Mauro Ranallo: Get ready folks… it’s time for Warfare! We are live from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments continue tonight!
Nigel McGuinness: Up first though, we’ve got the Breakout Champion Xavier Woods in action as he goes one on one with Konosuke Takeshita!
Takeshita made his way to the ring first, followed by Xavier Woods. When both men were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Takeshita went to hit Woods with a kick, but Woods ducked out of the way and lifted Takeshita up, hitting a fallaway slam. Takeshita rolled to the edge of the and used the ropes to pull himself up, but as he got to his feet Woods hit him with a clothesline, sending him to the outside. Woods then ran against the ropes, before diving onto Takeshita on the floor!
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia!
Woods threw Takeshita into the ring, then played to the crowd a bit before re-entering the ring himself. Takeshita hit Woods with a series of punches, then set him up for a suplex, but Woods blocked it, countering with a suplex of his own. Woods then climbed to the top rope, before hitting the Limit Break! He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Takeshita kicked out just before the 3!
Nigel McGuinness: I can’t believe it, Mauro… I thought for sure Woods had the match won there!
Woods pulled Takeshita to his feet and dragged him towards the corner, setting him up for a tornado DDT, but Takeshita blocked it, then whipped Woods across the ring into the opposite corner. Takeshita followed up with a corner clothesline, then as Woods staggered out of the corner, Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb! He hooked both legs and the referee counted - 1… 2… Woods kicked out! Takeshita pulled Woods to his feet and whipped him against the ropes, then went for a clothesline, but Woods hit a clothesline at the same time! Both men were down for several seconds, then as they got to their feet they exchanged punches back and forth. Woods gained the upper hand and hit Takeshita with a DDT, then hooked the leg. The referee counted - 1… 2… Takeshita kicked out! Woods pulled Takeshita to his feet and hit him with some more right hands, but Takeshita fought back, taking Woods down with a stiff forearm smash. Woods fell to the mat, and Takeshita climbed to the top rope. When Woods was up, Takeshita went for a diving clothesline, but Woods caught him with an elbow smash! Takeshita looked momentarily dazed and Woods took full advantage, hitting Lost in the Woods! He hooked the leg once more and the referee counted - 1… 2… 3!
Mauro Ranallo: An impressive win for Xavier Woods… could the man who calls himself King soon have a new crown to go with it?
Woods celebrated as Warfare went to a commercial break.
“Shot 'Em” by [Q]brick hit the personal announcement system as out from the back stepped five of the seven members of the Bullet Club in EBWF. Of course there were two missing at the moment. They were the Young Bucks. The first one to step into the ring was Adam Cole as Prince Devitt continued to ride upon the shoulders of Bad Luck Fale in a show of sheer dominance. Then the Prince entered the ring, followed by his bodyguard, Fale. With microphone in hand, Prince Devitt spoke.
Prince Devitt: It has come to my attention that this club has become a joke in every sense of the word. Now people question the leadership of this club and I am here to put that to rest. Before you are 3 of the most dominant men in this ring, standing at ringside are the greatest tag team to ever hold the New Japan World Tag Team championships. And you want to question our leadership? Well let me be very, very clear… I’m the Prince… This is MY Kingdom to rule and I will do what I damn well please!
The Guerrillas of Destiny continue to stand at ringside as if they’re the security of this event.
Prince Devitt: Now that brings me to the other reason we’re out here so without further ado… I would like to introduce you to one of, if not THE greatest tag teams in the world… The Young Bucks…
“Superkick Party” by Meat Sauce Media hit the personal announcement system as the Young Bucks made their way down to the ring. The Guerrillas of Destiny would enter the ring after them as Prince Devitt handed the microphone over to Adam Cole.
Adam Cole: Now Matt, Nick. You know that I have nothing but love for you both, right?
They nod in agreement to this statement.
Adam Cole: Well it pains me to have to say this but you’re just not cutting it anymore.
The Bucks look shocked by these words and as they walk to the ropes to get their own microphones. They don’t even get the chance to speak as the second they turn around, Matt gets nailed by a Superkick from Adam Cole and Nick gets dropkicked into the turnbuckle by Prince Devitt. Then Fale stacks them on top of each other as Devitt took the leap of faith and nailed them with a devastating Coup De Grace. As that went down G.O.D had slid back out and grabbed chairs from underneath the ring, but before they could return with them “Bombshell” by Powerman 5000 hit and the crowd cheered as the Dudley Boyz ran to the ring, accompanied by Christian Cage, Kane and Maven.
Mauro Ranallo: The Coalition are out here to save the Young Bucks!
A huge brawl broke out between The Coalition and Bullet Club. Bubba Ray Dudley went after his opponent in the King of the Ring tournament, Prince Devitt, while D-Von Dudley brawled with Adam Cole, and Christian and Maven fought the Guerrillas of Destiny. Meanwhile, the two big men, Kane and Bad Luck Fale, were going at it. Referees and road agents rushed out from the back to try and restore order.
Nigel McGuinness: We need to go to a commercial break… hopefully by the time we’re back, this chaos we’re witnessing will have been sorted and we can have our next scheduled match!
As Warfare returned from the commercial break, Prince Devitt and Bubba Ray Dudley were stood across the ring from one another, staring each other down.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Before the commercial break, we saw a huge brawl break out between The Coalition and The Bullet Club… all other members of both groups have now been banned from ringside and ordered to remain in their locker rooms to prevent further carnage!
The bell rang and they locked up.
Mauro Ranallo: The animosity between these two stables has come to a boil, and we’re going to find out which of these men will proceed in the King of the Ring tournament.
Dudley clubbed Devitt in the back of the head. Devitt fought him off and applied a side headlock. Dudley whipped him off, but Devitt ducked a clothesline. Dudley caught him trying a running cross-body and whipped him away before rolling him up for a two count.
Nigel McGuinness: Dudley almost stole one there.
Dudley clubbed the chest and bounced him in the corner. Dudley forearmed him and choked him with his boot. Dudley hit a backbreaker for a two count.
Mauro Ranallo: Bubba Ray is wondering what he has to do to keep Prince Devitt down.
Dudley applied a chin lock. Devitt fought up, but Dudley kneed him in the face. Dudley sent him to the corner, but Devitt booted him back. Dudley reversed a whip and grabbed him by the throat. Devitt countered into a victory roll for a two count.
Nigel McGuinness: Devitt is frustrated that that didn’t work!
Devitt hit a double leg takedown and double stomped him. Dudley got out of a Sling Blade and big booted him down for a near fall. Dudley lifted him, but Devitt slid off and hit a Sling Blade. Devitt went to the top rope, but Dudley popped up and grabbed him by the throat. Dudley climbed the ropes, but Devittel hit him in the neck a few times and sent him down to the canvas. Devitt connected with the Coup de Gras and went for the pin.
1...
2…
3!
Mauro Ranallo: A loss for The Coalition here tonight. Prince Devitt will face King Xavier in the quarter finals to determine the King of the Ring!
Devitt’s arm was raised in victory as he stood over Bubba Ray and EBWF went to commercial.
As Warfare returned from the commercial break, Jade Cargill was on her way to the ring for the next match, accompanied by Richard Holliday.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Up next, we’ve got Jade Cargill in action against the two time Women’s Champion, Shaul Guerrero!
When Cargill was in the ring, “Joy” by Santana and Chris Stapleton hit and the crowd cheered as Shaul Guerrero headed to the ring. Once Guerrero was in the ring, the referee called for the bell. The two women locked up and Cargill was able to overpower Guerrero, lifting her up and hitting a body slam. Cargill climbed to the top rope and hit Guerrero with a double axe handle. Cargill then climbed to the top rope once more, this time hitting a diving elbow drop. She hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Guerrero kicked out! Cargill pulled Guerrero back to her feet, but Guerrero shoved her away, then hit a back elbow followed by a spinning kick, knocking Cargill into the corner. Guerrero followed up with a handspring back elbow smash, then hit a neckbreaker, before hooking the leg. The referee counted - 1… 2… Cargill kicked out! Cargill then rolled out of the ring and Guerrero followed her to the outside, but Richard Holliday stood in front of Guerrero, blocking her off. Shaul turned as if she was going to walk away… then swung around and hit Holliday with a punch to the jaw!
Mauro Ranallo: I don’t think Richard Holliday was expecting that!
Nigel McGuinness: That was an unprovoked assault, Mauro! Shaul will be hearing from Richard’s lawyer slash father!
As Holliday clutched his jaw, Cargill attacked Guerrero, throwing her into the steel steps. Cargill threw Guerrero back into the ring, then hit the Eye of the Storm! She hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Guerrero kicked out! Cargill pulled Guerrero to her feet and set her up for a powerbomb, but Guerrero countered with a back body drop, then hit Cargill with the Three Amigas! She hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Cargill kicked out! Guerrero then locked Cargill in the Lasso from El Paso… but as she did so, KC Navarro ran to the ring! Navarro climbed onto the apron and while the referee was distracted dealing with him, Richard Holliday reached into the ring, grabbing Cargill and helping her get to the ropes. Holliday stepped back and shouted to the referee, and Navarro climbed down from the apron as the referee told Guerrero to break the hold.
Mauro Ranallo: Cargill could have been in trouble there if it weren’t for Navarro and Holliday…
Cargill refused to let go of the ropes, and Guerrero began stomping on her. The referee ordered Guerrero to step back, and as she did so Cargill rolled onto the ring apron and pulled herself up. Guerrero went to knock her off the apron, but Cargill dodged out of the way and grabbed Guerrero, hitting a guillotine off the top rope! Cargill then re-entered the ring and hit Guerrero with Jaded! She turned her over and hooked the leg as the referee counted - 1… 2… 3!
Nigel McGuinness: It’s over! Jade Cargill advances to the semi finals!
Cargill celebrated as a promo video for Total Supremacy began to play.
After the promo for Total Supremacy had finished playing, “The Chairman’s Intent” by Action Bronson hit and the crowd erupted as Hook headed to the ring, accompanied by Taz.
Mauro Ranallo: Here we go… it’s the match I’ve been waiting for! Hook takes on Maxwell Jacob Friedman for a place in the King of the Ring quarter finals.
As Hook entered the ring, Taz joined Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness on commentary.
Taz: Mauro, Nigel, are you as excited for this as I am?
Nigel McGuinness: I’m surprised you’re not nervous, Taz… MJF might be about to end your son’s unbeaten record?
Taz: We’ll see about that.
“Better Than You” hit and the cheers in the arena immediately turned to boos as MJF stepped out onto the stage, accompanied by Alex Kane.
Mauro Ranallo: Well that’s five members of Dynasty who have appeared tonight… lucky us! Where is Ace Austin though?
Nigel McGuinness: I’m sure he’ll be watching this one closely… he could end up facing one of these men in the semi finals!
Mauro Ranallo: He has to get past Christian Cage first, Nigel. And the winner of this match will be facing Randy Orton or Angelico in the quarter finals…
When MJF was in the ring, the referee checked him for any foreign objects, then called for the bell. Hook charged towards him and MJF immediately rolled out of the ring, causing the crowd to boo. Hook shook his head in frustration, and MJF started laughing. The referee began counting him out, but as he reached the count of 5, MJF rolled back into the ring. MJF yelled at Hook “I can out-wrestle you”, then went for a lock up. MJF put Hook in a headlock, then went for a headlock takedown… but Hook blocked it, countering with a Saito suplex!
Taz: Alex Kane calls himself a suplex assassin… but I guarantee you any suplexes he can do, Hook can do them better!
MJF looked surprised as he got to his feet, and he backed into the corner. Hook charged towards him, but MJF put his hands up to protect his face. The referee ordered Hook to step back, and Hook reluctantly did so. As MJF moved out of the corner, he poked Hook in the eye! He then took Hook down with a clothesline, before stomping on him several times. He then pulled Hook to his feet and lifted him up for a delayed vertical suplex… but as he held Hook in the air, Hook wriggled free and landed behind MJF, before hitting a release German suplex! Both men got to their feet, and Hook hit a fisherman suplex, hooking the leg as he did so. The referee counted - 1… 2… MJF kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: MJF is trying to outsmart Hook here, but Hook has the upper hand!
Taz: So much for that “experience” MJF was bragging about, huh?
Both men got to their feet, and Hook whipped MJF against the ropes, then went for a hip toss… but MJF blocked it, countering with an inverted DDT. He then hit a knee drop on Hook’s arm, before going for the Salt of the Earth… but before he could lock it in, Hook broke free and put MJF in the STF! MJF cried out in pain, but he was able to get to the ropes. Hook broke the hold, and as he did so MJF used the ropes to pull himself up. When MJF was up, Hook ran towards him, going for a clothesline… but MJF pulled down on the ropes, sending Hook to the outside. MJF then began arguing with the referee, distracting him… and as he did so, Alex Kane grabbed Hook, hitting him with a belly-to-belly suplex into the ringside barrier! The crowd booed, and the referee turned around, but as he did so Alex Kane quickly stepped away from Hook. Upon seeing Hook down on the floor, the referee began counting - 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… Hook got back to his feet and went to re-enter the ring, but as he climbed onto the ring apron MJF grabbed him, hitting the Heatseeker! He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Hook kicked out! MJF then pulled Hook to his feet, and set him up for the Double Cross… but Hook blocked it, then hit MJF with an Olympic Slam! He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… MJF kicked out! As Hook got to his feet, he signaled for Redrum… but as MJF got to his feet, Alex Kane grabbed Hook by the leg, tripping him up! As Hook turned around to face Kane, MJF attacked him from behind, tossing him out of the ring. MJF then tried to distract the referee while Kane grabbed Hook at ringside… but as Kane dragged Hook to his feet, Hook shoved him away! Kane then began mouthing off at Hook, but as Hook approached him, Kane backed off. Seeing that Hook was distracted, MJF pointed to Hook, then stepped away from the referee. The referee began counting Hook out as he followed Alex Kane around the ring.
Nigel McGuinness: Hook needs to focus here, or he’s going to get himself counted out…
Taz: He won’t let that happen, Nigel, he’s too smart for that.
As the referee reached the count of 7, Alex Kane began retreating up the ramp and challenged Hook to come and fight him. Realizing Kane’s game, Hook shook his head and turned around, but as he tried to climb back into the ring someone grabbed him from underneath the ring! The camera zoomed in to reveal that it was…
Mauro Ranallo: Oh come on! Ace Austin has no business getting involved here!
The referee continued counting - 8… 9… Hook broke free from Austin, but wasn’t able to get back in the ring before the 10 count! The referee called for the bell, and as Hook slid into the ring, MJF immediately rolled out of the ring and ran around it, joining Alex Kane and Ace Austin on the ramp.
Christy Hemme: Your winner by countout… Maxwell Jacob Friedman!
MJF celebrated on the ramp while Hook argued with the referee as Warfare went to a commercial break.
“Yo… Listen!”
The crowd enjoyed a raucous and topical rap from Max Caster as he came down the ramp.
Anthony Bowens: Cincinnati, Ohio…. The Acclaimed have arrived.
Bowens barely threw down the A sign before “Metalingus” hit. Bowens and Caster both looked offended as Edge walked through a cloud of smoke on his way down the ramp, and peered into the ring at Caster. Bowens went to the outside to cheer on his partner.
Mauro Ranallo: The veteran Edge against EBWF newcomer Max Caster. Which one of these men will make it to the King of the Ring quarterfinals?
The bell rang, and they locked up. Edge quickly punched him down. They circled the ring and locked up. Edge applied a side headlock. Caster fought out, but Edge simply clotheslined him out of the ring. Caster angrily got in the ring and fought back at him. Caster set up for a DDT, but Edge connected with a back body drop to the floor. Edge went outside and bounced Caster off the commentary table. Edge sent him into the ring apron and barricaded before chasing him into the ring. Edge sidesteped him and sent him out of the ring. Caster quickly pushed Edge into the ring post, and Edge appeared to be stunned. Caster put him against the steel steps and slammed his head against the ring steps a few times. Bowens was hyped as Caster got Edge in the ring and hit a neckbreaker for a two count.
Nigel McGuinness: I thought Edge was done for there!
Caster kicked Edge down and stood tall. Edge was down on the canvas looking stunned. Caster hit the ropes and hit the DVD. Caster went to the corner and stomped Edge. Edge tried to fight back, but Caster kneed him. Edge reversed a whip to the corner, but Caster booted him back. Caster hit a springboard knee for a near fall. Caster 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. Caster fought back and hit a Mic Drop for a near fall.
Mauro Ranallo: Edge with another incredible kick out!
Caster 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 Caster, but Caster 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 Caster scaled the ropes and hit a superplex into a DDT for a near fall! Caster went for an under hook slam, but Edge countered into a back body drop for a near fall.
Nigel McGuinness: Edge nearly took himself out with that.
Edge slowly came to, and Caster went to the apron. Edge grabbed him, but Caster snapped him off the top rope. Caster then hit a neckbreaker off the ropes. Caster tried to grab Edge, but Edge avoided it and sent him to the ring post. Edge then hit a picture-perfect spear. Edge hooked the leg.
1…
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3!
The crowd cheered. Bowens was beside himself at ringside. Metalingus blared from the PA.
Nigel McGuinness: Edge with the victory here! He’ll face Matt Riddle in the next round!
Edge took both of his championships and held them over his head as the crowd continued to cheer and a Total Supremacy video package began to play.
Mauro Ranallo: Still to come, we’ve got Randy Orton versus Angelico in our main event… but up first, we’ve got our final Queen of the Ring first round match as the two time reigning Queen, Becky Lynch, goes one on one with Liv Morgan!
Morgan made her way to the ring first, followed by Becky Lynch. There were dueling chants for both women as the referee called for the bell. Lynch hit Morgan with a series of punches, but Morgan fought back with some right hands of her own, before whipping Lynch against the ropes. As Lynch ran back towards her, Morgan hit a double knee to the face! As Lynch got to her feet, Morgan put her in a headlock, but Lynch broke free and shoved Morgan into the ropes, before taking her down with a big boot. Lynch then went for the Manhandle Slam, but Morgan countered with an arm drag, then put Lynch in an armbar. Lynch was able to get to the ropes and the referee ordered Morgan to break the hold. As Lynch got to her feet, she whipped Morgan into the corner, then hit her with a series of kicks. Lynch followed up with a snapmare, then climbed to the top rope and hit a diving leg drop. She hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1… 2… Morgan kicked out! Lynch pulled Morgan to her feet and hit the Bexploder Suplex, then hooked the leg once more. The referee counted - 1… 2… again Morgan kicked out!
Nigel McGuinness: Becky Lynch has taken charge of this match, but Liv Morgan is showing impressive resilience!
Lynch pulled Morgan to her feet and whipped her into the corner, then went for the Flying Firearm… but Morgan moved out of the way! Morgan hit Lynch with a jawbreaker, then rolled her up. The referee counted - 1… 2… Lynch kicked out! Both women got to their feet and Morgan whipped Lynch against the ropes, before taking her down with a Thesz Press and hitting a series of punches. She pulled Lynch to her feet and hit an STO, then hooked the leg. The referee counted - 1… 2… Lynch kicked out! Morgan climbed to the top rope, and when Lynch was up she went for a missile dropkick… but Lynch moved out of the way! As Morgan got to her feet, Lynch dragged her down to the mat, locking in the Dis-arm-her! Morgan was able to get to the ropes, and the referee ordered Becky to break the hold.
Mauro Ranallo: Great back and forth action thus far… both of these women are giving it their all tonight!
As Lynch got to her feet, half the crowd were chanting “Let’s go Becky!” while the other half were chanting “Let’s go Liv!” As Morgan got to her feet, Lynch hit her with a series of punches and kicks, but Morgan fought back, then dragged Lynch to the corner and slammed her head off the turnbuckle. Lynch looked dazed, and as she grabbed onto the ropes to steady herself, Morgan hit her with a clothesline, sending her to the outside. Morgan then ran against the ropes, before hitting a…
Nigel McGuinness: Tope suicida!
Mauro Ranallo: Hey, that’s my line!
Morgan threw Lynch into the ring, shoved her against the ropes then went for ObLIVion… but Lynch blocked it, countering with a backbreaker! Lynch then dragged Morgan to the center of the ring, before locking in the Dis-arm-her! This time, Morgan was unable to get to the ropes and she tapped out. The referee called for the bell and raised Lynch’s arm in victory.
Mauro Ranallo: Well despite being less than 100% after she was attacked by Allysin Kay, Becky Lynch was able to get the victory. Can she go on to be crowned Queen of the Ring for the third year in a row?
Lynch celebrated as Warfare went to the final commercial break of the evening.
Angelico’s theme hit and the new crowd favorite made his way to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: It’s time for our main event and we will find out which of these men will take on MJF in the quarterfinals of the King of the Ring tournament.
“Go Back to Sleep!”
The crowd cheered as Randy Orton made his slow entrance to the ring, playing up to the audience before Christy Hemme did the announcements. He got into the ring and stared down his opponent until the bell rang. An arm drag by Angelico was followed by an arm bar. Angelico got Orton in the corner and ran towards him but Orton got him in a head lock in the middle of the ring. Angelico got to his feet as he tried to fight back. Angelico attacked Orton’s left arm followed by a kick to the side of the head. He laid in a chop to the chest followed by a right hand. Orton landed a knee to the midsection as he slowed Angelico down. He sent Angelico to the ropes and hit a big right hand knocking Orton down.
Nigel McGuinness: Angelico showing his strength here.
Angelico went to the ropes and he slammed Orton onto the mat. He went for the cover but Orton kicked out. Angelico got Orton in the corner and climbed the second rope. He landed some punches to the head on Orton in the corner but Orton followed through with a poke to the eyes. Orton picked Angelico up and powerbombed him onto the mat. He went for the cover but Angelico kicks out.
Mauro Ranallo: Orton can’t believe it, but he’s keeping up the pace!
Orton grabbed Angelico, placed him on the second rope, and went for the DDT. Angelico got out of it and got a knee to the arm by Angelico. Both men got back to their feet. Orton hit a knee to the midsection. He got Angelico on the second rope and hit him with the DDT. Orton leaned over him to help him up, but Angelico got a knee to Orton’s shoulder. He quickly made it to his feet and ran the ropes but Orton caught him and landed the RKO!
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3!
Nigel McGuinness: Angelico was so close!
Mauro Ranallo: But Orton is the victor and he has a date with MJF in the quarterfinals.
Nigel McGuinness: I wouldn’t expect anything less.
The crowd was on their feet as Orton’s arm was raised in victory. Randy got on the top turnbuckle and did his signature pose as EBWF went off the air.
