As derby fans know by now, the Kansas City Roller Warriors kicked off their 2013 season this past Saturday night at Municipal Auditorium with what is almost certainly the best home opener we’ve seen since we began following the Greatest Sport in the World lo, those many seasons ago.

The Black Eye Susans and the Dreadnought Dorothys took the track in the first game of the evening in a bit of a rout that saw the Susans come out on top 283-115. Insanity ensued between games when the audience was essentially invited out into the infield for an impromptu performance of the Harlem Shake, and afterwards, the 2012 Champion Victory Vixens and the 2012 third place team, the Knockouts, slugged out a stunner that saw the Knockouts take the win by only 16 points, 146-130.

Naturally, we took pictures.

Click for the full photo album.

Thus the season begins with both the Susans and KOs with 1-0 records at the same time for the first time since God only knows when. Both of these teams have come a very long way in the last couple of years, and from what we saw Saturday night, 2013 promises to be a very exciting season, with so many of the house teams apparently so well-matched. The Rink of Fire championship is definitely up for grabs this year. We can’t wait to see who takes it home.

Many thanks, as usual, to the entire Kansas City Roller Warriors organization for putting on one hell of a show Saturday night. We’re already looking forward to April 6th.