The EBWF crowd was restless as a video package began to play to open Christmas Eve of Destruction. It highlighted match after match and superstar after superstar, showing them in and out of the ring, meeting fans, making media appearances, and traveling all over the world. The video faded to black, flashed the EBWF Logo, and faded in again to a black background and a rare appearance from Wes Ikeda & Natalie Neidhart with all four of their children, 20 year-old, Blaine, gave his 6 six year old brother, CJ, a boost by holding him up at his hip. Wes was to Blaine's left, and stood next to Natalie, who was holding 7-month-old, Finley, and to Natalie's left was 17 year old, McKenzie.
Natalie Neidhart: From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!
Wes Ikeda: And we hope you enjoy Christmas Eve of Destruction.
The EBWF logo flashed again, and the scene opened inside the United Center. Red and Green pyro shot off all over the staging area as the arena was made to look very festive.
Mauro Ranallo: Good evening ladies and gentlemen! It's the most brutal evening at the most time wonderful time of the year. Welcome to Christmas Eve of Destruction. I'm Mauro Ranallo.
Nigel McGuinness: And I'm Nigel McGuinness. Yes, Happy Christmas to everyone watching, and a Happy Christmas to you, Mauro.
Mauro Ranallo: Same to you, Nigel. This evening will be anything but jolly as we see titles defended and enemies risk it all here on the most extreme night of the year.
Tommaso Ciampa was to the ring first, followed by the EBWF Breakout Champion, Lio Rush.
Mauro Ranallo: This is a glass tables match, Nigel. The first man to put his opponent through the table will win the Breakout Championship.
Nigel McGuinness: Seems a little on the nose, and of course, since it is Christmas Eve of Destruction a regular table won't do. Glass tables are a bit heavy, so you'll see there are four on the outside of the ring and two inside the ring. And thankful for small favors, announce tables do not count!
The bell rang.
Nigel McGuinness: Here we go!
Lio came out with some quick offense early on. Ciampa cut him off with a big kick, but Lio got a takedown and landed some big rights. Lio got out of the ring, and Ciampa followed after. Lio was clever and tried to trip him up onto one of the tables, but Ciampa pushed him away and into the barricade. Ciampa examined the glass table, and Lio came alive with big kicks firing into Ciampa. Tomasso fought him off, but Lio surprised him with some uppercuts. He put Ciampa on the glass table and jumped up on the ring apron. Ciampa quickly rolled off.
Mauro Ranallo: Ciampa avoided chaos there.
Ciampa forcefully sent Lio into the barricade again, and then walked away to recover. He stalked Lio, and then picked him up, but Lio avoided the powerbomb. Ciampa tossed Lio back in the ring. Ciampa got caught on the ring apron, right near the table and Lio charged in with some offense, hitting the ropes. Ciampa slingshot himself in and hit a shoulder block. Ciampa rolled out, grabbed the ring steps, and drove them into Lio's misection. Lio slid out of the ring, and Ciampa picked him up again, and slammed him face first into one of the glass tables.
Mauro Ranallo: Going to take more than that to break that table.
Ciampa picked up Lio looking to send him through the table, but Lio gought off and dropped Ciampa with a dropkick to his chest. Lio got Ciampa up on the table. Lio went to leap, but Ciampa rolled off the table, and Lio caught himself on the second turnbuckle, wobbling as not to put himself through the glass. Ciampa went after him and lifted him up by the midsection. Lio countered though and started kicking Ciampa in the legs. Lio attempted a suplex mover the top rope onto the table below, but Ciampa countered with big boots that knocked Lio off the ring aprong. Lio dodged going through the table. Ciampa is frustrated and with Lio outside, he took the opportunity to push one glass table a bit more out of the corner. He went out to ringside and brought Lio back in to put him on the top turnbuckle. Ciampa sat up with Lio and put him on his shoulders. Lio fought back with forearm shots to the chest. Ciampa falls off the turnbuckle, but makes Lio pay with a big forearm shot. Ciampa was unsteady, and Lio hit him with a roundhouse right to the head that sent him to the outside. As Ciampa recovered, he turned around too near to a table, and Lio came flying off the top turnbuckle with a double leg drop that sent Ciampa crashing through the glass table. The crowd popped huge at the carnage.
Mauro Ranallo: Lio Rush has done it again! He's beaten the bigger man, and he's still Breakout Champion!
Lio's hand was raised in victory and a Royal Rumble promo package began to play.
Mauro Ranallo: This night is shaping up to be absolutely historic, Nigel!
Nigel McGuinness: Your absolutely right, Mauro. And right now, 3 of EBWF's top ladies, including the longest reigning Women's Champion of all time, Zahra Schreiber, will put it all on the line in a triple threat lader match.
On cue, the camera panned to high above the ring where the EBWF Women's Championship belt was hanging from a large carabiner.
"Aphrodite" hit first, and the crowd cheered for fan favorite Torrie Wilson who pointed out to them from the stage, wearing a smile. She glanced up at one of the ladders at the entrance, and proceeded to walk down the ramp a little less peppy than usual. Ladders were already in the ring and around the ringside area.
Mauro Ranallo: I wouldn't say this match is exactly Torrie's forte.
Nigel McGuinness: Mauro, Torrie Wilson is an 11 time EBWF Women's Champion, and while she may not regularly compete in this type of match, she knows exactly what it takes to win.
Nikki Cross was next out to the ring and she received a mixed reaction from the crowd as she did her energetic entrance.
Nigel McGuinness: Now this one certainly is an odd one.
Mauro Ranallo: Don't let the cover fool you, Nigel! That's one strange book indeed.
Nikki entered the ring and looked across the ring to Torrie as "512" hit and Zahra Schreiber game to the ring, a smile on her face in reaction to the chorus of boos from the crowd.
Mauro Ranallo: It is quite jarring to see Zahra without the belt. It's like it's become a part of her.
Zahra stood at ringside and draped her arm casually over a rung on the nearest ladder. Her other hand found her waist, and she surveyed the two women in the ring. She chuckled to herself before sliding into the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Here we go... oh!
Zahra took out both Torrie and Nikki with surprise forarms! The crowd was hot for the sudden action, and moved to their feet. Zahra hip attacked Nikki and Torrie, and both women were down. Zahra tried to go to the outside but Torrie grabbed her hair.
Nigel McGuinness: That's one way to keep Zahra in the ring!
Torrie kneed Zahra in the back multiple times, and fired her into the corner with a whip. Torrie stomps Zahra down, and then hit a suplex that rattled the ladders that were leaning against the apron. Nikki charged in and missed a big boot. Torrie hit the ropes but Nikki picked her up and hit a fallaway slam. Nikki pulled one of the smaller ladders closede, and set it down over Torrie's midsection. She did a double stomp on it, and the crowd "oooh"ed in response. Nikki sets up the same ladder in the corner, and pulled Torrie up to her feet. She backed her into the corner to rest against the ladder, and Nikki jumped for a dropkick right in her chest.
Mauro Ranallo: Can Nikki keep up this pace?
Nikki tried to spear Zahra into the corner but Zahra counters it into a double knee face breaker. Torrie had come to, and climbed the turnbuckle, but Zahra had momentum on her side and charged ahead, knocking Torrie off the top rope and the Blonde Bombshell landed flat on her back ontop of the ladder with another pained reaction from the crowd. Nikki came back to haunt the defending champion, sending Zahra to the outside. Nikki turned and started to climb the ladder. Zahra slid back under the bottom rope, pulled Nikki off the ladder, and powerbombed her to the mat!
Nigel McGuinness: Nikki Cross is broken in half.
Zahra went to climb the ladder, but Torrie dropkicked Zahra off the ladder. Torrie climbed the ladder but Zahra pulled Torrie off. Zahra followed Torrie as she moved between the top and center ropes. Zahra grabbed her by the hair again and hip attacked Torrie off the apron. Nikki Cross slid back into the ring with a chair, an hit Zahra across the back with it. Nikki tossed it aside and it slid out of the ring and onto the floor.
Mauro Ranallo: Nikki Cross is getting a little creative here.
Nigel McGuinness: This isn't a TLC match!
Mauro Ranallo: I dare you to go tell that to Nikki Cross!
Zahra retreated to the outside, and Nikki went to the top turnbuckle. Nikki hit a suicide dive off the top onto Zahra and Torrie. Nikki went to grab a ladder. Torrie grabbed Nikki's abandoned chair and Torrie hit both Nikki and Zahra with it over and over again. Nikki kicked the chair out of Torrie’s hand. Nikki whipped Torrie into the barricade, and then Nikki went over to clear off the German announce desk.
Mauro Ranallo: It looks like our colleagues are about to be in the thick of it, Nigel. This could be sehr schlecht!
Nikki traded right hands with Zahra, inching her closer to the announce table. Zahra hit a big boot that laid out Nikki, but Torrie hit Zahra in the back with the chair, levelig her. Torrie set up a ladder and then helped Zahra onto the announce desk. Torrie put Nikki next to her on the table as well. Torrie climbed the ladder, as the crowd cheered, and dove off the ladder for a leg drop. Zahra moves out of the way!
Nigel McGuinness: Torrie got none of Zahra and all of Nikki there!
Torrie had landed right on top of Nikki. Both women were down, and Zahra rolled into the ring and slowly climbed the ladder. Torrie was up first and joined Zahra in the ring. Torrie and Zahra climbed the ladder. They both made it to the top, and Torrie and Zahra traded barbs with the belt dangling just within reach. The crowd cheered when Nikki rolled into the ring with a kendo stick. Nikki unloaded on Torrie and Zahra with the kendo stick. Torrie was able to get a hold of Nikki and hit her with the exploder suplex. Zahra picked up the discarded kendo stick and unloaded on Torrie. Torrie tried to retreat under the bottom rope, but Zahra followed after, kendo stick still in hand. Nikki appeared out of nowhere and speared Zahra into the barricade. Torrie had wisely returned to the ring to try to climb the lader, but Nikki met her there and pulled her off. Torrie and Nikki traded strikes. Torrie sent Nikki face-first into the ladder, Nikki stumbled out and Torri hit the Thez press.
Mauro Ranallo: Listen to this crowd celebrate the strength of Torrie Wilson!
Nikki and Torrie rolled to the outside. Nikki landed a few chops before sending Torrie into the barricade. Nikki picked Torrie up like a rag doll and flung her into the ring steps. She then hurried into the ring and began to climb the ladder. Zahra ran up the ladder, and suddenly Nikki and Zahra were trading punches within fingertips of the championship. Zahra grabbed Nikki by the hair, which caused her to reach for Zahra's fist balled up in her long brown strands, rather than the championship belt. To relieve some of the pressure, Nikki went up one more rung on the ladder, and that gave Zahra just the leverage she neeeded. With her free hand she chopped Nikki across the chest, and when Nikki instinctively moved to protect her core...
Mauro Ranallo: Are you kidding me?!
Nigel McGuinness: Zahra Schreiber... she just pushed Nikki Cross off of that ladder...
Nikki fell flat to her back as Zahra reached up, opened the carabiner and retrieved the women's championship to more, sustained, loud boos.
Nigel McGuinness: Take a good, hard look women of EBWF. Zahra Schreiber is your present and your future. What an unprecedented roll she's on.
Zahra held the championship high above her head from the top of the ladder as a promo for the next match began to play.
Mauro Ranallo: Up next, it's a Miracle on 34th Street Fight... Chavo Guerrero and Elias team up to take on Chris Jericho and The Miz. The winning team will earn a shot at the Tag Titles!
Nigel McGuinness: Given the history between Chavo and Elias, it will be interesting to see if they can work together...
The arena lights went out, and a spotlight shone on the stage. Elias was sat on a stool with his guitar.
Elias Samson: Hello, I am Elias. Tonight, I am forced to team with a man who is not worthy of being my partner... Chavo Guerrero. And we are up against two men who are not worthy of stepping into the ring with me... Chris Jericho and The Miz. I'm not sure what's worse... the fact that this match is a "Miracle on 34th Street Fight", which is just about the worst idea for a match I've ever heard, or the fact that Chris Jericho's terrible cover of Father Christmas is the "official" theme song of Christmas Eve of Destruction. Believe me Chicago, I was sorely tempted to boycott tonight's show in protest, but I am a professional and so, the show must go on. In fact, I've even written a Christmas song of my own, which I'd like to share with you tonight... so please silence your cell phone, hold your applause, and most importantly...shut your mouths!
The crowd booed as Elias began to play his guitar. After a few notes, Elias stopped playing and shook his head.
Elias Samson: Chicago, you're not worthy of hearing my song anyway.
Elias put down his guitar and walked to the ring. Chavo Guerrero came out next to a mixed reaction in the crowd. Upon entering the ring, Chavo tried to discuss strategy with Elias, but Elias didn't seem to be paying attention. "I Came To Play" by Downstait hit and the crowd cheered as The Miz headed to the ring. Perhaps wary of being double-teamed, Miz waited at the bottom of the ramp. "Father Christmas" began to play and the crowd cheered once more as Chris Jericho walked out. Jericho was wearing a Santa had and a light up red jacket.
Nigel McGuinness: Mauro, is that a light-up Santa jacket?
Mauro Ranallo: It looks like it, Nigel... we might have to start calling him Christmas Jericho!
As he reached the bottom of the ramp, Jericho slapped Miz on the back then removed his jacket and hat. He handed the jacket to an EBWF crew member at ringside, and could be heard telling him "be careful... that jacket cost $15,000!" Jericho and Miz then entered the ring and as the referee called for the bell, the two former World Champions charged towards Elias and Chavo. As Elias and Jericho exchanged punches, Miz threw Chavo out of the ring and followed him to the outside. While Miz and Chavo fought at ringside, Jericho dragged Elias to the corner of the ring, slamming his head off the turnbuckle then hitting a series of backhand chops. Jericho then went to whip Elias against the ropes, but Elias reversed the Irish whip, sending Jericho into the ropes. As Jericho ran back towards him, Elias hit a big boot. Elias then rolled out of the ring, and began walking up the ramp.
Mauro Ranallo: Is Elias walking out on his partner?!
As he got to the top of the ramp, Elias stopped. He picked up his guitar and sat back down on his stool, then began to play a few chords. The camera cut to ringside, where The Miz had just hit Chavo with a DDT onto the floor. Miz threw Chavo back into the ring, then began walking up the ramp. Elias put down his guitar, grabbed a giant candy cane and swung it towards The Miz... but Miz ducked out of the way, then hit Elias with a kick to the midsection. Elias dropped the candy cane, and Miz picked it up, then hooked it round Elias and dragged him back towards the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Innovative use of a candy cane by The Miz!
Back in the ring, Jericho hit Chavo with a double underhook backbreaker, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Chavo kicked out! At ringside, Miz hit Elias with the giant candy cane several times, then re-entered the ring. Jericho and Miz hit Chavo with a double suplex, then Miz hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... again Chavo kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: Jericho and Miz working well together here, but Chavo Guerrero is showing impressive resilience!
Miz pulled Chavo to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then ran at him, hitting a corner clothesline. As Chavo stumbled out of the corner, Jericho hit a running bulldog, then went for the Lionsault... but as Jericho went to springboard off the ropes, Elias hit him with a Christmas tree! Jericho fell to the mat and Elias pulled him out of the ring, throwing him into the steel steps. Elias then entered the ring and pointed at The Miz. Just as Miz and Elias were about to come to blows, Chavo Guerrero rolled Miz up with a schoolboy! The referee counted – 1... 2... Miz kicked out!
Nigel McGuinness: Chavo almost stole a victory there!
Chavo and Elias worked together, stomping on Miz to keep him grounded. Elias ran against the ropes, hitting Miz with a running leg drop. Chavo then grabbed Miz by the leg, locking in a single-leg Boston crab! Miz cried out in pain, but Jericho came to his aid, re-entering the ring with a steel chair and hitting Chavo across the back with it. Elias tried to snatch the chair off Jericho, but Jericho drilled it into the ribs of Elias, then dropped the chair and DDTed Elias onto it! Jericho hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Chavo broke up the count! Chavo pulled Jericho to his feet and set him up for the Three Amigos! He hit one suplex... then another... but before he could hit a third, Miz attacked him! Miz grabbed Chavo and set him up for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Chavo blocked it, then countered with a sitout jawbreaker. Chavo turned to Elias, and tried to help him to his feet, but Elias shoved him away and exited the ring. Once again, Elias sat on his stool at the top of the ramp and began to play his guitar.
Mauro Ranallo: Come on, Elias... this isn't a concert, it's a wrestling match!
Back in the ring, Chavo hit The Miz with a brainbuster, then went to the top rope. Chavo was about to hit the Frog Splash... but Jericho ran towards the corner, then hit Chavo with a frankensteiner!
Nigel McGuinness: Oh my goodness, Mauro... incredible athleticism from Chris Jericho!
Jericho helped Miz to his feet, then pointed to Elias. Miz nodded, and Jericho rolled out of the ring, then ran up the ramp towards Elias! Elias quickly put down his guitar and ran towards Jericho, but Jericho was too quick for him and he hit Elias with a forearm smash! As Elias fell to the ground, Jericho picked up his guitar. The crowd cheered, and Jericho grinned. He sat on Elias' stool, and began to play the guitar! Elias sat up and glared at Jericho.
Mauro Ranallo: Elias is furious!
Elias got to his feet and tried to take the guitar off Jericho, but Jericho shoved him away, then smashed the guitar over Elias' head!
Nigel McGuinness: He'll be even angrier now, Mauro... just as soon as he regains consciousness!
Back in the ring, The Miz whipped Chavo into the corner, then hit him with a series of kicks. Miz then pulled Chavo out of the corner and hit the Skull Crushing Finale! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Chris Jericho and The Miz are the new number one contenders for the Tag Titles!
As the referee called for the bell, Jericho rolled back into the ring and raised Miz's arm in victory. Jericho and Miz celebrated, then made their way up the ramp. As Jericho and Miz walked through the curtain, Elias got to his feet and headed to the ring. He helped Chavo to his feet.... then hit him with a clothesline! Elias yelled at Chavo, "this is all your fault", then set him up for Drift Away... but Chavo blocked it, before hitting the Three Amigos! Chavo then went to the top rope, and hit Elias with a Frog Splash!
Nigel McGuinness: Well Mauro, I think this might be one of the worst Christmasses of Elias Samson's life!
Chavo headed backstage, leaving Elias laid out in the ring.
"You think you know me..."
Strobe lights and steam flooded the entranceway as the Rated R Superstar made his way down to the ring, taking a hard look at the equipment around the ring area and particularly the hardware at the corners. The camera panned towards the ring and showed tables, ladders and chairs all around the ring. At each turnbuckle corner, large wooden boards were affixed to the buckles with dynamite strapped in the center, along with small bunches of barbed wire.
"Go back to sleep!"
Randy's theme blasted out of the speakers and the Gateway Champion made his way down to the ring, a look of contemplation on his face as he looked over the weapons and other instruments of pain that were around the ring or inside of it.
Mauro Ranallo: Two partners in crime tonight who are set to engage in some good old fashioned Christmas violence here tonight!
Nigel McGuiness: Edge and Randy Orton have both indicated that they are going to win this match, but the real question is: are they even going to try?! Or are they going to con the EBWF audience and just lay down? That's what they did last time.
Mauro Ranallo: To be fair, that was a Warfare and they did say they wouldn't do the match for free. This IS Christmas Eve of Destruction, after all.
Nigel McGuiness: Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it.
The referee took the title from Orton after he posed with it. Randy looked across the ring from his tag team partner and smirked. The referee called for the bell, and to everyone's surprise, the two men locked up in the middle of the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: And here we go!
Randy attempted to immediately whip Edge towards one of the dynamite laced corners. Edge put the brakes on before he reached the corner and stared at the C4, wide-eyed. He turned around and ran into a huge right hand to start. Edge fired back with a few shots of his own They ended up on the floor early and Orton backdropped Edge over the barrier. Giving chase, Randy headed outside to follow him. Edge came back with a big forearm. Orton flattened Edge with a clothesline on the floor. Orton took the top of the announce table and bridged a ladder from the announce table to the apron. Edge dug a chair from underneath the ring and clapped Randy with chair shots to the back. Edge kept control and brought Orton in the ring. He leaned a table up on the ropes and scooped Orton but Orton fought back. Orton clotheslined Edge over the top and they both hit the floor. Orton picked Edge up and threw him into the barricade. Randy charged at him and Edge ducked underneath and kicked Randy in the gut, hitting an Edgecution outside the ring. Edge then followed up by grabbing a ladder and slamming it into Randy's gut.
Mauro Ranallo: This match has already seen a lot and we're just getting started!
Randy was slow to get up as Edge picked up a chair, squaring it up with Randy's chest. Randy rolled out of the way just in time as Edge brought the chair crashing down onto the floor with all of his might, bending it in half. The recoil hurt Edge's hands and he dropped the chair, and Randy didn't hesitate to hit a DDT to Edge on the floor. He propped up a table behind him and then gave Edge a few stomps on the ground.
Orton picked up Edge to powerbomb him through the table at ringside but Edge backdropped him through it. The crowd cheered and chanted "One More Time!" and Edge acquiesced, slamming Orton through another table. He thew Orton back into the ring and went over to grab a ladder. Edge slid the ladder into the ring, aiming for Randy and connected with Orton’s face.
Nigel McGuiness: Good lord! Edge and Randy pulling out all the stops here! I'm happy to admin when I'm wrong!
Randy rolled outside and Edge gave chase. Edge used the steps now after more punishment at ringside. Orton turned it around and sends Edge into the steps. Orton went for an RKO but Edge nailed him in mid-air with a forearm shot. Edge hit an uppercut. He picked Orton up and walks on top of the steps. Edge nailed an Edge-O-Matic off the top of the steps, and threw Randy into the ring.
They both got back in and Edge nailed Orton with a ladder again. Edge kicked Orton and yelled at him to get up. Orton sat up on his knees and Edge charged forward with a shining wizard on him. Orton ended up catching Edge and powerbombing him on the propped up ladder with no mercy. Edge crashed through the ladder and bent it in half, causing the crowd to go into a frenzy.
Mauro Ranallo: MAMMMA MIAAAAA!!! How can he even move after that?!
Orton finally gets to his feet looks down at the crumpled up Edge outside.
Nigel McGuiness: It really speaks to how well these two know each other that neither has even attempted a pinfall here. Both men know when the other is down, and neither has shown that yet.
Looking at the corners and then back at Edge, a look of grim determination showed up on Randy's face.
Mauro Ranallo: He's not thinking....
Nigel McGuiness: Whatever it takes, Mauro!
Randy exited the ring and went to pick up Edge, rolling him underneath the bottom rope. He slithered underneath the ropes and sized Edge up, waiting for him to slowly come to a vertical base. As Edge started to get up, Randy grabbed his arm and lifted him up, hoisting Edge on to his shoulder. The crowd swelled with noise as Randy started to move quickly towards one of the C4 corners.
Mauro Ranallo: Don't do it, Randy!
Nigel McGuiness: Definitely do it Randy!
Edge tried to wriggle free, but Randy threw him almost like a javelin at the corner. With amazing dexterity and agility, Edge managed to grab the top rope and avoid impacting the corner, landing on his feet. With a smirk, he turned around, tapping his temple. Randy was waiting with a smirk of his own, and leapt high into the air, connecting with a pitch perfect missle drop kick, sending Edge tumbling backward and connecting with the trigger in the corner. The turnbuckle exploded with a BANG, showering sparks and flames in the corner.
Mauro Ranallo: OH MY GOD HE DID IT!
Edge was immediately on the ground clutching his back wildly, rolling around and screaming in agony. The crowd roared in disbelief as Randy immediately dropped to the mat, pounding the ground with his fist and waiting to finish off the Rated R Superstar.
Nigel McGuiness: This is it, Mauro! Randy is about to put this one away!
Just as Edge slowly began to get to a vertical base, still clutching is back, the lights in the arena went out.
Mauro Ranallo: Again?! Not now!
The ominous sound of psychotic laugher rang out through the arena speakers, making the ominous situation even more bizarre.
Nigel McGuiness: Who is this person?! Why are they targeting Randy?!
After 30 seconds or so, the lights came back on and Randy was gone. Edge was on the mat, still in utter agony due to the explosion.
Mauro Ranallo: Wait, where did Randy go?!
The sound of laughter continued as the referee looked around for Orton.
Nigel McGuiness: Do you think that who ever has been attacking Orton got in here and took him?!
Mauro Ranallo: Your guess is as good as mine, Nigel. I have no idea what happened here. We'll try to get more information as it unfolds!
Trainers ran in to tend to Edge as chaos ensued ringside. The camera slowly faded to a video package for the main event.
Mauro Ranallo: What a night this has been so far, and there's still more to come! Up next, in our main event, Aiden English defends the EBWF World Championship against Tommy End in an electrified steel cage!
"Lost in the Static" by After The Burial hit, and the crowd booed as Tommy End made his way to the ring. When End was in the ring, "Moments" by Sevendust hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Aiden English walked down the ramp, carrying the World Title over his shoulder.
Nigel McGuinness: Aiden English has made it clear that he considers that silver version of the World Title the "true" championship... presumably if Tommy End wins tonight, he'll want to keep the gold version of the title?
Mauro Ranallo: Knowing Tommy End and Legion, Nigel, I wouldn't be surprised if we wants the World Title painted black!
When English was in the ring, he handed the title to the referee. The cage began to lower as Christy Hemme began the introductions.
Christy Hemme: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is an electrified steel cage match for the EBWF World Championship! This match is scheduled for one fall, and the only ways to win are via pinfall or submission. Introducing first, the challenger... from Amsterdam, Holland... weighing in at 215 pounds... Tommy End! And his opponent, from Chicago, Illinois... weighing in at 215 pounds... he is the EBWF World Champion... Aiden English!
There was a huge cheer for Aiden English from the Chicago crowd, however English barely acknowledged it as he stared at Tommy End, his face expressionless. After holding the World Title up above his head, the referee passed the championship to an official at ringside, then locked the cage door. The referee called for the bell, and the arena lights went dark as the cage was electrified. English and End locked up, and English applied a headlock, but End broke free and hit English with a roundhouse kick. English stumbled backwards, and End hit him with a series of kicks, then set him up for a brainbuster... but English blocked it, countering with a snap suplex. Both men got to their feet and English hit End with a series of right hands, before throwing him into the cage wall! A loud zap could be heard as End hit the cage, and as he staggered back towards English, the Drama King lifted him up onto his shoulders, hitting a fireman's carry spinebuster. English went for the pinfall, and the referee counted – 1... 2... End kicked out! English got to his feet and stomped on End several times, then pulled him to his feet and dragged him towards the edge of the ring. English went to slam End's head off the cage, but End blocked it, then slammed English into the cage wall! English cried out in pain as he was shocked by the cage. End then pulled him away from the ropes, before hitting a Saito suplex. End hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... English kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: Both of these men trying to end this match quickly... they don't want to be inside that cage any longer than necessary.
Nigel McGuinness: And who can blame them? The electrified cage limits what both superstars can do... if they hit the ropes, they'll almost certainly hit the cage too and get a shock!
End pulled English to his feet and set him up for a powerbomb, but English countered with a back body drop. As End got to his feet, English hit a swinging neckbreaker, then followed it up with a leaping leg drop! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... End kicked out! English sat End up, applying a chinlock, but End fought out of it and both men got to their feet. End and English exchanged right hands back and forth, and just when it looked like English was gaining the upper hand, End hit the champ with a knee strike! English looked dazed, and End hit a leg lariat, then locked in the STF.
Mauro Ranallo: Don't forget, this match is no disqualification... it doesn't matter if Aiden English gets to the ropes, before Tommy End doesn't have to break the hold! English either has to escape the hold or submit.
The referee asked English if he wanted to submit, but he refused. English was able to roll onto his side, causing End to lose his grip. Both men got to their feet, and English went for a clothesline, but End ducked out of the way then got behind English, hitting a bridging German suplex! Both of English's shoulders were down and the referee counted – 1... 2... English kicked out!
Nigel McGuinness: Tommy End has the momentum now... can he win the EBWF World Title for the first time in his career?
Tommy End got to his feet, and set Aiden English up for the Owari Death Kick... but English ducked out of the way! End turned to face him, and English hit a DDT. English then grabbed End by the legs... and catapulted him into the wall of the steel cage! End stumbled backwards, and English hit the Director's Cut! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... End kicked out just before the 3!
Mauro Ranallo: I can't believe it! I thought that was it for sure!
Nigel McGuinness: So did Aiden English, Mauro... he can’t believe it either!
English yelled at the referee, accusing him of counting too slowly, then grabbed Tommy End and punched him against the ring mat several times. English pulled End to his feet and hit a single underhook facelock drop, then hooked the leg once more. The referee counted – 1... 2... End kicked out again! English punched the mat in frustration, then went to drag End back to his feet... but End rolled him up into a small package! The referee counted – 1... 2... English kicked out! Both men got to their feet, and English lifted End up for a body slam... but End broke free and countered with an inverted DDT! Both men were down for several seconds before Tommy End slowly got to his feet. End hit a double foot stomp onto English's chest, then pulled him to his feet and hit the Owari Death Kick! End hooked both legs, and the referee counted – 1... 2... English got his shoulder up as the referee counted 3! End argued that it was a three count, but the referee insisted English got his shoulder up just in time.
Mauro Ranallo: Unbelievable... Tommy End was just microseconds away from becoming the new EBWF World Champion!
Nigel McGuinness: If this was a football match Mauro, that would need a VAR review!
Mauro Ranallo: I think you mean soccer, Nigel...
Nigel McGuinness: It's football to me, I'm English!
While Mauro and Nigel debated football versus soccer, Tommy End pulled Aiden English to his feet and threw him into the cage. As English stumbled back towards him, End went for another Owari Death Kick... but as he swung his leg around, English collapsed onto the mat! End hit a knee drop, then made the cover – 1... 2... English kicked out! Shaking his head in frustration, End pulled English to his feet and set him up for a cutter... but English blocked it, and hit the Director's Cut!
Mauro Ranallo: Another Director's Cut! That has to be it!
Nigel McGuinness: Aiden English is out too, Mauro! I'm not sure he has enough energy to make the cover!
Both men were down, and the crowd began counting – 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... after six seconds, English began to stir. He crawled across the mat, draping an arm over End's chest. The referee counted – 1... 2... End kicked out! English held his head in his hands, then crawled towards the corner of the ring and began pulling up the ring mat!
Mauro Ranallo: What is English doing?!
Nigel McGuinness: There are wooden boards underneath that canvas, Mauro... I think English has something sinister in mind!
The referee tried to stop English from destroying the canvas, but English shoved him away and exposed the wood underneath the ring. English then dragged End towards the corner, and set him up for a DDT onto the exposed wood... but End blocked it and shoved English into the cage! As English stumbled back towards him, End lifted English up, hitting a brainbuster onto the wood!
Mauro Ranallo: MAMMA MIA!
Nigel McGuinness: Aiden English's tactics backfired... that might cost him this match, and the championship!
The crowd began chanting "holy shit" as English lay motionless on the mat. End looked down at English and smiled sadistically, then dragged him towards the center of the ring. End pulled English to his feet, and hit another Owari Death Kick! He hooked the leg, and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3! The referee called for the bell.
Christy Hemme: Your winner... and the NEW EBWF World Champion... Tommy End!
Mauro Ranallo: Thank god it's over... we need a medic to check on Aiden English!
As the cage was lifted, the referee handed the World Title to Tommy End and raised his arm in victory. The camera cut to the stage, where Zahra Schreiber and Michael Dante had just walked through the curtain. They both applauded End, who held the World Title up proudly as EMTs checked on Aiden English behind him. End rolled out of the ring and walked up the ramp, then celebrated with Legion on the stage as the PPV went off the air.
