After the usual intro package and pyrotechnics, Warfare was opened by the commentators, Corey Graves and Mauro Ranallo!
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome everyone to Warfare live from Portland, Oregon!
Corey Graves: After last week when CM Punk vacated the EBWF World Championship, we were left not knowing what’s going to happen but we’re going to find out right now!
“I Hope You Suffer” by AFI played throughout the arena as Jimmy Havoc made his way through the curtain in a t-shirt and jeans, with the EBWF Title over his shoulder. He made his way into the ring and grabbed a microphone.
Jimmy Havoc: Now, I know a lot of people have been asking me on Twitter what my plans for this title is, you’ve also been telling me who should be Champion… and no, Noam Dar is not World Championship material. Tyler Breeze on the other hand, maybe! Seriously though, what happened last week was shocking and left us in a bit of a hole. BUT. I’ve got a plan, a wonderful plan and I know you’re going to love it! So, what is that plan? Well how about this…
Jimmy Havoc was interrupted by “Break The Walls Down”, and the crowd booed as Chris Jericho smugly stepped out onto the stage with a microphone. Jericho walked down the ramp and entered the ring, smirking at Jimmy Havoc. His music was cut and Jericho began to speak.
Chris Jericho: Does it feel weird having that World Title on your shoulder, Jimmy? After all, you’ve never won it. You tried and tried and tried… but you kept coming up short. That’s probably why you were all too happy to take my job as General Manager; you realised you would never, eeeeeeeeeever be World Champion.
A few people in the crowd popped for Jericho using one of his old catchphrases.
Jimmy Havoc: I mean, yeah you’re right. I had 3 tries and lost every single one, in matches I created! However, you do realise that I won’t be GM forever, I’m only here to dig EBWF out of the hole you put it in. Chris, you’re a multi-time champion and I respect that but what the fuck do want coming out here? You should know better than testing me or do you need another Braun match at Royal Rumble?
Despite the threat of Braun Strowman, Jericho seemed confident.
Chris Jericho: You’re right, Jimmy, I am a multi-time champion. Ten-times, to be exact. The first and only ten-time World Champion in EBWF history. And you know as well as I do that not having a World Champion isn’t what’s best for business. Right now, the top champion is The Miz! I know you and I don’t agree on much, but I hate The Miz. I’m sure you do too.
Jimmy nodded playfully.
Jimmy Havoc: Yeah, The Miz sucks right? You’re alright Chris!
The crowd laughed. So did Jericho.
Chris Jericho: Exactly! We can’t have Miz representing EBWF. You need a World Champion, and you need it to be someone who has proved themselves to be a worthy champ. Not someone who will drop the belt a week later like Punk, or a weasel like AJ Styles. And I think it’s pretty clear who the right person is to represent EBWF. The guy that’s been here since day one. The EBWF original… Chris Jericho!
Jericho held out his arms, then went to take the title from Havoc. Havoc stopped him.
Jimmy Havoc: You’re not having this championship right now Chris. We’ve had our ups and downs but I agree with you, I respect you enough so that I’m going to give you a title shot! You can compete for this title at the Royal Rumble!
Jericho nodded.
Chris Jericho: That’s fair. I mean, I think I’ve earned the title already, especially since I never got a one on one rematch when I lost the World Title, and after surviving that hellacious flaming tables match with Syxx at Christmas Eve of Destruction… but if you want me to prove myself again, let me know who I have to beat to win the Championship for the 11th time.
Jimmy Havoc: You want to know who your opponent is? Okay Chris that’s fine. Your opponent will be…
Jimmy paused for effect, making Chris wait.
Jimmy Havoc: 29 other Superstars, because whoever wins the Royal Rumble will become EBWF World Champion! That’s right Chris, you’ll be facing The Miz, AJ Styles, Noam Dar, Tyler Breeze, Braun Strowman… hell you may be facing me… nah! But the others though, yeah they’ll be in!
Jericho looked stunned. The crowd cheered, clearly excited.
Mauro Ranallo: I don’t believe it, Corey! For the first time ever, the winner of the Royal Rumble will become the new EBWF World Champion!
Corey Graves: What an announcement!
Chris Jericho: You really will try anything to keep the World Title away from me, won’t you? But what you need to remember is that I’ve competed in more Royal Rumbles than anyone else in EBWF. So you keep that title warm for me, Jimmy. Because come January 28th, I will win the Rumble and become the new World Champion.
Jimmy held out the title for Chris who went to touch it but Jimmy snapped it back.
Jimmy Havoc: I hope you do win it Chris, best of luck to you.
Jimmy dropped his mic, put the title over his shoulder and walked up the ramp and to the back. Jericho watched on as Warfare went to a commercial break.
Corey Graves: We're kicking off our first match of the evening. And it is women's action!
"Angel on My Shoulder" hit the PA system and the fans cheered the arrival of one of their favorite veterans, Velvet Sky. Velvet did her usual entrance, and looked toward the staging area as "Kiss from a Rose" blasted in the arena and the EBWF Women's Champion, Mandy Rose, came to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Much has been said about EBWF's Golden Goddess. She has proclaimed 2018 as her year, will she be able to make that resolution a reality?
The bell rang, and Velvet surprised Mandy with a quick schoolgirl rollup that rattled the blonde. Mandy reversed, but Velvet kicked out, and both women hopped to their feet, trading off a series of punches. Mandy went for an Irish whip, but Velvet reversed it, throwing Mandy into the corner.
Corey Graves: Velvet Sky showing her athleticism!
The crowd cheered as Velvet hit the Sunset Flip, and followed it up with a head scissors takedown. Mandy tried to get up, but it was to her detriment as Velvet landed the swinging neck breaker, and then dropkicked Mandy into the corner, before hitting her with a seated senton from the apron, sending her outside. Mandy got the jump on Velvet and whipped her into the ring post.
Mauro Ranallo: The champ is getting back in the ring. Velvet might have hurt her shoulder there.
Velvet followed Mandy back into the ring, but walked right into a barrage of kicks. With Velvet doubled over, Mandy went in for the running tackle right into the corner. Velvet was literally against the ropes, and she fought her way out with forearms. Mandy hit a roundhouse kick, breaking up Velvet's momentum.
Corey Graves: Mandy Rose, one step ahead!
Mandy lifted Velvet up and dropped her. Velvet scooted to the corner, trying to use the ropes to stand up. Mandy choked Velvet with her boot, and the crowd booed that unsportsmanlike display. Mandy backed up and tried to charge in but she missed. Velvet hit a series of clothesline, and the crowd got fired up with her as she landed the back elbow. Mandy tried to get to her feet, but Velvet hit the running bulldog. She went for the pin, but Mandy kicked out.
Corey Graves: The champ better watch it!
Velvet was lying in wait as Mandy got to her feet. She whipped Mandy around from behind for the In Yo Face!
Mauro Ranallo: Are you kidding me?!
1...
2...
3!
Corey Graves: Velvet Sky has done it! Velvet wins! She's beaten the women's champion!
Mauro Ranallo: Mandy can't believe it!
Velvet celebrated in the ring as EBWF went to commercial.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, "I Am an Animal" by Twin Atlantic hit and Noam Dar made his way to the ring, accompanied by Tyler Breeze.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Up next, we've got one half of the Tag Team Champions, Noam Dar in action as he takes on the former World Champion, PJ Black!
Corey Graves: Dar and Breeze beat PJ Black and Heath Slater in the final of the Tag Team Classic to win the Tag Titles... Black might not care about the Tag Team Championships, but he sure as hell cares about being beaten, and I'm sure he's got a score to settle in this match!
After Dar had entered the ring, "Sick of It" by Skillet hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction for PJ Black. Once Black was in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Dar and Black began circling the ring, then Dar went to lock up with Black, but Black was too quick for him and he got behind Dar, hitting a back drop. Dar got to his feet and went for a clothesline, but Black ducked out of the way, then hit an enzuigiri. Frustrated, Dar hit Black with a kick to the midsection and went to whip him against the ropes, but Black reversed the Irish whip and sent Dar into the ropes, then hit a dropkick! Dar rolled out of the ring and shook his head as Breeze offered his partner reassurance.
Mauro Ranallo: Someone call Aretha Franklin because PJ Black is one step ahead!
Black challenged Dar to get back into the ring, but Dar refused. Black then exited the ring, but before he could go after Noam Dar, Tyler Breeze stood in front of him, blocking Black. PJ smirked, knowing Breeze couldn't touch him without getting his partner disqualified, then grabbed Breeze and through him into the ringside barrier! Dar took advantage of the momentary distraction, grabbing PJ Black and pushing him into the ring steps! Dar then hit Black with a low dropkick, slamming Black's head against the steel steps, before rolling back into the ring. Black stumbled to his feet, re-entering the ring at the count of 6, but he was still a little dazed and Noam Dar whipped him into the corner. Dar ran at Black, hitting a European uppercut, then as Black staggered out of the corner, Dar climbed to the top rope. Dar went for a crossbody, but Black caught him and flipped him around, hitting the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker!
Corey Graves: What a counter by PJ Black!
Black hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Black got to his feet and stomped on Dar several times, then pulled him to his feet and hit a swinging neckbreaker. Black then signalled for a springboard moonsault, but before he could hit it, Tyler Breeze climbed onto the ring apron and began yelling at him. Black then ran at Breeze, but Breeze jumped off the apron before Black could hit him. This gave Dar time to recover and Dar attacked Black from behind, then rolled him up with a schoolboy! The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Mauro Ranallo: Noam Dar almost stole one!
Both men got to their feet and Dar hit a fisherman buster, then signalled for the GTF. Dar lifted Black up onto his shoulders... but Black wriggled free and hit a spinout powerbomb!
Corey Graves: Black to the Future!
Black hooked both legs – 1... 2... Breeze pulled the referee out of the ring before he could count the 3! The referee yelled at Breeze, and then pointed to the ramp, ordering Breeze to leave the ringside area. As Breeze protested his innocence, Black exited the ring and attacked Breeze, hitting him with the Black Diamond! Black and the referee then re-entered the ring, where Noam Dar was back on his feet. As Black entered the ring, Dar ran at him, hitting a running single-leg dropkick to the leg. He then went for the Champagne Superkneebar, but Black kicked him away and grabbed Dar, hitting an inverted DDT. Black went to the top rope and hit him with the 450 Splash! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! PJ Black gets the victory!
Corey Graves: That was basically a handicap match, but the Gorgeous Guys were no match for PJ Black!
Black celebrated, then made his way to the back as Tyler Breeze entered the ring to check on Noam Dar.
Mauro Ranallo: Up next, we've got the Viper Randy Orton in action as he takes on Tommaso Ciampa!
Ciampa came to the ring first, then when he was in the ring, "Counting Bodies Like Sheep" by A Perfect Circle hit and the crowd cheered as Randy Orton headed to the ring.
Corey Graves: Randy Orton is one of the most dangerous superstars on the EBWF roster... Ciampa needs to watch out in case Orton hits an RKO outta nowhere!
When Orton entered the ring, he looked across at Ciampa and smirked. As the referee called for the bell, Ciampa and Orton exchanged right hands back and forth. Orton gained the upper hand whipped Ciampa against the ropes, then took him down with a Thesz press, before hitting a series of mounted punches. Orton got to his feet and stomped on Ciampa several times, then pulled him to his feet and hit an inverted headlock backbreaker.
Mauro Ranallo: A dominant start by Randy Orton!
Orton pulled Ciampa to his feet and hit him with some more right hands, then whipped him into the corner. Orton sat Ciampa on the turnbuckle, then set him up for a superplex, but Ciampa fought back, hitting Orton with a headbutt. Orton stumbled down from the turnbuckle, and Ciampa jumped from the top rope, hitting a flying clothesline. Ciampa pulled Orton to his feet and hit a series of punches, then went to whip him against the ropes. Orton reversed the Irish whip, sending Ciampa into the ropes, before hitting a snap scoop powerslam. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Orton sat Ciampa up, applying a chinlock.
Corey Graves: Orton continues to control this match, Mauro you have to wonder how long Ciampa can withstand such punishment.
Mauro Ranallo: Ciampa is tough, Corey... there's a reason people call him Psycho Killer!
Corey Graves: Well Mauro, there's a reason they call Randy Orton the Apex Predator...
Ciampa broke free from the hold and both men got to their feet. Orton went for a clothesline, but Ciampa ducked out of the way, then hit a German suplex. As Orton got to his feet, Ciampa hit him with a knee to the midsection, then set him up for the back-to-belly piledriver. Orton blocked it and dragged Ciampa towards the ropes, setting him up on the ropes and hitting the rope-hung DDT! Orton began punching the mat, stalking Ciampa. Ciampa got to his feet... and Orton hit him with an RKO! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Randy Orton gets the victory!
The referee called for the bell and raised Orton's arm in victory. Orton exited the ring and made his way to the back, leaving Ciampa laid out in the center of the ring.
"I CAME TO PLAY!"
The crowd got to their feet and cheered for the crowd favorites of The Miz and AJ Styles.
Corey Graves: I'm so glad that The Miz and Styles managed to make it here from Styles' trailer home.
Mauro Ranallo: Everyone has their own measure of success, Corey.
The Miz and Styles got into the ring, talking amongst themselves as they waited for their opponents.
Corey Graves: What kind of name is the Sequel, anyway?
Mauro Ranallo: It's clever, Graves. It's a play on--
Corey Graves: Yeah I know what's a play on.
"Worlds Apart" by CFO$ was next, and the reaction of the crowd turned sour quickly.
Corey Graves: Now these are two upstanding gentlemen that are going to lead the EBWF into a brighter future!
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn appeared from behind the tron, completely oblivious to the jeers from the crowd.
Sami and Kevin headed down towards the ring, Zayn dancing the whole way down as if he didn't have a care in the world. The newly united friends headed up the steps and got into their corner.
Mauro Ranallo: What a main event we have for you this evening! EBWF's best and brightest!
The referee called for the bell. Zayn starte the match with Miz, and they fought over a lockup with Zayn grabbing a side headlock. Miz reversed into an overhand wristlock, but Zayn fought right back with a hammerlock. Miz elbowed Zayn in the face and took him down into an armbar, but Zayn flipped out on the top rope and armdragged out. The crowd cheered.
Mauro Ranallo: Despite the feelings the crowd has for Zayn, they're impressed with this exchange between Sami and the Miz!
Corey Graves: Both guys wanting to establish technical dominance early, Mauro.
Zayn hit a low dropkick to the knee of the Miz, causing him to fall over before tagging out to Owens. Owens came in and delivered a delayed vertical suplex for a two count, and Miz bailed to the floor. Owens teased a tope suicida, and even ran towards the ropes, but right as he was about to jump, he put the brakes on and gingerly rolled out of the ring, causing the fans to boo.
Corey Graves: I love it! Owens is such a cerebral athlete!
Owens hit the Miz with a running shoulder block on the floor. The referee started counting as Owens draped Miz over the barricade and started assaulting him with knife edge chops, eliciting woo's from the crowd. Just as the referee counted to 7, Owens rolled the Miz into the ring. Owens rolled in after him, and grabbed Miz by the hair to bring him up to a vertical base. Miz countered by dropping to his knees and jamming his forehead into Owen's jaw, causing Owens to fall back to the mat.
Corey Graves: That can't have felt pleasant.
Mauro Ranallo: Expert analysis, Corey. No wonder you make millions.
Corey Graves: I try.
The Miz was now in control of Owens with a rear chinlock. Owens came up with a pair of elbows and took down Miz with a back suplex. Zayn springboarded in with a dropkick off the tag as the Miz stumbled back to his corner and tagged AJ Styles in. Zayn's offense was short lived as he ran into a high and tight dropkick from Styles who followed up with a series of rapid fire strikes. The final shot was a back elbow which caught Zayn in the temple, stumbling him back. Styles fired Zayn into the corner and delivered a huge open handed chop, and then stood on the back of Zayn in the corner. Styles fired Zayn across the ring with a huge monkey flip and tagged in Miz who mocked Zayn's dance a bit. Zayn charged Miz with a series of right hands, and then kicked Miz in the gut and hit a sunset flip, going for the pin. Referee counted 1....2... kickout by the Miz!
Mauro Ranallo: Back and forth these two teams are going! This is a great match, Corey!
Corey Graves: The best wrestling is right here in EBWF!
Zayn headed for his corner, but Miz stopped an attempted tag with a twirling neckbreaker for a two count. Miz locked in a rear chinlock. Zayn attempted to kick out, and eventually kicks Miz off allowing the tag to Owens. Owens comes in with a series of clotheslines for Miz, and goes for the pop-up powerbomb!
Corey Graves: This is it!
The Miz countered into a rollup which Owens countered into another rollup for two and a half! Owens threw Miz back into the ropes and hit the pop-up powerbomb on the second try! Just as he was about to make the pin, AJ Styles flew out of nowhere and connected with a flying forearm straight to Owen's head.
Mauro Ranallo: Good lord! AJ Styles traversed half the ring for that flying forearm! Truly a phenomenal talent!
Corey Graves: Just stop.
Not being the legal man, AJ Styles was forced to exit the ring. While the referee was distracted dealing with Styles, Zayn snuck into the ring and measured up a vulnerable Miz for the Heluva kick! Miz turned just in time and ducked, causing Zayn to tumble towards the ropes. Styles in a split moment pulled down on the top rope and Zayn spilled out onto the mat outside. Owens was up and pushed the Miz into the ropes, and went for the pop-up powerbomb one more time, but the Miz was ready. He shifted his weight and landed on his feet, grabbed Owens and hit the Skull Crushing Finale!
Mauro Ranallo: He got it!
Miz rolled Owens into a cover, grabbing both legs.
1....2....3!
"I Came to Play" by Downstait rocked the arena as the crowd cheered the victory of the Sequel. The referee raised the hands of AJ Styles and The Miz as they celebrated.
Mauro Ranallo: You have to think, with these two on the same page, that there aren't a lot of people that can beat them, Corey.
Corey Graves: Save it, Mauro! These guys are ridiculous! Go back to your trailer, Styles!
Mauro Ranallo: That's all for us tonight! We'll see you next week on the road to the Royal Rumble!
The EBWF logo flashed across the screen as Warfare went off the air.
