Mauro Ranallo: Things are sure to be rocking here in Little Rock, as we continue through what has already been an epic King of the Ring tournament! Welcome to EBWF Warfare, this is Mauro Ranallo with my broadcast partner Corey Graves, and Corey, not only will the King AND Queen of the Ring tournaments continue this evening, but we will also decide a number one contender for the Breakout Championship!
Corey Graves: Right you are, Mauro, my brackets are still holding strong in the office pool, but anything could happen here tonight during such a jam-packed show!
Mike and Maria Kanellis entered to their awesomely cheesy prom music. The mood turned more sinister as the classically inspired music of the newest incarnation of Mankind brought him out of the darkness.
Mauro Ranallo: Mike Kanellis engaging in a pre-match conference with his wife, the lovely Maria, trying to find a strategy to deal with this offbeat figure, this Mankind.
Corey Graves: Offbeat? By offbeat, I think you mean he's a maniac, Mauro. I don't know which he loves more, dishing out pain or receiving it.
DING! DING!
Mauro Ranallo: And this contest begins, the hungry youngster versus the grizzled veteran for a spot in the next round of the King of the Ring tournament.
Kanellis used his speed and mobility to dash in, hit a forearm or kick on Mankind and retreat to a safe position. He repeated this several times, just barely escaping the veteran's grasp.
Corey Graves: Mike Kanellis with a dropkick to the historically bad knees of Mankind, I have to say, I'm liking this strategy.
Another running shot knocked Mankind down and Kanellis made the mistake of taking a moment to gloat. Mankind leapt to his feet and shoved a hand into Mike's mouth.
Mauro Ranallo: The Mandible Claw! Kanellis managed to slip away but the enigmatic Mankind is close behind him!
Mankind pressed Kanellis into the corner and rained hard right hands down at him, each accompanied by a gutteral growl. He then stepped back and charged with a knee to Mr. Kanellis's head. Maria hopped up onto the apron to shout disapproval at him. Mankind tilted his head and slowly approached.
Corey Graves: Run, Maria, run!
Mauro Ranallo: The self-described First Lady of Wrestling is holding her ground, allowing her husband a chance to recover. But I agree with you, Corey, it probably isn't her wisest choice to find herself face to face with Mankind. OH MY WORD!
Corey Graves: MANDIBLE CLAW TO MARIA!
Kanellis blindsided Mankind to save his wife, who slithered down to the floor, spitting like her mouth was filled with dirt. Mike stuck his head through the ropes to check on her then turned back into a kick to the gut.
Mauro Ranallo: Double Arm DDT! Mike Kanellis is planted into the canvas!
Corey Graves: And there's the cover, 1! 2! 3!
DING DING!
Christy Hemme: Here is your winner, MANKIND!
Mauro Ranallo: Can you imagine a better second act for this veteran than to be named King of the Ring, Corey?
Corey Graves: King of the Boiler Room, maybe.
Corey Graves: This is the first match in the EBWF Queen of the Ring Tournament! Mauro, I love both of these ladies so much, I don't know how I'd choose here.
Mauro Ranallo: There's no telling how this one could go, Corey!
"Illest" hit the PA and Liv Morgan came to the ring to an ovation. She turned her attention to the stage as "Kiss from a Rose" hit and Mandy Rose showed off for the crowd. Liv rolled her eyes as the two former champions were ready to square off. The bell rang.
Mauro Ranallo: It's all about Blonde Ambition here tonight!
The women locked up and Mandy went for a suplex, only for Liv to reverse the hold, but Mandy broke it, and hit her with an open hand slap! Liv looked absolutely shocked, and was taken aback just long enough for Mandy to be able to slap on a sleeper. The two women exchanged submission holds, and Liv finally got Mandy on the ground and rolled her up.
1...
2...
Mauro Ranallo: Mandy Rose kicks out!
Liv kept the momentum going and took Mandy down, and hit a leaping leg drop for another near fall. Mandy dropped Liv into the turnbuckle, turning things around as she hit a snap suplex. Mandy hooked the leg for another cover, but Liv kicked out at two. Mandy continued the beatdown, taking Liv to the corner, but Liv responded with a schoolgirl. Mandy got to the ropes, and scrambled up, taking Liv down hard and pummeling her. Liv dropped Mandy into the ropes before hitting an O'Conor Roll. She hit a stomp in the corner, followed by a running bulldog. Mandy got to her feet and rant into the #201.
Corey Graves: Liv with the cover here!
1...
2...
3!
Mauro Ranallo: Liv Morgan has done it! Liv has defeated Mandy Rose here tonight!
Liv's hand was raised in victory as EBWF went to commercial.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, Matt Riddle was on his way to the ring for the next match.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Up next, Matt Riddle is in action as he takes on the Heath Slater!
Once Riddle was in the ring, Slater came out to a mixed reaction from the crowd. When Slater had entered the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two men locked up. Slater applied a headlock, then hit Riddle with a series of punches, before whipping him against the ropes. As Riddle ran back towards him, Slater took the former MMA fighter down with a hip toss, then hit knee drop. He pulled Riddle to his feet and set him up for a suplex, but Riddle blocked it, countering with a suplex of his own. Both men got to their feet, and Riddle whipped Slater into the corner, before hitting a corner clothesline. As Slater staggered out of the corner, Riddle set him up for a bulldog, but Slater countered with a reverse DDT.
Mauro Ranallo: Great counter by Slater!
As Riddle got to his feet, Slater whipped Riddle against the ropes once more, this time hitting a spinning spinebuster. He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout! Slater pulled Riddle to his feet and hit him with a series of punches, then went to whip Riddle into the corner. Riddle reversed the Irish whip, sending Slater into the corner, then sat Slater on the top rope and lifted him up, hitting a superplex! Riddle hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1... 2... Slater kicked out!
Corey Graves: I thought that was it there, Mauro!
Riddle pulled Slater to his feet and set him up for the Bro to Sleep, but Slater blocked it, then hit a snapmare driver. He then set Riddle up for the Smash Hit, but Riddle blocked it and got behind Slater, hitting a bridging German suplex. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Both men got to their feet, and Riddle hit Slater with a superkick! Riddle hooked the leg once more – 1... 2... Slater kicked out just before the referee counted 3!
Mauro Ranallo: So close to a three count!
Riddle signalled for the Bro to Sleep, which got the crowd to cheer. He pulled Slater to his feet and lifted him up onto his shoulders... but Slater wriggled free, then hit a jumping sleeper slam! Riddle looked dazed as he got to his feet, and Slater hit him with the Smash Hit! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Heath Slater gets the victory!
Corey Graves: What a moment for the one man band, Mauro!
Slater celebrated, then made his way to the back. Riddle watched on, shaking his head with disappointment.
"Crushed" by Parkway Drive brought out the former EBWF Women's Champion who stood surveying the crowd from the stage, before heading down to the ring. Alexa looked unimpressed as the familiar sounds of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" that usually brought the arrival of Ric Flair turned into "Recognition" and ushered in Charlotte. The crowd cheered as the newcomer stood on the ramp, looking down at her opponent. After a moment, she was joined on stage by Zelina Vega. The two women strutted down to the ring and Charlotte got in under the bottom rope. The bell rang.
Mauro Ranallo: Alexa is sizing Charlotte up here.
The women locked up, and Flair sent Bliss to the mat. Bliss rolled to the outside for a breather, and Charlotte taunted her. Alexa got back into the ring, and the two women circled each other up, and then locked up again. Flair took Alexa to the ropes, and the referee broke them up. They locked up again, and Charlotte powered Alexa into the corner. Alexa kicked Charlotte in the gut, and then the two women were trading shots. Charlotte dropped Alexa on the apron, but Bliss locked onto Charlotte's arm and yanked her to the apron with her.
Corey Graves: Alexa using her head there.
Both of the women rolled in under the bottom rope, and Alexa pinned Charlotte in desperation for a two count, as Zelina Vega screeched at ring side. Alexa dropkicked Charlotte back out to the floor. Alexa followed after, trash talking the self-proclaimed queen before dropkicking her on the steel steps. Alexa helped Charlotte back into the ring and tried to pin her again, but Flair kicked out at two. Alexa kept Flair grounded, putting an elbow into her ribs. Charlotte tried to fight back, blocking a move and suplexing Alexa into the turnbuckles.
Mauro Ranallo: The Queen is coming alive here!
Charlotte went to the top for a moonsault, but Alexa grabbed her leg to try to pull her down. Flair hopped out of the corner, and the shorter Alexa stood on her tiptoes to get into Charlotte's face and berate her. The Queen responded with a smirk before lighting Bliss's chest up with some trademark chops, drawing a “Woo” from the crowd with every hard smack. She drove her back into the ropes, and whipped her across the ring. Alexa slid under the bottom rope. Charlotte rolled out of her side and ran around the length of the ringside area, meeting Alexa at the corner with a Yakuza style kick to the face.
Mauro Ranallo: That's going to leave a mark!
Charlotte rolled Alexa into the ring and stopped momentarily to shout back at the crowd. This gave Alexa enough time to catch Flair with a slap as she climbed back into the ring, and then snapped her throat against the ropes, sending her tumbling back to the floor. Alexa pulled herself to the top rope and dove onto Charlotte. Alexa pushed her back into the ring, but had her foot caught by Zelina Vega as she tried to follow. She kicked Vega off but Charlotte was able to use the distraction to suplex Bliss back into the ring. Flair climbed up onto the top rope, took a deep breath and sent herself backwards with a beautiful moonsault. Bliss got her knees up, catching the Queen in the gut and knocking the wind out of her. Bliss scrambled to her feet and grabbed Flair.
Mauro Ranallo: Snapping DDT! And there's the cover!
Corey Graves: 1! 2! 3!
DING DING!
Corey Graves: Charlotte Flair may be the most athletically gifted competitor in the women's division but the Goddess still possesses the resourcefulness of a champion.
Mauro Ranallo: But with Zelina Vega in her corner, you have to know that she won't fall for the same trick again.
Mauro Ranallo: Up next, more Queen of the Ring action as Paige takes on the two-time Women's Champion, Velvet Sky!
Paige came to the ring first to a mixed reaction from the crowd. She had a determined expression on her face as she made her way down the ramp. After Paige had entered the ring, "Angel on my Shoulder" hit and the crowd cheered as Velvet Sky headed to the ring. When both divas were in the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two women locked up. Velvet took Paige down with a snapmare, then hit a shoot kick to the back of Paige's head. Paige got to her feet and Velvet hit a series of punches, then whipped Paige into the ropes. Velvet went for a clothesline, but Paige ducked out of the way, then hit as Velvet turned around, Paige took her down with a DDT. Paige stomped on Velvet several times, before pulling her to her feet and hitting a fisherman suplex. Paige made the cover and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout!
Corey Graves: Paige with a near fall!
Paige pulled Velvet to her feet and whipped her into the corner, then ran at Velvet and hit her with a knee lift. As Velvet staggered out of the corner, Paige lifted her up and hit a fallaway slam. She made the cover once more and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout!
Mauro Ranallo: Another near fall! Paige is looking good here!
Paige pulled Velvet to her feet and set her up for the Ram-Paige, but Velvet blocked it and countered with a bridging northern lights suplex. Both of Paige's shoulders were down and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Both women got to their feet and Velvet whipped Paige against the ropes before hitting her with a dropkick. As both women got to their feet, Velvet set Paige up for the In Yo Face, but Paige blocked it and countered with a back body drop. Velvet got to her feet and Paige went for a clothesline, but Velvet ducked out of the way then hit Paige with a neckbreaker. As both women got to their feet, Velvet grabbed Paige, applying the octopus stretch! Paige cried out in pain, but she refused to submit and Velvet reluctantly broke the hold. Velvet grabbed Paige once more, hitting a knee smash, then followed it up with the Beauty-T! She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Corey Graves: It's over! Velvet Sky wins!
Mauro Ranallo: A strong performance by Paige, but Velvet Sky's experience was the difference in the end!
Velvet Sky celebrated as Warfare went to commercial.
Mauro Ranallo: Still to come, Trish Stratus takes on Nikki Cross, and a triple threat match to determine the new number one contender for the Breakout Title in our main event. Up first though, in the final first round match of this year's King of the Ring tournament, it's Tyler Breeze versus Noam Dar!
Corey Graves: It's the battle of the Gorgeous Guys, Mauro!
"I Am an Animal" by Twin Atlantic hit and Noam Dar made his way to the ring. When Dar was in the ring, "#MMMGORGEOUS" BY CFO$ hit and Tyler Breeze stepped out onto the stage. Both superstars received a mixed reaction from the crowd. When Breeze entered the ring, he extended his hand to Noam Dar, and the two men shook hands as the referee called for the bell. Dar and Breeze locked up, and Dar applied an arm twist. Breeze broke free and hit Dar with an enzuigiri, then grabbed him from behind, hitting a back drop. Dar got to his feet and Breeze whipped him into the corner, before going for a clothesline. As he ran towards Dar, Dar got his knees up, blocking it. Breeze staggered backwards and Dar went to the top rope, hitting Breeze with a missile dropkick. Both men got to their feet and Dar set Breeze up for a northern lights suplex, but Breeze blocked it, countering with a DDT. He hit Dar with a spinning leg drop, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Mauro Ranallo: Great back and forth action here! Dar and Breeze aren't letting their friendship get in the way of a competitive match!
Breeze got to his feet and grabbed Dar by the leg, going for a single-leg Boston crab, but Dar kicked him away and got back to his feet. Dar grabbed Breeze, whipping him against the ropes, before hitting an arm drag. As Breeze got back to his feet, Dar hit a legsweep, then applied the kneebar! Breeze cried out in pain, but he was able to get to the ropes, and Dar broke the hold. Dar took a step back, and as Breeze got to his feet, he went for the Supermodel Kick! Dar reacted quickly, ducking out of the way, and grabbed Breeze from behind, hitting a German suplex! Both of Breeze's shoulders were down and the referee made the count – 1... 2... kickout!
Corey Graves: Dar had that Superkick scouted there... great counter!
Dar got to his feet and turned Breeze over, going for the STF. Before he could lock it in, Breeze rolled out of the way and got back to his feet. The two men locked up, and Dar applied a headlock, but Breeze broke out of it and got behind Dar, hitting him with the Unprettier! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Dar kicked out just before the 3! Breeze looked frustrated, and he signalled for the Beauty Shot! Dar stumbled to his feet... and Breeze hit it! He hooked the leg once more, and the referee made the count – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Tyler Breeze advances to the next round, where he will face Chris Jericho!
As the referee called for the bell, Noam Dar got to his feet and gave Breeze a hug, then raised his arm in victory. The crowd applauded the show of sportsmanship as both men made their way to the back.
"Glasgow Cross" hit the PA and Nikki Cross was out to the ring first.
Corey Graves: This is our last Queen of the Ring Match tonight, and Nikki Cross will take on Trish Stratus, Mauro.
Mauro Ranallo: Trish might have her work cut out for her here!
Corey Graves: Don't be ridiculous, Mauro! Trish is perfection!
"Bossy" filled the arena, and Trish was out on the ramp next, pointing into the crowd before running into the ring and sliding in under the bottom rope. Nikki caught her fast with forearms as the referee rang the bell. Trish had her back to the ropes, and Nikki kicked her into the corner. Trish missed a clothesline, and Nikki cinched on a sleeper hold as she got on Trish's back. Trish hit a snap mare to escape, and followed up with a spinning side slam. Trish went for the pin. 1...2...
Corey Graves: Nikki Cross kicks out!
Trish was livid and hooked the leg again, but came up empty with another near fall. Trish kicked Nikki in the back and then choked her across the ropes. The referee pulled her off, and when cross staggered up Trish hit a suplex, and then tried to bridge for yet another near fall. Nikki got to her feet and sent Trish to the mat by the hair.
Mauro Ranallo: Nikki Cross treating the quintessential diva like a rag doll.
Trish got to her feet, but Nikki followed up with a flying cross body, and then mounted Trish with punches. Nikki landed some big forearms and she sent Trish into the turnbuckles. Nikki hit a splash into the corner, and then went up to the top rope. Nikki jumped, but Trish got to her feet and the veteran landed a perfect Chick Kick. Nikki Cross fell down Cold and Trish covered her.
1..2..3!
Mauro Ranallo: Trish Stratus has eliminated Nikki Cross! What a physical matchup from these two ladies.
Mauro Ranallo: Up next, our main event will see Aiden English take on Marty Scurll and Rob Van Dam. The winner becomes the number one contender for Seth Rollins' Breakout Championship!
Corey Graves: Given that Marty Scurll and Aiden English are both still in the King of the Ring tournament, it will be interesting to see how they approach this match. They'll both be worried about getting injured and having to withdraw from the tournament, which could lead to them taking fewer risks...
Rob Van Dam came to the ring first to a warm reaction from the crowd. The cheers quickly turned to boos as Marty Scurll headed to the ring, and the boos continued as Aiden English made his way down the ramp. When all three superstars were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. English and Scurll double teamed RVD, beating him down then tossing him out of the ring before turning on each other. Scurll hit English with a kick to the midsection, then went to whip him against the ropes, but English reversed the Irish whip, sending Scurll into the ropes. As Scurll ran back towards him, English hit a powerslam, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Scurll kicked out! As Aiden English got to his feet, Rob Van Dam re-entered the ring, and he swung a kick at English. English blocked it, grabbing Van Dam by the leg, but RVD feinted an enzuigiri and spun into a rolling mule kick! As English hit the mat, he rolled out of the ring, and Van Dam turned his attention to Marty Scurll. Scurll hit Van Dam with a series of punches, then went for a clothesline, but Van Dam ducked out of the way and hit a spinning heel kick. RVD then whipped Scurll into the corner, and ran at him, but Scurll moved out of the corner and took Van Dam down with a lariat, then grabbed him by the legs, applying a figure four leglock.
Mauro Ranallo: Smart move there by Marty Scurll... he knows Van Dam's kicks are one of the most lethal weapons in his arsenal, so he's trying to injure RVD's legs!
As Van Dam tried to get to the ropes, Aiden English re-entered the ring and he attacked Scurll from behind, forcing him to break the hold. English then grabbed Scurll and threw him shoulder first into the ring post! Scurll lay down in the corner, clutching his shoulder, and English turned around, grabbing Van Dam and applying a chinlock. Van Dam fought out of it, and both men got to their feet. English hit Van Dam with a European uppercut, then lifted Van Dam up for a suplex, but Van Dam landed on his feet behind English and hit him with a German suplex!
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia! What a counter!
Corey Graves: Impressive athleticism there from the veteran superstar!
Van Dam followed it up with a standing moonsault, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Van Dam got to his feet, and held up his thumbs for his signature taunt. The crowd chanted along with him as he did it – Rob... Van... but as RVD went to point his thumbs towards himself for a third time, Scurll grabbed his right hand, pulling it back and trying to break RVD's fingers! The crowd booed as Van Dam cried out in pain. Scurll then released Van Dam's fingers, and lifted him up, hitting an inverted brainbuster!
Mauro Ranallo: The Black Plague!
Scurll hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... English interrupted the count! English pulled Scurll to his feet and hit a DDT, then grabbed RVD and hit the Whirling Dervish! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Van Dam kicked out just before the 3! Scurll was beginning to stir, and English set him up for the Director's Cut, but Scurll blocked it and hit and lifted English up, hitting a brainbuster onto the knee. Scurll threw English out of the ring and turned his attention to Rob Van Dam, who was struggling to get to his feet. As RVD got up, Scurll lifted him over his shoulder, setting him up for the Bird of Prey. Van Dam blocked it and hit Scurll with a kick to the midsection, then lifted him up, hitting a double underhook facebuster. Van Dam then went to the top rope, signalling for the Five Star Frog Splash!
Mauro Ranallo: Like an Uber driver, Van Dam wants five stars!
Corey Graves: Mauro, I wouldn't even give you one star for that reference!
To the delight of the crowd, RVD hit the Five Star Frog Splash, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Aiden English pulled Van Dam out of the ring before the referee could count the 3! The crowd booed as English hit Van Dam with a series of punches, then threw him into the ring steps. Aiden English then re-entered the ring, where Marty Scurll was still down. English dragged him to his feet and hit the Director's Cut, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Corey Graves: It's over! An impressive victory for Aiden English!
Mauro Ranallo: Tremendous effort by all three superstars... what a main event!
"Toreador II" by Apocalyptica hit, and Aiden English celebrated his victory as Warfare went off the air.
