Welcome to Gaia! ::

The last of Jarel's theme music drifted off from the speakers, bringing a dull rumble to the open-roofed arena as the audience grew eager for The Dragon's opponent to arrive. The Massachusetts masses were riled up for the main event and expecting a good show with such a veteran like Mr. Damone in the mix, but no one knew who to expect next...that was, until a solitary voice echoed out through the PA system, a simple phrase that had become all too identifiable for it not to draw the thousands in attendance to their feet in applause.

"People...of SALEM!" a young man's voice bellowed from somewhere unseen, probably backstage.

Though the first few seconds of sound were drowned out by the crowd's reaction to the familiar stranger, a soft-spoken singer would croon to the crowd over an alt-rock rhythm just as the mystery man had finished speaking...a fiery circle forming on center stage about six feet in diameter. As the tempo picked up, the flames ascended in kind, the name "Salem Croft" flashing across the Titantron to confirm what the fans had already known: The M.W. Deuce was loose in the stadium, this evening.

"There's nowhere to go but up from here!" the lead singer screamed, the silhouette of Salem seen rising up from underneath the entrance platform surrounded by the ring of fire. Crouched on one knee, the Charismatic Calamity was staring down at the jar of change in the hand opposite his microphone, which he held idly near his lips while waiting for the lift to finish elevating him. Once it had clicked, the flames vanished around him just in time for the brief pause in the music which Salem utilized to speak once more - smoke basking him in an ethereal veil as he kicked his head back and shouted from his hunched position.

"...GIVE IT UP FOR!" he screamed, stretching out his arms and slamming them down onto the steel stage to a thunderous burst of fireworks from the platform and screen, which flashed words in time with both the rhythm and Salem's pounding fists.

YOUR!

FAVORITE!

SON!

As the audience chanted along with the word prompts popping up on the big-screen display, Salem followed up his explosive entrance by springing up to his feet, eagerly shouting and beating his chest with the arm he held his change jar in. Knocking some coins loose from the open container as he did so, the young challenger stepped down the ramp to rub elbows and bump fists with the faithful BBW fans that had come out this evening. They embraced him lovingly, many wanting the rookie to stop and take pictures or sign their memorabilia with hopes of leaving with a memento rather than just a memory. But, Salem didn't pause in his proceeding to the ring, speaking into the mic while the last vestiges of his music died as he reached the ringside steps. Setting his jar of change on the apron, Salem pulled out two pennies and stepped out onto the canvas across from the hardcore legend, Jarel Damone. Rubbing the coins together, he raised the microphone up to his lips as he cast the Lincolns out onto the BBW logo before speaking.

"Now...I know I didn't take part in this tournament you've been having here...but if I know anything about the people of Salem-" he paused, smirking with a quick glance out towards the stands as the hometown patrons made their voices heard. "...it's that they like their wrestlers rowdy, ruthless, and more than a little riled up. Which is fine by me, because ever since the 'Summer of Salem' ended, I've found myself bored, this Fall...itchy, anxious. I've been thinking, maybe it's time for Salem Croft to do something bigger, for a change. Maybe it's time for Salem to come to Bad Blood Wrestling and show these fine people here what makes me the "Most Wanted Man in Wrestling". Maybe it's time for Salem Croft...to stop waiting for his moment to change the world, and take it upon himself to become the change. So...being that we're in a city of sorcery, I say we make a little magic happen tonight and give these fans a title match they won't soon forget!"

Circling the interior of the ring ropes, Salem held the microphone up so that the speakers broadcast the intense reaction his proposal had drawn from the stands, nodding his head before standing opposite of Jarel once more. Extending a hand across towards him, Croft offered a wrist-wrapped handshake while waiting for a reply from the would-be contender.

"So...what do you say?"