Mauro Ranallo: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! Tonight, we are live from Nashville, Tennessee!
Nigel McGuinness: What a show we've got in store, Mauro! Tonight we'll see the first two matches in the Queen of the Ring tournament, and we're also kicking off the second round of King of the Ring!
Mauro Ranallo: That’s right Mauro, there are four King of the Ring second round matches booked for tonight, one of which is starting right now!
Colten Gunn made his way to the ring first, followed by John Morrison. When both men were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Gunn got in Morrison's face and hit a big slap to the face. Morrison responded with some big right hands, knocking Gunn back against the ropes. Gunn pushed Morrison away, then tried to lift Morrison up for a body slam, but Morrison countered it, taking Gunn down with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Gunn rolled out of the ring and Morrison leapt over the top rope, taking out Gunn with a crossbody.
Nigel McGuinness: Great athleticism on display there by John Morrison!
As Morrison pulled Gunn to his feet, Gunn fought back with a series of punches, then threw Morrison into the padded ring barricade. Gunn tossed Morrison back into the ring and hit a series of big knees to the body, then hit a leg drop. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Morrison kicked out! Gunn sat Morrison up and applied a sleeper hold, then as Morrison tried to fight out of it, Gunn hit a swinging neckbreaker. He hooked the leg once more and the referee counted – 1... 2... Morrison kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: Colten Gunn has taken control of this match and is trying to put John Morrison away quickly... but Morrison isn't going down easily!
Gunn pulled Morrison to his feet and hit him with some more right hands, then whipped him against the ropes. As Morrison ran back towards him, Gunn went for a clothesline, but Morrison ducked out of the way, then hit Gunn with a spinning heel kick! Both men were down and the referee began counting – 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... Morrison got to his feet and stomped on Gunn several times, then pulled him to his feet and whipped Gunn into the corner. Morrison ran at Gunn and hit a dropkick, then as Gunn stumbled out of the corner, Morrison hit an STO backbreaker transitioned into a Russian legsweep. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Gunn kicked out! As Gunn sat up, Morrison ran against the ropes and went for a running knee smash... but Gunn ducked out of the way, then rolled Morrison up with a schoolboy! The referee counted – 1... 2... Morrison kicked out just before the 3!
Nigel McGuinness: Colten Gunn stunned Bobby Lashley in the first round, beating him with a rollup... but he wasn't able to do the same to Morrison!
Both men got to their feet and Gunn went for the Fame Asser, but Morrison blocked it and hit Gunn with a superkick, then headed to the corner. Morrison went for Starship Pain... but Gunn got his knees up! As Morrison clutched his ribs, Colten Gunn dragged him to his feet, then hit the Colt 45! He hooked both legs and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: Another win for Colten Gunn! He advances to the Quarter Finals!
Gunn celebrated, then made his way to the back as Warfare went to a commercial break.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, “The Second Coming” blasted through the speakers sending shockwaves all across the arena.
Mauro Ranallo: Well Seth Rollins is scheduled to compete tonight, but not until later in the show...
Seth Rollins walked out from the back wearing his signature leather jacket with the fur around the collar and one glove. He walked out to the stage and opened his arms and extended them out as he shouted “All Hail The Messiah”. Rollins dropped his arms shortly after and walked down the ramp straight to the ring and climbed into it. After getting into the ring, he walked over and grabbed a microphone.
Seth Rollins: As you can see, I’m in a pretty happy mood despite the events that occurred last week... I admit that I may have underestimated Roman Reigns, but as far as I’m concerned, I am still the better wrestler.
Seth Rollins stood there looking around the arena before he spoke again.
Seth Rollins: Maybe I’ll just have to prove it tonight when I face off against Johnny Gargano.
The crowd had cheered soon hearing Johnny Gargano’s name.
Seth Rollins: Yes, cheer for him, cheer for Johnny Wrestling, but in this very ring your cheers won’t be able to help him. Your cheers won’t be able to stop him from being saved by the Messiah. Your cheers won’t stop me from stomping Johnny’s head into the mat tonight. Then I will really start my journey as I cleanse the EBWF... after I check Johnny Gargano off of my list I will head towards a new path, a new direction, I will head towards the birds.
The crowd looked confused after hearing Rollin’s last statement and wondered what he was talking about.
Seth Rollins: I’m talking about you Raven, your soul needs to be cleansed... your mind needs to be awakened... your heart needs to be rescued... I’m sending a message out to you Raven with open arms, to fall in line and follow the Messiah, I’m gifting you with the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest wrestlers to ever touch EBWF... or you can perish and be crucified for going against me, the clock is ticking Raven. Be with me or be against me, choice is yours.
Seth Rollins dropped his microphone after his last sentence as he laughed and held his arms out. The camera quickly faded to black before a video package promoting the Queen of the Ring tournament began to play.
"Geek" by MC Chris hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Leva Bates made her way to the ring for the next match.
Mauro Ranallo: Well here comes Leva Bates, who impressed when she challenged Raquel Diaz for the Women's Championship at Warfare: Royal Pain... but Bates was ultimately unsuccessful, and now if she wants another title shot, she'll have to earn it by winning the Queen of the Ring tournament. It won't be easy for her though, in the first round she's taking on Taya Valkyrie and the woman who believes she is the "rightful" Women's Champion, Becky Lynch.
When Bates was in the ring, "See Your Hands" by Driven hit and Taya Valkyrie headed to the ring. Finally, "Celtic Invasion" hit and the crowd cheered as Becky Lynch made her way to the ring. After Lynch had entered the ring, the referee called for the bell. Lynch immediately charged towards Leva Bates, hitting her with a clothesline and stomping on her several times. Lynch then pulled Bates to her feet and set her up for a DDT, but Bates fought out of it and hit Lynch with a series of punches. Lynch fought back with some punches of her own, then grabbed Bates and hit her with the Bex-Plex!
Nigel McGuinness: A strong start by Becky Lynch here... she looks fired up!
As Bates rolled out of the ring, Taya Valkyrie and Becky Lynch locked up, and Lynch took Valkyrie down with a snapmare. Valkyrie got back to her feet and Becky whipped her against the ropes, before hitting a leg lariat. As Valkyrie got to her feet, Becky hit an inverted hammerlock DDT, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Valkyrie kicked out! As Lynch got to her feet, Leva Bates re-entered the ring and she attacked Becky from behind, hitting her in the back of the head then throwing her shoulder first into the ring post! Lynch fell to the mat, clutching her shoulder in pain. Looking pleased with herself, Bates turned her attention to Taya Valkyrie. Bates ran at Valkyrie, taking her down with a spear before hitting a series of punches against the mat. As Bates continued to pound on Valkyrie, Becky Lynch grabbed her, pulling Bates off of Taya Valkyrie and setting her up for a fisherman's neckbreaker. Bates blocked it, shoving Lynch away before taking her down with a Yakuza kick! She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Lynch kicked out! As Bates got to her feet, Valkyrie ran at Bates, taking her down with a clothesline. As Bates got to her feet, Valkyrie threw her out of the ring, then followed her to the outside and hit her with a series of punches. Valkyrie dragged Bates towards the ramp and set her up for a suplex, but Bates blocked it, then dragged Valkyrie back towards the ring. At this point Becky Lynch climbed to the top rope and leapt towards Bates and Valkyrie, taking out both women with a diving crossbody!
Mauro Ranallo: Becky went high risk, and it paid off!
Lynch threw Leva Bates back into the ring, then slid under the bottom rope and grabbed Bates by the arm, trying to lock in the Dis-arm-her. Before she could lock it in, Bates rolled Lynch up into a small package! The referee counted – 1... 2... Lynch reversed it! The referee counted – 1... 2... Bates kicked out! Both women got to their feet and Lynch grabbed Bates, going for an exploder suplex, but Bates blocked it and countered with the Critical Confirmation! She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Taya Valkyrie pulled Bates out of the ring before the referee could count the 3!
Nigel McGuinness: Taya Valkyrie got there just in time... Leva Bates was a split second away from getting the 3 count and defeating Becky Lynch!
Valkyrie threw Bates head first into the ring steps, then slid back into the ring and covered Becky Lynch. The referee counted – 1... 2... Lynch kicked out! Valkyrie pulled Lynch to her feet and set her up for the Road to Valhalla... but Lynch blocked it and hit Valkyrie with a stunner! Lynch then grabbed Valkyrie and locked in the Dis-arm-her! Valkyrie quickly tapped out, and the referee called for the bell.
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Becky Lynch gets the win and advances to the semi-finals!
Becky celebrated, then made her way to the back.
The third match of the evening was underway when Tama Tonga’s music hit and he came to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Our next matchup is another second round match in the EBWF King of the Ring tournament, and tonight Tama Tonga will take on the leader of the Coalition, Christian Cage!
As Christian’s music hit he stepped out onto the stage, shielding his eyes from the spotlight to find his Peeps in the crowd. Christian got into the ring and after Christy Hemme made the announcements, he rang the bell.
Nigel McGuinness: And we’re underway!
They locked up with a collar and elbow tie-up, feeling each other out. Cage went for a quick cover after a shoulder block. Tama escaped a wrist lock after a flip and then a snap mare. Tama Tonga plowed into Christian Cage with an elbow, knocking him through the ropes and onto the entrance ramp. Christian Cage had to clear up the cobwebs after the shot, but Tonga wasted no time and backdropped him into the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Tama Tonga knows the way to victory is to be unrelenting.
Tonga hammered Christian Cage with a big right hands. Cage waited and then connected with a back elbow. Tonga shoved Christian Cage from the top turnbuckle and down onto the arena floor. The crowd was chanting for Christian. Tonga worked over Christian Cage’s shoulder and neck with a submission.
Mauro Ranallo: Christian Cage is fading!
Tonga exerted more pressure, trying to put Christian to sleep. Tonga transitioned and dropped Cage right on his head for a very close near fall. Tama grew frustrated and took the boots to Cage.
Nigel McGuinness: We’re seeing a mean streak from Tonga.
Cage rallied back with a swinging DDT on Tonga. Christian Cage blasted Tonga with a diving European uppercut. The fans chanted Christian’s name. Tonga attempted to apply a chicken wing but Christian had it scouted and countered with elbows. Cage was looking for the Kill Switch but Tonga countered. Cage got the better of the exchange with a reverse DDT on Tama. Tonga caught Cage with the cross face chicken wing. Cage struggled until he found the ropes, forcing the ref to break the hold. Tonga smashed onto Christian Cage with a big springboard leg drop.
1…
2…
Cage kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: That might have been Tama Tonga’s best shot.
Christian Cage flew high and tried to crash down onto Tonga with a massive frog splash, but Tama Tonga moved out of the way.
Nigel McGuinness: Christian took himself out! Tama Tonga is on the move!
Tonga stomped Christian’s head, and went for the quick roll up. Christian tried to wiggle his way out but it was too late…
1…
2…
3!
Nigel McGuinness: Are you kidding me?
Mauro Ranallo: Tama Tonga remains the only member of the Balor Club still in the King of the Ring tournament!
Nigel McGuinness: And somehow Maven is the last great hope for the Coalition.
Tonga raised both arms in victory as an updated King of the Ring bracket flashed across the screen.
Warfare returned from commercial to find Johnny Gargano and Seth Rollins already in the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: We welcome you back to Warfare! Getting underway is a matchup with two EBWF newcomers.
Nigel McGuinness: Yes, Mauro. Gargano and Rollins are two very talented men. I can’t wait to see how this one plays out.
Christy Hemme introduced each of the competitors before the bell rang. Gargano took Seth down with an arm bar. Seth reversed it and followed through with an arm bar on Gargano in the middle of the ring. Gargano reversed it and Seth reversed it again. The crowd was cheering the physicality as Gargano put on a head lock. Seth countered out of it, and a right hand by Seth took Gargano down. Seth followed through with a head lock take down. Gargano got back up and landed a right hand to send Seth in the corner. Seth went to the outside. Gargano followed him and threw him into the steel steps. The referee’s count caused Johnny to help Seth back into the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: A wise move since Gargano can’t win out there!
Gargano went to the top rope but Seth kicked him down to the outside. Seth grabbed Gargano by the hair with admonishment from the referee. Seth helped Johnny back in the ring and went for the cover but Gargano kicked out. A waist lock from Seth as Gargano tried to get out of it but Seth threw him into the corner. Gargano landed a kick to the face, and then climbed to the second rope. He landed a drop kick. A clothesline by Gargano took Seth down and he threw Seth to the outside. Gargano ran to the ropes and flew over the top rope onto Seth on the outside. Seth was thrown back into the ring as Gargano climbed the top rope. Gargano hit the meteora.
Mauro Ranallo: Beautiful offense from Johnny Gargano.
Nigel McGuinness: But how much did that take out of him?
Gargano looked hurt as he went for the cover but Seth kicked out. Gargano rolled to the outside, but Seth hit a suicide dive through the ropes before throwing Gargano back in the ring. Seth climbed off the top rope and he hit Gargano with a flying knee. He went for the cover but Gargano kicked out.
Mauro Ranallo: Johnny Wrestling has no quit!
Seth started to beat up on Gargano in the ring. He knocked Gargano down with a right hand. Gargano backed up and both men landed right hands, but Seth followed up with a bicycle kick. Gargano went for a small package but Seth kicked out. A round house right hand by Seth followed by the Falcon Arrow. Seth went for the cover but Gargano kicked out. Seth went for the stomp. Gargano moved. Seth went for the stomp again, but Gargano moved out of the way a second time!
Nigel McGuinness: This crowd is loving this exchange!
Seth climbed the second rope, but Gargano beat him there with a kick to the face. Gargano placed Seth on his shoulders but Seth landed on his feet. He kicked Gargano, and as Johnny went face down, Seth landed the stomp.
Mauro Ranallo: That should do it.
Seth went for the pin.
1…
2…
3!
Mauro Ranallo: Seth Rollins may be new to EBWF, but he is a seasoned performer who proved himself against Johnny Gargano here tonight.
Seth allowed his hand to be raised in victory as Warfare went to commercial.
When EBWF returned from commercial, Diamonds and Rust, hit the PA and Cameron Grimes came to the stage.
Mauro Ranallo: This unorthodox young man will have to face CM Punk, and we’ll have to see what the Best in the World has in store.
Nigel McGuinness: Like every man backstage, CM Punk wants to be the King of the Ring, and Cameron Grimes is the only thing standing in his way.
‘Cult of Personality’ hit and Punk took a knee on the stage before turning his wrist and yelling “It’s Clobbering Time” out into the crowd. The referee rang the bell as Punk slid under the bottom rope. Punk and Grimes locked up with Punk getting Cameron in a side headlock and then a wristlock transitioned into a hammerlock. Punk slammed Grimes into the turnbuckles and then he twisted the arm before hitting him with a shoulder block for a nearfall. Punk put Cameron in a hammerlock again but Cameron fought out of it and into a side headlock of his own. Punk shoved Grimes away but Grimes answered with a shoulder block. Cameron hit the ropes but ate an arm drag from Punk. Punk put Grimes in an arm bar. Punk slammed his knee down across Grimes’ arm and then put the boots to his knee.
Mauro Ranallo: Punk is trying to keep Grimes grounded and stay firmly in control!
Punk hit an arm breaker on Grimes and covered him for another near fall. Punk put Grimes in an arm bar again but this time Grimes hit a big shot to the ribs to break the hold. Grimes slammed Punk into the turnbuckles and then raked his face across the top rope. Grimes whipped Punk into the ropes and went for a backdrop but Punk kicked him and then hit another arm breaker, taking him down to the mat with a Hammerlock. Punk rolled Grimes over and got a near fall while holding onto the Hammerlock as well. Grimes fought up to his feet but then Punk attempted to whip him into the corner. Grimes reversed it and charged at Punk. Punk got his feet up and then sprang to the top and dove off with a Flying Cross Body but he landedright into a Gutbuster from Grimes!
1…
2…
Nigel McGuinness: NO! Punk kicks out!
Grimes put the boots to Punk and then hit an elbow drop for a near fall. Grimes head butted Punk and then connected with a series of strikes. Grimes choked Punk in the ropes but walked into a kick from Punk. Grimes came right back with a knee. Grimes slammed Punk into the corner and hit a running shoulder block to the ribs. Grimes put Punk in a chin lock and then slammed him to the mat and got another near fall. Grimes put Punk in a chin lock but Punk fought it off only to get tossed into the corner again. Grimes hit another shoulder block and then he whipped Punk into the opposite corner. Grimes hit yet another shoulder block to Punk in the corner. He whipped Punk into the opposite corner and again went for a shoulder block, but Punk moved out of the way and then went for the GTS! Grimes quickly escaped and rolled out of the ring. Grimes tried to get back in the ring but Punk knocked him down and then hit a suicide dive through the ropes onto Grimes on the floor!
Mauro Ranallo: Cameron Grimes is proving that he wants to be the next King of the Ring.
Nigel McGuinness: I don’t know how much more these men can give us!
The men traded punches back into the ring, and Grimes got the upper hand putting Punk in a Crossface. Punk fought out of it and broke it with a series of head butts. Punk went for a back suplex but Grimes blocked it and locked Punk in a rear naked choke! Punk rolled over, fought up to his feet and broke the hold with a back suplex. Punk and Grimes exchange strikes and then Punk whipped Grimes into the ropes and attempted a back heel kick. Grimes held onto the ropes to avoid it. Grimes taunted Punk and then slapped him repeatedly before hitting a series of knees. Grimes then went for a clothesline but Punk countered into a Spinning Neckbreaker! Punk and Grimes exchanged strikes again and then Punk whipped Grimes into the ropes and connected with the heel kick followed by an elbow and then a running knee strike and a clothesline. Punk climbed up top and dove off with the flying elbow drop!
1…
2…
3!
Mauro Ranallo: What a match!
Nigel McGuinness: Mauro, Cameron Grimes gave it his all, but CM Punk is victorious here tonight.
The fans cheered as Punk threw up his arms in victory, and an advertisement for EBWFShop.net began to play.
Mauro Ranallo: Still to come, Jeff Hardy takes on The Miz in our main event... but first, we've got Ronda Rousey versus Lana versus Natalya in a Queen of the Ring first round match!
Lana came to the ring first, followed by Ronda Rousey and finally Natalya. When all three women were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Rousey and Natalya exchanged punches back and forth, and Rousey was able to take Natalya down. As Rousey stomped on Natalya, Lana grabbed Rousey from behind and threw her out of the ring. She then pulled Natalya to her feet and hit a snap suplex, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Natalya kicked out! Lana pulled Natalya to her feet and went to set her up for a sit-out facebuster... but Natalya blocked it and hit Lana with a spinebuster. Natalya then grabbed Lana by the legs, locking in the Sharpshooter!
Nigel McGuinness: Is Natalya going to make Lana tap?
Just when it looked like Lana was about to submit, Ronda Rousey entered the ring and attacked Natalya, forcing her to break the hold. Rousey then hit Natalya with a gutwrench powerbomb, before hooking both legs. The referee counted – 1... 2... Natalya kicked out! Rousey pulled Natalya to her feet and lifted Natalya onto her shoulders, setting her up for the Piper's Pit... but Natalya broke free and hit Rousey with a discus clothesline! Natalya threw Rousey out of the ring, then turned her attention to Lana, who was back on her feet. Natalya lifted Lana up for the Michinoku Driver... but Lana countered with a headscissors takedown and rolled Natalya up! The referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: I don't believe it! Lana steals a victory!
Lana rolled out of the ring and quickly made her way to the back as Natalya argued with the referee.
“No More Words” hit and the crowd cheered for the arrival of Jeff Hardy.
Mauro Ranallo: The Charismatic Enigma is here, and the EBWF Universe is thrilled, Nigel.
Nigel McGuinness: Our main event tonight is a second round match in the King of the Ring tournament, and it’s sure to be an instant classic as two of EBWF’s favorites go head to head.
“Aweeeesooommmeee!”
‘I Came to Play’ hit and the Miz made his way down to the ring, soaking up the admiration from the EBWF Fans. Miz got into the ring, and the referee rang the bell. They locked up. Hardy quickly began bouncing Miz off all four corners, taking him down. Hardy hit a sit-out jawbreaker and hit the ropes, but Miz big booted him down. Miz stomped away at him and hit a running boot to the head for a two count.
Mauro Ranallo: Miz is trying to make this a quick one.
Hardy fought up and punched him back. Miz reversed a whip into the ropes and turned Hardy inside out with a knee to the midsection. Dueling chants went up in the arena and Miz kneed Hardy in the spine twice before elbowing him in the chest and applying a chin lock. Hardy fought up and connected with a spin kick. Hardy blocked a right hand and punched away at Miz. Miz reversed a whip, but Jeff hit a clothesline. Hardy hit an insane combo of an inverted atomic drop, double leg drop to the midsection, a low dropkick, and a splash.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Nigel McGuinness: Jeff thought he had Miz there.
Jeff told the referee that he had three, and quickly went back to work. Hardy tried to whip Miz into the corner, but Miz reversed. Hardy countered and booted him down. Hardy came off the second rope with a splash.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Nigel McGuinness: I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Jeff so frustrated.
Miz got Hardy up and went for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Jeff spun out, and hit the Twist of Fate. The referee got into position and began the count as Hardy covered.
1…
Mauro Ranallo: What? Jeff has his feet on the ropes. He’s using the ropes for leverage.
2…
Nigel McGuinness: The referee doesn’t see it.
3!
Mauro Ranallo: I don’t know what to make of that Nigel.
The EBWF Universe cheered the match, and Hardy’s victory, but the roar of the crowd wasn’t quite as loud as before.
Nigel McGuinness: Sometimes you have to win by any means necessary. Jeff thought he had that won several times!
Mauro Ranallo: I just didn’t think we’d see Jeff Hardy cheat.
Nigel McGuinness: It was an opportunity, and he took it!
Jeff climbed to the top turnbuckle, throwing up the 2xtreme sign and celebrating with fans as Warfare went off the air.
