The bell rings as a victorious CICADA stands tall above an injured and recovering Buddy Amigo. CICADA takes his title and leans down, holding it in the face of the thoroughly defeated Buddy Amigo.

Maria Madden: See, now this is the good, ol’ fashioned, TRADITIONAL wrestling that the fans here have come to know and love.

Mark Kendrick: I don’t know if there is anything all that traditional about CICADA or how he beats down his opponents.

Maria Madden: Listen, I’m just… I’m just glad we got through that match and the opening of the show without any spooky sh-

A howl cuts through the arena stopping everyone – including CICADA – dead in their tracks. He stands, turning towards the entrance ramp, lowering his title and preparing himself.

The fans are riled up, buzzing, as another howl emanates from somewhere close by. The fans stand up, looking around the arena themselves, as many join in a howl of their own – like a pack calling for a leader.

Mark Kendrick: You were saying, Maria? Maria… MARIA! Get out from underneath the announce desk! You’re being childish!

Maria Madden: No, Mark, you don’t know what- OH GOD!

Mark Kendrick: AGH!

From somewhere in the crowd, a beast of a man leaps upwards, clearing the barricades easily only to land on top of the announce table and standing tall as Mark and Maria scramble out of the way. 

Nearly eye-to-mask with CICADA, WOLF MAN leaps again, pushing all his weight off his back foot to land on the edge of the ring mat. CICADA has only just realized that WOLF MAN is not coming from the entrance ramp; he turns slowly in realization as Buddy Amigo, having regained some wherewithal, has quickly rolled out of the ring to avoid the clash between the ghost and the beast.

WOLF MAN bears his teeth in a snarl before gripping the top rope and throwing his head back in another guttural howl.

WOLF MAN: Aaaaooooooooooo!

WOLF MAN leaps in the ring in a single pound and meets a hard right hand to the jaw from a ready CICADA! WOLF MAN staggers as CICADA is now on him, pounding him with fists; however, the advantage lasts only for a second as WOLF MAN simply pushes CICADA away, knocking the champion to the ground. CICADA scrambles to his feet quickly, but as he rushes in to deliver more damage WOLF MAN lunges with lighting speed toward CICADA, grabbing him around the waist and then launching him into the turnbuckle with a belly to belly suplex! WOLF MAN recovers quickly, closing the distance and pouncing on top of CICADA – slamming his fists into the champion’s masked face. 

Mark Kendrick: Jesus, has anyone been able to manhandle CICADA like this yet? 

Maria Madden: I’m not watching. Tell me when it’s over.

WOLF MAN stops the assault for a brief moment in order to lift CICADA back to his feet, like a beast playing with its prey. As he does, he looks furiously into the masked man’s face before driving his teeth into the forehead of CICADA! CICADA swings punches at WOLF MAN’s stomach in an attempt to get him to stop, but it is to no avail. Blood pours from CICADA’s head as WOLF MAN clamps down with even more force. 

Finally a lucky shot catches WOLF MAN hard enough in the liver to stagger him, but it doesn’t do much for the Horizon Champion. Blinded by blood and feeling the results of the assault, CICADA simply stumbles backwards. WOLF MAN recovers quickly, licking his lips and looking more annoyed than hurt. He digs in his heels once more and is quick to spear CICADA to the ground! More fists rain down on CICADA before WOLF MAN once again bites down onto CICADA’s shoulder and neck area. WOLF MAN raises his head and howls, blood pouring from his mouth, as the crowd cheers this display of brutality.

Mark Kendrick: I’m all for brutality, but this is…this is unreal. I’m not sure the fans realize what is going on here! We’re watching a man get murdered in that ring!

Maria Madden: As P.T. Barnum once said, Mark, I’d buy that for a dollar.

Mark Kendrick: That was Bixby from Robocop! 

The fans howl at ringside as WOLF MAN once again lifts CICADA up. Miraculously, CICADA is still fighting, throwing weak punches that do nothing to WOLF MAN but annoy him. Suddenly, a thumping sound can be heard reverberating through the arena. Short, staccato beats that immediately draw WOLF MAN’s attention toward the rampway.

As WOLF MAN looks, the audience follow his gaze to see Ultimo Muerte emerge from behind the curtain. WOLF MAN’s eyes grow wide as his grip tightens even further on CIDADA as the two men stare at each other while CICADA desperately, and hopelessly, tries to fight out of WOLF MAN’s grasp.

Mark Kendrick: Ultimo Muerte is out here now and I’m uncertain what kind of chaos is going to follow.

Maria Madden: No no no, not the witches guy too! Just tell me when it’s over and I can open my eyes!

The staredown is short lived as Ultimo Muerte merely smiles at WOLF MAN. Then, the staccato beat hits again, even louder, as two figures emerge at Muerte’s side… first to come into view is Muerte’s handler, Pandora, but then a purple glow emanates from the shadows to reveal…

Mark Kendrick: Dr. Străjer?

Străjer wears a grin mirroring Muerte’s as he nods toward WOLF MAN. WOLF MAN’s eyes are locked on his master as his grip grows even tighter before Străjer gives one last look toward Pandora before he raises his cane.

TAP

TAP

TAP

With an inhuman level of force, WOLF MAN throws CICADA’s face into the ground and begins to stomp on the fallen champion. His eyes now wild, he scans the ring and locks on immediately to the Horizon Championship. WOLF MAN grabs the title belt, letting it hang loosely at his side before returning to CICADA and then violently whipping the champion into the turnbuckle! WOLF MAN raises the title above his head and gives a roar before lowering it to his chest and then barreling forward! He SLAMS the belt firmly into CICADA’s face causing the champion to immediately crumble in a heap, completely lifeless.

WOLF MAN throws his head back in a victorious howl before looking down at his prey, seeking to deliver more punishment, until… 

TAP

TAP

Străjer signals him to stop. WOLF MAN looks slightly confused as he holds the bloody belt; he looks at it, mesmerized by its shininess before looking back up to Străjer. The doctor gestures toward Pandora and Muerte, both of whom look very pleased as the REIGN cameras zoom into the bloodied face of CICADA – holding on the image for just long enough before everything goes black.