INTRODUCING…
THE CHIEF’S OFFICE
“Vanguard, identification number zero, zero, one, confirm?”
“Identify confirmed,” [Vanguard replies robotically.] “Mr. Knot.”
[The man, with balding grey hair and a long brown moustache that stands out against the rest of his white beard, nods in satisfaction.]“Very good,” [he mutters.] “Now Vanguard, there has been a change in the original protocol. Your mission objectives have changed. I will now be running the day to day operations of Old School Wrestling and you will serve as my assistant.”
“Yes, Mr. Knot.”
[He stands up, straightening out his suit.]“As for this mysterious EF, I require you to remove all references in your database immediately and cease your alliance with The Informer.”
[There’s a pause.]“Can you confirm, Vanguard?”
“Processing.”
[Pause.]“Database purged.”
[Mr. Knot smiles.]“Very good,” [he remarks with a nod.] “Finally, for my first act of business as appointed Chairman of Old School Wrestling, I need you to possess a form. These halls are extremely dangerous and your key objective is the safety and security of Mr. Knot, do you understand?”
“Objectives updated. Secure Mr. Knot at all costs.”
[The Chairman chuckles slightly, walking towards the door.] [Cut.]OLD DOG STILL HUNTS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Not even the ‘Gram, Dani?”
[Danielle Kersh leans against a rail, sipping on a glass of wine. She looks down, her lips in a frown.]“I told you, Sam. It’s not going to happen. I don’t want anyone to find me.”
[Sam places her hand on Dani’s chin, raising her gaze to meet hers.]“Whoever it is, whatever it is, that you’re running from… you can’t run forever, you know?”
[Dani leans in for an embrace as the voice of Jon Davenport greets us.]“My fellow Americans, Brent Kersh presents himself as a family man, a man of the people. But he ain’t what he says he is. The real America, the silent majority, needs to see what Beaufort’s favorite son really is.”
[The two women share a small kiss.]“Exhibit A. The real America stands for family values. One man. One woman. A quiver full of children. That’s the way God almighty intended it to be. But that Kersh blood is tainted. His hellspawn he calls a daughter is living in sin. That ain’t American.”
[As the couple pull apart, the frame freezes and zoom’s in on Sam’s face.]“And to beat it all, it’s one of them. Just another thug, a nappy headed hoe. Exhibit B.”
[The image fades out to show a picture of Brent Kersh with Jon Davenport beside it. There is an American flag hanging on the wall, and his dogs are knelt at his feet.]“That’s what Brent Kersh is. He didn’t raise a real American. He raised a queer traitor to her people. That makes him a traitor. Brent Kersh ain’t ruining the real America anymore. These old dog’s still hunt, and when I pull the trigger, America is going to see Brent Kersh for what he really is.”
[The video turns to static as we zoom out from a video screen. Standing above the old CRT monitor is Brent Kersh.] [And he’s not happy.] [Cut.]NATE WASHINGTON VS. MYSTERION
SINGLES MATCH
DE MISSIONE A DEO
THE TEMPLAR TEMPLE
“King Arthur. One of our greatest duties as Templars was to keep the king of legend sealed away, resting forever in a tomb filled with the gas of sleep. It was built to deal with the curse of a man who sacrificed it all, and yet could not die.”
[He narrates to someone in the room, flicking through a small series of screenshots. We see the tomb from before, along with the bodies of the guards that had stood before the door.]“We were tasked by the Church to watch over his rest. Now that he rises, the curse that lets him live corrupts his mind. We fear that he may be truly gone from us, forever lost to the tides of time.”
[He pauses, lowering his head.]“Brother Godfrey, before his death, entrusted the Templars and I, Father Dominic to resume the duties of those that had died before us. So I entrust you, Dark Knight, to handle putting him to rest again.”
[From the corner of the room, Knightwatch emerges, walking forward and coming face to face with the priest. We see Dominic squirm underneath the void like gaze of the mask, before he speaks.}“Ut Deus vota.”
KNIGHTWATCH, ZANE & DAVENPORT VS. VINDICATORS
TRIOS MATCH
THESE PEOPLE
BACKSTAGE
“What’s the malfunction with you, young man?”
[It’s Edgar Nevermore.] [And Happy doesn’t quite know how to respond.]“Why’re you out here offering these people free hugs? You should have a little more decorum. It’s quite, quite, impolite to be pestering even these kinds of people.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Nevermore, I’m just trying to make friends. I’m so happy to be here but every time I’ve tried to make a friend, something has gone wrong.”
[Edgar lifts his head slightly, rubbing his chin.]“I see,” [he considers.] “Perhaps it’s the kinds of people you’ve tried to associate with, young fellow? There isn’t a great deal in the way of upper class around these parts. I wouldn’t befriend one of these people for any sane purpose.”
[Happy thinks about that for a minute, not quite understanding.]“I guess?” [He says a little bewildered.] “I don’t really know what you mean, Mr. Nevermore.”
[Edgar throws an arm casually around his shoulder and pulls him a little closer, grasping a little tight.]“Precisely, chap. Precisely.”
[The Poet smiles, keeping Happy tight as they walk away together, leaving us behind in the middle of the hallway.]D’VON CHAMBERS VS. HAPPY
SINGLES MATCH
UNEXPECTED VISIT
BACKSTAGE
“Ah, Mr. Solveig” [The Salesman smiles.] “I was expecting you!”
[Volsungr looks ahead with squinted, cynical eyes.]“What is this place?”
“This?” [Mammon answers innocently.] “Why it’s my store ole chap. Needful Things I call it.”
“Yes but, I did not come to your store it…” [Solveig pauses, fighting the confusion.] “Came to me.”
“Yes well…” [The Salesman smiles slyly.] “We shan’t waste time on the smaller details.”
“Then why did you bring me here?” [Solveig scowls.] “To your collection of dust?”
“Come now Mr. Solveig” [Mammon’s voice deepening.] “There is no need to be shrewd.”
“WHY?”
[Volsungr roars at The Salesman, prompting him a startle before slowly displaying a grin.]“I’ve come to learn you are in need of something Mr. Solveig and well… I have just the thing for you!”
“I do not need anything that you can deliver Salesman!”
“Mr. Solveig, Troy… correct?” [Mammon reasons.] “You’ve been wondering about for weeks now in search of your glory or your destiny, whatever that may be, and what have you accomplished? You do indeed need something and I do intend to deliver it’s just that…”
[Mammon pauses, his hesitation piquing Solveig’s interest.]“Yes?”
“Everything has a price!”
[Mammon smiles yet in response, Solveig merely lets out a disgruntled snort.]“That is may mortal just as death comes for us all but if you do not lead me away from this place now the price of my visit will be death much sooner for you!”
[There is a long intense silence before Mammon motions behind him.]“Just as you came Mr. Solveig. Just as you came.”
[Volsungr glares at The Salesman before stepping backwards; his hand reaching for the knob of the door before gripping and slowly opening it, the god making his exit.] [And just as before, as the door comes closed behind him, Volsungr finds himself in the corridor of the Tap Room.] [Static.] [Cut.]REDMOND QUINN VS. DR. MINDFUCK
SINGLES MATCH
FADE AWAY
RECORDED EARLIER
“Those were the days, I tell ya. Some beautiful music, paired with beautiful women such as yourselves, always made for a good time. That’s the life I live, always looking for the next party, the next rush. It’s like I always say, ladies…it’s better to crash and burn than to fade away. We’ve only got one life to live, why not enjoy every passing minute of it?”
[The ladies giggle at the sound of Zane’s philosophy, drawing a grin on the face of the Rock God as he takes another swig from his bottle before slamming it down on the counter.]“Say, you ladies wanna sneak peek of the latest single from THE Zander Zane? I’ll give ya a personal tour of my studio, and if you’re really lucky I’ll even let ya play with the equipment.”
[The ladies nod with another giggle as he leads them away from the bar to help him…get ready for the night, as it were. As the three of them head through the door, we notice a figure sitting at the opposite end of the bar, cloaked in the shadows. The shadow leans forward, revealing Shadow with a scornful look on his face.]“I’ll bet you say that to all the ladies, don’t you? It looks like someone will have to save you from yourself, Zander Zane.”
[With that, the Avenging Angel gets up from his seat, heading out on his latest pursuit as the party continues on at the bar.] [Cut.]SHADOW VS. DAVID MANSON ©
SINGLES MATCH
PLACE YOUR BETS
KARRDE’S CASINO
“Do not waste your life away in sin, my brothas!”
[Karrde stands up from his chair so fast it gets sent backward, a sneer forming on his face as he sees the source of the disturbance. Standing on the stage in the center of this crowd, a microphone in hand, D’von Chambers. Karrde rushes to the stage as Chambers speaks.]“You place yo bets on the wheels of the devil, and in doing so are betting your eternal souls against the material things of this world. If you stay in these halls, your soul shall forever burn on a pile of the money you so coveted!”
[A crowd forms around Chambers, Karrde forcing his way through, practically shoving D’von out of the way as he yanks the mic from his hand, tossing it aside.]“Now, what the fuck do ya think you’re doin’ in my casino, boy?”
[Karrde’s steps towards Chambers, the preacher merely smirking in return.]“What am I doin’, brotha? I’m tryin’ to save your customer’s souls. I’m trying to save your eternal spirit! I have been disgraced, my congregation is gone. And to gain it back, I must speak the good word, fight the good fight! I must go to the source of sin, I must place ma’ bets against you so that I may have a chance to save not just ma’ self, but the souls of every greedy, envious man who walks through those doors.”
“You ain’t doin’ nothin’ in my house, Chambers. I let one religious nut in here, and I ain’t keen on lettin’ another speak gibberish to my good payin’ customers. Get the fuck outta my casino before I make you get out.”
[Karrde stomps towards Chambers, reaching out after him only for Chambers to back into the crowd, the confused bystanders not even thinking to stop him as he disappears towards the exit. Karrde watches helplessly, unable to push through the crowd as Chambers yells out to him once more.]“Your soul must be saved, Karrde! I ain’t here for your money, I’m here by God’s Will!”
[With those last words, Chambers is gone. Karrde looks on incredulously before returning to his chair, the Invasion Winner already formulating a plan for this newfound pest.]ELI FOREVER VS. EDGAR NEVERMORE
SINGLES MATCH
A LINE IN THE SAND
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Man, it’s just so awesome that we’re a team now! The Vindicators are going to be a force to be reckoned with, buddy!”
[Gameboy is jovially walking down the hallway as Redwing moves alongside him, quietly.]“Aren’t you excited? Maybe we should try to get matching outfits or something. I’m due a new skin or…”
“Stop.”
[Gameboy freezes in place as Redwing clings to the wall hiding himself in the darkness. Gameboy slowly turns toward Redwing who is listening intently.]“What is it?”
“I thought I heard…”
“ROBOTS?!”
[It’s at this moment that Dr. Mindfuck, Mysterion, and a slew of robots step into the hallway with guns aimed at the two heroes.]“After you royally FUCKED me and my work, I’m not going to stop Mysterion. I’m going to allow him to just SKIN YOU ALIVE, Gameboy!”
[Gameboy gulps as Mysterion steps forward and raises a fist with a USB drive in his hand.]“With this USB Killer, I will put you away just like my old foe, Mainframe.”
[A blue blur sprints across the screen! The USB Killer is yanked from the hand of Mysterion who blinks blankly for a second before looking down at his now-empty hand.] [He looks up to see the Blue Lantern of Hope standing before him with his hands on his hips.]“This has nothing to do with you! Get out of the way and wait your turn, bluebell!”
[Spero doesn’t budge as he stands between the two groups, drawing a line in the sand. He points at one of the robots as The USB Killer is shown sticking out of it.]“As long as you threaten the innocent and they have hope, I will never falter, villain.”
[BOOM!] [The robot explodes in an electrical explosion! Wingarangs begin flying through the air and take out robots as do Red Turtle Shells! The robots begin exploding as Mindfuck and Mysterion see the tide turning as they turn tail!] [The heroes smile at their retreat before the two villains eventually stop with Mindfuck being extremely out of breath.]“DAMNIT! DAMN THAT GAMEBOY!”
[Mysterion looks at him before shaking his head.]“We need numbers, Mindfuck. As much as I deplore working with more potential heroes, we need to turn the numbers back in our favor.”
[Mindfuck catches his breath for a moment before nodding.]“I think I have JUST THE PERSON!”
WILD KARRDE © VS. NICHOLAS MAMMON
SINGLES MATCH
VIGIL
BACKSTAGE
“Something else is coming. Something that plagues our existence. But what, we do not know. And how to stop it…”
“We don’t know that either.”
[Vigilkeeper chimes in, answering what Berengar already knows. The Void Knight nods, standing to his feet.]“Till then, we stand vigil, watching… protecting… Ready to vindicate any evil that threatens this place.”
“This is bigger than any one person.”
[A presence stirs in the room. It is not so much heard as it is felt. That is until a single audible breath is heard, exhaling.]“Quiet down here, ain’t it?”
[The voice doesn’t reveal itself straight away, though the tone is recognisable.]“So quiet… If you still yourself just long enough, you can almost hear the blood pumping through your veins. Calling out to me…”
[Berengar shifts, drawing Vigilkeeper from its sheath.]“If you still yourself just long enough, in our vigil, the evil that must be vindicated will find you. One needs not search for it.”
[A flash of light as a match strikes a lantern, and a flurry of movement. David Manson comes at Berengar, blade drawn. Berengar moves in time, though Manson cuts a glancing blow with the knife across the Void Knight’s arm that is enough to draw blood.]“There it is. That Red River. There’s plenty more where that spring came from.”
[He swings his lantern again, the only source of light in the room and charges in the direction Berengar was, but the Void Knight is not there any more. Berengar and Vigilkeeper have gone.]“Nawww, come on. We are just getting started, bubba.”
[He chuckles into the silent air but his voice is met with no reply. Manson holds the blade up to his face, the tip still wet with a trickle of Berengar’s blood.]“There’s plenty more river to flow yet…”
EDWARD NEWTON © VS. DANTE XAVIER
SINGLES MATCH
APPRENTICE
BACKSTAGE
“Wow, Mr. Happy, you look absolutely spiffing,” [Nevermore says, raising his brandy glass.] “And that moustache, you can hardly tell it’s stuck on.”
[Happy smiles goofily.]“We’re very glad you could join us as an apprentice,” [Mammon says, also raising his glass.] “And furthermore, a friend.”
[An absolutely thrilled Happy lunges forward to hug Mammon, but Nevermore steps in.]“Ah, ah, ah,” [he says wagging a finger.] “That isn’t how gentlemen conduct themselves, sport. In these such circumstances, we offer a firm but respectable handshake. Do as I do, dear boy.”
[Edgar turns to Nicholas and they shake hands.] [Happy nods, gleefully offering a hand that Mammon first accepts, followed by Nevermore.]“Slightly moist,” [Nevermore bemoans, wiping his hand on Happy’s jacket.] ”But nice and firm, none the less. Now be a good lad and fetch us a refill, would you? There’s much work to be done and a Gentlemen should never process the day without a fitting beverage.”
[The young Happy takes their glasses and rushes off.] [Mammon turns to Nevermore with a smile.]“This is an absolutely wonderful idea, old boy,” [he says proudly.] “A spark of genius if I don’t say so myself.”
[The Poet grins back, taking a puff of his cigar.]“He’ll be a great service boy, especially for the menial and intrusive tasks we’d rather not undertake ourselves. Besides, at Crash and Burn, I’ll teach the boy a jolly good lesson, pad myself a victory on the way to an eventual Singles Championship and be thanked by his idiocy in the process.”
[Mammon, Royal and Nevermore laugh in unison, clinking their glasses.]“I’ll drink to that.”
[Cut.]BRENT KERSH © VS. WOLFGANG
REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
WORSHIP
RECORDED EARLIER
“What is your business on the Hill?”
[Newton barely looks at the man, studying the walls themselves, particularly the locks for the gate.]“Is the Heir Eternal in? I’d very much like to hear the message.”
[The lookout grins.]“He is in, indeed. He is in the oratory, speaking wisdom to those who would hear it.”
[The large door swings open, and the lookout ushers Newton in. The OSW World Champion walks down the streets, his eyes taking in every person in his path and every adjacent path. Without a care, Newton makes his way to the aforementioned oratory. The doors to the chapel creak as they open, and there is no congregation.] [Instead, the room is empty, save for Eli Forever, standing in the pulpit.]“Welcome, Mr. Newton, I have been expecting you.”
[Edward makes his way up the aisle, his eyes not moving from Forever. As he reaches the area right below Forever, Newton finally speaks in response.]“Were you afraid I would do to you what I did to poor Mr. Chambers?”
[Eli shakes his head in the negative.]“My congregation are not as fickle as his. They do not search blindly for answers, for they have found the only answer they need. Tell me, Edward, do you bring me a riddle?”
[Newton sneers.]“If you’re the answer, why request a riddle?”
[He pauses before continuing.]“I came here to hear your message, nothing more and nothing less. Yet it seems that I found what I expected to in this hall. Beautiful on the outside. Empty on the inside. You wish to take what is most dear to me, Eli Forever, so you have become my business. I will not wait idly by for you to attack me.”
[Forever peers down over the top of his sunglasses at Newton.]“Very well spoken, as usual. But you are correct, despite your rudeness. I am the answer.”
[The sneer becomes a grin.]“Perhaps. Yet I do not feel the prick of a thorn as I stand before you. Perhaps you are not the answer I seek today.”
[Forever is confused by the comment, but before he can retort Newton turns around, speaking as he walks away.]“A pity I didn’t hear your message, Eli. Next time, you can come to me.”
[The door slams shut behind Newton, as Forever seems confused by what the hell just happened.]THE REVOLUTION
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
[He shakes his head.]“Unless you’re loud and black and possess an opinion. In that case, all you get is a bullet.”
[His eyes widen somewhat.]“Listening to Pac isn’t going to make it stop. You have to be an actor, or you won’t be a factor. This endless stream of violence, corruption and racism has to come to an end. It won’t happen overnight. It won’t stop because we simply want it to.”
[He pauses.]“We have to make it.”
[He tilts his head and steps slightly closer, reaching out to grab the camera.]“There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part; you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop.”
[He laughs.]“My name is Luther Creed and The Revolution begins now.”
[Cut.]BERENGAR © VS. KING ARTHUR
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
FUNERAL
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“How dare you show your face here,” [he says, socking Quinn fiercely in the mouth. Redmond doesn’t stumble, he simply snaps with the blow.] “He trusted you, you son of a bitch. He trusted you!”
“I’m sorry,” [Quinn says softly.] “I’m so sorry Mr. Doebern.”
“I don’t know what you got him mixed up in but he was scared, Redmond!”
[The Teacher rubs his jaw.]“I don’t know what to say, Mr. Doebern. I wanted to help Kane, I wanted to teach him about the business. He wasn’t just my student, he was my friend and I let him down.”
[The father shakes his head, his face reddening with rage.]“You need to find out who killed my boy, do you understand me? If you want to make this right, you need to look into whatever mess you created and bring the person responsible to justice. God help me, Quinn, if you don’t. God help me.”
[Redmond nods his head.]“Now get the fuck out of here. You’re not welcome.”
[Kane’s father walks away abruptly, leaving the teacher to wallow in his own self-pity. He puts his glasses back on and turns away, leaving the cemetery behind. Looking back at the mourners, his face of sadness slowly turns to that of rage.] [He can’t contain it.] [Suddenly, the sound of blaring sirens can be heard in the distance, getting closer and closer until two squad cars pull up alongside The Teacher. Officers leap out, guns drawn.] [What now?] [Cut.]