SICK EM’ BOYS!
BACKSTAGE
“Sick em’ boys.”
[The damned have arrived in the Tap Room.] [Is anyone safe?] [Cut.]JEREMIAH DIXON VS. MARVOLO
SINGLES MATCH
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
RINGSIDE
“Hail the Bat God”.
“Hail the Bat God”.
[A hint of light enters while a chorus of voices sound in monotone as a group of Druid-like figures make their way down the entrance steps, slowly surrounding in the ring.] [Dixon and Marvolo have abandoned their attempt to exit the Tap Room and find themselves retreating to the center of the squared circle.] [And then…]WHAT THE HELL!?!
[Michael Graves! Draped in his black priestly robes, ascends from towards the ring. Though he does not appear to be walking, instead, almost levitating within the confines of his garb!] [Marvolo and Dixon are dumbstruck. They glance around pondering their options as Graves enters the ring!] [Graves stands still. Frozen, as he peers forwards at the uncertain eyes of Marvolo and Dixon.] [RUNNING KNEE TO THE HEAD!] [Out of nowhere, Graves nails Marvolo, knocking him backwards a few stumbling feet… but he is not done.] [Graves moves forward, grabbing both sides of Marvolo’s masked head and holding him in position before…] [SNIFF!] [An awestruck Dixon looks on as Graves smells the face of Marvolo in one big breath.]“Your blood will not suffice! Not on this day!”
[Graves’ voice echoes like thunder through the arena before, KICK TO THE GUT… DAWNBREAKER!] [Marvolo lands on the canvas in such force from the custom piledriver his body bounces and rolls out of the ring, leaving only Dixon in Graves’ way.] [Dixon now has no choice.] [He charges!] [ANOTHER BOOT TO THE GUT! ANOTHER DAWNBREAKER!!!!] [Dixon goes down. He’s out and Graves lays prone over top of him. Motionless. As a predator looks at its prey only moments before devouring it.] [Graves looks down into the closed eyes of Dixon.]“You are the one!”
[Graves looks upward, towards the Tap Room entrance. As if something, someone, somewhere… is talking to him.]“But you are not alone!”
[Graves glances around, almost feverishly.]“The satisfaction of my Lord is dependent upon not only the sacrifice of your blood Jeremiah Dixon…” [Graves pauses, only slightly before peering back down into his prey’s face.] “But that too of another!”
“Bring out tonight’s victim as I Hail The Dark Bat God!”
[The Chiroptera pull Dixon from the ring and a couple of them usher his lifeless body to the back, as Graves bows, praying to his God in preparation for his contest.]TOMMY WRIGHT VS. MICHAEL GRAVES
SINGLES MATCH
HIDDEN SKELETONS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Ashla… Protect me. Protect my blood.”
[The figure, Jacen Novan, recites the words slowly and with a calming voice. He then lifts his head and takes the vial, pouring a drop of the contents upon the table. The contents are dark, almost black in appearance. A sight that seems to trouble Novan greatly. He removes his hood and inhales deeply but does not have time to express himself as a figure approaches from behind. He does not need to see who it is, calling a greeting without so much as looking, nor expressing any of the troubles in his own mind.]“We must continue our training TAM, looking into the grey areas to determine the alignment of men who spend their existences within this grey.”
[He finally turns to find the Automaton standing before him, ready for instruction.]“TAM. I have seen much growth in your understanding of the aspects of human psyche that exist outside the black and white. Are you ready for the next aspect of our alliance?”
[The Automaton nods in approval.]“Continual testing and challenging ones-self is a proven way of extending knowledge and understanding. It is a challenge that I am willing to take.”
[Novan stands, sweeping the vial of his blood up and placing inside his robes without TAM noticing. He opens his mouth to speak but before he can, the lights cut to blackout…] [Flutter.] [When the lights return, The Scarecrow is standing in their midst. He has one hand on Jacen Novan’s throat.]“You didn’t expect to stay hidden did you? I see a lot more than where your eye’s don’t go…”
[With a single hand, Crow lifts Novan up above his head and drive him backwards up against the wall. He slams against the wall with such force that it dislodges the vial of infected blood. Scarecrow catches the vial before it hits the ground and holds it up to his face.]“What do we have here?”
[He lets go of Novan’s throat and lets him crumple to the ground. Then turns to face the Automaton, who is busy analysing the situation. He holds up the vial of blood.]“It appears that your master has some skeletons in his closet that he hasn’t told you about.”
“Please, let him be and give me the receptacle. It does not belong to you.”
[Scarecrow doesn’t say anything but grabs the Automaton by the throat and presses him up against the wall. It is at this moment that he is interrupted by a very familiar voice.]“Let him go, Crow.”
[Mike Lane. He approaches the scene and stands waiting for the Scarecrow to abide his words. Scarecrow does no such thing, tightening his grip while his face turns to the Shadow. Lane continues.]“There are problems out there that are a direct threat to everything we know. Why are you wasting your time with these two? Let us not lose focus on our goal.”
[Scarecrow lets go of the Automaton and TAM crumples to the ground beside his partner, who stares up at the Founding Fathers with a glare of anger. Scarecrow shows Lane the vial.]“There is more here than meets the eye. Do you know what this is?”
[Lane looks at the vial, shaking his head. Scarecrow puts the vial into his partner’s hand.]“If this is what I think it is, it appears that Jacen Novan has become a part of the problem.”
[Scarecrow and Lane both look upon their foes from a position of power. No words are exchanged, just darkness.] [Flutter.] [And they are gone.]ADRIANO ADAGIO VS. JENSEN CUSSEN
SINGLES MATCH
FOR YOU
RINGSIDE
“Hello, Jensen.”
[The dangling Jensen Cussen tries to gain his bearings, not even surprised that Jacob Phoenix is now perched before him. The skylight window has been repaired after the events of Red Snow, but high above the bright lights of the Tap Room, only the moonlit sky illuminates Nightwatch.]“I told you I was coming for you. I even told you why. Did the filth that runs through your veins allow to you even read it?”
[Jensen takes a shot at Phoenix, who barely moves his head to the side to avoid it.]“Don’t fight it, we both know that there’s nothing you can do. Max showed me that despite the power taking you over, there’s still a human inside. And humans can be killed.”
[He maneuvers into the light, showing the thin scar across his throat.]“Trust me, I know.”
[Cussen spits back at Jacob.]“You can’t stop it. Noah is…”
[Phoenix laughs.]“I don’t care about Noah. I don’t care about the Virus. In death, I found an alarming amount of focus. Stephanie is dead. And you are going to join her.”
“Then do it.”
[Another laugh.]“That’s too easy. You know that’s not how I operate.”
[Phoenix reaches into his vest and draws out a small knife. Never releasing eye contact with Cussen, he slowly slices into the flesh on his arm until blood begins to come out.]“You took my blood to sustain Stephanie. It kept her alive, kept the Virus from consuming her before she could complete her task. Read the letter, Jensen, it explains everything.”
[Holding his arm over a small vial, Phoenix waits until it’s full before putting a cap on it.] [THWACK!] [Phoenix hits Jensen in the gut, stunning Vengeance long enough for Jacob to tie the vial around his neck.]“I wonder, Jensen, what that same blood will do to you.”
[With a strong tap of his knife, the vial develops a crack. The blood begins to pour slowly out of the vial, running up the upside down Cussen’s chin. He coughs and spits it out, but it persists.]“Maybe through the same lens you forced upon me you’ll be able see as I did. Good luck.”
[Cussen can’t even protest as Phoenix begins to maneuver his way through the rafters to his hidden escape.] [Jensen Cussen hangs, choking on Phoenix’s blood, helpless against the revenge of Nightwatch.]SERGEI SOKOLOV VS. D’VON CHAMBERS
SINGLES MATCH
THE LEGACY
[In the middle of an abandoned warehouse, El Trébol Junior stands opposite The Sharkman and Marvolo. They seem rather concerned, and appear to be taking measure to ensure that they are completely alone.]
“Thanks for meeting with us,” [Marvolo says, taking the lead.] “It’s of the utmost importance and simply cannot wait any longer. This tale has been told before; albeit under different circumstances. The temple has always been a blanket of protection for the world. It has always stood between good and evil.”
[Trebol folds his arms.]“And there has always been an evil force willing to break that blanket of protection, seep out into the world and destroy it. For generations, men and women have stood side by side to protect the world; to protect the temple. On that sacred ground, the world has been saved more times historically than either you or I can imagine.”
“Where do I come in” [Trébol asks.] “What does this have to do with me?”
[The Sharkman steps forward.]“It’s of no coincidence that you held one of the keys, El Trébol; because you, like we, are vitally important in what’s to come.”
“Before we go any further,” [Marvolo interrupts.] “We must tell you that what you’re about to learn may change the very fabric of your past, and define a future unlike anything you could have ever imagined.”
[Suddenly, infected tentacles reach throughout the room, bursting past the camera to latch onto El Trébol Junior, The Sharkman and Marvolo. Before they can react, they are once again held tightly as Doubt enters amongst them all; Double Feature Championship on his shoulder.]“You thought you could hide from it, is that right?” [He questions.] “It’s reach knows no restrictions and since its infection, its power knows no bounds.”
[But just then, in that moment, its grip on them slips, releasing them. Doubt crumbles to his knees, groaning in pain. He writhes for a moment, ripping at his mask. Marvolo, The Sharkman and El Trébol look on with concern.]“Help…” [Doubt murmurs.] “Me….”
[He struggles, before collapsing on the floor before them.]“What the hell was that?” [Marvolo screams.] “Did he just ask for help?…”
[The Sharkman pushes him backwards.] “We have to go. If my theory is correct then he’ll be awake at any moment and we won’t be able to escape.”“What about him?” [Trébol asks, looking at Doubts prone body.]
“We’ll be back for him. It may not be tonight, but at Blood Drive, we’ll be back for him. You must defeat him, Finn. There’s no alternative.”
[El Trébol reaches down, grabbing his Double Feature Championship and whisking it away with his compatriots.] [Cut.]CAEL GABLE VS. CAPTAIN ZAPPA
SINGLES MATCH
THE BLOOD OF MY ENEMY
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“So what do you say? Do you agree to my terms?”
[The two look at one another with a slight look of uneasiness as they turn back to Chambers. The mother, though hesitant, speaks up.]“So we just give you a small donation, and you’ll help Cael on becoming a good man? And you’ll help his salvation, Father Chambers?”
“Oh no, please just Brother Chambers. As we are all brothers and sisters of Christ. However, you are correct. With just a small donation to help spread our faith, I will dedicate all of my time to steer young Gable down the path of righteousness.”
“You’ll also give him that title? Cael seems very adamant about getting that title.”
[His father points at the title as he speaks. D’Von simply smiles as he nods his head.]“I will give your son whatever inspiration he needs to find his place on the path to holiness in becoming one of my followers. If he should require this title to join our ranks in the love of Jesus Christ, then so be it. I just want to save your son just as I have so many other young men.”
[The parents once again share a look before nodding. Chambers gives them a grin before snapping his fingers together. Two of his security enters the room with a few medical bags it seems. They begin setting up shop and pulling out needles and bags. Chambers collects his Rewind Championship and begins to move towards the door before turning his head.]“Thank you both for your donation, and know that your son will soon be spending his nights worshiping the Lord instead of spending his time hanging out with monsters.”
[With that, D’Von Chambers exits the room as his two security begin to pull blood from Cael’s parents. He gives a chuckle as he steps outside of the small, Indianapolis home.]“The blood of my enemy… is still blood needed for God’s plan.”
CROWLEY, BELLATOR & DANVERS VS. ROYAL, DTR & JECKEL
TRIOS MATCH
GENETICS
BACKSTAGE
“…so it seems that Tommy boy was always a bit of a troublemaker. We found some more info on the man’s criminal past, and it turns out we’re on the nose when it comes to his tendency to commit evil.”
[Sergei is slow to respond, choosing instead to look on down the hall, watching the infection continue to pulsate along the walls.]“And what of his family, his bloodline? Is it a matter of genetics, or the way he was brought up?”
“The jury’s still out on that one, but it’s better not to dwell on the past when there’s so much at hand in the present.”
“So what are we to do with him?”
“I don’t kn—“
[Her voice is cut off by someone shouting from behind the Red Tsar.]“What do you want from me?”
[Sergei turns around to see Tommy Wright staring him down, once again not letting the height difference intimidate him.]“I’ve been hearing rumblings of you trying to look into my past. I don’t need anyone sticking their nose into my business, least of all some Russian freak of nature like you. I told you before, if you’re not careful you’re gonna catch—“
[Sergei cuts The Guv off by slamming his metal fist into the wall next to him, narrowly missing the veins of infection as he removes his fist to reveal a large dent.]“You talk too much, Tommy. Let wisdom teach you to not bite off more than you can chew.”
[With that, the Red Tsar merely smirks before walking off, the woman in his head finally getting a chance to speak again.]“If he’s gonna stand in the way of your mission, you have to eliminate him…by any means necessary.”
[Sergei nods before turning back to see Tommy still staring him down, choosing to keep his distance…for now.] [Cut.]TAM & NOVAN VS. OUTLAW & KERSH
TAG TEAM MATCH
WAR OF THE DAMNED
BACKSTAGE
“Ad infernum, omnis mali!”
[Crowley stops, his entire body almost fluttering in and out of being there. In fact, those words have the same effect on every single one of the damned.]“Exitum huius mundi.”
[The King groans in pain.]“Vade!”
[Suddenly, Lee and his forces vanish from within the Tap Room, leaving a bloody mess of carnage and human wreckage in their wake. Solomon looks up, his eyes still wide, his heart still racing, and notices that stood before him is a sight he did not expect to see.] [Edward Newton.] [The Riddler saved his life. Edward folds his arms, and shakes his head, casually walking away as Rhodes looks towards Zappa, both men in absolute awe at what they’ve just witnessed.] [Cut.]EL TREBOL JUNIOR VS. DOUBT
DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE RIPE TYPE
BACKSTAGE
“SHIT!” [Adagio yells as he drops the box to the floor, allowing it to skip a few feet away.] “What the …”
[Adriano clinches his fist in pain, directly in front of his face as he grimaces.] [Drip.] [A slow frame catches. A drop of blood seeping from the bottom of his closed palm and dropping to the floor below. The box or whatever it is, cut him?!?] [Frustration covers his face, but after a tough contest and a long night Adagio isn’t in the mood to complain. Instead he stands and moves towards the exit once more, disappearing from the halls of the Tap Room.] [And then they appear…] [The Chiroptera. Michael Graves’ druid like band of followers. Moving in a group up the hallway. An incoherent chant echoing through the halls and as they approach the area at which Adriano just stood, they part and out steps The Prophet of the Bat God himself.] [Graves takes one step; his eyes fixed on the box that was flung a few feet away only to find their way almost directly beneath him.] [Lowering himself to the ground, Michael looks between his feet where a single drop of blood lies.] [Graves extends his hand and smears his thumb against the blood; bringing it quickly to his lips to suck away the substance.]“Your blood is ripe Adriano” [A smile forms on his lips.] “It is just the type to please the Bat God!”
“Come!” [Graves says to the druids as he stands to his feet.] “We must plan the sacrifice!”
[With that, Michael leads the Chiroptera down an alternate route as we fade to black.]JACOB PHOENIX VS. HELIOS
SINGLES MATCH
PRIVATE EXECUTION
THE UNDERWORLD
“This isn’t going to work, cousin.” [Betamax says, old arguments on his lips.] “This is all too bloody easy. Trust me, these guys don’t play around. You saw what Crowley did to Van Chan and Harrison. What the hell are they now?”
[Terminus snorts.]“Fire. Ice. Polar opposites. But fire can be extinguished. Water can be evaporated. The key of course, is to figure out the best way to do it. They’re nothing compared to the powers the King of the Underworld yields.”
[Dan takes some of the mutton as its presented to him. The rest decline, more focused on their argument.]“Watch your tone when speaking to your King. One does not develop plans to see them fail. The Knights Templar were consulted. The chosen one of Janus stands among us. This other fellow is unable to be killed or turned to the side of Crowley. This plan will work because our enemy does not know the King’s method.”
[Tension fills the discussion, before an unlikely voice cuts in.]“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
[All four of them turn to face the attendant, who has spoken out of turn. King Royal opens his mouth to scold, but his words die on his lips as Never Dead Dan falls to his knees. His face is an odd shade of green.]“What the hell was in that meat?” [Dan mutters, holding his stomach.] [Then he falls over, Betamax rushing towards him.]
”Not again.”
[Dead.] [The attendant smiles and nods behind the others as they turn to watch as the King’s army has begun to keel over, some vomiting and others just holding their stomachs.]“You son of…”
[Terminus moves into action, going for the attendant, but before he can do so, the attendant’s eyes turn blue. And he is no more.] [Proteus stands in his place.] [Terminus takes a shot at the masked man, but as the King rushes to his aid a wall of fire explodes out of the pit they had been gathered around.] [Helios silently stands inside of it.] [They were here the whole time. They heard everything.]“Did someone call a Doctor?”
[Terminus, Royal, and Betamax try to protect Dan’s body under fear of their enemies, but they turn their heads in confusion as a new person enters the frame.] [Isaac Danvers.]“These men look sick. I wonder who would have known how to poison them. Perhaps you’d let me treat them, King Royal. I promise they would ride again out to glorious battle.”
[Somehow, even with the giant mask, one can see the sinister smile in his eyes.]“Too bad it would be for my king, King Crowley. We all know your pathetic army will be unable to breach the gate. My associates have reported back your entire plot. Foolish really. I expected more out of you.”
[Royal stands to his feet with fire in his eyes. Betamax rises with his cousin, and pushes in front of him.]“You didn’t hear all of our plans.”
[Terminus has produced a key from somewhere. He plunges it into an unseen hole in the ground. The foursome of Terminus, Royal, Betamax, and the somehow rising Never Dead Dan all fall through a sudden portal. It vanishes as soon as they do, and Danvers only shakes his head.]“They won’t run far.” [Helios says.]
“There’s nowhere we won’t follow.” [Proteus adds.] [Danvers shrugs at that.]
“You two try to find them. I have some patients to cure. Once I have their blood, I’m going to need the two of you. The one who died and came back specifically. He will be an interesting case study.”
[What the hell are Royal, Terminus, and Dan going to do now?]JAKE JECKEL VS. ORDELL TERMINUS
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE LIST
RECORDED EARLIER
“Good job, Jake. Another lamb slaughtered, another parasite cleansed for their role in your lover’s death. I can only hope this brings you some form of closure…”
[Jake haphazardly wipes the blood from his face, smearing it as he stares down Lux.]“You’re still on my list Lux. Don’t think a few drops of blood are gonna hold me over, I know that you had a hand in the Family killing her, so you better hope that list of traitors never ends.”
[Lux merely responds with a smile before producing a small piece of parchment from his robes. The list.]“Oh, it has an end, I’ll uphold my end of the bargain, you get to kill those who willingly infected her, and I’ll cut the chaff from the wheat. However, the last name on this list is much harder to kill than the rest. In fact, you may say he’ll present unique challenges…”
[Jake angrily snatches the list from Lux’s hands, reading down the names, all of them crossed out previously by Lux. As he gets to the final names, his eyes go wide, then furrow into a look of unparalleled rage. The last name on the list?] [Jack Jeckel.] [Cut.]SOLOMON RHODES VS. MOTHER
SINGLES MATCH
FATE NOT ACCEPTED
RINGSIDE
“I may have to take the daughter with the father now, it would only be fitting. Before it’s all over, Phoebe Outlaw, you will cry tears of Danielle’s blood.”
[Outlaw roars in defiance, but as she charges once again, Mother is gone.]“That’s it!”
[Outlaw charges into the ring with fire in her eyes. Dani follows her, very tentatively after what Mother said.]“Listen up, Mother. You may run, but I know you can here me. I’m under the brightest lights in the middle of this battleground. You want a war, then let’s draw the lines and I’ll drop a nuclear bomb on your ass. You crossed the line tonight. You can come after me. You can come after Daddy Kersh. But you just threatened the love of my life. And I’ll be damned if I let you spend another day on this earth. You have until Blood Drive to keep your little playground up and running. I’m the bulldozer, and I’m coming to tear it down.”
[She looks over at Dani and takes a deep breath.]“You really want some blood, Mother? Then come take mine. It’s gonna be a true Blood Drive, because I don’t care if every ounce of blood in my body drains out under your hideous claws. I mean, clip the damn things. I’ve got a little butch in me, but I still take care of myself. You’re going to have to kill me to get Dani. I didn’t rot in a hospital bed for a year to get a new lease on life and lose her. Right, babe?”
[Feebz turns back to Dani.] [But Dani is gone.] [Outlaw roars as she dashes backstage, vowing to tear the whole place down to find her love.]OF GODS AND DEVILS
RECORDED EARLIER
“Walk around the seventh ring, listen to the shadows sing.”
[Edward Newton, battling King Crowley in hell. He hammers haymakers down upon his head, beating the unholy hell out of him.]“Pray for light, but know the night won’t end.”
[Ring King 2015 – Mike Lane nails Brent Kersh with a Shadowkick and dives into the cover, watching anxiously as the referee slams his hands down on the canvas.]“Greet the souls you knew before, enlist them in your hopeless war. Cause glory doesn’t need a reason friend.”
[Edward Newton, Enter the Badlands, holding the OSW World Championship in the air above his head with a Cheshire cat smile.] [Mike Lane, looking back at Red River Jack having defeated him for his second OSW World Championship.]“Gods and devils want me. They want me.”
[The Shadow consumes Mike Lane as his terrifying grin through broken light flickers across the screen.]“But wrong and right don’t haunt me. Don’t haunt me.”
[Bruce Van Chan lays in a hospital bed with monitors attached to him with Edward looking through a window, smiling.]“Gods and devils want me, they want me.”
[Lane.]“The furies they can’t stop me. Can’t stop me.”
[Newton.]“Can’t stop me.”
V/O: “Tonight, the legacy of Mike Lane challenges the undefeated streak of Edward Newton. Gods and Devils battle in a fight for the ages.”
[Both faces flash across the screen.]V/O: “The past versus the present. The Shadow versus The Riddler. Next.”
[Cut.]MIKE LANE VS. EDWARD NEWTON
THE MAIN EVENT
“Do you think you can take my streak?”
[WHACK!]“Do you think you’re better than me?”
[WHACK!] [Suddenly, Mike elbows backwards, catching Newton clean on the nose. He stumbles, and The Shadow runs at him, grabs him, and T-BONE SUPLEX! DEGENERATION! HE NAILED HIM!] [BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!] [Slowly but surely, they begin making their way back to their feet, Lane grabbing Newton and slamming him down hard with a Body Slam. He bounces back into the ropes, begins to roll and ROLLING IN THE FAST LANE! ROLLING KNEE TO THE FACE! NO! NEWTON MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! He pops straight back to his feet, with Lane on one knee and NEVERMIND! EPIC NEVERMIND! WHAT A FUCKING KNEELING DDT! Mike’s body bounces off the canvas with a thud, but The Riddler can’t capitalise, he’s still in pain.] [Finally, Edward crawls over, slapping an arm across his chest.] [ONE….] [….] [TWO….] [….] [THREE!!] [NOOOOOOOO!!!] [KICK OUT BY MIKE LANE!] [THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IT! The World Champion gets back up, helping The Shadow back to his feet. He nails him with a right hand, and swings wildly with a Clothesline that Lane ducks, picking him straight up and into a BACK DROP! Mike quickly rolls back to his feet, grabbing Newton by the legs, only The Riddler kicks back, again, again, again, sending the former World Champion into the ropes. He turns back around to see Edward up, kicking him hard in the shin. Lane drops to a knee, and Edward barrels into the ropes behind him, SHINING WIZARD TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!] [This match has been back and forth, back and forth! The Riddler has had enough though, and pulls Mike straight back up, putting him in position and NEVERMIND-NO! LANE SPINS OUT! SHADOWKICK! SHADOWKICK! SHADOWKICK OUT OF FUCKING NO-WHWERE! WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM? MIKE POUNCES INTO THE COVER!] [ONE….] [….] [TWO….] [….] [THREE!!] [THE STREAK HAS BEEN BROKEN!] [NOOOO!!! KICK OUT BY NEWTON AT THE LAST… FUCKING… MOMENT!!] [Mike Lane sits up, hands on head, his face a picture of absolute shock. Is the LEGEND of Edward Newton truly unbeatable? Is this man more than just a myth? He flicks his hair back and stands up, grimacing with rage. Stepping backwards, he starts stomping on the canvas. The Riddler slowly gets back to his knees, then to his feet, adjusting his glasses. Finally, he’s at his feet and HERE COMES LANE! SHADOW-NO!! EDWARD MAKES A TIME OUT SIGN WITH HIS HAND, BEGGING OFF! THAT CATCHES MIKE OFF GUARD! Eddie puts a finger up, begging him for a moment as The Shadow looks perplexed! KICK TO THE SHIN! RAKE TO THE EYES! NEVER FUCKING MIND! THAT CRAFTY BASTARD! HOLY CRAP!! WHAT A DDT!! He covers enthusiastically.] [ONE….] [….] [TWO….] [….] [THREE!!] [IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER!] [KICK OUT! WHAT?] [KICK… FUCKING… OUT!] [ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?] [Edward Newton looks at the referee with pure rage. Will the legend of Mike Lane never die? Will he shadow forever loom over Old School Wrestling?] [The World Champion gets back up and begins unbuttoning his famous jacket. We’ve never seen this before. Before you know it, he’s taken off his jacket, unbuttoned his shirt and whipped that off too. Before us, in just his suit trousers, stands the World Champion unlike we’ve ever seen him before. Mike Lane has driven him to this. He’s driven him to something else. Edward grabs his shirt, wrapping it around the throat of the Shadow as he sits up, strangling him for dear life. How much does this streak mean to Edward? He’s choking the fucking life out of Mike Lane!] [He drags him to the ropes, diving through the middle and landing on his feet outside, the shirt still wrapped around the throat of The Shadow. He drops to his knees, strangling him with the leverage of the ropes! He’s snapped! He’s absolutely snapped! With Lane going beetroot red, he finally releases, allowing him to fall forward, choking for breath. Being undefeated means something to Edward Newton and this is a message to the entire roster; he isn’t giving it up without a fight!] [The Riddler hops back into the ring, dropping over Lane and pounding away at his skull. He drives right hands off his head, bouncing them fist after fist until the crimson begins to flow. The Champion stands up, wiping the blood from his hand across his chest. We’ve never seen this side of the Riddler before. There’s a different twinkle in his eye; one that is determined to send some kind of vicious message through Mike Lane. He grabs him by the now blood-soaked hair, pulling him back to his feet and whipping him into the corner. He runs, driving a shoulder into his mid-section. Edward steps backwards, running for a second.] [BOOT TO THE FACE] [That stopped that! Saliva spews from the mouth of Newton with the impact. Lane stumbles from the corner… SHADOWKICK! HOLY FUCK! EDWARD SPINS AROUND WITH THE FORCE AND STRAIGHT INTO A SECOND SHADOW KICK! THE FEROCITY SENDS HIM STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! LANE DROPS TO HIS KNEES, REACHING OUT, REALIZING THAT JUST SAVED THE MATCH FOR THE RIDDLER!] [Mike Lane stands back up in the middle of the ring. He puts his hands on his hips, shaking blood from his eyes with a swing of the hair. This is a situation he’s been in before, but he didn’t lie down then either. He steps through the ropes, dropping an Axe Handle across the back of a kneeling Newton, flattening him out. It’s time this whole match went in a different direction. He heads under the ring, pulling out a table and setting it up on the outside. The fans cheer, watching as Lane slaps the table ferociously, telling us all that its time.] [The Shadow drags a limp Newton to his feet and lifts him with a struggle onto the ring apron. He follows, and pulls him back up. Mike grabs him into position… TWISTING T-BONE SUPLEX FROM THE APRON THROUGH THE FUCKING TABLE! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! THE TABLE SPLINTERS EVERYWHERE AS BOTH MEN COLLAPSE THROUGH IT WITH A GIANT THUD! “OHHHHHHHHHH!!” echoes from the fans in awe. These two men are tearing each other apart!] [Somehow, some way, Mike Lane needs to get Edward Newton back to his feet through the rubble of that table and back into the ring. If he wants to win this match and defeat The Streak, he’s going to have to dig deeper than ever before.] [The Legend that is Mike Lane slowly pulls himself from the rubble, grimacing in agony. He’s been the standard-bearer for so long and performances like this are the reason why. Mike grabs Newton, pulling his tired and unconscious frame from the table and forcibly pushing him back into the ring. He covers…] [ONE….] [….] [….] [….] [TWO….] [….] [….] [….] [THREE!!] [KICK.] [THE.] [FUCK.] [OUT!] [Mike Lane looks at the referee as if he’s seen a ghost. Somehow, some way, Edward Newton kicks out. The Streak is alive! How the fuck is he doing this? How is Edward Newton surviving this onslaught against Mike Lane?] [The Shadow gets back to his feet, dragging Newton with him. He pushes him back into the ropes, and as the stumbling figure of the World Champion falls back in his direction… SHADOWKICK!] [NO! HE DUCKS!] [DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!] [Both men are down once again. This match means so much you’d think it was for the OSW World Championship. It’s like their lives are on the line here tonight. The stakes are high, the night is huge and somehow, someway, we’re going to have a winner if it kills either of these absolute fucking monsters.] [Slowly but surely, once again, these two guys get back to their feet in the middle of the ring. They stand for a moment, in heaps, looking at each other from across the ring. They know what they’ve put into this match. There’s a level of respect here unlike any we’ve ever seen. Mike Lane has been stood in the position of Edward Newton – he’s been the man with the target on his back. He’s been the man that everyone has wanted to see fall. He’s the longest reigning World Champion and by God, during that reign, everyone wanted to see him beaten.] [He shares a glance with Edward, a look that tells you everything you need to know. This position, they’ve shared it. They’re alike in this way, if no other.] [Suddenly, the lights go off.] [Darkness.] [Absolute pitch black.] [When they return, Proteus and Helios stand between them! The Revenants are here! Oh my God! Helios attacks Lane as Proteus goes after Newton. They beat both men into their respective corners, driving right and left hands into them. Both Newton and Lane try to cover up, but they’ve taken so much out of each other that they’ve barely anything left. Proteus despatches Edward through the ropes to the outside, then turns around to face Mike Lane with Helios.]“Legends do die, Michael,” [Helios hisses with a deep growl.] “And it’s time for you to move on.”
[Helios hands shake, fire beginning to surround them. Proteus holds Lane up, restraining him as The Hells Fire prepares to deliver the fatal blow.] [STEEL CHAIR TO THE FUCKING SKULL!] [HOLY SHIT!] [EDWARD NEWTON PLANTS HELIOS OVER THE SKULL WITH A STEEL CHAIR, LAYING HIM OUT!] [Proteus releases Lane and grabs the chair from Newton, FREEZING IT IN HIS HANDS! The Riddler is forced to let go, and Proteus takes the chair, SMASHING IT TO FUCKING PIECES ACROSS THE SKULL OF THE WORLD CHAMPION! EDWARD NEWTON JUST SAVED MIKE LANE AND PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE! NOW HE’S BUSTED WIDE OPEN TOO!] [The Ice Man grabs a shard of the iced steel, looming over Newton. Oh man, he’s going to end it. He’s going to end the man, the myth and the streak here tonight.] [SHADOWKICK TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL! SHADOWKICK! SHADOWKICK TO PROTEUS! OH MY GOD!] [The fans go absolutely mental as Mike Lane flicks his hair backwards, looking down as Proteus and Helios vanish into ice and fire respectively. He reaches down, pulling Edward to his feet. Both men stand there for a moment, looking at each other. What did they just do? They just saved each other’s lives.] [KICK TO THE GUT!] [NEVERMIND!] [NEVERMIND!] [NEWTON JUST… THAT SON OF A BITCH… HE JUST… After everything they just went through, Edward Newton planted Mike Lane.] [The World Champion drops into the cover…] [ONE….] [….] [….] [….] [TWO….] [….] [….] [….] [THREE!!] [It’s over! Edward Newton does it. The Riddler retains his streak in a match for the ages against one of the best, if not the best, to ever wrestle in an OSW ring. Newton rolls away from the prone body of The Shadow, blood dripping down his face onto his bare chest, and realizes that he’s just been in a war unlike anything he’s ever encountered. This match defines a career, not just for him, but for Mike Lane too.] [Edward gets back to his feet and falls into the ropes, absolutely exhausted. Mike Lane, never one to remain down and out, stirs back to his feet as well.] [He looks at Newton, smiling to himself. He knows why he did what he did. He knows why The Riddler had to take his chance as the ultimate opportunist. The Shadow steps forward, holding out a hand.] [Edward looks at it, clasping it reluctantly and briefly, attempting to let go.] [SHADOWKICK FOR GOOD MEASURE!] [The massive Superkick sends the World Champion barrelling through the middle rope to the outside, leaving Mike Lane to chuckle to himself, letting the World Champion know that whilst he may have been crafty enough to pick up the win, no-one fucks with Mike Lane.] [No-one.] [This match has been an epic for the ages. The legend of Edward Newton’s streak and Mike Lane both live on.]FATHER, SON & THE HOLY SPIRIT
BACKSTAGE
“Please don’t be mad,” [Noah asks kindly.] “My daddy asked to be brought here to see you. He doesn’t mean you any harm, I promise.”
[The Enforcer puts his hands on his hips as DTR smiles.]“I understand my boy offered you something special, son.”
[Kersh almost growls.] “I don’t want anything from you, DTR and I’m not your son.”“That’s where you’re wrong. You want everything from us; we’re the Family. If Noah is offering you a chance at paradise, you had better not keep him waiting. He can give your child a chance at a brave new world and all you have to do is sacrifice yourself.”
[The Virus shrugs.]“Isn’t that what always do, anyway?”
[Noah meanders over, standing before Kersh and his towering frame.]“I can keep your child safe, Mr. Kersh. I can protect him from what’s to come. Isn’t that what you truly want? I can read your soul and the words are written all over it. You do this for them. You do this to provide for them but there’s going to be nothing left.”
[The boy smiles.]“I can keep them safe, just like I have The Chief.”
[Kersh’ eyebrows raise.] “The Chief? He’s in a coma, what do you mean?” [DTR quickly steps in.]“If you want that information; if you want the answers to all your questions and your family saved, you need to sacrifice yourself at Blood Drive. There’s going to be a great match, a blood fuelled frenzy and I need your help to extract as much blood from our opponents as possible. When you’re done, you sacrifice yourself and my son will see your family saved from what’s to come.”
[Kersh stammers.] “And if I don’t?” [The Virus turns towards the door, reaching out for Noah and guiding him away.]“Then Mother has an alternative plan for you and your family.”
[Gulp.] [Cut.]