Mauro Ranallo: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! I'm Mauro Ranallo with my broadcast colleague Corey Graves, and tonight, we're live from Sacramento, California!
Corey Graves: The Royal Rumble is just two weeks away, and tonight the road to the Rumble continues. We have a former Royal Rumble winner, AJ Styles, in the main event as the Phenomenal One goes one on one with the longest reigning World Champion in EBWF history, Randy Orton, who main evented Wrestlemania IX as part of that record breaking reign in 2010!
Mauro Ranallo: What a match that will be, Corey!
Corey Graves: Up first tonight, we've got tag team action as the Tag Champs, Noam Dar and Tyler Breeze, take on Tommaso Ciampa and the Breakout Champion, Chris Hero!
Tommaso Ciampa came to the ring first, followed by Chris Hero. "Where Them Girls At" by David Guetta hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as the Gorgeous Guys, Tyler Breeze and Noam Dar, headed to the ring. Breeze and Dar wore the Tag Titles around their waists, and kept pointing at the gold as they posed for the crowd. They removed the championships upon entering the ring and passed them to the referee, who took them out of the ring and then called for the bell. Breeze and Ciampa started the match, and as the bell rang the two superstars locked up. Ciampa put Breeze in a headlock, but Breeze broke out of it and whipped Ciampa against the ropes, then hit a dropkick. As both men got to their feet, Breeze hit Ciampa with a series of punches, then followed up with a kick to the midsection and a cutthroat double knee backbreaker. Breeze hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Breeze dragged Ciampa to the corner and tagged in Noam Dar, then as Dar entered the ring the Tag Champs stomped on Ciampa repeatedly.
Mauro Ranallo: Effective teamwork by Breeze and Dar here... the Gorgeous Guys displaying the skill that saw them win the 2017 Tag Team Classic and become the new Tag Team Champions!
Corey Graves: I wish you wouldn't call them the Gorgeous Guys, Mauro. I'm better looking than both of them!
Dar pulled Ciampa away from the ropes and dragged him to his feet, lifting him over his shoulders and hitting an airplane spin transitioned into a Northern Lights suplex. Dar bridged the suplex in a pinfall attempt, and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Dar sat Ciampa up and applied a sleeper hold, but Ciampa fought out of it, and as both men got to their feet, Ciampa hit a discus clothesline. Chris Hero called for the tag, and Ciampa tagged him in.
Mauro Ranallo: And here comes the man who beat Noam Dar for the Breakout Championship, Chris Hero! No love lost between these two superstars!
The crowd cheered as Hero entered the ring. Dar went for a right hand, but Hero blocked it, countering with a right hand of his own. Hero hit Dar with several more right hands, then whipped him against the ropes. As Dar ran back towards him, Hero lifted him up, hitting a powerslam. Hero pulled Dar to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then went for the Hero Sidekick. Dar moved out of the way and hit Hero with a dropkick to the bag, then tagged in Tyler Breeze. Tyler climbed the turnbuckle and went for a diving crossbody, but Hero caught him in mid-air and countered with a fallaway slam!
Corey Graves: Great counter there by Chris Hero!
Breeze got to his feet, and Hero hit the Cravate Buster, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Breeze kicked out! Hero got to his feet and stomped on Breeze several times, then pulled Breeze to his feet and hit a German suplex. Breeze looked dazed as he got to his feet, and Hero signalled for the Cyclone Kill! Hero went for it... but Breeze ducked out of the way and tagged in Noam Dar! As Dar entered the ring he ran at Hero. Hero went for a clothesline, but Dar ducked out of the way, then the Tag Champs hit a double superkick!
Mauro Ranallo: They call that Two Guys, One Kick!
Breeze knocked Ciampa off the apron as Noam Dar hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... 3! The referee called for the bell and the Gorgeous Guys hugged, before Breeze raised Dar's arm in victory.
Corey Graves: Well Mauro, they may not be Gorgeous but Noam Dar and Tyler Breeze put in a good performance tonight!
Breeze and Dar continued to celebrate as Warfare went to a commercial break.
As Warfare returned from commercial, "Crushed" by Parkway Drive hit and Alexa Bliss made her way to the ring for the next match.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Up next, we've got women's action as the former Women's Champion, Alexa Bliss, goes one on one with the current Women's Champion, Mandy Rose, who won the title in her EBWF debut match!
When Bliss was in the ring, "Kiss from a Rose" by Wake Me hit and Mandy Rose headed to the ring. Upon entering the ring, Rose held up her championship, taunting Bliss with the gold.
Corey Graves: Talented and beautiful... what's not to love about Mandy Rose, Mauro?
The referee took the title from Rose, then called for the bell. Bliss wasted no time getting started, hitting Rose with a forearm smash then whipping her into the corner. Bliss ran at Rose, hitting a corner clothesline, then as Rose fell into a sitting position, Bliss stomped on her several times. Bliss pulled Rose to her feet and hit a snapmare, then hit the Insult to Injury!
Mauro Ranallo: An aggressive start by Alexa Bliss!
Bliss hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Bliss got to her feet and stomped on Rose several times, then pulled Rose to her feet and set her up for a DDT. Rose blocked it, then got behind Bliss, lifting her up for a back suplex. Both women got to their feet and Rose whipped Bliss against the ropes, before taking her down with an arm drag. As Alexa got to her feet, Rose hit her with a stiff kick to the midsection, then ran against the ropes and hit her with a running bicycle knee! She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Rose pulled Alexa to her feet and went to apply an octopus hold, but Bliss blocked it and hit a legsweep, then put Rose in a keylock!
Corey Graves: Great counter there by Alexa Bliss... Mandy Rose is in trouble here!
Rose was able to get to the ropes, and the referee told Bliss to break the hold. As Bliss did so, Rose rolled out of the ring. Bliss followed Rose to the outside, and grabbed Rose to throw her back into the ring, but Rose hit Bliss with a hard slap, then DDTed her onto the ground! The crowd let out an "oooh" sound, and as Alexa lay motionless on the mat, Rose rolled back into the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia! Alexa Bliss might be seriously hurt here! Vicious tactics by Mandy Rose!
Corey Graves: It wasn't vicious, it was calculated! Either Bliss gets counted out, or if she gets back into the ring, Rose has time to recover and now she's got the momentum too!
As the referee counted 7, Alexa began to stir. She struggled to her feet and rolled back into the ring just before the 10 count! Rose immediately grabbed her and hit a swinging neckbreaker, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Bliss kicked out! Rose stomped on her several times, then pulled her to her feet and set her up for the Angel's Wings. Bliss countered with a back body drop, then as Rose got to her feet, Bliss hit an STO! Both women were down for several seconds, then they got to their feet simultaneously. Rose went for a clothesline, but Bliss ducked out of the way, then turned around and hit Rose with a spinning kick. Bliss followed it up with a snap DDT, then went to the top rope and hit Rose with Twisted Bliss! She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: Great back and forth action, but Alexa gets the victory!
Corey Graves: Another loss for Mandy Rose, Mauro... after a bright start, is the golden glow starting to fade?
Bliss celebrated, then made her way to the back. The camera cut back to Rose in the ring, who looked furious about the result.
"Hart Attack" crackled across the arena, as a living legend stepped out into the light. The crowd popped as Bret “the Hitman” Hart stood soaking in the cheers. He continued down the ramp and made his way into the ring, and was handed a mic.
Hart: It is good to be back in the EBWF. Bret paused as the crowd exploded and cheered again.
Hart: A long LONG time ago, there was this young upstart company that was trying to shake-up the world of professional wrestling. The EBWF was making headlines and one thing the Hitman has always looked for, is the best competition in the world. So I made my way to EBWF and set records and accomplished things no one has accomplished since. 15 years ago, I won the EBWF World Heavyweight Championship for the first time. In 2004 and 2005 I became the first man to win the EBWF Royal Rumble twice and did it back to back. In 2008, I won the EBWF World Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time. In 2016, I was just short of winning my third Royal Rumble. Which has stuck with me for two years.
He stalked the ring. Hart: Two years I have stewed and fretted and reviewed and thought about that match. Two years I have spent thinking what if. What if I had done anything different. Two years. But I’ve also spent two years planning this night. Planning this shot. Knowing that under the right scenario, I could close this out and become the first ever three time Royal Rumble Winner.
The crowd cheered. Hart: Then the stars aligned, a New Year’s Day miracle - a sign that the two year wait was over and my time was now. The World Championship was vacated, and now, is on the line during the Royal Rumble match. So it’s a 2 for 1 special. On Sunday, January 28th, I will win my third Royal Rumble and become EBWF World Heavyweight Champion for a fifth time.
The crowd liked the sound of that too.
Hart: Now, some people might say its cocky to make such a bold claim, but it’s not. It’s confidence. Confidence that I’m the best there ever is, the best there was, and the BEST there ever will be. Confidence that The Excellence of Execution STILL has what it takes to get the job done. Confidence in knowing that at spot number 30! Bret paused for the crowd to process what they had heard.
Hart: That’s right, spot number 30, you heard right. THE Confidence of knowing that at spot number 30, there isn’t A MAN IN THE COMPANY TODAY! That will be able to STOP ME from winning the Royal Rumble this time. I don’t care if it’s CM Punk, AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, or the man who eliminated me two years ago, Wes Ikeda… the point is there is NO MAN IN THE EBWF now or ever before that can stop me.
Bret dropped the mic as "Hart Attack" hit once more as EBWF went to commercial.
EBWF came back from commercial, and Sami Zayn was already in the ring, arrogantly smirking to the crowd as they rained boos down on him. "FE" by Forty Below Summer played from the speakers next and the fans switched up to cheering for the perennial favorite Syxx. The EBWF veteran made his way down to the ring, slapping hands with the crowd.
Corey Graves: I love this time of the year, Mauro!
Mauro Ranallo: This is going to be a great matchup!
The bell rang, and they circled the ring. They locked up and tussled for position before Zayn pushed Syxx into the ropes. They locked up again, and this time Syxx shoved Zayn, but Zayn flew backwards and landed on to the mat. Zayn got up and went after Syxx, applying a side headlock, but Syxx whipped him off. Zayn shoulder blocked him down before trying for a hip toss, but Syxx blocked it. Syxx flipped over, dropped down, and twisted Zayn's arm, causing Zayn to wince in pain. Syxx hit an over the shoulder arm breaker. Syxx repeated the move, and Zayn grabs his arm in agony.
Mauro Ranallo: Already a surgical approach here by Syxx!
Syxx punched him before sending him into the ropes. Syxx lowered his head and ate a kick to the head. Zayn tried to follow up with a clothesline but Syxx countered and hit a double under-hook suplex into an arm bar! The crowd cheered as Zayn screamed in agony.
Mauro Ranallo: Syxx showing that he still has the technical chops to be at the top of his game here!
Zayn quickly got to the ropes to break the hold. Syxx kicked him in the arm a few times before wrenching the arm. Syxx applied a hammerlock, but Zayn threw him out of the ring. The referee started counting as Zayn exited the ring. He slammed Syxx's head on the stairs a few times, soaking in boos form the crowd. He irish whipped Syxx towards the stairs but Syxx reversed it and sent Zayn crashing into the steel steps. Syxx slid into the ring, resetting the count. He then ran opposite way, bouncing off the ropes, then did a suicide dive underneath the top rope to send Zayn crashing into the barricade back first.
Mauro Ranallo: TOPE SUICIDA by Syxx! He's giving it his all tonight!
Syxx picked Zayn up and threw him back into the ring, rolling in right after him. Just as Syxx got up, Zayn kicked him in the gut and hit a DDT, going for the pin:
1....2..- Kickout by Syxx!
Syxx rolled away as Zayn attempted to follow up with an elbow drop on him. Zayn grabbed Syxx and threw him into the corner, gesturing a finger across his throat. Zayn moved to the opposite corner.
Corey Graves: I think we're going to see a Heluva kick, Mauro!
Zayn charged forward and Syx stepped toward him and ducked. Zayn hung his leg out over the turnbuckle and worked to free his foot. He turned around and stumbled into a Syxx kick! Zayn went down like a sack of potatoes. Syxx dropped to the mat and hooked the leg.
1....2....3!
Mauro Ranallo: And Syxx wins the match and gains some valuable momentum as we get closer to the Royal Rumble!
Corey Graves: He's going to need it with what's on the line!
Syxx celebrated as his music played. EBWF faded to commercial.
"Phenomenal" hit the PA and the crowd welcomed the former EBWF World Champion. AJ headed to the ring, followed soon by Randy Orton who also got a raucous welcome from the crowd.
Mauro Ranallo: Both of these men will be in the Royal Rumble, and I'd say both have a good chance to become the new EBWF World Champion!
Corey Graves: I can't wait to see who wins that match! And Bret Hart announcing he's number thirty! Incredible!
The bell rang and the match was under way. AJ ran towards Orton who caught him and went for the RKO right away. Styles pushed Orton away and rolled out of the ring. Styles got back in the ring and both men locked up. Orton took Styles to the corner and the referee broke it up. Both men went to lock up but Styles rolled under and got Orton in a headlock. Orton picked Styles up and delivered a belly to back suplex but Styles kept the headlock in. Orton got up and sent Styles to the ropes and took him down with a shoulder block.
Corey Graves: Orton with the upper hand here!
One both men were back up, they tied up and Styles got in some punches and took Orton to the corner but Orton reversed it into an irish whip hard into the turnbuckle as Orton went down. Orton stomped on Styles and lifted him up in a suplex position and dropped Styles onto the ropes.
1...
2...
Kickout!
Mauro Ranallo: AJ staying in this thing!
Orton stayed in control of the match, working in a European uppercut by Orton to Styles in the corner. He laid on some vicious punches to Styles but Styles delivered a kick to the back of the leg. He sent Orton to the turnbuckle but Orton reversed it. He grabbed Styles and launched him across the ring as Styles rolled out to the outside. Orton followed Styles to the outside.
Orton picked Styles up and dropped him back first onto the barricade. He threw Styles back in the ring. As Orton was getting in the ring, Styles attacked Orton’s leg and took him down. Orton clutched his leg, but AJ continued the attack. He had Orton in a leg lock but Orton hit Styles on the head and got out of it.
Corey Graves: Orton's leg is hurting, Mauro!
Back up in the corner, Styles tried to go for the leg again but Orton pushed Styles away. Both men got up again and Styles kept trying to go for the leg but Orton pushed him away. A kick to Orton’s leg took him down and Styles had Randy in a rear chin lock. Orton stood up and got out of the head lock. Styles ran to the ropes but Orton landed a clothesline. Styles got up and walked into a powerslam by Orton. Orton was holding his left leg. Styles got up and a full nelson by Orton who went for the cover.
1...
2...
Kickout!
Corey Graves: Big kickout from Styles!
Styles retreated into the corner. Orton started attacking Styles’ right leg, but he again holds held his knee in pain.
Mauro Ranallo: Styles has done a number on Orton here.
Randy picked Styles up and put him on the top turnbuckle. He laid on some right hands and then climbed the top rope and tried a suplex. Styles slipped under and dropped Orton. He picked Orton up and delivered a fireman’s carry. He went for the cover.
1...
2...
Corey Graves: I thought AJ might have had him there!
Styles kicked Orton and went for the Styles Clash but Orton picked Styles up and dropped him onto the ring apron. Orton went for the rope hung DDT but Styles got out of it. He took Orton down and got him in a calf crusher. Orton screamed in pain but he reached the ropes to break the hold. Styles was the first man up. He went for a springboard off the top rope but Orton brought him down and delivered a DDT. Orton set up the RKO. He went for it but no dice! He was stopped by a bicycle kick from AJ! The crowd was stunned. Styles ran toward Orton who threw him onto the apron. AJ went for the phenomenal forarm, Orton jumped and...
Corey Graves: RKO! RKO from Orton!
Mauro Ranallo: Orton with the pin!
1...
2...
3!
Corey Graves: Just two weeks away from the Royal Rumble and Randy Orton stands victorious over AJ Styles. What a match!
Mauro Ranallo: And what a night the Rumble is shaking out to be. We will see you live, next week, right here on Warfare.
Orton did his signature pose on the turnbuckle as Warfare went off the air.
