratching each other’s taints, and long after Isaiah Black decides to change his hair to something more modern than N*Sync, Fate will still be around.”

Fate leans into the camera.

“After all, Fate…is forever.”

Mr. Inevitable drops the mic and walks off.

PANDEMONIUM
Paloma Ruiz: “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Your Main Event of the evening!”

The sound of “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis is heard throughout the arena, prompting the crowd to rise to their feet with a roar of excitement as the lights slowly begin to dim. Suddenly red, white, and blue pyrotechnic effects begin to explode from the base of the entrance ramp that last several seconds before “The Enforcer” Brent Kersh appears on the upper portion of the structure.

The OSW superstar steps out onto the steel stage with his hands on his hips and looking around the arena in appreciation of the response from the crowd. Kersh is wearing a loose fitting black tee shirt embroidered with the letters “OSW” and soaked in sweat. In addition, “The Enforcer” is wearing his traditional wrestling attire of black tights, boots, kneepads, kneebraces, and white tape wrapped tightly around his wrists. As the colorful collage of sparks begin to die down, Kersh begins his approach to the ring. Maintaining a calm and collected mannerism, Brent moves back and forth from one side of the walkway to the other, slapping hands with the fans lining the security railing.

Once the professional wrestler gets to within several feet of the ring apron, he sprints the remaining distance — sliding under the bottom rope and coming to his feet in the middle of the ring. The OSW superstar lifts both hands into the air as he manoeuvres his way around the ring.

Paloma Ruiz: “Introducing first, at entry number one.. BREEENTTT KERSSSH!”

he Anthem flares up and out steps Nigel from behind the curtain, union jack flag draped over him like a cape. He signals to the crowd for silence right now, listen and obey the greatest anthem in the world.

The crowd naturally don’t play along which brings a look of disgust on Nigel’s face. Standing at the top of the ramp way he stands as tall as a mountain, hand on his heart and blares out God save the queen with all his heart, after the first verse he proceeds to make his way down the ramp, scowling toward the people he thinks have just disrespected his great country. Upon reaching the ring Nigel unties the union jack flag he has been wearing as a cape and holds it high for all to see.

Paloma Ruiz: “And his opponent, at entry number two.. NIGEEEL ROYYALLL!”

Paloma barely has time to start the match before Royal attacks Kersh violently. He beats on him in the corner, delivering blow after vicious blow to the United States Champion. Nigel whips him so hard across the ring that he falls to his knees, pouncing up to nail Kersh with a Clothesline as he stumbles out. There’s no sign of elimination yet as The Bloodline To Greatness stomps away at him with brutal kicks to the face, neck and chest. He grabs the right arm, slamming it down on the mat, before moving to the left and doing the same thing. He just wants to hurt Brent Kersh.

Royal drops down into a mount, pulling Kersh’ head towards his bludgeoning right hands, except Kersh finally blocks one, kicking him overhead. The fans rally as the Champion does, both men getting back to their feet and Royal walking into a Clothesline. He pops back up and runs at him, Kersh ducking and sending him overhead with a Overhead Back Drop. The crowd are really behind him now as Nigel holds his back in agony and gets back to his feet, Brent running him to the corner and smashing his head off the turnbuckle.
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ENTRY #3 – MERRIWEATHER
The beautiful flow of O Fortuna hits and out from behind the curtain walks two men, holding it from each side as Lord Merriweather steps through with his arms in the air, seeking the fans immediate approval, which never comes. He turns his nose up in disgust at their boo’s and makes a purposeful walk to the ring, waiting for his two “men” to clean each ring step and then spread the ropes for his entry.

Brent Kersh can’t believe it. Now it all makes sense. Lord Merriweather storms into the ring and both men are straight to trading punches – that is until Nigel attacks from behind with a forearm and plays the numbers game. They’ve designed this perfectly and both men quickly position themselves for a Double Suplex, sending Kersh sailing overhead. The fans boos just seem to spur them on because both men quickly start stomping a mud-hole in the Champion, refusing to let him rest for even a moment. Merriweather asks Nigel to get him up and he does, throwing him straight into the Commissioner who hits a Clothesline.

The Lord Commissioner once again grabs him, this time holding him for Nigel who starts delivering brutal body blows, hitting him in the gut, the chest and the face repeatedly. There’s no mercy from The British Empire here tonight and Royal finishes with a brutal Low Blow that’s entirely legal. Kersh falls to his knees in agony but even that doesn’t stop the swinging boot that comes straight for the back of his neck and knocks him face first to the canvas. Both men drag him back to his feet and push him into the corner, going to town once again.

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ENTRY #4 – THE SCARECROW
The arena is suddenly thrust into darkness as the sounds of squawking crows can be heard. They flutter away and the lights turn back on, revealing the Scarecrow standing in the middle of the ring, his arms spread and his head lowered. The eeiry music kicks in and the arena becomes darkened as The Scarecrow makes his slow walk to the ring, pitchfork in hand.

By the time he enters, it’s safe to say that Brent Kersh has his work already cut out for him. The way that Merriweather had organized these entries means that The Scarecrow is now a third person with a desire to destroy Brent. He stands opposite them in the ring, both Royal and Merriweather separating from the corner to allow him access to Kersh, each putting them arms up as if to say “he’s yours”. Scarecrow walks over carefully and stands before the woozy and dazed Enforcer, who doesn’t look like he’s able to move to defend himself at all.

CLOTHESLINE TO NIGEL ROYAL! WHAT!? SCARECROW JUST… EVEN BRENT’S EYES GO WIDE! Merriweather can’t believe it but The Scarecrow isn’t done, wrapping his giant paw like hand around his throat and CHOKESLAM! CHOKESLAM STRAIGHT TO HELL!! SCARECROW JUST SAVED.. THAT’S RIGHT, SAVED.. BRENT KERSH! There’s no words to describe the scene, or the audience who stand on their feet chanting “Holy shit!” at the Scarecrow, who stands over his fallen victims with a dominant stance. Nigel slowly gets back to his feet and attacks him from behind, except Brent Kersh quickly intercepts him with a high knee to face, covering the back of the man who somehow.. if on purpose or not, just saved his ass.

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ENTRY #5 – RED RIVER JACK
The lights dim to a shade lighter than darkness as the humming start of ‘To get to you’ brings about the immediate rise of the fans. Red River Jack steps out onto the entrance ramp with the burning ember of his cigarette being the first immediate thing we see. He nonchalantly walks towards the ring, stopping at the bottom to take one last drag on his cigarette before putting it out on the floor with a press of his boot. The lights come back on as he does and he rolls into the ring.

But the feel good moment is quickly over because here comes Red River Jack. Jack enters the ring with aplomb and nails Kersh with a kick to the gut, then Scarecrow with one for good measure too. He pulls Scarecrow away and whips him into the corner, grabbing Brent Kersh as well and attempting the same, except Brent reverses and whips Red instead… STRAIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT BY SCARECROW! This incredible alliance or moment of insanity, whichever you prefer, continues. Brent walks over and towards The Hayman, who turns around and HAYMAKER!! POWERFUL RIGHT HAND WITH A PUFF OF HAY FOR GOOD MEASURE! WELL, THAT LASTED LONG!

One can’t forget that this match is every man or monster for himself. Scarecrow goes to pick up Jack who quickly nails him with a shot to the gut, another, another, another, he’s brawling now and there’s nothing Scarecrow can do to stop his momentum. We still haven’t had an elimination a RRJ runs Scarecrow over the top rope and NO- HE HOLDS ON! The Cultivator thinks he’s eliminated a huge threat, only to turn around and see Scarecrow stepping back over the top rope. He runs straight at him and gets nailed with another Big Boot.

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ENTRY #6 – IMPERIAL KLEAGLE
Silence fills the arena at the buzzer as The Imperial Kleagle steps out from behind the curtain and turns that to boos. He walks to the ring and slides in, going straight after Scarecrow with right hands.

The Monster understandably backs him off into the corner, where Nigel Royal and Lord Merriweather attack from behind. There’s six competitors in this match now and Merriweather and Nigel want some revenge for a plan gone awry. They drag Scarecrow off of The Kleagle and into another massive Double Suplex in the middle of the ring. The KKK member steps out from his once prison, walking into Red River Jack who SPARTAN KICKS HIM LOW! He falls to his knees and that leaves the perfect opening for aKNEELING DDT!

Red hops back to his feet and signals the end, Merriweather and Royal recovering on the canvas, Kersh sat in the corner, still nearly unconscious. He grabs The Kleagle and DUMPS HIM STRAIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE! WE FINALLY HAVE OUR FIRST ELIMINATION! Jack turns away from that to be standing face to face with Nigel Royal, who whips him across the ring and with a Back Elbow, puts him on his ass with The Scarecrow – just as the buzzer goes off.

THE IMPERIAL KLEAGLE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

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ENTRY #7 – VESPERTINE
Suddenly the spotlights in the arena come up and we see a lone figure standing at the top of the ramp. One arm is raised and we see it is Vespertine and she is standing facing the entrance curtains. “Diamond Eyes” is playing in the background as she makes her run to the ring, sliding straight into the action.

Vespertine comes straight in ducking a Clothesline by Royal, then by Merriweather who’s quick waiting after. She leaps onto the middle rope and turns in mid-air, nailing The Commissioner with a big Tornado DDT. Royal is quick to grab her but she chops him away, backwards into the ropes and then sends him across the ring – only Brent Kersh is up and waiting with a big Clothesline. Vesp quickly rushes across the ring, hitting him with a right handed slap that utterly slaps the taste of his mouth. Brent doesn’t know how to react at first but that’s soon taken care of from behind, as Red River Jack spins her into a low kick and SEEIN’ RED! NAILED THE BUS DRIVER!

The Scarecrow is by now back to his feet and meets Brent Kersh in the middle of the ring. They both stare at each other for a moment, deciding whether or not it’s time to fight before Merriweather and Royal attack from behind. Royal drags Kersh to the ropes, trying to eliminate him as Merriweather gets an uppercut for his troubles by The Hayman. Scarecrow backs him into the ropes and pushes him over the top, trying to eliminate him as the buzzer sounds and we’re ready for the eighth participant.

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ENTRY #8 – CRASH
The lights dim to black, plunging the arena into silent anticipation. When the epic guitar riff of “World on Fire” by Slash hits, a single spotlight illuminates the entrance stage. A large hoop had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, much like that which a Daredevil would leap through. The hoop hangs some ten feet in the air, sitting on a solid steel frame.

Just as the verse plays, the hoop spontaneously bursts into flames. Crash comes leaping through the hoop with a seemingly super-human leap, flying through the air his cape trailing out behind him. The Daredevil is a picture of grace and poise as he hits the ground in front of the ramp and rolls forward to complete his jump on one knee.

With the crowd suitably wowed, the former stunt-double charges off towards the ring, slapping a line of hands along one side of the entranceway as he goes. Crash slides into the ring and goes straight to the fight.

The Daredevil wastes no time and goes straight after Red River Jack, pummelling away at him with right hands in the corner, screaming “where is he?” with every blow. Jack just smiles and rakes the eyes, fighting his way out with a right hand that drops Crash to the mat. He’s quickly back up though and ducks a Clothesline, running to the ropes and LEAPING OFF WITH A SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK! WHAM! The Human Highlight Reel is ready to rock and roll tonight, that’s for sure. He grabs Jack by the head and bounces it violently off the canvas, yelling at him. “Where’s Zander? Where is he you bastard?”

Finally he lifts Jack’s head off the canvas and receives his response, “Dead!”. Crash gets back up in shock and stumbles backwards, not sure what to make of it. Red suddenly gets back to his feet like a phoenix and attacks, delivering quick and vicious right hands to the skull and body of a stunned Daredevil. With each thunderous blow, Crash crumbles a little more until he’s on his knees, looking up at his attacker – who with no mercy kicks him straight in the skull. Red grabs him by his hair and drags him to his feet, throwing him over the top rope.

YET CRASH SURVIVES! LANDING ON THE APRON!

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ENTRY #9 – THE HANGMAN
The illumination in the arena is cut to an unforeseen darkness. It returns in a blue tinge on the same beat as Hangman’s theme sounds on the P.A system. Hangman is lowered down from the rafters, hung on a thick rope. The middle of the ring is where he’s placed. His head is down but he swiftly raises it, his theme would fade out thereafter.

The entire ring is stunned by his almost instant arrival. Royal is the first to storm him, taking a Big Boot for his troubles. Merriweather is next and meets a Clothesline. Red River Jack spins him from behind and is grabbed by the throat, kicked low and tossed aside into the ropes, then nailed with a big right uppercut. The Hangman is a monster and turns his attention next to The Scarecrow, who stands opposite him. With the fans cheering this awesome interaction, The Hangman strikes first, followed by a quick return and now they’re brawling.

Right and left hands are thrown wildly between them, Hangman thinking he has the advantage, only for Scarecrow to believe he has. With these two Monsters brawling, Vespertine is up and battling Crash. Crash whips her into the corner and dives in first, Vespertine using her wiles to escape the running splash and with her legs, send Crash sprawling over the top to the outside.CRASH HAS BEEN ELIM-.. WAIT A MINUTE.. HE LANDS ON HIS HANDS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? HE’S HANDSTANDING AROUND THE RING… UP THE RING STEPS AND ONTO THE RING APRON!! CRASH JUST SURVIVED.. AGAIN!

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ENTRY #10 – MOTHER
The lights go out and two strange looking children emerge from the back holding candles they both walk towards a microphone set up at the top of the stage, a strange melody begins to play in the background and the two children begin to sing nursery rhymes while holding the candles.

Mother then emerges from the darkness and begins to walk down the ramp her robe giving the illusion she is gliding.

She slides into the ring and nods to the two children who put the candles out with their bare hands and walk down the ramp after her as the lights turn on.

We’re now officially half way through this match as Mother enters the ring and goes straight to brawling with Vespertine. Only one person has been eliminated and at the half way stage, that means we have ten wrestlers in the middle of the ring, brawling amongst themselves. Mother decks Vesp with a big Clothesline and starts going after anyone that moves. The Hangman is next to try and halt her, grabbing her by the throat and throwing her into the corner. He moves in for a Clothesline but Mother ducks it, kicking out his legs from behind. She kicks at his back, his head and takes a run up, leaping with a diving Bulldog that crashes him face first into the canvas.

Red River Jack meanwhile has once again been found by Crash, who now has vengeance in his heart. Whilst those two brawl, Brent Kersh and Lord Merriweather fight on the opposite side of the ring. Vespertine is back up and uses her knee to halt the progress of Nigel Royla, who in turn dumps her over the top rope – except she too holds on tight and refuses to go. The buzzer shortly goes and the brawl continues, except now we’re at the 11th entry and we’ve still only had one elimination. They’re going to come thick and fast, that’s for sure.

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ENTRY #11 – FATE
The quiet beginning of “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy begins and soothes the arena as it falls into pitch blackness. As the chords come in and the singing begins, a spotlight appears at the entrance and from behind the curtain walks Fate. Calmly, Fate walks to the front of the stage, looking left and right at the crowd in front of him.

“…Remember Me! For Centuries!”

BOOM! Fireworks across the stage awaken the arena. The lights are on full blast and frantically moving around and blinking in and out. During the madness, Fate simply opens his arms with a smile on his face. After a few seconds, Fate makes his way down the ramp with energy matching that of the song – escalating. As the song progresses and Fate gets closer to the ring, the more hype he gets. Screaming and interacting with the crowd, Fate slides in the ring…

As Fate slides into the ring, he jumps straight into the action, diving straight after Red River Jack for good measure. He beats away at him in the corner, delivering body shot after body shot before the Tag Team Champion whips him out and into an oncoming Crash – who quite expertly dives into the air with a spinning Elbow. Mother meanwhile leaps onto the back of Fate, strangling him in the middle of the ring. He stumbles backwards into the corner, crashing against it time and time again until she finally lets go. Fate turns her around and scoops her into the air.. BIG BOOT BY SCARECROW!

Mother falls straight onto the canvas as Fate bounces off it. The Hangman on the opposite side of the ring is now being double teamed by Merriweather and Royal, both of which are searching for a way to eliminate the big man. They almost have him over the ropes before he back elbows out and escapes. Brent Kersh is on the ground in the corner, doing his best to stay out of the way and recover as Vespertine nails Mother with a massive DDT. All she has to do now is scoop her up and throw her to the outside – except Mother holds on to the top rope.

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ENTRY #12 – KING KONSTANTINE
Lord Tremblay enters the arena to address the audience. He asks everyone to rise for the entrance of “King Konstantine of the House Orwell, first of his name, Ruler of the Ring and Defender of Wrestling.” Queen Kassandra enters next, followed by King Konstantine. The King sits on a throne, carried to the ring on the shoulders of his King’s Guard. No music accompanies the royal family, only the sounds of his loving admirers in attendance.

He enters the ring to see the entire crowd of wrestlers staring at him. There’s definitely some kind of dislike here for The King who immediately begs off nearly everyone starts attacking. Right and left hands fly in from everywhere until the melee turns sour and people start attacking each other. Orwell somehow manages to escape, ducking out of the way as the other ten athletes fight it out. We’re at number 12 with 8 more to go and there has only been on elimination.

Konstantine finally gets back to his feet and ducks a running Nigel Royal, looking for the Clothesline, he returns the favour but walks instead into Merriweather who after catching him with a Big Boot, to the gut nails him with a generous Swinging Neckbreaker. Merriweather pops back up to his feet and grabs Orwell, looking to throw him over the top rope – that is until The Guard end up on the ring apron and demand that he thinks better of it.

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ENTRY #13 – REICHOUS MARX
Show me a smile on your silly face

‘Cause I’m getting tired of this human race,

My darling

The crushing guitars blast through the sound system as the initial blackness wakes up with the sunrise of a white splash that violently attacks those in attendance. There, slowly moving from behind the curtain, is the Luminary Sage himself, Reichous Marx, in his jet-black overcoat.

He reaches the foot of the stage, pridefully one-hand gripping his Serpent Dragon staff, and pauses to allow his eyes to drift from side to side. He then closes those eyes with a half-grin, kisses the head of the serpent on his staff, opens his eyes, points that same staff toward the rafters, and resumes his systematic strut down the ramp and to ringside. He rests the staff on the edge of the squared circle, marches up the stares, removes his black overcoat, enters the ring.

Marx hops in through the ropes and is quickly Clotheslined by Scarecrow. Scarecrow picks him straight up and attempts to lift him back over the top rope for a quick exit but Marx pulls him over with him. Both men stand on the ring apron now, slugging it out, right hands, left hands, Marx though being the slightly more agile and managing to swing a leg up and catch Scarecrow clean in the face. The Hayman stumbles, almost falling from the ring but barely hanging on. Reichous attempts to kick up at the hanging arm but he’s stopped by The Hangman who grabs him and attempts to push him off as well.

Reichous struggles against the pressure of Scarecrow and Hangman and meanwhile has managed to pull himself back close to the ropes and stop from almost falling. He quickly hops between them as Scarecrow hangs The Hangman up face first on the top rope. Scarecrow steps over the top rope, back into the ring – launching himself in the air and catching Red River Jack with a Big Boot!

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ENTRY #14 – ISAIAH BLACK
The houselights all but die as a slow, pounding bass rhythm signals the start of El-P’s Stay Down. Sporadic strobe bursts pierce the darkness in-time with the track’s loose guitar harmonics and soon Isaiah Black staggers from the backstage area, peering disdainfully from beneath his hood.

The Grim doesn’t stop for fanfare and starts his way down the ramp with his head bowed, cracking his knuckles as he goes. Eventually he reaches the ring and rolls beneath the bottom rope, before hopping to his feet. He pulls the hood back and casts a wide, demented gaze across the arena.

Black slides into the ring with his demented gaze and swings for the head of Lord Merriweather, hitting him upside it and knocking him to the canvas. Nigel Royal swings for him and barely ducks a right handed hot himself, picking Black up and dropping him with an Atomic Drop! Isaiah stumbles backwards and into Fate and an KICK TO THE GUT! PEDIGREE!! DESTINY!! Fate hops back to his feet and see’s Crash’s knees suddenly lunging at him! Crash takes out his Tag Team Partner and boy what a move! He gets back to his feet and it’s King Konstantine, kicks to the legs, arms, chest, OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!! Massive Clothesline to the neck of Crash!

Vespertine steadies herself on the top rope and crazily dives off with a SHOOTING STAR LEGDROP!! SHE NAILS IT, LANDING DIRECTLY UPON ISAIAH BLACK! She gets back to her feet but doesn’t see Brent Kersh coming, who grabs her by the hair and runs her straight over the top rope! VESPERTINE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!! Brent looks on at her tiredly, watching as she furiously gets back to her feet in disbelief.

VESPERTINE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

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ENTRY #15 – JENSEN CUSSEN
Drop Dead Cynical hits as the crowd begin to intensely boo, a cocky, arrogant Jensen Cussen slowly making his way out to the ring, taking in every bit of anger from the crowd like every shout is pure ectasy. Jensen slowly walks into the ring, climbing the nearest turnbuckle, feeding off the anger of the crowd.

Jensen is quickly into the thick of it with a Clothesline to Red River Jack, followed by another to Brent Kersh and another to Reichous Marx. The Mastermind is on fire and there’s no stopping him as he backs King Konstantine into the ropes and slams down a massive chop across his chest. He whips him out and into a Short Arm Clothesline before turning around and lunging a giant Boot into the face of Isaiah Black. Cussen attempts to assault Mother with some right hands but gets stopped by a decidedly low blow. Mother pulls him straight into a DDT and plants Cussen face first on the mat.

Wait a minute! Crash and Fate have The Hangman teetering on the top rope and they’re going to throw him over! They’re going to eliminate him! They do!! The Hangman has been eliminated! Out of literally n0-where, The new Tag Team of Crash and Fate dump The Hangman over the top rope and eliminate him from Pandemonium. The fans don’t quite like it but in fifteen entries, The Hangman is only our third elimination.

THE HANGMAN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

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The opening riff from “State of the Union” blares throughout the arena, the lights strobe along to the music. Dave steps out from behind the curtain with his arms extended and moves down the ramp in a fast motion, slapping hands with the fans as they go.

DTR enters the ring with a right hand to Mother, Lord Merriweather, Mother and finally Scarecrow. The former World Champion steps around their laid out bodies until Jensen Cussen lunges at him with a right hand. He starts hitting him as furiously as he can, right after right, lefts, big knees to the stomach and some even harder kicks. Cussen pushes him back into the corner and starts kicking away, stomping a mud-hole in the beast like a man possessed.

DTR somehow pushes him away but Cussen just comes running back, lunging at him with a right hand. The fans are now behind DTR, despite their history – they want him to rally. As Jensen Cussen takes it to an enemy in DTR, Nigel Royal pushes Lord Merriweather over the top rope and eliminates him! Merriweather can’t believe it, sat on his arse outside the ring in a total state of shock. Royal apologizes but it’s every man for himself and he simply had to take his opportunity.

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ENTRY #17 – MARCUS X
I’m On My Way To Freedom Land hits as a chorus of people come out, clapping and singing along with Marcus X’s song, happily singing away as Marcus X himself comes out, walking past them as he makes his way down the rampway and heads towards ringside. Marcus walks up the steel steps, entering the ring as his music fades out.

Marcus X rushes over to Isaiah Black with a knee to the face and gets a right hand for his troubles, stumbling backwards. Black rushes out of the corner with a Spear like take down and catches him clean, drilling him hard and fast to the canvas, before following up with right hands. DTR meanwhile has Jensen Cussen in the corner and starts pummelling away at him, Jensen having dominated his enemy since the start. Jensen though isn’t going to take his punishment so lightly and he comes back and attacks DTR from behind with forearms.

Cussen pushes DTR into the ropes and starts unloading on him, shot after shot, he’s really taking it to Dead to Rights. Meanwhile Scarecrow has managed to fight back in a battle against Brent Kersh, both men having been brawling since earlier on and no-one wishing to come between them. Would you? No-one wants a piece of Scarecrow in this thing except for Kersh and he’s really going to town with right hands, kicks and knees to the stomach.
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ENTRY #18 – PICKPOCKET
The happy-go-lucky jam “Perfect Day” hits the speakers, and despite no light show accompanying the music, what follows is nonetheless a spectacle. Stepping out onto the entrance ramp is Pickpocket, who is pushing a shopping cart of stolen goods and weapons with one hand, and holding Buford the Monkey’s hand with his other. Pickpocket begins tossing stolen money into the audience, and handing out “prizes” to anyone he spots singing along with him to his entrance music, while Buford gives high fives to audience members they pass by.

The song seems to serve as some communal message the audience picks up on: There is nothing Pickpocket would rather be doing than stealing and fighting, and tonight, he gets to do both. No wonder he is all smiles, the Prince of Thieves. A perfect day, indeed. It is a circus atmosphere as Pickpocket ties Buford’s leash to the timekeeper’s seat, parks his shopping cart still full of various weapons and foreign objects, and slides into the ring. The crowd is still roaring as his music fades

Pickpocket slides into help out Brent Kersh with Scarecrow and that triggers a double team between both of them and the Invasion briefcase holder. A lot of those who have been in this match since the early have done a lot of work here to remain and as the fresher faces come in, you can sense that they are tired and trying to get this over with as quickly as possible. Reichous Marx meanwhile attempts to take down King Konstantine and both men stop in their tracks with an uncomfortable stare down. They soon go nose to nose and Konstantine as you’d expect starts trash talking, telling Marx exactly what he thinks of him.

Marx doesn’t like it and strikes first, catching The King on the jaw and both men suddenly erupt into the second violent fight that’s currently taking place. On the opposite side of the ring, Brent Kersh and Pickpocket are trying to tip Scarecrow out of the ring when Jensen Cussen breaks it up, crashing a forearm across the back of Kersh. He pulls him away and into a DDT, planting him and getting straight back up to a kick to the face by Pickpocket.

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ENTRY #19 – DESMOND CROSS
The lights in the arena dim and a bright spotlight shines on Desmond Cross, clad in a white trench coat, as he appears at the entryway. Clutched in his hands is a massive wooden cross, the length of his massive frame. He smiles as he drags the cross to the ring. Propping it up, he climbs into the ring and..

Red River Jack attacks him quickly with right forearms to the back of the head, Cross managing to push him away and stop the assault. It didn’t matter though cause Jack was infuriated and rushed him again, this time with a kick that Cross catches and turns into a slamming Clothesline. Red gets straight back to his feet and dodges a Spear by the on rushing Jensen Cussen, using his own momentum to throw him over the top rope. Luckily for Cussen he lands on the ring apron and stops himself from being eliminated. Cross turns around to meet him and gets a right hand for his troubles, Jensen dropping to his ass on the ring apron quite dangerously as he hangs him up. That could of been unfortunate.

Jensen rolls back under the bottom rope and gets back to his feet, catching Cross with a kick to the mid-section and a DDT. DTR meanwhile drops beating on Mother and turns his attention to Cussen, rushing across the ring and into a Drop Toe Hold. Cussen is on fire right now and goes after a hurting DTR, lifting him back up by the head and getting a right hand to the gut for his troubles. DTR isn’t taking this assault laying down and he’s fighting back, shot after shot and the crowd are behind him as he connects a with big hand.

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ENTRY #20 – MATTHEW CORIES
“Go Green Ranger Go!” starts playing over the P.A. system , bringing fans to their feet. Matthew Cories walks out on the top of the ramp in a Bayside Tigers varsity letter jacket. He high fives the fans as he makes his way to the ring, sliding under the bottom rope. He gets to his feet, handing his jacket over to the time keeper at ringside.

Matthew slides into the ring and suddenly goes into a haze, stopping dead in his tracks. Before you know it, he has hopped over the top rope and dropped down to the floor, falling before the blade that he left with the ring announcer. What the hell? Matthew sits on the outside, rocking back and fourth like a lunatic. What the fuck is wrong with this kid? Meanwhile back in the ring, that’s our number thirty spot and every man and woman knows that it’s every one of them for themselves.

MATTHEW CORIES HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

The brawls erupt in a big way before two suddenly start emerging – Mother and Scarecrow. With people falling left and right, kicks, hands, headbutts and whatever else can be thrown at them, it’s only a matter of time before Mother and Scarecrow stand face to face in the middle of the ring. The Hayman though backs off, lowering his head and suddenly becoming perched. Just then, children crawl out from underneath the ring, their skin tainted by what looks like hay. They surround the ring as Mother looks on in shock, in DISBELIEF at what she’s seeing. Angrily, she storms across the ring and CLOTHESLINES – YES.. CLOTHESLINES SCARECROW OVER THE TOP ROPE!!

SCARECROW HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!” chant the fans as Scarecrow lands amongst the children who look at him as if he’s taken her place. Mother screams in absolute rage, turning around to see Nigel Royal getting back to his feet – CLOTHESLINE OVER THE TOP TO ROYAL AS WELL! HOLY SHIT!

NIGEL ROYAL HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

She spins around, grabbing at her skull as if she’s completely lost the plot, grabbing Desmond Cross by his hair and dragging him over the top rope. The fan’s can’t believe what they’re seeing. Mother has fucking lost it!

DESMOND CROSS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Mother looks for her next victim but instead, walks into Brent Kersh who nails her with a Belly to Belly Suplex. He gets back to his feet to see Fate running at him, grabbing him by the head and DUMPING HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE!

FATE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

The eliminations are finally coming thick and fast as we begin to whittle down our numbers. Meanwhile Jensen Cussen and DTR are STILL brawling it out. They battle into the corner and across the ropes, rolling across them like lunatics. Finally Red River Jack runs along, CLOTHESLINING THEM BOTH OVER THE TOP AND TO THE OUTSIDE! HELL YEAH! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Jack turns around to duck a Clothesline but almost as soon as DTR an Jensen Cussen’s feet hit the floor, they’re brawling once again!

DTR AND JENSEN CUSSEN HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED!

There’s nine people left now and we’re getting closer and closer to the end of this thing. King Konstantine is laying on the ground, looking up every few moments in hope that no-one realizes he’s not actually out cold. Marcus X and Isaiah Black are still fighting and Brent Kersh is still somehow still in this thing. Pickpocket meanwhile grabs Reichous Marx, trying to dump him over the top rope but he holds on. Marx battles back with elbows and whips Pickpocket into the ropes, looking for a Clothesline that The Thief ducks. Instead, Buford leaps onto the ring rope and into the ring, pounding onto the shoulders of Reichous and pounding away at him.

Whilst Pickpocket tries his best to get involved with that – between laughing and looking to dodge possible attacks, ISAIAH BLACK DUMPS MARCUS X OVER THE TOP ROPE! SPEAKING OF WHICH, REICHOUS MARX LAUNCHES BUFORD AT PICKPOCKET, WATCHING AS HE CATCHES HIM ONLY FOR CRASH TO CLOTHESLINE HIM TO THE OUTSIDE!!

MARCUS X AND PICKPOCKET HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED!

Crash turns around, utterly full of glee to see Reichous Marx run at him with a Big Boot.. BUT HE DUCKS AND HANGS MARX UP ON THE TOP ROPE! Crash quickly leaps onto the adjascent rope and DROPKICK TO REICHOUS MARX!! MARX IS ELIMINATED!! HE NAILED HIM!

REICHOUS MARX HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

The Human Highlight Reel is having a Pandemonium that he’ll never forget! He turns around though and stood before him is the enemy – RED RIVER JACK! Crash runs at him, being dropped to the canvas with a massive Drop Toe Hold. Both men are slowly back to their feet and Jack runs at Crash, Crash lifting him over the top rope in a Flapjack, but only proceeding to land him belly first across it. Jack bounces off and over, landing on the ring apron. He grabs Crash by a handful of hair and hangs him up on the top rope, falling to his ass and sliding back into the ring.

With The General Lee of 1-2-3 choking, The Cultivator grabs him by the back of his attire and dumps him straight over the top rope and to the outside!

CRASH HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Just as that happens, King Konstantine picks his moment and leaps up off the canvas, grabbing Red and throwing him over as well!! BUT NO!! JACK HOLDS ON! Konstantine doesn’t realize it and runs across the ring to where Brent Kersh is waiting.. HIP TOSS! BOOM! GOT’CHA! Kersh doesn’t have a chance to get at him though because he’s back up and Isaiah Black is there, running Konstantine over the top rope and eliminating him as well!

KING KONSTANTINE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Black turns around to see his opponents. We’re down to the final four now – it’s Mother, Isaiah Black, Brent Kersh and Red River Jack. One of these four amazing wrestlers is going to headline Ring Of Dreams and it honestly could be any one of them. They all stand in their separate corners, staring each other down before Jack and Isaiah wisely – if not cowardly attack Mother. The two on one assault is quickly broken up by Kersh who drags Jack away by the hair and bounces him head first off the turnbuckle. The Enforcer turns around and delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Black, stopping his attack.

He drags Black away and throws him into the ropes, NAILING HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE ON RETURN! Kersh turns around to check on Mother and receives the largest slap of his life for his troubles. Not sure what to do, Kersh – running on instinct, grabs her by the head and THROWS HER OVER THE TOP ROPE!! MOTHER HAS BEEN… HOLD ON!! BRENT TURNS AROUND THINKING SHE’S OUT BUT SHE HELD ON AND TWO OF HER CHILDREN HAVE THEIR HANDS UNDER HER FEET ON THE OUTSIDE! THE REFEREE IS SAYING NO BUT KERSH DOESN’T KNOW! HE FINALLY TURNS AROUND TO SEE HER SKIN THE CAT INTO A HEAD SCISSORS!

SHE DRAGS HIM OVER THE TOP AND… NO!! KERSH!! THAT WILEY SON OF A BITCH SOMEHOW MANAGED TO WRAP HIS LEG INSIDE THE ROPES AND NOW HE’S HUNG UP. Mother takes advantage with devestating right hands.. that’s until ISAIAH BLACK AND RED RIVER JACK RUN HER STRAIGHT OFF THE APRON AND ONTO THE FLOOR!!

MOTHER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Brent now realizes that his once great plan has him in serious trouble. He tries to unhook his leg but he’s stuck, leaving RRJ and The Grim to their own evil devices. They take it in turns to strike him, delivering powerful blow after powerful blow until his leg finally releases and he lands on one knee on the apron. Jack runs at him with a knee of his own, only Kersh hangs on! Black this time.. he storms the ropes, powers back with a knee and KERSH.HOLDS.ON! WHAT THE FUCK? They both take a run up… DOUBLE KNEE! BRENT KERSH HAS BEEN ELIMINATED! HE JUST COULDN’T HOLD ON!!

Black though doesn’t even have time to celebrate because Red River Jack grabs him low, lifts him up and DUMPS HIM OVER THE TOP!! IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER!! IT’S OVER!!

RED RIVER JACK HAS DONE IT!! THE CREATOR, CULTIVATOR AND CONSUMER OF WORLDS HAS WON PANDEMONIUM!! WHAT A MATCH!! WHAT A FUCKING MATCH!!

SMOKE AND MIRRORS
Red River Jack gets back to his feet as confetti and balloons reign down from the ceiling. He doesn’t celebrate, he instead reaches inside his pocket and pulls out a carton of cigarettes, grabbing one from inside and sparking it up.

No-one can quite believe it.

He takes a big puff and kicks a few balloons, barely revelling in the moment for even a minute before he exits to the outside, casually walking up the entrance ramp whilst toking on his freshly lit smoke.

Perhaps a hidden message. Perhaps nonchalant..

But Red River Jack is going to Pandemonium.