TV #249 / “HALLOWED GROUND”

Click.

Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.

Cold open.

Sigil stands inside the middle of the ring, surrounded by the Old School Wrestling roster.

“They’re called The Terrors,” he announces bluntly. “And they’ve been brought here to stop me.”

Everyone listens intently to his surprising honesty.

“The first is called The Darkness and he’s the reason you’ve all been acting differently; he’s the reason why you feel a little less like yourselves these days.”

The Collector begins to pace.

“The second is called The Warped and unbeknownst to you, he’s been pitting us against one another in warped realities of different circumstances for months; you’ve just been unable to see it.”

Finally, he stops, making dead eye contact with Voynich.

“And right now, The Returned has brought back the horrors of our past to haunt us. They’ll kill each and every single one of you to stop me from getting to Black Skull. He knows I’m close and whilst I don’t expect any of you to understand my mission, this does effect you. You didn’t believe me before, but you’ve seen it now.”

The Best Kept Secret enters the ring under the bottom rope, acting almost as if he’s a representative for those outside the ring, listening to what Sigil has to say.

“You’re right, we didn’t believe you before,” Voynich admits. “But if we’re going to survive The Undead, we’re going to have to believe you now. The dead are here and they’re trying to kill us all; there’s no doubt about that.”

Sigil nods in agreement.

“At The Lost Tapes, we’re going to have to band together to stop them,” The Collector continues. “Or else, we’ll all die.”

Voynich looks around the faces at ringside and reluctantly nods.

“You have our support,” he says cautiously. “But if you’re lying to us, there’s a roster full of people here who’ll be out for your blood; not just me.”

Sigil nods.

Cut.

Albert Shaw is laid out on the mat.

His lips are bloodstained as everything the Guv’nor has goes into breathing. His nose is misshapen, and there are welts on his chest.

As if he’s paralyzed, he does not move, a certain terror in his eyes as the realization dawns on him that he is not in control of his actions. Unconsciousness threatens to take him as a gentle roar dawns on him.

But he can’t focus on that.

A true terror looms above him.

A demon.

The demon.

Sandman.

The Dream Demon leans over Shaw, his teeth threatening to swallow him whole. Even as the lights begin to grow dim around him, Albert Shaw begins to realize what’s happening.

It’s Invasion. And he is losing the World Championship to Sandman.

“I defeated you once before.” Sandman whispers in his ear as three booms echo in the background. “And I will do it again.”

As unconsciousness takes Shaw, Sandman has parting words for him.

“Exit light, Albert Shaw. You will not survive the night.”

Flash.

Albert Shaw is laying in his bed, a sheen of sweat on his brow. He pushes off the covers and sits up. The Guv’nor is pissed.

“Fucking Sandman.” He mutters, grabbing his smartphone off his nightstand. He checks the time.

0300.

Shaw opens up his alarm app and begins setting alarms for every 35 minutes.

“Cunt can’t get me if I don’t dream.”

As he is doing this, the former Champ seems to grow contemplative as the fog wears off.

“He’s going to do this to everyone. Hedging his bets.”

Shaw smiles as he lays back down.

“Makes things a lot easier for me. I only get stronger the more fucked up I am.”

Cut.

It’s a clash of styles and attitudes alike in this trios contest!

We start things off with Cael Gabel and Nigel Royal, putting on a quick technical clinic as Gable starts to get the upper hand with some chain wrestling…only for Royal to make an opening for himself with a thumb to the eye, followed by a snap suplex taking Gable down!

Nigel makes a quick tag to The Impaler, hoping to show a sense of trust as he aids Legion in beating down the fallen Olympian further before sending him to the ropes…but Gable gets a neckbreaker on Royal upon the rebound! Tag to Grimwolf…WHO GETS FLATTENED BY THE ADAM SMASHER!

Impaler goes for the cover but only gets a two count as Jessie breaks things up. The match breaks down into chaos after Knightlord gets a blind tag, a three on two brawl that ends with Impaler and Royal being sent over to the top rope and to the outside!

Jessie heads back to the corner as Grimwolf and Knightlord go at it, laying into each other with some hard blows before Knightlord pulls in the Horror of the Deep…BLOODY STREAM! Israel’s reeling back, Jessie gets a blind tag! Knightlord charges at the Prince…BOOYAH! Jessie covers him! ONE! TWO! THREE!

The powered Boomstick does the trick tonight, giving Pirate Gold and Jessie Williams a treat in the process!

The trios contest has come to a close, and mere moments after Pirate Gold and Jessie exit the ring, it begins shaking! Knightlord, Impaler, and Royal don’t get a chance to escape before the Forever Friends come crawling out from underneath…and they look famished.

But they’re not after the trio in the ring.

No, these Friends look to get reacquainted with the Slaughterhouse itself, causing a panic as they go after those in attendance!

This kickstarts Royal’s little alliance into action as they rush out of the ring, making a beeline for what remains of Ultimo, Chunk, and Magical Mike. This draws the ire of the hungry zombies, who turn their attention to their attackers!

The brawl that ensues is nearly a one-sided affair, with the strength of Kaine and The Impaler not quite stacking up against the sheer hunger and might of the Friends…when suddenly, Sir Renault comes running in!

He’s brought Lumos with him, and combined with the power and weaponry at the rest of their disposal, the quartet is able to drive these ghouls back.

With the undead trio backing down for the time being, the four men have a chance to regroup…but not a word is spoken as they look at each other.

In that moment, they realize that despite their differences, they have one thing in common at the moment…an enemy, and a starving one at that.

Cut.

Recorded Previously.

Breathless panting.

Luke Storm is running for his life. As he exits his family safehouse with Scarlett in his arms and his mother in tow, Nygma slams and crashes around inside the house, angrily searching for his escape.

They hop into a car as quickly as they can, just as Newton smashes through the nearest door and exits the house.

“COME BACK!” He yells furiously. “I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET, BROTHER!”

He chases towards the car as Storm speeds away. They exit the property and get out onto the road, driving as quickly as they can until they lose sight of Edward.

But they don’t stop.

“What the fuck is going on!?” Luke’s mom asks in a blind panic, shocking even him with her language. “That couldn’t have been my Eddy, not my Eddy…”

Luke looks at her, his eyes welling up with tears. He looks back in the rear-view at Scarlett, who somehow seems oblivious.

“It was him, ma,” he admits. “It was him. I don’t know how or why, but it’ll have something to do with OSW, that much I know for sure.”

She looks at him, halfway between disappointed and furious.

“I need you do the right thing, son.”

He doesn’t even hesitate.

“I didn’t always do the right thing by him when he was alive, but I’m going to in death,” he states matter of factly. “I can promise you that.”

Cut.

Tomorrow morning when the newspaper comes hot off the presses will the headline read “NEWS INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST TAKES DOWN CACKLING MADCAP” or “MR. MAKE BELIEVE MAKES A BELIEVER OUT OF REPORTER”?

Callihan rushes to SeeSaw and immediately hits him with clubbing forearms and a an overhand chop. SeeSaw cocks his head and begins to hysterically laugh before grabbing him by the neck and sending him into the turnbuckles – SLAPSTICK CLAPTRAP! – he pancakes Callihan with double forearms to the sides of his head! Callihan drops face first onto the mat.

SeeSaw immediately hops into the top turnbuckle with catlike agility, leaps into the air flapping his wings – FLIGHT OF THE ORNITHOPTER! No! Callihan moves but SeeSaw rolls through. He stands up and walks right into a Yakuza Kick – NEWSFLASH! He pulls SeeSaw in – RIGHT INTO A BREAKING STORY! Driving him down face first into the mat.

Callihan plays to the crowd before picking SeeSaw up, nope he drops down – SURPRISE! YOU’RE DEAD! both back on their feet Callihan paintbrushes SeeSaw with several overhand chops. SeeSaw retaliates with knife edge chops of his own. Callihan drops down and SeeSaw rains down with multiple fists to the head – JACK ATTACK! Callihan covers up and sweeps the guard and rolls on top of him, clubbing him with multiple hammerfists and elbows.

Back on their feet, SeeSaw runs at Callihan with a clothesline but it’s ducked. Callihan spins around with everything he’s got – THE BYLINE! NO! DUCKED! SeeSaw lifts him onto his shoulder and round and round they go… tipsy, tipsy, turvy…. THE BIG WHEEL! He drops Callihan with a vicious cutter! ONE… TWO… THREE!

BREAKING NEWS: Mr. Make Believe makes a believer out of Callihan!”

Bellator.

The Holy Warrior looks upon the leagues of undead plaguing the streets of New York from the safety of a bell tower. He overlooks it all, frowning as the zombified citizens shamble through the streets.

“You.”

Sanctus’ eyes go wide, the warrior looking behind himself as a zombified corpse climbs into the top of the tower. We’ve never seen him before, but it is clear that he knows Sanctus.

“You.”

Another voice chimes in, taking Sanctus off-guard as another mound lumbers into the bell tower from the railing! Then another. Then another! Five? Ten unknown corpses invade the tower, surrounding Sanctus with wicked intent.

“Who are you?” Bellator tries to keep a façade of bravery, but the odds are not in his favor and his voice wavers as he speaks.

“We are you,” one chimes in.

“The past, precursor to the present. We are here to judge, to choose.” The ten men speak in unison, chiming in one after the other.

“The present shall one day disappear.” They move in, Sanctus takes a fighting stance.

“And the future must take his place.” Sanctus strikes out! Superkick drops one of the mounds and sends the corpse over the railing!

“You have a new mask to wear.” The corpses leap at Sanctus, moving as though sharing one mind.

Sanctus strikes in a flurry of blows, fighting for his life as hands grab at him from every angle! While outnumbered his strikes land true, crumbling the aged corpses one by one!

Half of them are knocked over the railing.

The others fall in a heap around him.

Bellator collapses to his knees, breathing heavily, grasping at his mask, the gold-lined garments having been untied in the scuffle.

“What… what do you want?”

The Holy Warrior looks on at the zombies, their voices ringing out from their empty shells.

“You are the inheritor.”

We are left with that phrase hanging in the air as Sanctus tries to recover from what just occurred.

Meanwhile, looking on from a nearby rooftop, stands a familiar shape watching what just went on.

The Impaler.

Cut.

Previously Recorded.

With everything going on in the Slaughterhouse, one could be forgiven for having their mind off of other matters.

But not when you’re two minds on every subject.

Two-Face.

We find the Fractured stood in the shadows of a dark alley, somewhere in a crowded city block. Rain falls from the sky, and Two-Face is not that suspicious walking around in a dark coat with an umbrella.

His eyes are locked on the piece of paper given to him by Viper Roberts: A supposed clue to the whereabouts of Vivian Whitlock.

On the other side of the road from his vantage point, Two-Face can see what appears to be a residential apartment. All the windows have been blacked out and bars cover them.

This isn’t a good part of the city.

The numbers, illuminated by an external light, beside the door match those scrawled on the paper, and Two-Face slowly walks across the street to stand in front of it. This is where Viper Roberts has led him.

It’s either a dead end or it’s the answer to his queries.

As he ascends the stairs to the door, a glint of metal reveals something in his hand.

His coin.

With a sigh, he stares at it. Internally, his two minds are deciding which side denotes what.

Knock or not?

He flips it, letting the coin turn in the air before coming back down to land in his palm.

Heads.

His fist tightening around the coin, Two-Face slowly turns and walks away from the door. As he vanishes into the rain, the light by the door turns off.

But one has to wonder, which side of Two-Face chose which side of the coin?

Cut.

Organic and inorganic life clash in this unique triple threat encounter between a robot, an alien and a humble archaeologist.

Tenchu makes a calculation and decides 200 lbs of Austrian is a more pragmatic target than 500lbs of Carthian so The Metal Shadow makes a line for Best Kept Secret but the archaeologist is quick and ducks that attack…KNEEL!!!!! But not that one as Darklord almost decapitates the former World Champion with a Sparta Kick. No time for a breather, from the top ropes….THE HIDDEN BLADE!!!!

DENIED!!!! WARLORD’S HAND!!!! The Carthian makes scrap metal of Kodokushi! It’s an opening for Voynich and he lands a huge…HAMMERSTONE!!!! The Superman Punch rocks Darklord….ISHTAR GATE!!!!! The lariat takes The God King down. A cover…ONE….TWO…NO!!!! Tenchu makes the save.

The Odowara assassin drives a big metal elbow into Voynich’s face and Best Kept Secret’s nose oozes crimson. Kick to the gut from Tenchu….ODOWARA SENT!!!! DOUBLE UNDERHOOK REVERSE FACEBUSTER LANDS!!!! The robot has this won…ONE…..TWO……THREEEEE-

DARKLORD INTERVENES!!!! The match continues, the robot and the alien trade blows. But of nowhere, here comes Voynich…. STEREO EIGHTH WONDER!!!!! Voynich hooks the legs of Tenchu….ONE…..TWO……THREEEE!!!!

The former World Champion with a conquest of these two otherworldly beings.

We cut back to two weeks ago, SeeSaw gulping as he realises Rune is back from the grave.

“What do you want?” he spits at the zombie. “I put you out of your misery months ago.”

Rune laughs in a way that almost imitates the cackling we usually hear from SeeSaw.

“Well, I read a few theories about that…” he starts, before taking steps towards SeeSaw.

SeeSaw pulls the scissors from the ToyBox wall behind him and throws them back at Rune. They lodge deep into his leathery skin but they don’t stop him at all, almost as if he hasn’t even realised.

“This place,” Rune looks around the Toy Box. “This place is the stuff of dreams for people like me. Pages and pages on Reddit about exactly how the Toy Box is an omen of death for all those who step foot in it. You’ve killed them all, SeeSaw. Nobody has ever faced you here and lived to tell the tale.”

He stops just centimetres in front of SeeSaw and smirks.

“Could it be bloodmagic? Some sort of voodoo? Have you got magnets set up that slow people down so you get the advantage? Do you release toxic gas into the air that you’ve made yourself immune to? A lot of people would call those conspiracies. Not me.”

Rune punches another hole into the wall behind SeeSaw now.

“I’ve got another theory. I’m the first person to take on the Toy Box and live to do something about it. Kind of.”

Another maniacal laugh.

“That means I’m destined to do something about it. I’m here not just to pay you back for what you did to me, but to destroy the Toy Box completely.”

He walks back towards the giant hole in the ground and starts to lower himself back into it.

“And you’d better believe, SeeSaw, that this conspiracy is REAL!”

Cut.

In what looks like a dream house in the middle of the nightmare that is Hell’s Kitchen, Mordecai is sitting on the floor looking like he’s meditating. To those that know him, they know he’s protecting the realm we’ve all seen but have never consciously experienced.

In the real world, however; Jessie Williams barges through his front door.

He speaks frantically.

“Mordecai, where are you?”

Mordecai is startled and slowly stands up.

Annoyed, he states.

“Where I always am if I get the chance. What was so important you didn’t even give me a word of warning?”

Jessie takes a deep breath and answers.

“He’s back and now he’s after me again and probably you soon.”

Mordecai replies.

“Who? You’re acting paranoid.”

Jessie answers.

“Sandy Rogers, he visited me after tricking me into thinking one day would finally be good here.”

Mordecai acts shocked.

“It can’t be, are you sure it was him?”

Jessie nods fervently and replies.

“One hundred percent, if everything wasn’t so tangible, I’d assume it was a dream. In some ways, I’m still not sure it was real. You’re the god’s dreamcatcher afterall, can you tell me?”

Jessie explains the experience with Sandy in vivid detail to get the best answer out of Mordecai. Mordecai thinks. After pondering, he shakes his head no.

Jessie tilts his head in confusion.

Mordecai explains.

“It’s a no because I don’t have an answer. Sandman, for example, is easy to spot in the dream realm. He’s easy to catch and defeat in there but out here, he’s near impossible to overcome. Sandy is the opposite, he’s feeble and broken in our world but in dreams, he’s insidious and destructive. What you experienced was positive until the end and I’m not made aware of those types of dreams as they don’t seem like nightmares until far too late. Because of this, I simply don’t know if what you saw was real.”

Jessie shakes his head, he feels like he came here for nothing.

Mordecai responds out of concern.

“I’m sorry for not having an answer but as long as he’s not here, I can’t give you a definite fact. Let’s just hope it’s a dream.”

Jessie smacks him out of frustration.

“If it’s not, I don’t know whether to tell you or let you experience him first hand. It didn’t feel like any dream I’ve had before and if it’s reality, you better be prepared. I wasn’t at all.

Mordecai nods and replies.

“If anyone is prepared for it, it’s me. Dreams and those that interfere with them are all I know.”

Jessie nods then shakes his head.

“You weren’t ready for me coming into your house, how will you be ready for him? I came here looking for information and I got nothing, I hope you’re a lot better with action than you are with knowledge. You’ll need it. ”

Jessie storms off leaving Mordecai on his own to think.

Cut.

With the zombified sins of OSW’s past staring everyone in face Sigil and Sir Renault will need to put that aside to decide who’s better… if those sins will let them.

Sigil wanting to set the pace of the match Renault rushes him to start the match. The Fallen Holy Warrior puts his guard up and prepares to counter but Sigil has disappeared. Sigil reappears mid-air behind Renault going for a Finite Roundhouse Kick but CRACK!Renault pivots nailing the crook of his elbow into jaw of The Collector sending him tumbling.

Renault lifts the still dazed Sigil and goes to complete his Holy Trinity. German Suplex, quickly rolling into a Half-Nelson Suplex, looking to finish it with the Bridging Tiger Suplex, but The Collector escapes. CRUNCH! Landing on his feet and one fluid motion delivering a Merciful Chop to the neck that drops Sir Renault hard. Sigil quickly jumps to cover The Disperser of Light getting a close two count with Sir Renault causing a rope break.

Sigil picks Renault up but he counters with swift double axe handle to the sternum of Sigil. This doubles Sigil over. Renault stands up quickly and sets The Collector up for the Splash Mountain Bomb. THWIP! Sigil counters with a Hurricanrana sending Renault stumbling.

Sigil then executes a Cosmic Leap following up with a Finite Roundhouse Kick but instead if by divine intervention Sir Renault catches The Collector in mid-air back first on his shoulder. Renault yolks Sigil up in the Crucifix position. KABALM! The Last Crusader hits The Last Crusade on The Realm Walker stacking him up on his neck and shoulders to pick up the pinfall.

With an unholy war looming on the horizon the holy focus of Sir Renault over comes The Realm Walker on this night.

Fresh off of his triple threat earlier, we find Darklord entering a backstage room. The room is dark, but a large form stands in the center of it.

Leif Helvig.

“Finally,” Darklord says to the unconcerned Helvig. “I summoned you weeks ago.”

Helvig snorts.

“There are none that summon me, Carthian.” He growls, stepping to look up at Darklord. “Nor are there any that command me do anything. None save myself.”

“That is plainly obvious.” The Carthian responds. “Your thirst for vengeful blood has clouded and destroyed the search for the means by which you were held.”

Helvig takes a step back, rage in his eyes.

“You dare levy that accusation at me?” He says after a moment. “As I said, I claim my kills. Yet you and the monk don’t seem to believe me.”

“Why should we?” Darklord says. “Your trustworthiness is only built on your own word. That man imprisoned you, stripped you of your power. It’s natural that you wanted revenge…”

“Revenge?” Helvig cuts in. “I did not crave simple revenge. I would have bathed in his blood, subjecting him to the same feeling of helplessness he placed upon me. There would not have been a moment that his agony would not have been felt even to your homeworld.”

Shaking his head, Helvig continues.

“I would not have killed him quickly and denied it. You wished to form an alliance to uncover this power, to find out the strength of the powers on this planet. But instead we are both in the same boat.”

“No leads. No answers. Nothing.”

Helvig moves to lead, but Darklord blocks his path.

“I still do not believe you.” He begins. “Something is not right here. And I will uncover the truth.”

Leif Helvig snorts and pushes out the door past him.

Cut.

Can Deathnote make The Slaughterhouse a nightmare for the Gatekeeper of Dreams?

Straight out of the blocks, Deathnote with a running knee…SIT DOWN CUNT!!! Mordecai counters with a brutal big boot to the chops!!! Mordecai peels Deathnote off the canvas, lifts the scribe with a military press…AND PANCAKES THE AUTHOR WITH THE REALITY CHECK!!!!

Hook of the legs by Mordecai….ONE…TWO…SHOULDER UP!!! Mordecai is in total control, Deathnote is lifted into a headlock…REVERSAL!!! Back drop suplex from ‘Note turns the momentum!!! From the top rope the New God….KISS OF DEATH DOUBLE FOOT STOMP!!! CAUGHT IT FLUSH….ONE….TWO…THREE…NO!!! KICKOUT ON 2.99999!!!

Deathnote shows supernatural strength to drag Mordecai back to a vertical base...’NOTE IS GOING TO TURN ANOTHER PAGE IN HIS BOOK!!! NO!!! BLOCKED!!! AND NEUROSIS….NO!!!! The New God squirms free!!! But a snap forearm smash from the Gatekeeper staggers the Author!!! That is Mordecai’s opening….FALSE AWAKENING….MORDECAI GAVE THAT EVERYTHING!!!

Both fighters are down and need the recovery. They scramble back to their feet, both using the ropes. There is a moment in which they pause to size one another up…SIMULTANEOUS CHARGE!!! SIMULTANEOUS YAKUZA KICK!!! THEY BOTH CONNECT!!! As they collapse, Deathnote lands on top of Mordecai….ONE….TWO….THREE!!!!

Deathnote writes his own destiny and tonight he put another mark in the W column!!!

Parchments, papers scattered about a small room. Israel Grimwolf has an ancient looking map, open on the table in front of where he and Cael Gable stand. The Captain paws at the map, pointing to a section of the map that has a series of scrawled writing and drawings scribbled across it.

“Somewhere in here, but nobody has ever found…”

Cael Gable stops him, grabbing him by the shoulder.

“What are we looking for?”

Grimwolf’s mouth opens, but before he can speak a scraping sound catches his attention. Scraping that draws closer, then stops just outside the door. A dripping sound, like a wet towel being wrung out precedes the bone-chilling rattle as the handle of the door itself is shaken. Gable and Grimwolf turn to face the door just as it is imploded off its hinges.

BOOM!

A cloud of dust and debris, and in step the two zombified crewmen – dead set on continuing right where they left off. Grimwolf holds his hands up with a mischievous and albeit apologetic grin on his face.

“Parley?”

The crack of waterlogged knuckles are the only response, as one of the crewmen, covered in coral, limpets and starfish extends his hand. Grabbing Grimwolf by its own hand, it forces his hand open and places its thumb against Grimwolf’s palm.

“The captain supposed to go down with ‘is ship. Black spot mark all ye who abandon ‘em crew.”

Without a word, the second crewman does the same to an unsuspecting Cael Gable, who is still trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

When the zombified thumbs are removed from the hands, a black spot remains. Israel freezes, but Gable leaps into action.

“Give me that…”

He grabs Grimwolf’s rapier from its holster and swipes at the closest crewman. The slice is clean and lops its arm clean off. It flops to the ground like a wet fish, flopping about on the floorboards for a few moments before falling still. Not so much as a grunt of recognition or pain from the zombified crewman though.

Instead, a tentacle begins to form at the nub where the arm had been cut. Gable eyeballs Grimwolf, and they both utter the same word at the same time.

“Run…”

The zombies will not stop until they get the revenge they seek. Sooner or later, Pirate Gold will have to stop running and stand to fight their relentless foe.

Cut.

“One two three four! Two heads rolling on Wonderland’s floor!”

The voice of Sweet Alice’s zombified form rings out. She’s sickeningly upbeat, her mind gone to rot just like her body.

We see her skipping through the remains of the Ice Queen’s castle, the very same place where she met her demise. Before her, placed in two guillotines, are Banzan and Pyre. Both appear tired and weak, having been pursued relentlessly since Alice reappeared, finally captured after a week of running.

“Alice! Let us go!” Banzan pleads, struggling against his bindings.

“Aw, and end the story? I don’t like that idea very much at all!” She giggles, watching as her zombified friends join the makeshift courtroom. She looks in her book, mockingly placing a finger to her lips. “Nope! That definitely doesn’t look like the ending in my book.”

Her giggling is interrupted by Pyre’s struggling, the Red Queen having been drenched in water over and over, unable to spark even a single flame.

“Fuck you, bitch! Wonderland is mine!” She yells, the fire inside of her unyielding.

“Was yours, Queenie. But me and my friends… we decided we wanted it back!” She giggles maniacally, skipping up to Pyre and placing a hand on the lever of the guillotine. “Any last words?”

“NO!” Banzan yells out, reaching deep inside of himself, a supernatural glow emanating from him as he snaps his restraints! The zombies of Wonderland try to attack but Banzan breaks the guillotine and shoves it forward! He rushes forward!

MAGGA TO ALICE! KINSHASA TAKES HER HEAD OFF!

LITERALLY!

ALICE’S HEAD ROLLS ACROSS THE FLOOR AND HER BODY STUMBLES BACKWARDS!

Banzan looks on in shock for a moment, taking in what he had just done when Pyre finally shouts at him!

“Get me out of here!”

The Mountain looks at her for a moment, considering his options… before relenting, breaking her straps. “We are not allies, Pyre. But I cannot leave you to die.”

He speaks calmly, turning to face the horde of zombies, Pyre quickly making her own escape! The Fire Bitch plays it smart as she rushes through the door, Banzan following suite as the horde moves in!

As for Alice! The girl’s corpse bunny hops over to her head, picking it up and placing it upon her shoulders once more.

Tears of blood and anger dripping down her cheeks.

Who’ll walk away with the Rewind Championship – the man haunted by the ghosts of his past, or the Mountain who has stood since time began!?

Corvus dodges a savate kick by Banzan, before trying to chop the Mountain down with the edge of his hand! Banzan grabs and twists it, though, squeezing Corvus’ fingers and bringing him to his knees. The monk yeets the assassin into the ropes… BIIIG BACK BODY DROP, followed by a tree-trunk leg drop! ONE… TWO… KICKOUT!

The spiritual warrior pulls Corvus up. Waistlock… SAITO SUPLE—NO! Suffering Exists, but Corvus escapes DUKKHA! The Buddhist spins round… Throat thrust, palm strike, jumping elbow – MURDER OF BLOWS! Banzan reels, until a dropkick to the knee fells him like a redwood! The CUT-THROAT Crow DRIVES him with the spike hurricanrana! ONE… TWO… KICKOUT!

The Hidden Blade stalks his target as he gets up… BLACK HAND’S BLA—DENIED! Banzan throws Corvus off, avoiding the cutter. He stampedes towards him… But Corvus pulls the top rope down! Banzan crashes to the floor. Corvus bides his time… PLANCH—CAUGHT! SAITO SUPLEX ON THE CONCRETE – DUKKHA+! There’s no countouts, however, so Banzan rolls him back in.

ONE… TWO… ROPE BREAK! Indestructible Mountain doesn’t break; he’ll crack Corvus instead. He jerks him to his feet and rears back… TIGER CLA—CORVUS KICK! The contract-killer ducks the five-point palm strike and rocks him with a Pelé kick! BLACK HAND’S BLADE! Corvus topples Banzan with the RKO! ONE… TWO… THREE!!!

A derelict church.

Since the Gods perished, Church’s have been widely abandoned by the masses. With no God’s left to pray or worship, people no longer frequent them.

Inside this one, Sir Renault stands amongst the cobwebs, reading a bible at the altar.

Suddenly, the large wooden entrance door creaks open, causing Renault to look ominously over his shoulder.

“I thought you’d come, heathen,” he sneers.

Renault turns to face the door, looking at Phineas Moody who now stands there.

“You wanted to look into the eyes of God’s warrior,” The Last Crusader growls. “Step inside God’s house and peer, if you dare.”

Phineas doesn’t move, he just chuckles.

“But you cannot, can you?” He beckons. “A demon cannot step over the threshold.”

Flash.

Moody is gone.

A gust of wind sends the doors slamming shut in his wake, leaving Renault with a weird cackle.

The Last Crusader turns back around to the bible.

THE DAZZLING, EXCITING, EXTRAORDINARY MR. MOODY!

BULLHAMMER TO SIR RENAULT!

THAT ALMOST TOOK HIS FUCKING FACE OFF!

As he goes down, Moody laughs raucously.

“You know not what you face,” he sneers, standing over him. “But I will show you.”

Renault rolls over on the floor, looking up at Moody.

“Crucifixion,” he mutters. “I dare you to defy the Lord.”

The Freakshow laughs manically.

Flash.

And he’s gone.

“Dare accepted,” is the reply in whisper.

Cut.

We are backstage in the divided locker room of Two-Face, who clearly managed to escape the clutches of Scrimshaw. He is in his locker room, flipping his coin as he prepares for his match.

Suddenly there is a commotion outside his locker room door. Two-Face grabs a gun he keeps on hand and turns towards the door. Suddenly one of his goons bursts through the door!

“Boss! He’s here! He’s back!”

Two-Face growns in frustration.

“We know he’s back, you moron. Get back out there and stop him!”

The goon has a terrified look on his face but chooses to obey and runs back out the door. It’s not long before the goon flies through the door once again, this time completely lifeless.

“Just get in here, you undead asshole. We don’t have the time to deal with you.”

Scrimshaw saunters through the door, dragging a dead goon with him before throwing him at Two-Face’s feet.

“I see you haven’t changed.”

“There is a lot about us that has.”

Two-Face points to the scarred side of his face.

“No, that’s just your true nature come to the surface.”

Scrimshaw goes to charge at Two-Face, but stops as the gun is pointed at him.

“We’ve got no time for you, Old Man. Whatever the hell brought you back, you can go back up that mast you hung from.”

“Don’t you worry, once you can take my place!”

Scrimshaw dodges a wild gun shot from Two-Face but Two-Face was prepared. He ducks out of a second door and slams it shut. He uses his weight as more of his goons come to barricade it shut.

“Make sure to get the other door. We don’t need him causing problems tonight.”

More goons run around the hall to make sure that Scrimshaw is locked away as Two-Face heads towards the ring for his match.

“We will deal with him next week.”

Cut

Will the Double Feature title go to the man with two faces, or stay with the lightning bolt that strikes twice!?

Luke asks if he can borrow Two-Face’s coin. The latter obliges, and Storm tosses it. He smiles at the result… LIGHTNING—CHOPBLOCK! Two-Face telegraphs the superkick, cutting Hollywood down. He drags the bad Mother fucker to the ropes, where he hops up, then drops his full weight on Luke’s knee three times!

Two-Face pulls him into the middle, looking for a submission. Storm, however, kicks him onto his back. Both men scramble to their feet… DOWNPOUR Codebreaker by Hollywood! Two-Face snaps back into the mat. Luke slowly climbs the top rope – you know what’s next! THUNDERRR MOONSAULT… BUT TWO-FACE GETS HIS KNEES UP! Storm clutches his ribs and writhes in agony.

Grabbing Luke’s leg, Two-Face drives his kneecap into the canvas. He’s removing the deadly Lightning Strike superkick from his arsenal! The burned politician spins round the damaged limb – FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK! Storm howls in pain, but will he submit!? He scratches and claws his way towards the ropes… PINKY FINGER ROPE BREAK!

Having Storm right where he wants him, Two-Face waits for him to hobble his way to his feet… Sister Abigail, AKA HEADS OR TAILS! Wait – Luke breaks free! GALE FOR—NO! Hollywood escapes the stunner! We’ve a stalemate, and this match is anyone’s for the taking! GALE FORCE STUNNER BY STORM! ONE… TWO… THREE!!!

“Simon.”

With a start, Simon’s eyes open. He heaves his body up. There’s a swirling mishmash of grey fluttering about him.

“Simon.”

The voice calling seems vaguely familiar to the Taskmaster as he rises up to his feet, methodically taking stock of his surroundings.

“I’m dreaming.” He says, a tight grin on his face.

“Simon,” the familiar voice calls. “You’ve been dead for years.”

“Sandman!” Simon calls in response. “End this tomfoolery and face me head on.”

Nothing.

Simon walks in a circle, the swirl moving to leave him in the same place.

“Simon.” The familiar voice says once again.

“Born at Ring of Dreams.”

It was the voice of Deathnote, from the moment where he brought Simon back to life.

For his part, the Taskmaster is not falling for the trick as he walks for the grey swirl.

“Simon.”

This time, it’s not Deathnote.

It’s the Sandman.

The swirling grey reveals itself to be multiple colors as it all seems to come together to form the body of the Dream Demon.

“You have felt it, have you not?” Sandman asks. “The blood rushing through your veins, the sign of your mortality. It’s given you a strength and focus that you did not have before.”

“What do you want?” Simon asks.

“You know what I want.” Sandman responds. “It’s the same thing we all want. But only one of us can have it.”

“You’re suggesting an alliance?” Simon scoffs. “This is not a new game for you, Sandman. When the night comes, you plan to be the only one who wakes up.”

Sandman nods.

“Who would you rather align yourself with, Simon? The one who willingly boasts of their impeding betrayal? Or the man who can be bought by any who can meet his price? Or perhaps the snake that threatens to strangle you from behind at any moment?”

He pauses.

“Hedge your bets, Taskmaster. Give yourself a fighting chance when you enter night. Perhaps I will even let you die quickly.”

Flash.

Simon wakes up. He shakes out the cobwebs. He has a shot at the Tag Team titles later.

And he’ll need all his focus for that.

Cut.

Somewhere Else.

CXDY sits in a pitch-black room, head between his legs as he sits in his chair. He’s clearly not doing so well, and that feeling only gets worse when Corvus enters.

“Relax,” he suggests. “This entire compound is secured. If he comes, he’ll trigger the sensors and we’ll know.”

CXDY looks up, his eyes drenched with tears.

“I don’t understand it,” he says solemnly. “Why does he want to kill me? I’m doing my best to honour him. I came after you, I’ve-”

“You expect reason from the undead?” Corvus interrupts.

That kind of puts things into perspective for Williams.

“You’re the reason we’re in this fucking mess,” he says, standing up angrily. “You fucking killed my best friend!”

“Then I saved your life,” Corvus interrupts for a second time. “Do you remember that? If you don’t want my protection, step outside, and take your chances. I don’t care if you live or die, Cody.”

The Reflection thinks about it for a moment, then walks towards the door – bravely, if not stupidly.

“I shouldn’t have come,” he says shamefully. “I turned to the man who killed my best friend for help; is it any surprise he wants revenge on me too? I betrayed him.”

He turns the handle and is about to leave when a thought strikes him.

“I hope he kills you, Crow,” CXDY says sternly. “But either way, I’ll be at Lost Tapes to see what happens.”

CXDY storms out, slamming the door behind him.

Cut.

There’s no love lost between these teams tonight as history looks to write another chapter. Simon and Albert Shaw look to take the gold away from those Bad Mother Fuckers. Can they accomplish their goal?

The match starts with Pyre and Shaw squaring off, Shaw gaining the early advantage with an elbow to the side of the head that staggers Pyre. SWINGING NECKBREAKER TAKES DOWN PYRE! But Alby receives a foot to the skull for his troubles when he tries to take advantage of the opportunity.

Pyre is up to her feet in a flash. WHEEL KICK FROM PYRE CLOCKS ALBY RIGHT IN THE JAW! He’s falls back upon the ropes and Simon takes the opportunity to tag himself in. With Pyre still going after Shaw, Simon slinks inside the ropes. CATALAN OPENING! PYRE IS DOWN!

Simon scoops Pyre up off the canvas and pulls her to her feet. SIMONPLEX… NO! Zero inserts himself into proceedings and flips both Simon and Pyre up over the ropes. Albert Shaw protests the presence of Zero, but when the official’s back is turned, ZERO LEAPS OVER THE ROPES! FLYING BIONIC ELBOW STRIKE TO THE SKULL OF SIMON AT RINGSIDE!

Zero rolls Simon back into the ring, and takes to his own corner once more. Pyre follows Simon into the ring and hooks his leg for the pinfall! ONE… TW-NO! SHOULDER UP! Pyre tags in Zero, and moments later, Simon tags in Alby! FIREWALL TAKES DOWN ALBERT SHAW! HE NEVER SAW IT COMING! PUNK CITY KILLER! THE PINFALL THIS TIME! ONE… TWO… THREE!

Those Bad Mother Fuckers prove why they hold those belts another week and stand tall tonight!

A bright flash of lights snaps Viper Roberts out of some kind of reverie. The Head Snake looks around him, realizing that he has the World Championship and is standing in some sort of wall of lights. The surround him, pushing in with their blinding power.

And before him stands the Sandman.

“I’m disappointed.” Roberts says. “No tricks?”

“You don’t often sleep, Snake.” Sandman replies. “You seem to know the target on your back.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t see the one on yours.” Viper snaps back. “Or did you need to find a place where you could escape the gaze of Luke Storm?”

Sandman grins his disgusting grin.

“Not quite.” He begins. “You see, I refuse to dismiss your intellect, or your capacity for forward planning. No, Viper Roberts, I have come to ensure that we have a fair fight.”

“Fair is a matter of perspective.” Vipers coolly says. “You are a Demon who controls dreams. I am control snakes, near and far. We are on your turf now, Sandman. What will you do with me?”

“Are we?” Sandman responds.

The blinding lights around them slowly convalesce into the Slaughterhouse. Roberts, now dressed in his wrestling gear, looks impressed at the illusion.

“Are you going to haunt my dreams with your imaginary victories.”

The Dream Demon ignores the question, gesturing towards the OSW Championship instead.

“That’s mine.” He says.

Roberts smiles.

“Is it?” The Head Snakes pats the strap. “I don’t recall that.”

“You will.” Sandman says as he approaches, the crowd clearly roaring behind him.

Viper raises an eyebrow, realization suddenly flooding him.

He’s no longer in a dream. This is real fucking life.

And that’s the real Dream Demon throwing a fist at his face.

Viper Roberts is knocked backwards by the force of Sandman’s shot as a referee enters the ring.

Sandman has kept Roberts asleep until he could get him in the ring.

This World Championship match is happening

RIGHT.

FUCKING.

NOW.

The match has begun but Viper is already at a disadvantage!

CRACK!

A big right hand from Sandman smacks right into Viper’s jaw as the King Snake tries to get his bearings! But Sandman won’t let up as he lays into him with a barrage of lefts and rights that shake his body with every blow!

HEADBUTT TO VIPER! THE SNAKE GETS SEATED IN THE FUCKING TURNBUCKLE AND SANDMAN CONTINUES TO RAIN DOWN ON HIM WITH BOOT AFTER BOOT!

The champ can’t even defend himself! Sandman’s trying to kill him with his assault! The Dream Demon reaches down, grabbing one of Viper’s legs!

AND HE FLINGS HIM FROM THE CORNER ACROSS THE RING! VIPER BOUNCES PAINFULLY ACROSS THE CANVAS!

Sandman stomps towards Roberts with vile thoughts on his mind! Blood pours from Viper’s mouth as he tries to get to his feet!

SNAKE OIL! A MIXTURE OF BLOOD AND THAT VENOM SPRAYS INTO SANDMAN’S EYES! THE DREAM DEMON IS BLINDED!

SNAKEBITE! VIPER LEAPS UP WITH THE WRAP AROUND NECKBREAKER! SANDMAN’S NECK SNAPS BACK FROM THAT MOVE!

Viper covers!

ONE!- NO!

WHAT!?

NOT EVEN A ONE COUNT!?

Roberts gets thrown away with impunity and Sandman sits up in the ring! He gets to his feet as Viper scrambles to stand, fighting for his life! Sandman rushes across the ring!

CLOTHESLINE!

TO THE REFEREE?

VIPER JUST PUSHED THE REFEREE INTO THE WAY OF THE CLOTHESLINE AND IT TOOK HIS HEAD OFF!

Sandman just demolished the referee!

LOW BLOW! VIPER HITS THE LOW BLOW ON SANDMAN! HE FLOATS OVER AND FOLLOWS UP WITH THE ODE TO THE SNAKE! DDT!

Roberts finally, finally has time to breathe as he crawls to the corner, blood dripping from his lip as he rests. He looks out to the crowd, letting out a hissing whistle! Blood sprays the air and in moments snakes begin to join the ringside! The cult members have surrounded the ring and turned this into an impromptu lumberjack match!

The referee is dragged from the ring and throw into the barricade to keep him down as the snakes invade the ring!

SANDMAN IS UP TO HIS FEET! HE SWINGS WILDLY INTO THE CROWD OF SNAKES! THE CULTISTS GO DOWN ONE BY ONE BUT FOR EVERY ONE HE TAKES DOWN ANOTHER TAKES THEIR PLACE!

CHAIR SHOT! VIPER GOT TOSSED A CHAIR AND LAID IT INTO THE BACK OF SANDMAN’S SKULL!

CHAIR SHOT!

CHAIR SHOT!

CHAIR SHOT!

THE DREAM DEMON HAS BEEN BEATEN DOWN TO THE MAT! THE SNAKES ARE LAYING INTO HIM WITH AS MANY STOMPS AND STRIKES AS THEY CAN!

The crowd stomps a fucking mudhole into the former champion! He can’t stand, he can’t defend himself! Eventually, after what seems like an hour of assault, Viper shouts to his snakes!

“Grab him!”

They listen without a second though, two snakes grabbing either arm and hauling Sandman to his knees! Viper smiles a sickening, twisted smile as he pulls that belt from around his waist!

No.

Sandman can’t even defend himself!

VIPER STARTS TANNING HIS HIDE! STRIKE AFTER STRIKE FROM THE BELT LEAVE WELTS UPON SANDMAN’S BACK! THE DREAM DEMON IS GETTING LASHED RELENTLESSLY!

SAND!

RED SAND! SANDMAN LET OUT A CLOUD OF RED SAND THAT COVERS THE SNAKES!

They let go of Sandman and stumble, the whole crowd shaking their heads! Then, they look at one another, they look at Viper.

And all they have in their eyes is pure, unadulterated, rage.

THE SNAKES BEGIN TO ATTACK ONE ANOTHER! THEY EVEN STRIKE BACK AGAINST VIPER! THE KING SNAKE IS CAUGHT COMPLETELY OFF-GUARD AS HIS FOLLOWERS ATTACK HIM!

OH!

OH MY GOD!

BLOOD SPILLS AS VIPER’S FOLLOWERS BITE AND CLAW AT HIM, RENDING HIS FLESH! THE HEAD SNAKE FIGHTS THEM OFF AND SLIDES OUT OF THE RING!

Meanwhile the snakes inside strike at one another! The fight spills outside and the group battles towards the backstage, leaving us with the two competitors alone once again! Viper looks around!

But Sandman is nowhere to be seen.

He slides back into the ring, belt still in hand. Where could Sandman have gone?

DARKNESS!

THE LIGHTS COME UP AND SANDMAN IS BEHIND VIPER! ROBERTS TURNS AROUND AND GETS GOOZLED! TO SAND! TO SAND! THE CHOKESLAM PLANTS HIM IN THE GROUND!

But Sandman isn’t done! He peels Viper off the ground by his hair!

POWERBOMB! SANDMAN SHAKES THE FUCKING RING WITH A MASSIVE POWERBOMB FROM HELL!

The monster looks to ringside and rolls out, grabbing the referee and shaking him awake before forcing him back into the ring!

BUT VIPER IS BACK UP! THE HEAD SNAKE LEAPS AT HIM! SNAKEBITE! DESPERATION SNAKEBITE-

NO!

SANDMAN PUSHES HIM AWAY! FORTY WINKS! THUMBS TO BOTH EYES AND VIPER SCREAMS IN AGONY!

CAN HE HOLD ON?

SNAKE OIL! TO THE EYES ONCE MORE!

SANDMAN IS FORCED TO LET GO! ROBERTS TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY! SNAKEBITE! ANOTHER WRAP AROUND NECKBREAKER! HE COVERS!

ONE!

…

…

TWO!

…

…

THREE!

Viper Roberts has once again retained his title! He hoists the belt above his head, quickly vacating the ring as Sandman begins to stir at his feet!

An unlikely couple.

A very unusual pairing.

Sigil and Voynich – formerly known as The Collector’s Edition are best friends turned sworn enemies and right now, they’re standing in the middle of a Graveyard, digging.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Voynich grumbles angrily. “This isn’t right.”

“We need to know,” Sigil replies breathlessly.

They’re pouring dirt out of an unmarked grave, tossing it aside.

Finally, they get to the casket.

With a few powerful slams, they break it open – backing up to see if what they expected to be there, is… or isn’t.

“Looking for someone?” A voice says ominously from above them.

It’s DARBY SORROW!

AND HE’S NOT ALONE! MALICE IS ALONGSIDE HIM!

They both dive into the grave, only Sigil manages to pull Voynich into a portal and they both disappear.

Landing on the floor of Voynich’s apartment, Sigil angrily slams his fists down on the floor.

“I fucking knew it,” he roars. “They’re both back and they’re coming for us.”

Voynich gets back to his feet, shaking his head.

“You did this,” he barks back angrily. “You killed them both and now they’re back from the dead and I have to save your ass. That’s the last thing I want to do.”
Sigil rises to meet him, the pair going nose to nose.

“You’re saving your own ass too, don’t you forget,” he reminds him. “You need me just as much as I need you.”

They stare each other down.

Cut.