The lights dimmed as the epic opening guitar rift of Welcome to Jungle suddenly rung out over the PA.
Oh my god... Wooooooooooooaah!
Beams of red light danced on stage in rhythm of the music, exciting the crowds.
Welcome to the jungle we've got fun and games
We got everything you want honey, we know the names
We are the people that can find whatever you may need
If you got the money, honey we got your disease
Smoke began to spill out onto the stage, covering up the entryway.Cyrus! Cyrus! Cyrus! Cyrus! Chant's echoed through the crowds as they awaited the Legend.
Finally, stepping out from the smoke, clad in his signature duster with the Power championship around his waist, Cyrus Leone stepped out onto his stage with his steel chair in hand! The Untamed Lion gazed up at the audience and raised his barbed wire chair up over his head, glancing along the arena at the thousands of cheering fans with his one good eye. He smirked before he muttered to himself. "That's right, hail to the king, baby!" Cyrus leaned the chair against his shoulder and walked halfway down the ramp, now focused on the ring.
"Weighing in at 240 pounds, residing in Mexico City, the Untamed Lion, Cyrus Leone!"
As he walked down the rest of the ramp, Cyrus stretched out arms and shoulders. This was the second round of the King of the Canvas, and the Lion was ready to go! When he made it down to the ring, he suddenly threw the chair into ring over the top rope and leaped up onto the apron as the chair crashed into the canvas. Cyrus looked out to the audience as he snapped his belt off and raised it out in front of him. After a moment, he finally turned and slipped under the tope rope, entering the ring.
This was an important night for the Untamed Lion. Not only was he continuing down the path towards claiming his throne, but he'd have to make it past someone he had history with, someone he currently did not hold a win against. Salem Croft.
Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Salem Croft
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Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 2:23 am
The lights cut off across the arena following Leone's entrance, a palpable excitement running like lightning through the crowd as fans got ready for the show's opening match. The darkness was thick, the audience flashing cameras and using phone lights to try and get a glimpse of the stage during the pregnant pause, unable to see much further than themselves. Then, a voice boomed out loudly, accompanied by a large icon appearing on the titantron.
IT'S SHOOOOOWTIIIIIIME!
The fans got loud, music starting as the image appeared, a voice rapping while the fire and shadow danced on the stage with plumes of fireballs lifting three feet from the stage before vanishing again, making a sequence of flames that both showed off the empty stage and raised the temperature of the arena slightly.
Probably could've lived the whole life when you didn't even land as a blip on my radar Now that you been in my sights, got a nice plot picked in the bed of my graveyard Everything I touch get killed, I'mma slide in the rink, And I'm splitting that face guard All I gotta do is wait for the right moment like, Wait, I feel a beat drop on the eighth bar...
As the beat drops, the flames suddenly rose in pillars that popped some fifteen feet high, pyro erupting like a volcano. Where the stage was empty before, a figure slowly lifted from under the stage like a demon, Salem literally rising to the occasion while the fans showed him love and showered him with cheers upon his arrival. Bare-chested, the Gypsy Savage had his various tribal tattoos on display from across his collarbone to his shoulders and down both arms, ending where his wrist tape began and wove around his forearms, fists, and fingers. Military style fatigues with snake patterns painted in black and gray went down to sturdy steel-toed boots of polished black leather. Salem, however, stood sternly on the stage surrounded by the fire, his eyes venomous and muscles rigid like a coiled snake prepared to strike.
Living for the fam, my soldiers Once in a lifetime life, twice over All these bitches thinking they hot, 'till I smolder All these bitches thinking they hot, when I'm solar All these bitches thinking they hot, when I'm colder Shaking off the rust to brush up my quota It ain't have to be this way, man, I told ya Heater from the head to toe, I'll bi-pole ya, oh no!
You can't even see the plan, I got it tinted You ain't seen the vision, and your people, I can see them squinting Me, I'm gifted, pull up with the heater 'cause the heater lift 'em Told you, I'm the coldest with the heater 'cause it leave 'em rigid See 'em limp acetaminophen, b***h, you gon' need a wicken Had to put your team into the negative to see the difference Everybody speak it like they did it, b***h, you need to zip it See the digits every time I speak, a sentence people listen
You gon' turn me back to the old me To a monster, I just wanted low key Old man s**t, I just wanted more peace Then you turn the piece on me that was OD Gotei Thirteen, that was all me How you gonna flex on me, I'm the OG Told me get on your level, that's a low leap Power rules everything, b***h, that's the motif
Salem started down the ramp, walking past the fire that continued bursting across the stage behind him, the eager crowd shouting and reaching for him. He took a moment as he descended to greet some of them, sharing fist-bumps and high-fives, but his attention was preoccupied with the man currently in the ring, Cyrus "The Dream" Leone. It was a man Salem shared a lot of history with, much of which had been uncomfortable, going back as far as Salem's wrestling debut at Mania so many years ago. Their spats of bad blood had stretched over time and territories, and while Salem had never lost against the legend, it'd been years since they'd competed in a squared circle together. Looking on at his opponent from the bottom of the ramp, "The Copperhead" could feel his venom building as bad memories bubbled up in his mind, threatening to boil over while he started around ringside, circling the ring like a predator.
Everybody say they running the scene How you run it when you gunning for me Everytime I stand, they run for the seat I ain't come to you, you up here with me No games Youngin you don't want a run in with me, no way You should just stay in your lane We aren't the same Forgot that I come from the slums, forgot that I come from the streets Forgot that I come with them ones, forgot that I come with the heat Forgot that I run with the wolves, baby, that means that I run with the beasts Now you think you do it like me, can't nobody do it like me, no way
After a lap around the ring, Salem started up the ring steps, standing on the apron and continuing to stare down his enemy, eyes locked like a serpent smelling blood in the air. He ducked under the top rope and stepped onto the canvas, walking to within six feet of the large man as the announcer spoke across the PA system.
"...and his opponent...standing at six-foot, three inches tall and weighing in at two-hundred thirty-five pounds! From Indianapolis, Indiana! He is 'The Copperhead'! 'The Gypsy Savage'! 'The Nap Town Nightmare'! He is..."SHOOOOWTIME" SALEM CROFT!"
The music faded out slowly as his introduction was made, the audience worked into a frenzy at the long anticipated rematch between these two men, salivating at the prospect of violence! For his part, Salem's expression hadn't changed since he rose from the stage, still firmly staring at Cyrus and flexing his fists and testing the tightness of the tape binding them, waiting for the opening bell to ring!
J.R.: "Thank you for joining us ladies and gentlemen and allowing us to be in your homes this evening! If you're just tuning in, get ready for a very spirited contest! These two men have more history than your local library, and we're sure to see it on display tonight!"
King: "It's Judgment Day, J.R.! "The Dream" and "Showtime", one MORE time! I can't believe it! I'm getting goosebumps!"
J.R.: "These fans are riled up too, King, and for good reason! These two are some of the best wrestling has to offer, and when you've got as much personal history as they have, expect sparks to fly!"
King: "We might not be able to show this on television, J.R.!"
Posted: Wed May 31, 2023 1:11 am
After tossing his things to the outside, the Lion stepped towards the center of the ring. This would be the second match of the night for both men after competing in separate tag team contests, at least they were on equal footing in that regard. Staring back at Salem, Cyrus slowly raised a hand, motioning for a possible lock-up. He was curious on what his opponent's approach would be for this match.
Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Salem Croft
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2023 9:49 pm
Salem took note of Cyrus' offer to grapple, and looked around the arena as though contemplating it. But then, with a dismissive eave of his hand, Salem balled his fist and pounced his own chest, gesturing for a chop instead while reaching out to smack his open palm to Cyrus' sternum, the crowd excited for the exchange!
"Salem doesn't wanna hold hands, J.R.! He wants to fight!"
"Salem's showing no interest in grappling tonight, King! He's only got one thing on his mind - pain!
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2023 11:25 am
Woooo!The Lion grimaced after the chop connected with his sternum. Gritting his teeth, Cyrus reared his hand back, and would return the attack, looking to slap Salem across the chest with a knife edged chop of his own.
Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Salem Croft
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Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:20 am
Salem's slap echoed throughout the arena, making Cyrus wince before retaliating with a chop of his own! Salem felt hid chest soak in the impact, staggering a step backwards before stepping up and swinging his forearms stiffly once more, aiming a hard chop back at his opponent as the fans woo'd once again!
"These ain't no chops from Sizzlers, folks!"
"Don't talk about food, J.R.! You'll make me hungry!"
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2023 9:16 am
Chopped again across the chest, Cyrus stumbled back a step. Giving a nod, the Lion planted his feet and swung forward, this time planning to light up his opponent, swinging rapid, repeated chops!
Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Salem Croft
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2023 9:27 am
Salem's tomahawk chop cleaved into Cyrus' chest, causing him to take a step back as the crowd resonated a "WOOO!" in unison! Cyrus, however, responded with a flurry of chops of his own, reeling the "Copperhead" back into the cables!
Staggered up on the ropes, Salem grit his teeth and endured the pain, letting it motivate him and shove Cyrus back! Stepping up to assault Cyrus with a flurry of more slaps and forearms, Salem sought to batter him back into the corner!
"...but, "The Show" isn't over! Salem's taking Cyrus to the butcher shop!"
"He likes his ribs tender, J.R.!"
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:14 am
The Lion felt like he had the upperhand when he had Salem up against the ropes, only for his opponent to fire back with a flurry of chops of his own! Cyrus was lit up by Salem's attack, and was slowly backed into the corner, leaning back into it as his chest turned a crimson red.
Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Salem Croft
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:48 am
Salem continued smacking at Cyrus' chest with enthusiasm, the crowd amping up with each strike! The "Gypsy Savage was unrelenting in his assault, starting to throw heavy booted kicks into the corner aimed at Cyrus' midsection as the audience egged him on in the attack!
"What's he doing, J.R.?! Salems fighting dirty!"
"That's not dirty, King! That's retribution! Salem has a bone to pick and he just might break it in the process!"
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 7:14 am
Moving from chops to kicks, Salm continued laying into the Lion! Cyrus shifted after each shot to the midsection, after the third boot he'd spring forward, looking to bash Croft in the face with a headbutt!
Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2023 7:58 am
(Auto)
After the headbutt connected, Cyrus would look to throw a kick to the gut right back at Salem before attempting to drop him in a quick DDT.
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2023 9:18 am
Salem was sent reeling by the headbutt, staggered in the corner by Cyrus' counterattack! Pulled back into a front facing headlock, Cyrus used one of Salem's own moves against him, reeling him back with a DDT that sent Salem's skull into the canvas, his fans booing with disappointment!
"Cyrus isn't out of it, though! He's fighting back from the corner and making a move on Salem!"
"Not just any move, that's SALEM'S move, J.R.!"
Salem Croft
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Mister Mirage
Super Phantom
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2023 11:58 pm
Holding his midsection, the Lion sat up in confusion to the boos coming from Salem's cult following. He shook his head and muttered to himself. "Goddamned stupid hillbillies." Pulling himself onto a knee, Cyrus looked to lift Salem back to his feet before attempting to toss him over the top rope.
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