Warfare came on the air- live from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The fans were going crazy and the camera panned around the arena before focusing in on the stage where an impressive pyrotechnic display was seen and heard. As the camera whipped around it finally made it's way to Jim Ross and Jerry The King Lawler who were at the announcers table donning their usual get up.
Jim Ross: Good evening folks and welcome to EBWF Warfare. We are coming to you live from the Pepsi Center in Denver Colorado and boy do we have a great show for you tonight.
Jerry Lawler: We sure do JR- all sorts of tremendous matches tonight headlined by a clash between AJ Styles and Mankind.
Jim Ross: Right you are King, but as promised last week we should be joined any minute by..
"AWEEEEEEESOME"
Jim Ross: The Miz..
The opening word was followed by the instrumental of Skillet's "Awake and Alive" was heard over the PA System as Vertex made their way out from behind the curtain. As usual we saw O'Reilly, Balor, and Owens emerge wearing Vertex "You Wish You Were Us" shirts and DiBiase was right behind them. Finally, after Several beats the EBWF World Champion The Miz emerged from the back. DiBiase and Miz also donned the Vertex T-Shirt. The group made their way to the ring with Miz and Ted leading the charge walking slightly in front of the other group members. Ted grabbed the mic, and before he could start The Miz grabbed the mic from him, which seemed to annoy Ted a little bit.
The Miz: They know Ted, they know.. and if they don't know who we are.. who I AM.. then it's probably because the freaking altitude or the fact the marijuana is legal here has scrambled their idiot brains.
A loud boo came out from the crowd, unusually Vertex wasn't laughing and patronizing The Miz here after this first joke.
The Miz: Yes as Ted was so eloquently about to say- it is I- it is the best of the best- the cream of the crop- the greatest of the great- your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestler- YOUR EBWF World Champion- THEEEEE MIZZZZZZ!
More boos- the members of Vertex kind of shot glances to each other- as Miz continued barely acknowledging that they were there.
The Miz: Many people were wondering where I was last week, and why you all had to wait 2 weeks to hear from me. To those people I say, mind your own damn business- you will hear from the champ- when the champ wants to be heard from. You are all lucky- lucky that I picked this week to come and grace you with my presence. You see it's not lost on me that at Christmas Eve of Destruction- in CHICAGO- that I was considered an underdog.. an upstart against one CM Punk. After all it's the great CM Punk.. he's the best in the world.. it's his home town..to that I say......PFFT..
The crowd booed again.
The Miz: PFFT PFFT PFFT.. me.. an underdog.. really? What an absolute joke- but you see Denver.. I didn't get mad.. I didn't pout.. I didn't carry on.. what I did was I went out.. in Chicago.. and I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I climbed into an electrified steel cage and I provided more electricity than the cage itself. I climbed into an electrified steel cage and I beat the holy hell out of CM Punk to retain MY EBWF World Championship. ME.. I did that!
The Miz began to build intensity.
The Miz: For all the nay sayers- the haters- the wanna be's who claimed that I couldn't do it alone. That I couldn't win the big one by myself- I ONCE A FREAKIN GAIN proved that the second you DOUBT ME.. is the second you are WRONG! I proved that I am without a doubt a champion that is the best and brightest that this company has ever seen.. I proved that I am the biggest thing.. the biggest star.. in the HISTORY of this company. I proved as ALWAYS that I am The Miz.. and that I am as AWESOME as I say I am.. ME.. I did that!
The Miz was fuming- Vertex remained unresponsive to The Miz- as the crowd booed him ferociously. The Miz turned to the other members of Vertex- noticing their lack of reaction.
The Miz: I can't help but notice that you guys are just kind of standing here like morons, what's up with you? Huh? What's wrong? Have we finally gotten to that point? Did you want to help me beat CM Punk even though I didn't need you? Did you want that, so that people didn't look at you as the 4 guys that stand behind the god amongst men that I have become?
Owens wasn't looking at Miz even though he was standing right in front of him.
The Miz: Is that it Kevin? Look at me? What's wrong with you huh?
Owens finally looked at Miz with a look of resentment.
The Miz: I gave you everything! You were nothing before you met me! NOTHING.. same goes for you Finn.. Kyle.. you guys were wrestling part time and working at Applebee's for christ sakes before Vertex made you somebody! What the hell is the matter with you guys?
Ted had grabbed a mic.
Ted DiBiase: Just chill Miz, guys, come on just calm down.
Jim Ross: Trouble in paradise here, King.
The Miz: I'm not gonna ch..
Owens grabbed the mic away from The Miz which brought a cheer from the crowd.
Kevin Owens: Just shut your mouth! Shut your mouth Miz, yeah you might have beat CM Punk- ONCE without our help- but you know god damn well that if it wasn't for us doing your dirty work- you weren't beaten Zayn- you weren't beating Styles- and you wouldn't be holding that strap- no way.. no how.
The Miz smirked at Owens and ripped the mic away from him right back.
The Miz: Really? Is that so? That's what you think huh Kev? Finn? Kyle?.. Ted?
All of the men mentioned didn't even look at The Miz.
Ted DiBiase: Now nobody is saying th..
The Miz: Oh shut up Ted- go ahead and say it.. you guys think that you have something to do with me being on top of this company right now. You want me to say it's because of you that I'm the best around.. just because you only held the title for 45 seconds doesn't mean that I have to belittle my own accomplishments..
This struck a chord with Ted. He shook his head and nodded, turning away from Miz. The Miz smirked at his own comment and how it had seemingly gotten to Ted. He turned to the crowd for a brief second, only to turn right around into a right hand from DiBiase which brought Denver to their feet. All of the men began to lay waste to the EBWF World Champion. The crowd was going nuts.
Jim Ross: BAH GAWD! Vertex has turned on their leader here, it's about god damn time!
Jerry Lawler: WHAT!!
The Miz was being stomped on by all of the members of Vertex. They picked him up and Ted dropped him with dream street. He was on his back in the middle of the ring. As Vertex much to the approval of the Denver crowd left the ring yelling back at Miz. Miz rolled onto his stomach as his former allies were halfway up the ramp. He grabbed a microphone that was lying in the ring. Short of breath and holding his side he yelled to them.
The Miz: BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR LIVES. YOU ALL WILL BE NOTHING WITHOUT ME! I CAN'T WAIT TO ORDER A BIG MAC FROM YOU! I DON'T NEED YOU! I DON'T NEED ANYONE!
The remaining Vertex Members laughed as they made their way back through the curtain. Miz grabbed his belt and managed to crawl out of the ring.
Jim Ross: Oh how things can so quickly change! What is this going to mean for The Miz and his title reign King?
Jerry Lawler: I don't know JR, but this really couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!
Miz finally made it to his feet and the crowd was cheering the demise of Miz as the leader of Vertex. Warfare went to a commercial.
"Here to Show the World" hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Dolph Ziggler made his way to the ring.
Jim Ross: Up first tonight, we've got "The Showoff" Dolph Ziggler taking on "The Architect" Seth Rollins!
Jerry Lawler: What a match this promises to be, JR!
When Ziggler had entered the ring, "Second Coming" hit and Rollins came out to another mixed reaction from the crowd. Once both men were in the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two superstars locked up. Rollins went for a headlock, but Ziggler escaped it and whipped Rollins into the ropes, then hit a dropkick. Both men got to their feet and Ziggler hit Rollins with a series of punches, before whipping him into the corner. Ziggler ran at Rollins and hit him with the Stinger splash, then as Rollins staggered out of the corner, Ziggler hit a swinging neckbreaker. Ziggler then hit Rollins with multiple elbow drops, before going to the top rope and hitting a jumping elbow drop. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Jim Ross: A strong start from Dolph Ziggler!
Ziggler got to his feet and stomped on Rollins several times, then pulled him to his feet and set him up for a suplex. Rollins blocked it, countering with a suplex of his own. Both men got to their feet and Rollins hit Ziggler with a series of right hands, then whipped him against the ropes. As Ziggler ran back towards him, Rollins took him down with a high knee. Ziggler got back to his feet and Rollins hit an enzuigiri, followed by a reverse STO into the turnbuckle. Rollins then went for a corner forearm smash, but Ziggler got his knees up and blocked it. Rollins looked dazed as he staggered backwards, and Ziggler hit him with a famouser! He hooked the leg once more – 1... 2... kickout!
Jerry Lawler: Another near fall... again Ziggler gets a two count!
Ziggler sat Rollins up and applied a sleeper hold, but Rollins fought out of it, then both men got their feet. They exchanged right hands, and Rollins gained the upper hand. After hitting Ziggler with a series of punches in quick succession, Rollins went to whip Ziggler against the ropes, but Ziggler reversed the Irish whip, sending Rollins into the ropes. As Rollins ran back towards him, Ziggler hit a scoop powerslam, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... again Rollins kicked out!
Jim Ross: What is it going to take for Ziggler to get the three count, King?
Jerry Lawler: I'm not sure JR!
Ziggler looked frustrated at getting another two count. He pulled Rollins to his feet and hit him with some more right hands, then whipped him into the corner. Ziggler ran at Rollins, hitting a corner clothesline, then as Rollins staggered out of the corner, Ziggler went for a superkick. Rollins ducked out of the way, then hit a belly-to-back suplex. Rollins then set Ziggler up for a turnbuckle powerbomb, but Ziggler blocked it, then hit a drop toe hold, causing Rollins to slam head-first into the turnbuckle. Rollins staggered backwards, and Ziggler hit him with the Zig Zag! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Jim Ross: It's over! Dolph Ziggler gets the victory!
Summer Rae came to the ring first, followed by Paige. When both divas were in the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two divas locked up. Paige took Summer down with a snapmare, then stomped on her several times. She pulled Summer to her feet and whipped her against the ropes, before hitting a short-arm clothesline. Summer got back to her feet and Paige hit another short-arm clothesline, then as Summer got back up, Paige lifted her over her shoulders, hitting a Samoan drop. She hooked the leg, but Summer kicked out at two. Paige pulled Summer back to her feet and hit a kick to the midsection, then went to whip her into the corner. Summer reversed the Irish whip, sending Paige into the corner, then applied a corner foot choke. After breaking the hold, Summer pulled Paige out of the corner and whipped her against the ropes, before going for a spinning heel kick. Paige ducked out of the way, then hit Summer with a fisherman suplex. Paige followed it up by applying the PTO! Summer cried out in pain, then submitted. Paige broke the hold and celebrated her victory as Warfare went to a commercial break.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, "The Truth Reigns" hit and the crowd cheered as Roman Reigns made his way through the crowd to the ring.
Jim Ross: Still to come, our main event, but first Roman Reigns takes on the former EBWF World Champion, Edge!
When Reigns was in the ring, "Metalingus" by Alter Bridge it, and the crowd continued to cheer as Edge headed to the ring. When Edge was in the ring, he and Reigns stared one another down.
Jerry Lawler: What a match this is going to be, JR!
The referee called for the bell and the two men exchanged right hands back and forth. Reigns was able to overpower Edge, and after hitting the Rated R Superstar with a series of punches in quick succession, he whipped him against the ropes. As Edge ran back towards him, Reigns took his opponent down with a clothesline. Reigns stomped on Edge several times, then pulled him to his feet and whipped him into the corner. Reigns hit Edge with multiple corner clotheslines, then pulled Edge out of the corner and whipped him into the ropes once more, this time hitting a Samoan drop. Reigns hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Jim Ross: A strong start from the Powerhouse that is Roman Reigns!
Reigns pulled Edge to his feet and lifted him over his shoulder, but Edge wriggled free, landing on his feet behind Reigns and countering with the Edge-o-matic. Both men got to their feet and Edge hit Reigns with a series of right hands, then whipped him against the ropes. As Reigns ran back towards him, Edge hit a spinning heel kick. The two men got back to their feet once more, and Edge kicked Reigns in the midsection before hitting the Impaler DDT. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Reigns kicked out!
Jerry Lawler: Another near fall! This time Edge gets a two count!
Edge pulled Reigns to his feet and whipped him against the ropes, but as Reigns hit the rope, he grabbed onto the top rope. Edge then ran at Reigns, going for a clothesline, but Reigns ducked underneath it and hit a back body drop, sending Edge to the outside. Reigns then ran against the ropes, before hitting an over the top rope suicide dive!
Jim Ross: Incredible athleticism from Roman Reigns!
Both men were down outside the ring and the referee began counting – 1... 2... 3... 4... at the count of 5, Reigns got to his feet. He grabbed Edge and threw him back into the ring, then hit the Drive By dropkick before re-entering the ring. Reigns lifted Edge up, hitting a powerbomb, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Reigns pulled Edge to his feet and dragged him towards the corner, then went to slam his head against the turnbuckle. Edge blocked it and grabbed Reigns, slamming his head against the turnbuckle. Reigns looked dazed, and Edge went to the top rope, hitting a diving crossbody. Both men got to their feet, and Edge hit a half nelson bulldog, then signalled for the Spear! Reigns got to his feet... and Edge Speared him to the mat. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Reigns kicked out!
Jerry Lawler: I don't believe it, JR! I thought that was it!
Edge looked stunned, and after stomping on Reigns several times, he applied the Edgecator! Reigns cried out in pain, but he was able to reach the ropes and Edge broke the hold. Both men got to their feet, and Edge set Reigns up for a reverse STO, but Reigns blocked it, countering with a back suplex side slam. Reigns then moved to the corner, and this time he signalled for the Spear.
Jim Ross: I think we're about to see another Spear, King... this time from Roman!
Edge got to his feet and Reigns charged towards him... but Edge leapfrogged Reigns, dodging the Spear. Reigns reacted quickly, turning around and hitting Edge with the Superman Punch! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Jerry Lawler: It's over! Another victory for Roman Reigns!
The referee called for the bell and raised Roman's arm in victory. Reigns celebrated, then made his way to the back.
Jim Ross: And now it's time for our main event, as the Mankind takes on "The Phenomenal One", AJ Styles!
"Wreck" hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Mankind headed to the ring. When Mankind was in the ring, "Get Ready To Fly" by GRITS hit and the crowd booed as AJ Styles walked down the ramp. Upon entering the ring, Styles glared across the ring at his opponent.
Jerry Lawler: Last time we saw AJ Styles, he beat Sami Zayn in controversial circumstances... let's see how he copes against the number one contender for the Breakout Title!
The referee called for the bell and Mankind charged towards Styles, pummelling him with a series of right hands. Styles fought back with some right hands of his own, then hit Mankind with a shoot kick. Mankind staggered backwards and Styles hit a spinning backfist, followed by a lariat. Mankind got to his feet and Styles hit a snap suplex, then hit a knee drop. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Styles stomped on Mankind several times, then pulled him to his feet and went to whip him into the turnbuckles. Mankind reversed the Irish whip, sending Styles into the corner. Mankind ran at Styles and hit him with a bodypress, causing Styles to fall into a sitting position. Mankind took a few steps back and ran at Styles once more, this time hitting him with a knee lift to the face! After rolling Styles away from the ropes, Mankind made the cover. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Jim Ross: Another near fall! Great back and forth action in this match thus far!
Both men got to their feet and Mankind hit Styles with a kick to the midsection, then set him up for a piledriver. Styles countered with a back toss, then as Mankind got back to his feet, Styles hit him with the Pelé Kick. Mankind fell backwards, landing on the ropes, and Styles hit a Superkick, sending Mankind to the outside. Styles followed Mankind out of the ring, throwing him into the ring steps. Styles then looked at the announce table, before looking back at Mankind. The crowd cheered in anticipation.
Jerry Lawler: I think I know what Styles is thinking here, JR... and I don't think I like it!
Styles removed the top of the announce table, then removed the monitors and threw them onto the ground. He turned his attention back to Mankind, but the Hardcore Legend had recovered, and as Styles grabbed him, Mankind hit a headbutt, causing Styles to stagger backwards. Mankind then hit Styles with one of the monitors before throwing him back into the ring. Mankind re-entered the ring, then as Styles got to his feet, Mankind hit a swinging neckbreaker. He followed it up with a leg drop and hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Undeterred, Mankind got to his feet and reached into his pants, pulling out Mr Socko!
Jim Ross: Mankind is getting ready for the Mandible Claw... this could be it, King!
Styles got to his feet, and Mankind went for the Mandible Claw... but Styles blocked it, hitting Mankind with a forearm smash before lifting him over his shoulder and hitting a back-to-belly piledriver. Both men got to their feet and Styles grabbed Mankind by the leg, then rolled into the Calf Killer! Mankind tried to reach the ropes, but he couldn't get to them! He tapped out and the referee called for the bell.
Christy Hemme: Your winner by submission... AJ Styles!
"Get Ready to Fly" by GRITS hit, and Styles celebrated his victory as Warfare went off the air.
