Backstage, Marcus McMichaels is feeling the effects of his hard-fought match with Harris Turner. Finally, an end to one of the most heated rivalries of the Ambition Era.
The Heater of TWC is nursing his war wounds as he makes his way through the back… but he’s not alone.
A shadow seems to be following Marcus, one that only the camera is aware of. It’s the masked menace, Templario Oscuro, wearing a button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves, black cloves, and black pants with combat boots. He’s not worried about stealth. From the way he walks, and the way he’s gaining on Marcus, he’s looking for a fight.
The moment Marcus seems to realize something is amiss, and starts to turn around, Templario launches himself into the air and lands a flying forearm to the side of the man’s head, sending the big man over clutching his head, but still standing. Undeterred, Templario lands another forearm, and another, dropping McMichaels to a knee. However, Marcus fights back.
Marcus, using his immense size, shoves the masked man back so hard he rolls head over heels, landing on his own hands and knees a good few feet away.
Both men rise to their feet, Marcus holding his head. Templario, however, is undeterred, and with a roar of exertion, he flies at Marcus again, this time winding his arm all the way back before landing an elbow flush on Marcus’ jaw that sends the big man collapsing to the floor.
With Marcus down, the masked man shakes his arm, nursing it as if he’s aggravated some kind of injury. The way he does it is familiar. He rolls his shoulder back and forth, back and forth.
Finally, the truth is revealed, and with one hand, Templario removes the mask and unveils his identity. It’s Christian Garcia.
CG: That’s better. That’s a LOT better.
GANG WARFARE
CQC vs. KASSTIANITY
The scene opens in a small room, there is some clutter but for the most part the room is sparse. The only furnishings are five mannequins that look almost brand new, one of which is female. A solitary and bare lightbulb swings to and fro, illuminating the room, flinging shadows to every corner as it arcs back and forth.
The lightbulb begins to flicker as a figure rises, seemingly through the floor. The figure is OCW Hall of Famer, Jacob Trance.
His eyes are closed, the bulb begins to dim, giving out a more yellowish light. Jacobs eyes open and his lips curl into a smile.
Trance: Thank you for joining us… It’s been some time since we have all been gathered together in one place… You see, behind me… These are merely the vessels… The conduits…
Trance takes a deep breath, closing his eyes as his body leans back.
Trance: It is so very peaceful now… The door to the world of men… It opened thanks to Colin. We stepped through into your existence and our roots dug deep into the earth, tendrils wrapping around, ensnaring the very heart of this world…
Trance opens his eyes slowly.
Trance: The Sins of the Father… They have been given physical form, the manifestations of my greed, my pride, my envy…
Jacob takes another breath, chuckling.
Trance: My lust…
Trance raises his voice.
Trance: Sloth… We have been born into this world… Soon… We are not prophets. We are not ghosts. We are not demons, nor angels… We are the end and the beginning. We are simply those with a purpose, a purpose you have yet to discover.
Trance tilts his head to one side, looking to the floor, nodding as he speaks.
Trance: But you’ll soon learn it, as your cities burn and our influence spreads you will come to realise that we’re all one, we’re all the same… We’re all allies, we’re in this together… You just need to open your mind and realise that we… I… I am the together. We’re here.
Trance once again closes his eyes, the bulb fizzles and explodes, the last we hear is the tinkling of glass and breathing, but not of one person. Of six.
OCW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
CLAUDIO vs. DEREK SMITH*
MARK REESE