Mauro Ranallo: Get ready folks, it’s time for Warfare! Tonight, we are live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California for another action-packed episode of EBWF Warfare!
Nigel McGuinness: And to kick things off, we are going to be graced with the presence of Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
“Better Than You” hit the speakers to a mixed reaction from the crowd. MJF began to walk down the ramp with the dWo in tow, heading towards the ring, where a lectern has been set up, sporting the dWo logo and flanked by two New York state flags.
Mauro Ranallo: MJF is returning in a fortunately rare appearance to deliver his State of the Dynasty address…
Nigel McGuinness: Oh come on, Mauro. There’s nothing fortunate about MJF disappearing from our screens for weeks at a time. The man is a generational talent! A prodigy!
MJF stepped up to the lectern and shuffled some papers, as the other members of the Dynastic World Order found their marks, with the Lucha Brothers standing behind MJF, and Hobbs and Holliday beside the ropes and Eric Bischoff watching from ringside.
MJF: Greetings, citizens of Anaheim, California. A city famous for…well, basically famous for being Disney’s bitch. No need to get angry, Anaheim, I’m just speaking the truth. How are those Mighty Ducks doing nowadays? I have a feeling the kids would play them off the ice. Again, just speaking truths. Anyway, I guess it’s time to move on, we aren’t here to discuss boring, tired and abandoned Disney franchises…or the Mighty Ducks movies and TV show. We are here today to deliver our State of the Dynasty address.
Boos began echoing around the arena.
MJF: Now, it’s no secret that this has not been the most successful year for us. I would be lying if I said this is where I hoped to be by the middle of 2024. On paper, we should be riding high at the top of the company. We have the marketing genius of Richard Holliday…the sheer power, beef and brawn of Powerhouse Hobbs…the greatest high-flying luchador team in the world, the Lucha Brothers…the mastermind that made Vince McMahon bend over and take it for 83 weeks, Mister Eric Bischoff…and, yours truly…the greatest wrestler to ever come out of the most magical place on Earth, Long Island, New York. But for some reason…it just hasn’t clicked. So I got to wondering, why, when it looks so good on paper, is this not working in reality. And it dawned on me. I’d been viewing this all wrong. I’d been looking at us like some kind of team sheet, or as some kind of fantasy wrestling league. I should have been looking at the dWo as something more solid, more tangible. Something like a chain. And that helped me to realise…a chain is only as strong as its weakest link…or, links…
As if on cue, Richard Holliday ran forward and clotheslined Rey Fenix in the back of the head, dropping him to the mat before Penta turned and stepped right into a devastating spinebuster from Hobbs. All the while, Maxwell Jacob Friedman had a smile plastered across his face, without so much as looking over his shoulder.
Mauro Ranallo: This was all a setup! The dWo has turned on the Lucha Brothers!
Eric Bischoff began searching underneath the ring, and began to pull out a table, as Holliday climbed down from the apron and helped him to set it up at ringside. MJF finally turned and stepped away from the podium, barking orders at Powerhouse Hobbs. Hobbs dragged Fenix to his feet, his body bent forward with his head between Hobbs’ legs.
Mauro Ranallo: No, they can’t do this!
Holliday slid a steel folding chair under the ropes towards MJF as Hobbs hoisted Fenix onto his shoulders. He turned towards the ropes and threw Fenix out of the ring, through the table at ringside. Holliday climbed onto the apron as MJF and Hobbs rolled Penta under the bottom rope. Holliday pulled Penta up and over the middle rope as MJF positioned the chair behind himself. He stepped over Penta’s head, gripping it between his thighs, then jumped before driving Penta’s head into the chair.
Nigel McGuinness: Heat-seeker!
Mauro Ranallo: You cannot possibly approve of this!
MJF sat grinning at the camera, before Holliday and Bischoff joined him and Hobbs in the ring. The four men raised each other’s arms victoriously before exiting the ring and heading backstage, as the medical team began checking on the Lucha Brothers.
“Riot of Flowers” hit to a very mixed reaction, signaling the arrival of Utami for her first match in a few weeks. The Talent of the Century stepped out onto the stage and struck a cool, determined pose before making her way down to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Utami's been on a roller coaster ride the past few months. As part of NEO Biishiki-gun she remained mostly silent until a few weeks ago. Since then she's defeated the current Women's Champion Becky Lynch and been fighting a personal war against Oedo Tai.
Nigel McGuinness: The arrival of Io Shirai seems to have awakened something in the former Crimson Queen that was in a deep sleep. Tonight she's got a chance to build even more momentum with no chance of Oedo Tai interference.
Utami climbed the turnbuckle and looked out over a crowd who still very much didn't know what to think of her. With a nod to a fan in the front row, she began limbering up. “Demon in Your Dreams” then hit to a unified wall of boos from the EBWF universe. The camera shifted to a shot of the entrance ramp where Rhea Ripley stood tall and menacing.
Mauro Ranallo: Rhea Ripley is a force of nature plain and simple. A fight against her isn't about winning as much as it is surviving.
Nigel McGuinness: She makes Oedo Tai that much more deadly just by being a member. Between herself and Jamie Hayter alone sh-
Nigel is cut off as the camera’s mic picks up an unexpected voice.
Io Shirai: RHEAAAAA!
As the camera panned up, Io Shirai could be seen perched atop the entrance tron! She grinned savagely before pulling a trash can over her and FLYING OFF THE TRON ONTO RHEA! Both women crashed to the ground as a huge pop erupted from the crowd.
While the shot lingered on the carnage that had just been unleashed, Io was the first to stir. She suddenly rose to her feet, tossing the trash can to the side with a vengeful scream. Without waiting a moment more she mounted Rhea and began hammering away with withering punches. It wasn't long before arena security flooded the stage to separate the two women.
“LET THEM FIGHT!” chants rang out across the arena as Io and Rhea glared at each other across the sea of safety personnel. It wasn’t long before Utami began to walk back up the entrance ramp, mic in hand.
Utami: Oedo Tai.. how'd you like that payback? I hope you loved it, because in the Queen of the Ring I'm going to destroy every last one of you who has the bad luck to face me.
She paused for a moment to glare at Rhea.
Utami: Rhea Ripley? Jamie Hayter? Himeka? Tam Nakano? It doesn't matter. You'll all learn what it means to face an entirely different level of fight. You started this war. Utami Hayashishita is going to finish it.
There were some scattered cheers as Utami seemed to reclaim her full name. Io grinned in great satisfaction at the turn of events. As Io was escorted out, Utami shot her a look that asked ‘really?’ and then the scene faded to a hype package for the Queen of the Ring tournament.
"Ladies and Gentlemen..."
The crowd's excitement soured quickly as Paul Heyman briskly walked down the ramp towards the ring, microphone in hand.
Mauro Ranallo: Well, we were supposed to hear from Damian Priest tonight, but it looks like we'll be blessed with Paul Heyman's presence.
Nigel McGuiness: Stow the sarcasm, Mauro! The Wise Man is here!
Paul stepped into the ring, twirling the microphone in his hand as he listened to a sea of boos. He finally lifted the mic to his mouth, his beady eyes looking at different areas of the crowd.
Paul Heyman: Ladies and Gentlemen, my name... is Paul Heyman.
He looked out at the crowd as they chanted his words back to him. His eyebrow arched.
Paul Heyman: You don't get to boo me, and then play sing along with the Wise Man, people. Pick a lane. My time is valuable, as I come to you as an advocate, and a loyal representative of the REIGNING...DEFENDING...UNDISPUTED...UNDEFEATED...EBWF World Champion...DAMIIIANNNNNN PUUUHHHHRIIIEEESSSST!
The crowd cheered at the mention of one of the crowd favorites.
Paul Heyman: I also come to you as a man conflicted. I understand my job, and my role as the advocate of the EBWF World Champion. And I will execute my duties to the best of my ability, and ensure that my client is well prepared for his match next week against C....M....Punk. The history between myself and CM Punk is well documented and extensive. And when Damian Priest defeats him, and leaves him looking up at the lights in the middle of the ring on his way to breaking the record for the longest reigning EBWF World Champion of all time, I will reach out to CM Punk, and we will catch up. No one is more delighted to see him back in EBWF, where he belongs. And he–
“You. have got. to be. kidding me.”
Heyman’s head snapped toward the entrance ramp, where CM Punk came from behind the curtain. He was holding a microphone of his own, dressed in distressed jeans and a “Best in the World” t-shirt.
CM Punk: Paul… come on, man. What are you doing?
Paul shrugged dramatically.
Paul Heyman: I'm putting over our World Champion. You ought to try it sometime.
Punk smirked.
CM Punk: You know me better than that.
He stopped at ringside, gesturing to the apron.
CM Punk: May I?
Paul walked to the ropes and sat down on the second rope, inviting CM Punk into the ring. Punk climbed in, and surveyed the crowd for a moment, soaking it all in before turning back to Heyman.
CM Punk: Is there a reason you’re out here talking for said world champion? Your regular shtick is usually criminally underrated indy guys or big dumb apes. I talked to the guy last week and he seemed perfectly capable of speaking for himself.
Paul grinned and nodded.
Paul Heyman: You might be right about that. Damian Priest is cut of a different cloth than my usual clientele. I suppose one might say that on the road to being the greatest manager of all time, even now I'm willing to tackle something new. And the moment Damian Priest arrived here in EBWF, I knew he was the right choice. He can intimidate his opponents, like Bray Wyatt, God rest his soul. He's brutal with a killer instinct, like Brrrrock...Lesnar. And he's got brains, like C...M...Punk. I open doors for him, and I give him a wise man's advice, but let's face it; he's the single easiest client I've ever had.
CM Punk: Mmmhmm.
Punk made a non committal, but somehow unimpressed noise.
CM Punk: Well, don’t let me stop you, old friend. I just came out here to watch the greatest manager of all time at work. I think you were just about to welcome me home.
Paul reached out and clapped Punk on the shoulder.
Paul Heyman: Of course! Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my distinct privilege to welcome the Second City Saint, CM Punk!
The crowd cheered and got a loud CM Punk chant going throughout the arena.
Paul Heyman: CM Punk was the first wrestler on the invite list to my son's bar mitzvah. CM Punk is not only a friend in this business, I consider him family. If it were any other time, any other period in my career, I would be advocating for Punk, and no one else.
Paul turned and looked back at Punk with a wry grin.
Paul Heyman: But this is Damian Priest's time. This is his moment. Soon to be the longest reigning World Champion in EBWF history. And nothing that happens next week will change that.
The crowd cheered again. Punk smiled, then chuckled.
CM Punk: Ya know, I’ve been around for a long time. Some would say I am the pettiest man in the entire industry. Maybe the world. But what they don’t know is that I learned how to be petty from the master.
He gestured broadly at Paul.
CM Punk: Of all the things you have ever done, Paul. This could be the pettiest.
Paul tilted his head, the ring microphones barely picking up Heyman saying "I have no idea what you're talking about", his shoulders shrugged in feigned ignorance.
CM Punk: No? You’re sure about that?
Paul nodded.
CM Punk: See, there’s something of a loose thread where you’re concerned, Paul. And it sort of all stems from the aforementioned Bray Wyatt.
Paul’s eyes grew big, and he held up his finger, as if to warn Punk not to go there.
CM Punk: …rest his soul. That tragedy notwithstanding, Paul. I seem to remember somebody orchestrating, dare I say puppeteering an attack on Edge. And in fact, while I was at home watching, and you had to take your leave after such an unfortunate event, I noticed that… all of Rated RKO’s problems seemed to disappear with you.
Paul looked Punk up and down and repeated again that he didn’t know what he was talking about.
CM Punk: And now, you’re so bitter that the one thing in your career that you couldn’t make happen, the one big fish you couldn’t reel in, the one man who didn’t need your wisdom… well, if you can’t make him pay with brawn, you’ll make him pay with his legacy, is that it? That’s how petty you are?
Paul put his hands up in an almost surrendering gesture, then brought the mic back up to his mouth.
Paul Heyman: Randy Orton's legacy is etched in steel at this point. There's nothing I can do to erase his contributions to EBWF. To the wrestling business. And yes, while some may point to my past when making the case for the pettiest wrestling personality in the history of the business, I dare say you know at least one other who has me beat.
CM Punk: Now, now. Let’s leave Wes out of this.
Paul laughed off the microphone, trying to cover his mouth as his shoulders shook.
Paul Heyman: I will happily watch as my bust is carved into the Mt. Rushmore of pettiness, but I can assure you right now that Randy Orton's streak has nothing to do with my work to ensure that Damian Priest shatters every record he can during this unprecedented run he's on. And, if I may say Mr. Punk, I'm sure that Randy Orton greatly appreciates you fighting his battles for him. I just wonder if he thinks it's needed.
CM Punk: Let’s say I believe you. Let’s say, that when the Director of EBWF Live Events, Mr. Heyman, goes to work every day he really doesn’t mind seeing a five story banner with the longest reigning EBWF Champion of all time plastered on it. You have to know me better than that, Paul. You have to know that this isn’t about preserving anything for anyone, least of all… you.
Paul shook his head.
Paul Heyman: You're absolutely right. I do know you well enough to know that you're here to compete. And we're in a golden age of guys in their mid-to-late forties making a second era for themselves.
CM Punk: And a dark age of the greatest mind to ever grace this business no longer making men relevant, but using already great men to keep himself relevant. I am here to compete, Paul. And as far as Damian, it isn’t personal. As for you?
He shrugged as Paul looked surprised again.
CM Punk: I’ll pull back the curtain. I’ll break the fourth wall. These people all have the internet. I know the Ortons. I was a groomsman in their wedding. Google CM Punk Orton Wedding and it’s all there. So when I talked to Ikeda about coming back the first thing I wanted to ask, Paul, was where your head was at. And I don’t like this. You were an innovator. You created stars. You didn’t just attach yourself to men that didn’t even need the rub. You didn’t have any fear, Paul. And now you’re learning what so many of us in this golden age of wrestling second eras is learning. Time comes for us all. So, please don’t look at this as me fighting Randy’s battles for him. I’m here to be the EBWF World Champion. Randy’s record is just a happy accident. What isn’t though, is that if it wasn’t me, it was going to be him. And for your sake, Paul, it was either the Legend Killer… or a mercy killing.
He dropped the mic and Cult of Personality hit. He brushed past a stunned Heyman. Heyman watched CM Punk ascend back up the ramp, his eyes wide with apprehension.
Mauro Ranallo: CM Punk issuing a mission statement tonight, Nigel! He's here for the championship!
Nigel McGuinness: And Damian Priest has aligned himself with the one man, Punk cares about. It seems Punk believes the only way to save Heyman’s legacy is to beat Priest.
Mauro Ranallo: Heyman is a grown man. Punk knows that!
Punk turned around once he reached the stage, facing the ring and the crowd. He shook his head solemnly and tapped his wrist where his watch would normally be. The crowd cheered over the continued thrumming of Living Colour as EBWF went to commercial.
When Warfare returned from the commercial break, Dominik Mysterio was standing in the ring ready for the next match. “The Chairman’s Intent” by Action Bronson hit and the crowd cheered as Hook made his way to the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back folks, and what a treat we have up next! Two young lions of the squared circle ready to clash in the ring!
Nigel McGuinness: Indeed, Mauro! Both Hook and Dominik Mysterio come from legendary wrestling families, and tonight, they're looking to carve out their own legacies!
The bell rang, signaling the start of the match, and the two competitors circled each other cautiously. Dominik made the first move, attempting a quick arm drag, but Hook countered with a stiff forearm to the jaw. Dominik staggered backwards, but quickly regained his composure and retaliated with a jawbreaker, stunning Hook momentarily.
Mauro Ranallo: Dominik showing some quick reflexes there, Nigel!
Nigel McGuinness: Absolutely, Mauro! But don't count Hook out just yet. He's known for his resilience and unorthodox offense!
Hook shook off the effects of the jawbreaker and charged at Dominik, knocking him into the corner before unleashing a flurry of body shots followed by a vicious headbutt. As Dominik stumbled out of the corner and fell to the mat, Hook continued to go on the offensive, hitting Dominik with a series of crossface forearms.
Nigel McGuinness: Hook is relentless with those strikes, Mauro! Dominik needs to find an opening if he wants to turn the tide!
As Hook pulled Dominik to his feet, he went to whip Dominik against the ropes, but Dominik grabbed onto the top rope and launched himself off the ropes, attempting a springboard crossbody… Hook caught him mid-air, then hit an exploder suplex, slamming Dominik onto the mat with authority!
Mauro Ranallo: What a counter by Hook! He saw Dominik coming and turned it into a devastating exploder suplex!
Nigel McGuinness: Hook's strength and agility are truly impressive, Mauro. Dominik's going to have to dig deep if he wants to survive this onslaught!
As Dominik stumbled to his feet, Hook set him up for a fisherman suplex, but Dominik blocked it, then rolled Hook up in a small package! The referee counted - 1… 2… Hook kicked out! As Dominik got to his feet, he hit Hook with a boot to the face, then tried to keep him grounded with a flurry of punches and kicks.
Mauro Ranallo: Dominik fighting back with everything he's got! He knows he can't afford to let Hook gain any more momentum!
Nigel McGuinness: Indeed, Mauro! This is a pivotal moment in the match for both competitors!
Dominik pulled Hook to his feet and hit him with the Three Amigos, then climbed to the top rope. Dominik launched himself into the air, going for a Frog Splash… but Hook got his knees up and blocked it! As both men got to their feet, Dominik was clutching his ribs, and Hook got behind him, locking in Redrum! Dominik struggled, trying to break free, but Hook's grip only tightened with each passing moment.
Nigel McGuinness: It's Redrum! Hook has Redrum locked in tight! Dominik is fading fast!
Mauro Ranallo: He's got nowhere to go, Nigel! Dominik is trapped in the center of the ring!
Dominik's struggles grew weaker until finally, his body went limp in Hook's grasp. The referee quickly called for the bell, signaling the end of the match.
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! Hook has choked out Dominik Mysterio with Redrum!
Nigel McGuinness: An impressive victory from the young New Yorker, and he’ll be going into the King of the Ring tournament filled with confidence!
Mauro Ranallo: Speaking of the King of the Ring tournament, Mauro… it’s time for the King and Queen of the Ring tournament brackets to be revealed, as we go live backstage to the remarkable Renee Young!
After the match, the camera cut backstage to Renee Young.
Renee Young: Good evening, EBWF fans, and what a night it has been so far! We found out that the match is official! CM Punk will challenge Damian Priest for the EBWF World Title next week on Warfare, and later on tonight we’ve got a triple threat match to determine the first challenger for Becky Lynch’s EBWF Women’s Championship. It is my honor and privilege to reveal the tournament brackets for both the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, but before we get to that, there are a few things I need to point out. Firstly, CM Punk is currently included in the first round draw of the King of the Ring tournament, but if he defeats Damian Priest next week and becomes the new EBWF World Champion, CM Punk will be replaced by Damian Priest in the tournament. Similarly, although Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan and Nikki Cross are all currently scheduled to compete in the Queen of the Ring first round, the winner of their triple threat match tonight will not be included in the tournament - they will be replaced by an alternate. In terms of the schedule for King and Queen of the Ring, both tournaments will have 16 competitors, with the first round matches taking place over the next few weeks on Warfare. The quarter finals of both tournaments will take place in June, and this year, for the first time either, it won’t just be the King of the Ring semi finals that take place at Total Supremacy… the Queen of the Ring semi finals are scheduled for Total Supremacy too! So for both tournaments, the semi finals and final will take place live on pay-per-view.
A graphic came up on the screen, revealing the schedule for both tournaments.
Renee Young: And now, here we go… let’s reveal the tournament brackets!
Two more graphics appeared on the screen - first, the bracket for King of the Ring was shown, then a few moments later, the Queen of the Ring bracket was shown.
Renee Young: In addition to the potential replacements I mentioned previously due to the World and Women’s Title picture, we do have other alternates available should any of the competitors be unavailable due to injury etc, in order to ensure both tournaments are as competitive as possible. Be sure to tune into Warfare next week, when the first round of both the King and Queen of the Ring begins! Mauro, Nigel, back to you.
The camera cut back to Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness at ringside.
“Immortal” by Adema hit and the crowd cheered in anticipation for the arrival of Alexa Bliss.
Mauro Ranallo: It’s time for the main event.
The crowd’s anticipation turned to shock when Nikki Cross walked out dragging Alexa with one hand and holding a pipe in the other. The camera did a close up, revealing that Alexa’s face was covered in blood.
Nigel McGuinness: Good God, what did Nikki do to Alexa?
Christian Cage soon walked out with a smirk on his face, clapping at the current situation. The camera cut to backstage showing the door to the Rebellious Angels’ locker room with a forklift parked against it as loud banging came from the other side of the door as well as the muffled voice of Liv Morgan. The camera panned back showing Seth Rollins and The Big Show laughing and walking away.
Mauro Ranallo: We should’ve known Team Cage would have something planned.
Back in the arena Nikki rolled Alexa into the ring and followed her in, demanding that the referee ring the bell which he did. Alexa got up to her knees with a dazed look in her eyes and Nikki went to pick her up but Alexa started fighting back with punches. The crowd cheered now as Alexa got to her feet and was now nailing forearm shots. Nikki pushed her away and went for a clothesline but Alexa ducked and hit a Code Red. Alexa set up for a DDT when Christian got on the apron, Alexa ran after him but he quickly jumped down allowing Nikki time to run up and slam Alexa’s head into the turnbuckle. Alexa stumbled back and Nikki grabbed her, hitting The Purge, then made the cover.
1…
2…
3!
Mauro Ranallo: This is a crime!!!
The crowd booed as “Hunt You Down” played and Christian entered the ring to raise Nikki’s hand.
Nigel McGuinness: Team Cage had no intention of letting this be a fair fight tonight and now Nikki Cross has a date with Becky Lynch for the Women’s Championship.
Nikki continued to bask in her victory and Christian knelt down beside the fallen Alexa, taunting her as Warfare went off the air.
