The screen fades in from black.
A slow, eerie instrumental hum builds underneath the opening shot: the looming, gothic exterior of the Oregon State Hospital. The camera lingers on its aged brick walls, dimly lit under a gray Pacific Northwest sky. Wind brushes through nearby trees, the atmosphere heavy, almost oppressive.
A distorted guitar riff cut through—
🎵 “Release me…” 🎵
The opening of Asylum by Disturbed kicks in.
CUT TO:
A sweeping aerial shot of the packed arena. Pyro explodes along the stage as the entrance ramp glows in harsh white and crimson light. The crowd is on its feet—signs waving, fans screaming, energy surging.
CAMERA PAN – CROWD
• A fan in face paint pounds on the barricade.
• Another holds a sign: “WELCOME TO THE WARD!”
• A group chants loudly, fists pumping in rhythm with the music.
The camera swings wide again, circling the arena, capturing the scale, the chaos, the anticipation.
CAMERA PAN – STAGE → RINGSIDE → BROADCAST BOOTH
The shot settles on the commentary desk positioned to the right of the entrance ramp. Three figures sit ready, headsets on, papers in front of them.
SALMIA “MIA” RUSSO leans forward, energized.
GINNIFER “GIDGET” STEPHENSON smiles, eyes locked on the crowd.
DANIEL GREENE III adjusts his tie, composed but intense.
The music lowers slightly under their voices.
MIA RUSSO:
“Ladies and gentlemen, the atmosphere is electric, the stakes are rising, and the Ward is officially open! Welcome to Asylum Wrestling Society’s Monday Night Ward #361, coming to you live from Salem, Oregon!”
GIDGET STEPHENSON:
“And what a place to do it, Mia—right in the shadow of the Oregon State Hospital. You can feel it in the air tonight… something unpredictable, something dangerous. That’s what AWS is all about.”
DANIEL GREENE III:
“Last week was absolute chaos—titles defended, rivalries escalated, and bodies pushed to their absolute limits. And tonight? We raise the bar even higher.”
CUTAWAY – QUICK FLASHES (RECAP STYLE)
• A brutal strike exchange from last week
• A near fall that shocked the crowd
• A competitor laid out, barely moving
MIA RUSSO:
“After everything we witnessed on Monday Night Ward #360, you have to wonder—who’s walking in tonight ready for redemption… and who’s about to snap under the pressure?”
GIDGET STEPHENSON:
“And let’s not forget—we’ve got nine matches on deck tonight. Nine chances for careers to change, for grudges to explode, and for the unexpected to take over.”
DANIEL GREENE III:
“Nine matches, countless implications, and in AWS, you know one thing is guaranteed—nothing stays contained for long.”
The crowd roars again as the music swells briefly.
CAMERA – SLOW PUSH IN on the booth
MIA RUSSO:
“So, buckle up—because the Ward doors are open…”
GIDGET STEPHENSON:
“The patients are restless…”
DANIEL GREENE III:
“And the chaos starts—right now.”
CUT TO: STAGE
The music spikes, lights flash violently—
SMASH CUT TO BLACK.
[END COLD OPEN]

















