DEATH
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“You’re failing, boy,” [The Superior says with disdain.] “By now, I should be a Champion. I’m beginning to lose patience with this miserable façade.”
[Quinn reaches out, begging.] “W-Water?” [He pleads with a hoarse and raspy cry.] [Wolfgang reaches down, grabbing a clear plastic canister of water. He takes a sip, spitting it over Quinn. Redmond frantically pulls the drops of water and saliva from his face, dragging it to his mouth.] [That makes the Superior chuckle vindictively.]“I’ve been debating what to do with you, sklave. Your hesitance to do as you’re told is becoming tedious. My men want to see you hanging and I’m inclined to give it to them. Unless, perhaps, you have an offer worth my patience?”
[Quinn shakes his head.] “Just… kill me.” [Wolfgang stands up, walks over and lifts his chin with his boot.]“That’d be too easy, neger,” [he scoffs.] “But you have your wish. At Frostbite, I’m going to parade you in front of your people, take my boot and curbstomp you into oblivion.”
[Redmond looks half dead. His lips are crusted from dehydration, his eyes are bloodshot and sore, and his face is gaunt and dirty.]“Then I’m going to release that video as the icing on the cake.”
[He whips his foot away abruptly, letting Quinn fall face first into his faeces and urine.] [Wolfgang walks away from camera, dictating orders.]“Get him some food and water,” [he hisses.] “I don’t want him dying on us.”
[Cut.]RAIN VS. SPERO
SINGLES MATCH
DEATH BY COP
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Trey Marks,” [the officer says, reading from a file.] “Known acquaintance of Luther Creed. You bear a striking resemblance to him, has anyone ever told you that?”
[He grins.]“I guess they have.”
[The Officer takes a seat, looking over the document in his hand.]“You were arrested tonight on suspicion of stalking with intent to harm,” [he remarks with a shake of his head.] “And to boot, you were stalking a former officer. We’ve retrieved your video camera, raided your home and recovered your shot footage. It appears you’ve been following him for a least a month, have you not?”
[Trey scoffs.] “Yeah? And you mother fuckers were following me.” [The Officer nods.]“That’s correct. We were made aware of your actions and took steps to protect the victim in question. We’ve watched you watch him and frankly, Trey, it looks like you were hoping to be on the end of some police brutality. We don’t think you acted alone and if you testify against your collaborators, we can convince the judge to take a more lenient stance on your crime.”
[Marks laughs, not just mildly, but rapturously.]“I ain’t giving you shit, pig.”
[Cut to behind the glass, where Nightstick stands with a fellow officer, arms folded.]“So, he was trying to make me think he was going to kill me, so I’d shoot him?”
[The cop nods.] “That’s about the short of it, yeah. Death by cop.” [Nightstick grimaces.]“He’s not going to give up Creed, you’re wasting your time. Let him go, Dan. I’ll deal with this.”
[He heads towards the door, only he’s stopped by the voice of his fellow officer.]“You should let us handle this,” [he reminds him.] “Before they cost you your freedom.”
[Nightstick says nothing, closing the door behind him.] [Cut.]GAMEBOY VS. REDWING
SINGLES MATCH
OPERATIONAL
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I see a red door and I want it painted black”
[The bouncer’s eyes nearly pop out of his head as Vanguard flings him into the window! Glass shatters as his lacerated body ends up bloodied in the street.]“No colors anymore I want them to turn black”
[The patrons scream in terror as Vanguard marches forwards, powerful fists crashing into the heads of the innocent bystanders, the patrons collapsing into heaps on the floor, some of the men leaping at the AI in an attempt to stop him.]“I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes”
[Only to meet the same fate, eyes and teeth scattering onto the floor, as Vanguard literally rips these poor men apart, the last one standing in his way receiving Vanguard’s kindest demise.]“I have to turn my head until my darkness goes!”
[As his head gets snapped by Vanguard in one swift turn, ending up backwards on the man’s lifeless body, the civilian collapsing onto the floor, the screams of the remaining bar goers being all we hear as the scene fades to black.] [And as we sit to stew in the newfound silence, only four words are heard amongst the darkness.]“Combat systems are operational.”
BERENGAR VS. MYSTERION ©
SINGLES MATCH
WITHERED HEART
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Arthur! I know you are in here!”
[The Dark Knight enters deeper, finding no other than Arthur himself. Draped across his throne, he seems as still as a corpse compared to what we have seen before. His head turns to watch, but says nothing as Knightwatch marches forward on a warpath.]“You unholy abomination! What kind of a man are you to put the lives of the innocent at risk in such a manner? Would you have them die at your feet? What coward are you tru-”
[He reaches forward, as to grasp Arthur by the throat. But instead of hand reaching ancient robe, the templar looks in surprise as a skeletal hand quickly grasp around his. Choking on the words he was saying, Knightwatch struggles as Arthur retorts in a raspy voice.]“You foolish mortal. I have put thee under tests for a reason. If thou comes barging in again prattling nonsense, you will find that my kindnesses do not extend as far as my wrath. Do I make myself clear to you mortal?”
[Knightwatch, unable to choke out a word beneath the vice grip of Arthur’s unnatural grasp, simply nods.]“Good. Then be gone, unless if thee desires an end most gruesome.”
[With a throw, Knightwatch is sent sprawling to the floor. Choosing to escape rather than push on to certain doom, he leaves the room with what little order that he has. Arthur watches him leave, a sigh rattling out of the king. He sits, eyes closing once more to rest.]THE KNIGHTWATCH VS. DAVID MANSON
SINGLES MATCH
THE BLAME GAME
BACKSTAGE
“It’s on this night that I dub you my prince, Mr. Happy. Rise and greet your King!”
[Happy cannot contain his glee as he stands after being dubbed on both shoulders by Nevermore. Mammon steps alongside Happy.]“While it is a day of celebration, we must not forget those who sacrificed for our cause.” [Mammon stops there as he frowns. Nevermore puts a hand on his shoulder.]
“Of course not, old chap. Let us take a moment to remember our friend, Mr. Royal.”
[They pause for a moment with their heads bowed. Happy looks amongst them with one eye open for a second before squeezing his tightly. The moment passes as they resume their composure. King Nevermore clears his throat.]“And now we must deal with those responsible. We must now turn our attention to The Awakening.”
[Happy looks confused at Edgar who pats him on the shoulder.]“Now, now Mr. Happy, no need for the long face. You’re well-versed with the history of OSW, yes? If you will recall, it was Mike Lane who started the tradition of heinous acts at Ring King when he turned on our poor friend, Mr. Royal, when he was crowned. Now? That old chap is gone, and it’s all a result of The Awakening.”
[Happy seems a bit confused still, but he’s nodding along with Nevermore who seems broken up over the loss of Nigel Royal.]“So we must avenge our fallen brother. We must put all of our efforts into assuring the fall of The Awakening. And only then can the wrongs they perpetuated be corrected.”
SILVER PLATTER
RECORDED EARLIER
“What do we even need this stuff for, anyway?”
[One of the other men just shrugs his shoulders.]“We don’t ask the boss too many questions, man. We just do the job and do it right.”
[As the van pulls away from a robbery that seemingly goes off without a hitch…that hitch suddenly pops up, in the form of sirens from around the corner. The men in the van look at each other with a bit of concern.]“How’d they manage to find us?”
[They look over at Heath, whose eyes widen in surprise.]“Don’t look at me, I just wanna get this over with.”
“Man, if you had anything to do with this…the boss will have your head on a silver platter.”
[The van picks up speed, eventually managing to outrun the cop car. One of the men grabs a cell phone as the van heads toward a bridge, dialing furiously as they cross.]“Hey boss, we’re heading your way now. We’ve got some heat on us. Understood.”
[He nods during that last statement, hanging up before looking out the window. We can still hear sirens off in the distance, but the group is safe for now as they approach the Tap Room…all the while, Heath is staring at the wall of the van, a certain kind of rage quietly building inside him as the van comes to a halt. The door opens, and we see Nate Washington checking his watch as the group exits the van.]“Time is of the essence, fellas. Did you get the job done?”
[Cut.]CREED & NIGHTSTICK VS. WASHINGTON & SOLMAN
TAG TEAM MATCH
THE FOG
SOMEWHERE ELSE
EDWARD NEWTON © VS. KING ARTHUR
SINGLES MATCH
THE ZANDER ZANE EXPERIENCE
BACKSTAGE
“To those about to rock… FIRE!” [Cannons explode to announce the arrival of the one and only Zander Zane.] “We salute you!”
[A body full of swagger, Zander Zane makes his way to the ring, his VHS Championship strapped over his shoulder in place of his usual guitar. His entrance theme blares out louder than ever. If his ego was in check before, the belt over his shoulder is sure to blow it out of proportion now. He takes his sweet time pandering to the crowd before raising his microphone to address the masses.]“Ladies and gentlemen, chicks and dicks… YOUR champion is here!”
[He raises the belt up high above his head, soaking in the applause of the fans.]“And as Champion… There are going to be afew changes around here. Effective fucking immmediterly… immedilatel… Right fucking now!”
[He points an accusing finger at the VHS logo that hangs above the bar.]“VHS is old and dead… This is my show now. THE ZANDER ZANE EXPERIENCE. You’re welcome!”
[A mixed reaction, more out of perplexement than anything follows his announcement. He lowers the accusing finger he points to the bar. Almost on cue, a tray is served to him in the ring. A very buxom barmaid, dressed in somewhat of a medieval get-up offers him a pint that he readily snaps up and takes a long gulp. Moments later, the very same mouthful is spat back out in disgust.]“Next… That watered down piss that you call beer needs to change. The people deserve better. Only premium, Zander Zane approved brews may be served on tap during the Zander Zane Experience. Zander has spoken… You’re welcome!”
[This does receive riotous applause. His accusing finger now trains itself to an item of his own possession. His VHS Championship. He tosses it down to the mat, placing his pint down along with it.]“A fresh new show needs a fresh new championship. The VHS Championship is no more…”
[He reaches inside his jacket pocket and retrieves a black spraycan, shaking it furiously for a while before bending down and spray painting a large pair of “Z’s” over the surface of the championship belt. He picks the belt back up, wet ZZ’s running and dripping a little, holding it over his head once more.]“… Introducing the ZZ Championship. A title worthy of the shoulders that carry it. Worthy of the name… Zander Zane. You’re…”
[An almost side-showy tinkling of a toy-piano melody interrupts him, much to his frustration.]‘Tic tic toc, the time bomb clock, ticks grinning ear to ear here baby.
Tic Tic Toc, the time bomb clock, ticks counting down… Tic, tic stop!’
“Who do you think you are? You’re out here carrying on like you’re the World Champion after stealing your belt and scoring a lucky win?! A belt that you haven’t even defended yet. Here’s a couple of issues for you…”
[He holds up one finger.]“One… You’re not the World Champion. You’re not the only champion around here. You’re not even the best champion in this ring! And yet your ego cannot seem to fathom that everything is not actually about you.”
[He holds up a second finger.]“Two… You haven’t even been tested as a champion yet. I’ve overcome odds to retain this belt. All you’ve overcome odds to do today is get into those leather pants without covering yourself in your own vomit. The Zander Zane Experience… Get real.”
[Zander snaps almost without warning. MIC DROP! NECKBREAKER STUNNER SILENCES MYSTERION! He clearly did not want to hear what the Double Feature Champion had to say.]“You want me to be tested. Bring the fuckers on… The Zander Zane Experience, your ZZ Champion. It’s on like Donkey Kong. You’re welcome!”
[With that, ZZ turns towards the entranceway, awaiting the arrival of his opponent and the massive bout that is about to follow between himself and Wild Karrde.]WILD KARRDE VS. ZANDER ZANE ©
SINGLES MATCH
ANSWERING THE CALL
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“It was him!”
“Vanguard!”
[Gameboy and Spero chime in respectively; the disgust in their voice echoing through the room as the group begins moving deeper into the bar.]“I have not seen such brutality since…”
[Berengar does not finish his sentence. He cannot; as pain crackles in his voice.]“We cannot allow such a sight to hinder our resolve. We have been tasked to…”
[Volsungr is suddenly cut off by a somewhat stunned Redwing.]“Answer the call?”
[The rest of the Vindicators look to Redwing in confusion as he points to the surface of the bar where a message has seemingly been left for them. Left written in the blood of the destroyed lives that now surround them.] [The message is simple.] [ANSWERING THE CALL?] [Static.] [Cut.]TROY SOLVEIG VS. HAPPY
STREET FIGHT
SOUTHERN FRIED FUN
BACKSTAGE
“Can you believe this shit? They expect us to drink this swill.”
[David Manson grabs one of the wine bottles and throws it to Hate before picking up the other.] [CRACK!]“Good thing we brought our own.” [says Hate with a grin.] [They slam the edge of the wine bottles on the edge of the table breaking them off as the wine and glass falls to the floor. They smirk at one another before throwing the remnants of the bottles against the walls. Hate throws down a bag before they riffle through it and pull out some large tankards. They begin drinking from them before gorging themselves on the food. They eat some and throw the rest at the wall, coating it with food.] [The lights shut out!] [The sound of glass and scrapping of chairs against the floor is heard before two thumps are heard.] [The lights return.] [Hate and David Manson are laid out on the floor in a pool of blood with glass shards spread around them as well as steel chairs.] [But not a soul other than them is around.] [And neither are their OSW Tag Team Championships.]
WOLFGANG VS. JON DAVENPORT
SINGLES MATCH
BLACK AND WHITE
RINGSIDE
“You son of a bitch!” [Kersh rages.] “You went too far this time!”
[Dragging Davenport to his feet by his hair, Kersh throws him back towards the ring, following each step of the way.]“You went after my family, Davenport.” [Kersh states as Davenport slides in the ring to escape.] “Creatures a lot worse than you have tried, but look around for them. You don’t see them, do you?”
[Davenport spits blood out before looking up with a mocking expression.]“Oh, you ran ’em off? Is that right?”
[Kersh hauls off with a right hand to Davenport that rocks him to his knees. Jon keeps his grin.]“I’m just finishin’ what the others started.” [He mocks.] “The world’s seen it in black and white: Brent Kersh ain’t nothing but a degenerate. Just another wolf in sheep’s clothing. You ain’t a real American.”
[Another right hand from Kersh puts down Davenport. The Enforcer picks up the bloody Davenport by his hair and stares into his eyes.]“The only thing in black and white are the x-ray’s you’re going to have when I’m done with you. Your hunting dogs can bring it on, cause the Enforcer isn’t going to stop until this is over.”
[Coughing up blood, Davenport laughs.]“My dogs ain’t got your scent, boy.” [Davenport sneers.] “You got a daughter, a defenseless baby boy, that beautiful wife a’yers, and even the bastard girl. You better let me go if you want to know who’s next.”
[Kersh releases Davenport, who slinks out of the ring.]“That’s a good boy, Brent. Could be one. Could be ’em all. You ain’t gonna know til the trap is set…”
[Davenport staggers backwards up the aisle.]“…and yer reading the obituary.”
[The enraged Enforcer paces the ring, trying to burrow his mind into that of his nemesis. But instead, he only hears the creepy laugh of Davenport.] [But Kersh needs to get his mind in the game.] [His match with Shadow is NEXT!]BRENT KERSH © VS. SHADOW
REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH, LADDER MATCH
The Rewind Championship is on the line here tonight as the ladders stand around the outside of the ring.] [Brent Kersh and Shadow stare up for a moment at the title suspended above the ring before they collide in the center of the ring with a tie-up! Kersh gets the better by driving a knee into the midsection of Shadow before flipping him over onto the mat in a side headlock. The Avenging Angel manages to work himself to a standing position before slipping out of Kersh’s grasp! Shadow rushes towards the ropes and springs over Kersh who charges after him. Shadow lands on knee before driving a kick right into the midsection of Kersh. The Enforcer staggers backwards before Shadow springs from the second rope with a big dropkick sending him out of the ring and to the floor below!] [Shadow waits for a moment before hitting the opposite ropes. He rushes towards the ropes nearest Kersh and leaps over with a corkscrew! Corkscrew plancha knocks Kersh to the mat. Shadow grins for a moment before grabbing the nearest ladder and sliding it into the ring. He goes to slide into the ring, but Kersh grabs him. The Enforcer whirls him around before lifting him up and dropping him throat-first atop the barricade! Shadow falls to the floor clutching his throat as a tinge of regret comes across the brow of Kersh before he slides into the ring.] [The Enforcer picks up the ladder and slowly sets it up beneath the overhanging title. He begins the climb, but it’s obvious that he’s not extremely comfortable up there. Kersh gets to the top and begins reaching out when Shadow springs back into the picture! Shadow springboards from the top rope and lands on the ladder across from Kersh! Shadow nails a big punch that rocks Kersh! He swings again, but Kersh dodges him and uses his momentum to move around the ladder onto the same side! Kersh grabs Shadow and tries for the Russian Leg Sweep! But Shadow clings to the ladder! Kersh slams down as Shadow realizes his opportunity! He reaches up and snags the title from the rung!] [The Avenging Angel wins the Rewind Championship here tonight!]
NEW CHALLENGER
RINGSIDE
“Mr. Forever.”
[Forever whirls around, his eyes planted on the bar, where none other than Edward Newton is stood, sipping a drink of some kind. At his side is Eli’s sister, Harper.]“I was never able to congratulate you on your crown, my friend. Bravo, you truly proved your worth. Harper and I are so very proud of you.”
[Eli shakes his head.]“Shut up, Newton.” [Forever spits.] “You broke my family, and I’m going to break you in return.”
[His eyes move to Harper.]“I don’t know what he did to you, sister, but I know that you’re still in there. How could you betray us?”
[With a sneer on her face, Harper points at the World Championship around Newton’s waist.]“You cared so much about this gold, that you didn’t lift a finger to find me when Edward held me right under your nose. Do you think I haven’t noticed that it’s all about you? You’re the Heir Eternal. It’s your book. Your martyrs. Your River.”
[Forever tries to protest, but Newton raises a hand up.]“I’m sure we can arrange a time for the two of you to debate, but I’m here on business.”
[The Riddler unclips his belt and drapes it over his shoulder.]“I’ve been granted something that I believe no other Champion has ever been granted. I get to name my next challenger.”
[He points to Eli.]“I’m sorry Mr. Forever, but since I have defeated you twice, you will not be that challenger.”
[The Riddler lets a grin form on his lips, a small declaration of victory.]“Harper will challenge for the Championship at Frostbite. A token of her newfound freedom. An opportunity to show that she can do what her brother cannot.”
[Harper grins, falling into the embrace of Newton as Eli Forever nods his head.]“I see what you’re doing, Newton. You’ve made a poor decision to turn me into your enemy.”
[His voice lowers.]“You have no idea what I am capable of.”
[Newton snorts before stepping away from the bar.]“Good luck tonight, Eli. May that throne comfort you in the loss of the gold that you so craved.”
[Newton and Harper vanish into the crowd of the Tap Room, while Eli Forever is incensed.] [Harper is challenging for the World Championship?] [What game is Newton playing?]EDGAR NEVERMORE VS. ELI FOREVER
THE MAIN EVENT
THE FOG II
BACKSTAGE
“I’m going to ask you this once and once only,” [Karrde says, looking him up and down.] “Did you take what rightfully belongs to me?”
[Shadow looks perplexed; his headache so painful that he simply tries to walk away.] [Only Karrde tosses a card past his cheek, cutting him as he leaves.] [The Angel turns with a grimaces, checking his wound.]“My briefcase, Shadow, where is it?” [Karrde says angrily.] “Only four people had the right motive to want that case and you’re the top of my list. I’m going to make your life a misery until you give me back what’s rightfully mine.”
[Shadow doesn’t understand.] “You think I took it? Why would I do that? Is that why I’m feeling this way, Karrde? Is that why I feel like a Jackhammer is doing a number on my head? Did you put this spell on me?” [He laughs.]“Do I look like a heretic?” [He asks with a sinister smile.] “Whatever fog pollutes your insignificant little mind, I’ve naught to do with it. I just want my briefcase.”
[Shadow’s heard enough and runs at him, lunging forward. Karrde snaps his fingers, vanishing into a pink mist. The Angel searches for him, only he isn’t there.] [But what he finds, he wished he hadn’t.] [Pain.] [Searing, agonizing, terrible pain.] [As the uncontrollable noise once again rattles through his brain, he falls to his knees in agony, just as Wild Karrde once again appears.]“I see that you’re in discomfort, I do,” [he says with a chuckle.] “And I could make your suffering stop, if only you’d tell me what I want to know.”
[Shadow groans in pain, falling forward.]“And you will tell me, Shadow.”
[Karrde smiles, picking up his dropped Rewind Championship]“You will tell me, because now I have something that rightfully belongs to you.”
[Cut.]