|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:32 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:39 pm
The music paused as the lights flickered on and off for only a moment. <******** the world- IS AFTER ME!!!  "Introducing first, weighing in at 225 pounds, from Phoenix, Arizona, Cyrus THE DREAM Leone!"Caught out alone, and I'm tryin to be free
Caught up in things that are inside of me
I've seen inside of me
This side is everything
I've seen and I'm gonna beCheers erupted as The Dream's theme boomed throughout the arena over the PA. Fans suddenly jumped to their feet as Cyrus stepped out on stage in his hooded attire. The hooded man paused for a moment as he glanced to the left and then to the right. He suddenly threw his arms up in the air and gold sparks began to rain onto the Dream from the ceiling. The hood Cyrus wore fell off as he bathed in the sparks that rained from the ceiling. The Dream suddenly threw his arm forward as a pyro shot forward, halting the sparks. He walked down the ramp at a casual pace, occasionally stepping over to a barricade and giving a fan a high five. When he made it to the ring he immediately hopped up onto the apron and slipped into the ring through the top and center ropes. His entrance to this match was grand, but when he made it to ring he seemed to slow down. He walked over to the far corner, facing the stage and sat down, leaning back against the turnbuckle. He looked out to the stage and awaited Salem.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:10 pm
With the final vestiges of Cyrus' music fading from the speakers, the PA system would suddenly become overburdened with a brief moment of static, the now infamously familiar voice of Salem Croft being spoken through the white noise...
"Is this thing on?"
The rookie's voice was met with an immediate response of boos and jeers from the crowd, a video package thrown up onto the Titantron of Salem's many exploits since having debuted last year in the WWF:G. Stepping out from behind the black curtain at the back of the stage, the man-in-question strode out towards the top of the ramp sans any music, only bearing with him a microphone and his signature jar of change. His forearms were wrapped, his pants were faded, his boots were laced and polished to as great of a shine as they could be, considering the use and wear they'd seen. But though he was about to step into the ring with his former friend and manager, Salem couldn't hide a smile that cracked his lips enough to show off his pearly whites, bringing the microphone to his mouth to the anguish of the audience.
"...Since you people seem to have forgotten...allow me to introduce myself." Salem said, crouching down to one knee as he looked down at the steel grates that constructed the entrance ramp. Hanging his head low, his black bangs hung down and framed his face in an ominous, darkly way, the young man's voice ringing out like a feverish growl.
"...And introducing his opponent...he is the man that will 'End the Dream'...the "Most Wanted Man in Wrestling"...the "Heir-Apparent of Hardcore"...the most charismatic athlete to ever walk this earth...he's your Mr. Money In The Bank...your future world champion...and YOUR FAVORITE SON...Salem Croft!"
Tossing his head back, Salem held up the microphone proudly, letting the crowd's overwhelming dissidence be broadcasted back for them to hear. The rookie laughed openly, getting back up to his feet with a satisfied grin. It seemed he enjoyed the response he'd received from the fans, clutching his coin jar proudly while he strolled down to ringside.
"...And I call myself 'your favorite son', because as you all know...before I came to this company, the biggest thing you had to talk about was how much your heroes - heroes like Cyrus Leone, here - have let you down! But then, fate brought me here...and I say 'fate', because we all know that regardless whether Cyrus was the one who inked my contract...he was hardly what made me what I am, today."
Reaching the ring steps, Salem instead continued around the perimeter of the ring, making sure to look up at his former mentor with the same smirk he'd carried with him from the stage. Those along the front row, however, took to tossing litter and change at the rookie. This only served to provoke another amused chuckle, prompting him to look out into the crowd as he walked.
"Oh, come on...what, do you feel betrayed? Please. You people wanted this. After all...the coins in this jar, here? They're not mine. They're yours. You, who sits in your seat and wants something different, but doesn't fight for it. You, who stands backstage and hopes for someone braver than you to speak up about the injustices done in this industry...praying for someone to fall in behind, that can carry the flag...and take the sword when it's thrusted your way. I stood up for you people, but when Cyrus - a man who's made a career out of being absent for his - turned his back on me, so did you! I never stopped fighting to make a difference...but the fact of the matter is, you people only want the same old thing!"
Finally, as ringside had started to collect with trash from Salem's ranting, the rookie went up the nearest set of steel steps and into the ring, looking over at Cyrus with a glare of resentment. He sat the change jar on the apron as he went, just off to the side of the bottom turnbuckle. His lip curled, a snarling growl eroding at the audience that continued to denounce the lad.
"...You wanted to use me to further your own career, Cyrus. I was that one-in-a-million chance - that opportunity you just couldn't pass up...that fresh face, that would bring life back into your old bones...life that you couldn't find walking around like the zombie you are, talking about pizza guys and dreams. But tonight...it's time for you to wake up. It's time for you all to wake up! I'm going to show you all the undeniable truth - that I'm what I am not because of you, but in spite of you...tonight, Cyrus...I'm going to beat you mentally, as well as physically."
Stepping forward, Salem stood over the veteran Leone, lowering his eyes and voice to denote his seriousness.
"You think I'm shaken, just because you attacked me at Money In The Bank? You think I'm rattled, because I'm standing in the ring with you, after all this time? Nuh-uh. I'm more focused than I've ever been...the Summer of Salem is about to start a wildfire, because tonight, Salem and Cyrus will be going head-to-head in a Watch Your Step match!"
Despite the rookie's condemnable comments, the crowd couldn't help but to cause a sudden stir at Salem's proposed challenge, popping loudly at the prospect of such a spectacle unfolding before their eyes, tonight. After letting the crowd have their say briefly, the M.W. Deuce slowly went down to one knee, mocking "The Dream" by crouching at eye-level with the propped-up professional. As he started talking over their cheers, the crowd once again returned to their pessimistic tendencies.
"That is, unless you can't take the heat, old man."
Salem nonchalantly gestured outward with the microphone, offering it to his adversary with a defiant stare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:07 pm
The Dream hardly looked up at Salem as he went through another one of his long monologs, his eyes simply stared forward. His head bowed slightly when Salem approached him, to further talk down on his former manager. Cyrus finally looked up at Salem, showing an crazed grin from ear to ear. The man would suddenly throw his fist at Salem, aiming to hit him in the throat with a heavy right hook, and with the other he would snatch the microphone from the cocky rookie.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:12 pm
Salem choked on his next breath, windpipe momentarily depressed by Cyrus' sudden right hook to the throat. Stumbling back, reaching up to grasp his own neck, Salem let go of the microphone involuntarily as he staggered towards the center of the ring, turning around with a blended look of pain and fury on his face, struggling to hold back the impulse to stomp Cyrus through the ropes in retaliation while coughing for air.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:50 pm
Cyrus lazily stood up, watching Salem fight for air. The Dream looked from side to side at the cheering fans and raised the mic up to speak. "I'm sick of seeing your face Salem, you arrogant piece of s**t." A loud oooh could be heard from the audience as Cyrus finished the sentence. His grin turned to a frown. "I've had to deal with you for the better part of the year Salem. You've mocked me, you've belittled my name, you've cheap shotted me, you've hurt my friends, and when I show a little benevolence towards you at WrestleMania, you turn your back on me. Honestly, I just want this to be done, I want to end you Salem. Right here, right now!" Cyrus grinned once again, the same mad looking grin he had before. He raised his hand and slightly rubbed the side of his head before continuing. "You say you want a Watch Your Step match...? What a p***y choice of a match!" Silence came from the crowd, a few let out boos at the man's comment. "I would have picked a much bloodier match, one that I could tear you apart in. But I'll tell you what!" Cyrus bowed his head back and forth for a moment. "I'll give you your match, but let's sweeten the deal." He looked up at Salem. "As I've said I want to end you, right here tonight." The Dream pointed down at Salem's briefcase. "You put up your money in the bank, I'll give you your match. Hell, I'll even give you what you want." The man of Dream paused for a moment before continuing. "I'll put up my name. If you win, the Dream will be no more."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:59 pm
The crowd was on fire after Cyrus' unexpected rebuttal - "The Dream" was offering to kill off his very name for a chance at Salem's beloved briefcase and the world title opportunity it guaranteed. Such a prize was tempting, even when it wasn't presently tucked away under the watchful eye of his newfound manager, Nuke Fusion. All the same, the cough that came out of Salem's mouth resembled a laugh, the rookie stepping backward a few paces to the side of the ring opposite Cyrus. Looking over at the referee, a faint, haunting smile crossed over the lad's lips before he finally spoke to the official, sans the microphone.
"Ring the damn bell, ref." Salem growled, urging Cyrus to approach. This match had suddenly become more interesting, two dreams colliding fatefully in the F:G arena! The only question on the audience's mind was...which would prevail?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:07 pm
With that, Cyrus tossed his mic out of the ring and prepared himself for the match. The Dream had never been in a Watch Your Step match before, but he was willing to give up his own name for it. Something that was worth more than any championship. But if he won, the man of Dreams would get a shot at the Undisputed championship, something Cyrus hadn't had a opportunity for in 4 years. He stepped towards the center of the ring, awaiting the bell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:20 pm
With Cyrus' discarding of the microphone, the referee called for the bell to ring and match to begin. Fans were on their feet for the start of this match, eager to see their first Watch Your Step match in some time. With the dangers of being near the ropes in such a contest, the safest place to be was likely center canvas, a place that Cyrus was moving to occupy. But, with a burst of speed and aggression, Salem would move to intercept "The Dream" with a rough shove, attempting to push the man back towards the ropes he'd come from. The act wasn't meant to do more than push Cyrus backward a little, but that didn't stop some in the audience from hooting at the disrespectful gesture to commence the festivities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:30 pm
The Dream was ready for this match to begin, he had been waiting for it too long. However, he had not expected Salem to start the match off in such away. Suddenly Salem Croft rushed forward, colliding with The Dream and knocking him back towards the ropes. Once again the younger star was intent on showing disrespect towards the veteran. He forgot one very basic thing though: they were in the ring this time. Cyrus would suddenly leap forward at Salem, looking to hit him square in the jaw with a haymaker.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:34 pm
Salem's sudden shove had riled up Cyrus to retaliation - the veteran bounding forward for Croft with a fierce fist. The blow collided, causing the lad to take a step back, but the M.W. Deuce made no attempt to turn away. Rather, the rookie braced his footing, snapping his head back towards "The Dream" while throwing a heavy hand forward to attempt the same back at Cyrus, looking to stand and trade blows with the former champion!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:41 pm
The Dream was actually impressed that Salem was able to take his punch so well. Moreover, Salem used no time to recover so he could throw one of his own. The fist of the Charismatic Calamity connected along side Cyrus' face and The Dream stumbled back a step. He too braced himself, and was able to stop himself from falling back any further. It was time to escalate this fight, and Cyrus would do so by sending his foot forward, attempting to hit Salem with a boot to the gut.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:46 pm
Salem's fist had managed to stroke the broad-side of Cyrus' chin, but it wasn't enough to do more than stagger the veteran for a moment. Tension was escalating, fans were starting to stand and shout as Cyrus threw his boot forward, trying to kick Salem in the stomach! However, Salem had used the moment Leone took to recover to bolster his feet, and caught the heel of 'The Dream's foot in his hands! With a sudden jerk, Salem would try to flip Cyrus backward by quickly lifting the man's leg up high with hopes that it'd throw Leone off-balance!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:52 pm
Cyrus' boot, suddenly caught by Salem Croft, immediately halted it's swing and Cyrus stood there on one leg trying to keep his balance. This didn't bode well as Salem now had The Dream in his grasp. The match was about to get rough. With a sudden jerk from the Charismatic Calamity, Cyrus Leone was thrown off his feet. The Dream landed stiffly on his back, and he lied staring straight up at the ceiling lights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 7:00 pm
The stands started to boo as Salem suspensefully flipped Cyrus backward, using his resourcefulness to find an opening to exploit in Leone's attack. His quick-thinking would be followed with a more primal instinct as the rookie paced around "The Dream", stomping at his exposed limbs viciously in efforts to wear down the man's reserves. With each thrust of his heel, the Heir-Apparent of Hardcore brought out more of his sadistic side, growling and grunting from the power behind his own attacks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
