We fade into a close up of The OCW World Heavyweight Championship. As the camera slowly pans away from it as it sits on the top shelf of the locker, H2O comes into frame.
He’s wrapping tape around one hand in preparation for another big Main Event matchup of his career; against his 2017 Rookie Classmate AND The current CCW World Heavyweight Champion, Wrex.
As he now finishes wrapping the tape around both hands, he starts to punch his palms to make sure they’re wrapped nice and tight.
You hear the noise of knob behind turned. The door opens and slams shut behind him. Harvey hasn’t turned to see who it is. He stands up from his bench and continues to look straight towards his locker.
H2O: I’ve been waiting for you for a long time dear friend. I surely hope you come in peace. My back is turned towards you not because I show you disrespect.
H2O: It is to show you that I trust you.
H2O: You and I have been in many wars in this company. Let’s not have a war against each other. So when I turn around and lend you my hand I hope we can become friends.
H2O turns around slowly as the camera pans back slowly once again.
The person that comes into frame is not who Harvey thought it would be. Harvey completes his turn with his hand out and is frozen in place by who he sees.
Wrex: Hmph. Nice speech...Harvey.
The CCW World Heavyweight Champion looks down at The OCW World Heavyweight Champion’s hand and ignores it.
Harvey pulls it back and places both hands on his hips.
H2O: Should’ve known by the smell it wasn’t KD coming in here. You really are Scum.
The two look at each other intensely for a moment.
Wrex: The one and only, this how you treat all your guests Harv? No wonder everyone abandons you in the end.
Wrex breaks eye contact with H2O moving slightly to the side to pull up a chair, taking a seat with his title on his lap.
Wrex: Unless you stab them in the back first of course. You honestly think he’s going to just turn the other cheek on that one?
Harvey looks at Wrex sitting comfortably with his CCW World Heavyweight Title. Harvey turns to grab his OCW World Heavyweight Title and sits on the bench next to Wrex.
H2O: Maybe he will or won’t. Either we’ll all have an answer from the big guy. I promise you it’ll be me that’s going to be the one to settle this thing once and for all.
Wrex: A monster is hard to kill on its own Harvey, how do plan on killing one with that holds nothing but hate for you?
Harvey squints his eyes at Wrex.
Wrex: Though frankly I couldn't care less about this whole thing. But since we’re on the topic of settling things.
Wrex: Prepared for tonight?
H2O: What’s going on tonight that I need to settle? KD talked to you?
Wrex closes his eyes and strokes his beard knowing Harvey is being facetious.
Wrex: Tonight I get to show the world that Turmoil is the better brand.
H2O: Oh yeah that’s right! I’m sorry. I think you took one too many blows to the head by Trance and Pugh.
H2O: Blue of course will always be my favorite color but it is just a color right?
H2O: RIOT is the color we bleed. The heart and soul of OCW started here and will continue right here tonight my friend.
Wrex: Heart and soul? From all I’ve seen that hearts gone black and that soul died long ago. But I don’t give a damn about any of that, cause at the end of the night all it comes down to is me and you. And the champ whose arm is raised at the last bell.
The two of them stand up together with their respective titles.
H2O: I say we blow the roof off of Madison Square Garden tonight.
Wrex: It's the only thing I know how to do.
H2O: For Riot.
Wrex: For Turmoil.
Wrex looks down and notices Harvey is reaching out for a handshake. Wrex spits on the floor right next H2O and walks away.
Harvey stares at him as he walks and fade to our next segment.
As the show rolls on, and the camera pans over the crowd, we hear PEACE DOG by THE CULT blaring over the speakers, a sound that can only mean one thing: Cort Marshall is here! The lights flash on and off for his signature entrance, and the man himself comes out, head whipping back and forth as he strides down the ramp. He hits the ring, the lights go up, and the man has a mic in hand!
Cort: NEW YORK, WHAT THE HELL.
Cort: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED LAST WEEK.
The crowd isn’t sure whether to boo Kasstianity or cheer Cort getting whacked in the noggin.
Cort: EXACTLY.
He spins around to give the crowd a good look at his dechromed dome.
Cort: Everything was going according to plan. Until… it wasn’t. Now of course there might be some union idiot in the production truck with two brain cells but 20 years of seniority so he can’t be fired… who leaned over to scratch his ass and threw a whale blubber elbow into the light switch… but I think you and I both know that for once, we can’t blame the unions.
The crowd, once again, seem split on how to feel about this workplace-rights-insulting man. Wrestling IS full of rednecks, after all.
Cort: We can blame the only evil greater than the union… the modern American cult! It’s like a union, but you pay even more to be in it, and instead of disciplinary meetings with gals named Karen, they throw you in a locked metal box for a few days when you get rowdy.
Cort: Kasstianity fever is sweeping the nation, folks… and we all know they were pulling the strings to make sure that little T.Y. got out of there with his skin intact.
Cort:
Hell, I wouldn’t put it past B17 to have sacrificed the poor man as bait! Well, B, when you set a trap… you better be damn well sure it kills. You don’t want no wounded animal waiting for you when you come back.
Cort points at himself, nodding knowingly.
Cort: Well here I am… middle of the ring. No weapon, no backup… what a perfect opportunity.
He leans on the ropes towards the hardcam, casually.
Cort: I know you must be thinking it’s too easy.
He cracks a smug grin.
Cort: But can you really afford not to take the chance? You need to finish what you started, right?
He throws his arms wide.
Cort: Then come and get me! I ain’t afraid! You’re all COW--
The lights suddenly black out and the crowd gasps. Cort stumbles for a moment, but continues taunting--from where, we cannot see.
Cort: Gimme your best shot, ya skeleton-painted nutsack!
We hear the sounds of something hitting the ring--boots maybe--and a small scuffle, before a light comes on in the ring. Cort has a flashlight trained on his assailant!
We get a glimpse of their upper body, the light showing a full body black bodysuit… and a hockey mask!
Before the beam can stay on him too long, the assailant rushes Cort, knocking both men to the ground. The flashlight bounces out of Cort’s grip and lands in the corner of the ring, now only casting shadows of the two men struggling in the ring.
After a few moments, we can make out one of the men sliding out of the ring, and disappear into the darkness past the flashlight’s range. Moments more, and the lights come back on, leaving Cort Marshall standing in the ring, wiping a bloody lip and darting around trying to catch sight of his attacker. There’s none to be found, however, and he retrieves his discarded microphone.
Cort: The plot… thickens.
He exits the ring and stalks back up the ramp, pausing at the top for one last scan of the crowd. Still, no sign of anything untowards--just the crowd, the commentators, and an empty ring. He brings the mic up to his mouth again, staring daggers at nobody in particular.
Cort: This ain’t over, baby.
The battered American turns away from the crowd once again and disappears backstage.
Leo Grimm is backstage in the boiler room, sitting by the furnace.
Leo Grimm: I sent you a message, and you give me a match with Elijah Wood? Well little hobbit, I am the Dark Rider, the lurking shadow that sees your every move.
Leo Grimm:
Once I am done with you, there will be no more delays in the Days of Deliverance. It’s best if you stay cloaked and hidden, but you cannot hide now. I’m coming for you.
Leo stares into the fire of the furnace as the camera fades out.
Later After the Match
An angry and frustrated Leo Grimm is backstage destroying the locker room.
Leo Grimm. Elijah you got lucky tonight, but consider that your last victory. I will come for you again, and the results will differ, for you will suffer, in due time.
Leo Grimm:
Look over your shoulder, look in the shadows, the eyes of the Dragon are gazing upon you, and There is no escape for you now. Your soul is mine!
Leo Grimm:
You never know when I’m coming. And the last thing you want is an Angry Disciple of Deliverance after your hide!
Leo Grimm:
La Heina, don’t think you’ve been forgotten either. The Dragon whispered to me “There is a storm coming.” I replied, “I am the storm!”
Leo Grimm picks up a table and throws it into the TV in the locker room, destroying the screen as electric clouds of white smoke fill the room. Grimm sits on the bench and stares at the damage he has done.
LOTUS FLOJO vs. TERRA DATURAS
The camera opens to show Jim Black in a tidy black suit, who is holding a microphone and standing in front of an OCW logo-laden backdrop.
Jim Black: Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome my guest at this time, Judge Leroy Brown III!
Black shuffles to the left side as the Judge enters from stage right. The Judge is decked out in a ten-gallon tan cowboy hat, slick black button-up shirt, and rugged jeans.
Jim Black: Well, Your Honor. Nice outfit you've got going on here...
The Judge gives a short laugh.
Judge Brown: Nothing different from my typical outfit at home, Jim. I'll always be a country boy, and no one will ever take that from me. Not the courtroom, not OCW, not anyone. But enough about that, what ya got for me Jim?
Jim Black: Of course. Well, OCW is back into full swing again. The Devil's Night pay-per-view was an amazing start, and every superstar is looking to stand out. Tell us Leroy, what does this fresh start mean for you?
Judge Brown: Well, I'm ready to keep the tumbleweed rolling Jim. I felt like I had a great start after my debut a few months ago, and I can't wait to see who I'll be working with soon. This has been a great experience for me, ever since my previous job, and I'm ready to demonstrate my commitment to that.
Jim Black: And how do you plan to demonstrate that commitment?
Judge Brown: Well, for better or worse, I've decided to ditch the ole' robes, dress pants, and stuff like that.
Jim Black: Interesting. What's gonna replace it?
Judge Brown: Well ain't that just the surprise? You'll have to see.
Jim Black: I'll be watching, Leroy. Last question, when are we gonna see Judge Brown back in action?
Judge Brown: Whenever they give me the call Jim, I'll be right back and ready to go. Court is back in session!
The Judge gives a hearty laugh.
Judge Brown: I love a good legal joke, Jim.
Jim Black: I know, Leroy. I know. Well, Leroy, thank you for joining us.
Judge Brown: My pleasure, Jim. Anytime.
The Judge exits stage right as the camera refocuses on Black and fades to black.
[Timestamp 11/19 2:30pm EST]
Inside the brand new OCW Combat Center, most of the other younger recruits have gone home for the day. On the other side of the center, Eli Sanders is going through a simple circuit training workout.
Back in one of the smaller classrooms off of the gym area, Dimsmore is seen looking through some tapes when he gets a call to his phone.
Dimsmore: Hello?.... Ok, send him up to room 12. Thank you.
Dimsmore hangs up the phone and goes back to the tapes. A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.
Dimsmore: Well well well. If it isn’t The Champ.
Dimsmore and H2O exchange pleasantries and catch up for a bit. On the other side of the center, Eli has finished his workout and now is stretching as a cool down.
Dimsmore: I don’t know Harvey. There’s something about this kid. I think he’s got something. I don’t know if he has “IT” just yet. But there’s something there.
Dimsmore: Here let me get him over here. (Dims walk over to the door) HEY SANDERS, COME OVER HERE FOR A SECOND.
Eli grabs his water bottle and towel before heading over to the room where Dimsmore and H2O are.
Dimsmore: Eli, meet the OCW World Champion H2O.
Eli: Pleasure to me you Mr. Ocean.
H2O: Likewise. It is with great honor to meet a protégé of my good friend Dimsmore.
H2O: Are you going to be here for the long haul or flake like the rest of them do?
Eli: My mom always told me to never do anything halfway.
H2O: How did I know you were going to say that! Dimsmore wouldn’t take the time out to be your mentor if he didn’t feel you were going to be something great.
H2O looks around the new OCW Combat Center and smiles.
H2O: Looks to me that this place needs to be broken in a little bit. How would you feel if I can help you break this place in.
Dimsmore and Eli look at each other briefly.
Eli: Are you kidding me? It would be an honor to share the ring with you Mr. Ocean.
H2O: Anytime you feel the need to be tested feel free to call me cause I see what my friend here sees.
Dimsmore: Thanks Harvey. Eli, go get cleaned up and check back with me before you leave. I want to go over some things with you about Leo Grimm.
Eli: Yes Sir. Will do.
Eli shakes both H2O and Dimsmore’s hands before heading to the locker room. Dims and Harvey continue to chat for a bit as we fade back to ringside.
