A heavy guitar riff would cut through the speakers as "From Heads Unworthy" started playing on the speakers, heralding the arrival of "The Pride" - the WWF:G's newest group of would-be outlaws. However, it wasn't from the well-lit stage that these challengers would appear. Rather, the cameras had to pan around, following the echoes of the crowd's excitement as they spotted the group members approaching the ring through the crowd, filing down the aisles in single-file.
A spotlight caught Salem at the head of the line, his bronzed skin glistening with sweat from the bright bulbs strewn across the arena's rafters. His wrists were customarily wrapped from knuckle to elbow, tribal tattoos weaved further up his arms where the athletic tape stopped. His black hair hung down over his eyes a bit, causing them to glint as they caught the light from the shadows of his bangs. A stone-like tone was set on his face, but it wasn't emotionless. Rather, it appeared that Salem was confident...but not only so - peaceful, as well. In one hand, Salem held a microphone. In the other was the icon that had represented his sudden emergence, the jar of change that had set into motion everything that had happened and was yet to come. Bringing the mic to his lips, Salem would bow his head as he stood out in the stands, just a dozen or so rows from the ringside as he looked to lead a prayer.
"Some of you people must be confused about why we are out here." Salem said in a soft tone, his voice provoking a cheer from the crowd. Keeping his head down, Salem's face was hidden beneath his shaggy hair as he continued speaking.
"More to the point, many of you are probably confused as to why I assaulted my associates here with a steel chair so savagely earlier this evening."
Conveniently, the titantron started playing a brief video recap of Salem standing in the ring as Harli planted Cyrus with his and Kyle's combined finisher. Just as Cyrus was leveled into the mat, Salem struck Harli in the back of the skull, and proceeded to waylay the remaining members of his faction in swift order with the steel object. Pausing a moment to watch the video himself, Salem seemed intrigued to see the event from the camera's perspective, almost smiling a little at his handiwork.
"However...what you people fail to grasp is that we are different from anything you have seen before. We are different, because we are not doing this because we're too weak to stand on our own. Each of us is either a former or a future champion - we have no doubts that, on our own, we could have a prosperous and successful career. But our reasons for standing together go beyond fame, beyond glory. This isn't about titles...it's about taking back something that this industry has lost...something sacred, something precious. For too long, we've witnessed the same old cliche, the same old drama, the same politics and power-playing that's eroded the integrity of this company."
Pausing for a second, Salem allowed the audience to voice their thoughts in a mixed reaction of cheers and boos, nodding solemnly in response to their feelings.
"As I said...we are different, because we are out to do more than just impact this company...we want to change it." he said, brandishing his jar as he placed emphasis on the word. "But the only way we can set ourselves apart from the tyrants who've sapped our sweat and blood, is by spilling our own...we must be prepared to sacrifice everything, because we know that, in this war...they will take everything."
Slowly, Salem continued his methodical march to the ring, looking forward with a determined stare as he continued talking on his way to and up the stairs.
"You people deserve champions of the highest caliber. This industry deserves a leader that will pave a new way forward, a new chapter for the World Wrestling Federation, a new dawn. A 'Rebirth'."
Salem entered the ring, followed by the foursome that walked with him, gesturing to the aforementioned 'R' that had been tagged at the end of the company's new logo, plastered on the center of the ring's canvas.
"...But we cannot begin anew if we sew our seeds in the tainted soil of the past. So, to get back the pride and honor of this industry...me and my comrades, my revolutionaries...we're going to burn this company down. All of the filth, all of the corruption, we'll weed out those unworthy of this new era so that only those deserving to wear these belts will remain standing. And from the ashes of yesterday...we'll grow a new tomorrow."
Turning back to his comrades, Salem spread his arms wide, humbly heralding them to the audience to a loud ovation.
"These are your redeemers!" he exclaimed, loudly speaking over the fans as he turned back, gesturing to himself while still holding the change jar. "I am your shepherd! Together, we will create history's future!"
Setting the jar down at his feet, Salem would turn back to his associates as they stood stalwart, unified.
"But, before I can...before we can save the pride of this industry...I have to sacrifice my own."
With that, Salem dropped the mic, suddenly!
A spotlight caught Salem at the head of the line, his bronzed skin glistening with sweat from the bright bulbs strewn across the arena's rafters. His wrists were customarily wrapped from knuckle to elbow, tribal tattoos weaved further up his arms where the athletic tape stopped. His black hair hung down over his eyes a bit, causing them to glint as they caught the light from the shadows of his bangs. A stone-like tone was set on his face, but it wasn't emotionless. Rather, it appeared that Salem was confident...but not only so - peaceful, as well. In one hand, Salem held a microphone. In the other was the icon that had represented his sudden emergence, the jar of change that had set into motion everything that had happened and was yet to come. Bringing the mic to his lips, Salem would bow his head as he stood out in the stands, just a dozen or so rows from the ringside as he looked to lead a prayer.
"Some of you people must be confused about why we are out here." Salem said in a soft tone, his voice provoking a cheer from the crowd. Keeping his head down, Salem's face was hidden beneath his shaggy hair as he continued speaking.
"More to the point, many of you are probably confused as to why I assaulted my associates here with a steel chair so savagely earlier this evening."
Conveniently, the titantron started playing a brief video recap of Salem standing in the ring as Harli planted Cyrus with his and Kyle's combined finisher. Just as Cyrus was leveled into the mat, Salem struck Harli in the back of the skull, and proceeded to waylay the remaining members of his faction in swift order with the steel object. Pausing a moment to watch the video himself, Salem seemed intrigued to see the event from the camera's perspective, almost smiling a little at his handiwork.
"However...what you people fail to grasp is that we are different from anything you have seen before. We are different, because we are not doing this because we're too weak to stand on our own. Each of us is either a former or a future champion - we have no doubts that, on our own, we could have a prosperous and successful career. But our reasons for standing together go beyond fame, beyond glory. This isn't about titles...it's about taking back something that this industry has lost...something sacred, something precious. For too long, we've witnessed the same old cliche, the same old drama, the same politics and power-playing that's eroded the integrity of this company."
Pausing for a second, Salem allowed the audience to voice their thoughts in a mixed reaction of cheers and boos, nodding solemnly in response to their feelings.
"As I said...we are different, because we are out to do more than just impact this company...we want to change it." he said, brandishing his jar as he placed emphasis on the word. "But the only way we can set ourselves apart from the tyrants who've sapped our sweat and blood, is by spilling our own...we must be prepared to sacrifice everything, because we know that, in this war...they will take everything."
Slowly, Salem continued his methodical march to the ring, looking forward with a determined stare as he continued talking on his way to and up the stairs.
"You people deserve champions of the highest caliber. This industry deserves a leader that will pave a new way forward, a new chapter for the World Wrestling Federation, a new dawn. A 'Rebirth'."
Salem entered the ring, followed by the foursome that walked with him, gesturing to the aforementioned 'R' that had been tagged at the end of the company's new logo, plastered on the center of the ring's canvas.
"...But we cannot begin anew if we sew our seeds in the tainted soil of the past. So, to get back the pride and honor of this industry...me and my comrades, my revolutionaries...we're going to burn this company down. All of the filth, all of the corruption, we'll weed out those unworthy of this new era so that only those deserving to wear these belts will remain standing. And from the ashes of yesterday...we'll grow a new tomorrow."
Turning back to his comrades, Salem spread his arms wide, humbly heralding them to the audience to a loud ovation.
"These are your redeemers!" he exclaimed, loudly speaking over the fans as he turned back, gesturing to himself while still holding the change jar. "I am your shepherd! Together, we will create history's future!"
Setting the jar down at his feet, Salem would turn back to his associates as they stood stalwart, unified.
"But, before I can...before we can save the pride of this industry...I have to sacrifice my own."
With that, Salem dropped the mic, suddenly!
