HVW Saturday Night Episode 1: Live from the Genesis Dome
The screen is black. A guitar riff slowly begins to play in the distance. Not polished, not corporate.
Raw.
The camera slowly fades in to reveal a modest arena packed wall-to-wall with several hundred excited fans. Several roll-down banners showing “Heroes & Villains Wrestling” hang down from the roof of the building, as the cameras zoom across the homemade signs filling the crowd.
"LOOK MOM, I MADE IT FOR EPISODE 1!"
"EV IS EVIL"
"THE SHERIFF FOR PRESIDENT"
"WHO IS SILAS?"
Small bursts of pyro erupt from the stage as the crowd roars.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The camera sweeps across the audience before settling on the commentary desk. A smiling man in a black vest and cowboy hat immediately points toward the camera.
The Bandit: "Well howdy everybody and welcome to the very first episode of HVW SATURDAY NIGHT!"
The crowd erupts.
The Bandit: "I'm The Bandit and sitting beside me is Michelle Rylan and Michelle...we actually made it!"
Michelle Rylan: "Heroes & Villains Wrestling officially opens its doors tonight. New wrestlers. New rivalries. New opportunities. Nobody knows what HVW is going to become yet."
The Bandit: "Including us!"
Michelle sighs.
Michelle Rylan: "Yes. Including us."
The Bandit grins.
The Bandit: "I got lost trying to find the bathroom earlier."
Michelle immediately ignores him.
Michelle Rylan: "Tonight we find out who belongs in this territory and who doesn't."
The crowd suddenly erupts as an older country-western instrumental begins playing.
The Bandit: "Speak of the devil."
Michelle Rylan: "Or the man who signs the checks."
The crowd rises to their feet as The Sheriff steps through the curtain. The CEO of HVW wears dark denim jeans that look like they’ve been through wars, boots, and of course a nice black button-down shirt.
No entourage, no security, no theatrics. Just The Sheriff. The fans applaud loudly as he slowly walks toward the ring.
The Bandit: "There he is."
Michelle Rylan: "The man responsible for all of this."
The Sheriff enters the ring and is handed a microphone. The crowd begins to chant immediately.
"H-V-W!"
"H-V-W!"
"H-V-W!"
The Sheriff lets them continue for several moments before speaking.
The Sheriff: "Evenin'."
A burst of cheers.
The Sheriff: "Most folks told me this was a stupid idea."
A few laughs from the audience.
The Sheriff: "Said wrestling was too expensive. Said nobody wanted another territory. Said the world moved on."
He slowly shakes his head.
The Sheriff: "Maybe it did."
He looks around the Genesis Dome.
The Sheriff: "But I reckon some folks still believe in a fight."
The crowd cheers.
The Sheriff: "Not sponsors, not investors, not stock prices. A fight. Heroes…villains…and the truth somewhere in the middle."
Another ovation.
The Sheriff: "Tonight Heroes and Villains Wrestling opens its doors. What happens after that?"
A shrug from the Sheriff.
The Sheriff: "Ain't my job. That's up to the people in the back. One thang I can tell you fine folks though, at HVW we have two golden championships up for grabs. The World Heavyweight Championship is the pinnacle of this company, only the top stars that have proven themselves will compete for that. The Territory Championship is a whole ‘nother bull, however. That belt will be da’fended across every city, every territory, the champion will be the true epitome of a fight champion. Now what do ya’all think about that?"
The crowd cheers once again, already in the palm of the Sheriff’s hands. Suddenly...
"VIVA LA VITA!"
The crowd immediately turns to booing, already hearing rumors about the arrival of the Velvet Don.
Michelle Rylan: "And here comes trouble."
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca struts onto the stage in an expensive tailored suit, microphone already in hand.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "Wonderful."
Lorenzo slowly applauds.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "Beautiful."
More boos.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "An old cowboy buys himself a wrestling company and suddenly everybody thinks he's some kind of visionary."
The Sheriff remains expressionless. Lorenzo continues walking.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "I have a question."
He points toward The Sheriff.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "Where did the money come from?"
The crowd murmurs. The Sheriff simply stares. Lorenzo smiles.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "Oh I know."
The Sheriff raises an eyebrow.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "Maybe not all of it…But I know enough."
The atmosphere changes.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "And eventually everybody else will too."
The Sheriff takes a step forward, the crowd becomes quiet as the boss speaks.
The Sheriff: "You got proof?"
Lorenzo pauses.
The Sheriff: "Didn't think so."
A pop from the audience.
The Sheriff: "You wanna wrestle? Go wrestle. You wanna gossip?"
The Sheriff points toward the exit.
The Sheriff: "There's the door."
The crowd cheers loudly.
Lorenzo smirks.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "For now."
Lorenzo slowly backs away.
Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca: "But secrets always come out eventually."
The Sheriff watches him leave, clearly unnerved but ready to move on with the first episode of his show.
The Bandit: "Well that's unsettling."
Michelle Rylan: "Something tells me that issue isn't going away."
The Sheriff tosses the microphone aside.
The Sheriff: "Let's have ourselves a wrestling show."
The crowd explodes.
=====
Singles Match: Cade Mercer vs. Silas Graves
The voice of HLW, Shirley Powers, stands center ring microphone in hand.
Shirley Powers: "The following contest is scheduled for one fall!"
"COWBOY HAT BLUES" hits the speakers.
The crowd immediately cheers.
Shirley Powers: "Introducing first...from Amarillo, Texas...weighing 232 pounds...THE DRIFTER...CADE MERCER!"
Mercer emerges through the curtain to a strong ovation, slowly making his way to the ring, slapping hands with a couple fans on the way down.
The Bandit: "I think this guy could become the face of HVW."
Michelle Rylan: "Big statement for a man making his debut."
The Bandit: "I'm a big statement kind of guy."
Michelle ignores him as the arena suddenly darkens. No music, no theatrics, just footsteps.
Silas Graves appears, and the crowd reaction immediately changes.
Shirley Powers: "And his opponent...from an undisclosed location...weighing 278 pounds...SILAS GRAVES!"
Silas slowly walks to the ring, never taking his eyes off Cade.
Never blinking, never speaking.
Michelle Rylan: "There is something deeply unsettling about this man."
DING DING DING!
Mercer extends a hand as the match begins. Silas just stares at it, then punches him directly in the mouth.
BOOOOOOO!
The Bandit: "Well I guess we're skipping introductions!"
Silas immediately takes control with heavy forearms and body shots. Mercer fires back.
Right hand! Right hand! Another!
The crowd rallies behind him.
"Cade! Cade! Cade!"
Mercer ducks a clothesline. Running shoulder tackle! Silas barely moves after flying halfway across the ring.
Michelle Rylan: "Good lord."
Mercer hits the ropes again.
Texas Stampede!
This time Silas staggers, and Mercer follows it right up with a powerslam. Mercer goes right for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout.
Silas sits up immediately. The crowd reaction changes from excitement to concern. Mercer tries to hold in his look of shock, and Silas simply smiles back at him. A terrifying smile from the Blackwater Butcher.
The match begins turning as Silas targets the ribs. Backbreaker. Knee strike. Another backbreaker.
The villain slows the pace and systematically dismantles Mercer.
The Bandit: "This is what he does."
Michelle Rylan: "He's trying to take the fight away from Cade."
Silas hooks for Last Ride To Blackwater.
NO!
Mercer escapes.
Dust Devil Lariat!
The crowd erupts. Both men are down. Mercer slowly rises first. Silas follows.
The two begin trading punches center ring. The fans come alive.
Mercer.
Silas.
Mercer!
Silas!
Finally, Mercer ducks an incoming right hand.
LAST STOP!
The double-underhook powerbomb drives Silas into the mat.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Shirley Powers: "Here is your winner...CADE MERCER!"
The crowd erupts as Mercer celebrates inside the ring. Meanwhile Silas sits up again. Not angry, not frustrated. Just staring, watching, learning.
And the camera lingers on him as HVW heads to its first commercial break.
=====
The Facetious One Arrives
The cameras cut away from the ring and toward the parking lot outside the Genesis Dome, as a long black limousine slowly pulls to a stop.
The Bandit: "Wait a second...who in the world is arriving in a limo? We don't even have valet parking."
Michelle Rylan: "You think that's stopped wrestlers before?"
The rear door swings open…and out steps a very familiar face to you wrestling fans watching at home.
A loud floral shirt. Dark sunglasses. A permanent cracked smirk all over his face.
And entirely too much confidence for a man built like a refrigerator.
The crowd inside the arena can be heard reacting as the image appears on the screen.
The Bandit: "NO WAY!"
Michelle Rylan: "Well I'll be damned."
The Bandit: "That's Franklin Fredrickson!"
Franklin adjusts his sunglasses and immediately looks annoyed.
Franklin Fredrickson: "First thing I notice? This building is uglier than my third ex-wife."
A young HVW staff member quickly approaches.
HVW Staff Member: "Mr. Fredrickson?"
Franklin squints.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Depends who's asking."
HVW Staff Member: "I'm with Heroes & Villains Wrestling."
Franklin looks disappointed.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Oh. Thought maybe you were a fan."
The staff member awkwardly forces a smile.
HVW Staff Member: "The Sheriff asked me to personally welcome you."
The Facetious One stares at him as he speaks.
HVW Staff Member: "He's very excited to meet you."
A disgruntled Franklin looks around the parking lot. Then back at the employee. Then back at the parking lot.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Really?"
HVW Staff Member: "Yes sir."
Franklin Fredrickson: "You sure?"
HVW Staff Member: "Absolutely."
Franklin Fredrickson: "Then he's got worse judgment than I thought."
The crowd laughs. The staff member blinks, trying to compose himself.
HVW Staff Member: "Excuse me?"
Franklin points directly at himself.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Look at me."
Franklin spreads his arms.
Franklin Fredrickson: "I'm a washed-up comedian."
Fredrickson points to his stomach in disgust.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Three hundred and fifty-five pounds."
He then points to his head.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Questionable life choices."
Finally, Franklin points toward the limo.
Franklin Fredrickson: "And I spent more money on this rental than your company probably spent on those fireworks earlier."
The staff member looks offended.
Franklin Fredrickson: "No offense."
Fredrickson rolls his eyes.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Actually full offense."
The crowd laughs again.
HVW Staff Member: "The Sheriff just wanted to discuss potentially joining HVW."
Franklin starts walking toward the building.
HVW Staff Member: "The office is this way."
This causes Franklin to stop in his tracks.
Franklin Fredrickson: "You ever wrestle?"
HVW Staff Member: "No."
Franklin Fredrickson: "Good."
HVW Staff Member: "Why?"
Franklin points at him.
Franklin Fredrickson: "You'd die."
The staff member shakes his head, Franklin nods.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Not a threat. Just a prediction."
The Bandit can barely contain himself.
The Bandit: "I forgot how ridiculous this guy is."
Michelle Rylan: "And somehow that's exactly what worries me."
The employee tries regaining control.
HVW Staff Member: "Sir, if you'll just follow me…"
Franklin suddenly stops, looking up at the Genesis Dome. He eyes up the HVW logo hanging above the entrance, a half dozen superstars lined across it in full black, red and white coloring.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Heroes and Villains, huh?"
The employee nods back at him, thinking maybe the Facetious One is coming around. Franklin smirks.
Franklin Fredrickson: "Which one's the owner?"
Before the employee can answer, Franklin starts laughing at his own joke and heads inside the building. The staff member looks completely exhausted already.
The Bandit: "Something tells me The Sheriff’s about to have a very long conversation."
Michelle Rylan: "If Franklin Fredrickson actually signs with HVW, everyone else is about to have very long conversations."
The camera follows Franklin entering the building before cutting backstage.
=====
Finding the Frontier
The cameras cut backstage to show Tara Robinson standing backstage with a microphone in hand. The HVW crowd immediately applaud the legendary backstage reporter, not having seen her in a number of years.
Tara Robinson: "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, Cade Mercer."
The crowd cheers as Cade steps into frame, still sweating from his victory over Silas Graves.
Tara Robinson: "A huge win tonight in your HVW debut. What does this moment mean to you?"
Mercer thinks for a moment before looking right into the camera.
Cade Mercer: "Means I won."
A few cheers from the crowd.
Cade Mercer: "Means I survived."
Another nod.
Cade Mercer: "Means tomorrow morning I'll wake up, drink some bad coffee, and start figuring out who's next."
Tara smiles.
Tara Robinson: "No grand speech?"
Mercer smirks.
Cade Mercer: "Folks spend too much time talking."
A pause.
Cade Mercer: "I'd rather fight."
Mercer nods politely and walks away.
The Bandit: "I like that guy."
Michelle Rylan: "Simple man."
The Bandit: "Simple men usually punch really hard."
=====
Singles Match: Blind Ambition vs. Evelyn Hart
Shirley Powers: "The following contest is scheduled for one fall!"
The crowd cheers as Blind Ambition makes their way toward the ring.
Shirley Powers: "Introducing first...from Nowhere Visible...weighing 187 pounds...THE FREQUENCY FIGHTER...BLIND AMBITION!”
The Bandit: "One half of Blind Ambition and Magik. New faces in HVW."
Michelle Rylan: "And talented ones."
Evelyn Hart enters next to a mixed reaction, the crowd not quite knowing what to think of her quite yet.
Shirley Powers: "And their opponent...from Orlando, Florida...weighing 112 pounds...THE VIPER NEXT DOOR...EVELYN HART!”
Michelle Rylan: "The debuting Evelyn Hart: someone who goes by many names including Ev, The Viper Next Door, and Florida’s Favorite Problem. She's quiet. Reserved. But she just might have a dark side…"
The Bandit: "I once dated a quiet girl."
DING DING DING!
Blind immediately takes control as the bell rings. Arm drag to Evelyn. Another. Dropkick as Ev tries to get to her feet.
Evelyn tumbles into the corner. Blind begins building momentum and looks impressive early, the crowd cheering them on for their first HVW match.
Michelle Rylan: "Blind Ambition looks right at home here at Heroes & Villains!"
Evelyn grows visibly frustrated, allowing Blind to land a springboard forearm. They waste no time in going for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout.
Blind reaches for another aerial attack, but suddenly Evelyn grabs the headphones wrapped tightly across their ears. The crowd boos as Evelyn rips them right off, leaving Blind vulnerable in the ring.
The Bandit: "Hey!"
Michelle Rylan: "That's part of their identity. And if the stories of Blind Ambition are to be believed, they’re actually legally blind without the bass beats pumping through those headphones."
Blind tries pulling the headphones back, but Evelyn yanks them away and kicks them in the stomach. A prone and literal blinded Ambition is putty in the hands of Hart.
HEARTBREAKER!
The jumping reverse DDT spikes them head first on the mat below. Evelyn immediately hooks both legs for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Shirley Powers: "Your winner...EVELYN HART!"
The crowd boos as Evelyn picks up the headphones. She eyes them up, and smirks, then casually drops them on Blind's chest before leaving.
Michelle Rylan: "A win's a win."
The Bandit: "That felt mean."
Michelle Rylan: "She's a villain."
The Bandit: "Fair point."
=====
Friendship?
Backstage, Samara Astrid sits on a production crate wrapping her wrists for the main event.
Evelyn Hart walks into frame, looking surprisingly spry for just coming from the ring and picking up her first victory in HLW.
The crowd gives a mixed reaction. Evelyn looks down, taking a good look at Samara.
Evelyn Hart: "Good luck tonight."
Samara looks surprised.
Samara Astrid: "Thanks…I guess?"
Evelyn shrugs.
Evelyn Hart: "Magik seems tough."
Samara grins, showing off her full frame.
Samara Astrid: "Yeah, well so am I."
A brief silence lingers between the two.
Evelyn Hart: "Fair enough."
For a moment the two share a small laugh before the cameras cut back to ringside.
The Bandit: "Well that's nice."
Michelle Rylan: "Not every interaction needs to end in violence."
The Bandit: "That's very optimistic."
=====
Singles Match: Lorenzo Vittorio DeLuca vs. Ezekiel Graves
The crowd immediately showers Lorenzo with boos as he enters the Genesis Dome.
Shirley Powers: "Introducing first...from Naples, Italy...weighing 235 pounds...THE VELVET DON...LORENZO VITTORIO DeLUCA!”
The Bandit: "Still thinking about what he said earlier."
Michelle Rylan: "I don't think The Sheriff is."
Ezekiel Graves receives a respectable reaction as he arrives.
Shirley Powers: "And his opponent...from the Blackwater State Penitentiary...weighing an undisclosed weight...ESCAPED INMATE #1...EZEKIEL
GRAVES!”
The match begins technical, Lorenzo attempting to outwrestle the much bigger Ezekiel. Ezekiel responds with raw power. Lorenzo cheats, poking him in the eye. A furious Ezekiel retaliates with a heavy forearm strike. Lorenzo grows increasingly frustrated, backing up into the corner.
Michelle Rylan: "He's not used to resistance."
The match goes back and forth before Ezekiel finally catches Lorenzo with a huge spinebuster. Right to the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
The crowd bites hard. Ezekiel looks out at them, signaling for the finish. He lifts Lorenzo in the air.
LOW BLOW!
BOOOOOOO!
The referee comically misses it completely. Every time, right?
The Bandit: "Come on!"
Lorenzo immediately capitalizes on the doubled over Graves.
VIVA DRIVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Shirley Powers: "Your winner...LORENZO VITTORIO DELUCA!"
The boos rain down as the Velvet Don picks up his first victory in HVW.
=====
Graves Meets Graves
Lorenzo exits the ring victorious, hands in the air as he continues to soak in all the boos coming from the HVW faithful.
Ezekiel slowly gets back to his feet. The arena lights dim slightly, and the crowd immediately recognizes who is coming.
Silas Graves appears on the stage.
No music. No expression. Just that mile-wide cold stare.
Ezekiel doesn't back down. The two men lock eyes as the crowd falls silent.
Michelle Rylan: "Well..."
The Bandit: "This could get serious in a heartbeat!"
Silas slowly walks toward the ring. Ezekiel steps forward to meet him.
Face to face the two Graves stand, and the crowd buzzes.
No words between them, just tension. Finally Ezekiel speaks.
Ezekiel Graves: "I don't know you."
A pause.
Ezekiel Graves: "And I don't want to."
Silas smiles, that same unsettling smile.
Silas Graves: "Good."
The crowd murmurs.
Silas Graves: "Because there's only room for one Graves here."
The atmosphere instantly changes. Ezekiel takes a step forward. Silas does the same.
Officials rush out from the back.
The two men are separated before blows can even be exchanged.
The Bandit: "Somethin’ tells me this ain't over!"
Michelle Rylan: "Not even close."
=====
New World
One last time, we cut backstage. Blind Ambition sits on a bench, Magik standing nearby fiddling with a homemade card in her hands.
Blind shakes their head.
Blind Ambition: "Different place."
Magik nods.
Magik the Gatherer: "Different world."
Blind Ambition: "Think we made the right choice?"
Magik smirks, the card still spinning at a rapid pace in her hand.
Magik the Gatherer: "Ask me in six months."
The two share a laugh.
Blind Ambition: "Fair."
Magik looks toward the arena entrance, the spinning card coming to a halt.
Magik the Gatherer: "Let's make people remember us."
The crowd cheers as the camera zooms into the card in her hands, The Fox.
The feed cuts back to ringside.
=====
Main Event: Samara Astrid vs. Magik the Gatherer
Shirley Powers: "HVW faithful! The following contest is tonight's MAIN EVENT!"
A loud ovation from the hundreds of fans showing their appreciation for the great showing HVW put on for their very first episode of Saturday Night.
Samara enters first, the crowd is fully behind her.
Shirley Powers: "Introducing first...from Asheville, North Carolina...weighing 148 pounds...THE NEON REBEL...SAMARA ASTRID!”
The Bandit: "People love this woman already."
Michelle Rylan: "She's impossible not to root for."
Magik enters next, a strong reaction for her as well.
Shirley Powers: "And her opponent...from the Archive District...weighing 142 pounds...THE CARD WITCH...MAGIK THE GATHERER!”
The crowd sensing a potential future star could be born tonight, every single one of them are up on their feet.
DING DING DING!
The two immediately shake hands as HVW Saturday Night’s first main event begins.
The crowd applauds as the bout begins with a fast pace.
Quick counters, near falls, and plenty of respect shown throughout.
Samara lands a massive Starfall to the outside bringing the crowd once again to their feet. Magik shows shocking resiliency getting right back in the ring, answering with a brutal running knee before Astrid knows what hit her.
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
The match continues building, both competitors tired as they slowly rise to their feet hitting each other with hard punches to the face all the way up.
Michelle Rylan: "This has been outstanding."
Magik attempts a finishing sequence, but Samara escapes from behind.
Moonlit Chaos!
Both competitors crash to the canvas following the top rope Whisper in the Wind variation.
The crowd rises as Samara once again climbs to the top rope. She looks out at the screaming fans before taking one final leap.
Michelle Rylan: “SHOOTING SEASON! That’s gotta be it! That corkscrew shooting star press may have just put Samara Astrid in the history books as the winner of the very first Saturday Night main event.”
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Shirley Powers: "YOUR WINNER...SAMARA ASTRID!"
The Genesis Dome erupts as Shirley is helped to her feet, hand raised.
The Bandit: "What a main event!"
Michelle Rylan: "A tremendous first episode."
Samara soaks in the crowd for a moment before looking down towards her opponent, finally helping Magik to her feet.
The crowd applauds both competitors as a showing of respect is displayed. A handshake between the two fighters who just gave their heart and soul to the HVW faithful.
Suddenly…
EVELYN HART SLIDES INTO THE RING!
The crowd gasps as an unknowing Samara turns around.
HEARTBREAKER!
BOOOOOOOOOO!
The Bandit: "WHAT?!"
Michelle Rylan: "NO!"
Samara crashes to the canvas like a sack of bricks. Magik looks stunned, backing up into the corner with her hands in the air. Evelyn immediately mounts Samara, pounding down on her with vicious right hands.
Officials rush down after the ninth or tenth right hand, Astrid unable to defend herself at this point. The crowd is furious.
"EVELYN SUCKS!"
"EVELYN SUCKS!"
Evelyn finally rises to her feet, breathing heavily as she looks down at Samara.
The same woman that she wished good luck earlier.
The same woman she shared a laugh with.
The same woman she just blindsided.
The Bandit: "Why?"
Michelle Rylan: "Because she wanted to, that's why. Evelyn Hart does what she wants, and that's become crystal clear here tonight."
Evelyn slowly backs toward the ropes. A small smile creeping across her face.
Not a big one, just enough.
Enough to tell everyone exactly who she is.
The crowd rains boos down upon her. Inside the ring, HVW officials help Samara sit up. Outside the ring, Evelyn never takes her eyes off her.
Michelle Rylan: "We may have just witnessed the first major rivalry in HVW."
The Bandit: "And Samara never saw it coming."
The final image of the night is Evelyn Hart standing on the stage smiling calmly, while Samara Astrid struggles to recover inside the ring.
The HVW logo appears on the screen.
FADE TO BLACK.
HVW Saturday Night Episode 1 Results
