Havoc opens on a somber note in San Francisco, CA at the Chase Arena. The cameras pan around the packed stadium to the non-stop chants to “Eddie…Eddie…Eddie.” The entire HWA roster is on the stage with Butch and Wisdom Parker at the helm, all with black bands around their arms initialed “EP.” One and all with a shot glass of tequila in hand, and a photo of Eddie Phoenix is up on the screens and the large Havoctron. (Announcer): Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise as we pay tribute to the late Eddie Phoenix. Fans come to their feet in unison. We see mournful faces throughout the arena as the ring bell begins to toll, echoing in the stark silence. Each ping resonates from wall to wall and the tears in the eyes of some show the level of shock and grief still all too new to the wrestling world. Upon the tenth and final bell of the salute, Butch raises his glass with superstars following suit, as well as fans in the arena who all throw back a tequila shot, then raising their glasses high once more in tribute to Eddie where chants begin to ring out again. The superstars begin to depart the stage and we see Jason and Vanessa making their way down to the ring while on the Havcotron we see the words “Remembering Eddie Phoenix” then on the screen we see former All Star Champion, Orphan Mysterio. (Hans): Here we go. The sound of the crowd can be heard akin to the low bass rumble of a passing jet, walls and glass window vibrating in sympathy with them. (Jason): Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome back to the first Hardcore Wrestling Alliance weekly episodic show in eight years. Welcome to Havoc on CBS! I’m Jason Thatcher alongside my broadcast partner and good friend, Mrs. Vanessa von Richtoven! Hans shakes his head gently from one side to another as he finally turns from the window and crosses towards a small concessionary table, two large bottles of unbranded water and an empty tumbler in the centre of it. (Hans): Eight years…? He chuckles at that, popping the top off one of the bottles and pouring out the water until the tumbler is nearly filled to the brim. (Jason): First Havoc back and someone’s already botched something. (Hans): Es war immer so… The scene shifts to black as Hans repeats himself, popping the pen lid off and readying himself to write. (Hans): Es war immer so. The scene fades back in as Havoc is ending, Sean Parker having just raised Jeremy’s hand up and Jeremy manages a smile as his music hits again. Red Dragon, Hans, Butch, Wisdom, Sarah, Michelle and Matt are all on the stage clapping, beaming with pride and smiles as the crowd continues to cheer. (Red Dragon): He did well… He points at Jeremy as he carries on. (Red Dragon): … there, Jeremy-kun, did he not? (Hans): He did, jah. Eyebrow raised, he waits expectantly. (Red Dragon): But… (Hans): I could see some things he can sharpen up for next time. Red Dragon gestures at Hans’ notepad, now closed up and tucked into the back pocket of his trousers. (Red Dragon): Am I going to be able to read your handwriting in that? They both grin, Hans pulling his friend Matthew into him, arm around his shoulder as both wave at the crowd. (Hans): Oh it’s nothing like the atrocious effort that passes itself off for your handwriting… Dragon bursts out laughing at that. Allowing his friend a moment, Hans pauses before resuming. (Hans): … but I guess I will need to translate it first for you. He spots Dragon’s look. (Hans): Oh don’t give me that, you know I write faster in my native tongue. The two spot Butch and Wisdom begin to move towards the back, letting the younger stars stay at the front, crowd still cheering for them and the show that they put on that night. (Hans): Anyway, lets go get to the back… (Red Dragon): Ready to start on it already? This time it’s Hans’ turn to laugh, as he steers them both out of the line of sight for the crowd and towards the back area. (Hans): Nein. I have a wife to see. He points ahead to where Butch and Wisdom are moving. (Hans): Go catch up, I’ll see you in 5. The two nod to one another as Hans turns back to face the crowd, eyes scanning for where his beloved wife would be as the scene slowly fades to black.
The camera at this point allows its view to drift, lazily completing a 180’ turn as the words from Orphan Mysterio drift at the edges of clarity, as if muffled by whatever means.
Facing the Havoctron, the mass of silent fans still on their feet surround the ring like white blood cells an invader, camera passing silently overhead, focused on the row of executive boxes, both fans and camera ignoring one another mutually as the former remain entranced by Orphan Mysterio’s words.
The camera moves in quicker now, the stands that rise up like the steps of a pyramid growing ever closer until even they disappear as the brightly lit windows of the executive boxes take up the entire view, this one in particular revealing a single occupant on his feet, staring thoughtfully in the same direction as nearly everyone else in the arena at that time.
Hans von Richtoven, attired in a well fitted white shirt with the top button undone, grey checked-pattern trousers and a pair of black Chelsea boots draws a deep breath as Orphan Mysterio’s words come to an end, the sound now coming back to full volume as “Lost” by Linkin Park hits the arena as pyro’s blast off through the arena and Havoc is officially underway.
Hans spares one more look down towards his wife sitting ringside at the announcers table, his eyes lingering even as the sound of both her and her commentary partner Jason Thatcher come over the speakers mounted in the corner of the room.
Hans cocks his head to one side, listening to both Jason and his wife.
Settling the water bottle back into it’s place with the cap still on the table, he grabs a small leather bound notepad sat on the outer left edge of the table in his other hand, pen clipped onto it already.
Taking a sip of the water from the tumbler now in his other hand, he moves back to the windowed wall, settling himself into the large black leather chair and flips open the notepad on the right arm of the chair, using it as a makeshift table as the arena lights dim slightly and the opening guitar licks to “Arrival” by Mikey Ruckus hits the arena drawing a loud cheer from the crowd.
Another sip of water passes his lips before he settles the glass onto the floor beside him and the notepad is opened, pen going into his right hand.
The camera pans overhead, catching that Hans has already laid out some columns on the page he’s opened. In the top row, the names of the HWA Academy members are listed as expected, but not exclusively.
Lower down, other columns list ‘strengths’, ‘weaknesses’ and ‘priorities’.
The pen taps the paper almost rhythmically as below Hans, Butch Parker speaks to the crowd, Hans nodding in agreement at the sentiments expressed by his old friend before as that comes to an end and the mixed up segment with Jonathan Haze airs, Hans can’t help but erupt with a barking laugh at the sound of Jason Thatcher’s remark.
Hans and Red Dragon are standing next to one another as the other stars begin to move apart, all waving to the crowd and taking the time to soak in the atmosphere.
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