BBBRRRAAAAAAUUUUUUNNN!
Warfare began with "I Am Stronger" by CFO$ blasting through the Frank Erwin Center, and Braun Strowman stepped out onto the stage. As Strowman made his way down the ramp, the camera cut to Joey Styles and Corey Graves at ringside.
Joey Styles: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! We are live from Austin, Texas!
Corey Graves: Kicking things off tonight, we've got the Monster among Men, Braun Strowman in action, making his EBWF debut!
Joey Styles: Strowman shocked the EBWF Universe last Monday on Warfare when he took out Baron Corbin, aligning himself with Jimmy Havoc. Tonight, he's going one on one with JTG, the man who Havoc beat last week.
Corey Graves: JTG put up a good fight against Jimmy Havoc last week, but against Braun Strowman, this is a different kind of fight altogether.
JTG was already in the ring, and as Strowman entered the ring, he stared his opponent down. The referee called for the bell, and JTG ran at Strowman, but Strowman took him down with a big boot. JTG got to his feet and Strowman threw him into the corner, then punched him in the corner several times. Strowman took a step back, before charging towards JTG, and hitting a bodypress.
Joey Styles: Strowman dominating JTG here!
JTG staggered out of the corner and Strowman whipped him against the ropes, then lifted him up, hitting a sidewalk slam. Strowman hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... JTG kicked out! Strowman got to his feet and stomped on JTG, then pulled him to his feet, hitting a chokeslam! JTG rolled out of the ring, but Strowman followed him to the outside, and threw JTG into the ringside barriers. Strowman threw JTG back into the ring, then lifted him over his shoulders, hitting a running powerslam! Strowman hooked the leg once more – 1... 2... 3!
Corey Graves: It's over! Braun Strowman with the victory in predictably ruthless fashion!
"SAWFT is a Sin" hit and the crowd cheered as Enzo Amore made his way to the ring for the next match.
Joey Styles: Here comes Enzo Amore, who makes his EBWF return here tonight!
Corey Graves: Ugh... we should have put Enzo against Braun Strowman, Joey!
When Enzo was in the ring, "Basket Case (Instrumental)" by Green Day hit and Matt Sydal came out to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Once Sydal had entered the ring, the referee called for the bell. Sydal ran at Enzo, but Enzo reacted quickly, hitting him with a jab to the face. Enzo followed it up with some more jabs, then whipped Sydal against the ropes. As Sydal ran back towards him, Enzo went for a clothesline, but Sydal ducked out of the way, then hit an enzuigiri. Enzo staggered backwards, and Sydal took him down with a roundhouse kick, then hit a standing moonsault. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Sydal pulled Enzo to his feet and set him up for a cradle suplex, but Enzo blocked it, countering with a suplex of his own. Enzo stomped on Sydal several times, then pulled him to his feet and hit a neckbreaker. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Joey Styles: Great back and forth action so far!
Enzo pulled Sydal to his feet and hit him with a series of punches, then whipped him into the corner. He charged towards Sydal, going for a corner forearm smash, but Sydal got his knees up and blocked it. As Enzo staggered backwards, Sydal went to the top rope, and he hit Enzo with a hurricanrana. Both men got to their feet, and Sydal hit the Here We Go Driver on Enzo, then went to the top rope once more. Sydal went for the Shooting Sydal Press... but Enzo rolled out of the way! As Sydal struggled to his feet, Enzo went to the top rope. When Sydal was up, Enzo hit him with a diving DDT!
Corey Graves: DDG! Enzo might be about to steal a win here, Joey!
Enzo hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3! The referee called for the bell and raised Enzo's arm in victory. Enzo celebrated as Warfare went to a commercial break.
Monday Night Warfare returned from the commercial break, and the cameras were focused on Corey Graves and Joey Styles who were looking to address the fans at home.
Joey Styles: Welcome back to Warfare, ladies and gentlemen. Coming up next, we are finally addressing what went down at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view last month.
Corey Graves: That’s right, it’s about time. I called it from the start and it was only a matter of time before we heard from the man himself, Samoa Joe is the winner of the Royal Rumble and he’s in the main event of WrestleMania!
Joey Styles: It’s finally time to hear from the man himself, and our broadcast colleague, Michael Cole, sat down with Samoa Joe earlier this evening.
The cameras then faded into a room where Cole was sat looking into the camera, as he welcomed the fans to the sit-down interview.
Michael Cole: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome by guest at this time…the WINNER…of the 2017 Royal Rumble, Samoa Joe.
The camera turned to Joe who was sat opposite Cole, looking smug as he was introduced as the winner of the match.
Michael Cole: Uh, I guess the best place to start is what your thoughts are after you’ve had so much time to reflect…on the Royal Rumble victory.
Samoa Joe: I don’t understand why everyone is so eager to hear what I have to say? I mean, I DID tell you all beforehand, didn’t I? I always told you that not only would I defeat Kevin Owens in our match – which I did – but I told you I was winning that Rumble, and I did just that. I know you want the cheesy headlines and the quotes for your little articles about how much it means to me, but the fact is, I knew it and you all knew it too. I’m not surprised, nobody should be.
Michael Cole: Well…you were the final entrant which put you at an advantage, so…
Samoa Joe: No, no, no you don’t understand. It wouldn’t matter if I was first or last, the outcome was always going to be the same. I appreciate what Chris Jericho did, but he could eliminate everyone in his way…until I stand opposite him. Everybody knows I love to kick ass and get paid for it, and I showed that when I cleared house. If anything, I’m upset that I didn’t come out earlier because based on that mediocre performance where I won, I would’ve shattered every record the match has ever set. So you can take your little comments about me being the final entrant, and you can lock them away because one more outburst like that, and nobody can stop me from choking you out in this room. Understood?
Michael Cole: Yeah, my apologies, let’s quickly move on. Obviously you’re in the main event of WrestleMania but there’s still one final stop. Fallout and in the Elimination Chamber we will find out who the champion is that you’ll be taking on. What are your thoughts on that?
Samoa Joe: As I said, I love to kick ass and get paid for it. I’m a little upset that I’m not in that Chamber, locked in with the rest of them and they have nowhere to run, things like that are entertaining to me, I like it. But it makes no difference who the champion is, I’ve proven that I’m a man of my word, and I’m telling you that I’ll choke the champion out at WrestleMania and take what’s mine, it’s just a waiting game and I’m quietly sitting at the side just biding my time.
Michael Cole: But is there anyone in particular you’d like to face?
Samoa Joe: Ha, I think you should ask them all that question, which one of them wants to face me. As I said, give me anyone. Give me Chris and I’ll stick him in an office forever, give me that little joke in PJ Black and I’ll end his pathetic so-called career too, I don’t even care about that Brit because…no…we know that’s not happening. Or give me AJ, he knows what’ll happen should we meet again. He’s had his fun, and if he doesn’t move to the side willingly, I have no problem in doing it for him.
Michael Cole: But the champion…
Samoa Joe: You’re not that good at your job, are you? Okay, you listen now, and I’ll talk. What I see in that Chamber are five winners and one loser. On their way down the ramp, they’ll be happy, they’ll be motivated, they’ll be excited at the prospect of heading into WrestleMania as the EBWF World Champion. But…as soon as their pod doors close, the fear sinks in, the anxiety, the butterflies, the urge to tell the referee to let them out. This isn’t the fear of the Chamber and what it can do, no, this is a different type of fear that nobody in this company has experienced…ever. The first one eliminated is a winner, he knows that, the one after him to exit the Chamber is a winner, he knows that. The fear builds up in each of them, especially the unfortunate final competitor who leaves his pod last, because he has an advantage, because he’s fresh, he has the best chance of winning. He wins, he takes that championship, he celebrates and in the heat of the moment, he forgets that he’s not the winner, he’s the loser. Then it’ll hit him, when he’s standing on the ropes, with that title, looking at the WrestleMania sign, he’ll understand he is not the winner in that situation. The winners are the five guys that left the match before him, because the winner will realise that I’M WAITING FOR HIM in the main event of WrestleMania. So, this is for you, the commentators, the fans, the production team, the bosses, the marketing team, all of you. It’s time to stop saying the champion is awaiting the challenger like it has been in history, I’m rewriting history. It’s time to start saying that Samoa Joe is awaiting the champion, because that’s exactly how it is. Five winners, one loser, that’s how it’s going down at Fallout, and then I take what’s mine. Simple.
Samoa Joe delivered his emphatic statement as he unhooked his microphone and threw it at Cole, storming off the set as Cole looked a little confused and relieved, with Warfare heading to another commercial break.
Joey Styles: Still to come, five of the men who will enter the Elimination Chamber will go face to face in our main event. Right now though, it's time to find out who the sixth man will be this Sunday at Fallout!
Corey Graves: That's right, Joey. Cesaro takes on Finn Balor, Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. The winner joins AJ Styles, Chris Jericho, Jimmy Havoc, Alex Riley and PJ Black for the opportunity to walk into Wrestlemania as the EBWF World Champion!
Balor came to the ring first, followed by Cesaro, Roman Reigns, and finally, Sami Zayn. When all four men were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Reigns went after Cesaro, while Balor locked up with Sami Zayn. On one side of the ring, Reigns and Cesaro exchanged right hands back and forth furiously. On the other side of the ring, Sami Zayn whipped Finn Balor against the ropes, then took him down with an arm drag. Meanwhile, Reigns had Cesaro in the corner, and he went for a corner clothesline, but Cesaro ducked out of the way, then hit Reigns with an uppercut. Reigns staggered backwards, landing on the ropes, and Cesaro hit another uppercut, sending Reigns over the top rope. Cesaro turned around, and Zayn ran towards him, going for a leg lariat. Cesaro ducked out of the way, then grabbed Zayn from behind, hitting a German suplex. As Cesaro got to his feet, Balor hit him with a running front dropkick, sending Cesaro into the corner. Balor turned his attention to Zayn, and set him up for the 1916, but Zayn countered with a northern lights suplex. As Zayn got to his feet, Roman Reigns climbed onto the ring apron, but before he could re-enter the ring, Zayn hit him with a dropkick, sending him back to the outside.
Joey Styles: Zayn and Cesaro trying to assert their dominance in these early stages, Corey!
Cesaro moved out of the corner, and he began exchanging punches with Sami Zayn. Cesaro gained the upper hand, and after hitting Zayn with a series of punches in quick succession, he whipped him against the ropes, before hitting a spinebuster. Cesaro set Zayn up for the giant swing, and the crowd cheered in anticipation, but Balor broke it up, hitting Cesaro with an enzuigiri. Balor ran against the ropes, then went for a sling blade, but Cesaro hit another spinebuster, then to the delight of the crowd, he swung Balor around the ring! The crowd counted the swings, and as they reached a ten count, Cesaro released Balor. At this point, Roman Reigns re-entered the ring, and he hit Cesaro with the Superman Punch! Reigns went to make the cover, but Sami Zayn intervened, applying a wrist lock on Reigns and hitting a springboard tornado DDT. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Corey Graves: Sami Zayn almost had it won there, but it's going to take more than that to finish off Roman Reigns!
As Zayn got to his feet, Finn Balor attacked him from behind, then threw him out of the ring. Balor stomped on Reigns several times, then dragged him towards the corner. He climbed to the top rope and went for the Coup de Grace... but Reigns moved out of the way! Reigns got to his feet, and charged towards Balor, taking him out with a Spear! He hooked the leg – 1... 2... Cesaro interrupted the count! At this point, Sami Zayn rolled back into the ring and ran towards Cesaro... but Cesaro reacted quickly, hitting Zayn with the Very European Uppercut! Cesaro turned his attention back to Roman Reigns, and hit the Neutralizer! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Joey Styles: It's over! Cesaro will be entering the Chamber!
"We Are The Champions" by Queen hit, and the crowd cheered as Cesaro celebrated his victory.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, "I Hope You Suffer" by AFI hit and the crowd booed as Jimmy Havoc made his way to the ring.
Joey Styles: Welcome back! Moments ago, we saw Cesaro earn the sixth spot in the Elimination Chamber match. Up next in our main event, we'll see the other five men who will enter the Chamber compete in a six man tag match!
Corey Graves: Making his way to the ring is Jimmy Havoc, who will team with the PTG Champion, PJ Black, and the ten-time EBWF World Champion, Chris Jericho.
Joey Styles: Teaming with the current World Champion AJ Styles is the Intercontinental Champion, Alex Riley, and the one man in this match who is not entering the Elimination Chamber on Sunday, Seth Rollins.
When Havoc was in the ring, PJ Black headed to the ring, then "Break the Walls Down" hit and Chris Jericho made his way down the ramp to join his tag partners. There was noticeable tension between the three men as Jericho entered the ring. "Second Coming" by CFO$ hit and the crowd cheered as Seth Rollins stepped out onto the stage. Rollins waited at the top of the ramp and Alex Riley joined him on the stage. "Phenomenal" by CFO$ hit and once AJ Styles had walked through the curtain, the three men walked down the ramp in unison.
Corey Graves: Well Styles and Riley are on the same page tonight... but given what's at stake on Sunday, let's see how long that lasts!
Once Styles, Riley and Rollins were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. PJ Black talked to Jericho and Havoc, telling them he wanted to start the match. The two men nodded and moved onto the ring apron. Black pointed at Styles, making it clear that he wanted a piece of the World Champion. Styles was all too happy to oblige and as Riley and Rollins moved onto the ring apron, Black and Styles locked up. Black applied a headlock but Styles countered into a hammerlock, then lifted him up, hitting a back drop. Both men got to their feet and Styles whipped Black against the ropes, then hit a dropkick. Styles and Black got to their feet once more and Styles set Black up for a suplex, but Black blocked it, then countered with a jawbreaker. Black dragged Styles to the corner, then tagged in Jimmy Havoc. Black and Havoc double teamed Styles in the corner before the referee intervened, ordering Black to exit the ring. Havoc pulled Styles away from the corner and lifted him up, hitting the Death Valley Driver! Havoc hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Havoc sat Styles up and applied a sleeper hold, but Styles fought out of it, and both men got to their feet. Havoc went for the Roaring Elbow, but Styles ducked out of the way, then hit the Pele Kick. Riley called for the tag, and Styles tagged him in. Riley pulled Havoc to his feet and hit him with a series of punches, then whipped him against the ropes, before hitting a spinebuster. Riley followed it up with a neckbreaker, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Riley stomped on Havoc several times, then pulled him to his feet, setting him up for the Riley Elevation... but Jericho entered the ring, attacking Riley! Styles and Rollins entered the ring, going after Jericho, then PJ Black entered the ring, evening things up. All six men brawled, but the referee was unable to restore order.
Joey Styles: All hell is breaking lose here, Corey!
Jericho hit Rollins with a Codebreaker, then Styles grabbed Jericho, hitting him with the Styles Clash! PJ Black attacked AJ, throwing him out of the ring. As Black and Styles fought on the outside, Jimmy Havoc grabbed Alex Riley, setting him up for the Acid Rainmaker. Riley ducked out of the way, then lifted Havoc over his shoulders, hitting a fireman's carry cutter.
Corey Graves: Final Score! A-Ry might steal a victory here!
Riley hooked the leg – 1... 2... before the referee could make the three count, PJ Black pulled him out of the ring! Black punched the referee, knocking him out, then entered the ring and began fighting with Alex Riley. The two men exchanged right hands, and after gaining the upper hand, Riley whipped Black against the ropes. Riley went for a high knee, but Black ducked out of the way and hit a spin-out powerbomb. He then went to the top rope and hit the 450 Splash! As Black stood over Alex Riley, seemingly the last man standing, Jimmy Havoc got to his feet. Smiling, Havoc snuck up on PJ Black, then grabbed him, hitting the Acid Rainmaker! Havoc then rolled out of the ring, grabbing the EBWF World Title!
Joey Styles: I think Jimmy Havoc is planning to steal the World Title!
Corey Graves: He's taking a leaf out of Jericho's book there!
As Havoc made his way up the ramp, "We Are The Champions" by Queen hit, and the crowd cheered as Cesaro ran through the curtain. Havoc was too slow to react as Cesaro charged towards him, and the Swiss Superman took Havoc down with a clothesline, causing him to drop the World Title. Cesaro stomped on Havoc several times, then hit a Neutralizer on the ramp! As Cesaro picked up the World Title, the camera cut to AJ Styles, who was back on his feet. Styles stood at the bottom of the ramp, staring up at Cesaro and the championship. Cesaro smirked, putting the title down on the ramp in front of AJ. Cesaro then moved his hands to his midsection, signalling that the World Title would be around his waist after Fallout, then made his way back up the ramp.
Joey Styles: Complete chaos here tonight... just imagine what will happen this Sunday when Cesaro, Styles, Havoc, Black, Riley and Jericho enter the Elimination Chamber!
