Shortly after the show's open, a thumping rhythm would pulse through the arena, provoking thousands to tap their feet or cheer as the lights went dim around the stage, a spotlight strobing across the entrance in time with the kick of the drum. At first, there was nothing - but then, a silhouette could be seen standing in the light, its shadowy outline familiar to the BBW Faithful, even if the name flashing across the Titantron didn't give it away. As Salem's video package started playing, Salem started to descend the ramp, a slight grin on his lips as he carried his Seasons Championship across his left shoulder and his trademark burlap sack over the right. Still stained crimson with the blood of Cartwright's face, the title had a sickly glow to it - channeling the light from the stadium bulbs and giving off an eerie reflection. Despite this, the audience ate it up, many having enjoyed seeing the exclusive spar between the champ and Cartwright during the holiday exhibition. Regardless of their enthusiasm, though, "The Copperhead" stayed at the center of the ramp, making his way to the ring with a confident stride, dressed to kill in a black and red pinstripe three-piece as he started up the ring stairs, taking a microphone from one of the stage hands along the outside.
"I'm gonna fight 'em off...
A seven-nation army couldn't hold me back...
They're gonna rip it off...
Takin' their time right behind my back...
And I'm talkin' to myself at night because
I can't forget...
Back and forth through my mind behind
A cigarette..."
When Salem stepped onto the canvas to soak in his ovation with a spin, the music faded out - lights returning to normal around him. Looking around at the capacity crowd, he showed some teeth, grinning more openly while taking a leisurely lap around the interior ropes to hype the audience more with subtle gestures towards those he took notice of in the stands. Finally, back at the center of the canvas, Salem brought the microphone up to his lips, addressing the people at last.
"How're y'all doing tonight?" he asked, getting a raucous response from the fans. Nodding, Salem slipped his sack off his shoulder and sat it down next to him on the mat. "Yeah, I'm having myself a pretty good time, too - can y'all guess why?" he teased, shooting glances at his bloodstained championship belt as he did a little turn for all four sides to see it. "I'll give you a hint...it's got snaps on it, it's a little dirty, and Cartwright is as close as he'll ever be to it, right now. Hah! But, seriously - I'm damn proud to come out here and call myself...YOUR SEASONS CHAMPION!" he shouted, tilting his head back to yell it to the rafters. In reply, the audience ate up Croft's charisma, cheering for the champ as he looked back at the hard camera, reaching down towards his burlap sack.
"But, that's not all..." he added, fishing in with his free hand to pull something out from inside the bag. Lifting it up, the light beamed from the object Salem held with a golden shimmer, many people recognizing the trophy as one from the recent Best In The Business awards. "...I'm also proud to come out here saying that I'm also the Best Face of 2014."
Staring smugly at the award, the audience continued to clap and cheer before Salem sat it down at his feet, the mini figurine mounted on the plaque looking like a wrestler in a dynamic pose. Matching it for a brief moment, a series of flashes sparked around the arena, people taking the opportunity to snag a pic of Salem with his second award in as many years from the prestigious event before he returned to his more professional posture. "After all...why wouldn't I be? Not proud - anyone who comes home with one of these awards should feel like they'd accomplished something. What I mean is, why shouldn't I feel like the Best Face of Wrestling in 2014? I mean...I came into the year as the first-ever BBW World Heavyweight Champion...I had some of the best matches of my career against the likes of Jarel Damone - rest in peace - Hiro, who will rest in pieces - and Freakshow...who, well, put me in a casket. But even that didn't keep me down - even being forced into the Midnight Marauders couldn't hold me back, because I still ended up closing out the year as your...Seasons...Champion."
Pausing for a second to let the crowd say their piece, Salem smirked and nodded once again, slapping his empty fist against his chest while the crowd began to chant "BBW! BBW! BBW!" around him.
"Yeah, yeah...you guys are proud, too." Salem continued, reaching down once more for the bag to fish something else out. "But, even that isn't all I have to be proud about...because I ended up walking away with one more trophy..." he explained, pulling a second award from the burlap sack - this one with two figurines situated on the top.
"...Because, since I'm officially a member of the Midnight Marauders International...I also came away with the award for Tag Team of the Year."
Oddly, this statement was met with a fair degree of laughter from the audience, many chuckling at the prospect of Salem accepting an award on behalf of his arch-enemies, much less one that he didn't contribute to as part of a tag team. Still, Salem seemed a bit shocked by the response, looking around in a state of confusion before stammering into the mic.
"Now, hey, hey, hey! I know what you're thinkin' - Salem, you've never been in a tag team before, how can you be accepting the award? Well, it's simple - without Salem Croft, MMI doesn't win jack this year. Face it - I was the best thing to happen to that stable all year, and even Freakshow knows it. Why else would he send goons and geeks after me time and time again to handle his business, business I settled a long time ago back in the Lethal Wrestling League? Why else would Freakshow want to put a stipulation on our Solar Slam casket match that said if I lost, I was part of his little crew - and then rig the match by having someone attack me from inside the coffin? Because, he knows what all of you have known since last year started...he knows what Cartwright now knows, after I slammed his face into this title not once, not twice, but three times during our...friendly exhibition. He knows what you all confirmed at Best In The Business, just a few weeks ago...that I am the face of BBW. And it scares him. Just as it should all of you." he chided, sweeping the tag team award towards the stage, referring to the athletes still in the back of the building. Now, though, the crowd was starting to quieten down a bit, perhaps off-put by the rather bold proclamation. Turning his head around to scan the audience, Salem frowned a little, as if unsettled, himself, by the lack of applause.
"...Hey, don't silence yourselves now - you guys voted for me. If you're not in my corner, then who's do you expect to be in? Who else in this company can compare with the incredible, the incomparable, the illustrious two-time champ of BBW, Salem Croft?!"
