After the in memoriam graphic for John Cena Sr, "Destroyer" hit and the crowd booed as Vampiro made his way to the ring.
Jim Ross: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! Up first, Vampiro makes his EBWF debut! He takes on the Submission Specialist, Daniel Bryan!
After Vampiro had entered the ring, "Long Forgotten Sons" by Rise Against hit and the crowd cheered as Bryan headed to the ring. Upon entering the ring, Bryan stared intently at his opponent. The referee called for the bell and the two superstars began exchanging right hands back and forth. Vampiro gained the upper hand, and after whipping Bryan against the ropes, Vampiro hit him with a shoulder block. Bryan got to his feet and Vampiro hit him with some more right hands, then lifted him up for an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Both men got to their feet and Vampiro hit Bryan with a kick to the midsection, before lifting him up and hitting a pumphandle sitout powerbomb. Vampiro hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout!
Jerry Lawler: A strong start from Vampiro!
Vampiro got to his feet and stomped on Bryan several times, then pulled him to his feet and whipped him into the corner. Vampiro ran at Bryan, going for a corner clothesline, but Bryan got his feet up and kicked Vampiro away. As Vampiro staggered backwards, Bryan ran at him and hit a running big boot. Vampiro got to his feet and Bryan hit him with a series of kicks, finally taking him down with a roundhouse kick. Bryan then climbed to the top rope and went for the diving headbutt... but Vampiro moved out of the way at the last second, causing Bryan to headbutt the ring mat!
Jim Ross: Good God, King! Bryan might have been knocked out cold there!
Jerry Lawler: That's the risk when you go to the top rope, JR!
As Bryan struggled to his feet looking dazed, Vampiro got behind him and lifted him up for a belly-to-back suplex. Bryan got back to his feet once more and Vampiro went for a spinning kick, but Bryan ducked out of the way, then hit a European uppercut. As Vampiro hit the mat, Bryan turned him over, then applied a surfboard. Vampiro cried out in pain, but when the referee asked him if he wanted to submit, he shook his head defiantly. After releasing the hold, Bryan then signalled for the running knee. As Vampiro got to his feet, the crowd cheered in anticipation, and Bryan ran towards him... but Vampiro moved out of the way, then grabbed Bryan and hit him with a headbutt. Bryan got back to his feet, and Vampiro hit the Vampiro Spike, then made the cover. The referee counted - 1... 2... 3!
Jim Ross: It's over! Vampiro gets the victory on his debut!
Vampiro celebrated, then made his way to the back as "Destroyer" blasted over the PA once more.
As Warfare returned from it’s scheduled commercial break the fans broke out into a huge pop as the backstage area was shown and Dolph Ziggler was seen walking back and forth across the middle of the mens’ locker room, his iPhone at his ear. He was wearing black Chuck Taylors, dark wash jeans, and a form-fitting long sleeved v-neck black Henley t-shirt. The final moments of his end of the conversation could be overheard as the cheers died away.
Dolph Ziggler: ... Yeah? That sounds good. When would you like me to...
He froze, his eyes narrowing a little as he looked behind him and toward where the showers were located. He seemed to listen for a long moment then the person on the other end of the line caught his attention.
Dolph Ziggler: ... No, I’m still here. Sorry, I just thought I heard something but it was nothing I guess. Thought I was the only one in here. Yeah, yeah, I know it’s kinda strange actually. All week I’ve had this weird feeling that someone has been...
Then, behind him, came the undeniable sound of a shower being turned on and the Royal Rumble winner paused once more, his brow furrowing as he called out.
Dolph Ziggler: Hey! Who’s there?
There came no answer and then he was speaking into the cell again.
Dolph Ziggler: Sorry, I uh... I just didn’t really want anyone to overhear and...
Now it sounded as if even more showers were suddenly coming on and Dolph shook his head, already starting toward the bathroom area.
Dolph Ziggler: Hey I’m gonna have to call you right back, okay? Yeah. No, I’m fine. I just... wanna check something real fast. K. Yeah I’ll call you right back. Bye.
Ziggler ended the call and pocketed his phone just as he stepped into the white tiled portion of the room. Curtained showers and changing areas lined the wall to his left and to his right were countertops dotted with the occasional sink. Ziggler walked to the center of the large space and paused, tilting his head to one side slightly to listen again but now, aside from the sound of the water, there was only silence. A billowy steam had begun to fill the space from the showers to create a foreboding fog around him but still he didn’t move. Then, to his left, one of the hanging shower curtains seemed to ripple and Dolph turned toward it. He’d taken only two steps and was just in front of it when there came the chilling sound of a dark chuckle and an arm suddenly reached out from behind the curtain and grabbed Ziggler by the back of the neck, catching him by surprise and off balance, yanking him into the shower and, for a moment, out of the camera’s field of vision. Dolph yelled and there came a loud cracking sound. Over the sound of the audience’s cries in the background there came the sound of that familiar dark cackle and then the cameraman was pushing back the shower curtain to get a better view and the volume of the onlooking audience increased tenfold. Directly ahead of the camera there was a large bloody blemish on the tiled shower wall and crouched over a prone, struggling Dolph Ziggler was a laughing Bray Wyatt. Wyatt was using one of his knees and both his arms to hold Ziggler face down in the pooling puddle of water at the bottom of the shower, a faint pinkish red cloud of blood circling Ziggler’s face. Ziggler was trying to pull his face up from the water but Wyatt was putting all of his body weight into forcing Ziggler down and into the water, slowly drowning him. A few long moments passed where Ziggler struggled in vain but already his movements were starting to appear weaker and then, when it was apparently obvious to the cameraman that help wasn’t going to come fast enough for him to remain impartial and simply document, the audience heard him shouting over the sound of Ziggler’s choked gurgles, the shower, audience protests, and Bray’s continued manic laughter.
Cameraman: Bray! Let him up man! You’ve proved your point! Let him up! He can’t breathe!
Another few seconds passed in which it quickly became obvious that Wyatt had no intention of stopping. Suddenly, as the world looked on, the scene became a messy blur as the cameraman stepped forward and tried to stop Wyatt himself. There came a muffled cry, the sound of Bray’s laughter stopped, there was a scuffle, and then the camera dropped to the floor, still rolling. There was absolute silence now aside from the sound of the shower, and then the camera was being picked up once more and everyone found themselves looking into the bearded face of Bray Wyatt as he turned the camera on himself. Bray wiped the water away from his face, and looked all around. He started swaying.
Bray Wyatt: It's raining cats and dogs
it's also raining Royal Rumble winners
like Dolph Ziggler
I told you golden boy, I told the EBWF as well
that I won't stop.
The vultures have moved on
to Dolph Ziggler.
Where are you now Golden Boy?
See Dolphie your good friend Johnny Boy isn't around to save you
and he never will be."
Bray turned the camera back around to show Dolph Ziggler, unconscious and just barely breathing with his face turned slightly to the side in the water. The camera man was on the other side of the shower face down on the tiled floor as well. There was blood all over the place. Bray could be heard laughing his sadistic laugh. He placed the camera down so that it continued filming Dolph and the motionless camera man. Then the world heard Bray walking away, singing...
Bray Wyatt: It's Raining It's Pouring
The Old Man Is Snoring......
"Street Fighter (War)" hit and the crowd booed as Angelina Love made her way to the ring for the next match.
Jim Ross: Up next, the first of two divas matches as Angelina Love takes on AJ Lee.
Jerry Lawler: I can't wait for this one, JR!
After Angelina had entered the ring, "Can You Feel My Heart" by Bring Me The Horizon hit and the jeers quickly turned to cheers as AJ Lee skipped to the ring. Upon entering the ring, AJ smirked slyly at Angelina, who responded by glaring at her. The referee called for the bell and the two divas locked up, with Angelina applying a headlock on AJ. AJ broke free and pushed Angelina into the ropes, then hit her with a dropkick. Both divas got to their feet and AJ hit a series of punches, then went to whip Angelina into the corner. Angelina reversed the Irish whip, sending AJ into the corner, followed by a corner clothesline. As AJ staggered out of the corner, Angelina went for a snapmare, but AJ blocked it and countered with a reverse DDT. AJ then hit a leg drop, before making the cover. The referee counted - 1... 2... kickout!
Jim Ross: AJ with a near fall!
Jerry Lawler: Great back and forth action so far!
AJ pulled Angelina to her feet and hit her with some more right hands, then whipped her against the ropes. AJ went for a clothesline, but Angelina ducked out of the way, ran against the opposing set of ropes, then hit AJ with a running shoulder block. As AJ hit the mat, Angelina stomped on AJ several times, then pulled her to her feet and hit a DDT. Angelina hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout!
Jim Ross: Another near fall! This time Angelina Love gets the two count!
Angelina pulled AJ to her feet once more and hit her with a series of punches, then set her up for a suplex. AJ blocked it, countering with a suplex of her own, then as both divas got to their feet, AJ jumped on Angelina's back and went for the Black Widow! Before AJ could lock the hold in, Angelina lifted AJ onto her shoulders, then slammed her onto the mat. AJ got back to her feet and Angelina took her down with a snapmare, then as AJ sat up, Angelina hit a low dropkick to the back of AJ's head. As AJ struggled to her feet, Angelina hit her with a devastating bicycle kick.
Jerry Lawler: Botox Injection!
Jim Ross: This could be it, King!
Angelina covered AJ and the referee made the count - 1... 2... 3! The referee called for the bell and raised Angelina's arm in victory. Angelina celebrated as Warfare went to a commercial break.
When EBWF returned from commercial Bray Wyatt and Damien Sandow were already in the ring. The bell rang. They locked up and Sandow simply tossed Wyatt away. Wyatt rolled to the outside and recovered for a bit before coming back in. Wyatt ducked another lock up, and ate a big elbow instead, putting him right back down.
Wyatt kicked Sandow in the midsection and pounded on him, but Sandow shrugged off a shoulder block and Wyatt ended up back on the mat. Wyatt was able to rake the eyes of Sandow and went to work on the leg, but Sandow grabbed Wyatt by the throat and tossed him over the top rope to the outside. Wyatt was slow to get to his feet, but when he did he stalled getting back into the ring, and spit into the face of Sandow. Sandow went to the outside and chased after Wyatt. Wyatt rolled back in and tried for an elbow drop, but he missed.
Sandow clubed down across Wyatt's chest before pulling him to the floor. Sandow rolled Wyatt back into the ring and tried for a pin but he only got two. Sandow tried for a leg drop but Wyatt avoided it and hit a dropkick before turning his attention back to Sandow's leg. Wyatt kicked away at Sandow before hitting him with a low clothesline that's good for a one count. Wyatt tried for some kind of weird leg submission and turned it over into a single leg crab,pounding on Sandow's knee all the while. Sandow crawled toward, and was able to make it to the ropes and force a break of the hold.
Wyatt continued to work over the leg, propping it on the bottom rope and crashing down on top of it repeatedly. Wyatt hit a knee drop that was good for a near fall, and followed it right up with a rear chin lock. Sandow was able to fight up to his feet, but Wyatt beat him back down. Sandow was quick to come back with a series of blows and clotheslines before ripping Wyatt's shirt off. Sandow hit a discus clothesline but it was still only good enough for a two count. Sandow picked Wyatt up to his feet, but Wyatt responded with a DDT that was good for a near fall of his own.
Wyatt went to the middle rope and jumped off, but Sandow caught him,and executed a big chokeslam that was good for a two count. Sandow got back up to his feet and dragged Wyatt up, but Wyatt hit a low blow on Sandow and followed up with a Sister Abigail that's good for a near fall. Wyatt stomped away at Sandow's head before laying into him with repeated rights. Wyatt walked right into a bicycle kick, but Wyatt kicked him, and the ref called it a two count. Sandow and the ref argued for a bit, and Sandow reached down and picked Wyatt up to his feet. Wyatt hit the Sister Abigail and went for the pin. Getting the 1…2…3!
Jim Ross: And that’s a win for Bray Wyatt.
As Warfare returned from commercial break, the camera panned around the arena as "Gun" by CHVRCHES hit the sound system. The crowd cheered as Alexa Bliss and her partner Emma stepped out at the top of the ramp. Emma did her signature dance while Bluss gave a curtsy. The team started down the ramp towards the ring.
Jim Ross: This is quite the pair here.
Jerry Lawler: Yeah, talk about strange team ups. But it seems to be working out for them. In just a few moments they'll be going up against the diva's tag team champions!
As Emma and Bliss reached the end of the ramp, they stopped and hit another pose. But the cheers quickly turned to boos and screams as Sasha Banks and Eva Marie ran up behind them, sending their opponents to the floor with a hard hit to the back of the head with their title belts.
Jim Ross: Aww now what is this! This is shameful!
The crowd seemed to agree and kept booing. Emma and Alexa Bliss had crashed to the floor and were starting to move slowly while gripping the back of their heads. Sasha was busy yelling at them while they were down and grabbed Emma by the hair and started dragging her a little farther up the the ramp. Eva went to the ring apron and pulled out a pretty red purse. After that, she went to Bliss and grabbed a fistful of her colorful hair and and pulled her towards Sasha. Now both of the Mean Girls were going through the purse. Eva pulled out a black eyeliner pencil and waved innocently to the crowd. Sasha had white powder foundation and had already gone to work on her "project." She had managed to sit Emma upright and started patting her face with the white powder. Eventually she slapped her with the applicator and white powder clouded up everywhere. Eva had drawn a unibrow on Bliss, and several black dots on her face. Then Eva and Sasha started laughing and high fived each other.
Jerry Lawler: Someone needs to put a stop to this!
Now Sasha and Eva had switched places and had different items to use. Eva had red lipstick and started smearing it all over Emma's face. At this point she didn't give much of a struggle, except for the occasional swipe at her "stylist". Sasha had liquid foundation and a bottle of glittery body spray and dumped its contents onto Alexa's head. The usually happy diva was obviously upset, and tried wiping out all the liquids from her hair to no avail. She crawled over to Emma while Sasha and Eva held their purse open and reached in for the final item. They held up paper bags as they carelessly tossed the purse away, and smirked, walking back over to their opponents. Sasha grabbed Bliss by the arm as she tried fighting back, but both Sasha and Eva had a hold of her now. The paper bag was shoved over her head and she was pushed to the floor. A sad face was drawn on the outside. Emma was met with the same fate seconds later. Once their work was finished, they walked over to their tag titles and picked them up as if nothing happened, before walking back to Emma and Alexa. They turned around and struck model poses, then did ther signature snaps before laughing at their would-be opponents as they backtracked up the ramp, slightly covered in a mess of product. The camera captured Bliss and Emma completely disoriented with sad-face paper bags on their heads.
Jim Ross: Can someone get those to some help?!
Jerry Lawler: Seems like Sasha and Eva may see Emma and Alexa as a threat. No one does this just for the fun of it.
Jim Ross: I wouldn't doubt it with those two girls King, just look at them. Smiling! This is ridiculous.
Sure enough, The diva's tag team champions were laughing and pointing and mocking Emma and Bliss as the show went to another commercial break.
Zayn's music hit first, and he made his way to the ring. Stardust was out second, and the crowd wasn’t sure how to react to him. Zayn and Stardust stared each other down at the bell, with Zayn talked smack. Stardust responded by going right to work, beating down Zayn, sending him into the corner, stomping away at him. Stardust hit a couple of knees to Zayn's stomach, slammed him down and hit a knee drop. Stardust connected with an overhead belly to belly suplex and Zayn rolled to the outside. Stardust followed, and he slammed Zayn's head into the barricade before sending him back into the ring. Zayn tried for a quick baseball slide, but Stardust avoided it and connected with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Zayn hit a back elbow and a kick to the side of the head, before raking at Stardust's face with his boot.
Stardust was able to fight back, and he locked in an interesting submission, focusing on Zayn's arms, shoulders and neck. Zayn was able to fight out of it. Zayn sent Stardust into the corner and Stardust tried for some kind of headscissors, but Zayn came back with a pretty cool looking gut buster. Zayn choked Stardust against the middle rope, before running and jumping into Stardust, hanging him up against the rope. Zayn tried for the cover, but he could only get two. Zayn locked in a rear chin lock, but Stardust was able to fight out of it, only to be taken right back down to the mat. Stardust came up with a small package out of nowhere, but Zayn kicked out at two and came back with a running knee. Stardust comes up with another quick pin, but Zayn kicked out at two and again went right back to work, stomping, then punching Stardust. Zayn kicked at Stardust's head, and Stardust responded with a huge right hand out of nowhere. Stardust buried his shoulder in Zayn's midsection in the corner, but Zayn was able to send Stardust into the corner and hit a big clothesline that's good for a two count.
Zayn locked in what looks to be a single arm camel clutch, but Stardust fought out of it and hit an electric chair drop, bridging into a cover that's good for two. Zayn and Stardust traded blows, with Zayn kicking at Stardust's knee and hitting a low DDT that's good for a two count. Zayn locked in the submission again, but Stardust stood up and backed Zayn into the corner. Stardust charged Zayn in the corner, but Zayn got a boot up, then kicked Stardust in the ribs. Zayn choked Stardust against the bottom rope, before hitting a kick to the side of the face. Zayn hit a running dropkick in the corner, before climbing to the top rope. Stardust was able to run into the ropes, throwing Zayn off balance and crotching him on the top turnbuckle. Stardust tries for a superplex, but Zayn is able to fight it off, sending Stardust was down with a headbutt. Zayn set himself again, and Stardust charged up, launching Zayn with Dark Matter and going for the pin to get the 1…2…3!
Jim Ross: Up next, our main event sees Justin Gabriel defend the PTG Title for the first time against the Straight Edge Savior, CM Punk!
"Cult of Personality" by Living Colour hit and the Richmond Coliseum gave a mixed reaction as CM Punk made his way to the ring. Punk walked to the ring with his usual cocky swagger, and upon entering the ring he posed for the crowd, then moved to the corner, awaiting the arrival of his opponent. "Fear Nothing" hit and the crowd gave another mixed reaction as Justin Gabriel headed to the ring, accompanied by Velvet Sky.
Jerry Lawler: It seems there are divided loyalties among this Richmond crowd, JR!
Jim Ross: Well King, CM Punk's recent attitude has upset some of the EBWF fans lately, but he still has his loyal followers, as does the PTG Champion, Justin Gabriel!
Jerry Lawler: What about Velvet Sky, King? I'm sure some of these fans are cheering for her!
Jim Ross: No doubt about that, King... but I'd like to think the crowd's focus will be on the two competitors in this match!
Jerry Lawler: I'm not sure mine will be!
As King ogled over Velvet Sky, Gabriel and Sky entered the ring, and Gabriel taunted Punk with the championship, before handing it to Velvet. Taking the referee's job, Velvet held the title over her head to signal that the gold was on the line, then exited the ring, handing the belt to the timekeeper, who called for the bell. Punk and Gabriel circled each other, then moved towards one another and began exchanging right hands back and forth. Punk was able to take control of the exchange, and after hitting Gabriel with a series of punches in quick succession, he applied a hammerlock on Gabriel, which Punk then twisted into a short-range lariat. As Gabriel hit the mat, Punk stomped on him repeatedly, before pulling Gabriel to his feet and hitting a sitout suplex slam. Punk hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout!
Jim Ross: A strong start from CM Punk!
Punk pulled Gabriel to his feet and hit a series of Mongolian chops, then went to whip Gabriel into the corner. Gabriel reversed the Irish whip, sending Punk into the corner, then ran at Punk and hit a corner dropkick. As Punk staggered out of the corner, Gabriel hit a spinning back kick, followed by a springboard moonsault. Gabriel covered Punk and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout!
Jerry Lawler: Another near fall! This time Justin Gabriel gets the two count!
Gabriel and Punk both got to their feet and exchanged right hands once more. This time Gabriel gained the upper hand, and after whipping Punk into the ropes, Gabriel ran after Punk and clotheslined Punk as the Second City Saint hit the ropes, causing Punk to fall to the outside. As Punk got to his feet, Gabriel springboarded over the top rope, hitting Punk with a crossbody! The crowd cheered with excitement as Gabriel connected with Punk. As the two men got to their feet, Gabriel went to whip Punk into the ring post, but Punk blocked it, hit Gabriel with a hard kick to the gut, then threw him into the steel steps. Punk then sat Gabriel against the steps, before hitting him with a running knee! A collective "oooh" could be heard from the crowd as Gabriel's head was slammed against the steel. The referee had reached the count of 7 by this point, and not wanting to get Gabriel counted out, Punk threw the champ back into the ring, then covered him. The referee counted - 1... 2... kickout! Punk got to his feet and stood over Gabriel, who was struggling to stand. Realising this, Velvet began shouting words of encouragement to Gabriel as the Cape Town Werewolf got to his feet. Hoping to swing the momentum in his favor, Gabriel moved quickly towards Punk, attempting a clothesline, but Punk was ready and he ducked out of the way, causing Gabriel to inadvertently hit the referee! Gabriel stopped, looking stunned, and Punk took full advantage, lifting Gabriel onto his shoulders and hitting the GTS!
Jim Ross: Punk hits the GTS, but the referee is still knocked out cold!
As Punk tried to revive the referee, the camera cut to a shot of ringside barriers, where Wade Barrett could be seen walking through the crowd and jumping over the barrier.
Jerry Lawler: What the hell, JR! Why is Wade Barrett out here?
Jim Ross: I'd like to say he's assuming the refereeing duties, King, but something tells me Barrett has another idea in mind...
Barrett entered the ring, and before Punk could react, Barrett hit him with the Bad News Bullhammer! Barrett then draped Gabriel over Punk, and quickly exited the ring as the referee made a miraculous/convenient recovery. The referee counted - 1... 2... Punk kicked out! Barrett, who was still crouched down at ringside, looked stunned, while in the ring neither Punk nor Gabriel seemed fully aware of what was going on. The two superstars rose groggily to their feet, and Punk attempted a second GTS, but this time Gabriel broke free, and hit Punk with a spin-out powerbomb. Gabriel then climbed to the top rope, and hit the 450 Splash! The referee began counting - 1... 2... 3!
Jerry Lawler: Gabriel retains, no thanks to Wade Barrett!
As the referee raised Gabriel's hand in victory, Barrett re-entered the ring. Barrett stared at Gabriel intently, but made no attempt to attack him, and though confused by Barrett's presence, Gabriel quickly exited the ring and made his way to the back with Velvet Sky. Punk then got to his feet, and as he locked eyes with Barrett, the two men charged towards one another and began exchanging right hands furiously! Just as Punk seemed to be taking control of the brawl, another superstar entered the ring and attacked Punk from behind!
Jim Ross: Good God almighty, now Ryback is out here! This is getting out of control, King!
Barrett stepped back, allowing Ryback to pummel Punk, then hit him with the Shell Shocked! Having taken care of Punk, Ryback then stared down Barrett.
Jerry Lawler: Well, JR, given all the history between these two men, I think business is about to pick up!
Ryback moved towards Barrett... and the two men bumped chests! Barrett then laughed as he looked down at the fallen CM Punk, and held up Ryback's hand in a show of unity.
Jim Ross: I don't believe this, King! I thought Barrett and Ryback were mortal enemies... now it seems that they're allies!
Barrett and Ryback made their way up the ramp as Warfare went off the air.
