Mauro Ranallo: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! We are live from Des Moines, Iowa, and kicking things off tonight we've got Darby Allin versus Tommaso Ciampa!
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads hit and the crowd booed as Tommaso Ciampa made his way to the ring. When Ciampa was in the ring, "I Fell" by Wicca Phase Springs Eternal hit and the crowd cheered as Darby Allin headed to the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Darby Allin made an impressive debut at King of the Ring, coming close to winning the Breakout Championship. Can he get his first EBWF win here tonight?
After Allin had entered the ring, the referee called for the bell. Ciampa charged towards Allin, going for a clothesline, but Allin ducked out of the way, then as Ciampa turned around, Allin hit a dropkick, knocking Ciampa into the corner. Allin punched Ciampa in the corner several times, then whipped him into the opposite corner of the ring, before charging towards Ciampa and hitting a crossbody! Ciampa stumbled forwards, and Allin hit him with a DDT then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Allin kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: Impressive start by Darby Allin... he almost put Ciampa away quickly!
Allin got to his feet and stomped on Ciampa several times, then pulled him to his feet and set him up for a suplex. He went to lift Ciampa up... but Ciampa blocked it, then lifted Allin up and dropped him onto the ropes. Allin landed on the ring apron, and Ciampa hit him with a knee to face, knocking him to the outside. Ciampa then exited the ring and grabbed Allin, setting him up for a piledriver... but Allin countered with a back body drop!
Nigel McGuinness: A lucky escape for Darby Allin... Ciampa could have done some serious damage if he'd hit that piledriver!
Allin grabbed Ciampa and slammed his head against the ring post, then rolled him back into the ring. Allin slid back into the ring and locked Ciampa in the Fujiwara armbar! Ciampa was able to get to the ropes, and the referee ordered Allin to break the hold. Allin did so, then pulled Ciampa to his feet and set him up for a neckbreaker. Ciampa blocked it and lifted Allin over his shoulder, hitting a back to belly piledriver. Both men got to their feet, and Ciampa set Allin up for a body slam... but Allin countered it into a front flip stunner! Allin then went to the top rope, and hit Ciampa with the Coffin Drop! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Darby Allin gets the victory!
Allin celebrated, then made his way to the back.
Tomohiro Ishii was to the ring first, and the crowd cheered as he proceeded down to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: The new EBWF Breakout Champion is carrying that title with pride, Nigel.
Nigel McGuinness: I have to say it looks good on his shoulder, Mauro.
Mauro Ranallo: The crowd here in the Wells Fargo Center is showing Ishii a lot of respect.
Nigel McGuinness: Ishii is loved all over the wrestling world, and he’s loving the EBWF Universe right back.
Priest was next to the ring and he was showered with boos. He stared, disbelievingly, at the crowd before he moved down the ramp into the ring. He immediately began jawing off to Ishii, and once the referee took the Breakout Championship and placed it with the timekeeper, the bell rang.
Mauro Ranallo: Here we go!
They circled each other and then Priest backed up for a moment before locking up. Priest grabbed Ishii and set up for The Reckoning but Ishii escaped. Priest escaped a lockup attempt. Both men missed strikes. They locked up and Ishii put on a side head lock. Priest hit a jumping back elbow. Ishii laid on powerful kicks to the leg and got a rollup for a near fall.
Nigel McGuinness: Priest got surprised by that one!
Ishii kicked and connected with a boot to the elbow. Priest went to the floor and Ishii stood on the hand when Priest tried to get back into the ring. Ishii got a kick to the arm from the apron, and then locked on a triangle in the ropes. The referee started his count.
Nigel McGuinness: Ishii has to be careful here.
Mauro Ranallo: Priest has just made this so personal!
Ishii kicked at the hand and then Ishii tried for a power bomb but Priest held on to the tag rope. Priest kicked Ishii away and hit a flatliner. Priest got a series of strikes and a rolling elbow. Priest worked on the neck. Then he sent Ishii into the turnbuckles and kicked him. Priest executed an Irish whip and hit a forearm smash. The crowd booed.
Mauro Ranallo: It's almost like Damian is mocking Ishii! That's one of his signature moves!
Priest hit the Falcon Arrow for a near fall.
Nigel McGuinness: I don't know what would have happened if Ishii had stayed down for that three count!
Priest landed some kicks to the ribs and the back. He threw on a rear chin lock. Priest hit a knee to the midsection and he sent Ishii into the turnbuckles. Ishii stumbled out into the waiting arms of Priest, who moved to lift him up.
Mauro Ranallo: Is he going for the Ishii Driver? Are you kidding?
Ishii threw all of his weight forward, making it nearly impossible for Priest to lift him. Ishii countered with a double wrist lock and body scissors. Ishii threw up a knee to block a suplex and hit a DDT of his own. The crowd cheered.
Nigel McGuinness: Tomohiro Ishii has friends in Des Moines tonight!
Ishii jabbed Priest who covered up. Ishii landed some hard chops across the chest and Priest blocked an Irish whip. Ishii hit an enzuigiri, and followed up with a drop kick to the knee from the turnbuckles. Ishii tried for a waist lock but Priest hit an elbow. Ishii landed on his feet when Priest hit a German suplex.
Mauro Ranallo: A big man should not be able to move like that!
Priest got a knee and Ishii goes for an uppercut but Priest dodged. Priest slammed Ishii onto the apron. Priest went to the turnbuckles and Ishii executed a forearm as Priest came off the ropes. Ishii hit a sit out power bomb for a near fall.
Nigel McGuinness: I thought Ishii had it!
Ishii stompped on the fingers and kicked Priest in the ribs. Priest with a kick to Ishii and he went to the floor. Priest followed up with a step up plancha onto Ishii. Priest waited for Ishii to get back in the ring, and then the two men began exchanging punches. They continued to exchange forearms that staggered each other. Ishii with a big kick while Priest connected with a boot. Ishii avoided a kick and chop. Ishii landed a head butt, but Priest followed through with a clothesline. Priest got Ishii off the turnbuckles and hit Splash Mountain for a near fall. Priest signaled that it is over!
Mauro Ranallo: Priest is planning to finish it here.
Damian came off the ropes, and charged forward. Ishii grabbed him and...
Nigel McGuinness: Brain Buster!
Mauro Ranallo: Pin him, Ishii!
Tomohiro hooked the leg.
1...
2...
3!
Nigel McGuinness: In a match that saw Damian Priest copy a signature move, and try to win with Ishii's own finisher, the Breakout Champion finds himself victorious here tonight.
Mauro Ranallo: And this capacity crowd is delighted, Nigel!
Ishii was reunited with his title belt, and the referee raised his hand in victory as EBWF went to commercial.
Mauro Ranallo: Still to come, we'll hear from our 2020 King of the Ring, The Rock... but up first, the new Queen of the Ring Becky Lynch is in action as she goes one on one with Britt Baker in a Wrestlemania rematch!
Baker came to the ring first, followed by Becky Lynch, who was accompanied by Winter. When both Lynch and Baker were in the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two superstars locked up. Baker set Lynch up for a Russian legsweep, but Lynch blocked it and countered with a bulldog. Lynch stomped on Baker several times, then hit a knee drop onto the arm. Lynch went for the Dis-Arm-Her, but before she could lock it in Baker shoved her away and both women got to their feet. Baker went for a clothesline, but Lynch ducked out of the way and hit Baker with a swift kick to the midsection, then took her down with a DDT. Lynch ran against the ropes and hit a running leg drop, before hooking. The referee counted - 1... 2... Baker kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: A strong start from Becky Lynch! You have to wonder if the Women's Champion, Trish Stratus, is watching this one.
Lynch pulled Baker to her feet and hit her with a series of punches, then went to whip her against the ropes. Baker reversed the Irish whip, sending Lynch into the ropes, then as Lynch ran back towards her, Baker hit a dropkick. Both women got to their feet and Baker hit a fisherman's neckbreaker, then hooked the leg. The referee counted - 1... 2... Lynch kicked out!
Nigel McGuinness: Britt Baker swings the momentum in her favour... but it will take more than that to defeat Queen Becky Lynch!
Baker stomped on Lynch several times, then pulled her to her feet and set her up for the Baker Buster, but Becky countered with a back body drop, then as Baker got back to her feet, Lynch hit an exploder suplex. Baker looked dazed as she got back up, and Lynch hit a reverse STO, then locked in the Dis-Arm-Her! Baker tapped out and the referee called for the bell.
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Becky wins!
Lynch celebrated as Warfare went to commercial.
When Warfare returned from commercial the ring had been decorated with a red velvet carpeting and there was a throne in the center of the ring. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation, that was met when some familiar words were heard over the PA System.
"IF YAAAAAA SMELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL- WHAT THE ROCK- IS COOKIN' "
Followed by "Electrifying" by Jim Johnston. The Rock exploded out of the back with an extra spring in his step. He was wearing a Brahma Bull tanktop and black joggers. He had a pair of sunglasses over his eyes and a huge smile on his face. He made his way down the ramp and went through his trademark entrance. He went turnbuckle to turnbuckle raising his arm on top of each one. He began to pace around the ring and finally stopped to admire the throne in the center of the ring. He pointed to it which caused the crowd to erupt. The Rock nodded his head and soaked in the moment for a couple of more beats. He then went over to the time keeper and received a microphone. He began to pace, and a "Rocky" chant broke out from the crowd. The Rock shook his head in appreciation, he put the mic up to his mouth, and the volume of the chant intensified to the point where he put the mic back down. The crowd cheered louder than ever. Finally, after several beats the crowd died down as The Rock was ready to speak.
The Rock: FINALLY THE ROCK HAS COME BACK TO DES MOINES, IO-WAAA!!!
The crowd chanted as The Rock smiled again and began to pace.
The Rock: AJ Styles, Matt Riddle, Jimmy Havoc, Damien Priest, and then Edge.. one by one by one by damn one.. until The Rock is able to stand here before you.. King. Of The Ring.
The crowd cheered and another "Rocky" Chant broke out.
The Rock: The Rock standing in the middle of the ring, red carpet, throne- fancy digs- The Rock can dig it- The Rock can appreciate it. The Rock knows in the past there's even been a crown involved, maybe even a sceptre , but The Rock didn't bring any of that out here tonight, no, no, no, no, NO! You see because as much as The Rock appreciates the EBWF's gesture- as much as The Rock would love to sit on this fancy throne and bask in his victory.. The Rock isn't going to do it.. because quite frankly, The Rock's job is not.. finished.
The crowd cheered loudly knowing what The Rock was referring to.
The Rock: You see The Rock- King of the Ring- he said he was going to do it, he promised it, and as usual The Rock delivered. The Rock wanted to be King of the Ring for ONE REASON.. AND THE ROCK MEANS.. ONE REASON.. and that one reason is not the fancy throne or the fancy carpet, that one reason is that winning the King of the Ring tournament means what the world has been waiting for, Chris Jericho- The Rock- EBWF Title- Summerslam.
The Rock paused again to soak in the cheers of the crowd.
The Rock: You see Chris Jericho- The Rock knows that the EBWF has been your own personal playground, day after day- week after week- month after month- year after year- The Rock knows that Chris Jericho- one of the most decorated superstars in the history of this company. The Rock knows that Chris Jericho is good.. but The Rock also knows.. that The Rock.. is simply.. better. The Rock said throughout the course of the tournament that he was back for good- the EBWF- pro wrestling- The Rock is officially home. As nice as the King of the Ring victory was, The Rock's on a mission, The Rock is on a mission to become the new EBWF Champion. You see The Rock..
Before The Rock could continue, he was interrupted by the sound of Fozzy's "Judas" blasting over the PA system. Chris Jericho stepped out onto the stage, wearing the King of the Ring crown that The Rock had said he didn't want and holding the World Title over his shoulder. Jericho had a microphone with him, and when his music was cut, he began to speak.
Chris Jericho: Dwayne, you might be the EBWF King of the Ring... but the real crown isn't the one I've got on my head, it's the one I've got over my shoulder.
To reinforce his point, Jericho tossed the crown aside and held up his title proudly, then continued speaking.
Chris Jericho: Of course you want this title, Dwayne. Every superstar in the locker room, every man who entered King of the Ring, wants this title. But it's mine. You can't have it. You say you're "home", but isn't it funny how your latest return coincides with Hollywood being closed? When Hollywood opens its doors again, how long until you go away again? But don't worry, I'll still be here. And I'll still be champion.
The Rock: Chris, The Rock realizes he's been gone for awhile- so maybe you forgot- but the truth remains that when The Rock is out here speaking you A.) let him finish and B.) you KNOW YOUR ROLE AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH. You see Chris this sense of entitlement that you seem to have, simply confuses The Rock. Have you won a couple of world titles? Yeah you've won a couple World Titles. Have you accomplished a lot here? Yeah you've accomplished a lot here, but in all your glory, you have never had a match QUITE like the one you are about to encounter. Because you see Chris Jericho, when the stage is biggest, when the lights are brightest, when the stakes are highest.. there is one man that can rise to the occasion at a higher level than ANYONE else in the HISTORY of this business.. and that one man Chris Jericho... IS THE ROCK.
The crowd cheered and a "Rocky" chant broke out once more. Chris smirked.
Chris Jericho: Are you kidding me, Dwayne? For the record, I haven't won "a couple" of World Titles, I'm an 11-time EBWF World Champion. No one in the history of EBWF has held this title more times than I have. Let's look at your history, Dwayne. You show up twice a year, for the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring. Maybe one or two more shows when there's a break in your movie schedule. You've been on the EBWF payroll for years, and you've accomplished nothing. Face it Dwayne, EBWF is your Plan B. Look at my accomplishments compared to yours, Dwayne... you don't come close to me.
The Rock: Well The Rock can see Chris that you are simply going to stand before all The Rock's fans and read out your EBWF resume vs. The Rock's. The Rock can see that like a content reindeer piss ant pussy.. you're going to simply rest on all the things you have done in the past. Well The Rock wants to focus on something he's going to do in the very near future. You see The Rock is going to take that very resume of yours, he's going to go down to the executive offices of the EBWF- make a couple photo copies of it- find a big paper clip- YEAH a huge paper clip and he's going to paper clip all them sum bitches together.. then The Rock is going to proceed to take the whole stack, the whole stack of your resume copies, turn them sideways.. AND STICK THEM STRAIGHT UP.. YOUR CANDY ASS!
Jericho smirked, then applauded The Rock sarcastically.
Chris Jericho: Hilarious, Dwayne. You're trying to get by on the same catchphrases you've had for over 20 years. You're as predictable in the ring as you are on the microphone, and that's why I'm going to beat you.
The Rock: The Rock- predictable? Well for once Chris Jericho, The Rock will agree. You see The Rock is predictable- it is easy to predict what is going to happen when The Rock is in the ring. You see Chris Jericho, The Rock's fans can pretty much set their watches to it.. and so can you. Soon VERY soon.. SUMMERSLAM soon.. The Rock and Chris Jericho are going to stand in this ring, with the greatest prize in the game ON THE LINE.. and it's going to be predictable OH SOOOO predictable what's going to happen next.. and that simply put.. is THE ROCK.. KICKING YOUR CANDY ASS all over the biggest part of the SUMMER.. and becoming the new EBWF.. CHAMPION.
Chris goes to respond, but is cut off.
The Rock: IF YA SMELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLALALALALLOWWWW
WHAT THE KING.
The Rock paused and took an abrupt seat in his throne.
IS COOKIN'
"Electrifying" hit once more and The Rock cocked an eye brow, his eyes never left Jericho's. Chris had a confident look on his face as he adjusted his EBWF Championship belt on his shoulder. The two men inaudibly talked trash to each other, as the Iowa crowd was rocking and Warfare went off the air.
