BROTHER IN NEED
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Brother, thank you for coming,” [Lazarus says with a smile.] [The camera turns, revealing Lux Bellator.]
“How could I refuse? I owe you a debt of sincere apology, my brother,” [Lux admits, almost ashamed.] “I’m so very sorry that I eliminated you from the Chamber.”
“I’ll hear nothing of it,” [he responds.] “You did what you had to do and I can respect that. But I did call you here for a favour,” [Lazarus says, returning his head to prayer.] “Tonight, Bellatorum reunite, but I need you at Face/Off. I can’t trust North and alone, myself and The Knights will never be enough.”
[Bellator doesn’t even hesitate.]“Of course, anything you need,” [Lux responds to a smile from his friend.] “But if you can’t trust Viktor, perhaps we ought to find out whether or not such mistrust is warranted? Come with me once you’re finished here, and we’ll put this whole situation into perspective.”
[Lazarus nods, standing up and making the sign of the cross. He follows Lux into the aisle and out of the church. Whatever they have planned, it takes place tonight.]BRENDAN BENEDICT VS. VIP
SINGLES MATCH
THE HARD WAY
RINGSIDE
“Benedick, you better wipe that smug grin off your face, or I’ll smack it off for ya!” [He steps closer; Brendan chuckles] “Go ahead. Laugh. I’ll rip that pornstache off ya like duct tape. Then ya can suck face with all the lil’ fake-breasted sluts ya want, and all they gotta do is cough up your new skin graft!”
[Benedict laughs even harder. He just waves VIP off dismissively, before reaching for his own a mic.]“Ho-ly shit! Are you compensating for something, huh?” [They go nose-to-nose] “Listen here, Vicky. One, if it’s scorching hot women and sucking’s involved? It ain’t the face their workin’ on. Two, they don’t call all this ‘The Cock of The Walk‘ for nothing, brother. You want another piece of me?”
“Get in line.”
[VIP’s seething. He runs his hand through his hair and beard, carefully choosing his next words.]“Ya see, that’s exactly the kind of arrogance I used to have. But now, after 15 years of getting a gut-full, bolts in my neck and broken promises staining hotel sheets nationwide…… I’m little a wiser.” [He steps back, looking Benedict up and down.] “Here’s the cold, hard fact, Benedick. You’re nothing special. Ya never will be, but you sure as Hell think you’re God’s gift to rats and rings, don’t ya?”
[Brendan just nods mockingly.]“Good. Learn the hard way. ‘Cause that’s how I did it, and that’s exactly how I’m gonna do it again.”
“Is that suppose to be a challenge?” [Benedict asks knowingly] “Look pops, I’m gonna tell you the same thing I say to all those b-e-a-utiful bare-ass naked ladies I leave lying, soaked in sweat and sex every single restless night.”
“I’m always up for another….. Are you?”
[With that ‘Lick It Up’ starts playing, and Benedict begins to back away. VIP never takes his eyes of his new rival. What an interesting exchange.] [Are we fixin’ to go for Round Two?]ETHAN EARHART VS. JACOB PHOENIX
SINGLES MATCH
LEVERAGE
BACKSTAGE
“This is taking forever.” [Bird comments to himself as he taps his foot in boredom.] “I thought Mother cared about her children.”
[Before him is a squirming form under a burlap sack. By the shape of the form, it’s most definitely a child. Last week, Bird kidnapped one of Mother’s children, and now he appears to be lying in wait for her to show up.] [BZZT!] [Bird smiles behind his beard as the lights begin to flicker. He turns around from his vantage point to find Mother standing before him. She cradles the head of the covered child while Bird looks on.]“Hush, my child. Mother’s here.” [She whispers to the young one, slowly removing the burlap sack…] […To reveal that this is not one of Mother’s children. It’s just a random child, taken from God knows where. Bird steps forward with a bigger grin on his face.]
“You really didn’t think I was that stupid, did you?” [He taunts.] “I’ve got yours in a secure location for the moment. However, feel free to rescue this one or whatever you call it. Her parents could use a reminder of who I am.”
[Mother seems to lull the child into a haze of sleep or worse before standing to face Bird.]“I want my child.”
[Bird shrugs in response.]“You can have your child back after I get what I want.” [He continues after seeing Mother’s curiosity piqued.] “I want my title back. You give me a rematch, and you get the brat back. I’ve had to work overtime in keeping her from hurting her new caretakers.”
[His creepy grin is only matched by the darkness that emanates from the eyes of Mother. She steps back to cradle the hypnotized little girl used as bait.]“Be careful what you wish for, Ethan Bird.”
[BZZT!] [The lights flicker once again, and Ethan Bird finds himself alone. Yet he has a smile on his face.] [He’s gotten what he wanted, but at what cost.]ALISTAIR HUXLEY VS. KAITO
SINGLES MATCH
CCTV
BACKSTAGE
“Lux, there’s nothing here,” [He muses.] “There’s no way to know whether or not North did this.”
[Just then, Viktor North swaggers into the room, leaning up against the door frame. Lazarus spins around just in time to see him, lunging, but Bellator manages to pull him away.]“Are you happy with yourself? [Lazarus screams, enraged and still being held back by Lux.] “Huh? Are you happy with yourself now?”
“In battle, a leader should know that his fighters would take a sword to the heart for his life.” [Viktor says coldly, not even paying attention to the unconscious security guard beneath his feet.] “But last week, your friend and ‘brother’ betrayed you, and stabbed you in the back.”
[Lux looks at Lazarus, the shame seeping through his eyes.]“Tell me, ‘leader’, since you know that Viktor North wishes to split your skull and drink mead from your cranium, and that after tonight, those two ‘Knights’ may no longer see your point of view; how much do you trust the traitor that restrains you?”
[North laughs heartily, turning around and entering the hall. As he walks away, his laughter bellows, leaving Lux and Lazarus to contemplate his vile words.] [There’s no way to know whether or not The Red Emperor was attacked by North or not. How can these men trust each other now?]THE HANGMAN VS. BRENT KERSH
SINGLES MATCH
THE FIRST STONE
BACKSTAGE
He brings it up to his nose and breathes it in, holding the breath before exhaling slowly. Then, tucks the stone away safely in his jacket pocket.]
“It’s been two hundred years… And the power of the Philosopher’s Stone is still mine to behold. Drink it in.”
[The wild look in his eyes remains as he exits the lablike room he was in. He soon comes across a closed door leading to the Tap Room’s backstage gymnasium. Looking through the window, he can see Kaito alone inside the gym. The Black Dragon is putting himself a disciplined routine involving slow and controlled movements. Earhart peers through the door, not having forgotten the message he sent Kaito last week. He watches with a keen interest, Kaito unaware of his onlooker. Earhart mutters to himself, almost under his breath.]“He must possess the answers, the secret of the Orient Stone. I must acquire that stone and he holds the key. The power of the Orient will also be mine.”
[He taps at his chest, where the Philosopher’s Stone is kept.]“I can almost feel it. And all it will cost me is some cheap fire tricks. The foolish Orient will trade secrets gladly.”
[Almost as if the presence of the Mad Scientist outside the door could be felt by Kaito, he turns and glances at the door. Seeing the man who nearly burned his face off last week, he bounds over with fire in his eyes and pushes the doors open.]“You… Nanda yo omae-wa?” [His nostrils flare with anger, particularly when Earhart smiles back.] “Leave me alone, before I hurt you, Jingai.”
“No… Earhart.”
[This doesn’t receive so much a response as a stiff push to the chest and a look of daggers from Kaito. Earhart takes the look as his cue to exit, leaving with his own parting words.]“I will learn the secrets of your Orient Stone, Black Dragon. Mark my words.”
JACK JECKEL VS. JENSEN CUSSEN
[Two of the best VHS has to offer tie up in what surely will prove to be a rather violent match. I wouldn’t take your eyes off’a this one.]
[A frantic start is seeped in heavy hitting. After a few initial traded blows, its Cussen who manages to block a shot before firing back with a heavy hand. Making Jeckel unsteady on his feet, Cussen Irish whips him into the ropes. Upon Jack’s return he finds himself wrapped up in a bear hug like position before being plunged to the canvass with a belly to belly suplex. Vengeance attempts the first pinfall of the night. The Boogieman manages to power out after nothing more than a one count. With both men back on their feet, Cussen rushes at Jeckel.]
[He gets a drop toe hold for his troubles though. Cussen’s face and hands dangle over the ropes. Jack’s nasty side comes out by placing his foot on the back of Jensen’s neck and pulling up on the rope, chocking him out. The referee does not stand for this though and begins a five count. Jack Jeckel cuts it fine, releasing just before the referee can say five. The wind knocked from Jensen Cussen’s sails. Jack Jeckel decides to head up top. Looking for some heavy damage high risk. Cussen is crawling around the ring, clearly disorientated.]
[Quicker than a flash of lightning Cussen kips up and starts to lay blows into Jeckel who towers above him on the top ring rope. Cussen gaining the upper-hand in this exchange. Cussen is also climbing the turnbuckle. CUSSEN LOOKING FOR A TOP ROPE SUPLEX!! JECKEL BLOCKS IT!! Jack with blow after blow to Jensen’s mid-section, forcing him to release his grip! Finding his balance… BOOGEYBOMB!!TOP ROPE BOOGEYBOMB!! FOLLOWED BY A JACK IN THE BOX!! Cussen look’s unconscious. Jack hooks the leg, smack bang middle of the ring. One…Two… Three!!]
[A back and forth encounter see’s Jack Jeckel victorious. Not many men on this planet could of kicked out after the top rope boogeybomb, swiftly followed up with a jack in the box.]
MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“So you see, I’ve come here to test your abilities.”
[The Hangman comes into view, speaking calmly amongst the shadows.]“I want to know firsthand just how hard I can squeeze. No, I need to know. Look around you….. This is getting boring.”
[His buckshot eyes piece the darkness.]“And my little girl here?” [He raises his rope into the light] “Her hunger grows by the second. I feel it, and I’m certain you can see it. Her sisters have grown fat, devouring these jokes with ease. But this one?”
[His busy hands wring the heavy hemp with anticipation.]“She’s special.” [He chuckles] “So are you, Painkiller.”
[Upon utterance of his name, The Painkiller emerges from blackness. Separated only by his cell bars, he comes face-to-face with the Head-Hunter…… But he doesn’t speak.]“Are you really willing to let your public down? I’d have thought a trained monkey like yourself would be leaping at the chance to perform. ‘Congenital Insensitivity to Pain,’ correct?”
“Fascinating.”
[The Painkiller studies The Manslyer with stoic, knowing eyes. He speaks.]“I’ll make this simple. I am not a freak. But you? You are a monster, aren’t ya?” [The Hangman chuckles] “Go ahead and laugh. You think my CIP makes me interesting? That it makes me worth your string’s precious time?”
[The Painkiller tightly chokes the bars.]“NO. That’s not why I’m special. And this trained monkey? He might just give you want you want, and show you exactly why.”
[Hearing this, The Hangman kicks The Painkiller’s cell with a vicious laugh! The whole thing shakes!]“Oh, you do that! Provided of course your master gives his monkey permission first to leave his cage! HAHAHAA–”
“And who ever said he needed permission?”
[A new voice cuts through The Hangman’s laughter. He turns sharply; it’s Alistair Huxley.] [CLUNCK!] [Suddenly the cell’s latch slams open as The Painkiller swings his bars out wide….. Only The Hangman is already gone. Vanished.] [The Nightmare Anatomy share a heavy sigh. Despite fighting it, Huxley’s unable to avert his gaze from the ghastly decorations now adorning his tent. He lowers his head.] [Once again, silence fills the circus.]VIKTOR NORTH VS. MOTHER
SINGLES MATCH
TAKE HER PLACE
BACKSTAGE
“She tried to take my baby, now you can her place.”
[Those words thunder inside the room, belonging to the man we know as Hysteria. The OSW World Champion is no-where to be seen, but the fire still rages.] [Suddenly the door bursts open, Bruce Van Chan storming inside with a fire extinguisher. He immediately starts putting out the flames, spraying almost the entire room before he’s finished. Whilst Sheldon looks around in absolute horror, Bruce quickly comforts him.]“What the heck was that?!” [Van Chan cries out.]
“Hysteria,” [Sheldon responds, as white as a sheet.] “He said that I can take Stephanie Rose’s place.”
[Bruce looks at him, his eyes widened.]“He would have burned me alive had you not came in Bruce. I can’t thank you enough, you saved my bacon,” [Sheldon says putting an arm around him enthusiastically.] [Van Chan nods.] “We’re a team, buddy. But look, if Hysteria wants you, it’s only a matter of time before he comes after me as well. We have to be super vigilant, or else we’ll end up like Dufrene.”
“Dufrene?” [Sheldon enquires, unaware of what’s happened.]
“Rumour has it that Hysteria burned his entire family alive before his very eyes.”
[Sheldon gulps.] [Cut.]UNWANTED RESCUE
OUTSIDE THE ARENA
“Give me your money, bitch!”
[Jack’s eyebrows raise. Unlike most people would be, he was calm. His heartbeat remained steady, his hands weren’t shaking and his eyes never lost focus.]“Do you hear me!?” [he says, pointing over Jack’s shoulder to a second man, holding a crowbar.] “You’re out numbered. Now give me your fuckin’ money!”
[The Juggalo smiles, swinging his bag at the guy with the gun, knocking it out of his hand. He quickly uppercuts him, stumbling him backwards. Jack lunges with right hands, only he’s suddenly taken to the floor from behind with a crowbar to the backs of his knees.] [Both men get back to their feet and start stomping at him – that is until a whistle draws their attention away.] [It’s Jake.] [He runs down the alley, sliding under a right-hand attempt and leaping into a giant punch that knocks down the second guy. He turns around, grabbing the first, spinning him around and throwing him head first into a nearby dumpster.] [Jack slowly gets back to his feet, witnessing his brother saving his ass. Jake walks over, checking to make sure that he’s alright.]“Get away from me,” [Jack spews angrily.] “I don’t need you, Jake. I had it handled, alright? Just leave me the fuck alone.”
[Jack storms down the alley, scooping up his bag and walking away. Jake stays behind, as one of the muggers gets back to his feet, holding his head.]“That hurt, dude. You said you’d take it easy on us.”
[Jeckel smiles, pulling out a wad of cash and paying him off.]“It had to look authentic, right?” [Jeckel says with a laugh, handing over the cash.] “Here, now fuck off.”
[He pays the man, heading off down the alley as the mugger helps his friend back to his feet.]THE KNIGHTS VS. BELLATORUM
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
SET YOU FREE
BACKSTAGE
“Stephanie?” [He calls out, searching the darkness.] [Suddenly, a large figure tosses him across the floor towards the light, watching as he slides backwards. Jensen is soon revealed, walking over to Jacob who protests.]
“Wait,” [he pleads.] “I know what’s happening to you. I know what Jonah is doing!”
[Jensen reaches down, pulling him back to his feet.] “What do you know about my family?” [he barks.] “What do you know about my father? This is all your fault, Phoenix!” [He grabs him by the throat and lifts him into the air, slamming him into a nearby mirror that shatters behind him. Again, Jensen tosses him away, powerful like a man possessed.] [Yet Phoenix still tries to reason with him.]“I know what’s going on,” [Jacob says from the floor.] “I can help you, okay? Just give me Stephanie and I’ll help you break free of this.”
[Jensen doesn’t even stop to listen. He walks over and pummels down on him, beating him with right and left hands. He hits him so hard, blood shoots from his mouth. By the time Jensen is finished, Jacob is unconscious, barely moving.] [That’s when Jonah, Jensen’s diabolical and abusive father, enters the room. He spots Phoenix and smiles.]“Good, good. Tie him to that chair. Let’s have some fun with the almighty Phoenix, shall we? Let’s see if he rises, once again.”
[Jensen drags Phoenix across the room, tying him to a chair as we fade.]JAKE JECKEL VS. ETHAN BIRD
SINGLES MATCH
THE PERCH
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Are you sure this is a good idea, dad?” [Trevor asks, looking a little nervous.] [Brent takes his saw and carefully places it upon the base of the perch.]
“When The Scarecrow came after your Great Grandfather, Henry built his perch in hopes it would push back the tide. It was his way of stopping The Scarecrow.”
[That surprises Trevor.]“I never knew it before. I once tried to destroy it, but it returned. You see kid, what Henry didn’t realize is that the two would become linked together for eternity, just like our lineage. If we cut it down, it re-appears. If we burn it, blow it up or destroy it, it always returns.”
[Trevor frowns.] “Then why are we taking it down?”“Because in our hands, we can drive it into the soul of The Scarecrow and break this curse.”
[Flutter.] [Suddenly, The Scarecrow appears, standing behind the Kersh’.]“And what do you think you’re doing, little birdies?”
[Trevor quickly runs at him, being swatted aside with a right hand that sends him flying into the corn. Brent doesn’t hesitate, spinning The Scarecrow around, only to be grabbed and thrown through the perch, snapping it in two!] [The Scarecrow bellows, enraged, picking up the broken half of the perch and turning around, stabbing it straight into the onrushing Trevor Kersh! Oh my GOD!] [Trevor falls to his knees, the perch stuck out of his abdomen, blood spurting out onto the ground. Brent rushes over, just as The Scarecrow vanishes, cradling his son by the head as he sputters and spits blood.] [As the screen fades to black, all we hear is the sobbing sound of Brent Kersh’ voice.]“Oh God, please no, Trevor? Trevor?”
[Then a guttural scream.]“Trevor!!!”
[Cut.]