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At long last, the night had wound down to the main event of the evening. The fans were in their seats, having already taken time for bathroom breaks and concession trips, stocked up in the stands with drinks, food, and memorabilia of their favorite E:E stars. More than a few people in the crowd sported some Salem Croft merchandise, so it wasn't a surprise when the stands burst into cheers at the start of Salem's theme music.

"I can hear what you're thinking..."



At the first verse of his heralding music, Salem would step out from behind the curtain of the main stage and into the view of the many cameras that were circling around the arena, fans not sitting next to the platform or ramp getting a glimpse of Salem from the giant multi-screen that hung above the ring. Sporting a protective vest to shield his ribs, still recovering from the vicious triple threat at Showdown and the following showcase with Boxer, Salem now found himself once again about to face a fellow title-holder in the WWE:E, Major Devastation. Despite the fact that Salem was about to face the top dog of the company, he had no reservations to holding his Asylum Championship high above his head, gripping it proudly in one hand while the other held a microphone at his side. The crowd popped as Salem put the belt on display for the audience, scenes from his Straitjacket and first title defense being played on the Titantron at his back.

"And if you look in my eyes, in time you'll find the reason I'm here..."

"You're damn right!"

Salem roared, commenting to the haunting acoustic music that continued to play in the background. Moving towards one side of the stage, Salem draped his title over his shoulder, yelling inaudibly towards members of the audience to the response of cheers and applause. Moving back towards the opposite side, the Charismatic Calamity waved his hands in a hurrying motion, as though trying to draw out more cheers from the crowd that were heard on the opposite side of the ramp's mouth. Beating his chest with his free hand, Salem winced for just a second, remembering his current condition, before moving back towards the middle of the stage. Crouching onto his knees, Salem hung his head down low, black bangs shadowing his face in an ominous fashion as he brought the microphone up to his lips.

"People...of Salem..." he whispered.

"Give it up for YOUR FAVORITE SON!"

The crowd erupted in ovation, many getting off their seats to stand and applaud the rookie champion, who had thrown his head back and arms out wide upon finishing his trademark catchphrase. As the arena trembled from the raucous response, a dazzling spectacle of fireworks would fire off from the stage's outline, sending streaks of flickering light out into the audience. Bouncing up to his feet, Salem shouted in excitement, face livid with eagerness for the battle that awaited him. Starting down the ramp, Salem reached out to pass high-fives with those who stood along ringside while bringing the microphone up to his lips.

"...And I am your favorite son, because I am going to embody what it means to be a champion in this business!" Salem bellowed, his eyes fierce and firm as he approached the squared circle. "To me, being a champion means accepting any opportunity, it means representing what you love with passion, and skill! And there is nothing in this industry I am more passionate about...than this, right here."

Crouching just before the ring, Salem sat his Asylum Title out before him, staring at his own reflection within its shiny surface. Seeing his name on such a prestigious belt was surreal, even now, after he'd walked into Hell to obtain it and fought his way out to keep it. For just a second, Salem allowed the crowd to share the moment with him before bringing his mic back to his lips, continuing to speak whilst staring into the metal plate of his belt.

"...But, there are those of you out there who seem to think my title is not worth respecting. There are people who feel that false crowns and smug senses of superiority are what make someone a man, make someone a king...and of course, I'm talking about the shallow princes of E:E, Cartwright and Hiro."

The crowd would boo at the mention of the dastardly duo, some recalling their backstage encounter with Salem prior to his match with Boxer, the previous week. Lady X, an admirer and friend of Salem, had stopped by to thank the champ for inviting her to his radio show, Salem Says. However, Cart and Hiro felt it was a better opportunity to flaunt their charm towards the lass, who spurned their advances fiercely. Still, Salem hadn't been excluded from the crossfire - suffering insults regarding his status within the company. Such remarks weren't taken lightly by the Heir-Apparent of Hardcore, who was clearly angered himself by his own mention of the pair, glaring with venom into the surface of his Asylum Title. Standing up, he'd toss the belt over his shoulder, face relieved of some of its earlier frustration as he made for the stairs, ascending them as he continued talking.

"...That's why people like you will never understand people like me, Cart, Hiro. You call yourselves kings...but me, I'm a conqueror. I fight until there's nothing left, in you or me...so, if you want to challenge my fortitude, if you think you're really man enough to go toe-to-toe with the most charismatic catastrophe you've ever seen in this, or any other arena...then I invite one of you to face me, next week...one-on-one, for a chance to take my title. If I win, you two leave Lady X alone with your pedantic bravado. But if you...and I stress the word if...but, if you manage to beat me...I'll make you the next #1 Contender for my beloved Asylum Championship."

The crowd voiced their approval for Salem's proposed plan, rallying into a supportive wave of cheers as Salem stroked his title lovingly, giving the fans a sweet, almost innocent smile that accompanied a most devilish stare. Offering the belt and microphone to the referee, the official stepped out of the ring to go place the objects back at the timekeeper's table while Salem stretched his arms, trying to limber up a bit before Major arrived for the match. Salem knew this would be his biggest test yet, but he seemed bright-eyed and eager as he stared up at the ramp, awaiting the arrival of the WWE:E's World Champion.

Salem watched from afar as the lights and fireworks exploded on the stage, Major's music pounding in his ears as the man in question came out to much bravado. Truly, it was an impressive sight to see the recently-crowned Evolution Champion enter the arena, but it had appeared that the fans were not as captivated by the way they booed Major as he made for the ring. After a bit of posturing on the turnbuckle, the company's world champ would once again return to the canvas, doing his best to belittle Salem by brandishing the company's most prestigious belt right in his face. Salem simply smirked, shaking his head at Major, holding up his hands to offer a tie-up.

Salem's grip was met with Major's, and though the crowd cheered at the prospect of a promising fight, Salem soon felt the overbearing power that Major possessed as the world champ leaned in to apply leverage to the hold. Though Salem would try to fight it, he'd feel his core muscles ache beneath his vest, still feeling the effects of his previous injuries. Wincing, Salem was brought to his knee before being able to assert his strength, feeling Major's knee rock his ribcage and force a cough of pain from the rookie champion, the blow softened just a little by his padding.

The first blow from Major's forearm would send Salem to a crouch, but the latter strikes were what did the real damage, gradually forcing Salem further and further onto the mat from the bludgeoning meathooks that Major called 'fists'. Each forearm was like a two-by-four across Salem's spine and shoulderblades, causing the rookie to gasp and grunt from the impact of Major's attack, crowd helpless to do anything but voice their displeasure for Major's merciless beating of the young rookie who was nearly laid across the mat at this point.

Salem's head hovered a couple inches from the canvas, propped up by his taped-up forearm that was planted firmly against the mat. The sting of Major's strikes had made Salem's back ache, the rookie getting back up to his feet slowly while Major gestured for the crowd, reveling in their animosity for having beaten Salem to the ground in unsportsmanlike fashion. Pushing himself up to a knee, then both of his feet, Salem gradually stood up, anticipating the Evolution Champion to continue his assault in heelish fashion. True to his prediction, the Master of Destruction would lunge forward shoulder-first, looking to level Salem back down into the floor with a shoulder. However, Salem hadn't yet gotten his balance grounded, the ring trembling from the bigger, brawnier opponent throwing his weight across the ring and into Salem. His chest heaved, lungs collapsing as Major's missile-like advance brought the man's shoulder into the square of Salem's chest, sending the young man tumbling back down, audience jeering loudly at the way Major seemed to be toying with his adversary for the evening. Clutching his ribs, Salem winced in pain as he laid out on his back, Titantron catching full-view of the strife that rocked the young man's senses, presently.

The crowd gasped in unison as Salem was shouldered unceremoniously to the mat, the poor rookie's body tumbling over near the ropes from the force of Major throwing himself into him. Though Salem had the capacity to get up, Major felt that the young champion needed a hand - grasping him by the hair before dragging him up to his feet in a fit of pain, anguish running down his face. Before Salem could fight back, he was led across the ring with a shove, forced into the nearest corner with a hard thud against his back as he collided with the turnbuckle. The Irish Whip had been successful, leaving Salem's shoulders draped across the top ropes on either side of him while his head hung a little, the Asylum Champion visibly rattled from the jarring blows he'd received thus far in the match.

Salem was catching his breath in the corner, and it was clear that Major's first few volleys of offense were putting the rookie's back to the wall - or the turnbuckle, rather, as Major gestured for his signature Yakuza Kick, the "Shock and Awe". Meanwhile, Salem was watching Major's every move with added intent, knowing that the world champion wasn't going to sit idly by while Salem built his stamina back up. Thus, it was with a burst of energy that Salem ducked underneath Major's high-aimed kick at the last second, trying to tie-up the man's stance by hopefully tangling his leg over the top rope. Meanwhile, Salem would spring up from behind Major's back, reaching back to attempt a surprise lay-out Neckbreaker a moment after he'd narrowly evaded decapitation.