SOMEWHERE ELSE[Click.] [Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.] [The Middle East, Jerusalem.] [The sound of breathless running can be heard among quickly tapping footsteps as a cloaked man gives chase to another in the middle of the Christian Quarter of Old City. He chases him into an abandoned house, down a rocky stairwell into a dungeon, where there’s absolutely no way out.] [The man frantically searches for options, only with every footstep, something repels him – as if an invisible barricade refuses to let him move forward.] [The hooded man approaches, flipping over the rug to reveal an unknown symbol painted onto the dusty concrete floor below.] [He takes off his hood.] [Solomon Rhodes.]
“That’s a devil’s trap,” [he growls.] “Which means you’re not going anywhere Abaddon.”
[Abaddon – a demon, flashes a smile with dark black eyes to match.]“Aw, you must be really desperate to talk with me, Rhodes. Wouldn’t it be a shame if I bit my tongue off?”
[Solomon shrugs.] “If you did that, I’d leave you here to rot for eternity.” [The demon’s smile gently fades.]“Now, you know why I’m here, don’t you? I want answers. There’s thousands of you demons walking the Earth thanks to the Underworld gates being opened by Crowley. Whilst he’s trapped inside, you’re trapped here,” [he says only to pause with a smile.] “Unless I send you back. Whatever happens here today, your options are merely few; you either tell me what I want to know and I’ll send you back to damnation, or you don’t and I’ll kill you. You aren’t leaving this building to roam freely and those are your options.”
[They share a gaze, their eyes locked. The demon sneers, almost growling with frustration. Rhodes realizes that this is his cue.]“Where is the key to the cage?” [Rhodes demands to know.] “I know that Lucifer is trapped inside it with Lux Bellator and I know that one of the demons guarding the key has escaped The Underworld with it.”
[The demon grins.]“Tut,” [he says smugly.] “Do you even know the torment he’s suffering? Lucifer tortures him every second of every minute of every day. He peels his skin off, piece by piece, shredding him limb from limb until he’s a husk of a man, then he clicks his fingers and the whole nightmare starts all over again. Every day is torture for your precious Lux Bellator. He’s consumed by the fiery pits of hell, broken, beaten, cut and put back together again to suffer eternally.”
[This knowledge brings shame to Rhodes, who bows his head.]“Whatever it is you think you’re saving, it is long gone.”
[Rhodes grimaces.] “Just… tell me what I want to know.” [Abaddon steps to the edge of his confinement and nods.]“I can make the holder of the key shine like a beacon to you, however, you have to sacrifice a slither of your soul to make it work. You won’t even notice that it’s gone.”
[Knowing that he too must sacrifice, he nods.]“Yes. Take it.”
[Abaddon grins, his eyes lighting up a pale white as he sucks the air. Rhodes immediately spreads his arms, his chest puffing out as his back arches and a white smoke leaving his body through his mouth.] [When he’s finished, Solomon falls to the ground, coughing.] [But Abaddon simply laughs.]“The deal has been made. I’ve taken an unnoticeable portion of your soul, a slither, as per our contracted agreement. You will now know in which direction you must travel to find the holder of the key.”
[Rhodes splutters.] “I… I do.” [Abaddon nods.] [The Templar slowly gets back to his feet, drawing his sword. However, before he approaches to end The Demon will his holy blade, the creature stops him.]“Don’t you wish to know what use I had for your soul?”
[Solomon’s eyebrows raise.]“You foolish man,” [the demon chuckles.] “My name is Abaddon; a bottomless pit, the realm of the dead. It is said in our texts that only the soul of a Christian man can open that realm.”
[He grins.]“And now, the dead will rise to storm your precious Tap Room and settle their unfinished business. The collateral damage will be huge.”
[His rapturous laughter is deafening.]“Goodluck.”
[Rhodes doesn’t think twice before slamming his holy blade into Abaddon, killing him instantly. At the black fades from his eyes and he falls to the floor, Rhodes looks absolutely furious with himself.] [Cut.]BERENGAR VS. TROY SOLVEIG
RING KING SEMI FINALS
INDENTURED
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Time is of the essence, fellas. Did you get the job done?”
[The rest of the men look to Heath, who simply nods his head in response.]“Good. We have some other business to attend to, gentlemen.”
[Heath steps up to his presumed associate, a cold stare into the eyes of the businessman.]“That we do, Nate…I’ve done what you asked me, I’m ready to collect what’s mine.”
[Nate just scoffs at this, patting Heath on the shoulder.]“What part of the word labors did you not hear last time, man? Labors, with an S at the end. Plural. Your ass is gonna earn that cure in due time.”
[Heath smacks Nate’s hand off his shoulder, his breathing getting heavier as his rage starts to build.]“I’m not indentured to you, Nate. I’ve signed no contract, so if you don’t have what I need, I can just walk away.”
[Suddenly, we hear police sirens off in the distance…and they’re getting closer by the minute. Nate just smiles as his men rush back into the van, which makes a quick getaway.]“Can you walk away from that? You’re stuck here with me, now…better get used to it.”
[Nate turns to leave, but is quickly stopped by the hand of Solman on his shoulder…only for Heath to slam him into the outer wall of the Tap Room! Nate is out cold as Heath picks him back up, slinging him onto his shoulder as he walks back into the Tap Room.]“If that’s true, Nate, then I’ll just have to find another way.”
[The sirens reach their peak volume as the police cars rush by the Tap Room, unfazed on any events held within as they remain focused on their pursuit of the unmarked van.] [Cut.]EDGAR NEVERMORE VS. SHADOW
RING KING SEMI FINALS
THE LORD REQUIRES
RECORDED EARLIER
“You’ll use me, no matter what?! All good things come from the Lord, you say. Even those not yours to claim.”
[He does not shout, but his voice is raised enough to wrestle with God. As he raises his head, the wind blows off his hood, showing Shadow’s identity.“I never asked to be an angel of God. But what if your power can help me reach what I cannot reach alone? Does that mean..”
“Yo’ be what the Lord requires, son… That’s what it means.”
[Approaching from behind, patting Shadow on the shoulder, to which he flinches and moves away, is D’Von Chambers. The Bishop smiles charismatic ally despite the rain that falls in them both.]“Does tha’ means you comin’ round to my proposal, angel? Yo’ finally seein’ tha’ light?”
[Shadow doesn’t answer, he just stares at the Bible in his hands. Chambers closes in to him, really close.]“It be in yo’ best interest to work alongside, not against tha’ Lord… For God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”
[His voice almost a whisper that seems deafening to Shadow’s ears.]“Even th’ angels can be punished for disobeyin’ our Lord, son. Yo’ be what the Lord requires yo’ be… It’s yo’ nature, you’ destiny. You’ll see the power of the Lord through ma’ hands, the power that awaits you. Then you’ll believe.”
[Chambers passes by Shadow and takes the steps to the church, shaking the water from his hair as he enters. Shadow is left to his thoughts. He falls to his knees, bible in hand. Staring at the stained glass window. Unable to enter, unable to walk away. Contemplating.] [Cut.]NATE WASHINGTON VS. HEATH SOLMAN
SINGLES MATCH
JACOB III
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“He’s inside, Officer.”
[The cop rushes into the building, whereby a short struggle ensues. We hear loud noises, banging and crashing, until finally, a shot rings out.] [When the cop comes back out, he’s dishevelled and nervous, yet calls over his radio for assistance.]“What happened?” [Mammon begs to know.] “Is everything okay, officer?”
[The cop sits down in his squad car, his feet on the pavement and his head between his legs.]“He came at me,” [he stammers.] “He came at me with a hammer and I had no choice; I had to put him down. I had to.”
[Mammon subtly smirks.]“That’s Jacob,” [he retorts.] “He’s criminally insane. We found him here tonight after a week of searching and he threatened us with that hammer. In the end, we barely escaped and thought it best to hand it over to the proper authorities.”
[The officer nods.]“You did the right thing, calling us.”
[Nicholas and Nigel nod in agreement and back away, taking themselves to one side to discuss this between them.]“That should be on the news in no time at all, squire,” [Royal says gleefully.] “After all, an officer involved shooting will solve our immediate problem for Mr. Happy.”
“Yes, but it won’t be long until they find out he’s nothing but a patsy. We’ve searched all week and neither heard nor seen a sight of this Jacob. False identification papers aside, Mr. Nevermore must hurry if he wishes to execute his long term plan to success.”
[Royal agrees.]“We must keep a close eye on Mr. Happy. Once he’s aware of the news, he’ll mourn, but feel safe. If Jacob manages to successfully contact him during this time, our ruse will be thwarted.”
[Mammon nods.] [They both smile.] [Cut.]MYSTERION © VS. GAMEBOY VS. SPERO VS. REDWING
DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
WHEREABOUTS
RINGSIDE
“Hey FUCKERS!”
[The heroes stop dead in their tracks as the words seem to come from the entrance ramp. They look that way to see the face of Dr. Mindfuck upon the screen with a huge smile upon his face.]“Looking for something?”
[Dr. Mindfuck grins as he holds several weapons in his arms outstretched over some boiling substance.]“No…” [says Spero underneath his breath.]
“That’s RIGHT! I have all of the weapons in my arms, and we no longer need them so… WHOOPSIE!”
[Dr. Mindfuck releases the weapons as they fall into the acidic substance and begin melting away upon contact. The Vindicators in the ring have either fallen to a knee or are looking on dumbfounded. Their eyes are tell the story as they watch their only chance of reversing the effects of the infection being melted away before their very eyes. Dr. Mindfuck continues laughing as the clip ends.] [The Vindicators look around themselves for the dirty traitor Mysterion, but he is gone as well as the black tape that had been brought down to the ring. The tape holding all of the information incriminating Mysterion and Mindfuck.] [Once again, the heroes were duped by the incredibly intelligent villains.]D’VON CHAMBERS VS. SHADOW
SINGLES MATCH
WHAT’S DEAD IS ALREADY DEAD
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Where am I?” [Cael croaks, his voice hoarse.] “What happened?”
[Silence.] [He looks up with fuzzy eyes, rubbing the dirt from them.] [But what he see’s startles him.]“Mr. Gable, we meet again.”
[Isaac Danvers.] [Cael scoots back quickly until his back is up against the grave stone, absolutely terrified. He can’t believe what he’s seeing.]“I’ve missed you so terribly, my love,” [Danvers says with a tilted head.] “My days have been filled with such regret over the way we departed.”
[Gable slowly pulls himself to his feet.]“I could feel your return was imminent. We’re connected, you and I. When I felt your heart begin to beat again, despite my distance from the Tap Room, I knew I had to come.”
[The Medallist has a sudden realisation; as if now his shock has worn off, he’s aware of his entire purpose.“I know why I’m here,” [he says sternly.] “It’s for you, Danvers. I’m back for you.”
[Danvers doesn’t understand.]“To finish this.”
[To be continued.] [Cut.]EDGAR NEVERMORE VS. HAPPY
SINGLES MATCH
Happy stops and stands at attention, he nods and goes, “Yes sir!”
Nevermore waves his hand towards the mat and motions Happy to lay down!
Happy goes “Sir, that’s how you lose!” Nevermore proclaims
“Exactly chap, it is your next lesson, lay down and admit defeat before you have to endure punishment.”
Happy looks down like he isn’t sure. He goes slowly, gets down on one knee but stops and asks, “Can it be another lesson?”
Nevermore replies, “In due time, now lie down.” Happy sadly nods and lays down!] [NEVERMORE COVERS!] [ONE!] [TWO!] [THREE!] [Nevermore picks up as easy as a win as you can get in OSW but he raises Happy’s hand and celebrates with him!]
TRIAL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
BACKSTAGE
“Hail Knightwatch! Hath that puzzle still stumped thee?”
[Knightwatch simply stares at Arthur’s simple display of friendliness. Staring skeptically from the mask, he simply held the letter out that he had been given.]“The answer was a mile.”
“Excellent. It was a simple test really. Your next one begins in the room behind me warrior.”
[Arthur turns, gesturing to the room behind them. Never breaking eye contact from him, Knightwatch walks in reluctantly. Arthur follows behind, clicking a light switch on. The sight reveals two people strapped to small chairs. Above them rests a rather large beam of wood as thick as a chest, held by a cord slowly snapping. ]“Your challenge is a simple one knight errant. A trial of righteousness. You have a choice who to save. On one side, sits an elderly lady from the audience. An innocent that hath not committed a single wrong. The other is a lad from the working crew, who was only doing his job.”
[Arthur gestures up to the beam slowly pulling itself downwards.]“With so little time knight, it is your choice who to save. I shall see the results once complete. I wish you the best of luck young one. You’re going to need it.”
[With that, he simply closed the door behind him, leaving Knightwatch to his vices. Looking frantically between the two people now struggling greatly beneath their bindings. With a crack, the rope snaps, and the pole begins to fall. Knightwatch only has a moment to cry out, rushing forward.]“No!”
[He rushes forward, not towards either person. Reaching between the two, he holds his arms up, catching the beam. While the weight pushes downwards, the interruption only barely touches the heads of the people. With a mighty heave, he throws the beam out of the way.]“No one dies today.”
WILD KARRDE VS. ELI FOREVER
REEL KING FINAL
CONGREGATION OF THE DAMNED
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“How could you do this?” [Shadow asks, looking back at the bloodshed.] “Why would you?”
[Chambers doesn’t answer, drawing the ire of the Angel.] [Shadow angrily spins the chair.]“Answer me!”
[But he can’t.] [Sat mutilated, clutching a bible, D’von Chambers slumps over, falling from the chair to the floor with an almighty thud. Shadow jumps backwards, startled.] [He reaches down, turning Chambers over to reveal his wounds – a large hole in the middle of his chest, the result of a blade.] [He sighs, using his fingers to close The Pastors terrified eyes.] [Who did this?] [Why?]THE KNIGHTWATCH VS. KING ARTHUR
SINGLES MATCH
ENCORE!
RINGSIDE
“ZANDER FUCKIN’ ZANEEEEEEEE!!!”
[The opening chords of “For Those About to Rock” blare through the arena, pyro falling from the ceiling, cannons booming with the chorus of the song, and THE Zander Zane enters the Tap Room, the VHS title held proudly around his waist. He plays his guitar, a bottle of whiskey in hand, the Rock God somehow able to use his pick while keeping a firm grasp on his bottle.] [He’s obviously done this before.] [Zane doesn’t make an effort to move to the ring, instead stumbling as the Twenty-One Gun Salute rocks the arena and playing through the song.] [BZZZZZZZZZT] [The music is cut off and Zane looks behind himself, his eyes meeting with Berengar. The VigilKeeper having been embedded into the soundboard. The Void Knight sheaths his weapon and places it away.]“Who da FUCK do ya think ya are?
“Zane, I have come to do just as I promised to do. I am here to save you from yourself.”
“NO! Yer jus ruinin’ the show for my fans. Ya know what that means?”
[The crowd is quiet as Zane backs towards the arena, Berengar advancing on him, undeterred.]“It means the time for talk has finished, and the time for a match on my terms has begun.”
[Zane chuckles, drunkenly wagging a finger as he stands next to the referee.]“No no. I gots the title. We doin’ it how I say.”
[GUITAR TO THE REFEREE! Zane downs the rest of his whiskey and drops his guitar as the ref rolls outside, the crowd shocked, Berengar wasting no time as he charges the ring.]“It means time for an encore! And we’s playin’ to my lead!“
BERENGAR © VS. ZANDER ZANE
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
CHOICE
BACKSTAGE
“This is the last time, kid,” [Brent Kersh is saying.] “I’ve been doing all I can to keep this big bastard from crushing your master over here. You can either end this and come with us, or we’re going to have to consider you collateral damage.”
[Davenport is creepily laughing, his rapid gaze fixed on Kersh. But it’s Wolfgang that answers.]“I’m sure he wants to join you. Your sympathy to lesser beasts attracts those who can’t protect themselves, doesn’t it? But my little neger knows better. Life under my yoke is better than where he could be without me.”
[The Superior glances up at Troy, who seems ready to spring into action.]“I’m surprised you’re still walking. Most Rassenverräter would be dead after what I did to you.”
[Vǫlsungr steps forward, eye to eye with Wolfgang. But he turns his attention to Quinn.]“A man who won’t fight will never enter Valhalla. End this cowardice, or find yourself slain as an errant babe at his mother’s breast.”
[Kersh pulls his partner back.]“You’ve got to make a choice, kid. I know you’ll make the right one.”
[Quinn takes a deep breath, seemingly ready to finally speak.]“Fuck all this talking shit.” [Jon Davenport interrupts, grabbing Wolfgang’s arm.] “You and your negro need to get your asses out to the ring. I’m ready to fight this sumbitches.”
[Wolfgang smiles at his partner before turning to Quinn.]“Lead us to the ring, sklave. Herald our victory.”
[The Tutor stares at the men on either side of him before lowering his head and walking through the curtain. Wolfgang follows, but Davenport lingers, cockily wagging his finger at the Enforcer.]“My insurance is almost here, and you’re going to love it. It’s to die for.”
[The Hound Dog saunters through the curtain to join his allies as Kersh and Solveig shake hands.] [That match is NEXT.]KERSH © & SOLVEIG VS. QUINN, WOLFGANG & DAVENPORT
[Redmond Quinn has led Wolfgang and Jon Davenport down to the ring. Wolfgang has banished the enslaved Tutor to the apron as he and the Hound Dog talk strategy.]
[The time for talk is over though! The Enforcer and Vǫlsungr are in the ring like a house on fire, charging at their white supremacist foes.]
[They collide, and all four men spill to the outside while Quinn looks on from the apron. The four men all get up, throwing both caution and rules to the wind. Troy attempts to wrangle Davenport, but the Viking gets sent into the guardrail. Davenport’s got a chair from under the ring.]
[THWACK! DAVENPORT WITH A SICK SHOT TO THE BACK OF TROY’S HEAD!]
[Kersh and Wolfgang are trading blows while Davenport throws the groggy Solveig into the ring. He grabs the taller man by the hair, and sets him into the corner before putting him up on the top rope. Davenport is going for a superplex! What the hell?]
[But no! Troy slides down. The Viking vaults up to the top rope where Davenport now is.]
[SUPER BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!!! THE RING QUAKES WITH THE IMPACT OF THESE TWO MEN!]
[Troy roars with the lust of war before dropping into a pinfall.]
[ONE.]
[Quinn doesn’t even move.]
[TWO.]
[WOLFGANG BREAKS THE PIN!]
[The Superior is up to his feet to scream at Quinn.]
“Where were you!?”
“Right where you told me to be. Master.” [The Tutor fires back.] [Their argument is cut off as Kersh leaps into Wolfgang, knocking him out of the ring. Troy and Davenport are both back to their feet, charging at each other like two bears fighting over the last scrap of food.] [Troy ducks a clothesline, and as he hits the ropes, the Enforcer has gotten himself ready.] [TAG!] [Davenport returns from his clothesline attempt to find a new opponent waiting for him.] [SPINEBUSTER!] [Kersh lets out his frustrations on Davenport with a series of rights and lefts. Meanwhile, Wolfgang grabs the chair Davenport used earlier and runs around the ring. Solveig sees it, and leaps down to chase him, rounding the ring in a furious anger.] [CRACK!] [WOLFGANG WITH THE CHAIR TO SOLVEIG! ANOTHER CHAIR SHOT FOR THE VIKING!] [Wolfgang jumps up on the apron as Kersh sees what has transpired, running to the ropes to yell for his partner. Davenport uses the opportunity to crawl to the corner.] [TAG!] [Wolfgang comes in with a devilish twinkle in his eyes, timing it perfectly as Kersh turns around to meet the new legal man.] [SUPERMAN PUNCH! LUFTWAFFE FROM WOLFGANG!] [The Enforcer tries to shake it off as Wolfgang yells for the official to go check on Solveig. The idiot ref does it, just as the battered Davenport is able to slide the chair into the ring.] [Right under Kersh’s head.] [Wolfgang tees him up and charges in.] [BLOOD AND SOIL! VICIOUS CURB STOMP ON THE STEEL CHAIR!] [The Superior stands above Kersh with a grin on his face, and he kicks the chair way. It slides across the mat, beaten and battered, while Wolfgang picks Kersh up by his beard, sneering into his face. The Superior turns around to face the still docile Redmond Quinn.]
“SKLAVE! Get in the ring!”
[Quinn complies, shaking his head as he does so.]“Pick up the chair!” [Wolfgang screams.] [As slowly as he can, the Tutor reaches down to pick up the chair. But Kersh is so out of it that it doesn’t matter how long he takes.] [Redmond stands up, the chair in his hand. Wolfgang and Kersh are in front of him. The Superior points to Kersh’s head.]
“DO IT, NEGER!”
[Quinn lifts the chair up slightly, no real desire on his face to use it. Wolfgang roars a wordless threat at his slave while time seems to slow down. The woozy Brent Kersh looks up Quinn with a plea in his eyes.]“Choose, kid. Do the right thing.”
[His eyes darting from Kersh to Wolfgang, Quinn finally seems to have made his decision. His eyes fill with rage and he lifts the chair into the air with force.] [Quinn swings with all of his might!] [CRACK!] [TROY SOLVEIG NAILED REDMOND QUINN WITH THE SUPERMAN PUNCH! VALKYRIE TO QUINN!] [Vǫlsungr turns his might on Wolfgang.] [CRACK!] [JON DAVENPORT WITH THE STEEL CHAIR! HE TOSSES SOLVIEG OUT OF THE RING!] [Kersh roars to his feet, pushing Wolfgang into Davenport, knocking the Hound Dog out of the ring. Kersh grabs him on the rebound.] [SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT!] [NO!] [WOLFGANG POWERS OUT!] [THUNDER FIRE BOMB TO KERSH! BLITZKRIEG!!! [ONE.] [No one’s moving on the outside!] [TWO!] [Quinn is still down!] [THREE!!] [The enforced alliance of Wolfgang and Jon Davenport have won out here tonight. They overcame the might of Kersh and Solveig. But what of Redmond Quinn?]INSURANCE
RINGSIDE
“Wake up, Brent!” [Davenport yells out, energy back in his voice. That creepy cackle from earlier has returned as well.] “My insurance is here!”
[With Solveig still unconscious on the outside, Davenport gets in the ring, kicking at Kersh until he wakes up.]“You ‘gon want to see this one.” [Davenport snorts as he beckons the men down the aisle, the insurance being carried by the men.] [The Enforcer slowly gets to a knee, trying to pull himself up using the turnbuckle as Davenport directs the two men to dump two black trash bags on the mat.]
“You and me, Enforcer, we ain’t through. Not by a long shot.”
[Kersh eyeballs the two bags with a concerned face.]“See, I done exposed you as a traitor to your race, to your country. But it ain’t enough to say it, is it. Real Americans take action. So I brought me some insurance, to make sure you knew I wasn’t just jerking ‘yer chain.”
[The disgustingly sweaty Davenport goes to the first trashbag, ripping at it. He pulls it back, and grabs a handful of… hair?] [There’s a person in there.] [A woman.] [Danielle Kersh.] [Brent Kersh doesn’t even speak, he just charges in at Davenport and his daughter, but the Hound Dog pulls a knife out of God knows where, holding it to the now-conscious Dani’s neck.]“Oh Brent, you should step back. I’d hate to hurt your little daughter. She’s been through so much. You went and got her first girlfriend killed. She even spent months in a coma cause of you. I’d hate to make it worse.”
[The Enforcer backs up, reluctantly complying as Davenport goes over to the other bag, Dani beginning to cry.]“But this other’n…”
[Davenport cuts the bag away, reaching in to pull out who we already know is there.] [A black woman.] [Sam, Dani’s girlfriend.] [Blue lips.] [Limp neck.] [Dead.] [Dani lets out a wail of despair, while Brent rushes to his daughter. He grabs her in an embrace, having not seen her in nearly a year. But both of their attention is on Davenport, who stands up looking disappointed.]“I wanted to kill her myself. Let it be a lesson to you people. Never buy foreign, bastards always screw something up.”
[He turns to Brent with a grin on his face.]“But the only good nigger is a dead nigger, am I right?” [He says to vocal gasps from all around.] “We ain’t done, Brent. Two dead girlfriends for her now, all cause of you. Her kind don’t belong in my America, and you don’t neither!”
[Davenport slides out of the ring and walks off with a satisfied grin on his face as Danielle rushes forward to grab the lifeless body of her girlfriend. Brent can’t even comfort her he’s so overtaken with rage. The stoic Enforcer lets out a roar of anger into the air.] [If Davenport wants more, then Brent Kersh is going to give it to him.]LUTHER CREED VS. NIGHTSTICK
SINGLES MATCH
“That’s just where you belong cop. On your knees just close enough to kiss my ass.”
[With that, Creed hits a hip attack to the officer knocking him to the mat. Luther Creed reaches down onto the waist band of Nightstick and pulls out a pair of handcuffs that the referee is quick to apprehend before Creed can use them. Creed argues with him for a moment before the referee turns away from him to dispose of them. Creed takes this opportunity to grab the tazer from the waist of Nightstick and light him up!] [BZZZZZZT!] [Nightstick’s body shakes for a moment at the impact before Creed tosses the tazer aside in case the referee happened to see him with him. Creed covers him!] [ONE…] [….] [TWO….] [….] [KICKOUT! Nightstick manages to get a shoulder up to stop the pin!] [Creed looks down at him with a sneer before slowly raises Nightstick to his feet before Nightstick spits in HIS eyes! Turnabout is fair play in this match. Creed throws a few haymakers missing clear of the point before Nightstick nails a bullhammer strike with his left arm followed by a quick second shot from his right!] [SMITH AND WESSON!] [Creed slumps down to the mat before Nightstick covers him!] [One…] [….] [Two…] [….] [TH-KICKOUT!] [The fire burning within Luther Creed won’t be denied so easy. He gets to his feet, but Nightstick instantly flattens him with a sick big boot. Creed turns inside out from the impact of the boot upon his face! Nightstick spots the handcuffs on the edge of the ring where the referee placed them earlier. He drags Creed to the bottom rope before pushing the referee out of the way to grab the cuffs. He grabs the hand of Creed and quickly cuffs him to the bottom rope. Nightstick steps back as Creed begins to realize what has just happened to him. He looks up at Nightstick who sneers down at him.]“Let this be a lesson to you. Don’t fuck with law enforcement and expect not to be black and blue.”
[KICK right to the face of Creed!] [Two more quick kicks to the face before Nightstick mounts him and begins just pulverizing his face with vicious rights and lefts that Creed can’t block! He finally relents, allowing Creed to get back to his feet before swinging powerfully!] [HARD JUSTICE!] [CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!] [HE COVERS!] [ONE…] [TWO….] [THREE!!] [Nightstick picks up yet another win over his nemesis here tonight at Ring King!]YOU’RE DEAD
[Later on that night]
[Click.]
[Static covers the screen until it’s brought to life as if we’re seeing the show through a handheld camcorder.]
[As the grainy footage begins to roll we’re not in the Tap Room. We’re somewhere else. Somewhere dark. Somewhere plagued with shadows.]
[We watch as a darkened silhouette moves nonchalantly across the screen. And then…]
[Lights.]
[It’s Nightstick.]
[And then it hits us. We’re watching the same thing Luther Creed’s accomplice, Trey, is watching. We’re watching it as he is filming it. From inside Nightstick’s home. He must have followed him following his match with Luther Creed earlier in the night.]
[The man behind the camera is still; careful not to be detected as Nightstick roams the interior confines of his house after returning home from VHS.]
[We watch Nightstick head to the kitchen, open the fridge, and retrieve a slice of cold pizza as the door shuts behind him. He chews loudly as he makes his way into the front room, reaching downward for the remote control to the television and…]
[BZZZR! BZZZR!]
“Shit!”
[Trey whispers under his breath, the camera jerking downward towards his jean pockets as he fumbles to remove his cell phone, the glowing screen reading: Luther!] [Trey lets out a sigh, pushing the phone back into his pocket and readjusting the camera, but when he does…] [We see Nightstick standing several feet away with his firearm drawn and pointed directly at us.] [Our perspective changes to a side view of the homeowner and his invader just as Trey squeals.]“DON’T SHOOT!”
[Nightstick has an intense glare on his face as he shakes his head.]“You stupid punk! If it were anyone but me you’re dead right now!”
[Trey drops the camera to his side, holding up one palm in submission.]“Just calm down cop!”
[Nightstick chuckles.]“I’m calm. You’re down. On the floor. NOW!”
“I’m gonna call this in right now so don’t move and just remember” [Nightstick continues as Trey moves to his hands and knees.] “When they get here… You have the right to remain silent!”
[Static.] [Cut.]WILD KARRDE VS. DAVID MANSON ©
SINGLES MATCH
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
RINGSIDE
“Give that man an award, he’s sensational,” [the person says sarcastically.] “I’m sorry, but I’m talking about my performance in this beautiful little play of ours. I wasn’t sure I could pull it off but I’m now positive that you believed I was Red River Jack and that these two patsies were your thieves.”
[He bursts out into laughter as Karrde looks on.]“The truth is, I just wanted to put you through a little touch of misery, ‘man’. What better way to make you suffer than to send you after two diabolical, disgusting, vile, violent creatures like The Awakening. Just knowing you were almost shot and killed is enough, but having had the opportunity to tie you to a vehicle, manipulate your feeble little mind and watch you run around like a headless chicken is more than I bargained for.”
[The Gambler can’t believe it.]“Do you know why I stole this briefcase?” [He asks.] “No? It could be because I want to become the World Champion but that’s unlikely, is it not? I think we all know that only the holder of this case with this case can invade. I didn’t win it and I certainly can’t use it.”
[The man stands up, picking up the briefcase and showing it to its owner.]“However, whilst you don’t have it, you can’t use it either.”
[He laughs again.]“Who exactly does that benefit most? Think about it, ‘man’. Maybe have gamble on the answer. Four men stood a chance at becoming King tonight and it stands to reason that one of those four would do anything to ensure their legacy as a future World Champion – even if they weren’t successful.”
[Pause.]“Goodluck.”
[Cut.]EDWARD NEWTON © VS. ELI FOREVER
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
BAPTISM
RINGSIDE
“Again and again, I’ve told you: This isn’t personal. Yet you persist in your eternal fight against me. I came to you for knowledge, and Eli…”
[Newton allows a tight smile as the sledgehammer from before appears in his hand.]“…I’ve gotten all I need.”
[The Riddler hoists the weapon, Forever still unable to see.]“STOP!”
[Edward calmly steps back as none other than Rose Forever enters the ring. The confused sister of the Heir Eternal rushes to her brother, cradling his head in her arms, pulling wet wipes from her pocket to clean the sand out of his eyes. She turns around to jab her finger into a surprised Newton’s chest.]“You son of a bitch. You manipulated me. You used me to get what you wanted, and then threw me to the side once you did.”
[The Riddler sneers at Rose, who backs up to a now recovered Eli.]“My dear, I hope you know what you’re doing.”
[Rose steps forward, winking at her brother as she does so.]“I know exactly what I’m doing.”
[LOW BLOW FROM ROSE!] [TO ELI!?!?!?!!] [The Heir Eternal hits the mat with an agonizing thud as Newton uses the sledgehammer to slide his body out of the ring. Rose walks up to Newton.] [No.] [Harper walks up to Newton.]“My dear Harper,” [Newton begins,] “I’m so glad to have gotten you away from evil men who would manipulate you.”
[Harper grins, and leans up to plant a kiss on Newton’s lips. They lean into it, Newton turning to make sure the hurting Eli Forever can see.]“NEWTON!”
[Forever’s cuts through the din of the Tap Room, even as Harper and Newton leave the ring arm in arm.] [Newton did what he came to do.] [The Forever Family has been broken.] [How will Eli respond?]THE REAL WILD KARRDE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Times change,” [he says in a voice, different than before; without accent.] “And you either evolve or you die.”
[He clicks his fingers, turning the lights on.]“I’ve lived a long and fruitful life. I’ve taken what I needed and tossed away the wreckage of who I am in that moment, discarding it as history long forgotten.”
[Using his hands, he clicks his fingers, returning the pink hue; within it, an ace, floating there.]“And in this visage, I have succeeded only as much as I have failed. The Gambler from Nevada is no more.”
[Click.] [Suddenly, his form becomes wavy, evaporating transparently into a pink hue. The ace he once levitated falls to the floor, landing face up.] [Then a boot stands on it.] [The camera rises to see a different man before us, with the same voice.]“Like I said, you evolve or you die.”
[He smiles.]“My name is Wild Karrde; a card that can take any value.”
[His eyes glow pink.]“And throughout history, I have taken many forms, stolen many hearts and survived many battles. I am not a victim; I have never been.”
[Karrde walks towards us.]“Perhaps it’s time you met the real me.”
[He clicks his fingers, vanishing.] [Cut.]TROY SOLVEIG VS. EDGAR NEVERMORE
RING KING FINAL
HE COVERS!] [ONE…] [TWO…] [THREE!!] [HE’S DONE IT! HE’S DONE IT! TROY SOLVEIG HAS WON RING KING 2O18!] [NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!] [HAPPY PUT HIS FUCKING FOOT ON THE ROPE!] [WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK, KID!?] [Solveig can’t believe it. He immediately slides to the outside and chases Happy around the ring. The kid eventually drips over The War Hammer, falling face first on the floor. He turns around, begging and pleading with Volsungr.] [MAMMON FROM BEHIND WITH A METAL PIPE TO THE HEAD!] [SOLVEIG TURNS, ENRAGED!] [KNEEDFUL THINGS! ANOTHER KNEEDFUL THINGS!] [HAPPY TURNS HIM, DROP TOE HOLD ONTO Lævateinn!] [NICHOLAS ROLLS TROY BACK INTO THE RING WHERE NEVERMORE IS DISTRACTING THE REFEREE!] [NO WAY, NOT LIKE THIS!] [TROY IS GOING TO BE UNDONE BY HIS OWN WAR HAMMER!] [EDGAR GETS HIM BACK TO HIS FEET!] [ANOTHER POETRY IN MOTION!] [EDGAR DROPS INTO THE COVER…] [ONE…] [NOT LIKE THIS!] [TWO…] [PLEASE, COME ON, KICK OUT!] [THREE!!] [DING DING DING!] [IT’S OVER! Edgar Nevermore has stolen the Ring King crown. Jesus fucking Christ, that son of a bitch has stolen it!] [The runner up in last year’s Pandemonium finally has his just deserts, and it was an assist from The Gentlemen Club and Lævateinn that helped him achieve it.] [He gets back to his feet, his arm tiredly raised in victory, knowing that he used his wits here tonight to become Ring King 2018.] [Troy Solveig was a formidable opponent. He looked absolutely unbeatable here tonight, but the numbers and his own hammer were just too much.]
CORONATION
RINGSIDE
“You were right, Edgar,” [Crowley says with a smile.] “This crown of thorns is cursed.”
[Snap!] [Lee violently snaps Royal’s neck, dropping his already limp frame to the canvas in a crumpled heap. Nevermore backs away, absolutely terrified.]“And now every single winner of that cursed crown is dead, including yours truly.”
[Lee Crowley is dead? But how?]“When my good soldier Abaddon had the seal broken for the dead to rise, I knew my chance to return was now.”
[He steps forward.]“So, do you want my crown, Nevermore?”
[The Poet shakes his head slowly. Remember, Edgar noted that intelligence was the key to his victory here tonight and picking a fight with Lee Crowley means certain death.]“I thought not.”
[The fire subsides, allowing Edgar Nevermore and The Gentlemen Club to make a hasty retreat. They dive to the outside, backing away as fast as possible.] [Edgar Nevermore may be your 2018 Ring King.] [But Lee Crowley is the King of The Underworld and thanks to Solomon Rhodes, he’s back.] [Cut.]THE CALL
BACKSTAGE
“I’ve gathered you all here today at the request of Lincoln Hex,” [Knot says with a grimace.] “But also because I’m afraid that I need your help.”
[He folds his arms as the Vindicators look on.]“As you’re aware, The Informer was murdered only a mere few weeks ago and I’ve come to learn the shocking and terrible truth behind this ordeal. The culprit is one of our own.”
[That rightfully gets their full attention.]“I have nothing but regret and sympathy for each and every single one of you but I ask now that you put aside your grief and defend The Tap Room against a threat larger than Jacen Novan; a threat more powerful than you’ve ever faced before.”
[He looks upon their faces with great passion in his eyes.]“If you do this, his death won’t go unpunished.”
[He roars.]“His death won’t go unanswered.”
[Finally, he takes a deep breath.]“But I’m afraid to say that it will not be easy.”
[He bows his head.]“For my simulant artificial intelligence has gone rogue.”
[Their eyes widen.]“Vanguard murdered your fellow Vindicator in cold blood. His programming has malfunctioned and he’s planning to wipe us all from the face of this Earth. He will lock the doors of The Tap Room at Frostbite and rampage through this roster until none remain.”
[Knot looks up.]“Only you can stop it. Hex said you’d be hesitant to trust me and I can see that he was right. But he said if I asked you one question, you’d know these orders come from him.”
[He looks unsure.]“Will you answer the call?”
[Cut.]