A modest press conference setup has been assembled inside the Genesis Dome.
The budget still hasn't stretched to anything particularly fancy.
A Heroes & Villains Wrestling banner hangs behind a small wooden podium. Several local San Antonio reporters occupy folding chairs. Camera crews crowd together near the front of the room.
Standing behind the podium is The Sheriff.
Cowboy hat.
Dusty boots.
Trademark grin.
Business as usual.
The Sheriff adjusts the microphone.
The Sheriff: "Afternoon, folks."
A few flashes go off.
The Sheriff: "Now I've spent the last couple weeks tellin' y'all that Heroes & Villains Wrestling intends ta' bring in the best wrestlers this business has ta offer."
He nods.
The Sheriff: "Today seems like a good day ta prove it."
The room grows attentive.
The Sheriff: "I'm proud ta announce the signings of two women who've spent years makin' names for themselves all across professional wrestlin'."
The Sheriff steps aside.
Two figures emerge from opposite sides of the stage.
Danielle Page.
Queen Bianca Davis.
The reaction is immediate.
Camera flashes explode throughout the room.
Danielle arrives dressed in designer fashion, carrying herself with the confidence of someone accustomed to being the center of attention. A smug smile rests permanently on her face.
Beside her, Bianca Davis somehow manages to look down on everyone despite standing on the same floor. The self-proclaimed Queen wears a jeweled crown and carries herself like the room exists solely for her benefit.
The Sheriff waits for the noise to settle.
The Sheriff: "The Diamond Princess."
He gestures toward Danielle.
The Sheriff: "Former World Champion. Civil War winner. One of the most accomplished competitors ta walk through these doors."
Danielle gives a small wave that somehow feels insulting.
The Sheriff turns.
The Sheriff: "And Queen Bianca Davis."
More flashes.
The Sheriff: "Multi-time champion. Former Miss Teen USA. One of the most decorated names in women's wrestling."
Bianca nods as though hearing obvious facts.
The Sheriff: "Both of 'em officially signed. Both of 'em officially HVW."
The room erupts with questions.
Reporter: "Sheriff, what does this mean for the Championship Classic?"
The Sheriff grins.
The Sheriff: "Funny you should ask."
Immediately the room quiets.
The Sheriff: "As y'all already know, Episode 2 begins the HVW Championship Classic."
A pause.
The Sheriff: "Four Fatal Four Ways."
Another pause.
The Sheriff: "And four Wild Cards."
Reporters begin scribbling furiously.
The Sheriff: "Now I'm not confirmin' nothin'."
The grin gets wider.
The Sheriff: "But if I were one of the folks already announced for the tournament..."
He looks toward Danielle.
Then Bianca.
The Sheriff: "I'd probably be payin' real close attention right about now."
The implication lands instantly.
Reporter: "Are you saying one of them could be a Wild Card?"
The Sheriff: "Could be."
Reporter: "Both?"
The Sheriff: "Could be."
Reporter: "Neither?"
The Sheriff shrugs.
The Sheriff: "Could be."
The room groans.
The Sheriff laughs.
The Sheriff: "Wouldn't be much of a mystery if I answered that one."
Danielle finally steps forward.
Danielle Page: "Honestly, I don't know why everybody's acting surprised."
She adjusts one of her bracelets.
Danielle Page: "I've spent the last several years proving exactly who I am."
She gestures toward herself.
Danielle Page: "World Champion."
Another gesture.
Danielle Page: "Tournament winner."
Another.
Danielle Page: "One of the smartest wrestlers in this industry."
The crowd murmurs.
Danielle Page: "Whether I'm a Wild Card or not really doesn't matter."
She smirks.
Danielle Page: "Because eventually everybody ends up looking up at me anyway."
Several reporters exchange glances.
Danielle Page: "I've built empires."
Her smile widens.
Danielle Page: "And if HVW doesn't already have one?"
She shrugs.
Danielle Page: "Maybe I'll build another."
A few reporters start asking questions but Bianca suddenly laughs.
Not a pleasant laugh.
The kind that makes people uncomfortable.
Bianca slowly steps forward.
Queen Bianca Davis: "That is adorable."
The room immediately tenses.
Danielle's smile fades slightly.
Bianca never even looks at her.
Queen Bianca Davis: "You know, I find it fascinating."
She examines her nails.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Everywhere I go, somebody is always talking about what they've accomplished."
She finally looks at Danielle.
Queen Bianca Davis: "As though they're introducing themselves to me."
The room lets out an audible "oooh."
Danielle folds her arms.
Bianca smiles.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Sweetie, I was winning beauty pageants before half this industry figured out how to lace their boots."
Danielle steps forward.
Danielle Page: "And now you're here standing next to me."
Bianca's smile somehow gets even more smug.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Yes."
A beat.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Which is unfortunate for you."
The room explodes with camera flashes.
Reporter: "Bianca, what are your goals in HVW?"
Bianca turns toward the reporters.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Control."
The answer comes immediately.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Power."
Another beat.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Recognition."
She gestures around the room.
Queen Bianca Davis: "People have spent far too much time forgetting who I am."
Her expression hardens.
Queen Bianca Davis: "I'm here to fix that."
Danielle laughs.
Danielle Page: "Join the club."
Bianca slowly turns.
Queen Bianca Davis: "Oh no."
A cold smile.
Queen Bianca Davis: "You misunderstand."
She points directly at Danielle.
Queen Bianca Davis: "You want attention."
A pause.
Queen Bianca Davis: "I expect obedience."
The room collectively winces.
Danielle takes another step forward.
Danielle Page: "Good luck with that."
Queen Bianca Davis: "I don't require luck."
For a moment the two women stand face-to-face.
Neither backing down.
Neither blinking.
The Sheriff watches the entire exchange.
And smiles.
Because this is exactly the kind of problem a wrestling promoter likes having.
Reporter: "Sheriff, are these two likely to cross paths in the Championship Classic?"
The Sheriff adjusts his hat.
The Sheriff: "Well now."
He looks at Danielle.
Then Bianca.
Then back to the reporters.
The Sheriff: "Suppose that's gonna depend on who ends up bein' Wild Cards."
The room groans again.
The Sheriff chuckles.
The Sheriff: "But I will say this."
The room grows quiet.
The Sheriff: "If either one of these ladies ends up in the Classic..."
He pauses.
The Sheriff: "The rest of the field just got a whole lot more dangerous."
Danielle smirks.
Bianca smiles.
Neither woman takes her eyes off the other.
The Sheriff stands between them.
Looking entirely pleased with himself.
Camera flashes continue.
The Diamond Princess.
The Queen.
The Sheriff.
And somewhere in the background, the Championship Classic suddenly feels a lot more unpredictable.