Pyro went off in TD Garden to kick off Warfare.
Mauro Ranallo: With London in the rear window, we are now on the final stretch of road that leads to Wrestlemania. This is Warfare! Mauro Ranallo, joined as ever by my broadcast colleague Corey Graves.
Corey Graves: At House of Havoc, the Mania main event picture began to become clear but tonight we may see some more hungry talent earn their spot on the grandest stage of them all, starting with our opening match between two recente additions to the EBWF roster.
The twinkling of piano keys signals the beginning of “Glorious Domination.” The crowd sings along with the choir as Bobby Roode appears on the stage in his robe. He soaks in the response as he struts down the ramp and spins with a flourish as he enters the ring. The crowd is electric as the music fades away. Then “Rebel Heart” hits and the cheers intensify as Johnny Gargano walks out onto the stage, scanning the crowd before slapping hands on the way down. The crowd begins to duel, with half chanting “JOHN-NY WREST-LING” and the other chanting “BOB-BY ROODE.”
DING!
The two men circled each other as the battling chants continued. They hooked up in the middle of the ring and traded quick holds. Roode threw Gargano into a headlock, Johnny slipped behind with a leg takedown and rolled over to a front face hold. Roode pushed to this feet and broke Gargano's grip to pull him in an armbar. Johnny executed a roll through and reversal into a hammerlock. These exchanges continued through the first few minutes of the match, with neither man able to get an advantage.
Johnny was the first to take the match into the next gear, hitting Roode with a dropkick and following him into the corner to throw some knife edge chops. He went to whip Roode into the opposite corner, The Glorious One reversed. Gargano hit the post but immediately exploded out of the corner to hit Bobby with a lariat. Johnny reached down to try and sink on an early GargaNo Escape but Roode scrambled to the rope. The Whole Shebang quickly let go of the hold and ran the ropes, catching Roode with another dropkick as he got to his feet and knocking him over the top rope and to the floor. Johnny climbed onto the apron and hyped up the crowd as he waited for Bobby to stand.
Mauro Ranallo: Johnny Wrestling, looking for something big here.
Corey Graves: Bobby Roode to his feet, Gargano running the apron.
Mauro Ranallo: Cannonball Senton to the floor! Johnny Gargano is en fuego!
Gargano rolled Roode back into the ring. As he got onto the apron, Roode caught him with a hard right to the jaw, then snapped the back of his head against the ropes with a draping neckbreaker. Gargano tumbled back to the floor and the ref began to count.
1!
2!
3!
4!
5!
Johnny pulled himself back up onto the apron. Roode hit the ropes, looking to knock him back off again. Gargano intercepted him with the slingshot spear. Johnny stalked Bobby as he struggled to his knees and signaled for the basement superkick. Roode blocked the kick, pushing Gargano to the side, and jumped back to his feet to hit a desperation backstabber. The men traded strikes as they rose, with Roode taking the advantage and hitting a discus lariat to cement his momentum. He went for a lateral press.
1!
2!
Gargano with the kick out right at 2. Roode transitioned straight into a side headlock, grinding Johnny's face against his arm. Johnny started to punch his way out, so Roode released the hold and booted Gargano in the midsection, then followed with some chops to the adoring “Woos” of the crowd. Each chop drove Johnny closer to the corner until his back is against the post. Roode throws two more chops for good measure and then flashes a devilish grin before hoisting Gargano up onto the turnbuckle.
Mauro Ranallo: Just like the group Migos, Roode is telling Gargano, higher we go!
Corey Graves: The Glorious One is thinking superplex, Mauro, if he hits this it is all over!
Mauro Ranallo: Johnny Wrestling fighting out, he kicks Roode back to the mat.
Corey Graves: Gargano is going to fly on his own, he leaps from the turnbuckle, going for his flying complete shot.
Mauro Ranallo: Roode catches him out of the air! SPINEBUSTER!
Corey Graves: Shades of Double A, Arn Anderson. Roode is a student of the game, Ranallo, he's studied all the greats.
Roode took a moment to lead the crowd in the chanting of his “Glorious” catchphrase then jumped up to deliver a knee drop to Gargano. He hooked a leg, but only got another two count. Roode kept Johnny grounded with a Northern lariat to the back of the head, then climbed onto the second turnbuckle and signaled for a double axe handle. He jumped off but was caught in the stomach with a punch from Gargano, driving the air out of him and doubling him over. Gargano went low with a schoolboy roll into kick combination then hit a superkick to put Roode onto his back. Gargano went for the pin.
1!
2!
Bobby Roode kicked out. Gargano was quick to hit the ropes, and whipped Roode to the mat with a running headscissors. Gargano stepped onto the apron and began to jump up and down in anticipation as Bobby struggled to his feet. Gargano shot himself through the ropes for another slingshot spear, but this time Roode caught him with a boot.
Mauro Ranallo: A fatal miscalculation from Johnny Wrestling! Diving straight into a Bobby Roode kick!
Corey Graves: And the Glorious One knows that he can't risk Gargano catching fire again, Mauro, he has to take this opening!
Mauro: GLORIOUS DDT! THE COVER!
1!
2!
WAIT!
Mauro Ranallo: Gargano getting the slightest tip of his boot onto the bottom rope! As long as blood pumps inside of Johnny Wrestling, he will fight!
Corey Graves: But Bobby Roode is a veteran, Mauro, he doesn't get flustered, he doesn't get rattled. Pulling Gargano farther from the ropes this time. And hits a second Glorious DDT!
1!
2!
3!
DING DING!
Announcer: Here is your winner, BOBBYYYYYY ROOOOODE!
Mauro Ranallo: An impressive showing from both men in their Warfare debuts, but on this night, Bobby Roode is the one who picks up a huge momentum-building win.
Corey Graves: It's going to be a Glorious night at the pay window, Mauro.
Mauro Ranallo: Up next two of EBWF's newest superstars go one on one as Rob Van Dam takes on Seth Rollins!
Seth Rollins made his way to the ring first, accompanied by Paige. Rob Van Dam came out next and when both superstars were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Rollins ran at RVD, hitting him with a series of punches, then went for a clothesline. Van Dam reacted quickly, ducking out of the way and hitting a spinning heel kick. Van Dam then applied a wrist lock, before hitting Rollins with a roundhouse kick. Rollins staggered backwards and Van Dam went for an Irish whip, but Rollins reversed it, sending RVD into the ropes. As Van Dam hit the ropes, Rollins ran towards him, hitting a high knee, then as RVD got back to his feet, Rollins hit the Falcon Arrow! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Corey Graves: Seth Rollins is taking the fight to Rob Van Dam here!
Rollins pulled Van Dam to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then charged towards him, hitting a running forearm smash. As RVD staggered out of the corner, Rollins lifted him up, hitting a turnbuckle powerbomb! He hooked the leg once more and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Mauro Ranallo: Another near fall! Rollins is dominating, but Van Dam won't quit!
Rollins stomped on RVD several times, then dragged him back to his feet, this time setting him up for a German suplex. Rollins lifted Van Dam up, but RVD landed on his feet behind Rollins, countering with a German suplex of his own. Van Dam then cartwheeled over Rollins, before hitting a standing moonsault!
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia! Incredible athleticism there by Rob Van Dam!
Corey Graves: That's why they call him one of a kind, Mauro!
Van Dam hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! RVD pulled Rollins to his feet, and hit a northern lights suplex, then followed it up with the Rolling Thunder! Van Dam climbed the turnbuckle and went for the Five Star Frog Splash... but Rollins rolled out of the way! Van Dam looked dazed, and Rollins hit the Curb Stomp out of nowhere! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: And just like that, it's over! Seth Rollins has Curb Stomped his way to victory on his return to EBWF!
Corey Graves: An impressive performance by the Architect tonight!
Rollins celebrated with Paige as Warfare went to commercial.
Mauro Ranallo: Still to come, The Miz takes on Marty Scurll in our main event, but first, we've got women's action as Becky Lynch takes on Nikki Cross!
Corey Graves: It's the Irish Lass Kicker versus the scary Scotswoman!
"Celtic Invasion" hit and the crowd cheered as Becky Lynch made her way to the ring. When Lynch was in the ring, "Glasgow Cross" hit and the cheers turned to boos as Nikki Cross stepped out onto the stage, accompanied by Don Callis.
Mauro Ranallo: Well there has been some tension between Cross and her manager Don Callis recently, so it's interesting to see that Callis is still accompanying the Glaswegian to ringside here tonight.
Upon entering the ring, Cross snarled at her opponent. The referee called for the bell and Cross charged at Lynch, going for a clothesline, but Becky ducked out of the way, then hit Nikki with a series of punches. Lynch then whipped Cross against the ropes, before hitting a leg lariat. Both women got to their feet, and Lynch got behind Cross, hitting her with a pumphandle suplex. She hooked the leg, and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Becky pulled Nikki to her feet and whipped her against the ropes once more, this time going for an arm drag. But Cross blocked it, then hit a vicious headbutt! Becky stumbled, and Nikki hit an inverted DDT! She stomped on Lynch several times, then went to the top rope, going for the Glasgow Kiss... but Lynch rolled out of the way, then grabbed Cross by the arm, locking in the Dis-arm-her! Cross was able to get to the ropes, and the referee told Lynch to break the hold. Lynch did so, then pulled Nikki away from the ropes and went to lock the Dis-arm-her in again. This time Nikki was able to fight back, and she rolled Becky up in a small package! The referee counted – 1... 2... Becky kicked out just before the three!
Mauro Ranallo: Someone ought to call the police because Nikki Cross almost stole a victory there!
Both women got to their feet, and Cross took Lynch down with a clothesline, then told the referee to count faster. Nikki turned her attention back to Becky, who was still down on the mat, and went to drag her to her feet. Becky was playing possum, and she rolled Nikki up with a small package of her own! The referee counted – 1... 2... 3! Becky rolled out of the ring and celebrated her victory at the bottom of the ramp!
Corey Graves: Have you dialled 911, Mauro? You might want to call an ambulance because Nikki Cross looks furious!
Instead of going after Becky Lynch, Nikki Cross turned her fury on the referee, spearing him down to the mat and pummelling him with punches! Don Callis entered the ring and pulled Nikki off the referee. For a moment, Cross appeared calm... then she hit Don Callis with a stiff kick, and hit him with a fisherman suplex! Nikki then turned Callis over, and put him in the Crossface! Referees and road agents rushed to the ring and forced Cross to break the hold.
Mauro Ranallo: Well I think it's pretty clear that Don Callis' managerial services are no longer required, Corey!
“Oh My Here We Go!”
Corey Graves: Fresh off that brutal tag team match in London! Look who it is, Mauro!
Mauro Ranallo: It looks like Boston, Mass is excited to see the owner of EBWF, Wes Ikeda.
Indeed, Boston was cheering for the arrival of The Rebel without a Cause. He wore an EBWF logo’ed t-shirt and dark wash blue jeans. He had a bit of a limp as he moved to either side of the stage to taunt the crowd. He didn’t proceed down to the ring, taking a mic from his waistband.
Wes Ikeda: Let’s see if Jimmy let’s me keep this thing on, shall we?
He cleared his throat.
Wes Ikeda: Now, I’m a little worse for wear after Braun Strowman dragged me from the turnbuckle and through an announce table. Hobbling around, maybe even showing my age since we’re a week out and I still feel like I got hit by a truck.
He shrugged.
Wes Ikeda: All week long, people have been messaging me on Twitter, stopping me backstage, on the street, and they all want to know the same thing. Why did I put my ass on the line by teaming with Chris Jericho last week? I think that can be summed up with two simple answers. Right or wrong, Jericho is my friend, and no matter how bad Jericho is? Jimmy Havoc is worse.
There was a mixed reaction to that that turned into full on boos.
Wes Ikeda: It’s fine. You can disagree with me if you want. I know what you’re thinking. Hell, I agree with you. Jimmy Havoc is a fantastic performer. One hell of a wrestler. You’ve nominated him for every award that there is at the Slammy Awards. What Jimmy Havoc is not is a promoter and a show runner, and I think his lack of vision is starting to show.
A mixed reaction again.
Wes Ikeda: And you know I’m right. You know why you know? Because you all saw what Jimmy did this week? I stood toe to toe with him, and not only did he let Braun Strowman handle his business, he spent this past week talking about Marty Scurll. Normally, I’d encourage people to keep my name out of their mouth - but that’s normally only after they’ve had the guts to say it in the first place. Nothing to say, Jimmy? Or do you need to keep hiding behind Braun Strowman?
The crowd gave an “oooh” in response and Wes tossed his mic down on the stage. “Sound of Madness” hit again and he left the stage as EBWF went to commercial.
“One True Villian” hit the PA and Marty Scurll made his way out to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: We have arrived to the main event of the evening.
Scurll got into the ring between the top and middle rope as “I Came to Play” brought the arrival of the Miz.
Corey Graves: The Awesome One has been nominated for Wrestler of the Year at this year’s Slammy Awards. I got to think that’s a huge honor for the Miz.
Mauro Ranallo: Especially coming from the EBWF Fans.
Corey Graves: It does seem like Miz has really turned over a new leaf this year.
The bell rang and the two men circled the ring. Scurll rolled Miz up for a quick two count, but Miz kicked out and hopped to his feet. They locked up, and Scurll applied a side headlock. Miz whipped him off of the ropes, but Scurll shoulder blocked him to the mat. Marty blocked a hip toss and caught him with a backslide pin for another two count.
Mauro Ranallo: Marty Scurll caught Miz by surprise there!
Scurll moved quickly to roll Miz up again, but Miz kicked out again after two. Miz ducked a big right hand, and put Scurll in the chin lock. Marty fought his way up and hit a sit-out jawbreaker. Scurll followed up with a big right hand, and came off the ropes with a running forearm. He followed up with a sit-out front suplex, and pinned Miz again.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Scurll helped Miz up and hit him with the Bird of Prey. He pinned him again.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Miz did a quick schoolboy roll up for another two count, and the two men scrambled to their feet. Scurll ducked a right hand and came back with a Russian legs sweep followed by a leg drop cradle for a near fall. Miz managed to counter a double leg drop to the midsection before hitting a kneeling DDT for a near fall. Scurll got out of a Skull Crushing Finale and rolled Miz up again.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Corey Graves: The Miz will not stay down! What does Scurll have to do?
Scurll avoided the corner clothesline, and Miz avoided a slingshot dropkick, leaving an opening for him to hit the Busaika Knee Kick for a near fall. Miz started connecting with “It” kicks. Scurll ducked the big kick and hit a mule kick followed by a slingshot dropkick in the corner for a near fall. Miz rolled out of the ring to recover. Scurll went to dive off of the apron, but Miz clipped his ankle. Scurll crashed and burned on the floor. Miz rolled him into the ring.
Corey Graves: Miz is going to try to steel one here!
Miz applied the Figure Four Leglock, and Scurll fought his way to the bottom rope. Scurll hit an desperate Bird of Prey, but Miz was able to use ring awareness to grab the bottom rope and break the pin. Scurll picked Miz up and looked to be going for a DDT, but Miz was able to counter in the SCF! Miz went for the pin.
1…
2…
3!
Maura Ranallo: The Miz picks up a victory here tonight! We are just three weeks away from Wrestlemania, Corey!
Corey Graves: That we are Mauro, and there’s no telling what this road has in store. We’ll see you live, next week, on Warfare.
