Pyro shot off in the T-Mobile arena and the crowd cheered as EBWF Warfare went on the air.
Mauro Ranallo: Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, we kick off both the King and Queen of the ring tournaments!
Nigel McGuinness: That's right, Mauro. And we get started right now with women's action.
Nikki's music hit and the crowd cheered as she did her usual energetic entrance and sped down to the ring. "Aphrodite" hit and the living legend, Torrie Wilson stepped onto the stage.
Mauro Ranallo: And there's the most decorated women's champion in EBWF history!
Nigel McGuinness: Will she be able to get a win over Nikki Cross here tonight?
The bell rang and Nikki charged in, and hit a crossbody into grounded punches. She was screaming mad, and threw Torrie into the corner, and rammed through for shoulder thrusts before putting the boots to her.
Mauro Ranallo: She's woman handling Torrie!
Nikki hit the Snapmare and set up a dropkick. Nikki got a suplex for a near fall and set up a Rings of Saturn, but Torrie reversed into a pin for one and the break. Nikki locked on the half nelson chin lock. Torrie escaped, and fired back with some grounded punches, but Nikki clobbered her with a lariat.
Nigel McGuinness: Torrie can't find an opening here.
Nikki hammered Torrie with forearms. She tried to whip her into the corner, but Torrie reversed, and dropped down to avoid a crossbody from Nikki. Torrie hit a running lariat, and then an atomic drop on Nikki. Torrie hit a big boot to put Nikki into the corner, and followed up with a bronco buster. The crowd cheered as she showboated, throwing one arm in the air. Nikki tried to land a kick, but Torrie blocked it. Nikki went for a fisherman neckbreaker, but Torrie tried to reverse into a small package. Nikki kicked out, and Torrie tried to follow up with a kick, but Nikki blocked it and hit Torrie with the fisherman neck breaker.
1...
2...
3!
Mauro Ranallo: Are you kidding me?!
Nigel McGuinness: I thought Torrie was making a comeback there!
Mauro Ranallo: And now Nikki Cross is moving on in the Queen of the Ring tournament.
Mauro Ranallo: Nikki Cross put away Torrie Wilson to get this started, and now we find out who her opponent will be in the second round as Tessa Blanchard takes on Liv Morgan.
Blanchard’s music hit and she moved down the ramp toward the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Tessa Blanchard is still fairly new to the EBWF Landscape, and we haven’t seen Liv Morgan in a few months.
Mauro Ranallo: Well, Liv is back and she’s as feisty as ever.
Liv got a pop as her music hit and she came out onto the stage, and grinned toward Tessa in the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: She’s looking confident tonight.
Liv got into the ring, and Christy Hemme announced both of them before the referee checked their boots. Once he separated them into separate corners, he rang the bell.
Mauro Ranallo: Here we go!
They charged out and locked up, but Tessa took Liv down. Tessa clubbed Liv and pulled her to her feet by the hair. The crowd booed that, and Tessa mouthed off to them. Liv fought back and hit a pair of clotheslines, followed by a step-up enzuigiri.
Nigel McGuinness: Tessa will be feeling that one in the morning.
Liv quickly hit a missile dropkick off the middle rope for a near fall. Liv was getting fired up and pushed Tessa while she talked some trash, which got the crowd to react positively again. Tessa blocked a suppler and stomped Liv’s foot. Texxa hit a front suppler on the top rope and hit a running boot to the face for a near fall.
Mauro Ranallo: Blanchard trying to make a comeback here.
Tessa continued to work her over and kicked her in the face. Blanchard turned to showboat to the crowd, but it washer undoing as Liv hit a flatliner off the ropes.
Nigel McGuinness: Liv Morgan with the pin.
1…
2…
3!
Mauro Ranallo: Liv Morgan! She’s moving on in the Queen of the Ring tournament! She’ll take on Nikki Cross in round two.
The referee raised her hand in victory as EBWF went to commercial.
“Out of Time” hit the PA and PAC came to the ring to a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Mauro Ranallo: Our first qualifier for the King of the Ring tournament is scheduled next, and it is a triple threat match to proceed to the second round, and PAC is going to take on Rey Mysterio and Damian Priest.
“Nightmares” filled the arena next, and Damian Priest was next out down the ramp.
Nigel McGuinness: A newcomer to EBWF, this is his first year in the King of the Ring tournament, but there’s already a lot of buzz around his performance.
A clip of Damian’s promo played as he got into the ring, and when it wrapped up “Booyaka 619” made the crowd pop as the Rey Mysterio came from behind the curtain and charged to the ring. The bell rang as Rey slid in under the bottom rope.
Mauro Ranallo: Who will move on to round two?
Priest immediately went after PAC, but PAC caught him and threw him into Mysterio. Mysterio went after PAC, but Priest came back at both men. All three men connected with each other, and stood across the ring from one another, staring each other down.
Nigel McGuinness: We're at a bit of a stalemate here.
Priest took down Mysterio and hit him with a DDT, but PAC broke up the pinfall. PAC sent Priest out of the ring, but Priest caught PAC with a boot to the face. Priest went to the top rope and PAC gave chase. PAC went for a superplex, but Priest blocked it with knees to the face. PAC grabbed Priest around the waist for a belly to belly suplex. Mysterio got to his feet and got PAC with a DDT. Priest hit a spinning heel kick on PAC, which sent all three men to the ground.
Mauro Ranallo I can't tell which of these men want it more!
Rey and Priest seemed to form a temporary alliance, taking out PAC. They worked together to incapacitate PAC and Priest hit him with a chokeslam. PAC rolled out of the ring. Priest set up for The Reckoning and threw him outside of the ring, into PAC. PAC and Mysterio traded blows outside, and Priest followed it up with a flipping tope over the top rope.
Nigel McGuinness: Damien Priest is getting the upper hand here.
Mysterio got back into the ring, but Damian followed him back inside, and hit a chokeslam, covering him for a two count. Priest went for a roundhouse kick, but missed. Mysterio charged at him, but instead pushed him into PAC who had gotten back into the ring. PAC hit a powerbomb on Priest, throwing him down on Mysterio. PAC went for the pin, but Mysterio broke it up at the last moment.
Mauro Ranallo: I thought it was over!
PAC hit Mysterio with a chokeslam, and Mysterio rolled out of the ring. PAC went to the top rope, but Damian Priest caught him with a kick and gave chase. Priest hit a hurricanrana on PAC from the top rope, and Mysterio hit an elbow drop on PAC from the top. Priest and Mysterio ran at each other and Damian hit The Reckoning. Pac was down, and nearest to Priest, so he hooked PAC's leg and pinned him.
1...
2...
3!
Mauro Ranallo: He's done it! Damian Priest is the first man to move on in the King of the Ring Tournament.
Damian climbed the top rope to celebrate as EBWF went to commercial.
Mauro Ranallo: We are back, and we continue the first round of the Queen of the Ring tournament with our fourth match of the evening!
"Legs" hit the PA and the crowd popped for EBWF Legend, Stacy Keibler who proceeded to the ring, and slid in under the bottom rope, awaiting her opponent. Natalya got an equally respectable pop as the tell-tale Hart family guitar slide brought her into the sold out T-Mobile Arena, and she moved down the ramp, leaving a cat ears headband with one of the little girls in the front row. The bell rang as she entered the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Here we go!
They locked up and Natalya pushed Stacy and Stacy slapped Natalya. The crowd 'oohed.
Mauro Ranallo: These ladies are aggressive from the onset.
Stacy put on a wrist lock using the ropes, and then followed up with an arm drag. Natalya blocked a kick and sent Stacy face first into the mat. Natalya fought into a surfboard and the referee checked the shoulders. Stacy escaped and she hit a running double knee strike for a near fall. Natalya surprised her with a rollup for a near fall. Stacy tried for a sunset flip attempt but Natalya blocked it and went for a Sharpshooter but Stacy sent Natalya to the floor.
Nigel McGuinness: Stacy is following after now.
Natalya punched Stacy and Keibler retreated back toward the ring but Stacy span on the apron and hit a head scissors followed by a running knee to the head against the ring side barrier. Natalya was down.
Mauro Ranallo: Some athleticism from Stacy there.
Stacy helped Nattie up by the hair, and rolled her back into the ring. Natalya hit a back breaker and she added more pressure on the back. Stacy got a sunset flip to counter and she got a near fall. Stacy blocked a kick and connected with a knee to the head. Natalya applied the Sharpshooter. Stacy tried to fight to the bottom rope, but Natalya pulled Stacy back into the center of the ring and was left but no choice but to the tap. The crowd cheered!
Mauro Ranallo: Natalya did it! She got Stacy Keibler to tap, and she advances in the next round of the Queen of the Ring Tournament!
Mauro Ranallo: Up next, we'll find out how Natalya will face in the second round of Queen of the Ring as Mickie James takes on Charlotte Flair!
Mickie James came to the ring first, followed by Charlotte Flair. When both women were in the ring, the referee called for the bell and the superstars locked up. James went for a snapmare, but Charlotte blocked it, countering with a hammerlock. James broke free, then whipped Charlotte against the ropes. As Charlotte ran back towards her, Mickie James hit a hip toss, then as Charlotte got to her feet, Mickie hit a swinging neckbreaker. She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Charlotte kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: A strong start by Mickie James here!
Mickie pulled Charlotte to her feet and set her up for a suplex, but Charlotte blocked it, countering with a jawbreaker. Mickie stumbled backwards and Charlotte took her down with a big boot, then stomped on James several times. Charlotte grabbed Mickie by the legs and went to lock in the Figure Eight, but Mickie kicked her away and got to her feet. James grabbed Charlotte and dragged her towards the corner, then climbed the turnbuckle, setting Charlotte up for a tornado DDT. Charlotte blocked it and climbed onto the ropes herself, hitting Mickie James with a superplex!
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia! What a counter!
Nigel McGuinness: That shook the ring!
Charlotte hooked the leg, and the referee counted – 1... 2... Mickie kicked out! Charlotte pulled Mickie to her feet and whipped her against the ropes, then hit her with a Spear! Charlotte went for the Figure Eight once more, but Mickie rolled her up into a small package! The referee counted – 1... 2... Charlotte kicked out! Both women got to their feet and Mickie hit Charlotte with a kick to the midsection, then hit her with the Stratusfaction! Grinning, Mickie hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: Mickie James gets the victory... with Trish's finishing manoeuvre!
Nigel McGuinness: She's sending a message to the Women's Champion, Mauro... and she'll face Trish's best friend and tag team partner Natalya in the next round!
Mickie celebrated as Warfare went to a commercial break.
As Warfare returned from commercial, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica hit and the crowd cheered as Nick Gage made his way to the ring for the next match.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Up next, we've got three of the hardest hitting men in professional wrestling competing in a triple threat match... Nick Gage takes on Tommaso Ciampa and Tomohiro Ishii!
Nigel McGuinness: Things could get wild, Mauro!
When Gage was in the ring, "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads hit and the crowd booed as Tommaso Ciampa headed to the ring. After Ciampa had entered the ring, "Stone Pitbull" by May's hit and the crowd cheered as Tomohiro Ishii stepped out onto the stage. Ishii walked down the ramp and glared at his opponents as he entered the ring. The referee called for the bell, and Ciampa charged towards Tomohiro Ishii, hitting him with a high knee. Ciampa then turned to face Nick Gage, and the two men exchanged right hands back and forth. Gage was able to overpower Ciampa, and he threw him out of the ring then followed him to the outside. Gage hit Ciampa with a DDT onto the floor, then moved towards the announce table. Gage cleared the top of the announce table, then threw Ciampa onto the table and climbed to the top rope. Gage leapt from the turnbuckle, frog splashing Ciampa through the table!
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia!
As Gage got to his feet, Tomohiro Ishii hit him with a suicide dive, then threw him back into the ring. Ishii re-entered the ring and stomped on Gage several times, then pulled him to his feet and hit a powerbomb. He hooked both legs and the referee counted – 1... 2... Gage kicked out. Ishii dragged Gage to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then ran at him and went for a lariat... but Gage moved out of the way, causing Ishii to collide with the turnbuckles. As Ishii stumbled backwards, Gage hit a back drop, then removed the top turnbuckle pad and dragged Ishii to his feet, slamming his head off the exposed turnbuckle!
Nigel McGuinness: Nick Gage is showing his nasty side, Mauro!
Gage dragged Ishii away from the corner, and hit him with a sitout piledriver, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Ishii kicked out! Gage grabbed Ishii and punched him against the ring mat several times, then pulled him to his feet and grabbed him by the throat, setting him up for the Choke Breaker... but before he could hit it, Tommaso Ciampa hit Gage with a steel chair! Ciampa hit Gage right across the back, and as Gage fell to the mat Ciampa turned to Ishii, drilling him in the ribs with the chair. Ciampa threw Gage out of the ring, then grabbed Ishii and set him up for the Fairy Tale Ending onto the chair. Ishii blocked it and countered with a back body drop. As Ciampa got to his feet, Ishii grabbed him and hit a Vertical Drop Brainbuster onto the chair! Ishii hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Tomohiro Ishii advances... he'll face Damian Priest in the next round!
Mauro Ranallo: Up next, it's time for our main event... in another King of the Ring first round match, Matt Riddle takes on AJ Styles and The Rock!
"Hey Bro" hit and the crowd cheered as Matt Riddle made his way to the ring. Upon entering the ring, Riddle kicked off his flip flops, and the crowd chanted "Bro" as he walked to the corner of the ring. "Phenomenal" hit and AJ Styles got a mixed reaction as he headed to the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Matt Riddle is making his EBWF debut tonight, and what a debut it would be if the King of Bros could beat both AJ Styles and The Rock!
Mauro Ranallo: It would be impressive, Nigel, but it certainly won't be easy!
After Styles had entered the ring, "Electrifying" hit and the arena erupted as The Rock stepped out onto the stage. The Rock looked around at the crowd, then walked down the ramp and entered the ring. After entering the ring, The Rock climbed the turnbuckle, raised his arm up and smelled the air.
Nigel McGuinness: Can you smell what The Rock is cooking, Mauro?
Mauro Ranallo: Nigel, if Matt Riddle and AJ Styles have been taking part in "recreational activities", I'm not even sure The Rock will be able to smell what he's cooking!
The Rock climbed down from the turnbuckle and stared at his opponents, who stared right back. The referee called for the bell and The Rock held out both hands, signalling to Styles and Riddle to "Just Bring It". Styles and Riddle exchanged a glance, nodded, then charged towards The Rock and double-teamed him! After beating The Rock down, they threw him out of the ring, and turned their attention to each other. Styles hit Riddle with a series of punches, then went to whip Riddle against the ropes, but Riddle reversed the Irish whip, sending Styles into the ropes. As Styles ran back towards him, Riddle hit a knee strike, then as Styles got back to his feet, Riddle hit him with a fisherman buster. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Styles kicked out. As Riddle got to his feet, The Rock re-entered the ring and he charged towards Riddle, hitting him with a clothesline. Styles then got to his feet, and The Rock hit him with a series of punches, then hit a flowing snap DDT. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Styles kicked out! As The Rock got to his feet, Matt Riddle attacked him from behind, hitting him in the back of the head then whipping him into the corner. As Riddle hit The Rock with a series of kicks, AJ Styles rolled out of the ring, giving himself time to recover. Meanwhile in the corner, The Rock had fallen into a sitting position, and Riddle took several steps back, then ran at the Rock and hit him with a knee to the face! As The Rock slumped to the mat, Riddle rolled him away from the ropes, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Riddle kicked out!
Nigel McGuinness: Another near fall! These three superstars aren't wasting any time trying to put this match to bed, Mauro.
Mauro Ranallo: Maybe they're hoping to hit the casinos after the show, Nigel... after all, we are in Vegas!
Riddle got to his feet and stomped on The Rock several times, then grabbed him by the leg and applied an ankle lock! The Rock crawled towards the ropes, and as he grabbed onto the bottom rope, the referee ordered Riddle to break the hold. Riddle did so, and The Rock used the ropes to pull himself up. As he did so, Riddle ran towards him, going for a clothesline, but the Rock ducked underneath it and hit Riddle with a shoulder back toss, sending Riddle to the outside. The Rock was about to follow Riddle out of the ring when Styles re-entered the ring, grabbing The Rock from behind and hitting him with a German suplex. Both men got to their feet, and Styles hit The Rock with a series of punches, before lifting him onto his shoulders and hitting the Ushigoroshi. Styles hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... The Rock kicked out! Styles stomped on The Rock several times, then pulled him to his feet and hit a DDT. As The Rock lay dazed on the mat, Styles climbed onto the ring apron and signalled for the Phenomenal Forearm... but before he could hit it, Matt Riddle pulled Styles off the apron and threw him into the ring steps! Riddle rolled back into the ring, and signalled for his new finishing move... the Bro-Knee Express! He charged towards The Rock... but The Rock reacted quickly and countered with a spinebuster! The crowd cheered in anticipation as The Rock removed his elbow pad and signalled for the People's Elbow! The Rock bounced off one set of ropes, then jumped over Riddle and bounced off the other set of ropes, then dropped an elbow on Riddle!
Mauro Ranallo: The People's Elbow... or should I say, the People's El-Bro!
The Rock hooked the leg, and the referee counted – 1... 2... Styles broke up the count! Styles pulled The Rock to his feet and hit him with a series of elbows, then set him up for the Styles Clash... but The Rock blocked it, and countered with a back body drop! Styles stumbled to his feet, and The Rock hit him with The Rock Bottom! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Nigel McGuinness: It's over, The Rock wins! What a match!
The referee called for the bell and raised The Rock's arm in victory. As his music hit, The Rock climbed the turnbuckle and held up his arm, celebrating as the crowd chanted his name.
Mauro Ranallo: The Rock will face Jimmy Havoc, Andrade Cien Almas or Damien Sandow in the Second Round... we'll find out who next week! Be sure to tune in, we'll see you then!
The Rock continued to celebrate as Warfare went off the air.
