"Bloody Creature Poster Girl" by In This Moment hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Poison made her way to the ring.
Joey Styles: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! Kicking things off tonight, we've got women's action as Poison takes on the debuting Nikki Cross.
When Poison was in the ring, the arena lights went out and smoke filled the ring. "Glasgow Cross" by CFO$ hit, and the sound of Nikki's screams and laughter echoed through the arena. The crowd eagerly awaited Nikki's arrival, but there was no sign of her. Her music was cut, the arena lights went back on, and as the smoke cleared, Poison was taken out from behind by...
Corey Graves: That's Nikki Cross! She must have come through the crowd, Joey!
Nikki knocked Poison to the mat and furiously pummelled her with punches and kicks. She pulled Poison to her feet and hit a swinging fisherman neckbreaker, then went to the top rope and hit a diving headbutt.
Corey Graves: She calls that the Glasgow Kiss!
Nikki got back to her feet and stomped on Poison several times, then turned her over and put her in the Crossface! The referee forced Nikki to break the hold, then had to hold her back to stop her from continuing the assault on Poison.
Joey Styles: Well it doesn't look like we'll see Nikki Cross compete tonight, but she's certainly made an impact!
Nikki exited the ring and made her way up the ramp, laughing maniacally as officials tended to Poison.
"Where Them Girls At" by David Guetta hit, and the crowd booed as Tyler Breeze and Noam Dar made their way to the ring for the next match.
Joey Styles: Up next, teaming for the first time ever... it's the Gorgeous Guys!
When Dar and Breeze were in the ring, "Ready to Roll" by Jet Black Stare hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Highflying Havoc, Matt Sydal and Mark Andrews, headed to the ring. When all four superstars had entered the ring, the referee called for the bell. Dar and Andrews moved onto the ring apron, allowing Breeze and Sydal to start the match. The two men locked up, and Breeze applied a headlock. Sydal broke out of it and whipped Breeze against the ropes, then hit a dropkick. Both men got to their feet and Sydal set Breeze up for a cradle suplex, but Breeze blocked it and countered with a brainbuster. He grabbed Sydal by the leg, applying a single leg Boston crab. Sydal cried out in pain, but he was able to get to the ropes. Breeze broke the hold and tagged in Noam Dar, who pulled Sydal away from the ropes and stomped on him several times. Dar pulled Sydal to his feet and lifted him over his shoulders, hitting an airplane spin then following it up with a bridging northern lights suplex. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Dar got to his feet, and tagged Tyler Breeze back into the match.
Corey Graves: Impressive teamwork by the Gorgeous Guys – they're tagging out regularly and keeping Matt Sydal on their side of the ring. They already look like an experienced tag team!
Breeze pulled Sydal to his feet and whipped him against the ropes, then took him down with a leg lariat. Sydal got back to his feet, and Breeze went for the Supermodel Kick... but Sydal ducked out of the way, then hit a reverse hurricanrana! Sydal crawled to the corner, tagging in Mark Andrews. Andrews climbed to the top rope, and when Breeze was on his feet, Andrews hit him with a diving crossbody. He covered Breeze and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Andrews pulled Breeze to his feet and set him up for Stundog Millionaire, but Breeze blocked it and countered with a jawbreaker. He tagged in Noam Dar, who whipped Andrews against the ropes and hit him with a spinebuster, then applied the Champagne Superkneebar! Andrews tapped and the referee called for the bell.
Joey Styles: Noam Dar and Tyler Breeze get their first victory as a tag team!
Dar and Breeze celebrated as Warfare went to a commercial break.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, Rebel was on her way to the ring for the next match.
Joey Styles: Welcome back, up next we've got women's action as Rebel takes on Velvet Sky in a rematch from King of the Ring!
Corey Graves: Rebel and Velvet Sky competed in a fatal four way at King of the Ring to determine a new number one contender for the Women's Championship. They got three counts simultaneously, so our General Manager has booked a one on one match tonight to ensure we have a clear winner.
When Rebel was in the ring, "Angel on My Shoulder" hit and the crowd cheered as Velvet Sky made her way to the ring. Once she was in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Velvet ran at Rebel and took her down with a shoulder block, then pulled her to her feet and hit a snapmare. She followed it up with a shoot kick, then dragged Rebel to her feet once more and hit the In Yo' Face! She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Joey Styles: Oh my god! It's over!
Corey Graves: That wasn't just a clear victory, Joey... that was a dominant one too!
Velvet celebrated, then made her way to the back.
As Warfare returned from commercial, “I Hope You Suffer” by AFI echoed through the arena, which was met by a mixed crowd reaction.
Braun Strowman was the first to exit the curtain, the huge monster was a presence felt. What seemed like an eternity passed by before Jimmy Havoc excitedly jumped out of the backstage area which his crown and cape on show for all to see. As he made his way to the ring he stopped to take in the crowd reactions and nodded his head. Braun and Jimmy got into the ring and were handed microphones.
Jimmy Havoc: I -
Jimmy was interrupted by the raucous Winnipeg crowd. Dueling chants of “You Deserve it!/Havoc Sucks!” filled the arena. Havoc ran his fingers through his hair and smiled
Jimmy Havoc: I promised you one thing and Jimmy Havoc never breaks his bloody promises!
He raises his crown as the half that were cheering for him get louder.
Jimmy Havoc: This is for my fans, this is for my haters because at the end of the day a lot of people doubted me and doubted I could do but the history books will now show Jimmy Havoc as King of the Ring 2017!
Jimmy looked at Braun.
Jimmy Havoc: We've had our ups and downs but I reckon you're happy with me, you hate the normal run of the mill winners as me. Me being King of the Ring is bloody awesome right?!
Braun Strowman: I said I wanted you to win and I meant it.
Braun gave Havoc an encouraging slap on the back, then gripped Havoc’s shoulder tightly.
Braun Strowman: But I meant the other thing I said too. If you ever yell at me again, I will crush your vocal cords. Understood?
Jimmy gulped quietly but his usual cockiness kicked in.
Jimmy Havoc: Yeah yeah, whatever. The end of the day I am the King! King of the Goths! I said it since Mania and does it feel good! I'm on top of the world and on top of this company! Nobody could stop me! Baron Corbin, Bobby Roode, Edge, The Miz and Sami Zayn had no fucking chance to stop the greatest rise in this company!
The fans suddenly erupted into cheers as ‘World’s Apart’ by CFO$ blasted the PA system and despite being from Montreal, the Winnipeg crowd welcomed Sami like one of their own as he danced his way out of the curtains. He look pretty upbeat for someone who missed out on making it three King of the Ring victories in a row, but his dancing down the ramp didn’t last too long as he stopped right in front of the ring. Smiling, he looked at both Jimmy and Braun in the middle of the ring, knowing he had been in their position before when The Broken had him surrounded. Very cautiously, he walked up the steel steps with his eyes fixed on both men, circling them without turning his back to avoid a sneak attack. He leaned through the ropes to get a microphone before standing face to face with them again - focusing mainly on Braun so he didn’t get attacked.
Sami tried to speak, but was drowned out by the ‘Ole!’ chants as he looked around the arena, before addressing the new King of the Ring.
Sami Zayn: I’m not here to start a fight, I’m not here to rain on your parade, and I’m not here to steal the limelight or take this moment away from you. But there is still something I just have to get off my chest… You and I, Jimmy, we’ve not really seen eye to eye since you arrived here. You talked a lot, you rubbed me up the wrong way when you decided to target me and quite frankly, I thought you’d be out of the door like many before you.
Sami chose his words carefully, still continuing to look over at Braun.
Sami Zayn: The only thing I had going for me this year was this King of the Ring tournament. I don’t know how, but I found myself in a position to win this tournament for the third time in a row. I wanted this more than anything, simply because it puts me back at the top to get the World Championship from PJ Black. I can’t do that anymore...because of you. Now, you’re at the top and I’m at the back of the line, and it’s my time to scratch and claw again to get to the top and who knows? By the time I become a number one contender, you’ll be the World Champion.
Sami scratched his head, almost confused at where he was going with his speech as he rambled on.
Sami Zayn: I guess...what I’m trying to say is that even though you and I do things differently, we’re more alike than we’d like to be. I lost to you in this tournament, and quite frankly...I can’t think of a better man, a better opponent to hand the crown to...than you.
The crowd started chanting both of their names, as Sami extended his hand, something nobody thought they would have seen this time last year.
Jimmy looked at Sami’s hand and raised the microphone once more.
Jimmy Havoc: We've had wars before and we’ll have wars again, I've always admired the way you do things even if we didn't see eye to eye. I may not be like you but I damn sure do respect you.
Jimmy grabbed Sami’s hand forcefully, shaking his hand. He pulled Sami in as they stood toe to toe, the crowd gasped. Jimmy smiled and put his arms around Sami for a hug.
Jimmy Havoc: Handshakes are for suits, We’re far from suit wearing dickheads aren't we?
He retracted from the hug and raised Sami’s arm. The crowd cheered at the show of sportsmanship between the two men, but the cheers turned to boos as Braun got between Sami and Jimmy, shoving Sami away from the new King. Braun got in Sami’s face and spoke to him through the microphone he was holding.
Braun Strowman: Okay, Sami. You’ve said what you wanted to say. Now get the hell out of the ring before I make you leave.
Jimmy got into Braun’s face.
Jimmy Havoc: Woah there, calm yourself down you massive cockend. Sami is just being nice, how is that not okay?
Braun Strowman: He’s just being nice? He’s just being nice? When did you get so soft, Havoc?
Jimmy Havoc: Why don't you find out if I'm soft or not? I'm not scared of you!
Jimmy got up into Braun’s face as Sami Zayn backed him up.
Braun Strowman: You do realise I could take you both out without breaking a sweat, don’t you?
Just when it looked like business was about to pick up, “Break the Walls Down” hit and the crowd erupted as Winnipeg’s own Chris Jericho stepped out onto the stage. Jericho had a microphone with him and as he walked down the ramp, he asked for his music to be cut.
Chris Jericho: Hold on a second there, Braun. This is King Jimmy Havoc’s coronation… I can’t have you beating him up! Especially not for free… Jimmy Havoc versus Braun Strowman is a pay per view calibre match.
Jericho smirked as he entered the ring. When he was in the ring, he turned to Jimmy Havoc.
Chris Jericho: I can’t say I approve of you stealing my moves… but I’m willing to admit, you deserved to win last Sunday. Congratulations, Jimmy.
Jericho offered his hand to Havoc.
Jimmy shook Jericho’s hand, albeit reluctantly.
Jimmy Havoc: Thanks “boss”.
Chris Jericho: You’re welcome, junior. Now obviously there are some tensions that need to be resolved here, so next week in the main event of Warfare, it’s going to be Braun Strowman versus Sami Zayn!
Jimmy Havoc: What the f-
Fans cheered as Sami stopped Jimmy in his tracks, looking directly at Braun as he exhaled, knowing exactly what he was getting himself into.
Sami Zayn: I appreciate what you’re trying to, and I know that this time next week I’ll be telling you that I should have let you stop me, but I didn’t make it to the EBWF without taking on and overcoming the biggest challenges possible. I didn’t become Intercontinental Champion TWICE by backing down from a challenge, I didn’t win the King of the Ring TWICE because I was going to let bigger guys like Brock Lesnar hold me down. And...I didn’t become World Champion without people telling me I couldn’t do it. So, I may have lost the King of the Ring and my journey to the top starts again, and if that means I have to take on this...monster...then so be it. Chris, put me in that match.
Jimmy stepped back and let Sami go face to face with Braun.
Jimmy Havoc: Okay. If you wanna get yourself killed then that's your funeral. If you want my advice, aim for his knees.
Jimmy winked at Braun and threw his microphone at him before scrambling out of the ring. Jericho nodded at Zayn.
Chris Jericho: You know, Sami, we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I respect you for never backing down from a fight. Even if it is going to be the biggest fight of your life. Just make sure you and Braun save the fighting until next week, because there will be serious repercussions if you don’t.
Jericho then turned to Havoc, who was already halfway up the ramp.
Chris Jericho: Oh, and Havoc?
Havoc turned around.
Chris Jericho: Take the night off next week. After all… you’ve earned it.
Jimmy Havoc: Yeah I probably deserve it. Thanks Boss.
Jimmy smiled and continued his way up the ramp.
"Metalingus" by Alter Bridge hit the PA as the Rated R Superstar, Edge, came to the entrance ramp. He did his usual taunt, pyrotechnics going off behind him as he removed his duster and proceeded to the ring.
Corey Graves: The three men who along with Jimmy Havoc made up the semi finalists of the King of the Ring tournament, square off tonight to see who will take on the PJ Black at Sacrifice.
A Perfect Circle began blasting through the arena.
Joey Styles: Edge's Rated RKO partner, Randy Orton, will be involved in this Triple Threat match. The question is does The Miz have a prayer against these two when they work together?
Orton got into the ring and the crowd was on their feet.
Aweeeeeesoooommmmeeee.
"I Came to Play" hit but after several measures of music The Miz did not come to the ring. The crowd started to get restless and then the tron lit up to reveal The Varsity Club standing over a downed Miz. Titus and Young were kicking Miz, and Riley leaned down to pick his head up by the hair.
Alex Riley: You think you can just take away my opportunity?
The crowd was booing as the camera went back to the ring. The referee was talking things over with Edge and Orton.
Corey Graves: It looks like we're going to see a one on one match here.
"Break the Walls Down!"
The Warfare General Manager, Chris Jericho, made his way to the stage and the crowd started to boo, partly because they knew they were about to get some bad news.
Chris Jericho: This isn't the match I booked, and this isn't the match we're going to have! It's not going to be that easy. If I know you two like I think I do, one of you will just lay down for the other.
Edge shrugged, he pretty much had that right.
Chris Jericho: The Miz cannot compete, so we're going to do this NEXT week. We will name a new number one contender, and the Varsity Club will be banned from ringside.
The crowd cheered that decision, and Randy Orton nodded in the ring.
Joey Styles: There you have it. The decision from Jericho.
Corey Graves: We'll do this triple threat next week on Warfare! Someone check on the Miz!
The camera moved back to the backstage area where trainers had broken up the fight as Warfare went off the air.
