HUNG
BACKSTAGE
KNIGHTWATCH VS. SOLMAN VS. WASHINGTON
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
JOLLY GOOD FELLOW
BACKSTAGE
“For he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow and so say all of us! Three cheers for the wonderful Mr. Happy, everyone.”
[In the Gentlemen’s Club, Happy is being serenaded by Edgar Nevermore, Nigel Royal, Nicholas Mammon and a whole host of finely suited gentlemen. His face is red with blush, his eyes googly and his smile almost infectious.]“Mr. Happy, last week at Crash and Burn you passed the first test on your lengthy journey to becoming a Gentlemen,” [Nevermore says, raising a glass.] “And frankly, I couldn’t be any prouder of you, old chap.”
[Happy beams with pride.]“Understanding when is the right time to resign your position is an underappreciated quality; one only a true gentlemen will ever know to realize. At Ring King, it is my dream that I can guide you to the passing of our second test.”
[The young Happy gulps.] “The second test?” [Edgar steps closer, wrapping an arm around his young ‘friend’.]“Submission is just part one of many great tests, dear boy. Stick with me and I’ll guide you to greatness, you have my sincere word.”
“Of course, Mr. Nevermore; I feel like I’ve already learned so much!”
[Edgar smiles.]“To Mr. Happy, a prime example of the perfect student,” [Nevermore says raising his glass again.] “Here, here.”
“Here, here!”
[Cut.]WILD KARRDE VS. RED WING
TABLES MATCH
ANTIDEPRESSANT
EARLIER TONIGHT
“What’re we doin’ now, boss?”
[Nate doesn’t even look over his shoulder, responding as he continues to scan the paper in front of him.]“We rebuild, Jamal. Fighting the Vindicators cut out a lot of my resources, and I gotta get that shit back. I just need to figure out the next step.”
[Suddenly, there’s a loud thud at the door. Another of Nate’s men goes to check it, opening it to reveal a tall man, built like a tank.]“Whatchu want?”
[The man simply points at Nate, who nods as a signal to let the big man into the room. Nate smiles at the sight of the man standing before him.]“What’s your name, man?”
“Heath.”
[This doesn’t suffice for Nate, who shakes his head just slightly.]“Heath what?”
[A sigh escapes the mouth of the man responding.]“Heath Solman.”
[Nate nods, another smirk on his face.]“And what is it you want, Heath Solman?”
[Heath pauses for a moment, noticeably nervous about his request.]“I’m looking for a cure…for immortality.”
[This takes Nate and his men by surprise, but Jamal is the one who speaks up.]“Why would you want a cure for immortality, man? That’s a gift anyone would wanna hold onto forever.”
“This ain’t a gift, believe me…it’s a curse, and I want it gone.”
[Nate’s men are still confused by what Heath is saying, but Nate himself just smiles.]“I think I have just the thing for you, man…but you’ve gotta pay to play.”
[Heath nods in acknowledgement, letting out a small sigh.]“Money’s tight, but I’m willing to work for it.”
[Nate’s smile just grows into a twisted grin.]“That’s what I like to hear, Heath. I think we can do business, my man.”
[Nate extends a hand, and Heath reluctantly shakes it with a look of concern on his face.] [Cut.]TROY SOLVEIG VS. BRENT KERSH ©
RING KING ROUND OF ’16
THE CHALLENGE
BACKSTAGE
“Knightwatch”
‘It shall take a warrior of great will, of great strength, and of great mind to be able to truly stop me. As of thus far, you have demonstrated the potential of ending my wretched existence. Shall thou take this task, ye shall truly be named a knight of great valor.”
[A confused look comes to the eyes beneath the mask. Who could have sent something so primitive, so archaic way of communication?]“Arthur”
[Of course. Knightwatch gives a small sigh, folding the letter back into the pristine state it was beforehand. Speaking to the room around him, he does not break his stare from the locker door.]“If you wish to play these games Arthur, then I accept. Only to put you back to where you truly belong.”
[He turns and marches towards the entrance of the temples below, vanishing out the doorway of the locker room. From the shadows of the room, Arthur emerges from the shadow. He watches over where the Templar had just vanished, a small smile on his face.]“Excellent. It hath been too long since a proper knight hath been seen.”
HAPPY VS. LUTHER CREED
RING KING ROUND OF ’16
MARKED
BACKSTAGE
“Quinn!”
[The Tutor looks up, his eyes telling the story. He stands up to go face to face with the Enforcer.]“Listen kid, I don’t care what Wolfgang is holding over your head. You need to step up and fight. You might lose. But you’ve automatically lost by sitting around doing what he says.”
[Quinn shakes his head.]“Is it really that easy, Brent? I can’t do anything without him there. He’s got a noose around my throat and all my fight is going towards breathing right now. I’m sorry, Brent. You don’t deserve this.”
[Kersh whirls around immediately, but JON DAVENPORT HITS HIM WITH A STEEL CHAIR!]“Good job, boy. I knew your kind was good for something.”
[Davenport lays in boots on his nemesis, while Wolfgang walks around the corner. The Superior pulls Davenport back from Kersh.]“The fuck you doing, blondie?” [Davenport yells, squaring up with Wolfgang.] “We had a deal.”
[The Superior only smiles, turning to Redmond Quinn.]“Take the chair, you filthy neger. Take it and crush his skull. Race traitors are worse than even your kind.”
[Davenport hands Quinn the chair, who takes it reluctantly. The Tutor stands over the struggling Kersh, who looks up at Quinn with all he has left.]“You have to fight, kid.”
[Wolfgang laughs.]“Finish him off, sklave. Do it, now. Or this is all over for you.”
[Quinn raises the chair up over his head slowly, his eyes whispering silent apology to Kersh.] [CRACK!!] [Troy Solveig is here!] [Wielding his hammer Lævateinn, Troy knocks Redmond Quinn down, the chair skittering away. Davenport charges in.] [VALKYRIE! Superman punch to Davenport!] [Vǫlsungr stands over Kersh as Wolfgang grabs Davenport, pulling him to his feet. The older man starts to stagger away, retreating as Wolfgang drags the unconscious Quinn by his neck like a dog behind him. But Wolfgang is practically drooling as he looks at Troy.]“Thanks.” [Brent Kersh croaks out as Troy helps him to his feet.]
“No thanks are necessary, Enforcer.” [Troy responds.] “Fair combat is one thing, but these men seek to use subterfuge. I will not allow that to continue. Not to an honorable warrior such as yourself.”
[Kersh chuckles.]“Welcome to OSW, kid. Not a lot of fairness around here.”
[Troy helps Kersh sit down as the two men have seemingly formed an alliance against the combined forces of Jon Davenport and Wolfgang, with poor Redmond Quinn still in bondage.]DAVID MANSON © VS. SHADOW
RING KING ROUND OF ’16
FEAR TACTICS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I appreciate your bringing man here, but there’s nothing we can do for them. Whatever toxin has been introduced into his system is incurable. No matter what scenario or situation we present to them, as soon as they are conscious, their heart begins to race, their breath becomes shallow and quickened, and their muscles become tense.”
“They fear.”
[Spero suddenly says, spelling out what the doctor is telling them. The doctor brushes a hair out of her face before nodding.]“It seems to be an immediate reaction to being awake, not necessarily in response to anything presented in front of them.”
[The heroes look amongst themselves.]“She’s perpetually afraid?” [says Gameboy with a gulp.]
“That is correct. Now, we’re going to continue to try and treat it. Please let us know if you can collect any of the weapons that possessed this sort of power.”
[The doctor turns and continues addressing the unconscious patient who seems peaceful at the moment. The Vindicators take a step back.]“Spero, what do you know of this?” [Redwing asks.] [Spero taps his ring.]
“I was given this ring as a result of tragedy. But it’s fueled by hope. Hope allows for my blue guardian light to flourish. My predecessor, the previous holder of this ring, was murdered. It was in his dying breath that he gave me this ring and saved my life. As for who killed him… it was two men.”
[Spero looks past the heroes towards the bed.]“Fueled by the yellow power of Fear and the red fuel of Rage.”
[Spero returns his look to his teammates.]“If Fear has truly become a weapon of our foes, then Rage will soon to follow leading to chaos and disarray. I’m not sure where Mysterion and that doctor obtained that power or those weapons, but it can’t be good. Only devastation will follow.”
[Redwing steps up and nods.]“Then it’s agreed. We must do whatever we can to put a stop to them and prevent this atrocity from spreading.”
[The heroes nod as a hooded figure peering through the window on the hospital room turns about and begins walking away with quickened pace.] [Cut.]BERENGAR © VS. SPERO
RING KING ROUND OF ’16
HARPER IMAGE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Not a trace should remain. The Heir Eternal directed that the entire room was too consumed with the infestation to be allowed to remain.”
[She is referring to the room that Edward Newton had tortured her in, the room that the Riddler had made into a mural showing Eli murdering his father, contradicting the official story that places no blame on Elijah for his father’s death.]” My brother wishes this room to never be unearthed again.”
[Rose steps back from the clean up, walking through the broken boards marking its entrance into the fresh air of Eternity on the Hill. She winds her way towards Eli’s chambers.]“Is that how your brother deals with everything?”
[Rose turns with force to stare directly into the eyes of Edward Newton.]“You’re lying.” [Rose states, wasting no time in addressing Newton’s proclamation of Eli’s guilt.] [Newton isn’t phased.]
“Did he deny what was so plainly revealed to you?” [The Riddler queries.] “Or did he deflect and order a death and rebirth of the room?”
[Rose stays silent, glaring at the OSW World Champion. Newton reaches into his jacket pocket, and pulls out a folded piece of paper.] [A birth certificate.]“Death and rebirth seems to be the modus operandi of your Heir Eternal, doesn’t it? Death in the River, rebirth as the Forever family. But I ask you, Harper Creed, why you were so special that your dip into the Endless Spring not only took away your last name, but also renamed you to such a curious moniker?”
[He hands the birth certificate to Rose, confirming the birth name of Harper.]“Your brothers. Your mother. None changed their first name in becoming what you are now. Your brother erased the taint of William Creed from your lives.”
[Newton nods back the way Rose came.]“Just like that room, your brother seems to believe that ugly truths must be kept out of the light. You’re a beautiful woman, Harper. How badly did your brother view you that he erased you from existence? How tainted did he truly think you were?”
[Rose seems conflicted, but Newton isn’t done.]“I don’t believe you’re tainted, my dear. You’re a strong woman who survived what many others could not. I’m going to break your brother, Harper.”
[He begins to back away.]“You’d be wise to consider what you’ll do with your life once you’re free from men who seek to use you.”
[The Riddler disappears around a corner, while Rose clutches the birth certificate in her hand, considering the words of Edward Newton.]EDGAR NEVERMORE VS. GAMEBOY
RING KING ROUND OF ’16
CONGREGATION
BACKSTAGE
“Pass that plate one mo’ gain… What yo would have flitted and gambled ‘way belongs to the Lord, brothas.”
[The jingling of change and a flurry of action follows as the faithful dig deeper and the collection plate comes round once more. Though, as it does, the congregation is interrupted by a presence that makes itself known.]“What on Earth? Chambers? What do you think you are doing?”
[Stepping forward, into the thick of the congregation, backlit by candlelight that barely hides his frustration is Shadow. The congregation back away slightly, letting him and Chambers stand face to face.]“Get the hell out of my locker room. Surely you can find somewhere else to set up your two-faced operation?”
[Chambers simply smiles, a charismatic smile with a twinkle in his eye. He is not here by accident, nor does he seem surprised by the identity of his intruder.]“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them…”
[Shadow cuts him off, mid verse.]“I’m not that kind of angel, Chambers. Even if I was, I don’t think I would serve your Lord. What you have created here is a pack of lies, I won’t be one to buy into it. I’m not one of your puppets.”
[He glares at the congregation fellows, who back away further in response. This only serves to bring another smile to Chamber’s face as he completes the verse.]“…and they were much afraid.”
[A long pause, as Chambers studies Shadow up and down. Shadow stands still fuming at the intrusion.]“My brotha, the Lord has plans for yo’. I’ve been watching what yo’ done, an angel stepping in to let poor souls see the light. How many more souls this congregation could reach with an angel of the Lord on its side? He done work in mysterious ways, son, yo’ may not want to be, but yo’ be part of that plan.”
[Shadow shakes his head, stepping past Chambers to his locker and grabbing the gear bag that he had come to get in the first place. He slings it over his shoulder and brushes back past Chambers.]“I’m not one of your puppets. I’m not your angel.”
[With that, he pushes his way back through the congregation and disappears, leaving Chambers to utter the final word.]“The Lord’s plans are in motion, brothas… Pass that plate one mo’ gain.”
NIGHTSTICK VS. REDMOND QUINN
[Redmond Quinn has been through hell but he can release some rage here tonight against a man in some ways similar to his captor in the sadistic Nightstick, but which man will move onto the Quarter Finals?]
[The bell sounds as Quinn rushes forward, laying into Nightstick with lefts, rights, kicks, knees, everything he can unleash upon the larger man as the Law is overwhelmed from the onslaught. A massive Roundhouse staggers Nightstick back into the corner as Quinn rushes forward, stunning him with a wild hook before spinning the Law around, DRAGON SUPLEX INTO THE CORNER!]
[Nightstick looks near out but Quinn isn’t done as he pulls Nightstick up, backing up before rushing forward, DETEN…911! Nightstick held onto Quinn, drilling him with a Powerbomb of his own. Nightstick stumbles back, still feeling the effects of the Dragon Suplex as this allows Quinn to pull himself off the mat, surprising Nightstick with a spinning back kick but he goes to the well too many times, leaping up with a Tornado Kick that’s met]
[WITH A HUGE BULLHAMMER ELBOW! Nightstick doesn’t let Quinn hit the mat, pulling him up, SMITH AND WESSON! Two consecutive elbows look like they’ve knocked Quinn out cold as he drops down for the cover, ONE…TWO…Quinn just gets the shoulder up! Nightstick delivers a stiff kick to the ribs that sends Quinn reeling before backing up as he cocks his shoulder, looking for the end. The Tutor slowly rises to his feet, HARD JUSTICE! Quinn flips in mid-air from impact before Nightstick muscles down for the cover, ONE..TWO…THREE!!!]
[Nighstick wins it here, continuing his metoric rise through the ranks as he moves onto the Ring King Quarter Finals]
SWAMP THING I
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Do you think I can’t hear you out there?” [His voice booms into the darkness.] “Show yourself, bub.”
[Out of the shadows steps Wild Karrde, his face contorted into rage and frustration.] [Manson stands, swigging his beer.]“What do you want?”
[The Gambler keeps his distance.]“You know what I want, Manson; I want my case back and I ain’t asking twice.”
[The Bowman looks confused yet nonchalant. He tosses his empty beer bottle at the feet of his visitor, shaking his head.]“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, but if you don’t get off my land, I’m gonna feed you to the gators and believe me when I say, I’m not telling you twice, bubba.”
[Karrde steps forward, the broken glass bottle crunching beneath his boot as he does.]“Ol’ Karrde ain’t leaving without that briefcase,” [he sneers.] “So if you want to jump in the murky swamp, come on down, son; I’ll make it red with your blood.”
[David laughs, nodding in agreement. He hops down off his porch and casually walks over to Wild Karrde.] [Both men puff out their chests.] [Bang!] [Cut.]ZANDER ZANE VS. KING ARTHUR
RING KING ROUND OF ’16
ROCK OF AGES
BACKSTAGE
“Who goes there!? Show yourself, coward!”
[The lights flick on! Multiple bright lights nearly blinding Berengar, the Void Knight shielding his eyes, able to make out the silhouette of a man… with a guitar. He strums it, massive speakers giving off a loud enough noise that Berengar covers his ears!] [GUITAR SHOT! THE SILHOUETTE HITS BERENGAR ON THE CHIN WITH A MASSIVE UPSWING!]“Should’ve held onta’ your title instead a’ coverin’ yer ears.”
[THE Zander Zane stands looming over Berengar, his guitar slung over his shoulder from that massive swing… and the former megastar looking more disheveled than before, liquor bottles litter the ground behind him, his movement uncoordinated, the rockstar looking drunker than we’ve ever seen him, almost uncharacteristically so.]“Now hand it ova’.”
[It takes Zane a second to realize just how out of it Berengar is before he stumbles forward, grabbing the title and stumbling through the bottles surrounding the two, the glass clattering against the floor. As he makes distance Berengar finally makes his way to his feet, the hero holding his jaw, having to steady himself against the wall.]“What will you gain from this, Zane? You won’t escape me, you should just concede.”
[Zane looks at Berengar, his eyes glazed over.]“Ta’ gain? I’m reinventin’ myselve a bit. Zander Fuckin’ Zane’s gonna get back on top! No publicity is bad publicity, Zander Zane’s rock a’ ages starts now!”
[Berengar goes to chase after Zane but as he does the rocker flicks off the lighting! The Void Knight is left in the dark, and when he finally gets the lights back on…] [Zane was gone. And in his possession? The VHS title.]D’VON CHAMBERS VS. JON DAVENPORT
RING KING ROUND OF ’16
TURN IT ON
BACKSTAGE
“Take this” [Creed demands as he hands the man a hand held cam recorder.] “You’ll have to…”
“I dunno Luther” [The young man retorts.] “I think he’s clean.”
[Immediately, Creed’s eyes fill with rage.]“CLEAN?”
[Creed grabs the man by his neck.]“He’s just like any other corrupt white man in this world” [Luther’s voice softens as he seems to reason with the man.] “Nightstick thinks it’s all about him!”
[The Voice of the Voiceless glances back to the hall.]“It’s not!”
[And now an intense glare back to his acquaintance.]“He thinks he can solve the problem with people like me! People like YOU! He thinks the problem is already solved simply because of a choice HE made!?! No! You can’t solve this problem by turning violence off! No! We’re going to take the violence… and turn it on!”
[Creed glances once more to the exit.]“Follow him. Keep him close. Record him every step. The Revolution WILL be televised!”
[Static.] [Cut.]WOLFGANG VS. ELI FOREVER
SINGLES MATCH
ELI’S CREED
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Is it done?” [Eli asks, distraction in his voice.] [Rose seems nervous, but she nods.]
“Yes, the room has been destroyed. I carried it out myself. All that’s left is ash and dust.”
[A smile tugs at Eli’s mouth.]“Good. Thank you for that. The Riddler sought to disrupt what we are doing here. But the spring is endless and the River will not be forked.”
[Rose clears her throat, seemingly drawing confidence.]“Is it true?”
[Eli finally sits up, giving his full attention to his sister.]“Is it true that you killed him?” [Rose clarifies.] [The Heir Eternal swallows, removing his sunglasses.]
“All that matters is that William Creed is dead. I’ve labored to erase anything that his taint still remained on. Anything that he touched was destroyed and has been made new. My life has been dedicated to making sure William Creed and anyone like him no longer exist. You know what he did to you. Does the avenue of his end matter? Nothing he had his hands on still remains.”
[The younger woman looks down at the ground, a slight shudder running through her body.]“Nothing remains?” [She whispers.] [Eli seems confused, leaving his chair to stand in front of his sister, raising her chin to make eye contact with her.]
“I thought we’d gotten past this. You cannot live in the past. You are a wholly new creature.” [Anger creeps into his voice.] “What troubles you, Rose?”
[She steps back from his hand, a lump in her throat.]“Riddles, brother. What happened to our father? What happened to me? Why do you hate me? Riddles trouble me. Riddles that I can’t answer anymore.”
[Rose turns and runs out of the room, Eli Forever left alone. His fists roll into fists as a single word escapes his lips.]“Newton.”
[Cut.]EDWARD NEWTON © VS. MYSTERION ©
THE MAIN EVENT
SWAMP THING II
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Did you mean to wound him?”
[Manson yells over his shoulder to the gunman.] [From behind and out of the cabin walks Hate, holding a pistol.]“I meant it,” [he growls sternly.] “And if he manages to irk my last nerve, I’ll finish the job where he kneels.”
[The Gambler places pressure on the wound, looking up at The Awakening.] [Hate walks over, putting the pistol to his temple.]“You’re under the impression that we have something that belongs to you, right?” [Hate questions.] “But we don’t.”
[Manson sighs.] “Just shoot this asshole in the head and be done with it. His sleepy little existence is beginning to piss me off.” [Hate ignores his partner.]“If it were up to David, he’d have put a bullet in your head and you’d have been dead before you hit the ground. But you see Karrde, we have a mission beyond our own existence; it’s to take sleepy little sheep like yourself and wake them up.”
[Wild Karrde pushes his head against the gun.]“I’m wide awake, mother fucker.”
[Hate chuckles.]“And yet here you are having wandered into the swamps of Florida looking for something you know we don’t really have. I mean, do you think we’d record a video and let you know where to find it? That case has no purpose in our possession. Whoever took it from you wants to halt your progress.”
[The Gambler laughs, shaking his head.] “You inbred hicks think that I think you have the case?” [He says laughing.] “Fuck no. I know you don’t have it but I still want it back and you’re going to take me to the man who took it, even if I have to drag you there kicking and screaming.” [Before he can say another word, Manson clocks him over the back of the head with something, knocking him unconscious.]“Does he think who I think he means?” [David questions quizzically.] “Is he talking about…?”
[Hate interrupts.]“Jack?”
[The Nihilist doesn’t know what to make of it but he has an idea.]“I’m going to put him back in his car, drive him back to the Tap Room and leave him there. If Jack is behind this, he won’t want him dead.”
[Cut.]