EBWF Warfare opened up on the UBS Arena, spotlights swirling around the crowd and pyrotechnics blasting off as cameras panned the crowd.
Mauro Ranallo: Get ready folks… it’s time for Warfare! You’re looking at a packed crowd at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York!
Nigel McGuiness: We’re two weeks removed from a shocking finish to Fallout where the Fiend defeated The Miz to become the new EBWF World Champion, and tonight Bray Wyatt looks to celebrate his achievement! Or...maybe. Who knows?!
Mauro Ranallo: We have certainly seen a major sea change here in the EBWF with Bray Wyatt as the new World's Champion.
Voice: Ladies and Gentlemen...
The crowd reacted loudly as Paul Heyman pensively walked down the ramp, glancing around somewhat nervously.
Mauro Ranallo: Well, there's the manager of The Miz, Paul Heyman. Though he doesn't have quite the bravado he normally does.
Heyman stepped into the ring, a microphone in hand as he soaked in the boos from the crowd. He casually tapped the microphone and looked around. Slowly he brought the mic to his mouth.
Paul Heyman: I come here tonight, not entirely sure what to say. I know, news of the century.
The crowd continued to boo him.
Paul Heyman: Last year, I did something that I thought was a masterstroke of strategy. I brought Bray Wyatt to EBWF, and through him we created havoc and mayhem that even shook the foundations of the endlessly irritating combination of Randy Orton and Edge, more commonly referred to as Rated RKO.
The reference to the Tag Team Champions generated a pop from the Long Island crowd.
Paul Heyman: And then something happened that surprised even me. The Miz approached me and wanted to do business. And through that partnership we made sure The Miz was able to enjoy his historic sixth World title reign. Bray Wyatt was terrorizing Rated RKO, and everything was going even better than I ever could imagine. But then...
Heyman paused, his bottom lip quivering.
Paul Heyman: It's hard for me to admit this. But... I overplayed my hand. I secretly got Bray Wyatt entered into the Elimination Chamber. I...I figured if Bray Wyatt was in the chamber, we could make sure Alex Shelley never saw the light of day. That's all I wanted, I swear! But something happened that I didn't expect. Bray Wyatt... the Eater of Worlds... appeared. He had no loyalty to me, and I didn't have a choice! I had to side with The Miz! I didn't have a...
The crowd reacted as the sound of unnerving laughter reverberated through the arena. Heyman dropped the mic out of fear and backed up towards the corner of the ring as the lights completely went out.
Nigel McGuiness: This can't be good. Someone rescue Paul!
Mauro Ranallo: No one's stopping you.
A deep red light flooded the ring and fog filled the entrance ramp.
HURT! HEAL! HURT! HEAL!
The crowd cheered as "Let Me In" by Code Orange blasted throughout the UBS Arena. Paul looked on, horrified as The Fiend stepped through the fog, the EBWF World Championship clasped around his waist. In his hand was an oil lantern in the shape of a human head. The Fiend was fully decked out in his red and black striped pants and leather jacket, his terrifying clown mask causing Paul to panic in the middle of the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: If Paul values his safety, I feel like he should probably get out of there.
Heyman dropped to his knees as The Fiend stepped into the ring. Heyman begged for mercy as the lights came back on in the arena.
Nigel McGuiness: Paul is trying to get the Fiend to spare him! Is that a wise decision?!
Heyman scrambled to grab the microphone. He brought it to his mouth and looked up at The Fiend as he approached him.
Paul Heyman: Wait! I can still be your advocate! I can help you! I've always supported you!
The crowd booed as The Fiend listened to Heyman shamelessly pander to him.
Paul Heyman: You earned the EBWF World Championship! Let me help you keep it! Together we can ensure that you beat Randy Orton's reign!
The Fiend suddenly began laughing, with Paul watching on. Heyman slowly began to grin, thinking that he was getting through. Paul slowly stood up and extended his hand. The Fiend did the same, but reached out and jammed his middle and ring finger into Heyman's mouth, taking him down to the mat.
Nigel McGuiness: Mandible Claw! The Fiend has the Mandible Claw locked on Paul Heyman!
Mauro Ranallo: Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
The lights went out as Paul Heyman began to fade from the Mandible Claw. The sound of laughter again filled the arena, and when the lights came back on, both Heyman and The Fiend were gone.
Nigel McGuiness: Where did they go?!
Mauro Ranallo: One has to consider wherever Heyman is, he's probably not having a good day.
Nigel McGuiness: The reign of the Fiend has already started to cause chaos in EBWF. What's next?!
The camera cut to commercial as the ring was reset for the first match.
“Papercut” by Linkin Park hit and the crowd cheered as Alexa Bliss made her way to the ring, accompanied by Liv Morgan.
Mauro Ranallo: It’s time for our first match of the evening! Former Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss takes on the two-time Queen of the Ring, Becky Lynch!
When Bliss was in the ring, “Celtic Invasion” by CFO$ hit and the crowd continued cheering as Becky Lynch headed to the ring. Once Lynch was in the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two women locked up. Lynch took Bliss down to the mat and went for a leg submission, but Bliss got to the ropes. As both women got to their feet, Lynch whipped Bliss against the ropes, then hit her with a shoulder tackle. Bliss got back up and Lynch went for a suplex, but Bliss countered it, rolling Becky up into a small package! The referee counted - 1… 2… Lynch reversed it! The referee counted - 1… 2… Bliss kicked out!
Nigel McGuinness: Almost a quick finish to this match!
As both women got to their feet, Lynch hit Bliss with a back kick followed by an armbreaker. Lynch then went for a running leg drop, but Bliss rolled out of the way, then hit Lynch with a low dropkick. Bliss stomped on Becky several times, trying to keep her grounded, but Lynch got to her feet and hit Bliss with a series of arm drags, before throwing her out of the ring. As Bliss got to her feet, Lynch went for a tope suicida… but Bliss moved out of the way, causing Becky to collide with the ringside barrier!
Mauro Ranallo: That looked painful! Becky might have hurt her neck there!
The referee checked on Becky, who confirmed she was okay to continue and got to her feet. Bliss threw Lynch back into the ring, set her up on the ropes and hit her with a double knee attack to the back, then rolled her away from the ropes and hooked the leg. The referee counted - 1… 2… Lynch kicked out! Bliss pulled Lynch to her feet and whipped her into the corner, then went for a corner forearm smash… but Becky moved out of the way! Lynch trapped Bliss in the corner and hit her with a series of kicks, then pulled her out of the corner and hit an exploder suplex. As Bliss got to her feet, Becky climbed to the top rope and then hit Bliss with a missile dropkick! She hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Bliss kicked out! As Bliss got to her feet, Becky ran against the ropes and went for the Straight Fireball, but Bliss moved out of the way, then hit Lynch with a DDT! Bliss then climbed to the top rope and went for Twisted Bliss… but Lynch got her knees up and blocked it! She then put Bliss in the Dis-arm-her, and Alexa tapped out.
Nigel McGuinness: A great performance by Alexa Bliss, but in the end Becky Lynch gets the victory!
Becky celebrated, then made her way to the back as Liv Morgan checked on Alexa Bliss.
After the match, a video package played recapping Britt Baker’s road to becoming the EBWF Women’s Champion. When the video finished, “The Epic” hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Britt Baker stepped out onto the stage. Baker looked around at the crowd, held up the Women’s Championship, then made her way to the ring. Upon entering the ring, Baker posed with the Women’s Title once more, then grabbed a microphone and began to speak.
Britt Baker: Long Island, what a treat it is for you to be here tonight. You get to see your hometown hero, MJF, wrestle in the main event…
The crowd cheered and began chanting for MJF. Baker smiled, waiting for the chants to die down, then continued speaking.
Britt Baker: And you also get to see the GREATEST champion that the EBWF has, Dr Britt Baker, DMD. At Fallout, I did what I have been promising to do for months and became your new Women’s Champion. As the savior of the Women’s Division, I was expecting EBWF to roll out the red carpet for me - promote me heavily on social media, book me on talk shows to represent the brand, maybe even book a big celebration for me. But alas, the disrespect continues. I practically had to beg to be allowed a slot on the show tonight.
Britt shook her head.
Britt Baker: I wish I could say I was surprised, but honestly I’m just disappointed. However, I am not going to let my disappointment stop me from proving myself. I will be the Women’s Champion EBWF needs, the champion you deserve. And that is why next week, I am issuing an open challenge to ANYBODY that wants to step up. If you think you can hang with Britt Baker, prove it next week on Warfare. Baker out!
Baker dropped the microphone and made her way to the back as her music hit once again.
Mauro Ranallo: Well there you have it, folks… Britt Baker has issued an open challenge for next week!
As Britt Baker made her way to the back, the camera cut to the backstage area. The Breakout Champion, King Xavier Woods, was seen walking towards the ring. He was stopped by a mysterious hooded figure.
Hooded figure: King… Xavier… you… will…burn.
The figure walked off, leaving a confused Woods as Warfare went to commercial.
“You know it's all about the Boom!”
Mauro Ranallo: Here we go again! Adam Cole is set to face off against the Breakout Champion, King Woods! Will he finally come out on top or will he lose AGAIN?!
Adam Cole walked out from behind the curtain and stepped onto the stage. He raised his arms up and just as he moved forward to the edge of the stage to do his signature pose… Xavier Woods came running out from the back with the championship held high and clobbered Adam in the back of the head!
Nigel McGuiness: That’s how you make sure someone won’t win a match, Mauro!
Mauro Ranallo: That’s just cowardice, Nigel! Nothing less!
Xavier then started to mount the chest of Adam as he reigned down punches into Adam’s face. However as he got to the eighth punch, “Shot Em” by [Q]Brick began to blast from the PA system and that caused Xavier to stop, stand up and hold his title at the ready to strike against the other members of the Bullet Club. However no one would arrive and once Xavier realized that, he moved toward Adam again, only for Adam to kick him in the head and then kip up. Both men now on their feet, they start to brawl for a little while.
Nigel McGuiness: Oh would you look at that Mauro, Adam’s not done yet! Adam could still take the fight to Xavier thanks to help from the club!
Mauro Ranallo: We don’t know if that was the club or just a mistake from the crew!
Adam put Xavier in position to lift him up and slam him with a suplex, but Xavier turned it around and then countered with a low blow! Adam dropped like a ton of bricks to his knees and Xavier would capitalize with an Enzuigiri. However, before Xavier could continue the onslaught [Q]Brick hit the PA system again, only this time Prince Devitt made his way out, trailed by G.O.D. Upon entering the ring, Devitt charged forward and nailed Xavier with a slingblade!
Nigel McGuiness: Here come the cavalry, Mauro!
Devitt then stood back a little as G.O.D. picked Woods up and held him in place. Devitt ran forwards, leaped in the air and hit a devastating dropkick that sent Xavier flying backwards right into a brick wall named Bad Luck Fale! Xavier bounced off Fale and hit the deck as Devitt climbed up onto Bad Luck Fale. He positioned himself on Fale’s shoulders and it looked like he was going for the Coup De Grace… but before Devitt could hit it, Chris Jericho came running through the crowd, carrying a baseball bat.
Mauro Ranallo: It’s Chris Jericho and Floyd, coming to make the save!
Jericho hopped over the barricade, slid into the ring and hit Fale over the back with the bat, knocking Fale and Devitt down. G.O.D. moved in towards Jericho, but Jericho hit them both wit the bat, taking them out.
With all four members of the Bullet Club down, Jericho dropped the bat and went to help Woods to his feet… but before he could, Jericho was attacked by Prince Devitt. Devitt hit Jericho with a series of punches, but Jericho fought back with some right hands of his own, then took Devitt down and put him in the Walls of Jericho! Xavier Woods finally got to his feet… but as he stood up, he was hit with a superkick out of nowhere from Adam Cole!
Nigel McGuiness: What a superkick from Cole!
As Woods hit the mat, Adam Cole picked up Xavier’s crown and raised it over his head. The Young Bucks then came running out from the back and Matt Jackson picked up the Breakout Championship, handing it to Adam Cole. Cole held it high in the air and called out “The King is dead BAY BAY!” But as he was posing, Xavier got back to his feet and hit Cole with a superkick! As Adam Cole hit the ground, Xavier grabbed his title and crown and called out “No bitch… ALL HAIL THE KING… BAY BAY!”
Mauro Ranallo: This has become chaotic, someone should get security out here already!
As the Young Bucks tried to pull Jericho off Prince Devitt, security rushed to the ring. They got Jericho off Devitt and dragged him backstage as medics came out to check on Prince Devitt. Meanwhile, more members of the security team escorted Fale, G.O.D. and the Young Bucks backstage, but Woods and Cole were still brawling! The crowd began chanting “Let them fight! Let them fight!” and booed as the security team pulled them apart. Cole broke free then leapt over to Xavier and started punching and kicking him! Security pulled him away, but as they did so Xavier charged towards Cole and began pummeling him!
Nigel McGuiness: I actually agree with the EBWF Universe… let them fight!
As security pulled Xavier off Adam Cole, Cole went to hit Xavier with a superkick, but Xavier pushed a security guard in front of himself, causing Cole to superkick the security guard instead! As security finally got Xavier out of the ring, Cole superkicked another security guard in frustration before holding his hands up in surrender. Cole made his way backstage with a smug look on his face as “All About The Boom” blasted from the PA system.
The camera cut to the backstage area where Renee Young was standing by.
Renee Young: My guest at this time, Stone Cold Steve Austin.
The camera shot pulled back to reveal The Texas Rattlesnake wearing cut-off jeans and an Austin 3:16 shirt.
Renee Young: Stone Cold last week you made your return to EBWF and revealed that you have been granted a one-on-one match with MJF in a match of your choice. So can you tell us what the match type will be and when it'll take place?
Austin smirked and walked out of view for a moment before he came back with a Barbed Wire Chair. Renee looked surprised.
Renee Young: A Barbed Wire match?
Austin nodded and spoke.
Stone Cold: April 25th.
After speaking Stone Cold walked away as Warfare went commercial.
When Warfare returned from commercial, the camera cut to Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness at ringside.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Before the commercial break, we heard that Stone Cold Steve Austin will get his match against Maxwell Jacob Friedman in two weeks time on Warfare, and it will be a Barbed Wire match! Tonight though, MJF is taking on The Miz… and given that we’re in Long Island, expect there to be a different reaction for MJF than usual…
Nigel McGuinness: The hometown hero returns, Mauro!
“Better Than You” hit and MJF came out to a thunderous reception. MJF looked around the arena, smiling as the crowd chanted his name. As he walked down the ramp, MJF slapped hands with fans in the front row, even stopping to pose for a photo with a fan who was holding a sign that said “Long Island is better than you… and you know it!” Before entering the ring, MJF grabbed a microphone from ringside and signaled for his music to be cut. He then began to speak.
MJF: Hey Long Island… if you think Stone Cold Steve Austin is a piece of shit, give me a hell yeah!
The crowd responded with a resounding “Hell Yeah!”, which seemed to amuse MJF greatly as he entered the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: MJF just showing that when you’re the hometown “hero” - and I use that term loosely - you can get the fans to chant whatever you want!
Nigel McGuinness: Don’t disrespect Long Island like that, Mauro! They’re making their feelings known, and they’re entitled to.
"I Came to Play" by Downstait bellowed throughout the arena as The Miz made his way through the curtain to a chorus of boos. He was surprisingly alone as he made his way down the ramp, looking intense and focused.
Mauro Ranallo: Well Miz just days removed from losing the EBWF Title after one month for the second time in recent memory. He can't be in a good mood.
Nigel McGuinness: One would have to believe that he's going to take it out on MJF here tonight.
Miz didn't waste time with his normal entrance. Instead he charged at MJF and knocked him down immediately with a stiff running left hand which caused the bell to ring, and the match to start. Miz stayed on him right away, stomping him 3 times in the head. He then picked MJF up by the head and knocked him right back down with a clothesline. Miz picked him up again and whipped him into the corner. He then rushed at him and went for a flying lariat… but MJF moved, and Miz hit nothing but the turnbuckle. MJF got his bearings after the onslaught of offense that began this tilt. He picked Miz up and whipped him into the ropes. Miz rebounded and MJF hit a falling hip toss which sent Miz to the mat hard. MJF went for the first cover and earned a two count.
Mauro Ranallo: Good job by MJF to turn things around here.
An "MJF" chant broke out once more, and MJF picked Miz up and went for a DDT. Miz countered to try and back body drop MJF. MJF landed on his feet on the other side and hit Miz with a reverse DDT. This earned him another two count. MJF looked at the ref to argue. He slowly picked Miz back up, now Miz had a second wind. He knocked MJF's hands off of him and him with a backbreaker, into a low DDT. He covered MJF and got a 2 count. Now it was Miz' turn to argue. He quickly turned his attention back to MJF. He picked him up and set him up for the Skull Crushing Finale, Miz HIT the SCF in the middle of the ring and stared blankly at MJF's fallen body.
Mauro Ranallo: SCF! That should do it.
Nigel McGuinness: He's just staring at him though? Why isn't he covering him?
The Miz after several beats and a loud crowd booing him out of the building, went outside of the ring and grabbed a chair. He brought it back into the ring, and the referee stood in his way. The Miz shoved the referee out of his way, which caused him to hit the turnbuckle and fall down out cold. Miz went to MJF and swung wildly with a chair. He missed as MJF moved out of the way. MJF was back up, and Miz charged him again, swinging for his head, MJF ducked which caused Miz upper half to straddle the rope. When he caromed back, MJF dropkicked the chair right into the face of The Miz. MJF went for a cover but the referee was still stirring on the ground.
Mauro Ranallo: What a move by MJF, he might have had him here.
Nigel McGuinness: I still can't believe Miz didn't cover him after the MJF. He must have had more on his mind than just winning tonight.
The referee slowly came to, and counted…
1…
2…
Miz kicked out after about 6 total seconds of being pinned. The crowd booed as MJF got off of the Miz pissed off. Miz tried to take advantage of his distracted opponent, getting up slowly and going for another SCF, but this time MJF countered and rolled Miz up in a small package! The referee counted…
1…
2...
3!
Mauro Ranallo: WHAT!?
Nigel McGuinness: He did it! MJF just got a pinfall victory over the 6 time World Champion- listen to this place!
The Miz kicked out right after 3 and he got up wide eyed. MJF rolled out of the ring and had a shit eating grin on his face as he back pedaled up the ramp. Miz was in shock and he was yelling at MJF to get back into the ring. The crowd was going insane for MJF. Miz started pulling at his hair and throwing a tantrum. He went right for the ref, who quickly slid out of the ring as well. Miz was screaming at him - and the crowd was loving every second of it.
Mauro Ranallo: Huge win tonight for MJF
Nigel McGuinness: Miz doesn't look like he's ready to accept it.. what the..?
All of a sudden the lights went out in the arena. After several beats the lights popped back on, and the crowd popped. Miz had his eyes fixated on the entrance way, but from under the ring, The Fiend had popped out from a hole in the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: LOOK OUT MIZ! LOOK BEHIND YOU.
Nigel McGuinness: Oh my god!
The lights went back down but the ring was still visible. The Fiend grabbed Miz's leg, which caused him to fall. He then turned and with a look of terror on his face tried to escape the clutches of the new EBWF Champion. To no avail though, as The Fiend dragged Miz down into the hole in the ring. The lights went completely out again, as the familiar laughter of Bray Wyatt was heard over the PA system. The scene faded out to menacing images of the Fiend before the feed cut out to static.
