Joey Styles: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to EBWF Warfare!
Corey Graves: We are one week away from the Royal Rumble!
Joey Styles: And we all know what that means, soon we will be on the road to Wrestlemania!
JTG came to the ring first to a mixed reaction from the crowd. He was introduced by Christy Hemme, and then a bevy of boos rained down as Kevin Owens came to the ring as his opponent.
Corey Graves: Kevin Owens still trying to find his way here in EBWF, and looking to make a splash tonight before he goes on to the Royal Rumble Match!
The bell rang and Owens and JTG locked up. Owens got a headbutt and a clubbing blow to the back of JTG. He continued to work on the back of JTG, before dialing in with a side headlock. JTG transitioned into a chin lock. The two men began to grapple around each other.
Corey Graves: A little technical showmanship going on here!
Owens tried again with the side headlock. Then followed up with a shoulder tackle for a one count. JTG brought on the dropkick to Owens, but Owens whipped JTG face first to the top turnbuckle. Owens moved in with right hands to the back of JTG’s head. Owens drove his boot down into JTG’s mid-section. Owens clobbered JTG with a flying senton for a two count.
Joey Styles: I thought Owens had it there!
Owens tried another hold, the chin lock, but JTG broke the count. JTG hit a swinging neck breaker. When Owens got back to his feet, JTG went for a flying elbow, but Owens rolled out of the way. JTG spun on his feet right into the pop up powerbomb! Owens went for the cover 1…2…3!
Joey Styles: Kevin Owens has done it. A victory here tonight over JTG.
Owen’s arm was raised in victory as EBWF went to commercial.
"Stars in the Night" by CFO$ blasted out of the speakers as the crowd gave a mixed reaction for Paige. The Norwich competitor skipped down to the ring, a mischevious smirk on her features as she stepped into the ring.
Corey Graves: Paige has been turning a lot of heads lately, Joey. She's got a shot tonight to really put an exclamation point on her career so far.
Her music was replaced by "Closer" by Lacuna Coil, and the EBWF Women's Champion stepped out onto the apron, the title clasped around her waist.
Corey Graves: I gotta tell you, Joey. It's about time that we have a Women's Champion with some class and dignity around here. Natalya is a purebred wrestler and athlete, and she as born to be in this spot.
Joey Styles: Careful, your hair might turn pink.
Corey Graves: I'm serious. She's the true definition of wrestling royalty.
Natalya ignored the largely negative reaction she got from the crowd, waving at the audience as if they were cheering her. She stepped into the ring, mounting the turnbuckle. She unclasped her Women's Championship and raised it high into the air, a beaming smile on her face. With a quick hop down, she handed the title to the referee who placed it outside the ring for safe keeping.
Joey Styles: This is a non-title match but you've got to think that if Paige can pull off the win that it puts her into consideration for title contention.
The referee called for the bell and the two women circled. Natalya lunged in and grappled with Paige, wrestling her to the ground with ease. Paige squirmed and adjusted her weight, rolling over Nattie and trying to quick pull the champ into an armbar, but Neidhart was too powerful and she managed to lock her fingers and prevent the submission hold. Nattie kicked at Paige and got up to a vertical base, and then took Paige back down with a headlock takedown.
Corey Graves: Some clinic style mat wrestling here in the early going.
Nattie cinched in a headlock, rearing back on it with all of her strength. Paige kicked up her legs and wrapped them around Nattie's neck, forcing her to break the hold. Nattie got up on her feet and lifted Paige up into a fireman's carry, dropping her back with a samoan drop. Paige winced in pain as the Women's Champion kicked her with disdain.
Joey Styles: The champion showing some disrespect to her opponent here.
Corey Graves: Why shouldn't she? This is the EBWF Women's Champion we're talking about, and she had to take a match on Warfare with this johnny-come-lately? This upstart? What has she proven?
Joey Styles: She's racked up some impressive wins, Corey.
Natalya picked up Paige and hit a snap vertical suplex on her, then tucked her ankle under her arm and dropped back for a leg bar. Paige struggled wildly, a look of intense distress on her face as she reached for the ropes.
Corey Graves: Smart strategy by Natalya, working the leg over and softening her up for that Sharpshooter.
Natalya wrenched back on the leg bar, but Paige managed to scramble over and grab the ropes. The ref forced Nattie to break the hold, which she begrudgingly did at 4.5 seconds. Paige grabbed the ropes and used them to get back up to a vertical base, and the irritated Natalya charged at her. Paige adjusted and grabbed Natalya, dropping her with a textbook evenflow DDT. The crowd gasped a response at the high impact maneuver.
Joey Styles: My god, what a sickening DDT! It's amazing that Nattie is even conscious!
Paige, still favoring her leg, limped over the Nattie and picked her up. Nattie instinctively smashed her elbow into the back of Paige's damaged knee, and she buckled like a sack of potatoes.
Corey Graves: Natalya showing that viciousness that she's known for.
Nattie, slow to react, stood up and grabbed Paige's legs. She stepped in and went to turn Paige over into the Sharpshooter when Paige's good leg wriggled free and she kicked Nattie hard in the back and sent her stumbling forward. Nattie turned and charged at Paige with a discus clothesline, but Paige ducked underneath it, hitting a drop toe hold on the women's champion. She then quickly wrapped Nattie up into the PTO!
Joey Styles: Oh my god! It's the PTO! Is Nattie going to tap here?
Corey Graves: No way she's going to tap! She's the champ! She can't...
Nattie's hand was hovering, but she refused to tap. Nattie was able to free a leg and used it to steady herself, still locked in the hold. She was able to get her feet on the mat and begin to stand up, with Paige hanging on tight. Before Nattie could react however, Paige shifted her weight and rolled forward, tucking Nattie into a small package. 1...2....3!
Corey Graves: WHAT?!
Joey Styles: Paige did it! Paige just pinned the champ!
Paige rolled out of the ring as fast she could, barely rolling under the bottom rope as Nattie narrowly missed grabbing her by the hair. Nattie was incensed as Paige's music hit the speakers and the crowd cheered.
Joey Styles: Does this mean Paige has a claim to a title shot?! What a win!
Paige limped back up the ramp, raising her hands to the crowd as Nattie had a meltdown inside the ring. The camera went to commercial.
As Warfare returned from a commercial break, Matt Sydal was on his way to the ring for the next match.
Joey Styles: Welcome back! Up next, Matt Sydal is in action as he takes on the Swiss Superman, Cesaro!
Corey Graves: Cesaro made his return to the EBWF two weeks ago in a hard fought match with Kevin Owens. I’m sure both of these superstars will be determined to win here tonight to take some momentum into the Royal Rumble match this Sunday.
Once Sydal was in the ring, Cesaro came out to a warm reaction from the crowd. When Cesaro had entered the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two men locked up. Cesaro applied a headlock, then hit Sydal with a punch, before whipping him against the ropes. As Sydal ran back towards him, Cesaro took the high flier down with a hip toss, then hit a double foot stomp. He pulled Sydal to his feet and set him up for a suplex, but Sydal blocked it, countering with a suplex of his own. Both men got to their feet, and Sydal whipped Cesaro into the corner, before hitting a running dropkick. As Cesaro staggered out of the corner, Sydal went to the top rope, going for a diving crossbody, but Cesaro caught Sydal in the air and countered with a fallaway slam.
Joey Styles: Great counter by Cesaro!
As Sydal got to his feet, Cesaro hit a kick to the midsection, then lifted Sydal up, hitting a double underhook powerbomb. He hooked both legs and the referee counted - 1... 2... kickout! Cesaro pulled Sydal to his feet and hit him with a series of right hands, then went to whip Sydal against the ropes. Sydal reversed the Irish whip, sending Cesaro into the ropes, then as Cesaro ran back towards him, Sydal hit him with a spinning heel kick. He followed it up with a standing moonsault, then hooked the leg. The referee counted - 1... 2... Cesaro kicked out!
Corey Graves: Great back and forth action between these two superstars, Joey!
Sydal pulled Cesaro to his feet and set him up for the Here We Go Driver, but Cesaro blocked it, then lifted Sydal over his shoulders and hit a fireman’s carry slam. Both men got to their feet and Cesaro whipped Sydal against the ropes, before hitting a spinebuster. Cesaro then grabbed Sydal by the legs, and lifted him up, hitting the Cesaro Swing! The crowd counted as Cesaro swung Sydal around the ring - 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10! At the ten count, Cesaro stopped swinging Sydal, then applied a sharpshooter!
Joey Styles: Cesaro has the sharpshooter locked in! This could be it, Corey!
Sydal cried out in pain, but he was able to get to the ropes. Cesaro broke the hold and got to his feet, then pulled Sydal away from the ropes. He went to apply another sharpshooter, but Sydal grabbed Cesaro, rolling him up in a small package. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Both men got to their feet, and Sydal hit Cesaro with an enzuigiri, then lifted him up, hitting the Aftershock! Sydal hooked the leg once more – 1... 2... Cesaro kicked out just before the referee counted 3!
Corey Graves: So close to a three count!
Sydal looked frustrated as he got to his feet. He stomped on Cesaro several times, then went to the top rope. As Sydal was reading himself for the Shooting Sydal Press, Cesaro got to his feet and quickly moved towards the corner, trapping Sydal on the turnbuckle. Cesaro climbed onto the second rope and grabbed Sydal, hitting a superplex! Sydal looked dazed as he got to his feet, and Cesaro took full advantage, hitting him with the Neutralizer! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Joey Styles: It's over! Cesaro gets the victory!
Cesaro celebrated his victory, then rolled out of the ring. As he walked up the ramp, Cesaro turned around to face the crowd. He celebrated for a moment on the ramp, but before he could continue making his way up the ramp, Kevin Owens ran through the curtain, charging towards Cesaro and attacking him from behind! The crowd booed as Owens pummelled Cesaro on the ramp. Cesaro tried to fight back, but Owens overpowered him, then threw him into the ring steps. Owens picked the steel steps up and slammed them hard on Cesaro's back, causing the Swiss Superman to cry out in pain. Owens slammed the steps on Cesaro's back once more, then grabbed Cesaro, picking him up and hitting a powerbomb onto the ring apron!
Joey Styles: Oh my god!
Corey Graves: Kevin Owens might have just ruled Cesaro out of the Rumble, Joey!
Referees and EBWF crew members rushed to the ringside area, ordering Owens to make his way backstage as an EMT tended to Cesaro.
The camera cut backstage, where Chris Jericho was standing outside Stone Cold Steve Austin's office. He knocked on the door, and Austin could be heard shouting "come in!" Jericho entered the office and saw Austin drinking a whisky on the rocks. There was a beer cooler to the left of Austin's desk.
Chris Jericho: Is this an office or a mini-bar?
Steve Austin: It's my office... which means it's a little of both.
Jericho shook his head, sighing. Austin laughed in response.
Steve Austin: So what can I do for you, Jericho?
Chris Jericho: I wanted to talk to you about the Royal Rumble.
Steve Austin: Oh yeah? What about it?
Austin seemed only vaguely interested in what Jericho had to say as he finished off his whisky and helped himself to a beer.
Chris Jericho: Well, since you screwed my out of my rematch, I think I should be given the number 30 spot in the Rumble. It's only fair.
Suddenly, Austin seemed more attentive.
Steve Austin: So let me get this straight. You think I should let you choose your entry number for the Royal Rumble?
Chris Jericho: I think that's the least you should do for me, Steve.
Austin took another sip of his beer, then grinned.
Steve Austin: Alright, Chris. I'll let you choose your number. You can choose either number one...
Austin held up the middle finger on his right hand, signifying the number one.
Steve Austin: ...Or you can be what most of the fans in this arena tonight already think you are. Number two!
Austin held up the middle finger on his left hand, giving Jericho the two fingered salute.
Chris Jericho: You can't do that? God I hate you!
Jericho stole Austin's beer, then left the office, slamming the door behind him as he walked out. Austin helped himself to another beer.
Steve Austin: Number one it is...
"The Broken" by Lit hit and the crowd booed as Baron Corbin made his way to the ring for the next match.
Joey Styles: And here comes Baron Corbin, who takes on Samoa Joe tonight.
Corey Graves: Samoa Joe made an impressive start to his EBWF career when he debuted at Christmas Eve of Destruction, taking out Bobby Roode. I'm intrigued to see how he does against the Breakout Champion, Baron Corbin.
Once Corbin was in the ring, "Destroyer" by CFO$ hit and the crowd gave a mixed reaction as Samoa Joe stepped out onto the stage. Joe walked down the ramp with a fiery expression on his face, and upon entering the ring, he glared at his opponent. The referee called for the bel and the two men began exchanging punches furiously. Joe was able to gain the upper hand, and he took Corbin down with a lariat, then stomped on him repeatedly. Joe pulled Corbin to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then charged towards him, hitting a forearm smash. Corbin staggered out of the corner, and Samoa Joe lifted him over his shoulders, hitting a Samoan drop. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Joey Styles: A strong start from Samoa Joe!
Joe pulled Corbin to his feet and hit him with a folding powerbomb, then applied a Boston crab. Corbin was able to get to the ropes, and the referee forced Joe to break the hold. Joe stepped back, waiting for Corbin to get to his feet, then hit him with a roundhouse kick, sending Corbin over the top rope. Joe followed Corbin to the outside, and went to throw him into the ringside barrier, but Corbin blocked it, hitting Joe with a knee to the midsection then grabbing him and slamming his head against the ring post. Joe staggered backwards, and Corbin hit him with a big boot, then rolled back into the ring. The referee had already reached the count of 3 as Corbin re-entered the ring, and he continued the count – 4... 5... Joe got back to his feet as the referee counted 6, and slid back into the ring. As soon as Joe was back in the ring, Corbin attacked him. Corbin pummelled Joe with a series of right hands, then set him up for a front suplex slam. He went to lift Joe up, but Joe blocked it, then countered with an exploder suplex. Joe followed it up with a leg drop, before hooking the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Joe pulled Corbin to his feet, and went to set him up for the Muscle Buster, but Corbin blocked it, then lifted Joe up, hitting the Deep Six. Both men got to their feet, and Corbin went for the End of Days... but Joe countered it and applied the Coquina Clutch on Corbin! Corbin tried to break out of the hold, but Joe kept it locked in, and Corbin began to fade. The referee checked on Corbin, then called for the bell.
Corey Graves: Joey... I think Samoa Joe just choked out Baron Corbin!
Samoa Joe released Corbin, who lay motionless on the ring mat, then got to his feet. Joe allowed the referee to raise his arm in victory, then made his way to the back as the referee checked on Baron Corbin.
Joey Styles: Up next, our main event. Finn Balor, the leader of the Bullet Club, goes one on one with the EBWF World Champion, AJ Styles!
Corey Graves: What an opportunity this is for Finn Balor just six days before the Royal Rumble, Joey!
"Shot Em" by [Q]Brick hit and Finn Balor made his way to the ring, accompanied by the Bullet Club. Once Balor was in the ring, "Phenomenal" by CFO$ hit and AJ Styles headed to the ring. Both superstars received a mixed reaction from the crowd. When Styles was in the ring, the referee called for the bell and the two men locked up. Styles applied a hammerlock on Balor, then took him down with an inverted DDT. Styles stomped on Balor several times, before pulling him to his feet and whipping him against the ropes. As Balor ran back towards him, Styles went for a leg lariat, but Balor ducked out of the way, ran against the opposing set of ropes, and took Styles down with a sling blade. Styles got to his feet and Balor lifted him over his shoulders into a fireman's carry, then hit a double knee gutbuster. He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout!
Joey Styles: Balor almost had AJ Styles beat in record time!
Corey Graves: What an upset that would have been!
Balor pulled Styles to his feet and hit him with a series of right hands, then whipped him into the corner. Balor ran at Styles, going for a corner clothesline, but Styles got his knees up and blocked it, then as Balor staggered backwards, Styles ran at him and hit a swinging neckbreaker. Styles hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Styles pulled Balor to his feet and set him up for a brainbuster, but as he lifted Balor up, Balor landed on his feet behind Styles. Balor set Styles up for the Reverse 1916, but Styles turned around and lifted Balor over his shoulder, hitting a back-to-belly piledriver. Styles hooked the leg once more – 1... 2... kickout!
Joey Styles: Great back and forth action as both of these men try to seize the advantage!
Styles got to his feet and stomped on Balor several times, then pulled him to his feet and went to whip Balor against the ropes. Balor reversed the Irish whip, pulling Styles towards him and taking the World Champion down with a clothesline. Styles got to his feet, and Balor hit him with the Pele Kick. Styles staggered backwards, and Balor hit a running front dropkick, sending Styles into the corner. Balor stomped on Styles in the corner several times, then pulled him to his feet and sat him on the top rope. Balor hit Styles with an enzuigiri on the top rope, sending Styles to the outside.
Corey Graves: With so many members of the Bullet Club at ringside, Styles could be in trouble Joey!
The Bullet Club surrounded AJ outside the ring, but Balor ordered them not to touch Styles, fearing a disqualification. As the referee reached the count of 5, Styles got to his feet. Pushing past the Bullet Club, Styles rolled back into the ring. As Styles got to his feet, Balor went for another sling blade, but Styles ducked out of the way, then hit Balor with a Pele Kick of his own! Styles then grabbed Balor by the leg, applying the Calf Killer! Balor cried out in pain, but he was able to reach the ropes. However AJ kept the hold locked in! The referee threatened to disqualify Styles, and began counting – 1... 2... 3... at the count of 4, Styles broke the hold. The referee ordered Styles to take a step back and allow Balor time to get to his feet. Balor used the ropes to pull himself up, stumbling to his feet. Styles grabbed Balor, pulling him away from the ropes, then hit him with the Styles Clash! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Joey Styles: It's over! An impressive performance from Finn Balor, but AJ Styles gets the victory!
As Styles celebrated his victory, Jimmy Havoc ran through the crowd, jumping over the ringside barrier and climbing into the ring. Styles didn't see him, and Havoc grabbed him, hitting the Acid Rainmaker! Havoc then grabbed the World Title and held it in the air, standing over the fallen AJ Styles.
Corey Graves: Is this what we'll see on Sunday, Joey? Jimmy Havoc as the new World Champion?
Joey Styles: If he wants it, Corey, he'll have to earn it. He can't just sneak attack Styles after Styles has wrestled one hell of a match!
Havoc placed the title down next to Styles, and made his way up the ramp as Warfare went off the air.
