King of the Canvas was underway, with Hiro kicking off proceedings with a rather .. interesting promo, that didn't quite seem to go to plan. The crowd were left a little bewildered by the events that had transpired shortly before that.
The crowd were expecting a massive kick off, a bang of fireworks, but things were down a little. Hiro was a man who could lift an entire arena up, but it just didn't go the way he had planned.
The lights in the arena shut off, and the crowd cheered, an immediate and almost stunning excitement. A set of three spotlights moved across the crowd. Illuminating with them beaming faces, home-made signs, and the thrill of the suspense.
That's when a theme song hit the PA, one that was missing at Judgement Day, one that the fans sorely missed already.
Can you tell by the look in her eyes? We're going nowhere!
We live our lives like we're ready to die We're going nowhere!
Can you tell by the look in her eyes? We're going nowhere!
We live our lives like we're ready to die We're going nowhere!
Shadow Moses by Bring Me The Horizon kicked in to action as the spotlights suddenly shifted, moving with pace towards the stage where a man stood, a man that everyone immediately recognised as Nuke Fusion.
A wide smile on his face, the Uncrowned Champion started a slow walk to the ring, beating his chest with his right fist and nodding his head with the music and the cheers of the adoring folk around him. The arena lights didn't come back fully on, but strobe lighting took place, making each movement seem to skip in time.
I thought I'd buried you And covered the tracks You'll have to take this with your cold dead hands I thought I'd buried you What's dead can never die!
Nuke took the time to reach out to either side of the ramp and slap the hands of fans, stopping at one point to lean down and put his forehead against a child's, speaking some words of encouragement and positivity. He then hugged the parent and went along his way, passing to the other side and doing the same to another child who was wearing an NF shirt.
I thought I'd cut you loose Severed the feeling I slipped through the cracks and you caved in my ceiling I thought I'd buried you What's dead can never ******** the bottom of the ramp, Nuke took the time to walk around the ringside, slapping more hands and interacting with the members of the crowd. This was maybe one of the first times in his entire career that he had taken the time to do this, and it really showed a change in his persona.
Eventually coming around back to the bottom of the rope, Nuke breathed in deep and did a little jog up the steel steps, stepping on to the apron. Stepping inside the ring, Fusion walked over to the turnbuckle and jumped up, raising an arm in the air to a mass cheer from the crowd.
Can you tell by the look in her eyes? We're going nowhere!
We live our lives like we're ready to die We're going nowhere!
Nuke jumped down and reached through the ropes to a stage hand, who promptly gave him a microphone. With a nod and a smile Fusion stepped back towards the center of the ring, the crowd hyped to no end and ready to start the show.
You can run but you'll never escape Over and over again
Will we ever see the end? We're going nowhere
This is sempiternal Will we ever see the end?
This is sempiternal! Over and over, again and again!
The music died down as the crowd let out a massive cheer, the spotlights having followed Nuke the whole way, and the three of them now pointed directly at him in the ring.
The strobe lighting slowed down to a pause and the house lights came on at a dim, as fans threw up their signs and arms in the air as the camera panned amongst them.
Waiting a few moments for the crowd to settle down a little, Nuke then raised the microphone to his lips.
"Ladies .. and gentlemen. Nukes and Nukettes .. are you ready to drop some bombs tonight?"
The crowd let out another big cheer and a chant broke out amongst the crowd. It started small and then grew, and grew, and grew.
'Welcome back! Welcome back! Welcome back!'
Nuke smiled and raised a hand in the air to acknowledge them.
"Welcome back.. you know what? It feels good to be back, so good to be back. In fact, I damn well wouldn't have left if it wasn't for a little incident at Backlash.
You see, it was a match that would have been for the ages. We had the first Damone vs Fusion match in nearly a decade, as the Soaring Dragon faced off against the Nuclear God.
It was set to be a spectacle, Drako and I both loved by the crowd, loved by each and every one of you. Two legends of this business facing off, and putting their bodies on the line. But, something .. unexpected .. happened."
Nuke walked around the ring at a slow pace, the crowd letting out a low jeer for the reference to Drako, and knowing what was going to be said next.
"I thought I would offer not just one, but various chances for sportsmanlike conduct. I really thought that the hatchet had been buried, especially after I had such a lovely interaction with Jarel Damone at WrestleMania. The Fusion and Damone families should have been at peace, and memories of past interactions just part of the fabric and history of this business.
But I guess that some people can't move on, some dragons feel like their wings were clipped.
Look, we all know how Backlash finished. It finished with Nuke Fusion on top, taking the win like he always does, and by god you know that Drako should have been happy that it was an exhibition match and not for his precious World Heavyweight Championship!
Imagine that, the headlines that would cause. Nuke back in his first match in nearly a decade, and standing tall holding gold.
Your new.. World! Heavyweight! Champion!
The crowd let out a massive cheer as Nuke let the microphone fall down to his side, shaking his head. He pursed his lips before he continued.
"In another reality, that's how it would be. I'd be standing here right now as your Champion.. but, unfortunately, I'm not. I'm standing here with a concussion.
Drako lost the match, and it seemed that something inside him flipped. His family came down to the ring and, between the three of them, they mercilessly beat me down. Not only did they continue to beat me down, but they left me in such a state that I spent the last month in a hospital bed, in a dream world.
I tried to watch Judgement Day but I can honestly say I wasn't fully awake for it, the injuries I took were severe. The doctors wouldn't release me and I was told by the staff here that I wasn't allowed back while in that condition."
Nuke looked down at the ground and, just for a moment, blinked a few times and looked sideways. He stammered on his feet a little and then lifted his head up, looking around the arena once more.
"Tonight I wasn't given a match, even though I requested one. You see, I wanted to face one of the Damones, I wanted a chance to enact some kind of retribution. But, because of my condition, I was denied.
Tonight I wanted to be clipping the wings of Dragons, but I was told I'd have to settle with watching from backstage or ringside.
No, no, that just won't do. Ladies and gentlemen, I decided that I would do anything to be in this ring, anything to be in front of you lovely folk. And whilst I still have a form of mild concussion, the doctor let me head home to rest, and cleared me for everyday life outside of the far-too-white walls of that hospital room."
Fusion started pacing around, moving his neck to the side slightly. It was clear that he wasn't 100% but he had a steely determination about him, he clearly wasn't going to be kept at home.
"Because I was cleared so late, all of the Damones were already booked for matches. Because of that, management have allowed me to come out here and to offer an open challenge.
Anyone in the back there who thinks they have what it takes to step in the ring with the first-ever Grand Slam Champion of WWFG, come out here.
Anyone in the back there who thinks that they have it in themselves to stand toe-to-toe with the man who defeated the World Heavyweight Champion, come bring it.
Anyone who really, truly, thinks that they deserve a moment in the spotlight with the biggest name in sports entertainment right now, come and fill your damn boots.
I'm calling you out!"
[ Planned. ]
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:31 am
Nuke dropped the gauntlet down, offering up a chance for anyone in the locker room to step into the ring with one of the world's finest! The fans in attendance clamored for the prospect of a surprise challenger to the Human Power Plant, but their elation only elevated as Salem Croft's music hit the speakers at the first verse, the Copperhead Cross popping up on the titantron before a highlight reel of some of Salem's exploits over the years! Smoke tinted by red lights clouded the stage, the audience reveling as "Showtime" stepped out onto the platform with purpose, fire plumbing in small fireballs across the front of the broad podium!
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
Clad in a sleeveless "Don't Tread On Me" shirt done in his Copperhead style, with black and brown camo pants leading down to steel toed boots polished to a shining black, Salem strutted down to the ring with eyes fixated on Nuke, his tunnel vision blocking out the throngs of attendees along the barricades reaching for an interaction with the Gypsy Savage! But instead of embracing the fans as he was wont to do most often, Salem spared his sentiments for the man in the ring, sliding across the canvas and standing up to approach Nuke and welcome his former mentor with a big hug, the display of affection provoking even louder cheers from the venue of patrons!
Holding his old friend for a moment, Salem gave Nuke a slap on the back as he stepped away, his music fading out while a ring attendant handed Croft a microphone through the ropes. Looking around at the fans for the first time, Salem grinned like a kid at Christmas as he gestured to Nuke, encouraging more cheers from the crowd before raising the mic to his lips!
"Ladies and gentlemen...THE Nuke Fusion!"he heralded, smiling at his compatriot, the audience showering the legend with adulation!
"I gotta say, Nuke, I'm really glad to see you."Salem continued, the crowd quieting as he walked up closer to the more seasoned veteran. "It's been a long time since I was just some rook, bouncing around these ropes, full of piss and vinegar, looking for a fight but not knowing what I was really fighting for, and you took me under your wing to help me come up in this business. I missed you, man. You took an interest in me before anyone knew who the Hell I was, when I didn't even know who I was, yet. I'm forever grateful for that. And I just want to tell you off top, Uncle Nuke, thank you."he said, reaching out to shake Fusion's hand, much to the delight of the fans!
Nuke watched with a smile on his face as the music of Salem Croft hit the sound system, the crowd giving him a big cheer as he made his way down to the ring. Damn, what a way to open up the card.
Listening to what his old friend had to say, still with a big grin on his face, Nuke looked around at the crowd and nodded his head, before raising his microphone up again.
"There was a time when I was still fairly young and naïve in this business, and yet still had accolades, trophies, championships. I'll be honest, I tried to help as many people as I could during these times, but.. I mean, I was still learning the ropes as much as the next guy. A young man, fixated on making a legacy, cementing a history in this business.
I appreciate your words Salem, you're a good man, and an even better friend."
Nuke reaches out with his other hand and tightly grips Salem's own, before pulling him in for a big bro hug. The crowd gave off a massive cheer as two fan favourites, and legends, came together in an embrace.
After what seemed like a long time, Nuke patted the back of Salem, before releasing the grip and stepping back again.
"If I'm completely honest, I really didn't know who would come out here and accept the challenge.. it is really good to see your face, Salem. Tell me, are you here to take me up on the offer?"
The crowd gave another massive cheer, salivating at the prospect of a long-awaited match between Fusion and Croft!
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 8:42 am
Salem laughs as Nuke puts him over, hugging the trailblazer back and embracing him to a loud ovation from the fans! Salem felt like a kid again, being back in the ring with his old mentor, listening to him and watching him work his magic with the crowd! Stepping back as Nuke broke away, Salem held the microphone down and his other hand to his face, trying to hide his grin as he looked down at his feet and nodded, soaking in what Nuke had to say before replying.
"Nuke, it means a lot to me, man...really, it does."Salem started, looking back up at the man before briefly glancing around at the still cheering audience as they awaited a response."But when you came out here tonight, I couldn't help but feel like, despite all these years apart, we've found ourselves in the same place. And I don't just mean this ring. See, it wasn't long ago that I was in a hospital bed for months, too, courtesy of Bison Mbadi."Salem name dropped, instigating boos from the crowd as they recalled his brutal matches with the Alpha Male."...And hey, you and me both know what it feels like to beat Drako, in the last year, tall order for any man not named one of us, it seems."
The crowd booed at the mention of Drako, the world champion having engendered despise with some of the FG Universe in recent shows. Salem, however, raised his hands to quiet down those in attendance before continuing.
"Hey, he's been my best friend for years, I get it - dude doesn't even talk to me lately. Me and his family have had a complicated relationship for a long while. But that's fine, because tonight he's going one-on-one with one half of the Savage Sons, my partner-in-crime, Erynys Reich!"he replied, the crowd popping for Salem's tag team teammate!"And the Syndicate, they've got us to contend with later tonight to crown the returning WWFG Tag Team Champions!"he added, the audience rousing with raucous glee at the prospect!
"But, all that aside, Nuke...I've been feeling a little off lately."Salem said, turning his attention back to Fusion."I came back at Wrestlemania, I didn't get Bison like I wanted, but I did get to bruise Cartwright's pride a bit, and that made up for it. I found some unlikely allies, and now we're on the verge of being the most dominant tag team in this industry, plus I get to see him fight in the biggest match of his career, tonight. And even though I did get right with Bison, last show, I gave up my first loss to Cyrus Leone..."Salem paused, fans jeering at the recollection of Mister Mirage interfering to spoil what was supposed to be a clean match!"...and maybe he was right, it wasn't a set-up, maybe this snake just got bit back for a change, wouldn't be the first time he tried to. But though he might've been my first manager, you were always my best manager, Nuke."
The crowd popped loudly for the legendary veteran Nuke Fusion, Salem standing resolutely and nodding as he looked at his former mentor, his friend and brother-in-arms, letting him take in the respect he was so rightfully due before continuing.
"So, it seems to me, we could both use a get-right match. Seems to me that you and I have an opportunity to have a match for the first time ever, seems we could put on a banger and clear our heads the hard way, seems to me that Nuke Fusion is looking for SHOWTIME, and I'm here to tell you...the SHOW STARTS HERE!"he declared, slapping his chest proudly as the fans cheered 'The Copperhead' on!
"Because these fans can feel it!"Salem shouted, gesturing to the audience and riling them up! "That nuclear energy you got, it's radiating around this arena, brother! You're charging these fans up, they want to see you blow it up tonight! And what better way than against a little Gypsy Magic, against a bit of that Copperhead Venom, and we get these thousands of Nukeaholics and Salemaniacs on their feet tonight for a match they've never seen before?! Nuke Fusion! Salem Croft! One night only!"he declared, looking around at the fans as they stood up and chanted "YES!" in unison, pointing at the rafters![/align]
Nuke really liked that, he really really liked that. He almost wanted to join in with the 'YES!' chants but, instead, kept his cool and just nodded his head along.
"Salem, I felt that, it came from the heart. And both of us know that every single fan out here tonight felt that too, that's why they're giving you their love and adoration. So, concussion or not, I want this match with you. Let's put it on the line, right here.. right now."
At that last line, the crowd erupted in to cheers, as they were about to get their opening match of the evening!
A ref had been on standby at the commentary table and soon makes his way in to the ring, ready to begin the match.
