GWA Blaze #67 - "The War Begins"

GWA Blaze 67
Live from Orlando, Florida

The opening video, accompanied by GWA's official theme song, "Devour" by Shinedown", plays highlighting past icons such as Daniel Bryan, Triple H, Kane, Rhyno and Paul Burchill. It shows quick highlights of newer stars such as Kevin Owens, Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, Sasha Banks, Asuka and Bray Wyatt. Flash flicks of Bayley, Japanese Honor and Ryback end the intro package and we jump to the live arena to a sold-out crowd.

Mauro Ranallo: Ladies and Gentlemen, this, is GWA Blaze!! Welcome to the show! I'm Mauro Ranallo and I'm accompanied by my broadcast partner, Corey Graves!
Corey Graves: That's right and tonight, we will crown a new TV Champion in the main event as ten men battle it out in a Battle Royal!
Ranallo: We also have two more matches in the GWA Heavyweight Championship Tournament! AJ Styles will do battle with Bobby Roode and Bray Wyatt will go one on one with Dolph Ziggler!

"FIGHT"

The crowd erupt in a chorus of boos as Kevin Owens' music hits and he comes out from behind the curtain. He storms to the ring with purpose.

Ranallo: Kevin Owens is in a foul mood tonight! Last week, he lost his place in the tournament and because he attacked owner Triple H as well as General Manager Daniel Bryan, he has been banned from WrestleWars!
Graves: I don't blame him for being furious – he's been kicked off the biggest show of the year!

Owens rolls into the ring, snatches the mic from Eden Stiles and shouts at her to get out of the ring. Stiles does so immediately. The fans continue to shower Owens with heat.

Kevin Owens: Why don't you all do me a favour and shut your stupid mouths!

The crowd only boo louder; so Owens shouts louder.

Owens: Sorry to tell you, but it doesn't matter how loud you boo, you aren't getting your show tonight until I get what I want! Daniel Bryan, you son of a bitch, you think you're clever keeping me from WrestleWars because you can't handle the fact I dropped you on your ass last week? I'm the biggest star in the business and you should be crawling at my feet, BEGGING me to be on the card! So you know what? I'm holding the show hostage. I'm not leaving this ring until you come out here and reverse the decision!
Owens waits for a response; but no-one comes out from the back.

Owens: Alright, if you are too much of a chicken shit to come out here, why don't you get your buddy Triple H to come out instead? I'm sure he thinks he can get me out of this ring – and I'd damn sure love to see him try!

Owens waits again for a response; but still there is nothing.

Owens: You wanna play games? Fine. On your hands, be it.

Owens drops the mic and rolls out of the ring.

Ranallo: Well, Owens is heading this way. What's he doing?

Owens goes to the commentary table and rips off the front and throws it to the side. He rips the monitors off and throws them away. He turns back to the entrance ramp to see if anyone has answered him yet; but when he sees no-one has, he walks around the announce table and grabs Mauro Ranallo by his suit jacket and pulls him out from behind the table. Graves steps forward and tries to talk some sense into Owens – but Owens gives him a right hand and Graves stumbles over his chair! Owens drags Ranallo and throws him under the bottom rope. The crowd continue to boo as Ranallo tries to escape.

Owens grabs Ranallo and holds him in a headlock while he grabs the mic again.

Owens: This is your last chance – or Ranallo gets it!

After a few more seconds of no response, Owens drops the mic and whips Ranallo to the ropes! It looks like he's about to hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb when...

"THE KING OF KINGS"

Triple H comes out on to the ramp; he's wearing his usual suit minus the actual jacket and has a mic in hand.

Triple H: Owens, get the hell away from him. You wanted to talk? Well, I'm here... but if you lay one more hand on Mauro, I promise you, I'll make sure he sues you for every penny you're worth.

Owens scowls before finally letting Ranallo leave the ring and go back to the announce table; which Ranallo does without a second thought.

Owens: You took your time, boss. Was starting to think you'd got stuck up Daniel Bryan's ass.

Triple H: Oh, you think that's funny? I'll tell you what I think is funny... the way you are going, you're heading for a world of hurt you'll never come back from.
Owens laughs out loud in the ring.

Owens: Save me the "King of Kings" shpiel, Hunter. You haven't been relevant for years. While you've been signing contracts and attending meetings, I've been fighting because that's what I do. I fight. I want to fight at WrestleWars, so here's the part where you make that happen.

Triple H raises his brow.

Triple H: You think you can talk to me like that? I'm not stupid, Kevin, I signed you because I know you are talented... but I also know you're an asshole; and I won't tolerate you attacking the retired General Manager Daniel Bryan, who, whether you like it or not, has authority over you – and I won't tolerate you attacking my announcers and disrespecting my show. You want a match at WrestleWars? Congratulations, you're back on the card... but that match will be against ME.

The crowd pop at this announcement. Owens smirks.

Triple H: Yeah, keep that smirk on your face Owens, cos at WrestleWars,  I'm going to knock it clean off.

Owens: As much as I'd love to kick your ass all over the arena, Hunter, I'm a prize fighter. You are a washed-up has-been and I don't want to fight you unless there's something in it for me.

Triple H: You want stakes? Alright. If you win, I'll give you a shot at the World Champion, whoever that is... but to get something, you've gotta put something on the line yourself... so if you can't beat me at WrestleWars, well... I'll fire you on the spot.

The crowd pop again for the big stakes – but Owens shakes his head.

Owens: That might work for a lot of guys but not for me, Hunter. You think I'm going to sign a contract and risk my job for a World Title shot, when you could find a thousand ways to try and screw me over? Nah.

Triple H: You're like a spoiled child, aren't you? Alright then, tough guy, what do you want?

Owens: Well, if I'm signing a contract to put my job on the line, I want the biggest stakes possible. Keep your title shot. WHEN I beat you at WrestleWars, I don't want a title shot, I want ... YOUR job.

Triple H laughs.

Triple H: That's funny, Kevin. What do you know about running a wrestling promotion? Now, seriously, what do you want?

Owens: I told you what I want, Hunter... but if you've left your balls at home in your wife's purse then I totally understand you backing out.

Triple H frowns; Owens having clearly struck a nerve.

Triple H: You know what? I'm going to enjoy beating the crap out of you... YOU'RE ON!!

Ranallo: Oh my goodness! What an announcement! We have one of the main events set for WrestleWars! And personally, I hope Triple H puts Owens down for good!
Graves: You're supposed to be unbiased, Mauro.
Ranallo: And wrestlers are supposed to keep their hands off the staff so I guess we're breaking all the rules tonight!

Triple H: And hey, since you've got me good and pissed off, how about we kick things off ... right now!

Triple H drops the mic and rips his shirt off as he walks down the ramp. Owens rolls out and Triple H breaks into a run; they clash, sending lefts and rights, one after another to eachother! Triple H tackles Owens to the ground and starts piling the blows; until a flurry of workers come down the ramp – some names including Goldust and Stardust, Kalisto, Alex Riley, Willie Mack, Ricochet – as well as a bunch of security and referees – to break them up. Owens and Triple H both struggle against their captors as we cut to a commercial break.

WrestleWars II – 4 WEEKS AWAY

We cut back to the ring as the American Wolves come out to the ring.

Ranallo: Before the break we saw Triple H and Kevin Owens brawling all up the ramp – and we also learned that they will fight at WrestleWars! If Triple H wins, Owens will be fired. If Owens wins, he gets Triple H's job running GWA!
Graves: And that sounds like a lot but we haven't even had our first match yet! What a show this is going to be!

Eden Stiles: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, the team of Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards, the American Wolves!

After American Wolves finish their entrance, The Wyatt Family come out next.

Eden Styiles: And their opponents, the team of Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, The Wyatt Family!

Ranallo: American Wolves will take on The Wyatt Family! Both these teams will be looking to make a big splash in the new GWA pool.

MATCH ONE
TAG TEAM MATCH
AMERICAN WOLVES (DAVEY RICHARDS AND EDDIE EDWARDS) VS THE WYATT FAMILY (LUKE HARPER AND ERIC ROWAN)
-A five minute match which consists of Harper and Rowan dominating the first three and a half minutes.
-Richards eventually gets the hot tag on Edwards who starts to rally against Rowan. Rowan catches a crossbody attempt though and slams Edwards into the mat with a powerslam. Rowan sets up Edwards for some kind of powerbomb, but Edwards wriggles out and rolls up Rowan, getting a quick and surprising victory!
WINNERS BY PINFALL: AMERICAN WOLVES @ 5:07

Stiles: Here are your winners, the AMERICAN... WOLVES!

Graves: Wow! It's over already!
Ranallo: That's a shocking win for the Wolves but more so because of how quickly it all ended! Edwards caught Rowan by surprise!

Richards gets into the ring and helps Edwards to his feet and they hug quickly to celebrate. Before they can do anything else though, Rowan and Harper are back in the ring and take them both out from behind!

Ranallo: Typical! Rowan and Harper are just sore losers at this point!

Harper takes out Richards with a discus clothesline and Rowan takes out Edwards with a brutal Big Boot! The Wolves roll out of the ring as The Wyatt Family shake off their loss. We cut from the ring to backstage, where Bobby Roode is standing in some interview area.

Bobby Roode: I've been quite nervous today, I'll be honest. I've been all around the world but knowing tonight would be my GWA debut has got me some butterflies in my stomach. But it's a good nervous. An excited nervous. I'm here for one thing, and anybody who knows me knows what it is, the GWA Heavyweight Championship. Tonight, in about 30 seconds, I'm taking on AJ Styles! Me and AJ go way back! I know all about why they call him "Phenomenal" ... but they don't call me "The It Factor" for nothing. Tonight, I make my debut in GWA and tonight, I win my debut and get one step closer to winning the big one.

We cut back to the ring, and Bobby Roode's "Off The Chain" hits and he comes out, pandering to the crowd a bit, before walking down the ramp.

Eden Stiles: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a first round match in the GWA Heavyweight Championship Tournament! Introducing first, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, weighing in at 240lbs, BOBBY ... ROOOOOOOOOODE!!

Graves: I've been looking forward to this moment ever since I found out Bobby Roode had signed with GWA!

"Phenomenal" hits the PA system and AJ Styles comes out next. He eats up the crowd response and comes to the ring staring at Roode for this big match feel.

Eden Stiles: And his opponent, from Gainsville, Georgia, weighing in at 218lbs, THE PHENOMENAL... A..J... STYYYYYYLES!!

Graves: Bobby Roode is a world-renowned star and what a great way to prove that by taking on "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
Ranallo: Absolutely and with the stakes being so high both men will stop at nothing to win! Whoever wins will advance to the semi final of the GWA Heavyweight Championship Tournament!

MATCH TWO
GWA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT ROUND ONE
BOBBY ROODE VS AJ STYLES
-The two circle each other and start with a few grapples to warm the crowd up.  Eventually, they move past headlocks and takedowns and start with some suplexes and heavy strikes, still going fairly back and forth for the first few minutes.
-Roode gets a bit more aggressive and starts to wear down Styles with a couple of suplexes and a few body slams along the way. Roode sends Styles to the ropes and hits a back body drop. He then sends him to the corner and attempts to set up a suplerplex.
-Styles fights back, hits a crossbody and follows it with a Pele kick for a pinfall attempt but only gets 2. Styles continues his assault with a snap suplex. He attempts a second but Roode reverses into another suplex of his own.
-Roode sends Styles to the ropes again, Styles ducks and comes back, but Roode expects it and grabs Styles taking him out with a spinning neckbreaker, pinning, but only getting a two count.
-The finish to the match comes a couple of minutes later with Roode in control. He hits a spinning spinebuster and signals for the Payoff! Styles manages to reverse, hits an enziguri out of nowhere! Styles goes up top, hits the Superman 450 splash and hooks the leg for the 1...2...3!
WINNER BY PINFALL: AJ STYLES @ 11:22

Eden Stiles: Here is your winner, advancing in the tournament, A..J... STYYYLES!!

AJ Styles rolls out of the ring, using the barricade for support as he has been put through his paces. He celebrates with the fans at ringside.

Ranallo: A fantastic match between two greats – but on this day it is AJ Styles who walks away successful!
Graves: And I'm telling you now, that's gotta gnaw at Roode! He missed his opportunity tonight!
Ranallo: We'll be right back, ladies and gentlemen, and still to come in our main event – a twenty-man Battle Royal to crown a new TV Champion!

* * *

When we return, we see Bobby Roode walking through backstage with a towel over his shoulders. He looks bitterly disappointed. Tom Phillips runs up from behind him.

Phillips: Excuse me, Bobby Roode, can we please get a word with you after what just happened out there?

Bobby Roode looks at Phillips with an incredulous look on his face.

Bobby Roode: A word? What do you want me to say about it? I just lost the match! I have a word for you – two actually... Get lost!

Roode pushes past Phillips and storms out of camera. We cut back to the ring. "SKY'S  THE LIMIT" hits the PA system and out comes the first competitor for the next match.

Graves: Last week, Sasha Banks won a triple threat to become the new GWA Womens Champion! I thank my lucky stars that I am able to watch Sasha Banks and Asuka wrestle! Tonight, we get to see them go against each other!
Ranallo: I agree, Corey, what a time it is to be a wrestling fan!

Eden Stiles: The following contest is a non-title match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Boston, Massachusetts, the NEEEW GWA WOMENS CHAMPION, "THE BOSS" SASHA... BANKS!!

"THE FUTURE"

Asuka makes her way out to the stage, robed-and-masked in her usual extravegant attire.

Eden Stiles: And her opponent, from Osaka, Japan... ASSSSSSSUKAA!!

Ranallo: Asuka means buisness, everyone knows that! She's going to want to pick up a win here in this non-title match to prove she deserves a shot at the title!
Graves: In my eyes she doesn't need to prove it! You're looking at one of the best wrestlers in the world right there!

MATCH THREE
NON-TITLE MATCH
SASHA BANKS VS ASUKA
-Banks starts the match confidently, and even though the action is quite even, she has the attitude that makes her seem like the stronger competitor. After one gloat too many though, Asuka loses her cool and ups the aggression, taking Banks by surprise as she starts to dominate. Asuka gets her first pinfall attempt after a brutal roundhouse kick but it isn't enough to put away Sasha.
-Sasha goes on the defensive and even starts bending the rules to gain an advantage. She rakes Asuka's eyes when the ref is distracted and that allows her to take out Asuka with a high knee after sending her to the corner.
-Banks hits a few chops and a Japanese arm drag and goes for a Roundhouse kick of her own but misses the target. Asuka retaliates with a back fist and then a Spin Kick! Asuka pounces on Banks and locks in the Asuka Lock!! Banks is in trouble before she even realises it and after about half a minute of struggling to get out of the hold, she concedes defeat and taps out!!
WINNER BY SUBMISSION: ASUKA @ 9:45

Eden Stiles: Here is your winner, ASSSSSSUKAA!!

Asuka gets to her feet, happy with her victory, but doesn't stick around. She rolls out of the ring and heads to the back her point proven.

Graves: Well, I wish we could say this is an upset but it really isn't! These two women are as good as each other and I guess either one of them could win on any given night!
Ranallo: And tonight, it was Asuka! That victory will surely put her top of the list for title shots!

We see Sasha start to recover from the match finish and realise she lost. She rolls out of the ring, holding her hair in dismay, but swallows her pride, grabs the title, and walks back up the ramp as we cut to commercial.

* * *

When we return, we don't go to the ring, but the titantron, where a dark, smoky room is filled with three shadowed figures. A lantern is lit and it illuminates all three members of The Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt leading the fray.

Bray Wyatt: Here we are, the pinnacle of Pro Wrestling, the cream that has risen to the top, where the best talent in the world clash like titans of old to determine who is the mighty warrior and who is the fallen pawn. And tonight, you will witness the entrance of this mighty warrior, me, Bray Wyatt, as I enter the GWA Heavyweight Championship Tournament first round against Dolph Ziggler.

Bray chuckles a bit.

Bray Wyatt: Dolph, man, I'm sorry to tell you, but you are and will always be a pawn. You are there to take the hit, so other, more important pieces can advance. I am the mighty warrior of this tournament. I will go through you and anyone else who stands in my path... and of course...

Bray leans in.

Bray Wyatt: Every warrior has a purpose... a motive... some fight for the people... some fight for themselves... I fight for neither... I fight for something bigger than all this... I fight for fate ... fear ... I fight for what is meant to be and what will always be... and that is Bray Wyatt, the saviour, the GWA Heavyweight Champion, the REAL King of Kings...

Orlando... we're here...

Bray Wyatt blows out the lantern. Darkness.

"LIVE IN FEAR"

The ominous, chilling music of Bray Wyatt echoes around the arena. Almost instantly, hundreds of cell phone lights shine like fireflies in the crowd. Out comes Wyatt, with Harper and Rowan in tow, as he walks down to the ring.

Eden Stiles: The following contest is a first round match in the GWA Heavyweight Championship Tournament! Introducing first, from Lafayette, Louisiana, weighing in at 285lbs, BRAY... WYATT!!

Ranallo: Here comes Bray Wyatt! I don't think I can come up with the words to describe Wyatt! He calls himself The Eater of Worlds, The New Face of Fear and I can't think of a good argument to either of those monikers!
Graves: Wyatt is here for one thing and one thing only – the GWA Heavyweight Title!

Wyatt puts out his lantern, the lights come back on. He turns to his disciples and sends them away, before entering the ring alone.

"HERE TO SHOW THE WORLD"

Eden Stiles: And his opponent, from Hollywood, Florida, weighing in at 220lbs, DOLPH... ZIGGGLERRR!!

Dolph Ziggler comes to the ring looking confident, he slows down as Harper and Rowan reach him but they walk past him without so much as a glance.

Ranallo: Ziggler is here to prove he belongs at the top as well though! Just like Styles and Roode earlier tonight both these guys are viable contenders to go on and win this whole tournament!

MATCH FOUR
GWA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT ROUND ONE
BRAY WYATT VS DOLPH ZIGGLER
-Ziggler comes flying out of the gate, taking Wyatt by surprise with a flurry of strikes and taking him down with a lariat. Ziggler keeps Wyatt down with a few clotheslines and then a crossbody. Wyatt tries to recover but eats a Superkick and Ziggler goes for a really early cover! 1...2.. but Wyatt kicks out!
-Ziggler tries to continue the offence but runs into a shoulder barge from Wyatt and then Wyatt puts him in a headlock and slows down the pace. He wears down Ziggler for a minute or two, with Ziggler attempting a couple of reversals but failing.
-Wyatt sends Ziggler to the ropes and Ziggler ducks on the rebound and takes out Wyatt with a back suplex. Ziggler also hits a neckbreaker and follows it up with a Heart Stopper elbow drop! Another quick cover gives him another 2 count.
-Ziggler sets up for a top rope drop kick – but Wyatt moves out of the way at the last moment, sending Ziggler crashing. Wyatt does his spider crawl to freak out Ziggler and Ziggler walks right into a Sister Abigail, Wyatt getting a sudden and decisive victory.
WINNER VIA PINFALL: BRAY WYATT @ 7:49

Eden Stiles: Here is your winner, and advancing to the next round, Bray Wyatt!

As Wyatt's music hits, he gets on his knees and outstretches his arms before leaving the ring.

Ranallo: And with that result, our two semi final matches are set!
Graves: That's right! Next week we will see Rhyno take on Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles taking on Bray Wyatt! Whoever wins those matches will go one on one at WrestleWars II for the GWA Heavyweight Championship!
Ranallo: And even after all that, our main event is still to come! A Battle Royal to crown a new TV Champion! Don't go anywhere!

* * *

We return to see several superstars making their entrance to the ring ready for the Battle Royal. Ranallo and Graves take this time to plug WrestleWars.

Ranallo: WrestleWars II is just 4 weeks away! And we already know of the first main event match! Triple H, the owner of GWA, will take on Kevin Owens!
Graves: And the stakes in this match couldn't be higher! If Kevin Owens loses, he's fired! Gone from the GWA! But if he wins, not only does he keep his job, but he gets Triple H's job of running the company!
Ranallo: I don't even want to think about what Owens running the company will be like!
Graves: You may not like him very much, but the fact is he will fight with everything he's got to keep his job – and maybe even more to get Triple H's job!

At this point, the ring is filled with ten superstars competing in this match.

Ranallo: The ring is filled! Here we go! Battle Royal for the TV Championship!

MAIN EVENT
10-MAN BATTLE ROYAL
GWA TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
ALEX RILEY VS BRIAN KENDRICK VS CURTIS AXEL VS KALISTO VS KANE VS RICOCHET VS SHEAMUS VS WILLIE MACK VS GOLDUST VS STARDUST
-An all out brawl between ten guys kicks off the match as they slowly start to break up into smaller groups. Kane and Sheamus go at eachother being the two biggest guys. The Dust Brothers team up on Riley and Axel.
-Unfortunately for The Dust Brothers a slight miscommunication allows Riley to reverse their attacks and send Goldust flying out of the ring and to the outside.
*GOLDUST ELIMINATED BY ALEX RILEY
-Almost in response to this, Stardust reverses a suplex attempt by Axel into one of his own and follows it up with a clothesline to the outside!
*CURTIS AXEL ELIMINATED BY STARDUST
-Meanwhile, Kalisto and Ricochet are going back and forth, using whatever space they can to zip around the ring. They exchange dropkicks and avoid eachothers springboard attacks. Kane falls into Ricochet at one point and this allows Kalisto to clothesline Ricochet up and over the top rope.
*RICOCHET ELIMINATED BY KALISTO
-Willie Mack breaks off from his brawl with Brian Kendrick to try his luck eliminating Kalisto. He tries to use brute force to launch Kalisto over – but Kalisto catches Mack with his legs and hurricanrana's him over the top rope!
*WILLIE MACK ELIMINATED BY KALISTO
-Kalisto recovers and a smile is seen through his mask as he gets his second elimination ... but his happiness doesn't last long as Kane hits him out of nowhere with a big boot sending him over!
*KALISTO ELIMINATED BY KANE
-Riley, Stardust, Sheamus and Kane are the final four. They break off into two brawls again. Riley takes on Stardust while Sheamus clashes with Kane. Sheamus takes out Kane with a Brogue Kick just as Alex Riley manages to clothesline Stardust over the top rope!
*STARDUST ELIMINATED BY ALEX RILEY
-Alex Riley strides over to Kane and tries to take him out too. He struggles with him at the ropes, until Sheamus comes into the scene with another Brogue Kick, this time sending Riley out!
*ALEX RILEY ELIMINATED BY SHEAMUS
-Sheamus realises his mistake when he gets his foot stuck on the top rope. This momentary distraction is enough for Kane to duck under him and lift him up and over the top, winning the match!
*SHEAMUS ELIMINATED BY KANE
WINNER: KANE @ 7:36

Kane's music hits as he grins sadistically, and the referee hands him the TV Championship. He raises his arms and slams them down, the turnbuckles exploding.

Ranallo: Kane overcame 9 men to win this match and become the TV Champion!
Graves: Kane is an absolute veteran and him winning this match just shows how dominant he can be!
Ranallo: The real challenge starts now though as Kane must defend that title every week on GWA Blaze! Until next week, though, that's all we've got time for! Goodnight ladies and gentlemen! The Devil's Favourite Demon is the new Television Champion!

The show closes with Kane in the middle of the ring, title raised over his head.

Quick Results:
American Wolves def The Wyatt Family
GWA World Title Tournament R1: AJ Styles def Bobby Roode
Non-Title: Asuka def Sasha Banks
GWA World Title Tournament R1: Bray Wyatt def Dolph Ziggler
GWA TV Championship: Kane wins 10-man Battle Royal, last eliminating Sheamus. (new champion)