The usual EBWF intro started the show with clips of in ring action. As the clips continued they slowly became more and more desaturated until they were black and white. Then, the screen erupted into a burst of static. As the static cleared Aiden English was standing in the middle of the screen in front of a solid black background. He was in black and white.
Aiden English: The era of English truly begins tonight!
Aiden pulled the World title up and showed it off to the camera. The gold of the title was the only color on screen. Aiden held the title out directly in front of him and the light illuminating him flickered.
Aiden English: The past is dead and buried.
Aiden closed his eyes and let out a faint smile. He took a deep breath and as he did the color of the title drained away slightly. He looked at the title and the smile broke wider, more sinister. Aiden took another deep breath and more of the color faded from the title. Aiden cackled. The third deep breath drained the last of the color from the title, leaving the screen completely black and white. Aiden examined the silver of the title.
Aiden English: The future belongs to the One True King!
Aiden reached down and lifted the Gateway title up with his left hand. He tilted his head back and the light flickered again. It went black for several moments and when it came back the Gateway title was gone and the World title was wrapped around Aiden’s waist.
Aiden English: I will no longer burden myself with the Gateway Title. It REEKS of the old Aiden. The Aiden who couldn’t get the job done at Wrestlemania! The Aiden that got put out to pasture!
Aiden cackled as the screen slowly faded to a shot of Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves. Mauro was wide eyed.
Mauro Ranallo: I’m not sure what we just saw.
Corey Graves: Did Aiden English just corrupt the World Title?
Mauro Ranallo: It looked like he pulled the color out of it.
Corey Graves: But he dropped the Gateway Title? Was that what we just saw?
Mauro Ranallo: I think so… Anyways, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us for EBWF Warfare live from Rosemont, Illinois!
Corey Graves: This show is going to be a great one and we’re kicking it off with Becky Lynch taking on the leader of the Riott Squad, Ruby Riott!
A promo video for EBWF’s 18th Anniversary played and as it concluded the Riott Squad made their way out to the ring.
Corey Graves: And here comes the Riott Squad! Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott!
Mauro Ranallo: These ladies could be an unstoppable force here in EBWF.
Corey Graves: But their momentum could be halted before it even gets rolling if Ruby can’t get passed The Man here tonight.
Becky’s theme hit and the Lass Kicker came out onto the stage, already jawing off as she came up the ramp. She slid in under the bottom rope and the bell rang as Becky charged at Ruby. Riott applied a side headlock, but Lynch whipped her off. Ruby quickly shoulder blocked her down and taunted her by yelling at her and telling her to get up. Lynch applied a hammerlock, but Riott elbowed her in the face and took her down. Ruby covered, but Becky kicked out.
Corey Graves: Becky trying to mount some offense here.
Lynch hit the ropes and dropkicked Ruby down. Riott quickly got out of the ring to recover. Lynch finally caught her outside and shouted at The Riott Squad. Lynch got Ruby in the ring and sidestepped a shoulder from Riott. Ruby quickly overtook her and swept her down on the apron. Lynch fell to the floor. Riott followed after her and slammed her into the LED apron before throwing her into the barricade. Ruby got Lynch in the ring for a two count. Riott kneed her in the back a few times before applying a modified surfboard stretch. Lynch fought out and whipped her off. Riott quickly responded with a clothesline for a two count. Riott choked her on the middle rope, and Sarah Logan got a cheap shot in.
Mauro Ranallo: Oh, come on!
Riott stomped Becky in the corner and whipped her hard into it. She kicked Becky in the back. Becky tried to fight back, but Riott kneed her in the midsection. Lynch reversed a whip into the corner and clotheslined her down.
Mauro Ranallo: Becky’s making a comeback!
Both women were down, and traded forearms as they got to their feet. Lynch came out on top with some wild forearms and an uppercut. She connected with a backslide pin for a two count. Lynch clotheslines Riott twice before hitting a jumping calf kick to the face. Riott quickly put her on the apron, but Lynch elbowed her down and went to the top rope. Sarah Logan provided a distraction. Riott grapevined the head and drove her into the turnbuckle. Riott covered with her feet on the ropes, but the referee caught her.
Mauro Ranallo: Perfect officiating from our referee!
Corey Graves: Oh, you would say that!
Lynch soon made a comeback and drove her into Logan on the apron, who fell into Liv Morgan. Riott rebounded and rolled Lynch up.
1…
2…
3!
Corey Graves: Ruby Riott gets the win!
Mauro Ranallo: You’ve got to be kidding.
Corey Graves: The Riott Squad is here to stay, Mauro!
Warfare returned from commercial with Ciampa already in the ring. Hardcore Holly made his entrance as the commentators played up Fanniversary. Once both men were in the ring, the bell sounded and the pair locked up. Ciampa started punching Holly and takes Holly down hard with a shoulder. Holly knocked Ciampa over the ropes but Ciampa skinned the cat.
Corey Graves: Look at the athleticism of Ciampa!
Holly got Ciampa in the corner and landed several chops. Ciampa got Holly in the corner and chopped him. Holly glared and slapped Ciampa in the head. Ciampa took Holly down with a cross body and went for the cover.
1…
Mauro Ranallo: Hardcore Holly out of danger!
Holly got Ciampa in the ropes and chopped him several times then kicked Ciampa. Holly flipped Ciampa to the mat and got him in a headlock. Ciampa got to his feet and punched Holly in the stomach. Holly nailed Ciampa in the head and knocked him to his knees. Holly then got Ciampa in the ropes again and kicked him in the gut. Holly picked up Ciampa and went for the Alabama Slam but Ciampa reversed and went for a cover.
1…
2…
Kickout!
Ciampa took Holly down and went for another quick cover.
Mauro Ranallo: Good for a count of one!
Ciampa rolls Holly into yet another cover.
Corey Graves: Exchanging covers won’t do it! They’re going to have to mount some offense!
Holly whipped Ciampa into the corner and went after him but Ciampa moved. Ciampa took Holly down for another cover. Ciampa kicked out, and Holly took Ciampa down with an impressive drop kick. Ciampa tried to pick himself up, but got hit with the Alabama Slam! Holly hooked the leg.
1….
2….
3!
Corey Graves: Hardcore Holly notches another win!
Mauro Ranallo: He’s making a case for a Gateway Championship opportunity!
Seth Rollins made his way to the ring to fanfare, but the energy turned up even more when AJ Styles made his way to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Some fans are behind Seth Rollins, but the EBWF Universe is all about AJ Styles!
They circled the ring and locked up. The referee signaled for the bell, and dueling chants fired up to highlight Mauro Ranallo’s point. Styles powered him to the corner and gave a clean break. They locked up, and Styles wrenched the arm. Rollins fought out, but Styles applied a side headlock. Rollins fights out. They locked up again, and Rollins applied a side headlock. Styles whipped him off, but Rollins held the ropes. Styles applied a side headlock.
Corey Graves: Fewer headlocks! More momentum!
Rollins got out, and hit a dropkick on Styles that was only good for a one count. Rollins punched him in the corner, wrenched the arm, and took Styles down. Rollins covered him, this time for a two count. Styles powered him to the corner and chopped away at him. Styles leveled him with a straight right hand. Rollins fought back, but Styles floored him with an overhead kick. Styles put him in the corner and shouldered him. Styles took him down and kicked the back. Rollins tried to fight back, but Styles took him down with a big back body drop. Styles punched him, but Rollins knocked him out of the ring. Rollins then wiped him out with a suicide dive. Rollins got him in the ring for a one count.
Corey Graves: Rollins is wondering what he has to do to keep Styles down!
Rollins hit a snapmare and dropkicked him in the face for a one count. Rollins charged, but Styles took him down. Styles looked angry and applied a modified camel clutch. Rollins fought up and hit some uppercuts. Styles reversed a whip to the corner, and Rollins booted him. Rollins hit another dropkick, Styles came right back with a back fist, and Rollins took him down with a step-up enzuigiri. They got to their feet and traded punches. Rollins chopped the chest and hit a running forearm. Rollins connected with a running shoulder and a springboard clothesline. Rollins blocked a suplex and tried for one, but Styles landed on his feet. Styles hit a back elbow and connected with a reverse DDT for a near fall.
Mauro Ranallo: AJ couldn’t put Rollins away!
Styles hit a strike combo and clotheslined Rollins down for another near fall. Rollins fought back and hit a modified neck breaker backing up and hitting The Stomp!
Corey Graves: Rollins has done it!
Mauro Ranallo: What a victory for Seth Rollins!
Rollins hand was raised in victory as EBWF went to commercial.
“Cult of Personality” by Living Colour started playing and the crowd erupted into cheers. CM Punk casually walked out from backstage in street clothes, holding a microphone in his right hand. He took note of the crowd and chuckled to himself.
Mauro Ranallo: We haven’t seen CM Punk since he took on Wes Ikeda at Summerslam.
Corey Graves: Mauro, please show a little respect… That’s Mr. Punk to you!
Mauro Ranallo: After everything he’s done, I expected the EBWF Universe to have a very different reaction when he decided to show his face!
Corey Graves: In Illinois? You expected this crowd to turn on a hometown hero? Mauro, you must have got hit on the head more times than the boss did!
Punk paced back and forth at the top of the ramp as his entrance music continued to play. The speakers popped as he tapped the top of his mic repeatedly. He held the mic up to his mouth, paused for several moments and then sighed.
CM Punk: Boy does it feel good to be here tonight!
Punk threw his arms open and tilted his head back.
CM Punk: At first I thought I could feel the breeze off the windy city right here in the arena tonight. Then I came to a sad realization. All that air blowing around this building. The hot air that’s draining you of your energy and your fun. It’s not from the windy city.
Punk took a moment to laugh before getting to the punch line.
CM Punk: Nope, it’s the hot air that the EBWF is being fed by that blow hard Wes Ikeda! Showing up tonight was calculated and planned by a certain other Son of the Second City! That guy bouncing around with a title and a crown, perhaps you’ve heard of him. He knew this show was coming up and he counseled me to wait to say my peace here in the greatest state in the Union.
The crowd cheered for the cheap pandering.
CM Punk: We knew that this was the one place where people would actually stop and listen while I cut through all the bs being fed to the Universe. Crap like Wes Ikeda’s hands being tied. I’m going to feed the truth to you. AJ Styles got his TWO undeserved title shots because he follows Wes around like a little whipped dog. “Yes sir, may I have another title match sir?”
Punk tilted his nose up and slightly shook his head back and forth to deliver the last line with a snooty accent.
CM Punk: You don’t believe me? Wait and see how long it takes for The Rated E Superstar or Kelly Kelly Orton to snap up a title shot after running down to protect the boss at Summerslam. They’re the biggest bunch of high life cake eaters you’ll ever meet. All of em’. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t book them both in a triple threat title match that he hates so much! Here’s how certain I am, if Edge or Orton does pop up in a title match before the end of the year, I’ll take my tights and go home! I’m happy to be wrong, I don’t need the money and the Universe deserves BETTER. Speaking of better. There are better ways of running your mouth than social media! So, I’ll wait until you come down here and tell me.
Punk threw his arms open again and motioned for someone to come on. With a smile he quickly relaxed.
CM Punk: I didn’t think so! No, we’ve got a twitter tough guy talking about how he hasn’t forgotten me. You’re DAMN straight he hasn’t forgotten me. After the beating he got at Summerslam he will NEVER forget the Punker. In fact, if he thinks there is any chance he might forget about ME, maybe we need to do this song and dance one more ti….
Punk looked down at the mic in his hand and shook his head. He tapped on the top of the microphone again but there was no noise. “Cult of Personality” started to play again and a confused CM Punk threw the mic at the ramp, turned and walked away. EBWF faded to commercial.
When EBWF returned from commercial another Fanniversary promo played. “Aphrodite” hit and the crowd cheered for Torrie Wilson.
Mauro Ranallo: A living legend, Corey!
Corey Graves: A legend that needs to give the longest reigning champion in EBWF History her due!
The crowd booed as Zahra made her way to the ring on cue. She got in between the top and middle rope and Torrie backed up, giving her a moment to give the title to the time keeper. When the bell rang the two women locked up. Zahra turned it into a side headlock, but Torrie reversed it into a pinning combination!
1…
2…
Corey Graves: Zahra kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: But she looks shocked.
Torrie locked on her own side headlock.
Mauro Ranallo: Well, the match writers were certainly lacking in creativity tonight, Corey.
Zahra got out of it and landed some jabs to Torrie’s midsection. Zahra threw Torrie into the buckle, but Torrie leapfrogged the charging Zahra and landed a kick. Zahra sent Torrie into the ropes and hotshots her chest first into the turnbuckle. Zahra turned her around and pummeled her with chops. Spinning back kick by Zahra, right into the Jawbreaker! Zahra with the pin!
1…
2…
3!
Corey Graves: And Torrie Wilson is no match for our reigning, defending women’s champion!
Mauro Ranallo: Show some respect, Corey!
Corey Graves: I am, Mauro! To Zahra Schreiber!
The lights in the arena dimmed and “I Came to Play” by Downstait started to play. The Miz and Mickie James stepped out onto the entrance ramp to a chorus of boos. The couple posed at the top of the ramp. Miz yelled “I’m AWWWESSSOMMMMMEEEE” at the crowd and they attempted to drown him out by getting louder. The couple started on their way down to the ring and the camera cut away to Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves at the announce table.
Mauro Ranallo: This next match is a direct result of the confrontation between Mikie James and Raquel Diaz last week on Warfare!
Corey Graves: Don’t forget the after match attack by Aiden, Elias and Raquel.
Mauro Ranallo: I’m sure that factors into it Corey, but the word in the back is that Raquel requested this match.
Corey Graves: I’m not sure that was the best of ideas, Mikie James is a veteran in this industry.
The camera cut back into the ring where Miz and Mickie continued to pose until their entrance music came to an end. “Moments” by Sevendust started to play and the crowd turned. They stood up and cheered for the locals as Aiden and Raquel stepped out from backstage. Aiden, wearing his new black and silver attire with the silver crown and new silver EBWF World Title, carried a black, grey and silver version of the Chicago flag with him. He stood at the top of the ramp and waved it back and forth. Half way down the ramp, Aiden passed the flag off to a member of the audience and continued on to the ring.
Corey Graves: This is not like Aiden English, to pander to the crowd.
Mauro Ranallo: Like you said earlier, this is his hometown crowd!
The two couples stared each other down from opposite sides of the ring. Miz and Mickie checked each other’s gear while Aiden talked into Raquel’s ear and pointed at Mickie James’s knees. The referee went to the English/Diaz corner and talked to the couple. After a few moments Aiden nodded and the referee walked across the ring. When the referee started talking Mickie turned toward the corner and kicked the bottom rope. She thrashed on the top turnbuckle. Eventually the referee stopped and Miz nodded. Miz talked to Mickie in the corner for a few moments, eventually calming her down enough to get her onto the apron.
Corey Graves: Mickie James wants in that ring!
Mauro Ranallo: I think this is extremely personal for her after last week!
The bell rung before Miz could turn back around and Aiden rushed across the ring. Miz turned into a splash as Aiden smashed him into the corner. Keeping the pace, Aiden whipped Miz across the ring and delivered another splash into the opposite corner. Aiden mounted Miz and the crowd counted along as he rained punches down. 1… 2… 3… 4… Miz shoved Aiden out of the corner and dove out with a clothesline. Miz followed the clothesline up with a quick elbow drop. Miz jumped up and started pulling Aiden up off the mat. Aiden hooked Miz’s ankle and tripped him on the way up.
Mauro Ranallo: These two have spent a lot of time in the ring with each other in the last year.
Aiden mimicked Miz with a quick elbow of his own into the small of Miz’s back. Rather than hauling Miz up off the mat, the champion started toward Mickie James. Miz took note of Aiden’s movement and leapt to his feet. He rushed toward the corner but Aiden spun and drove a shoulder into his stomach. Aiden went to carry Miz across the ring but Mickie managed to lean over the top rope and just barely make the tag. She jumped into the ring on fire and pulled Miz down off Aiden’s shoulder. Across the ring Raquel made her way into the ring and bolted toward Mickie. Mickie jumped at Raquel, wrapped an arm around her neck and drove her to the mat. Mickie mounted Raquel and started punching wildly.
Corey Graves: Mickie James is on fire!
Mauro Ranallo: The tension between Miz and Aiden has spilled over to their wives!
Aiden went to pull Mickie off of Raquel but the referee got in between them and reminded Aiden that he couldn’t put his hands on Mickie. Aiden took a few steps back and then attempted to rush around the referee. The ref intercepted him and backed Aiden back toward the corner. Raquel managed to roll Mickie off of her and the two rolled around on the mat exchanging blows. Mickie had almost regained control when Raquel reached up and dug a thumb into her eye. Mickie rolled off with both hands clasping the hurt eye. Aiden stopped fighting the ref and climbed out of the ring. Miz checked on Mickie while Raquel took a moment in the corner.
Warfare went to commercial. When the show returned Mickie had her head hung over the bottom rope and Raquel put her knee in her back and pulled up on the ropes. The referee started counting to five and a pop-up took over the bottom part of the screen.
Mauro Ranallo: Let’s take a look at the action that occurred during the commercial break.
In the pop up there was a clip of Raquel pulling Mickies hair to deliver a snapmare and then grinding her elbow into Mickie’s face. The pop up retreated into the corner as the referee pulled Raquel off of Mickie and put himself between them. As he checked on Mickie, Raquel went to the corner to talk to her husband. Again he pointed out Mickie’s knees. Raquel shook her head and made a choking motion toward her own neck. Mickie had just made it to her feet with the help of the ropes when Raquel noticed and bounced off the ropes. Mickie stumbled out into the middle of the ring only to be hit with a headscissors takedown.
Corey Graves: Raquel Diaz is summoning the spirit of her late father!
Raquel lifted Mickie up off the mat and got into position for the Three Amigas. She hit the first two suplexes without hesitation. On the third lift Mickie wrapped her leg around Raquel’s in an attempt to stop the move. Raquel applied pressure to Mickie’s neck and hit her twice in the ribs. Mickie relaxed her foot and Raquel hit the final suplex leaving Mickie sprawled out on the mat. Raquel covered. 1… 2… Mickie James kicked out.
Mauro Ranallo: Raquel almost had the win but James able to power out at the last second.
Raquel smacked the mat and yelled at the ref in Spanish, showing him how to count. Frustrated she grabbed a handful of hair on either side of Mickie’s head and pulled her head backwards into the mat. The referee quickly started counting. 1…. 2…. 3…. 4… Raquel threw her hands up in the air and backed away. She walked to the corner, whipped her feet on the mat and tagged Aiden into the match. Aiden took his time climbing into the ring as he watched Miz check on his wife.
Corey Graves: There’s evil in the Champion’s eyes. He wouldn’t do anything to Mickie, would he?
Mauro Ranallo: I’ve got to be honest and tell you I’m not sure what depths this new Aiden English would go to in order to win.
Aiden grabbed Miz by the hair and drug him away from Mickie but Miz countered with a punch to the ribs. Miz followed it up with another blow to the other side. Miz created separation with a standing dropkick, sending English across the mat with authority. Miz turned his attention back to Mickie, helping her up off the mat and to the corner. Aiden and Miz met in the middle of the ring and locked up. Miz took control and transferred into a side headlock. Aiden attempted to pry Miz’s hands from around his neck but Miz cinched up tighter. Aiden threw repeated elbows at Miz and then shoved him off into the ropes. Aiden caught Miz on the way back and hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Aiden made his way out onto the apron and started climbing to the top rope.
Corey Graves: We don’t normally see Aiden English head to the top rope!
Aiden made it to the top as Miz jumped up and quickly climbed to the second rope to meet him. The two battled on the corner post, trading blow for blow. Aiden hit Miz with a hard right that set Miz reeling backwards. Aiden grabbed Miz’s head and drove it into the corner post. With Miz doubled over Aiden flipped over him and drug him to the mat with a huge sunset flip powerbomb.
Mauro Ranallo: Speaking of people channeling the late Eddie Guerrero! What a move.
Aiden hooked the leg for the pin. 1… 2… Miz kicked out! Aiden slowly climbed to his feet and paced the ring in frustration. He dropped a leg across Miz’s neck and attempted another pin. 1… Miz kicked out! Aiden sighed. He picked Miz back up off the mat and pushed him up against the ropes. Aiden took a step back and went for a clothesline but Miz pulled down the top rope and dropped to the mat sending Aiden spilling out to the floor. Aiden quickly pulled himself up and leaned against the apron. Miz bolted across the ring and rebounded off the ropes. As he did, Mickie made the tag and quickly climbed into the ring. He sent Aiden flying with a huge baseball slide ending with both men outside the ring. Mickie ran across the ring like a bolt of lighting and drop kicked Raquel off the apron.
Corey Graves: Mikie and Miz are working like a well oiled machine!
Mickie climbed out of the ring and stayed on the offensive, tossing Raquel into the barrier and striking her repeatedly. Mickie whipped Raquel into the steel steps. Aiden and Miz also brawled outside the ring. Mickie rolled Diaz under the bottom rope and slid in after her. She drug Raquel to the center of the ring and covered. 1… 2. Raquel kicked out. Mickie wasted no time grabbing Raquel’s hair and slammed her head against the mat repeatedly. Mickie transitioned back to a pin. 1… 2… Raquel kicked out again!
Mauro Ranallo: Raquel refuses to be beat here tonight!
Corey Graves: She’s got to learn when she’s had enough or she’s going to wind up injured!
Mickie pulled at her hair trying to think of what she could do to keep Raquel down. Outside the ring Aiden got the upper hand and suplexed Miz up and onto the apron. Aiden climbed up onto the apron and reached as far as he could. He yelled for Raquel to get up. Raquel started to move but Mickie grabbed her by the legs and drug her across the mat to the opposite corner. Raquel pulled and crawled as hard as she could but Mickie spun her around and locked in a boston crab. Raquel yelled out in pain.
Mauro Ranallo: Her husband has to seem miles away with that submission locked in.
Raquel thrashed about trying to pull herself toward Aiden. Aiden started yelling for her to grab the ropes and she listened. The referee got in to break up the hold but James refused. He started counting. 1… 2… 3… Mickie broke the hold but pulled Raquel’s feet up into the air and let her crash back down into the mat. The referee backed Mickie away yelling at her for continuing the assault after he called for a break. Raquel slowly started crawling her way to Aiden.
Corey Graves: Raquel has to use this opportunity to get Aiden into this match!
Aiden leaned in over the top rope and stretched. Halfway across the ring Mickie broke away from the ref and grabbed a hold of Raquel’s leg. Raquel rolled over and kicked Mickie away from her. She pulled herself up on a knee and started back toward Aiden. Miz grabbed Aiden’s ankle and pulled him off the apron. Aiden’s head bounced off the apron and Miz immediately started attacking him. Raquel dropped her head to the mat in defeat. Mickie stood behind her prepared to strike. Slowly Raquel got to her feet and spun around. Mickie hit her with a devastating Mick Kick that left Raquel lifeless on the mat. Mickie made the cover. 1… 2… 3!
Corey Graves: Mickie James pins Raquel Diaz to win the match for her team!
Mauro Ranallo: A little assistance from her husband, keeping Aiden from tagging in.
Outside the ring Aiden and Miz continued to battle. Aiden took control and whipped Miz into the cornerpost. Alex Riley came running down from the back and stopped Aiden from continuing to assault Miz. The two brawled to the side of the ring exchanging rapid wild blows. Aiden shoved Alex back against the announcer’s table and dropkicked him. Riley slumped against the announcer’s table. Mickie climbed out of the ring and grabbed her husband. The couple backed away down the apron as Aiden lifted Alex Riley up on his shoulders and powerbombed him through the announcer’s table. The logos came up on screen as Aiden slid back in the ring to check on Raquel.
