Shane McMahon and Tommy Dreamer are sitting in the gym, taking a break from training.
"I tell you, it would work and be great for the network, Shane!", Dreamer exclaimed. "The attendence for our House of Hardcore events have been through the roof!"
"I'd love to put together a legends show", Shane said. "But I'm not sure how well it would go over with Vince. He gets all funny when we mention things like that!"
As the two men talked, Shane's sister, Stephanie McMahon walked into the room.
"Hi boys", she smiled. "What are the two of you talking about?"
"Hi Steph", Dreamer said.
"Hey Sis", Shane said. "We were talking about the idea of a legends type show for the Network."
"Yeah", Dreamer said. "Shane doesn't think Vince would care for something like that!"
"Daddy can be kind of stubborn sometimes", Steph agreed. "Besides, if we were going to do a niche' kind of special for the Network, I'd rather do an all-Divas event."
"No one cares about the Divas", Shane laughed. "But a card of legends and superstars from the Attitude Era. Now that would sell and make us some big money!"
"You'd have to go break them all out of the retirement home first", Steph sneered. "And hope that nobody breaks a hip!"
"I'd rather see a legends show than a Diva show anytime", Shane retorted.
"Look at the numbers for Total Divas versus Legends House", Steph shot back. "There is no comparison!"
As the two continued to bicker, with Tommy Dreamer sitting by and watching, another person entered the gym. Vince McMahon.
"Hello kids", Vince bellowed as he kissed Stephanie on the cheek and shook Shane's hand. "What are the two of you bickering about?"
"Business", Shane said.
"Actually we were discussing what kind of special would be better for the Network", Steph said.
"You have ideas for the Network?", Vince asked. "Let me hear them!"
"Well, Dreamer and I were talking about how well an old-school style legends show would go over. Lots of former stars from the past mixed with some of the older names on the roster. Make up an event dedicated to the men and women who paved the way to where we are today", Shane said.
"Like my House of Hardcore events, but more WWEish", Dreamer added.
"I see", Vince smiled. "And what kind of ideas do you have, Princess?"
"A night of the WWE Divas, past and present. Kind of a one-night only event featuring the women of the WWE."
Vince nodded and then a huge smile formed on his face.
"You know what I think? How about two special events on the Network? Shane can put together a 'Night of Legends' event or whatever he wants to call it. And Steph, you and Hunter can book an all-Divas event. Both of them can air live on the WWE Network and we can compare the views and ratings."
"Are you for real?", Steph asked her father.
"Damn straight I am", Vince smiled once more. "Both ideas have merit and I would love to see what the two of you can come up with. The only restrictions will be that your cards will be presented as One Night Stand events and can not interfere with current WWE events or storylines. Shane, anyone you use will have to sign a release form so that we're not liable for injuries or whatever."
"That sounds great Vince", Shane said as he looked over at Dreamer, who nodded in affirmation.
"And you can't use the current WWE writers or creative teams", Vince added. "We'll do this old school booker style. Each of you will have two assistants to help with the booking and matches."
"Will you be getting involved and helping Daddy?", Stephanie asked her father.
"No", Vince laughed. "I'll stay away as best I can and let the two of you handle everything for your events. I'll work with Kevin in my usual role as the Executive Producer of course, but I don't want to know anything more than I need to. I want to be as surprised as the fans and everyone else when you present your shows."
"This could be fun", Steph smiled.
"Oh yeah", Shane agreed.
"So now, for the important stuff", Vince said. "What kind of wager will the two of you be placing to see who does the better show?"
"A wager?", Shane asked.
"You have to have a wager in place. That's what makes it fun", Vince smiled.
"How about... a dollar", Steph said.
"Make it a twenty", Shane replied back.
"Done", Steph said. "And the loser has to pay the winner on an episode of RAW!"
"Done", Shane agreed.
"But who's judging the shows and will determine which one is better show?", Dreamer asked. "You Vince?"
"Oh hell no", Vince shot back. "I've been involved in enough disputes between my two children to know better. It's a no-win situation."
"So who then?", Steph asked. "Mom?"
"We need someone to judge the shows who knows what to look for in an event and will be honest, truthful and break down the event in a fair and unbiased way", Shane said.
"Someone who won't be afraid to say what they really think, regardless of who's feelings it may or not not hurt", Steph added.
"Someone who knows the business inside and out and what makes a great event, whether it's of their personal taste or not", Vince finished.
"Yeah, but who wants to call Jim Cornette?", Dreamer joked.
Stephanie, Vince and Shane all just turned and looked at him.
About that time, there was a knock on the gym door and in walked Paul Heyman.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to speak to Vince for a few minutes", Heyman said. "Brock has some questions about his contract and... What are you all looking at?"
"Paul Heyman", Vince bellowed at the man. "Just the man we were looking for!"
Steph, Shane and Dreamer all looked at each other and smiled as Vince walked over and shook Heyman's hand. "How would you like to do me a favor Paul?"
*** (TBC) ***
A few days later, backstage at a Smackdown taping, Shane, Steph, Vince and Triple H are sitting in an office talking.
"So have the two of you decided on who will be helping you with your booking for your Network specials and what they'll be called?", Vince asked his two children.
"Well, we've decided to call our event WWE One Night Stand: Heroes and Legends", Shane replied. "And doing the booking with me and setting up and running the show will be Tommy Dreamer, as you had probably figured and Jimmy Hart."
"That should make for an interesting show", Vince commented. "How about you, Princess?"
"Well, our show will be called WWE One Night Stand: Lipstick and Dynamite", Stephanie remarked.
"Wasn't that the name of a documentary about women's wrestling that came out a couple of years ago?", Shane asked.
"Yes", Steph answered. "But I've spoken to the people involved in that documentary and they have no problems with us using that name."
"And who will be helping with your booking?", Vince asked.
"I called up Pat (Patterson) and he's anxious to help out. And Hunter talked to Kevin (Nash) and he'll be the other co-booker for our event."
"Patterson and Nash?", Shane smirked.
"That's quite the combination", Vince agreed. "But Kevin has a good mind for the business and Pat rarely lets us down."
"I spoke to him a few weeks ago and I think he's getting restless being retired", HHH spoke up. "It'll be good for him and us."
"I am seriously getting excited about this", Vince remarked. "It'll be exciting to see what my two children can do, what kind of show the two of you can put together."
"I'm excited about it too, Vince", Shane agreed. "And some of the people we've spoken too... this should be great!"
"I've got faith in both of you", Vince said. "Kevin will be letting you know the open dates and shows so you can prepare accordingly. I am so proud of both of you!"
"Thank you daddy", Steph smiled, while HHH and Shane nodded in agreement.
"And now, I've got to go. I've got a meeting with Arn to get to. I'll talk to you all later!"
As VInce walked off, Steph and Hunter turned towards Shane.
"Jimmy Hart and Dreamer?", HHH sneered. "Really?"
"Well, Nash and Pat were already taken", Shane joked. "I think we've got some great ideas for a really good show!"
"As do we, brother of mine", Steph smiled sweetly. "The Divas Revolution is in full swing and we're going to win this bet."
"You think so, sis?", Shane laughed.
"I know so", Steph replied.
"And we've got to go", HHH said, standing up. "We've got a company to run and a show to put on. We'll talk to you later Shane."
"Okay, see you later", Shane said as HHH and Steph walked off.
After making sure that Steph and HHH were gone, Shane pulled out his cell phone. Quickly dialing a number, Shane listened to the phone ringing until a voice picked up.
"Jimmy, this is Shane. I just had a great idea for the show. Can you find a phone number for me?"
Weeks passed and arrangements were made. On two successive Saturdays, the WWE would air special live broadcasts from Nashville, TN on the first Saturday and then the following week live from Miami, Florida the second week. Steph and Shane flipped a coin to determine which broadcast would air first. Shane won the toss and opted to hold his "One Night Stand: Heroes and Legends" on Week 2, from the venue in Miami. That left Nashville for Stephanie and her "One Night Stand: Lipstick and Dynamite" special event. Paul Heyman, realizing what a precarious position he had been placed in, agreed to watch and critique both shows, and would give a decision as to which one was, in his opinion, the most entertaining. And the two teams got immediately to work booking and laying out the groundwork for their events.
*** (TBC) ***
And finally, the night came for the first show, out of Nashville, TN. Stephanie, Patterson and Nash went over all of the details with a fine-toothed comb and everything was in place. Calling the action were Michael Cole, JBL and Renee Young. Lilian Garcia was the ring announcer and Jo Jo was handling the interviews. And at approximately 8:00pm, the show began.