Pyro went off to a jacked up Calgary crowd.
Joey Styles: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Death Before Dishonor. We are on our way to crowning our King and Queen of the Ring!
Christy Hemme: This match is scheduled for one fall, and it is a first round qualifier for the King of the Ring tournament. Introducing first, from Ayr, Scotland. Noam Dar!
Dar made his entrance and played up to the crowd. “Sher” hit the PA and the crowd gave a mixed reaction.
Christy Hemme: And hailing from Punjab, India. He is The Modern Day Maharaja - Jinder Mahal!
The bell rang and Dar attacked Jinder from behind. Noam whipped Jinder into the corner, but Jinder leapfrogged over Noam. In a swift movement, Dar grabbed Jinder by the arm and whipped him to the mat. Dar put a submission onto Jinder’s arm, and tried to work if over, but Mahal surprised Noam with a clothesline. As Noam was was bent forward, Mahal hit the ropes and landed a leg drop. He picked Dar up for the Khallas, and then went for the pin.
1…
2…
Joey Styles: This could be an upset here…
3!
Corey Graves: Jinder! Jinder has done it! He’s moving on in the King of the Ring tournament.
Rebel was out to the ring first, followed by Carmella.
Corey Graves: This match is a Queen of the Ring qualifier. The winner will go on to face the loser of tonight’s Women’s Title Match. So it will be Liv Morgan or Natalya in the second round.
The bell rang and Rebel took Carmella by surprise, taking control earlier. Rebel proved herself with some rest holds and kick combinations. Carmella got a brief advantage after going for Rebel’s hair, but Rebel quickly took it back with a big kick.
Joey Styles: Carmella is going to have to think a little bit quicker on her feet. Rebel is taking her to task.
Rebel was destroying Carmella with kick after kick. Carmella bailed to the outside, and when Rebel tried to follow after, she super kicked her on the apron. The two women rolled back into the ring, and Carmella put her in a side headlock, before hitting a bronco buster for a two count. Carmella took Rebel back into the side headlock. They jockeyed for position on the ropes, and Rebel moved to kick Carmella, who dodged and dropped her on her back, rolling up the quick schoolgirl. She took a handful of tights and the referee counted the three!
Joey Styles: Carmella stole one! She stole one from Rebel!
Corey Graves: And now she moves on to the second round of the Queen of the Ring tournament.
The next women’s match was underway when Schreiber attacked Lana as soon as the bell rang. She tossed Lana across the ring by her hair.
Corey Graves: Zahra is vicious here!
Lana landed a stuff right hand to Schreiber’s face. Schreiber hit the ropes and crushed Lana with a cross body block. Lana struggled up at Zahra put her out of her misery with a jawbreaker.
Joey Styles: What a dominate performance from Zahra Schreiber!
She went for the pin, and got the 1..2..3!
Corey Graves: That was brutal.
Joey Styles: Our next match was supposed to be Karl Anderson versus Finn Balor but there has been a slight change to our card this evening.
Corey Graves: No kidding. Check out this footage which captured a couple of hours before we came on air.
The camera switched to close up shot of Tommaso Ciampa and Karl Anderson stood in front of a door. From the angle it looked as though this was filmed by a hand held device. Both men looked jovial. Ciampa spoke in a whisper.
Tommaso Ciampa: I have spent all day looking for Roode. I have it on good authority that he is behind this very door. Since he came to EBWF I know he missed me doing this, it's his favorite thing. I've brought Karlos along for the ride. Ready bud? I think I hear movement in there.
The two laughed before leaning into the camera. The opening bars of Glorious Domination begin to play. Anderson and Ciampa looked at each other. The piano intro ended, and as the word "glorious" was heard, the locker room door opened. Bobby Roode was not behind the door... the Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman was! Braun grabbed Ciampa's phone, slamming it against the wall and smashing it into pieces. Ciampa stepped back, and Anderson placed his hand on Strowman's chest.
Karl Anderson: Easy, brother.
Strowman grabbed Anderson by the neck, throwing him into the locker room and closing the door behind him. Anderson could be heard crying out in pain as Strowman pummelled him. Ciampa shook his head and whispered to the camera once again.
Tommaso Ciampa: I honestly did not see that coming. I wouldn't want to be that guy.
Ciampa opened the door a crack but it slammed shut as Anderson was thrown against it. Ciampa shook his head once more. A few moments passed before Strowman burst out and stormed past. Ciampa brought the camera with him as he walked into the room. Ciampa stood over Anderson who looked to be out cold. Ciampa nodded. He bent closer to Anderson and for the third time spoke in a whisper.
Tommaso Ciampa: Don't worry bud, I can take your place in the tournament.
The scene faded on Ciampa grinning down at the fallen Anderson and we returned to the commentary team.
Joey Styles: What a disgusting display.
Corey Graves: What an opportunity seized! A smart move by Tommaso Ciampa, Joey... although if I was him, I'd steer clear of Braun Strowman for a while!
The camera cut to the ring, where Tommaso Ciampa was awaiting the arrival of his opponent. "Demons" by Tech N9ne hit and "The Demon King" Finn Balor headed to the ring. When Balor was in the ring, his music was cut and the referee called for the bell. Ciampa charged towards Balor, taking him down with a running knee smash, then grabbed him and pummelled him against the ring mat with a series of punches. Ciampa pulled Balor to his feet and whipped him against the ropes, then hit a discus clothesline. Balor got to his feet and Ciampa lifted him up for a vertical suplex, before dropping it into a knee lift. He followed it up with a knee drop, then covered Balor. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Corey Graves: Ciampa is giving Finn Balor the sort of beating Braun Strowman gave to Karl Anderson earlier!
Ciampa pulled Balor to his feet and hit him with some more right hands, then lifted him over his shoulders, hitting an Argentine facebuster. Balor got to his feet and Ciampa went to whip him against the ropes, but Balor reversed the Irish whip, sending Ciampa against the ropes. Balor hit a dropkick, then as Ciampa got back to his feet, Balor hit the Pele Kick. Ciampa got to his feet again, and Balor set him up for the 1916, but Ciampa blocked it and lifted Balor over his shoulder, hitting a back-to-belly piledriver. Ciampa grabbed Balor and hit him with a German suplex... then pulled him to his feet and hit another German suplex. Ciampa pulled Balor to his feet once more, and hit a third German suplex! Ciampa made the pinfall attempt and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Ciampa stomped on Balor several times, then pulled him to his feet and hit him with the Project Ciampa! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Joey Styles: An impressive performance by Tommaso Ciampa... the guy who was never supposed to be in the King of the Ring tournament advances to the second round!
Joey Styles: Up next, last year's Queen of the Ring, Sasha Banks, begins the defence of her crown as she takes on the two-time Women's Champion, Velvet Sky!
"Angel on my Shoulder" hit and the crowd cheered as Velvet made her way to the ring. When Velvet was in the ring, "Sky's The Limit" hit and Sasha came out to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Once both women were in the ring, the referee called for the bell and Velvet locked up with Sasha. Velvet took Sasha down with a snapmare, then hit Sasha with a shoot kick to the back of the head. She pulled Velvet to her feet and whipped her against the ropes, then went for a clothesline. Sasha ducked underneath it, then ran against the opposing set of ropes and took Velvet down with a flying forearm smash. As Velvet got to her feet, Sasha hit her with a series of forehand chops, then dragged her to the corner and trapped her between the turnbuckles. Sasha went to the top rope and hit Velvet with a diving double knee drop, then moved her away from the ropes and hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Sasha turned Velvet over and went to apply the Bank Statement, but before she could lock it in, Velvet grabbed the ropes. Both women got to their feet, and Sasha went to whip Velvet against the ropes, but Velvet reversed the Irish whip, sending Sasha into the ropes. As Sasha ran back towards her, Velvet took her down with an arm drag. Sasha got back to her feet, and Velvet hit a northern lights suplex, bridging for the pinfall attempt. The referee counted – 1... 2... Sasha kicked out! Velvet got to her feet and stomped on Sasha several times, then pulled her to her feet and set her up for the Stunner. Sasha blocked it, countering with a reverse DDT. Velvet got to her feet and Sasha hit a double knee backbreaker, then rolled her over into the Bank Statement! Velvet tried to reach the ropes, but Sasha increased the pressure, and Velvet tapped out! The referee called for the bell and Sasha broke the hold, then got to her feet, smiling as the referee raised her arm in victory.
Corey Graves: A hard fought match, but Sasha gets the victory! She'll face Zahra Schreiber in the next round.
“It’s Tyler!”
Tyler Breeze made his way to the ring as Christy Hemme announced him. “Glorious’ brought the arrival of Bobby Roode, and the ref looked the men over and the match got under way. Breeze surprised Roode by rolling him up for a two count. As soon as Roode escaped, Tyler rolled him up again. Roode kicked out!
Joey Styles: Bobby Roode better not have underestimated Tyler Breeze.
As soon as Roode stood up, Tyler took him down again and rolled him up. Roode managed to kick out, and immediately rolled to the outside to get away from Tyler. Roode got back in the ring and tried to kick Tyler in the gut, but Tyler grabbed Roode’s foot. Tyler grabbed a side headlock then duplexed Roode. He whipped Tyler to the ropes and attempted a leapfrog, but Tyler held onto the ropes to avoid it. Tyler got Roode with a bicycle kick. Tyler got Roode up and landed a few chops. Roode returned the favor. Tyler decked Roode with a stiff right hand. Roode stumbled to the opposite corner, and Tyler ran in and landed a stiff chop.
Corey Graves: Tyler Breeze trying to lay on some savagery here.
Roode caught Breeze with a Northern Lariat and choked him on the middle rope. Breeze tried to pull himself up, but Roode hit him with the short armed clothesline. Roode mounted the top rope and leveled Breeze with a flying ax handle. As Breeze recovered he met Roode with a few uppercuts. Roode cut him off and hit an elbow drop, followed by a running knee. Roode locked in a rear chin lock. Tyler managed to reverse it into a chin breaker. Roode whipped Tyler into the ropes, but Tyler flipped over and landed on his feet. Roode charged and ate big boot through the ropes. Breeze tried to Irish whip Roode, but Roode reversed it and sent Breeze in the corner with such force that Tyler tumbled over the top rope to the outside.
Joey Styles: Did you see that?!
Roode retrieved Tyler from the outside and tossed him back into the ring. Tyler landed a running senton and went for the pin. Roode kicked out and the crowd was on their feet. Tyler called for the Beauty Shot, but Roode avoided it and sent Tyler chest first into the ropes. He hit the Glorious DDT, and took the pin. 1..2..
Corey Graves: Bobby Roode!
3!
“Glorious!” blared from the PA as Bobby Roode celebrated in the center of the ring.
Joey Styles: Up next, we've got the next chapter in a very personal rivalry... for the first time in an EBWF ring, it's Kevin Owens versus Sami Zayn.
Corey Graves: Every time these two superstars step into the ring, they put on a classic, Joey. I can’t wait to see these two in action tonight!
"Worlds Apart" by CFO$ and Sami Zayn headed to the ring to a thunderous reception from the Calgary crowd. When Zayn was in the ring, "Fight" by CFO$ hit, and Kevin Owens came out to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Upon entering the ring, Owens got in Zayn's face, but the referee got between them. When Owens' music was cut, the referee called for the bell. Owens and Zayn exchanged right hands back and forth, and Owens was able to gain the upper hand. After hitting Zayn with a series of punches in quick succession, Owens whipped Zayn against the ropes and went for a back body drop, but Zayn kicked Owens in the face then applied a wrist lock, and dragged him towards the corner. Zayn went for a springboard tornado DDT, but Owens knocked Zayn off balance, causing him to land on the ropes. Zayn fell into the corner, and Owens charged towards him, hitting the cannonball! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Owens got to his feet and stomped on Zayn several times, then pulled him to his feet and through him into the corner. Owens hit Zayn with a series of backhand chops, then hit Zayn with a snapmare. As Zayn sat up, Owens kicked him hard in the back, before applying a headlock. Zayn fought out of it and got to his feet, then hit Owens with a series of right hands. He whipped Owens against the ropes, before taking him down with a lariat. Owens got to his feet, and Zayn hit him with a Michinoku driver, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Joey Styles: Great back and forth action thus far! Both of these men are giving it their all, Corey!
Owens rolled out of the ring, and Zayn followed the Prizefighter to the outside. Zayn grabbed Owens, but Owens hit him with a kick to the midsection, then set him up for a powerbomb onto the ring apron.
Corey Graves: Owens has used this move before to devastating effect... this could be a game changer, Joey!
Owens lifted Zayn onto his shoulders, but Zayn grabbed the ropes and climbed onto the ring apron. Owens grabbed Zayn by the leg, but Zayn kicked him away, then hit Owens with a springboard moonsault!
Joey Styles: Oh my god!
Both men were down outside the ring, and the referee began counting them out. At the count of 5, Zayn got to his feet, and threw Owens back into the ring. Zayn grabbed Owens, hitting an exploder suplex into the corner, then went for the Helluva Kick! He ran towards Owens... but Owens moved out of the corner at the last second, then rolled Zayn up with a schoolboy! The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Both men got to their feet, and Owens hit a superkick. He hooked the leg and the referee counted once more – 1... 2... kickout!
Corey Graves: Owens was so close to victory there!
Joey Styles: Zayn still has some fight left in him, Corey!
Owens pulled Zayn to his feet with a right hand, but Zayn fought back with a right hand of his own. The two men wearily exchanged punches back and forth, and this time Zayn was able to gain the upper hand. Owens fell to the mat, but Zayn continued to pummel Owens with punches! Owens rolled out of the ring, and Zayn rolled out the other side, then ran towards Owens and dived through the ropes, hitting a tornado DDT! Both men were down outside the ring once more, and at the count of 6, Zayn got to his feet and rolled back into the ring. The referee continued counting, and at the count of 8, Owens staggered to his feet. As the referee counted 9, Owens managed to get back into the ring. Zayn grabbed Owens and applied a wrist lock, then hit another tornado DDT! Owens looked dazed, and he crawled towards the corner, using the ropes to pull himself up. Zayn ran towards him, going for the Helluva Kick, but Owens hit him with a superkick! Zayn got to his feet and Owens whipped him against the ropes, then went for the Pop Up Powerbomb... but Zayn leapfrogged Owens, then hit a half and half suplex!
Corey Graves: What a counter by Sami Zayn!
Zayn hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Owens kicked out! Zayn pulled Owens to his feet and hit him with some more right hands, then set him up for the brainbuster. Owens blocked it, countering with a fisherman suplex, then went to the top rope for the bullfrog splash. Owens leapt from the top rope... but Zayn got his knees up and blocked it! Owens got to his feet, clutching his ribs, and Zayn grabbed him, hitting an exploder suplex into the turnbuckles. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick... and this time, he hit it! He hooked the leg, and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Joey Styles: It's over! Sami Zayn gets the victory!
The referee called for the bell and raised Zayn's arm in victory. Zayn rolled out of the ring, walking to the back and leaving Owens laid out in the ring.
This King of the Ring qualifier started with Rollins and Enzo trading strikes in the middle of the ring. Enzo talked some smack, and hit Rollins with a stiff right hand. Rollins tripped Enzo in the corner, and landed a clothesline. He tried to go for a rollup, but only got the two count. Enzo surprised Rollins with a hurricanranna. Rollins rolled to the outside, and Enzo took him out with a suicide head butt to the outside. The crowd was on fire as the two men moved back into the ring. Rollins missed a clothesline and ate the Certified G. Enzo went for the pin and took the win!
Christy Hemme: This match is scheduled for one fall and it is for the EBWF Gateway Championship.
The Challenger, Samoa Joe, came to the ring first followed by the Champion, Jimmy Havoc. The crowd watched as the referee presented the championship and then rang the bell. Joe attempted multiple leg kicks, but Havoc was able to avoid them. Joe forced Havoc into the corner, and went for the leg, but Havoc fought him off with a few chops. Joe whipped Havoc into the ropes, but on the return Havoc caught Joe with a dropkick. Joe all to the outside, and Havoc did a suicide dive over the top onto Joe. A “holy shit” chant went up.
Corey Graves: Havoc putting on a show here.
The two men made it back to the ring and Havoc managed to kick Joe in the face. He whipped Joe into the ropes and hit multiple corner elbows, followed by a neck breaker. Havoc dove off the top, but Joe caught him mid-air. Joe slammed Havoc down in the kneecapper, and then locked in a monstrous knee bar. Havoc rolled to his stomach and got to the ropes. Joe grabbed Havoc by the legs and power bombed Havoc before transitioning into a single leg crab. Joe turned the move into a Texas Cloverleaf. Havoc crawled to the bottom rope to break the hold.
Joey Styles: Samoa Joe giving Havoc the fight of his life here.
Joe face washed Havoc in the corner. Before Joe could hit the running boot, Havoc got to his feet and hit an elbow strike. Havoc hit the sling blade, and followed up with a head kick. Havoc climbed up top and leveled Joe with a blockbuster. He went for the pin.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Havoc couldn’t believe it and struggled to his feet. He went to the top rope and attempted a flying Acid Rainmaker, but Joe turned him inside out with a lariat of his own and locked in the coquina clutch! Havoc tried to hold on and struggled for the ropes. Joe pulled him back, and locked it in tighter. Havoc was sent tapping.
Corey Graves: It’s over! It’s over!
Christy Hemme: Your winner, and NEW Gateway Champion… Samoa Joe!
After a video package showing the history between Liv Morgan and Natalya, the camera focused on Christy Hemme in the center of the ring.
Christy Hemme: This match is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the EBWF Women’s Championship! Introducing first, the challenger, from Elmwood Park, New Jersey… Liv Morgan!
“Missle” hit and Natalya came to the ring, ignoring the crowd, and wearing her championship.
Christy Hemme: And her opponent, she is the women’s champion, and would like to be announced as the Undisputed Queen of the Ring, Natalya…
The crowed booed and Natalya got into the ring. The referee took her championship and held it over his head before getting out of the ring and ringing the bell.
Joey Styles: Here we go!
Liv started hard and trapped Natalya in an armbar. Nattie got to the ropes to break the hold, and looked a little surprised. She snapped up and whipped Liv into the corner. Liv leap frogged over Nattie and hit a body slam. Nattie rolled to the outside. Liv hit a dropkick through the ropes to Nattie on the outside. The two women moved back into the ring, and Liv hit the ropes, but Nattie leveled her with a stiff elbow to the head. Nattie went for the cover.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Corey Graves: I thought it was lights out for Liv Morgan there!
Natalya choked Liv in the corner, and then tried to go for the Sharpshooter. Liv fought out before she could get it locked in, as she stumbled to her feet, Natalya tossed her throat first into the ropes. She grabbed her on the rebound and slammed her down to the mat by her hair. Natalya dumped Liv to the outside, and followed after her to slam her face into the ring apron multiple times. As the referee counted, Natalya taunted the crowd. Liv got into the ring, as Natalya waited around for an 8 count. As she finally got in the ring, Liv caught Natalya with a DDT on the ropes.
Joey Styles: The tide has turned for Liv Morgan.
Liv tossed Natalya all over the ring, and hit a basement clothesline, followed by a side suplex. She went for the pin.
1…
2...
Kickout!
Corey Graves: A near fall!
Natalya moved to her feet and Liv landed a diving elbow off of the second rope. Liv sit up for the #201, but Nattie drove her face first into the turnbuckle. Nattie mounted the top rope. Liv popped up and cut Nattie off. Liv tried to hit a suplex off the top but Nattie reversed it into a sunset flip bomb for a two count. Natalya went for the German Suplex, but Liv wiggled out and almost took Nattie’s head off with a running knee strike. Liv went to the top rope and hit a flying elbow. She went for the pin.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Joey Styles: How much does Nattie have left?
Nattie tried to sunset flip Liv into the corner. Liv sat out into a pin. Nattie kicked out and sent Liv head first into the turnbuckle. Natalya yelled at Liv to give up. Liv trapped Natalya into a small package. Natalya kicked out, and hit two release German suplexes on Liv. She locked on the Sharpshooter. Liv tried to fight her way out of it, but Natalya sank the hold in further. Liv had no choice but to tap.
Christy Hemme: Your winner, and STILL EBWF Women’s Champion, Natalya!
A video package showing the long road for Riley and Black to get to this main event played for the crowd. Riley came to the ring first accompanied by The Miz. PJ Black came to the ring with nothing but his championship. Black jawed off to Miz on the outside, and Riley whirled him around as the bell rang. Riley ate a dropkick from PJ. Riley followed up with a belly to back suplex and stomped on Black, before helping him up and hitting a swinging neck breaker. Riley went for the quick pin, and Black kicked out at two. Riley locked in a neck vice. PJ tried to fight out of it, but Riley sent him to the corner. PJ surprised Riley with a running clothesline, and then hit him with multiple elbows in the corner. PJ whipped Riley into the opposite corner, but Riley flipped over the top rope. PJ kicked him in the head, and followed Riley to the outside. The ref started to count, but Miz distracted him. Riley hit a low blow on PJ while the ref wasn’t looking. Then he helped PJ back into the ring.
Joey Styles: Dirty tricks by Riley.
Riley stomped on PJ and sat on the top rope, putting PJ in a dragon sleeper. Flying to strike to PJ’s back, and after PJ fell to his stomach, Riley choked him on the bottom rope. Riley got up to argue with the referee who had begun his count, and with the referee’s back turned, Miz kicked Riley in the face.
Joey Styles: This numbers game is ridiculous!
Riley hit his knees and put PJ in another neck vice. PJ tried to fight back up to his feet, but Riley dropped him with a stiff back elbow. Riley dove off the top but PJ caught him with a dropkick mid-air.
Corey Graves: Here comes PJ!
Joey Styles: It’s like choosing the lesser of two evils here…
Black hit a backbreaker, followed by a running high knee in the corner. Riley stumbled out of the corner, and PJ went to the top rope. He tried to hit the 450 splash but Riley rolled out of the way. Riley picked up a winded PJ and blasted him with a wheelbarrow neck breaker on the floor! A “holy shit” chant went up, and Riley rolled Black into the ring for a pin attempt.
1…
Corey Graves: It’s got to be over right here.
2….
Kickout!
Joey Styles: PJ Black somehow kicks out!
Riley pounded on PJ. Then he mounted the top rope. PJ tried to cut him off. Riley knocked PJ off the top rope. Riley landed a top rope flying elbow drop. It wasn’t enough and PJ kicked out again after two. Riley tried for the high knee, but PJ caught him and dropped him on his back for a quick roll up.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Miz got up on the apron, but Black had had enough and he knocked him off with a huge right handed. PJ almost hit the olympic slam, but Riley raked him in the eyes. PJ tried to superplex Riley, but Riley fought him off. Riley went to the corner, and grabbed PJ by the hair. He tried to get him up on the top rope, but PJ flipped over, and kicked Riley in the head. Riley fell flat on the mat, and Black scrambled up the turnbuckle to hit the 450 splash! He went for the pin.
1…
Corey Graves: Is that enough?
2…
Joey Styles: I think…
3!
Joey Styles: Yes! He’s done it! PJ Black is still the EBWF World Champion.
The crowd had come to get behind PJ in this particular match, and the Darewolf celebrated by holding his championship high above his head as the PPV went off the air.
