IMMOVABLE OBJECT
FLASHFORWARD
“What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object?”
[He bends down, looking at Newton who can barely see straight.]“Isn’t that what you asked me, Riddler?”
[Edward tries to speak, but nothing comes out; just blood. There’s internal injuries here and the Riddler is in trouble.] [The Scarecrow stands, grinning.] [Then his boot comes down.] [Crunch.] [Click.]ADAM EVE VS. DEATH ROW
SINGLES MATCH
WHATEVER IT TAKES
BACKSTAGE
“I was wrong about you, Mr. Gable.”
[Gable raises an eyebrow in curiosity.]“Oh? How so?”
[The Sharkman leans in.]“I said you were a coward. That you didn’t have what it took to be a hero. Well… I was wrong. After what you did at Invasion, I have no doubt that you’re willing to do what it takes. To step up and do the right thing.”
[Gable nods firmly.]“Thanks, Sharkman. I can see that you aren’t just a fancy costume either. You’re a man that stands behind his words, and that tells me all I need to know.”
[Sharkman nods this time.]“I didn’t just come here to say you’ve earned my respect.” [says the Sharkman.] “I wanted to offer you another shot at Into The Badlands at the title. What do you say?”
[Gable cracks a big smile and puts out his hand for a shake.]“I say I’ll see you in three weeks!”
[They shake and Gable makes his exit. Sharkman stands there for a moment longer. He looks down at his hand.]“I hope he washed this time.”
[And the Sharkman makes his exit. But the scene doesn’t cut. After a short moment, a man steps from a cracked door. It is the leader of Law’s goons. He pulls his phone out and makes a call…]“Let him know that they are both here.”
[The voice on the other end talks.]“Yeah, Law wants us to go in a different direction with them…”
“Whatever it takes.”
JACKSON GRANT FITZGERALD VS. CAEL GABLE
SINGLES MATCH
THE DARKNESS WITHIN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“That won’t help,” [says a voice that startles Bruce. He quickly stands up, only he comes face to face with Mike Lane – The Shadow.] “But I know what will.”
“You did this to me,” [Bruce interrupts angrily.] “You put Sleep inside my head and now I can’t rest. He’s banging against the walls inside my brain, refusing to die.”
[Lane folds his arms.] “There’s always been a darkness in you, Bruce. That’s why you touched the rune. This isn’t my fault and this isn’t your fault. It’s destiny and you need to learn to control it.” [The Shadow rolls up his sleeves to reveal black veins stretching the length of his arm.] [They disappear.]“You see?” [He asks.] “It’s just like that. Sleep will be a valuable ally in the war to come. Injustice are coming and when they do, you must be able to tap into Dr. Sleep and use him for the greater good.”
[Just then, the sound of a window smashing can be heard clearly – accompanied by a thud. Before you know it, the entire room is ablaze! The Molotov Cocktail immediately lights everything up, and Bruce barely manages to escape towards Mike Lane before being set on fire.] [They rush outside the house, watching as a black van screams away in the distance – the same van Hysteria drove”“It was them,” [Bruce says breathlessly.] “Hysteria, No Face and Newton. I’d recognize that van anywhere.”
[Bruce turns around to see his home ablaze.]“Endure it, Bruce. Endure.”
[Cut.]SMILEY VS. THE SHARKMAN
SUBMISSION MATCH
It’s Killer vs. Champion today as the two former teammates square off. Will the Sharkman Special conqueror Smiley or will the Shark get caught in a Glasgow Smile?] [Here we go! Smiley and Shark lock up, but Smiley hits a knee to the gut followed by a HEADBUTT that sends Sharkman against the ropes. Smiley grabs hold of him and sends him off with an Irish whip, Shark comes running back and flies with a RUNNING DROPKICK drop-kick, but Smiley DODGES and Shark crashes into the mat. Smiley grabs hold of the Shark’s mask and SLAMS his face into the turnbuckle. He lodges his foot in the Hero’s throat and waits for the ref to count him out before dragging Sharkman out of the corner to TRIANGLE CHOKE] [The ref raises Shark’s hand…1…His arm shoots up! Smiley redoubles the choke as Sharkman strains for the ropes. The crowd is cheering for Shark as the Ref raises his arm…1…NO – SHARK POWERS OUT AND REVERSES INTO A POWERBOMB. Smiley is stunned, Sharkman whips himself into the ropes – SUSHI KICK! Now he’s setting Smiley up for the SHARKMAN SPECIAL…NO – SMILEY REVERSES INTO A SHARPSHOOTER. He’s locking him in his deadly submission hold! Sharkman can’t fight it – NO! Shark lands a boot right in Smiley’s face. Smiley released the hold as blood gushes from his nose.] [The Shark rips Smiley’s off the mat and drops him back down with a HAMMERLOCK DDT. The Hero gets to his feet and locks Smiley in a Dragon Sleeper hold. Smiley tries to struggle out but begins to go out. Shark tightens the choke, but Smiley counters into a neckbreaker – and reaches for for the GLASGOW SMILE—NO! STANDING HURRICANERANA to Smiley. Sharkman locks in the SHARKMAN SPECIAL!! There’s nowhere for Smiley to go! HE HAS TO TAP!!!] [The Double Feature Champion continues his streak with this incredible performance.]
FAILURE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Why must you hate poor Stephanie so, Jensen?”
[The camera follows the sound of the voice, revealing the decrepit, grime-covered walls of one of the many Tap Room locker rooms. Standing in the middle of it, hands on his hips is DTR himself.] [And across from him on his knees? Jensen Cussen.]“I did my best, David-”
“You did nothing, Jensen. I told you to prove you loved her and prove your worth to the family and this is how you show it?”
[DTR gestures behind himself, revealing a jar filled with pure red liquid. The blood of Jacob Phoenix.]“Stephanie will never be able to nourish the child off of this! You dare look me in the eye after bringing this back and claim you did your best? You only showed that you want your daughter to die!”
[Jensen tensed up at the words, his head bowed in anguish as DTR paces back and forth, hands behind his back, a grimace on his face.]“Do you want to truly help your dear daughter and grandchild, Jensen? DO YOU!?”
[Jensen nods his head, not making direct eye contact with the enraged DTR, not even speaking a word, Vengence being uncharacteristically silent as DTR berates him.]“Is that so? Then stand up. Look me in the eye and tell me you want to help Stephanie. Do it!”
[Jensen slowly rises to his feet, looking DTR in the eye, his expression one of determination as he speaks.]“I want to help Stephanie survive, David.”
“Good.”
[DTR JABS A NEEDLE INTO CUSSEN’S NECK! Jensen recoils in pain, DTR pulling back on the plunger, Cussen’s tar-black blood filling the syringe.]“Then you will help to feed her. Your blood will be diluted by Phoenix’s and you will be used to ensure her survival. Is that understood?”
[Jensen nods his head, once again not speaking. One hand clutches his neck as DTR looks at the blood in the needle.]“Good. Now get out of my sight.”
[Jensen does as told, leaving DTR behind, the Virus leaving the locker room with both the jar and syringe in hand.]EDWARD NEWTON VS. DOUBT
SINGLES MATCH
HUNG JURY
BACKSTAGE
“YOU!” [Death Row shouts.] “I need a word!”
[Eve pauses, his face revealing the familiarity with Death Rows voice and his body language indicating slight annoyance as he turns to face his previous opponent.]“What do you want Death Row” [Eve questions.] “Aren’t we finished?”
“Nothing is finished” [Death Row snarls.] “What happened out there earlier tonight was unjust. And I WANT justice! A man like me should never lose to… you!”
[Adam’s eyes light up with rage.] [AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHG!] [Eve doesn’t think. Only reacts. Letting out a roar while sprinting down the corridor with his hands together. Preparing to deliver a double axe handle to the blind side of Death Row.] [AND HE STOPS!] [Eve’s feet fumbling over each other as he tries to maintain his balance while controlling his momentum. All the while, Death Row has spun around to face us placing a makeshift knife at the chin of his adversary.] [A SHANK!]“Guilty!”
[The soft yet scratchy voice of Death Row echoes through the hall, prompting Eve to let out a gulp.]“Your guilt glows within the illumination of your pride” [Death Rows eyes squint.] “It will be the downfall of the innocent… and that of your own!”
“Do you want to prove yourself a man Adam” [Death Row inquires.] “I’ll show you what it’s like to be a man where I come from!! NOW GET ON YOUR KNEES!!!”
[There is hesitation. A hint of helplessness in the eyes of Eve as if he ponders the order only to flush the thought away with a look of rage and then…] [BAM!] [Surprise and panic covers the face of Eve as Death Row is taken out by a trash barrel. His body falls unconscious to the concrete floor, covered by the barrel and a pile of trash that once filled it. Adam Eve looks up from his fallen foe to see a familiar face to us all.] [Bobby Neptune.] [Neptune nods as if to say “you’re welcome” to Eve before he turns to walk away. A blank expression covers Adam’s face before it shifts back to frustration.]“I didn’t need your help!”
[Adam’s aggravation sounds through his voice, prompting Neptune to pause and glance back over his shoulder at Eve before letting off a sigh and moving on.] [We’re left with the unconscious Death Row and a frustrated Adam Eve before fading to black.]THE SCARECROW VS. LYRA STARCHILD
SINGLES MATCH
AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
BACKSTAGE
“You killed her! You are murderer and traitor!”
[Sergei’s eyes squint as he squeezes the throat tighter, choking the life out of the General before his soldiers try to pull the Red Tsar back. Sergei finally lets up just enough for Dzagoev to speak, coughing as the air rushes back into his lungs.]“It’s…not what you think, Sergei. I would never hurt her…or you.”
[Catching his breath once more, the General composes himself before motioning for Sergei to take a seat at the table. Hesitant and with a glare at the man revealed to be his father, Sergei sits as Dzagoev opens the file in front of him.]“Russia felt I was getting too close to you, Sergei. I tried to protect you, but I had to work in shadows. They forced me to fake my death and convinced me that you would thrive in my absence. You can hold your grudge against me if you choose, Sergei…but I have new mission, one that could provide favour with Russia and restore you to former glory.”
[Dzagoev pushes the file over to Sergei, allowing him to look it over.]“You have chance to redeem yourself in the eyes of Mother Russia, Sergei. There are enemies that need to be taken out… starting with the man that set you up as traitor. He hired Petrov and turned him against Russia. He told him to manipulate your faith in Russia. It was all him, my boy.”
[Sergei goes over the file, looking at a series of photos including one that catches his eye: Jackson Grant Fitzgerald. He glares at the picture in anger, realizing that he was not betrayed by his country… but by a politician.] [Cut.]NO FACE VS. MIKE LANE
AMBULANCE MATCH
SEVERING THE CONNECTION
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I brought you here for one reason only. To sever the connection.”
[Captain Zappa opens his eyes and looks at Starchild. Bloodshot eyes of a man who has not slept in days. He struggles to focus on her, struggles to utter the few words that he manages.]“How… How did I get here.”
“I beamed you here. I couldn’t take any chances with those Zetas guarding your every move. They will never find you here.”
[She holds a device against his head, almost threateningly.]“I will beam you out of here in time for your match, but one way or another, this connection of yours will be severed. I have the answer, as did Calypso. Those drugs that coarse through your system, heightening the connection between you and the Zetas. Well, this is my only way of ‘cleansing’ you of them. I cleanse your system of all traces of the drugs, and I cleanse the connection from you.”
[Captain Zappa doesn’t reply, only grimaces as another wave of pains surge over him. He shakes, screaming. Lyra doesn’t so much as bat an eyelid, maintaining her composure throughout. Her weapon remains trained on Zappa.]“Of course, if that fails to work. I will have to end you. I cannot take any chances. The Zeta will not invade Earth.”
[Having heard the screaming, a nurse soon comes charging into the room. A syringe in her hands. She ignores Lyra and paces over to Zappa, looking to administer the drug but Lyra stands in her way.]“What is that?”
“It is protocol. We administer a small, controlled amount of the substance to addiction patients to ease the withdrawals. It helps the pain.”
“No drugs.”
“It is protocol.”
[The nurse looks to push past Lyra and administer the drug anyway. Lyra calmly shifts the weapon from Zappa’s temple and places it at the side of the nurse’s neck. A light bursts out the end of the weapon and the nurse crumples to the ground. Lyra shakes her head, stepping over the nurse.]“I said no drugs.”
[A shout from outside the room suggests that the security guards have caught wind of the nurse’s demise. Lyra grunts in frustration before turning a different device upon Zappa.]“Back to the Tap Room with you then. You have a match ahead.”
[A bright light once more envelops both Zappa and Starchild. In an instant, the pair have disappeared. When the security team enters the room, all they find is a crumpled heap of a nurse and a full syringe. Captain Zappa and Lyra have gone.]THE FAMILY © VS. BRENT KERSH & LUX BELLATOR
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
UNSTOPPABLE FORCE
FLASHFORWARD
“Do you need a hand with that, little birdie?”
[Edwards’s eyes widen as they rise to meet the intimidating figure of The Scarecrow.]“Let me guess, you think this holds the key to defeating me?” [He muses, placing his boot down upon the perch, stopping Newton from lifting it off the ground.] “But you’re wrong.”
“It worked for Brent Kersh,” [Newton responds.] “And if it didn’t work, you wouldn’t be trying to stop me.”
[Unbelievably, The Scarecrow removes his foot.]“By all means, take it. It won’t halt me, Edward; it won’t bring me to my knees. That magic was used up when Brent Kersh drove it through my being.”
[Newton picks it up.] “You could avoid all this, Scarecrow. All you have to do is accept my offer.” [The Scarecrow closes in on The Riddler, tilting his head.]“Humanity always wishes to control that of which it does not understand. You have no bargaining chip for me, peasant. If you come for what I have, I will destroy you.”
[Suddenly, Newton runs at The Scarecrow with the sharp end of the perch, stabbing it through his chest and toppling him to the ground. It pins him there for a moment as The Riddler rolls away, looking pleased with himself.]“Do you know what happens when the immovable object meets the unstoppable force, Scarecrow?”
[He straightens out his suit.]“Because I do.”
[Just then, The Scarecrow reaches out with both hands, grabbing The Perch by the wooden base and pulling. Newton, realizing it hasn’t worked, quickly runs away.] [Looking over his shoulder, he can see The Scarecrow rising in the distance. He hops into his car, puts it in drive and speeds away, leaving The Hayman to recover behind him.] [The Monster stands, perch in hand.]“Oh I see you want to play, little birdie,” [he says with a hearty laugh.] “Then play we shall.”
[We take one last look at Newton speeding off down the country lanes, leaving The Scarecrow to start running through the corn in pursuit.] [Cut.]HYSTERIA © VS. SERGEI SOKOLOV
REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TRUST
BACKSTAGE
“We need to talk, Rhodes.”
[Solomon puts his hands on his waist as he looks him up and down with a curious look in his eyes. These two men were involved in one of the most vicious bouts of Ring of Dreams just a few months earlier.]“Speak then. What does a Savage need with The Dragon?”
“I need your fire.”
[This catches Solomon Rhodes off guard as he slowly reaches down and puts a hand upon his VHS Championship slowly. Tommy Hawk simply shakes his head.]“No, Rhodes. I have had a vision, and I need your help.”
[Solomon Rhodes’s arms fold across his chest as he listens.]“I have seen the future of this world, and I have SEEN what Lux Bellator plans to do. Something horrible is coming, and I need your fire to help me cleanse this evil.”
“What did you see?”
[A moment of pause as Tommy Hawk doesn’t budge. Finally he clears his throat.]“It’s not a matter of what I’ve seen, but what I’ve learned, Thunderbird. This evil is coming, and I need your help to purge it before it grows too powerful for this world.”
[Solomon doesn’t respond immediately but just stares him down as if searching for an answer hidden in his expression. After a moment of seemingly finding nothing, Solomon looks down at his bandaged hand for a moment before answering.]“So what do you need my fire for?”
“We need to take out this threat before it has a chance to fester. We need to cut down this tree at the roots. We need to eliminate them.”
[Tommy Hawk’s head lowers as his voice lowers even further.]“We need to destroy Knock Knock.”
PATIENT NEPTUNE
FLASHBACK
“They really drill it into your head, the Asylum. Fingernail by fingernail scratch, shock by shock. The taste of teeth ripping into a neck. The crunch of all that breaking. And suddenly the boy who cried space is a monste-”
“Stop.” [Bobby interrupts]
“You’re supposed to listen to the entire message. It’s part of your therapy.” [The man says.]
“I’ve heard that voice enough. I’m past that. Besides, your recorder is shit for a Xi89 bot. All the other ones had much better sound quality. How are they doing by the way?”
“Being scrapped for parts we speak. We do not waste parts. It’s why we haven’t killed you yet.”
“Is today the day you tell me who “we” is? You’ve kept me chained up in this ship for months. Who? Why? What kind of parts are you trying to scrap me for?”
[Neptune takes a moment to consider.]“I’ll continue. But first, you gotta take these dumb restraints off. I’m not gonna hurt you, I’m the Starboy again! And besides these really aren’t gonna hold me.”
[Suddenly, Neptune’s restraints click open. He leaps across the table before anyone can respond. The next we see, Neptune holds well-dressed man’s head in hand, wires spilling from his neck.] [He looks into a nearby security camera as alarms go off.]“Next time, show your face.”
[He tosses aside the robot’s head and slumps back down into a chair as guards rush into the room and surround him.]CAPTAIN ZAPPA VS. SOLOMON RHODES ©
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
CRIES OF A MARTYR
BACKSTAGE
“Dad?”
[…and watches as his world comes undone.]“No.” [Kersh whispers, practically falling to his knees as he turns around from the bench.] [A golden glow over his translucent body, the son of Brent Kersh floats before him.]
“Trevor?” [Brent asks, trying to get a grip on what he’s seeing.] [The apparition merely nods. It’s a spitting image of Trevor Kersh as he was when he died at the hands of the Scarecrow many months ago.]
“You’re not real.” [Brent says after a moment, rubbing his eyes to regain some clarity.] “This is some trick of the being exposed to the Virus earlier. Maybe one of those Asylum guys poisoned the water.”
[Before the golden ghost can speak again, an angry Kersh steps forward with a finger out.]“I watched you die. I held your body in my hands as you took your last breath.”
[Kersh throws the phone he had grabbed before turning against the wall, shattering it.]“How dare you?” [He accuses, walking towards the apparition.] “How dare you do this to me?”
[The ghostly form does not look angry at the accusation, he only looks sad. A single tear runs down the face of Trevor Kersh as Brent gets right to him. The golden fades away, wisps floating through the air as Brent is now left alone.] [Or is he?]“Brent?”
[Sometime during what transpired, the door had opened, and Lux Bellator had entered the room. The bringer of light stares menacingly at the wide eyed and scared Kersh. The Enforcer grabs his bag, slipping on a pair of jeans under his towel quickly. Lux walks over to him and seems to study the man who was his partner earlier.]“I needed to…”
[Before Lux can say anything, Kersh just pushes him out of the way and storms out of the room. Bellator watches the door close with a grin as his eyes seemingly pulsate with a golden glow.] [Inside of Lux’s pupil, a golden ring about it, the face of Trevor Kersh screams wordlessly.]BRUCE VAN CHAN VS. BOBBY NEPTUNE
STREET FIGHT
“I’m sorry!” [Neptune’s hands are up in pleading.] “I’m sorry Bruce!”
[Just like that, the eyes of Dr. Sleep change back to their regular form as Bruce Van Chan seems to have regained control. He extends a hand and lifts up Bobby Neptune to which the two nod at one another. SUPERKICK! Bobby Neptune never failed to see a moment as he grabs Bruce and rolls him back into the ring before looking underneath the ring and pulling out a steel chair and flings it into the ring. He grabs a table and slides it into the ring as well. Bruce Van Chan is groggily getting his way back to his feet as Neptune slides in. He grabs the steel chair and… MISS! Van Chan ducked underneath. Springboard dropkick sends Neptune sliding across the ring!] [Bruce Van Chan sees the table and quickly sets up the legs in the center of the ring. He goes over to Neptune, but Neptune rolls him up! One…Two…KICKOUT! Bruce Van Chan rolls to his feet and kicks Neptune right in the ribs. He lifts up Starboy and moves towards the table set up in the center of the ring. Neptune slips out of his grasp and… SUPERKICK! Bruce is knocked backwards and falls onto the table! Neptune grins as he slowly makes his way towards the corner. He leaps to the top rope and begins to motion for a huge move.] [But Bruce rolls out of the way! Neptune aborts as he climbs onto the apron before springing onto the top rope and… SPRINGBOARD SHINING WIZARD! Bruce is nailed right in the head as he falls to the mat. Neptune is slow to his feet though. This high-octane offense seems to be taking a toll on the former All-Star Champion. Bruce manages to get to his feet first as a result of this and goes for… GOODNIGHT! BUT NO! Neptune will not go into this goodnight as he shoves Bruce and he CRASHES THROUGH THE TABLE! Bruce Van Chan is in immense pain right now, but Neptune is climbing the top rope once again. This could make or break this match if he misses this! ANDROMEDA’S CRASH! SHOOTING STAR DDT and Bruce Van Chan isn’t moving. An arm falls across the chest of Bruce as the referee counts. One…Two…THREE!] [Bobby Neptune wins his debut and gets a measure of peace of mind with his old foe, Bruce Van Chan.]BANG BANG!
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Come on! You think just one of you can take me out?! You haven’t been paying attention!!”
[But that’s when the biker pulls a pistol! He points it directly at Cael’s face and…]“Law sends his regards!”
[Cut to black.] […….]“NOOO!!!!”
[BANG!!] [Cut.]