WANT & NEED
EARLIER TONIGHT
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Enigma Towers – Recorded Earlier.
Sat in front of a roaring fire, Edward Newton sits sipping a large goblet of whisky. He’s contemplating something of great thought when his cell phone rings. Newton takes one look down at the caller and rolls his eyes.
It’s Luke Storm.
He answers on speakerphone.
“When are these games going to end?” Storm demands to know, barely taking a breath to hear a response before continuing. “What do you want from me?”
“Vengeance, isn’t that obvious? What you did to me all those years ago cannot be easily forgiven. I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself, to repay your debt to me, but it will cost you.”
Luke sighs.
“I didn’t do anything to you, Eddie,” he groans. “When will you let it go?”
That enrages The Riddler who tosses his goblet across the room into the wall, shattering it into pieces.
“I want the Old School Wrestling Championship. I want the title I made valuable; the very one you and Green have tarnished between you.”
“And if I say no?” Storm growls.
“You won’t say no, will you Luke?” Newton reminds him, making reference to Scarlett Storm – his captive. “Because I won’t have to do what I don’t want to; I have The Red Death for that.”
Abruptly and angrily, Newton hangs up. Standing behind him in the door way, listening in, is none other than Death himself.
“Is it time?” He asks.
Newton spins around, shaking his head.
“Understood,” Death nods. “I believe in your plan; I have faith in you, boss.”
Edward walks over to him and places a hand on his shoulder.
“Thank you, Bill. I promised you Luke Storm’s demise in retaliation for your family. I won’t let you down on that promise. It may be a long road but by Ring of Dreams, he will be yours.”
The Caped Crusader smiles sinisterly.
Cut.
THE CHIEF’S DECREE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Fwip.
Fwip.
Fwip.
“OH MY GOD!”
“Keep runnin’, you’ll be fine.”
The sounds of darts whizzing within a hair of Pickpocket’s ass and or face is what introduces us to where we left off last week. Rushing down a corridor and somehow stepping on every pressure plate along the way is Pickpocket, the monkey loving pain in Scrimshaw’s ass dodges, ducks, dips, dives, and dodges his way through the trapped hallway.
And Scrimshaw?
The Salty Sea Dog walks calmly down the now trap free hallway with his hands clasped calmly behind his back.
“Ya know, I should bring you along more often for this kinda stuff.”
The captain speaks almost jovially for the first time in months as he comes to the end of the corridor and into a clearing which is filled with furniture and a garden seemingly belonging to the tribe who lived upon the island. His cohort in Pickpocket struggles to catch his breath while Scrimshaw surveys the area.
… And comes face to face with a large stone statue, the spectral eagle sitting atop of it, Buford Jr sitting in the arms of the statue, coin in hand, and a small supply of berries, seemingly scrounged up from some foliage in the clearing.
“BJ!”
Monkey Noises
Pickpocket rushes to go retrieve his friend when the eagle’s mouth opens and a voice booms over the courtyard.
“Do not approach! You are standing upon sacred land and you have stolen from me and my people!”
“Oh shut it. You and yer people are dead!”
Scrimshaw is having none of it as he goes about searching the area, indignantly finding nothing of note.
“That may be! But you and your greed has awakened me from my slumber! You will not leave the island… until you battle for my amusement!”
Pickpocket cocks and eyebrow, having already been climbing the statue when he hears this.
“Is that it? We just fight and we leave?”
“… Yes.”
“So like how do we decide who wins? Is it by pinfall or-”
WHACK!
An old wooden chair collides with Pickpocket’s back and he falls onto the ground from the statue! Scrimshaw tosses away the broken pieces of the chair and looks down at Pickpocket.
“You heard the man. Dukes up.”
SCRIMSHAW VS. PICKPOCKET
SINGLES MATCH
The battle is underway after Scrimshaw got in the cheap shot, but the Sea Dog lets Pickpocket up to his feet before going on the offensive again! He throws a combination of jabs followed by a stiff haymaker that sends Pickpocket back first into the statue! The Street Thief stumbles forward and goes right into a suplex by Scrimshaw!
PICKPOCKET LANDS ON HIS FEET!
Scrimshaw spins on his heels to throw a strike BUT WHAT’S HIS IS PICKPOCKETS! DASHED ON THE ROCKS! SPINEBUSTER!
Scrimshaw lands harshly on the ground at the feet of the statue at the hands of one of his own moves! Pickpocket’s picked up a thing or two from the old sea dog!
The Lil’ Scoundrel backs away, obviously not wanting a serious fight but Scrimshaw’s filled with two months of irritation and liquor and he’s looking to blow off some steam! He leaps and catches Pickpocket with a flying clothesline! Pickpocket slams into the dirt and as he rise to his feet gets caught with a leaping neckbreaker that grounds him again!
Scrimshaw peels Pickpocket off of the ground and grabs his head as he rushes towards the statue AND GOES TO SLAM HIS HEAD INTO IT!
NO! PICKPOCKET GETS A FOOT UP AND STOPS SCRIMSHAW!
Pickpocket elbows Scrimshaw in the gut and grabs him, sending him head first into the statue! Pickpocket leaps to the statue and kicks off of it, coming back with a flying DDT that sends Scrimshaw straight down into the ground! The scrappy thief kips up and looks impressed with himself for the acrobatics! Scrimshaw rises to his knee and Pickpocket goes for a roundhouse!
SCRIMSHAW CATCHES THE LEG! SEA SERPENT’S STRIKE! DRAGON SCREW!
Pickpocket lands back first against the statue and hits the ground in a heap! He’s looking worse for wear after that reversal!
Scrimshaw gets to his feet, coughing up some dirt as he grabs Pickpocket by the hair and peels him up to his knees, dropping him with a harsh right! He goes for another-
PICKPOCKET SAND! SAND TO THE EYES OF THE SEA CAPTAIN!
Pickpocket uses the distraction to scale up the statue out of Scrimshaw’s reach! He gets up to the top and looks down at Scrimshaw with a look of hesitance before leaping off!
ALL SNATCH AND NO GRAB! FLYING KNEE STRIKE- NO! SCRIMSHAW CATCHES HIM AND HOOKS HIS LEG! DRAGGED TO THE DEPTHS! SAITO SUPLEX! PICKPOCKET IS OUT!
Scrimshaw takes a few moments to get to his feet, but once he’s up, he helps the disoriented Pickpocket back up, showing some respect as he undeniably walks away the victor!
ESCAPE FROM THUNDER ISLAND
SOMEWHERE ELSE
The match is over, both men tired, bruised, and most importantly, done with being on this island. Scrimshaw looks up to the statue, scowling.
“We fought, ya happy? Now, give me the damned monkey and we’ll leave.”
There is silence from the eagle for a few moments, in that time BJ has scurried down with the coin and moved onto Pickpocket’s shoulders.
“I think not. You have battled, but you still wish to leave with my treasure! You are thieves, crooks! We have passed, but so will you!”
With that, the storm above the island reforms, stronger than ever! Rain pelts down onto the duo who watch in awe as a massive bolt of thunder strikes the statue…
AND CAUSE IT TO BEGIN TO FALL!
Pickpocket and Scrimshaw narrowly roll out of the way, ending up near the exit of the courtyard, the entirety of the temple seeming to come crashing down around them! Pickpocket looks to Scrimshaw, dumbfounded.
“Run?”
“Run.”
Scrimshaw takes off first, but Pickpocket’s faster as he rushes past the Sea Dog! The men run down the corridors of the temple, the walls and roof collapsing down upon them! Pickpocket is nearing the exit when a falling piece of stone nails BJ and knocks him off of the Scoundrel’s shoulders!
“BJ!”
He turns around to help him but Scrimshaw snatches the monkey off of the ground and tucks him under his arm! He rams into Pickpocket and pushes him out of the entrance of the temple! Both men go rolling down the side of the mountain it was built upon, tumbling painfully down to the beach where they first docked upon Thunder Island! As they come to a stop Scrimshaw stands up, tossing BJ to Pickpocket before pulling him towards the large stone ship.
“Get on! Before I leave ya!”
Pickpocket wastes no time in following orders, the two men boarding the ship, making haste to leave the island as the storm rains down more and more thunder upon the beaches.
The duo sail off in silence for a few minutes, Pickpocket happily hugging BJ as Scrimshaw lights his pipe. The duo sail away into the horizon, but before we do, we hear some words exchanged.
“So… thanks for saving me and BJ. I didn’t know you cared about us!”
“I don’t care about ya.”
“But you saved us.”
“And?”
“You wouldn’t have saved us if we weren’t friends! Say it. We’re friends right?”
“I can turn this ship around, boy.”
“… Okay we’re almost friends?”
We don’t hear Scrimshaw reply, but the unmistakable sound of a bottle of rum opening is heard as the scene fades out.
A FRIENDLY DEAL
BACKSTAGE
Backstage, Marvolo II and Raquel are walking down the hall when they see an excited Junkrat.
“Number one!”
Junkrat hugs Marvolo II with all the excitement of a puppy when its human returns home.
“I didn’t think I would get to touch you before our match because you know…”
Junkrat thinks he’s being subtle but he is emphatically pointing at Raquel who simply rolls her eyes and looks away. Marvolo speaks up.
“Come on you two, Marvolo likes both of you and if you got to know each other, you’d like each other too.”
Raquel simply looks at Junkrat with disdain.
“I don’t think so number one, she looks at me like I’m a real number two.”
“It’s ok Junkie, she’s just not the best at words, it’s not that she doesn’t like you, she just wants the great Marvolo all to herself. Isn’t that right, Raquel?”
Raquel nods.
“I know number one but I’m not taking you from her, I always knew the pecking order, Junkrat, the dirt, the worms inside the dirt, Marvolo’s stool, Raquel, then Marvolo. I just wanted to be upgraded to stool level! Can’t she be ok with that?”
“I don’t know, can you Raquel?”
Raquel shrugs.
“Tell you what, Junkrat has an idea! If I win our match, we at least stay friends?”
Marvolo looks at Raquel for an answer. She opens her mouth for the first time in all this.
“Fine, for number one.”
Raquel storms off and Marvolo II follows her. Junkrat simply smiles.
Cut.
LION AND THE FOX
SOMEWHERE ELSE
A Few Hours Earlier…
The Asylum
Aesop sits in the centre of his cell where he had been kept all week since Warden Johnson captured him. His eyes glazed over, face expressionless. Alone.
That is, until the door to the cell bursts open, kicked clean off the hinges by an incredible force. Banzan steps into the room, a purple haze around his fingertips, his eyes aglow with the same purple aura. When he sees Aesop, his eyes begin to fade back to normal.
“What has he done to you?”
Banzan kneels next to his friend, assessing his mental state, but Aesop remains catatonic. Banzan shakes his head sadly and speaks in a hushed tone to his partner.
“A lion was getting old and found it difficult to catch his prey. He would stay in his cave and catch any animals that came near. A rabbit wandered by the cave.
‘I am sick’ the Lion called from the cave. ‘Come and feel how hot my head is.’
So the rabbit entered the cave and became prey for the lion.”
Banzan waves a strange looking vial under the nose of Aesop as he continues his story.
“The next day, a sheep wandered past the cave.
‘I am sick’ the Lion called from the cave. ‘Come and feel how hot my head is.’
So the sheep entered the cave and became prey for the lion as well.”
Banzan’s eyes flash purple once more and he presses his palm over the face of Aesop. His skin tinges with a purplish hue. When he takes his hand away, the glaze over Aesop’s eyes has faded. He looks confused, but aware of his surroundings.
“Then a fox wandered past the cave.
‘I am sick’ the Lion called from the cave. ‘Come and feel how hot my head is.’
But the Fox stopped before rushing in.
‘I see many tracks leading into the cave but none leading out. You are dangerous and I am wise not to trust your words.’
So the Fox left safely.”
Banzan helps Aesop to his feet, putting Aesop’s arm around the Mountain’s shoulders. He leads Aesop to the exit, and they escape into the night.
Moments later, the voice of the Warden himself can be heard approaching.
“Let us see if your new friend is ready to play yet Mez. I think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.”
The click clack of shoes on vinyl flooring approaches, stopping outside the room. The Warden steps inside the room, over the broken door. His face flashes with rage.
“It appears your new friend would like to play hard to get. We’re going to have to force him to play. Break him. Make him see what a mistake he’s making.”
He eyeballs Mez.
“Aesop needs to see where his allegiances should lie. It’s up to you to convince him properly.”
A swish of the heels and The Warden is off, Mez following in tow.
Cut.
AESOP VS. MEZ
SINGLES MATCH
Aesop still seems a bit groggy, something Mez might look to exploit in this clash between two men associated with the Warden!
Mez charges at Aesop, laying into the storyteller with some hard lefts and rights, soon transitioning to elbows against the skull! Aesop is down, but not quite out…UNTIL MEZ WALLOPS HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE!
Aesop crashes down hard, as Mez stomps away at the storyteller. Satisfied with the damage done, the madman picks Aesop up…but Aesop drives Mez back with a chop! Aesop with a second wind as he unloads a series of chops on Mez, doing just enough to land a DDT on the big man!
Looking to get the upper hand, Aesop targets the neck of Mez with precision, hoping the madman won’t be able to deliver a potent headbutt as a result…but Mez gets back to his feet, pushing the storyteller away! THE SEDATIVE! MEZ JUST DROPPED AESOP WITH THAT SPINNING BACK ELBOW!
The complexion of this match has changed in favor of the madman, as Mez goes back to the well and lays into the fallen storyteller with lefts and rights before looking to bash him with a headbutt…but Aesop manages to dodge it at the last second!
Aesop slowly gets to his feet, but Mez is right back on top of him with a Lou Thesz press! ANARCHY! Mez slams Aesop with a nasty headbutt, looking for blood…BUT AESOP TURNS THINGS AROUND, LOCKING IN THE SERPENT INSTEAD!
Mez is using his size advantage well as he manages to break the hold, getting back to his feet as does the storyteller. Mez rears his head back, looking for a nasty headbutt to end this…but is met with a big forearm by Aesop, who turns the madman around to lock in a Dragon Sleeper! AESOP’S FABLE! Aesop just drove Mez’s head down hard with that reverse DDT, and he’s going for the cover to put this match away!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
The ref raises the arm of Aesop in victory as he stands over the fallen Mez!
LAST WEEK
FLASHBACK
Alton Whitlock had one Hell of an idea.
The week prior, he purposefully avoided Helstrom and instead, drafted a letter to one Miyuki Sato.
Whitlock had long ago helped her leverage herself into the position she now holds with pride: Japanese Ambassador to the United States.
She knew more about Japanese History and relics than anyone on planet Earth.
And if anyone could help him solve the riddle of how to beat Helstrom in and inferno match, it would be her.
Whitlock was not surprised when she appeared in his office.
He was surprised, however, by the rather ordinary knife she placed on his desk.
“No offense Ambassador, but what exactly is this supposed to be?”
She smoothed out her business suit and had a seat in front of his desk.
“It is a blade so old it has no name,” she replied. “Said to be crafted in the fires of the afterlife.”
“I see,” said Whitlock, tapping his desk with his fingers. “And what am I to do with it?”
“The Helstrom cannot be vanquished before its fire is extinguished. This blade can sap the fire straight out of its armor, robbing it of its immense power.”
Whitlock smirked and scratched his chin. “Truly?”
“Yes,” the Ambassador replied. “Draw him in close, stab him with this knife. Then place him on the Alter of Beyond and stab him once more. Helstrom will exist no longer.”
Whitlock smiles.
“Perfect.”
Alton picks up his cellphone. “Let’s arrange a parlay.”
THE SANDS OF TIME WAIT FOR NO MAN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“It is time.”
The Judge. He wasn’t stood behind Javad a moment ago but now, as if by magic, he peers over Javad’s shoulder. The two men are lit by the campfire light of the military base camp within the valley of the dunes of Iran. The flickers of fire take the chill away from Javad’s cold prickling skin, which is now lined with goosebumps as his internal body temperature rises with rage and anxiety.
Javad turns to face The Judge.
“You and what army?” He asks, raising his hands out to his sides, signalling for his 10-man militia to rise to attention.
“I need no army to pass my judgement, Javad. I have waited millennia in quiet observation. Tonight will be the night you receive your judgement, whether you feel ready to receive it or not.”
“I shall not allow this on my land. You will leave now.” Javad insists, pointing off over the dark horizon.
“You intend to force me?”
“If I must.”
Whoooooooomph!
A portal opens beneath the feet of the militia and they fall, screaming, automatic machine gun fire shooting off into the night sky momentarily before…
Whoooooooomph!
Silence, with the exception of the flickering flames of the camp fire.
“You and what army?” The Judge sniggers.
Javad clenches his jaw as The Judge launches into his judgement immediately.
“It has taken me many years of observation to make my mind up about you, Javad. In years gone by you have been a tyrant. Torturing your followers. Starving them. Beating them. Forcing them into battle when you knew there was no chance of victory. Or of survival.”
“And yet as the years passed your approach changed. Of course you still ruled your lands with an iron fist, but you cared for your men. You fed them, even when at times it meant you yourself went hungry.”
“And so I was forced to take a great period to meditate on whether or not the sins of a man from years gone by are inextricably linked to his very soul. Whether he can absolve himself over a lifetime and become saved.”
“I am here to tell you, Javad Ebadi, that you may not absolve yourself of your sins.”
“The wrongs of your past are linked to your very soul. And as such I find you guilty.”
JAVAD EBADI VS. THE JUDGE
SINGLES MATCH
The air makes a swooshing noise as the axe of The Judge cuts through it, nearly decapitating Ebadi. Ebadi ducks the swing. LOW BLOW! Ebadi goes low on The Judge as a fight breaks out. The Judge arches over, his axe held across his chest in both hands. Ebadi grabs the axe and BAM! DDT! But it isn’t very effective in the soft sand of the Persian desert.
Both men stagger back to their feet, sand shifting below their feet.
“Judgement has been passed, Javad. You cannot change it.” The Judge says with authority.
Ebadi clenches his jaw, launching himself at The Judge. He takes The Judge down with a spear and the pair tumble further down the sand dune into the very bottom of the valley, where the fire roars close enough to them that they feel the heat on the sides of their faces.
The judge drops his axe to the floor and steps forward.
“If you do not wish to accept my judgement, then I am afraid you will have to kill me.” He says matter-of-factly.
“So be it.” Ebadi says, his foot burying itself into the sand. Suddenly, he flicks something up into the air which had been buried in the Persian sands. A REVOLVER!
BANG!
Whooooomph!
Whooooomph!
A portal opens in front of The Judge’s face, and another behind him. The bullet passes through the portals, missing The Judge and burying itself in the sand.
BANG! BANG! BANG! Bullet after bullet flies through the air, and portal after portal transports them into the sand.
CLICK.
The barrel of the gun is empty. Ebadi tosses the gun at The Judge who slaps it away as he advances.
The Judge grabs Ebadi by the throat, BITING HIS FACE! Ebadi in turn grabs at the wrists of The Judge as he squeezes at Ebadi’s throat hard. Soon enough, Ebadi is bleeding and purple in the face. The Judge drops him into a cutter! YOUR PAST MAY BITE YOU! Ebadi feels a darkness flooding his vision, and the scene fades to black.
EXTINGUISHED
SOMEWHERE ELSE
Hours ago…
Helstrom lays on the Alter of Beyond.
The Ambassador has just left.
Alton grins, “You know, Helstrom. I told you I’d get that armor.”
He lifts the knife over his head.
“But even I’m surprised that I’m removing it posthumously.”
With that, he plunges the blade into Helstrom’s chest!
The knife cuts through the armor like butter.
Helstrom lets out a primal scream!
“Yes,” squeals Whitlock!
But without warning, Whitlock squeals again.
Because Helstrom’s hand is around Whitlock’s throat.
“You fool,” Helstrom laughs. “Do you realize how utterly futile your little plan has been?”
The hellfire in the knife returns to Helstrom’s armor, lighting it up in all of its firey glory.
“I wasn’t dead!” Helstrom screams as he climbs off the alter. He lifts Whitlock high into the air by his throat. “Nor was I extinguished.”
Alton’s words barely escape his lips, “Wh– wha–”
“What’s going on?” Helstrom finishes Alton’s question. “Miyuki has done me a favor.”
Helstrom THROWS Whitlock into a nearby wall.
“She told me what you had done, what you were planning. You see, I needed to know what depths you’d sink to before I destroyed you.”
Helstrom shakes his head. “That’s the difference in you and me, Whitlock. You’d destroy anything standing in your way. Me? I need a better reason, which you have given me. You’ve been tricked, Whitlock.”
A portal of fire opens up in the room.
Helstrom steps through it.
But before doing so, he states, “And now? You’ll be destroyed.”
Whitlock is left with hours to spare to get his head ready.
There will be an Inferno Match, after all.
JUNKRAT VS. MARVOLO II
SINGLES MATCH
Tonight it is Marvolo II taking on Junkrat! Junkrat is fighting for a friend as Marvolo II is fighting to make Raquel happy! Will Junkrat get to be number two? We find out next!
DING! DING! Junkrat opens his arms up for a hug! Marvolo nods and gives Junkrat the hug he wants! Marvolo holds on and gives Junkrat a belly to belly suplex! He goes for the early cover! One! Two! Thr-No! Junkrat kicks out and yells “Not cool number one!” Marvolo shrugs and goes “Sorry Junkie, this is for her!” He stomps away on Junkrat and goes to the top rope! He yells “Time to show you how flying is done, Junkie!”
MARVOLO II IS GOING FOR THE RIPTIRE!
HE JUMPS AND DOES THE MOST CROOKED OF FLIPS!
HE CRASHES AND HITS THE MAT NOWHERE CLOSE TO JUNKRAT!
JUNKRAT HOPS UP HIMSELF!
HE JUMPS!
RIPTIRE!
HE HITS THE BOWLING BALL 450 SPLASH!
HE COVERS!
ONE!
TWO!
. . .
. . .
NO! MARVOLO GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES!
Marvolo shouts “Raquel won’t share that easily!” Junkrat replies “I know, I have to go hard!” Junkrat jumps on the leg prone on the ropes and Marvolo is screaming! He jumps, again and again, crushing the leg! “Don’t worry about the leg number one! Dr. Junkie will make it all better downstairs.” Junkrat winks but Marvolo grabs Junkrat’s pants and pulls him throat first into the ropes! Marvolo is choking Junkrat on the ropes! “Marvolo likes upstairs number two! That’s where the magic of Molvania happens!” Junkrat rolls his eyes and goes, “Just call it banging number one! Explosions are more fun than magic! Watch!”
JUNKRAT IS PULLING FIRECRACKERS OUT OF HIS POCKET!
HE LIGHTS THEM UP AND TOSSES THEM AT MARVOLO!
MARVOLO IS FORCED TO LET GO AND DODGES THE LITTLE EXPLOSIONS!
“DANCE WITH ME NUMBER ONE!”
JUNKRAT IS MATCHING MARVOLO’S STEPS!
MARVOLO SHAKES HIS HEAD AND SPEARS JUNKRAT!
“RAQUEL DOESN’T LIKE US HANGING OUT, YOU THINK SHE’LL LIKE US DANCING TOGETHER?!”
“YOU CAN DANCE IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN LEAVE RAQUEL BEHIND!”
“No I can’t, she needs me Junkie.” Marvolo throws some hard punches you can tell he doesn’t want to. Junkrat is reeling and goes “Fine! If this how it has to be!” He throws hard punches back! Back and forth punches as the crowd cheers for Junkrat and boos at Marvolo! Yay! Boo! Yay! Boo! Yay! Boo! Yay! Yay! Yay! Junkrat is on fire and he levels Marvolo with a clothesline! Another clothesline! A dropkick sends Marvolo to the corner! Junkrat is charging at Marvolo!
DOKUGIRI!
MARVOLO SPITS THE POISON MIST AND JUNKRAT IS BLINDED!
JUNKRAT CAN’T SEE ANYTHING AND MARVOLO RUNS AT THE ROPES!
HE’S GOING FOR A LARIAT BUT HE TRIPS!
WHAT?!? RAQUEL TRIPPED MARVOLO!
JUNKRAT IS FEELING AROUND, HE “ACCIDENTALLY” TOUCHES MARVOLO’S PACKAGE, SMILES, AND ROLLS MARVOLO UP IN A “IT’S NOT SMALL, IT’S FUN SIZE” PACKAGE!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Junkrat has done it with Raquel’s help! He gets to be friends with Marvolo!
LOST AND FOUND
RINGSIDE
Junkrat is excited as he can he! He has won the match due to Raquel’s interference and he gets to be friends with Marvolo II! He stops celebrating when he sees Marvolo II confused and looking at Raquel.
“Raquel, why would you do that? I’m not mad, I wanted to be friends with him but I was trying to win for you, for us. Why did you make me lose?”
Junkrat gets the confusion now.
“Yeah, Raquel, why? I thought I was shit to you.”
All eyes are on Raquel hoping for an explanation. She is struggling to get words out but finally slowly makes a sentence.
“Yes, you number… two.”
Junkrat looks down knowing Raquel still doesn’t like him.
“But… number one needs friend.”
Raquel smiles at Marvolo II and Junkrat, they realize she changed her mind for Marvolo’s sake. Marvolo opens his arms.
“Come to Marvolo, you two, group hug!”
Junkrat instantly hugs him and they both motion Raquel to come over. She shrugs and comes in for the hug! The crowd cheers and Junkrat speaks up.
“Thank you, Raquel! She really is number one Marvolo! You won’t regret this!”
They’re about to all walk off together until Marvolo says something.
“Junkie, I think you’re forgetting something.”
“Bang?”
Raquel speaks excitedly for once this whole night.
“Bang!”
Junkrat hugs Raquel and Marvolo pulls a box of explosives out from under the ring.
“Bang indeed, my anarchist friend!”
“Light the wick, number one?”
“My pleasure Junkie.”
Marvolo lights the wick making a shit ton of fireworks go off in the arena! The crowd is scared when they see the box but roar in approval when they see the fireworks while Junkrat is dancing in ecstasy in the ring! He falls down laughing! He smiles in glee and in the most appreciative way, he shouts.
“Bang!”
Cut.
DEVASTATION I
RINGSIDE
Before his match, Sigil has made his way out to the ring. He now stands in the center of it.
Surrounding him is a vast array of weapons: steel chairs, trash cans, barbed wire, baseball bats, fire extinguishers, and more.
X has yet to make his appearance.
The Collector broods, pacing back and forth, before he finally begins to address the hostile crowd.
“What is the cost of war?” Sigil asks. “Blood? Pain? Suffering?”
“Ashes?”
“Devastation?”
“All of them. And more. Often, they are inevitable. Unavoidable. They will come for you. War will come for you. And it will steal things from you. Precious things. Priceless things. Sacred things.”
“War has taken much of my life’s work from me.”
Suddenly, a hush goes through the crowd.
X has appeared on the ramp, microphone in hand.
He smirks.
“Hurts, does it?” he asks. “Like you said, pal. It’s a war. Get over it.”
X begins stalking towards the ring. He looks ready for a fight.
“The losses my collection has suffered are immense, no doubt…” Sigil says, eerily calm.
With a swift glide, X leaps to the ring apron.
Abruptly, Sigil raises both his arms.
“… but all is not lost.”
With great force Sigil brings both his arms down, and an array of portals open over the ring.
Through them fall an enormous arsenal of strange, alien weapons.
They scatter around the ring and ringside area: swords, spears, and much, much more.
And X?
He’s grinning.
It’s time.
This match begins now.
X VS. SIGIL
SINGLES MATCH, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
This war has the potential to tear a hole in the very fabric of space and time!
Both combatants stare each other down in a battlefield of conventional and supernatural weaponry.
Sigil paces with his fists clenched. “You burned half my Collection to cinders!”
X sneers, “Knew I should’ve used both crates.”
Sigil seethes. “Otherworldly artefacts that could alter the course of history… gone.”
X shrugs. “I never did like museums.”
The Realm Walker screams and tears across the ring. The Soldier closes the gap!
Sigil ducks an hydraulics-powered double axe handle. Surviving the attempted EXECUTION, he scoops X up into a BACKBREAKER – ONTO A RAZOR-WIRE BOARD!
The assassin writhes as Sigil exerts pressure, then rains down on him with brutal elbows to the face – it’s going to be a LONG ROAD AHEAD!
ONE!
TWO!
X KICKS OUT, rusted barbs snagging him!
Sigil grabs a… is that—IS THAT A FUCKING SPEAR!?
“The Spear of Destiny…” Sigil muses. “Maybe this will drive my point home.”
HE’S GOING TO SKEWER X, WHO’S TANGLED UP WITH NO ESCAPE!
The cyborg grabs a familiar-looking object—
HE BRANDISHES THE MIRROR OF XELUCARD AS A SHIELD!
THE GLASS DOESN’T EVEN CRACK!
THE MIRROR… EATS THE SPEAR!?
“NOOOOO!” Sigil screams as one of his artefacts appears to swallow the other whole.
X frees himself, wondering what the hell just happened. Sigil charges at him—
THE SOLDIER HOLDS THE MIRROR UP AGAIN, AND SIGIL HITS IT FACE-FIRST!
SMAAASH!
HIS MASK SHATTERS IT!
A shockwave of blue energy BLASTS Sigil back, his body CONVULSING! X covers him.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!?
NO!
SIGIL LIFTS HIS SHOULDER UP!
X slaps the glass-strewn mat… then gets an idea. He exits the ring and rummages under the apron.
HE PRODUCES A… bucket?
Cracking the lid, however, an industrial adhesive smell permeates The Slaughterhouse. X dips his robotic fist inside, then rolls back in the ring.
HE ROLLS HIS HAND IN THE GLASS SHARDS, WHICH STICK TO HIM!
Sigil sits up groggily…
TONGAN DEATH GRIP WITH THE GLASS-COATED HAND!
Sigil’s mask muffles his screams as blood oozes down his chest and back – but he doesn’t quit!
COSMIC LEAP!
SIGIL TELEPORTS OUT OF THE SUBMISSION!
X TURNS AROUND – FINITE!
LEAPING ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE JAW!
X spits out a tooth as he and Sigil both collapse in a heap, bloody and exhausted.
Sigil reaches into his pouch and retrieves a small device. He turns to look at his fallen opponent.
“You… b-burned… everything. Now, I burn you.”
He presses a button, and an ominous countdown rings throughout The Slaughterhouse! X tries to crawl away, but Sigil holds onto him. X kicks and kicks and kicks at him, but he can’t shake him off! The countdown gets quicker as the sense of urgency increases.
The alarm bleeds into one single tone, and then—
KA-BOOOOOOM!
THE ROPES AND RING DISAPPEAR IN A BLINDING FLASH OF LIGHT!
AN EXPLOSION RUMBLES LIKE ROLLING THUNDER!
HOLY SHIT!
Through the smoke and haze, the silhouettes of two men may be seen – one on top of the other.
The referee, who had dived for cover, emerges to count the fall.
ONE!
TWO!
…
THREE!
BUT WHO IS COVERING WHO!?
The smoke clears…
SIGIL GOT THE COVER!
DEVASTATION II
RINGSIDE
In the aftermath of the violent match, X and Sigil lay badly damaged in the ring.
Obviously in pain, they begin to stir, and both slowly rise to their feet.
“You could have helped me, you know,” X says, still struggling to stand. “The crystal. You could have shown me my past.”
“It would not have gone as you think,” Sigil says, almost with a sigh, as he pulls himself up. “Time is not some idle thing, so easily bent to our will.”
“Why do you do it?” X asks. “Your mission. The collecting.”
“A peculiar question. Why do you fight?” Sigil replies.
“Just who I am,” X says. “All I know.”
Sigil nods.
The two of them are both upright and mobile now. They slowly begin to circle each other, though both limp slightly.
“You took much from me,” says The Collector. “Years and years and years. Artifacts of immense worth and importance. Relics from realms you couldn’t even dream of.”
X laughs.
“You really think I give a shit?” he asks.
“No, and I’m afraid that’s precisely the problem,” Sigil says.
X grins.
“War. It’s a bitch.”
“I’m well aware,” Sigil replies. He extends his arm behind him and opens a portal.
“Actions have consequences,” Sigil continues. “Remember that. Be mindful of it. Or I may have to take steps to ensure you can never harm me or my collection again.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
With that, Sigil turns and disappears through his portal.
X stands alone in the ring.
Cut.
ALTON WHITLOCK VS. HELSTROM
INFERNO MATCH
The fire rages around the ring, but who will feel the burn here as Helstrom faces off with Alton Whitlock in an Inferno Match!
The fires rage around the ring as Helstrom and Whitlock glare at each other as the bell sounds, causing the flames to jump.
Whitlock charges across the ring, looking for a clothesline only to be ducked. Helstrom pushes Alton from behind, forcing him to quickly stop near the ropes where again the fire leaps up to meet him. Helstrom attacks from behind, clubbing the Politician on the back of the head, delivering a solid knee to the gut, trying to force it’s scarred opponent into the raging fire.
Whitlock elbows the Executioner in the gut to free himself, delivering a quick dropkick to create more distance. Alton shoulder charges Helstrom, driving the larger competitor towards the ropes. But Helstrom braces, and neither man budge as they glare at each other.
Alton takes another shot, hitting the ropes for momentum and just barely avoiding the flames leaping at him, hitting Helstrom as hard as he could, this time taking it down to the mat. Alton wastes little time and lifts Helstrom to his feet. Alton quickly wraps his leg around the neck Helstrom, rotating quickly for PARTY POLITICS!
The overdrive drills the Knight of Balance to the mat, causing the flames to leap once again, burning off more oxygen to those in the ring. Alton takes a moment to catch his breath, but is grabbed around the neck by Helstrom as they stand to their feet. Alton tries to fight off, but he is being held too tightly to break the grip.
Helstrom pushes Whitlock back a step before delivering a massive Superman Punch to the jaw with its right hand, grabbing Whitlock by the head with its left, using his momentum to swing around and drive both knees down into the back of his head. KARMIC DESCENSION!
Whitlock crumbles to the mat after Karmic Descension as Helstrom takes to a corner, waiting for the right time to strike. It watches closely as Alton absently makes his way to the ropes, forgetting the fire right outside the ring.
Once Whitlock gets to his feet, Helstrom runs across, leaping into the air! YINGLONG’S FLAME!
The Busaiku Knee drills Whitlock, sending him tumbling through the ropes into the fire, setting him ablaze!
The fires of Helstrom scorch Alton Whitlock here tonight.
CIPHER
SOMEWHERE ELSE
The House of Mirrors.
Two men stand face to face, each of them regarding the other with polite disdain.
Mark Gouldern.
Edward Newton.
“Is tonight your masterstroke, Edward?” Gouldern asks, breaking the tense silence. “Is tonight the night that your plan comes to fruition?”
The Riddler offers a smile, reaching into his pocket.
“On the contrary,” he begins. “You may have learned a great deal about me, Mark, but I am a complicated man.”
He draws out a small book, identical to the one that Gouldern found in Miami.
“During my unpleasant stay there, I wrote out many plans.”
Newton drops the book between he and Gouldern, who raises an eyebrow.
“Inside that House of Mirrors, we’ll see many different versions of ourselves. Some distorted. Some clearer than we desire. But each one uniquely us.”
He produces and drops another book.
“I am who I need to be to get what I want. Sometimes sweet, sometimes brutal, and everything in between. I’m no different than you. I know what you’ve had to do to attain your lofty position.”
Another book. Mark Gouldern offers a nod of understanding.
“We seem to understand each other as few ever could, then.” He says. “That’s the real cipher, isn’t it? All of your actions, all of your plans, all of it hinges upon you achieving what you’re after.”
The Riddler gives a genuine smile.
“You impress me. In a different world, we may have become allies. Yet I feel we would have torn each other apart there as well.”
Newton looks Gouldern up and down, focusing on the Invasion briefcase he’s brought with him.
“If you wish to render me unable to accomplish my goals, perhaps I should do the same to you.” They lock eyes. “No faith in Green?”
The Herald’s expression remains neutral, but the tension has reached a fever pitch.
“Please, Edward,” he begins. “Let’s enter the House of Mirrors, and we’ll see who really has a plan.”
“Very well.” Newton walks inside the House of Mirrors.
Gouldern waits for a moment, then cockily enters behind.
This is going to be an epic clash!
MARK GOULDERN VS. EDWARD NEWTON
HOUSE OF MIRRORS
The House of Mirrors awaits these two men. A maze of Mirrors, with Mark Gouldern and Edward Newton both trapped inside… somewhere. We find Mark Gouldern, ready for action, but the Riddler is by now nowhere to be seen. We only hear his cackling fill the air.
Mark Gouldern surveys the room, where a dozen Riddlers grin back at him from a dozen different angles. His Combat 2.0 system analyses each angle, but before Telaris can determine the true Newton, he is CLOBBERED FROM BEHIND WITH A STEEL PIPE!
NEWTON EMERGES AS GOULDERN DROPS!
HE SWINGS THE POLE AGAIN TO HIT A DOWNED GOULDERN…
BLOCKED BY THE TELEGAUNTLET!
GOULDERN RIPS THE POLE FROM NEWTON AND TOSSES IT AWAY!
The TeleGauntlet then takes a hold of Newton around the throat and launches him, clean through the air. Newton crashes into the ground, coming to rest up against a mirror wall. The Herald approaches him to continue the barrage.
BUT NEWTON HAS DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR!
SLAM!
GOULDERN WALKS FACE FIRST INTO A MIRROR WALL THAT IS NOW BLOCKING THE WAY!
Staggered, Gouldern steps back. Newton re-appears from a completely different angle. A Stiff FOREARM STRIKE sends Gouldern reeling.
CRASH!
BULLDOG FROM NEWTON THROUGH A PANE OF MIRROR GLASS!
THERE’S SHARDS EVERYWHERE!
THE HERALD IS BLEEDING FROM A GASH IN HIS CHEEK!
Newton scoops up his foe, pushing him back first up against another mirror pane. He backs up slightly, reaching inside his jacket, but as he does so, the Mirror proves to be a door pane and opens. Gouldern falls backwards through the doorway and the mirror closes in front of him. Newton looks up and Gouldern has vanished!
He pushes the mirror but the door doesn’t open.
Newton is alone. Only a collection of reflections of himself stare back, each with the same frustrated look on their faces.
SMASH!
GLASS SHATTERS ALL AROUND!
TELEGAUNTLET FROM BEHIND A GLASS PANE!
HERE COMES GOULDERN!
BOOM!
THE DISRUPTION CATCHES NEWTON IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
NEWTON SOARS THROUGH THE AIR, SHATTERING A MIRROR AS HE HITS A WALL AND COLLAPSING TO THE GROUND UNDERNEATH IT!
HE COULD BE OUT COLD!
…
…
NO SIGNS OF LIFE FROM NEWTON!
MARK GOULDERN HAS THE VICTORY!
HE KNEELS TO CONFIRM… BUT FINDS ONLY GLASS!
IT’S ONLY A REFLECTION!
WHERE THE HELL IS NEWTON REALLY LYING?!
A small grunt of pain sounds from a few feet away and Newton stirs. A collection of angled mirrors had hidden his true location long enough for him to come to.
Gouldern storms over and grabs him by the throat, lifting him up and pressing him against the cracked mirror pane. But he soon drops Newton, clutching at his chest in agony.
A HUGE SHARD OF GLASS PROTRUDES FROM HIS CHEST!
NEWTON STABS GOULDERN TO GET AWAY!
POOF!
A cloud of smoke obscures Newton and causes Gouldern to burst out coughing. By the time he manages to pull the shard of glass out, Newton is nowhere to be seen again.
“Come on Marky… Surely you can find me.”
Newton’s cackling fills the air. But Gouldern can see is himself!
A flash of movement passes by out of the corner of Gouldern’s eye. But Newton appears from behind him, driving him head first into another pane of glass!
SINGLE ARMED DDT DRILLS GOULDERN INTO A SECOND MIRROR!
THERE’S ENOUGH BAD LUCK IN THIS HOUSE OF MIRRORS FOR US ALL NOW!
NEWTON GRABS GOULDERN, LOOKING TO END THIS!
BUT OUT OF INSTINCTS AND TELARIS ALONE, GOULDERN BLOCKS THE BLOW!
HEADBUTT TO NEWTON CREATES SEPARATION BETWEEN THE MEN!
Gouldern pushes Newton up against a glass wall. He staggers, bleeding and groggy but lines up his shot anyway.
RUTHLESS INSPIRATION DROPKICK TO EDWARD NEWTON!
NO!
NEWTON ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY AND THE TELEBOOT SHATTERS THE MIRROR INSTEAD!
HERE COMES NEWTON!
NEVERMIND!
NEVERMIND THROUGH A FUCKING MIRROR!
MARK GOULDERN IS OUT!
THIS ONE IS OVER!
EDWARD NEWTON HAS WON!
The Riddler’s antics proved too much for Gouldern to stay on top of tonight. Edward Newton rules the House of Mirrors!
THE SECOND LETTER
SOMEWHERE ELSE
A pair of hands open a crisp white envelope, revealing a letter within that’s read in the narration of an old female voice.
My Dearest Son,
I wanted to write sooner but circumstances made that extremely difficult. I can’t explain because I’m certain these letters are screened before they’re dispatched.
Anyway, I hope you’re keeping well. I’ve been watching you. You look wonderful. You’ve grown up, haven’t you? You’re becoming an impressive man, I must say. I’m very proud of you.
When I first birthed you, I did it because your father wanted an army. He wanted a son that could take war to his enemies. Your daddy is a cruel and evil man. He was the biggest mistake of my life and when I realized that, not only was it too late, but I treated you similarly.
That ended up being the biggest mistake of my life, instead.
Your daddy wanted more sons, though you were too young to know it. All you kept seeing was your mommy with a big belly and wondering why. I couldn’t do it. After three miscarriages though, a breakthrough; your sister.
She was beautiful. The apple of mommy’s eye.
When I had your sister, the complications meant that I couldn’t have any more children. I had a different relationship with her. I treated her better. I discarded you and put all my energy into her.
I shouldn’t have.
Life was difficult for you growing up. Your daddy was an angry and overbearing man, who treated you like an animal. He wanted a warrior and in many ways, that’s what you’ve become.
I must go for now, but I’ll write again soon.
Lots of love,
Mom.
FUTURE RIPPLES
SOMEWHERE ELSE
As Sigil sifts through the wreckage of his collection, his understanding of not using the timepiece has never wavered.
It’s been over a week since his entire world was destroyed.
Suddenly, Flavo appears.
“You’ve learnt well,” he says wisely. “I’m impressed; we all are. The last person to be tethered to the time crystal often risked everything for his own selfish gains.”
Sigil, kneeling amongst the carnage, looks up at him.
“As a reward, I have a gift for you,” he says, clicking his fingers.
Suddenly, reality changes.
The Citadel is rebuilt.
Everything Sigil once collected has been returned.
The Collector stands, the shock palpable.
“Thank you,” he offers cautiously, understanding the power he stands beside.
Flavo nods, folding his arms.
“We must now discuss business. He who is also tethered to your crystal will come for it. He is already in Old School Wrestling, waiting for the right moment to strike.”
That surprises Sigil.
“I’m ready,” he announces. “When will I meet the Red Skull Order?”
With that, Flavo shakes his head.
“You won’t, not yet. Unfortunately, this battle will be a difficult one and it must consume your time. You’ll have to secure the crystal before you fight him so that he cannot use it. You’ll need to find an army.”
“I have one in Enigma,” Sigil suggests. “They’ll have my back.”
“No,” Flavo interrupts. “No, it isn’t enough. I’ve spoken to you about the dangers of going back in time and disrupting the past.”
Sigil tilts his head.
“But what you have to do next, may effect the future.”
Cut.
THE ELIMINATOR
ELIMINATION CHAMBER
Six men enter ten tons of twisted steel and malevolence to gain the chance for glory. Who will emerge a champion and who will leave with nothing but scars and failure?
The bell sounds as BEG and Banzan begin this contest, BEG furious that he has to be one of the first two entering as he pauses to complain to the referee for a moment, not noticing as Banzan rushes forward.
MAGGA…JUST MISSES!
That knee was mere inches away from knocking BEG out cold and eliminating him seconds into the match. BEG rolls away, trying to get some distance from the Mountain while Banzan stretches impassively into Horse stance before rushing forward, drilling an unsuspecting BEG with a stiff elbow to the jaw before grabbing him by the back of the head.
AND TOSSING HIM INTO THE STEEL CELL WALL!
BEG bounces off the steel mesh dazed and confused before he’s tossed overhead with a massive Belly to Belly Suplex. Green staggers up, trying to fight back with a few rights and lefts that Banzan barely registers, the Mountain drilling Green with a huge knee to the gut that doubles him over
DUKKA! BEG GETS SPIKED ON HIS HEAD WITH A HUGE SAITO SUPLEX!
Banzan quickly moves in for the first cover of this contest.
ONE
….
TWO
….
BEG JUST KICKS OUT
***BUZZZZ***
The next Chamber is open as Cryptkeeper officially enters into the match, ducking under a right hand from Banzan before delivering a powerful headbutt, rocking the Mountain for the first time in this contest. A vicious chop to the throat follows up before Cryptkeeper lifts Banzan up
BEDTIME STOR…NO! Banzan fights out with a double bellclap to the ears, disrupting Cryptkeeper’s equilibrium and forcing him to drop the Mountain. Both men begin to exchange heavy lefts and rights before Banzan unleashes with a hellacious Big Boot that simply stumbles Cryptkeeper back a few steps. The Keeper just shakes his head slowly,
CURSE OF THE…CRYPTKEEPER IS FLIPPED ONTO THE MAT!
Banzan slipped into the Dragon Style almost instantly as Cryptkeeper stumbles to his feet, trying for a headbutt that’s countered down onto Banzan’s knee before his throat is nearly crushed by a huge uppercut. The Keeper crashes to the mat,
LOW BLOW!
BEG takes advantage of Banzan’s change of focus with a dirty, although completely legal, move there as he grabs Banzan by the head, trying to drive him down to the mat with a Russian Legsweep, but Banzan rolls through. BEG rushes forward but gets tripped throat first onto the top rope, staggering on his feet as Banzan bounces off the ropes.
SAMUDYA! SHINING TRIANGLE!
Banzan has the hold locked in tight as BEG tries to valiantly reach for the ropes. He grabs hold of them, gripping tightly but there’s no rope breaks in this match, no safety for Green here as the hold is sinking in tighter and tighter with each passing moment. BEG tries to stand up but he can’t quite lift up the much heavier Mountain as Green’s hand raises high, looking like he’s about to be the first person eliminated in this match.
**BUZZZZ***
ROLLING NECK SNAP!
Red Death rushed out of his chamber, quickly breaking up the Samudya on BEG to save his only ally in this match. Death pulls Green up to his feet who’s breathing heavily before the pair begin to stomp a mudhole down on the Mountain. A stiff pair of kicks to the ribs follow before BEG holds Banzan up off the mat as Red Death rushes to the ropes,
DARKNESS FALLS! A massive Curbstomp drives Banzan into the mat but he no sooner delivers the stomp before he’s rushed from behind by the Keeper with a huge Boot to the back of the head.
Red Death stumbles forward as The Keeper tries to lift him up for the Bearhug but gets drilled by a snap swinging neckbreaker by BEG. Both men begin to revival the Cryptkeeper with massive stomps all over his body before he’s lifted up into the air and driven into the mat with a big Reverse DDT by BEG. Green points up to the turnbuckles as he motions for Death to climb up before BEG lifts Cryptkeeper up. BEG hoists The Keeper onto his shoulders in an electric chair as Red Death leaps off.
DESCEND TO ARKHAM! A SPIKE ELEVATED DOUBLE ARM DDT! The Keeper may well be out as Red Death and BEG stand tall in the middle of the ring, the countdown beginning to start once more as both men stand ready for the next entrant.
**BUZZZ***
Seesaw’s chamber opens but Mr Make Believe doesn’t exit, Red Death and BEG taunting the man who simply waggles his finger and points at Red Death’s empty chamber which begins to fill with smoke and fire as a small, robotic robin begins walking out,
SPITTING STEEL BLADES AT BOTH MEN IN THE RING WITH FORCE!
Red Death pushes BEG out of the way, allowing the blades to stick into the thick, heavy leather of his gauntlet before he tosses a Red Blade at the robot, exploding it upon impact. Death pulls the blades out of his gauntlet, tossing them away as he turns right into
SUPERFINE TURBINE BLAST!
Death is driven nearly through the canvas with that sickening spinebuster as Seesaw explodes into the match. He gets up off the mat right into an uppercut from BEG but an attempt at a Snap Suplex is met by Seesaw landing on his feet before a stiff kick to the face rocks BEG’s world before he’s lifted up onto Seesaw’s knee
AND ROCK A BYE’D FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT!
A sickening giggle passes Seesaw’s lips as The Mountain and the Keeper finally begin to stir to their feet, three monsterous figures staring down one another for a moment before they all rush in and start beating the living shit out of one another. A Triple Headbutt rocks all three men before Seesaw grabs both Banzan and the Keeper around the throat, trying for a double Chokeslam….
DOUBLE CHOKESLAM…ON SEESAW!
Both men shake their heads for a moment before turning back to their eternal fight with one another, exchanging heavy lefts and rights but they barely get a few in before BEG rushes from behind and clips both men’s knee out with a double chopblock. He then nods up high as Red Death is perched up high on one of the chambers, sizing up both men for a moment
BEFORE DIVING OFF WITH A MASSIVE CROSSBODY BLOCK!
Death takes down both monsters, rolling through as just like before, he’s standing tall with BEG and one entrant left to enter…Luke Storm.
**BUZZZ***
Luke Storm leaves his chamber, slowly walking around the ring as both Death and BEG stare him down before the three rush forward. Storm drills BEG with a stiff right hook but a hard headbutt sends him staggering back before a snap DDT spikes Storm into the mat. BEG shakes off the cobwebs, heading to the opposite corner as he begins to pull the turnbuckle covering off as Death begins to drill Storm with kick after kick to the exposed ribs, Death in an absolute frenzy here.
A final kick to the temple puts Storm down on the mat as BEG drops down, trying to lock in the Financial Crisis but Death pulls him up, fury in his eyes. Green is confused, trying to reason with Death who turns away
BEFORE SUPERKICKING BEG’S HEAD DAMN NEAR OFF!
Damn near foaming at the mouth, Death bends down, screaming in BEG’s half conscious ear
HE’S MINE!
Death gets to his feet in a fury,
LIGHTNING STRIKE!
The Superkick doesn’t put Death down but he’s spun 180 degrees right into the rushing freight train that is
MAGGA! The massive Knee from the Mountain absolutely knocks Red Death out cold as Banzan drops down for the cover
ONE
….
TWO
….
THREE!!!
Red Death has been eliminated.
The crowd goes wild for that first elimination but it’s not over yet as BEG stumbles to his feet, still groggy from that Superkick but not enough that he can’t dodge an onrushing Banzan who manages to run headfirst into the exposed turnbuckle. Banzan is stunned as BEG quickly slams him down onto the mat with a Reverse Russian Legsweep before locking on
THE FINANCIAL CRISIS! The crossface is locked in tight but Banzan is refusing to tap out, still finding the strength to fight through the hold and get to his feet but he’s dragged back down onto the mat by Luke Storm
WHO LOCKS IN AN ANKLE LOCK! Storm quickly heel hooks the leg as Banzan is being stretched from both ends, the Mountain is forced to tap out!
Banzan has been eliminated.
Both men get off the Mountain as they stare daggers at one another before rushing forward and pounding down on one another with hard lefts and rights. BEG drills Storm with a stiff headbutt before tossing him over his head with a quick Belly to Belly Suplex. Green grabs Storm from behind, possibly trying to lock in the Overdraft Fee but Storm manages to slip out, trying for another Lighting Strike. BEG catches the foot however, flipping Storm onto his back before catapulting him
RIGHT INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!
Storm hits the steel hard as Green rolls him up from behind.
ONE
…
TWO
….
KICKOUT! A hard one in fact as Storm kicks Green off him, Green stumbling right into
CURSE OF THE CRYPTKEEPER! The Keeper hits the European Uppercut out of nowhere as BEG is out cold, The Keeper falling into the cover
ONE
….
TWO
….
THREE!!!
BEG has been eliminated as the new Rewind Champion.
We are down to our final three in the Eliminator, Seesaw pulling himself up off the mat from the Double Chokeslam as he stares down the Cryptkeeper. Seesaw flashes a wicked grin before rushing forward, The Keeper just dodging a spear but finds the air taken from his lungs as it was a feint for Seesaw to unleash a rope around The Keeper’s neck.
REAL ACTION WOODY’S ROUNDUP! The Cryptkeeper’s head slams down onto the mat as Seesaw is quickly on him, pulling back both arms before pressing his large boot into the middle of the Keeper’s back
LOCKING IN THE STRETCH ARMSTRONG! The pain has to be immense as Seesaw pulls back with all his might but he’ll need as much strength as possible to make the Cryptkeeper tap out. Seesaw doesn’t get the chance to however as Luke Storm rushes in,
ROLLING NECK SNAP! The hold on Keeper is broken, a favor that’s repaid by a rake to the eye before Storm finds himself thrown across the ring,
BIG BOOT. THE BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND END. And Storm finds himself for a loop as he’s lifted up onto The Keeper’s shoulders, the Storyteller looking for the spiked ending but Storm doesn’t bump his head tonight, slipping out
LIGHTING STRIKE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! The Cryptkeeper staggers forward right into Seesaw’s clutches
TEETER TOTTER! That has to be it as Seesaw hooks both legs for the cover
ONE
…
TWO
…
THREE!!!
The Cryptkeeper has been eliminated as the new VHS Champion.
And then there were two. Hated rivals, and two men who went through a hellacious war only one week ago. One man will be the Double Feature Champion and one will be the World Champion. If it’s up to Luke Storm, he’ll retain his belt as he immediately rushes forward
LOW LIGHTING STRIKE! That nearly takes Seesaw’s head off as Luke rolls down for the cover
ONE
….
TWO
….
THRE…SEESAW KICKS OUT!
Storm can’t believe it as he gets to his feet, backing up for what will be his fourth successful Superkick of the night but he runs right into a
SUPERFINE TURBINE BLAST that drives him into the mat, Seesaw not letting go of Storm as he quickly pulls him back up onto his shoulders,
LIGHTING FAST TEETER TOOTER! Could this be it?
ONE
….
TWO
….
THR…LUKE STORM GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Seesaw can’t believe it for a moment, trying in vain to calm his emotions down before getting an idea. He waits for Storm to slowly get to his feet before grabbing a familiar doll from his pocket and tossing it to Storm..
STORM KICKS MAGIC MOLLY BACK INTO SEESAW
BLACK MIST! SEESAW’S FACE IS PURE BLACK!
LIGHTING STRIKE!
Another Superkick fells Seesaw but Storm doesn’t cover, instead looking up and nodding his head before slowly climbing up, first to the top rope and then perching on top of his chamber pod. Storm looks down but Seesaw is suddenly nowhere to be found, Storm looking all around before he turns right
INTO A FACE-FULL OF BLACK MIST! SEESAW SWALLOWED THE DAMN TOXIC MIST!
Luke is blinded once again, helpless on top of the pod as Seesaw climbs up too, lifting Storm up onto his shoulders as he looks for the end…
TEETER…..
DOWNPOUR!
Storm counters the DVD out of pure instinct as both men crash to the mat, Storm collapsing upon Seesaw as the referee counts
ONE
….
TWO
….
THREE!!!
Seesaw has been eliminated as the new Double Feature Champion. Luke Storm retains the OSW Heavyweight Championship
The Perfect Storm hits tonight as Luke Storm survives the hellacious Eliminator match to retain his Heavyweight Championship
MASTERMIND
RINGSIDE
Luke Storm has somehow done it.
Despite the amazing effort of SeeSaw, he’s walked out of this match the OSW World Champion!
But when he gets back to his feet and looks across the chamber, he see’s The Red Death stood before him. As the tension rises, Edward Newton storms down the ramp and towards the ring.
This is a waiting to explode.
“You did it, you retained your Championship,” he growls with searing approvable. “I’m impressed.”
Suddenly, Berkshire Elision Green enters the chamber, interrupting. He locks the Chamber behind him, placing the key directly into his pocket.
He coughs abruptly, standing before Newton with The Red Death and Luke Storm between them.
“I don’t mean to interrupt your little game, but I’ve had enough of you thinking you’re the puppet master around here,” Green aggressively says, slapping a pointed finger at this chest. “And it’s time you understood your place.”
Newton frowns, looking confused.
“You must’ve known there was a turncoat, Newton,” he continues. “You must’ve known that someone in Enigma was working for me.”
The Riddler nods in agreement.
“Well, it’s time you found out who.”
Suddenly, The Red Death strikes!
LEAPING KNEE TO THE FACE!!
THE FACE OF BERKSHIRE ELISON GREEN!
WHAT THE FUCK?
Everyone is absolutely stunned as Green’s nose bursts into a stream of red. He flies backwards, attacked by Death with fierce right and left hands. The Caped Crusader mounts him, viciously punching him in the face.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, BEG, but things haven’t quite worked out how you thought, have they?” Newton says as Storm watches on, still trying to figure things out. “The Red Death doesn’t work for you and he never did. He works for me. I wanted you to be in every place you were and he fed you exactly what I needed.”
Newton drops down into a squat as Death finally stops punching, turning to a strangle instead.
“You were a puppet, a pawn, a player in my game.”
Imperium storm the ring, Whitlock, X and Gouldern each trying to get inside the chamber.
Only Green locked it.
He was so confident Death was on his side that he locked himself in there with what he thought was an ally.
“And that is how Imperium lost this war to Enigma – whether it feels that way or not.”
Newton nods at Death who releases him. They turn back around, turning their attention to Luke Storm who’s also locked in there with them.
“You’re going to hand that Championship over to me, Luke,” Newton reminds him. “At CyberSLAM, I expect it delivered on a silver platter. Only then will I release Scarlett back to you.”
He steps forward.
“If you refuse, wangle, bargain or default, I’m going to let Death take his vengeance out on her.”
Storm looks shocked.
“Y-You wouldn’t,” he stammers.
Edward leans in.
“Don’t test me.”
The World Champion stares a hole through The Riddler as Imperium watch on from outside the Chamber. Whatever happens, Luke Storm has a decision to make next week at CyberSLAM.
What repercussions will there be from Imperium?
Will Death finally get the vengeance he seeks?
Cut.