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Salem wanted to put up some resistance as GQ came forth and grabbed him by the throat, but "The Copperhead" was trying to conserve his strength, knowing now it wouldn't come to him as consistently since he was so worn out! But so was Question, the big man not used to having to work so hard and his speed was reflecting as much!

Knowing this, Salem would wait until GQ lifted him up, forcing him to heft his weight into the air before exploding with what stamina he had left - attempting to break the hold and twist to convert the chokeslam into a sit-out cutter, a modified version of Salem's signature C.O.D. (Cutter On Demand)!

Even if Salem hadn't felt the move connect, he'd have known his cutter did the job if only by the way the audience reacted to the swift technique! Still, Croft didn't sit idly on his a**, scrambling to the opposite ropes to get his bearings and turn around!

Seeing Question still reeling from the attack on his already ailing head and circulation, Croft would stare his enemy down with laser-sighted focus, charging forward with renewed vigor for another signature, a Bicycle Kick he called the Mic Drop!

Salem was fairing better than he had in a long minute, feeling reinvigorated by the crowd's response to his terrific offense despite gaping at the sight of GQ still managing to stand on his feet. Was he rustier than he thought? Was GQ that tolerant to pain? A C.O.D., a Mic Drop, The Hard Sell, all withstood without ever falling to so much as a knee...the sheer shock was enough to make Salem lose track of time, shaking his head in disbelief and barely registering that GQ had stumbled forward like a tall redwood hanging in the air before crashing down!

AT LAST! After working on the super-heavyweight's head all match, knowing the only way to overcome his raw size and power was by shutting his lights off, Croft and the crowd knew this was the moment he'd been waiting for - it was now or never! Thinking quickly, Salem pointed a finger gun at the fallen giant, pulling the trigger as he charged in and did a little airwalk, stepping down to put his whole weight, his entire strength into slamming GQ's head into the canvas with his finisher - the Nap Town Stomp!

The crowd popped harder than they had all night, riotous at the sound of GQ hitting the canvas with extreme prejudice! But Salem had literally put all he had into the move, and did the first thing that came naturally as his feet hit the ground - collapse and cover! With a grunt, "The Most Wanted Man in Wrestling" would roll Question over, looking to lift the leg limply and lean his back onto the titan's chest for his first and hopefully final pin attempt of the match!

He did it! The bell rang and the crowd was on their feet, even if Salem couldn't say the same. The referee was trying to help Salem up, the Nap Town Native clutched his chest and leaned against the official with his other arm, raising his hand briefly off his ribs to offer a raised fist to the crowd, taking a slight bow as he struggled for breath.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your winner of this contest by PINFAAAAALL, "The Most Wanted Man in Wrestling", SAAALEEEM CROFT!"

Struggling to keep his feet underneath him, Salem took another brief bow for the crowd, immediately holding his ribs after doing so. With shallow steps, Salem started to hobble over towards the ropes, looking to get himself under the top rope and onto the apron, fans clamoring for a closer encounter from the nearby barricade.

Salem had been so caught up in the struggle and subsequent recovery that he failed to recall Cyrus' presence at ringside! Just as he was going under the top rope, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his skull, rolling through the ropes and collapsing onto the arena floor! Grasping at his head and ribs, Salem only heard bells as the crowd booed the blatant cheap shot!