Mauro Ranallo: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! We are live from Phoenix, Arizona!
Corey Graves: Kicking things off tonight, we've got a match between former best friends turned bitter enemies... Tommaso Ciampa goes one on one with the debuting Johnny Gargano!
Johnny Gargano came to the ring first, and he received a warm reaction from the crowd as he made his way to the ring. When Gargano was in the ring, "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads hit and the crowd booed as Tommaso Ciampa stepped out onto the stage. Ciampa looked at Gargano with a cold, hard stare, and as the referee called for the bell, Ciampa charged towards Gargano, taking him down with a stiff clothesline. Ciampa stomped on Gargano several times, then pulled him to his feet and threw him into the corner. Ciampa hit Gargano with a series of punches, then pulled him out of the corner and lifted him over his shoulder, hitting a back-to-belly piledriver. Ciampa then grabbed Gargano by the legs, locking him in the cloverleaf! Gargano cried out in pain, but he was able to get to the ropes and the referee ordered Ciampa to break the hold.
Mauro Ranallo: Gargano is in trouble here... Tommaso Ciampa has dominated this match so far!
Ciampa stepped back, allowing Gargano time to get to his feet. When Gargano was up, Ciampa hit him with a big boot, sending Gargano to the outside. Ciampa followed Gargano out of the ring and went to slam his head of the ring post, but Gargano blocked it, then slammed Ciampa's head off the steel post. Ciampa looked dazed, and Gargano threw him back into the ring, then hit him with a superkick! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Ciampa kicked out! Gargano turned Ciampa over, and set him up for the Gargano Escape... but before he could lock it in, Ciampa shoved him away and got to his feet. Ciampa and Gargano exchanged right hands back and forth, and after gaining the upper hand, Gargano whipped Ciampa against the ropes. As Ciampa ran back towards him, Gargano went for an arm drag, but Ciampa blocked it and lifted Gargano up, hitting him with a German suplex. Both men got to their feet, and Ciampa whipped him into the corner, then ran at him and hit a high knee. Gargano stumbled out of the corner, and Ciampa hit him with the Project Ciampa! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Corey Graves: It's over! Tommaso Ciampa gets the victory!
Mauro Ranallo: Gargano put up a fight, but it's the Psycho Killer that walks away victorious!
Ciampa celebrated as Warfare went to commercial.
Warfare returned from a commercial to Becky Lynch making her way down to the ring. In the ring, waving to the crowd was veteran Torrie Wilson.
Mauro Ranallo: Talk about two ends of the spectrum here for newcomer Becky Lynch. Last week she faced Liv Morgan, who despite her tenure in EBWF is still very young. And this week, Becky Lynch faces a veteran Torrie Wilson in her sophomore effort.
Corey Graves: This will be a real test. Torrie Wilson is a TEN time Women’s Champion. She’s really the bar for success in EBWF.
Becky approached Torrie as the bell rang, and the two locked up in the middle of the ring. Becky immediately grappled Torrie and turned her into a side wrist lock. Torrie attempted to roll through to relieve the pressure but Becky adjusted and yanked on her arm. She dug her elbow into Torrie’s shoulder and dragged her to the ground. Torrie struggled but Becky got into side control and attempted to rear back on Wilson’s arm. The referee watched carefully as Torrie attempted to wrestle free.
Mauro Ranallo: Becky Lynch is putting on a clinic here. She is showing off some technical prowess in the ring.
Corey Graves: Not to mention that she’s softening up the 10-time women’s champion for the Disarm Her.
Torrie slowly inched herself towards the ropes and after an excruciating series, got her hand on the bottom rope. The referee called for the break and Lynch broke the hold immediately.
Corey Graves: Rookie mistake, Mauro. She could have held it for four more seconds.
Mauro Ranallo: You don’t say.
The two opponents grappled back up in the center of the ring and Torrie shifted around, grabbing Becky by the waist and slamming her to the mat, switching into a headlock. The two women continued technical exchanges and trying to one up each other.
Mauro Ranallo: Interesting that Torrie Wilson is trying to beat Becky at her own game here.
Torrie wrestled Becky into the corner and connected with a kick to the cut, doubling over the Irish lass kicker. Torrie followed up by going for a vertical suplex. She got Becky up into the air, but Becky shifted her weight and landed back down on her feet. Lynch got her arm underneath Torrie’s leg and whipped her backwards, causing her to crash into the turnbuckle.
Mauro Ranallo: Mama Mia! An exploder suplex into the turnbuckle!
Corey Graves: You’re such a cheese ball.
Becky dragged Torrie out of the corner and locked on the Disarm Her! Torrie struggled mightily, but ultimately tapped out to the painful submission hold.
Mauro Ranallo: What a victory by Becky Lynch, who notches another one in the W column against a savvy veteran opponent!
Corey Graves: She’s certainly making the case for a potential opportunity down the line!
Becky celebrated in the ring as Warfare went to commercial.
Mauro Ranallo: Still to come, Aiden English teams up with AJ Styles in our main event to take on The Miz and Alex Riley. Up next though, Jon Moxley returns to EBWF as he goes one on one with Drew McIntyre in a no holds barred match!
"Indestructible" by Disturbed hit and the crowd cheered as Jon Moxley made his way to the ring. When Moxley was in the ring, "Broken Dreams" by Shaman's Harvest hit and the crowd booed as Drew McIntyre stepped out onto the stage. As McIntyre made his way down the ramp, Ambrose rolled out of the ring and ran towards McIntyre, hitting him with a series of punches!
Corey Graves: Moxley isn't even waiting for McIntyre to get to the ring to start this fight!
Moxley dragged McIntyre down the ramp, then threw him into the ringside barrier! McIntyre got to his feet and Moxley slammed his head off the ring apron, then threw him into the ring. As Moxley re-entered the ring, the referee called for the bell, officially starting the match. Moxley grabbed McIntyre and whipped him into the corner, then ran at him, going for a clothesline. McIntyre got his knees up and blocked it, then as Moxley staggered backwards, McIntyre took him down with a big boot. Moxley got to his feet and McIntyre ran towards him, but Moxley reacted quickly, taking him down with a drop toe hold. Moxley then removed his belt, and began whipping McIntyre with it!
Corey Graves: Moxley is using his belt as a weapon! What did McIntyre do to deserve that?
Mauro Ranallo: It's no holds barred, Corey...that means anything goes!
McIntyre tried to crawl away from Moxley, but Moxley grabbed him and pulled him to his feet. Moxley then went to hit McIntyre with his belt again, but McIntyre blocked it, hitting Moxley with a swift knee to the midsection then snatching his belt off him. McIntyre hit Moxley over the head with the belt, knocking him down to the mat, then wrapped the belt around his neck, trying to choke him out! Moxley began to fade, and McIntyre pinned both of his shoulders on the mat. The referee counted – 1... 2... Moxley kicked out! McIntyre tried to choke Moxley with the belt again, but Moxley fought out of it, hitting McIntyre with an elbow. Both men got to their feet and Moxley whipped McIntyre against the ropes then ran at him, hitting a clothesline and sending McIntyre out of the ring. Moxley then ran against the ropes, and charged towards McIntyre, hitting a...
Mauro Ranallo: Tope suicida!
Both men got to their feet and Moxley hit McIntyre with a series of punches, then threw him into the ring steps. Moxley picked up the steel steps, and hit McIntyre with them, then dropped the steps and threw McIntyre back into the ring. Upon re-entering the ring, Moxley hit McIntyre with a neckbreaker, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... McIntyre kicked out! Moxley exited the ring and grabbed a steel chair, then re-entered the ring and hit McIntyre in the ribs with it, before hitting him across the back. Moxley then dropped the chair on the mat, and set McIntyre up for the Dirty Deeds onto the chair... but McIntyre blocked it, countering with a shoulder back toss. As Moxley got to his feet, McIntyre threw him out of the ring then followed him to the outside. McIntyre grabbed a kendo stick from underneath the ring, then hit Moxley over the head with it! McIntyre hit Moxley with the kendo stick several more times, until eventually it snapped. Satisfied, McIntyre threw Moxley back into the ring, then re-entered the ring and signalled for the Claymore Kick! As Moxley got to his feet, McIntyre charged towards him and went for the Claymore Kick... but Moxley moved out of the way at the last second! As both men got to their feet, Moxley grabbed the chair and hit McIntyre over the head with it! Moxley then hit McIntyre with the Dirty Deeds, and hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Corey Graves: Jon Moxley gets the victory! A successful EBWF return for the Lunatic Fringe!
Moxley celebrated, then made his way to the back as McIntyre recovered in the ring.
“Phenomenal” by CFO$ hit and the crowd cheered as AJ Styles started down the ramp. Styles gave fans high fives on his way to the ring, switching sides a couple times. When he got to the ring he took a moment to take in the cheering crowd.
Mauro Ranallo: Styles has to be out for blood tonight after what Trilogy did to him at King of the Ring.
Corey Graves: Even with Aiden English out here tonight they are going to be outnumbered by Miz and crew!
Mauro Ranallo: Speaking of Aiden,
“Moments” by Sevendust cut in and Aiden stepped out onto the stage in his new black ring gear with the Gateway Title around his waist and the silver crown on his head. The crowd shifted to boos as he made his way toward the ring.
Corey Graves: Here he is, the King of the Ring!
Aiden slid under the bottom rope and started taking off the title to give to someone for safe keeping. “I Came to Play” by Downstait started playing and the crowd continued to boo as The Miz, Alex Riley and Ted DiBiase Jr. started toward the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: What is going through the mind of the Miz as he’s about to step in the ring opposite of his King of the Ring and Summerslam opponents at the same time.
Corey Graves: I’m sure the Miz is confident as ever! Trilogy is a team with a unified purpose. I’d be surprised if AJ and Aiden can coexist for the duration of this match!
AJ stood in the middle of the ring prepared for a brawl as Trilogy surrounded three sides of the ring. Aiden meanwhile reclined in the corner. As soon a Miz started to climb up on the apron AJ headed toward him. Miz took a few steps away from the ring and held his hands up in the air.
Miz: Keep him back!
The referee ushered AJ back into the corner with Aiden to allow Trilogy to get in the ring. Trilogy climbed onto the apron on three different sides of the ring while Aiden and AJ talked to each other in the corner. After a few moments of posing the referee told Ted DiBiase Jr to get out of the ring. AJ and Aiden gave each other a high five and Aiden climbed out onto the apron leaving AJ to start the match. Both Miz and Alex Riley went to climb out of the ring on opposite sides of their corner. Once both men were on the apron Miz slapped Alex on the back of the head and pointed at AJ. “Take him out!” Miz shouted. Riley sheepishly climbed back into the ring while Miz turned to say something to DiBiase on the outside. Alex continued to protest to Miz as the bell rang. Styles darted across the ring and delivered a diving clothesline to the back of Riley’s head driving him into the corner.
Mauro Ranallo: That’s the kind of intensity I expected to see from AJ tonight!
Corey Graves: Not wasting any time attacking Trilogy.
AJ drug Alex out to the center of the ring and hit a quick snap suplex. Alex started to sit up and AJ bounced off the ropes and dove into with a forearm smash. AJ made the quick cover but Alex kicked out at one. AJ jumped back up to his feet and again ran to the ropes. This time when he hit them Aiden tagged himself in but AJ followed through and hit a big leg drop on Alex Riley.
Mauro Ranallo: Looks like the King wants in on the action!
Aiden followed up the leg drop by hitting Alex with four big elbow drops to the forehead in a row. Aiden hauled Alex up and whipped him into the ropes. Riley ducked under a clothesline and hit Aiden with a shoulder tackle on his way back across the ring. Both men got back on their feet in a hurry and Alex followed up by hitting an STO on English.
Corey Graves: Alex Riley is showing his talent against the Gateway Champion.
Miz yelled for the tag and Alex walked to the corner leaving Aiden lying in the center of the ring. Miz ran across the ring and hit a basement dropkick just as Aiden sat up. Miz got in Styles’ face and started yelling at him after a few moments AJ went to get in the ring but the referee rushed over and kept him out. With the referee focused on AJ, the Miz dug his thumbs into Aiden’s eyes and used his head to pull him back to his feet. Miz drug Aiden to his corner and slammed him into it. Miz walked to the center of the ring, yelled at Styles again and then ran at Aiden and hit the Awesome Clothesline into the corner. He tagged Riley back into the match.
Mauro Ranallo: This is a dangerous place for English.
Riley hit a DDT on Aiden out of the corner. He quickly tagged Miz who delivered a leg drop from the top rope. Miz tagged Alex back in. Riley pulled Aiden to the center of the ring and picked him up off the mat. Alex grabbed Aiden’s wrist and attempted to put him in a shooter’s armbar but Aiden delivered a back thrust kick to the stomach. Aiden grabbed a doubled over Riley and draped him over the top rope with a stun gun. Aiden hit a dropkick on Alex’s back while he continued to lay over the top rope.
Corey Graves: Ouch, Riley is completely defenseless here.
Aiden moved to hit another dropkick and the referee stopped him. They argued until Aiden pushed the referee back and hit the dropkick anyway. As soon as Aiden got to his feet the referee physically pushed him away from Alex Riley. Aiden walked back to his corner and tagged a fired up AJ into the match. Alex dropped off the top rope into the ring. AJ came flying across the ring and hit a baseball slide dropkick that drove Riley out of the ring and to the floor. AJ jumped to his feet and rushed the corner driving Miz off the apron with a clothesline.
Mauro Ranallo: The ruthlessness of Aiden seems to be rubbing off on Styles.
Corey Graves: No doubt! If he would have competed like this at King of the Ring we’d have a new Champion!
AJ tugged at the top rope as Miz climbed to his feet on the outside. Miz spun as AJ flew from the ring to hit the Phenomenal Forearm! DiBiase shoved Miz out of the way and took the full force of the move himself. AJ and DiBiase were both slow to start moving. Miz took advantage of the situation by picking AJ up and whipping him into the ringside barricade. AJ grabbed at his back in agony. Miz took a few steps away and came from the side with a big boot that sent AJ sprawling out across the floor.
Mauro Ranallo: It’s chaos at ringside and Aiden English is sitting on the apron watching.
Corey Graves: We already saw the dysfunction in this team when Aiden tagged himself in.
Miz bent over AJ and proceeded to berate him. He slapped AJ on the back of the head, telling him to get up and fight repeatedly. On the other side of the ring Alex was finally starting to stir and DiBiase helped him to his feet. The camera cut back to Miz yelling at AJ as AJ attempted to pull himself up on Miz’s leg. From out of nowhere Aiden hit a running neckbreaker on Miz. Aiden picked AJ up and helped him over to the ring. AJ and Riley slid back into the ring at nearly the exact same moment.
Corey Graves: It looks like we almost have a reset of the start of the match.
AJ and Alex locked up in the center of the ring. AJ took control shifting into a side headlock. Alex struggled. He hit AJ with several elbows to the midsection and tried to pry his hands up. AJ jumped up slightly and wrenched the hold in tighter. Alex delivered several more elbows and once again tried to wrench AJ’s hands away. This time when AJ leapt up to tighten his grip Riley hit a huge belly to back suplex. Alex stumbled into the corner but Miz was still outside the ring being tended to by DiBiase.
Mauro Ranallo: Riley desperately needs out of this match but Miz isn’t in much better shape.
Alex took a moment to breathe before picking Styles up and hitting a hip toss neckbreaker. Alex hung his arm over AJ for the pin. 1… 2. AJ kicked out! Alex sighed and picked AJ up again. This time he whipped AJ into the ropes and hit a massive sitout spine buster. He held AJ’s legs for another pin attempt. 1… 2.. AJ kicked out again! Alex hit the mat in frustration. As he stood up he drug AJ up by the hair. He pulled AJ to him and hit a DDT. Alex rolled AJ over and hooked the leg. 1… 2… AJ got his foot up on the rope! Alex pulled AJ back to the center of the ring and hooked the leg again. 1.. AJ kicked out. Riley slapped the mat. Miz, finally back on the arpon, called for the tag. Alex looked at the downed Styles before walking to the corner and tagging in his partner.
Corey Graves: I’d hate to by AJ Styles right now!
Miz circled AJ. The crowd booed as Miz lifted AJ’s leg and kicked him in the back of the thigh. AJ barely fought as Miz crossed his legs over and locked on the Figure Four. AJ started to panic and flail as Miz dropped to the mat. AJ screamed in pain. Aiden jumped in the ring and hit Miz with a running elbow drop to break the hold. The referee immediately started pushing Aiden back into the corner while Miz yelled at him.
Mauro Ranallo: Aiden English is an experienced tag team wrestler.
Corey Graves: He knew AJ was in trouble and he saved the match!
AJ sat up and Miz kicked him back down with a big boot. After delivering the move Miz stared at Aiden and smiled. Aiden returned the smile with one of his own. Miz pulled AJ up to his knees and then lifted him up for a powerbomb. He bounced AJ off the top rope before hitting a sitout powerbomb. Miz leaned forward to apply pressure to the pin. 1… 2… Aiden pulled Miz out of the ring by the feet and hit him with a hard right. Miz fired back with a right of his own. The two men traded rapid rights at ringside. Miz blocked one of Aiden’s strikes and slammed his head into the apron. Aiden dropped to a knee and Miz slid back into the ring.
Corey Graves: The King is doing everything he can to keep AJ in this match!
Miz grabbed AJ’s arm and pulled him over to the corner before tagging Alex in. Alex stomped on AJ’s arm as Miz held it outstretched. Riley applied an armbar but AJ was too close to the ropes and almost immediately grabbed a hold on them. The referee called for Riley to break the hold but he refused. 1… 2… 3… 4… Alex threw his hands up and scooted away from Styles. AJ tucked the arm underneath him and writhed in pain. Alex picked AJ up and hit a hangman’s neckbreaker on him. He was about to go for the pin when English slid under the bottom rope. Alex attempted a big boot but Aiden ducked it and hauled Riley up into a powerbomb position. Aiden spun around and dropped Riley onto the mat with a sitout powerbomb of his own. He pushed Riley’s legs aside and stared at Miz as he retreated to his corner.
Mauro Ranallo: Almost like a call and answer right there.
Corey Graves: Summerslam is only weeks away and these two men are going to go one on one for Miz’s World Title. It makes sense they would want to use this match to play mind games.
AJ made it to his feet and leaned against the ropes for support. Riley was up shortly after and launched himself at AJ driving him over the top rope with a clothesline. Miz tagged Riley as he hit the clothesline. AJ flipped over the top rope but held on and landed on his knees on the apron. As soon as Riley noticed he went after Styles but AJ hit him with a stunner over the top rope. Riley reeled back into the ring and AJ set himself up for the Phenomenal Forearm. AJ jumped up onto the top rope and dove at Alex Riley but Miz intercepted with a dropkick. Ted DiBiase Jr grabbed Aiden’s legs and pulled him off the arpon. Miz covered AJ. 1… 2… AJ barely kicked out.
Corey Graves: I thought Miz had this match won!
Mauro Ranallo: I think Miz did too!
Aiden spun around and hit DiBiase with a forearm and then another. DiBiase spun from the impact and Aiden hit him with a full nelson suplex. Aiden looked toward the ring where AJ and Miz were both lying exhausted and then back down at DiBiase. Aiden started pulling the mat up off the concrete.
Mauro Ranallo: Aiden English has something wicked in mind.
Corey Graves: DiBiase isn’t even in this match!
Aiden picked DiBiase up and hit the Director’s Cut on the exposed concrete. Aiden knelt beside Ted with his eyes closed and laughed. Inside the ring Miz was back on his feet and AJ had made it to his knees. Miz hit a DDT to the kneeling AJ. He quickly picked AJ back up but AJ pushed him away and tried to make it to the corner. Miz held onto his hand and whipped him toward the opposite ropes. AJ stumbled and dropped onto the bottom rope in a kneeling position. Miz backed up and got a running start. He threw his leg over AJ in a massive guillotine. Then, using the back of his leg, Miz pushed AJ off the ropes.
Corey Graves: If they can keep AJ isolated this match is over!
Mauro Ranallo: I agree, Styles needs to get out of this match desperately.
Miz bent over AJ to pick him up and AJ tripped him. AJ turned and dove for his corner but Miz got a hold of his leg and stopped him short. Miz rolled AJ over and attempted to lock on another figure four. AJ pushed Miz off of him and got to his feet. He was almost to the corner when Miz grabbed him by the hair and drove his head into the mat. Miz screamed as he drove AJ’s head into the mat several more times.
Mauro Ranallo: It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Miz this frustrated.
Miz stood up and started slapping Styles in the back of the head as he slowly climbed to his feet. AJ made it to his feet with his back to Miz and Miz attempted to hit the Skull Crushing Finale but AJ elbowed him in the head. As Miz stumbled back AJ delivered a sudden Pele Kick and both men collapsed to the mat. The crowd came alive as both AJ and Miz started crawling their way to their respective corners. Alex was frantically slapping the turnbuckle and waving his hand about. Aiden leaned over the top rope to reach as far into the ring as he could. Miz and AJ both dove for their partners. Miz and Alex made the tag! AJ made it to the corner as Aiden pulled his hand back and dropped off the apron. The crowd booed.
Mauro Ranallo: What just happened? Aiden refused the tag!
Corey Graves: Styles is in a dangerous situation.
Alex Riley stopped just inside the ring stunned by Aiden’s actions. AJ’s eyes were opened wide staring at a laughing Aiden English who was leaned in close to the bottom rope. The boos of the crowd drowned out whatever Aiden was yelling at AJ. AJ yelled back and Aiden shrugged. Miz had finally climbed to his feet in the corner and was confused about what was going on. When Miz connected the dots he climbed out on the apron and tagged himself back into the match. Alex shook the cobwebs free and watched as Miz stalked across the ring. Aiden was walking up the ramp before AJ started to pull himself to his feet. Miz grabbed AJ and hit the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz covered. 1… 2… 3!
Mauro Ranallo: Alex Riley and the Miz have won the match, but I’m not sure what’s going on.
At the top of the ramp Raquel Diaz led a team of stage hands out as they carried Aiden’s King of the Ring throne. Aiden dropped down onto the throne and reclined. Someone brought him his crown and Gateway title.
Mauro Ranallo: Aiden has set up court at the top of the ramp but AJ is alone in the ring with two thirds of Trilogy!
Corey Graves: I’m not sure if Ted DiBiase Jr is going to get up anytime soon!
Miz yelled to Riley to “get him up” Riley did as he was told. Alex held a dazed and confused AJ up and ripped back at his long hair. Miz went to the outside and pulled out a metal chain from under the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Oh man- this is not good.
Alex kneed AJ in his stomach and AJ was now on all fours. The Miz began to harshly and ferociously whip AJ with this chain until welts began to form on his back. Aiden English shook his head in almost a mocking tone. The Miz peered down towards him and then turned his attention back to AJ. Miz yelled “You should be getting used to this by now!” As Alex went ring rise and slid a steel chair in the ring.
Corey Graves: Someone needs to stop this.
Mauro Ranallo: This is all that’s been happening as of late.
Aiden now began to pop grapes into his mouth and watch the destruction taking place in the ring. Alex grabbed AJ and held him up. He was battered and bruised and Miz connected square with another chair shot. Ted was now on his feet and slid in the ring to join Trilogy. AJ was busted wide open as “Awake and Alive” hit over the PA system and Trilogy ravished in a unanimous chorus of boos reigning down on them. Miz was handed his World Title by the time keeper and he straddled AJ and began laying into him with more vile shots to the head. Miz got up and celebrated with Trilogy as they all held each others hands in the air. The group looked down the ramp at Aiden English who stood and sarcastically gave the group a standing ovation. Miz squinted not knowing quite what to make of the situation. English resorted to the back and Trilogy made their way out of the ring and up the ramp.
Corey Graves: Aiden English almost checking out how grotesque Miz can get tonight.
Mauro Ranallo: It seemed as though the champion was certainly trying to send that message loud and clear.
Warfare went off the air to a shot of Miz posing with the title, while Alex Riley and Ted DiBiase looked extremely proud of their leader.
