Warfare went live from Vancouver as the crowd got to their feet. Pyro shot off from the stage as the camera focused on the announce table.
Mauro Ranallo: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Warfare! I’m Mauro Ranallo alongside Nigel McGuinness, and we are wrapping up the month of September with some incredible matches on our way to Fanniversary!
Shayna Baszler’s theme hit, and the crowd booed as she came through the curtain and stomped down to the ring. Before her music even cut the crowd began a “DMD” chant.
Nigel McGuinness: This crowd is ready to see the formidable Britt Baker.
“The Epic” hit and Britt came from behind the curtain, accompanied by Leva Bates. The DMD chants continuing as she moved down the ramp, and got into the ring. The bell rang, and the crowd was firmly behind Britt. Baszler went for the armbar early after countering an attempt at the Lock Jaw by Baker, but neither could lock in a hold, and they separated. Baszler went after Baker’s wrist and stomped on it before helping Britt back up. Baszler hit a Leg Lariat and a Standing Moonsault, going for the pin.
1…
2…
Mauro Ranallo: No good!
Britt kicked out, but Baszler hit an arm breaker on the wrist and got a near fall but missed a pump kick and Baker hit a spinning neck beaker and a crucifix for two. She immediately rolled over into the Lockjaw! Baszler rolled Baker over for a nearfall but Britt rolled her over for another two count.
Nigel McGuinness: Baker so close there!
Baszler hit a superkick and then went up top and hit a diving headbutt!
1…
2..
Baker kicked out!
Baszler went for a suplex but Baker countered into a brainbuster over her own knee for two. Baker hit a curb stomp for another nearfall. Baker swung at Baszler which allowed Baszler to catch her arm and lock the armbar on her. Baker kicked away from the ropes and reverses the hold into the Lockjaw.
Mauro Ranallo: Shayna has nowhere to go!
The crowd was chanting “DMD” when Shayna finally gave up and tapped. The referee rang the bell.
Nigel McGuinness: Another huge victory for Britt Baker, and you have to think that Raquel Diaz and Becky Lynch are viewing her with some interest at this point.
Mauro Ranallo: The crowd certainly is, Nigel!
Britt stood on the turnbuckle motioning out to the crowd as Warfare went to commercial.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, the camera cut to the backstage area, where Stone Cold Steve Austin was walking through the hallway. A hand grabbed his shoulder and as Austin turned around, the figure walked forward to reveal Samoa Joe.
Samoa Joe: I've been hearing a rumor flying around Austin. The rumor is that you are looking to challenge for the Breakout Championship. I'm here to warn you I'm not finished with Christian Cage so if you are trying to challenge for the Breakout Championship you will be in my way and I will not hesitate to beat you down.
Austin chuckled.
Stone Cold: We'll see about that Joe and I want you to know that I won't hesitate to whip your ass now if you'll excuse me.
Joe chuckled as he let go of Austin’s shoulder and Austin walked off as Warfare went to commercial break.
“Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads hit, and the crowd booed as Tommaso Ciampa made his way to the ring. When Ciampa was in the ring, “Glass Shatters” by Disturbed hit and the crowd cheered as Stone Cold Steve Austin headed down the ramp.
Mauro Ranallo: Here comes Stone Cold, and after what we just witnessed backstage, you have to think Samoa Joe will be watching this match closely!
As Austin entered the ring, he climbed the turnbuckle and raised his arms in the air, then stepped down and stared across the ring at Ciampa. The referee called for the bell and the two men charged towards one another, exchanging right hands back and forth. Austin gained the upper hand and he whipped Ciampa against the ropes, then took him down with the Lou Thesz Press before hitting him with mounted punches. Austin pulled Ciampa to his feet and dragged him towards the corner, then went to slam Ciampa’s head off the top turnbuckle… but Ciampa blocked it, then grabbed Austin and slammed his head against the turnbuckle. Ciampa punched and kicked Austin in the corner several times, before sitting him on the top rope and hitting a superplex.
Nigel McGuinness: That shook the ring!
Ciampa hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Austin kicked out! Ciampa sat Austin up and applied a sleeper hold, but Austin was able to fight out of it and as both men got to their feet, Austin hit Ciampa with a body slam. Austin then grabbed Ciampa by the legs, locking in the Texas Cloverleaf! Ciampa cried out in pain, but he was able to get to the ropes and the referee ordered Austin to break the hold. As Austin broke the hold, Ciampa rolled out of the ring, giving himself more time to recover. Austin followed Ciampa to the outside, but Ciampa grabbed him and threw him into the ring steps! As Austin fell to the ground, Ciampa rolled back into the ring and the referee began counting Austin out.
Mauro Ranallo: Clever strategy there by Ciampa… he doesn’t care how he wins, as long as he wins!
As the referee reached the count of 5, Austin got to his feet and slid back into the ring. Ciampa stomped on Austin several times, then pulled him to his feet and set him up for a piledriver. Austin countered with a back body drop, then followed up with an elbow drop. He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Ciampa kicked out! Austin signalled for the Stone Cold Stunner, and as Ciampa got to his feet, Austin kicked him in the gut and set him up for the Stunner… but Ciampa blocked it, countering with a reverse DDT!
Nigel McGuinness: Great counter there by Ciampa!
Ciampa went to apply the Crossface, but Austin fought out of it and got to his feet. The two men exchanged right hands back and forth, and once against Austin was able to gain the upper hand. He whipped Ciampa against the ropes and went for a clothesline… but Ciampa ducked underneath it and grabbed Austin from behind, hitting a German suplex. As Austin got to his feet, Ciampa hit a swift kick to the midsection, then followed up with the Fairy Tale Ending! He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It’s over! An impressive win for Ciampa!
The referee called for the bell and raised Ciampa’s arm in victory. Ciampa celebrated, then made his way to the back as a promo for Fanniversary began to play.
Mauro Ranallo: Still to come, we’ve got Edge versus Christian Cage in our main event. Up first though, we’ve got tag team action as The Gunn Club take on the Dudley Boyz!
Austin and Colten Gunn made their way to the ring first, followed by the Dudleys. When both teams were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Bubba Ray and Austin started the match, and as the bell rang Bubba Ray hit Austin with a series of punches, then whipped him against the ropes. As Austin ran back towards him, Bubba Ray hit a Samoan drop, then stomped on Austin several times. He pulled Austin to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then tagged in D-Von. D-Von hit Austin with a series of punches, then pulled him out of the corner and hit a neckbreaker. He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Austin kicked out! D-Von pulled Austin to his feet and set him up for a powerbomb… but Austin countered with a hurricanrana!
Nigel McGuinness: Great counter by Austin Gunn!
As Austin got to his feet, he tagged in his brother Colten Gunn. As Colten entered the ring, he hit D-Von with a series of punches, then took him down with a DDT. He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… D-Von kicked out! Colten pulled D-Von to his feet and set him up for the Fame Asser, but D-Von broke free and hit a suplex, then tagged in Bubba Ray. As Bubba Ray entered the ring, he grabbed Colten by the legs, while D-Von climbed to the top rope. Both Dudley Boyz yelled “Whassup!” then D-Von hit a diving headbutt to the groin! Austin Gunn began yelling at the referee, demanding that he disqualify the Dudleys. While the referee was distracted, Colten Gunn hit Bubba Ray with a low blow! Seeing that his brother had gained an advantage, Austin stopped his protests, and as the referee turned around, Colten hit Bubba Ray with the Fame Asser! He knocked D-Von off the apron, then hooked the leg. The referee counted - 1… 2… 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It’s over! What an upset!
Colten quickly rolled out of the ring, and he and Austin Gunn celebrated on the ramp as Warfare went to a commercial break.
When EBWF returned from commercial, The Coalition’s theme hit and Christian came to the ring without his compatriots, choosing to go it alone as he came down the ramp. When he got into the ring he turned toward the entrance.
Mauro Ranallo: Christian will face his lifelong friend in the main event, and it’s sure to be a fight.
Nigel McGuinness: It’s a shame it’s come to this Mauro.
The crowd cheered as “Metalingus” hit and Edge came to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: The Rated R Superstar looks pumped!
Edge got in the ring, and the bell rang. The crowd was blowing the roof off, and they locked up. Edge quickly punched him down. They circled the ring and locked up. Edge applied a side headlock. Christian fought out, but Edge simply clotheslined him out of the ring. Christian angrily got in the ring and fought back at him. Christian set up for a Killswitch, but Edge connected with a back body drop to the floor. Edge went outside and bounced Christian off the commentary table. Edge sent him into the ring apron and barricade before chasing him into the ring. Edge sidestepped him and sent him out of the ring. Christian quickly pushed Edge into the ring post, and Edge appeared to be stunned. Christian put him against the steel steps and slammed his head against the ring steps a few times. Christian got Edge in the ring and hit a neck breaker for a two count.
Nigel McGuinness: This is brutality. This is two men who know each other better than everyone else.
Christian kicked Edge down and stood tall. Edge was down on the canvas looking stunned. Christian hit the ropes and hit a clothesline. Christian went to the corner to stomp Edge down, but Edge crawled to the corner. Christian attacked him and talked some trash about his neck. Edge tried to fight back, but Christian kneed him. Edge reversed a whip to the corner, but Christian booted him back. Christian hit a springboard knee for a near fall. Christian set up for a neckbreaker, but Edge countered into a backslide for a two count. Edge took him down with a flapjack and shouldered him in the corner. Christian fought back and hits a frog splash for a near fall.
Mauro Ranallo: I can’t look away!
Christian put Edge on the top rope and set up for a superplex to the floor. Edge fought it and hit a super neckbreaker to the mat. Edge got up and hit a flapjack into the top rope. Edge took him down and hit an Impaler DDT for a near fall. Edge approached Christian, but Christian hit an STO into the turnbuckle. Edge fought back with an Edge-O-Matic for a near fall. Edge went to the top rope, but Christian scaled the ropes and hit a superplex for a near fall! Christian set up, but Edge avoided him. Christian went for a Killswitch but Edge countered into a facebuster for a near fall.
Nigel McGuinness: Edge thought he had it there.
Edge slowly came to, and Christian went to the apron. Edge grabbed him, but Christian snapped him off the top rope. Christian then hit a neckbreaker off the ropes. Edge threw Christian out of the ring, and then followed through with a picture-perfect spear off the apron to the floor! The crowd began chanting “holy shit” when suddenly the lights went out.
Mauro Ranallo: No! Not this! Not this!
The crowd was booing as the lights came back on, but a loud sudden gasp went up from the crowd when the lights came back on to reveal The Fiend in the center of the ring. He was holding Christian for the Sister Abigail, kissed his forehead, and hit the move with precision. Edge looked shocked on the outside. The bell started ringing furiously, as the lights went off again and the The Fiend’s laugh filled the arena.
Nigel McGuinness: Christian has won this match due to DQ. We’re sitting in darkness.
Mauro Ranallo: What the hell just happened?
The lights flickered as the arena tried to regain power and Warfare went off the air.
