Walk by Pantera hit and the show picked off with the first King of the Ring qualifier: RVD versus CM Punk. Both men got a break reaction, and they were split into two chants as Punk made his way to the ring to "This Fire Burns" by Killswitch Engage. The man locked up and the two men put on a great opening contest. Punk was doing his best to continue with the little streak he'd made for himself, and RVD was determined to prove himself on EBWF turf. RVD started to get the upper hand when he caught Punk in the jaw with a back heel kick. Punk went down and RVD hit the rolling thunder. He did his signature taunt and the crowd cheered. Punk got up and RVD hit him with a kick to the stomach followed by a DDT, then a standing moonsault. The fans were going crazy. RVD got to the tope rope and hit the 5 Star Frog Splash. Cover! 1..2...3! RVD won the match and advanced in the King of the Ring tournament.
Winner: RVD
Reason: No Punk rp
Match #2
Vuelta Del Rey took on Ron Killings. The two were a little miss-matched and the fans still didn't quite know what to make of the unknown luchadore. His identity was still unknown and Killings seemed a little preoccupied with trying to unmask him. Vuelta fought valiantly, and he took Killings down with a flying elbow. He nipped up HBK style and then did a mock suck it before yelling "Arriba!" The fans laughed and VDR followed up with a kick to Killings mid-section, followed by a sit-out powerbomb. Killings kicked out. VDR shook his head but continued the fight. Killings kicked him in the leg and then ran into the ropes behind him, rebounding and delivering a chopblock. Vuelta Del Rey went down and Killings hopped onto the top rope. He hit an elbow drop and went into a cover..1....2...VDR kicked out and the fans cheered. The two were on equal footing for the next few minutes and ended up fighting on the top rope. VDR had Killings in position for a superplex and Killings was fighting back. VDR headbutted Killings, making him vulnerable. VDR managed to hit the superplex, and both of the wrestlers fell into the ring hard. It looked like VDR hurt himself as much as he did Killings. He rolled into a cover though, and the referee began to count. 1..2...3! Vuelta Del Rey advanced.
Winner: VDR
Reason: Killings rp was late.
Match #3
"Come Undone" by Scarlet Haze hit and the fans were quiet for a moment. Sting stepped through the curtain and the silence turned into cheers as the fans realized he was using new entrance music. Everything else about him was vintage Sting. He wore the face paint, the trench coat, and carried his signature baseball bat. He slid into the ring and silently paced up and down, staring at the entrance way. "My Time Is Now" hit and Cena made his way to the ring. The fans gave him a mixed reaction. Cena slid into the ring and saluted Sting with a smirk. Sting didn't even react. The bell rang and the match began. The pair put on the match of the night. The fans were split between who they wanted to win in the first few minutes of the match and chants for both men broke out. Sting whipped Cena into the ropes and went for the Stinger splash. Cena ducked and Sting collided with the turnbuckle, sternum first. He doubled over and as he turned around clutching his chest, Cena caught him with a kick to the ribs followed by a hard DDT, then the five knuckle shuffle. He covered...1...2...Sting kicked out on two, a little out of breath but still very much in the game. Cena went for a clothesline. Sting ducked. Cena ran into the ropes and when he rebounded, Sting hit him with a release suplex, sending him over his head. Cena landed hard on his back and cringed as his spine hit canvas. Sting followed up, going for the Scorpion Death Lock. He got it half locked in but Cena kicked out, caught Sting in the stomach and got out of harm's way. Sting kept up the offense and caught Cena with a neckbreaker. Cover. 1..2..Cena kicked out. Cena got back up and the match continued. Cena got another near fall when he hit a powerbomb, but Sting wouldn't be put away easily. He seemed to possess an energy and passion that he hadn't possessed for quite a while. A few minutes of great wrestling passed, and Sting ran into the ropes, rebounding with a flying shoulder block. Cena went down. Sting waited for him to get up, kicked him in the stomach, and hit the Scorpion Death Drop. 1...2...3! Sting won the match and advanced.
Winner: Sting
Reason: Better RP. Nice work Brian.
Match #4
Konnan vs. Shawn Michaels was a bit of a clash in styles -- but the 20-plus year veteran HBK has never had a problem adapting to his opponents' style. The brawler Konnan took the fight to Michaels early, and for a while it looked like he might get the better of the co-tag-team-champion. Konnan sent Michaels into the ropes with an irish whip, and did his Rolling Thunder Lariat, but Shawn ducked. As soon as Konnan turned around, he saw a flash of boot, followed by the lights at the top of the arena -- HBK had hit some Sweet Chin Music out of nowhere. Shawn was exhausted, and as the ref began a 10-count, Shawn kipped up at the 5 count. He waited for Konnan to stir, to get up, and to turn around... only to hit K-Dawg with one more Sweet Chin Music for good measure. HBK covered him up, took the 3-count, and advanced to the second round.
Winner: HBK
Reason: Phillip didn't RP as Konnan.
Match #5
"Watch" hit and Matt Hardy made his way to the ring. The fans were behind him as he waited for the arrival of Booker T. Booker was met with a mixed reaction as he made his way to the ring. Matt had the advantage from the start, and he dominated the match. Booker went for the Scissor kick early, but Matt got out of the way and hit Booker with a clothesline, knocking him down. He waited for Booker to get up before hitting the side effect. Cover...and a 2 count. Matt continued the match with confidence. Booker got to his feet and charged at Matt, but Matt caught him by the legs and lifted him into the air before letting him fall down. The top half of Booker's body fell awkwardly over the ropes, knocking the wind out of him. Booker fell to the mat and Hardy got to the top rope. He hit a leg drop then started to feel that victory was near. When Booker got back up, Hardy hit the Twist of Fate and went for the cover. 1..2...3! Matt Hardy defeated Booker T to advance.
Winner: Matt Hardy.
Reason: No Booker rp.
Match #6
Jeff Jarrett waited in the ring for his opponent, Scott Hall. After a few moments of Scott's entrance music, he finally stumbled through the curtain... with a plastic cup in his hand. He took a swig of what was presumably a Michelob Golden (judging by the writing on said cup), and tossed the rest across the stage. He may not have been fully plastered, but when it comes to Scott Hall, doesn't he always look that way? He shuffled his way down to the ring, rolled in, and the referee reluctantly began the match. It took only a few punches and The Stroke for the savvy veteran Jarrett to put Hall on his back for the three count. Jeff quickly left the ring with a cocky attitude, while the ref called for some medical assistance to get Hall out of the ring.
Winner: Jarrett
Reason: No Hall rp.
Match #7
The matchup between Dusty Rhodes and The Rock seemed to be a mismatch of sorts -- the gimmicky Rock tried using all his famous catchphrase-style moves, but Rhodes would have none of it. Dusty's no-nonsense clubberin took The Rock down to one knee, and it wasn't long before he hit the Bionic Elbow and covered up The Rock for a pinfall victory. Dusty celebrated in his exhuberant way as he made his way up the ramp, but was met by his Planet Jarrett cohort, Jeff Jarrett. The two men looked each other up and down, and Rhodes walked right on by, disappearing behind the curtain. Jarrett stood there for a moment, then turned around and stormed through the curtain as well.
Winner: Rhodes
Reason: No Rock RP. I know Ian didn't technically RP with Dusty either, but he did post something, so I gave him the win.
Match #8
The fans were eagerly awaiting the main event when the camera showed the backstage area. There were people running around and a lot of fuss going on. An EMT appeared, rushing down the hallway. The camera showed the EMT run up to an unconscious body. As the camera zoomed in, it became clear that the unconscious man was Jeff Hardy. The fans booed.
EMT: How long's he been out?
Stagehand: I dunno, I just found him like that, right before we called you.
The EMT leaned down, getting closer to Jeff.
EMT: Jeff? Can you hear me? Do you know where you are?
These was no response. The EMT shook his head.
EMT: We're gonna have to take him to the hospital.
There was a lot more fuss and an unknown EBWF employee ran up to the EMT.
Backsage Hand #2: Sir, we just found Mondo. In his locker room. Same condition as Jeff.
EMT: Call an ambulance, please. These two aren't wrestling tonight.
The screen faded to black and Aggression went off the air.
Winner: Nobody
Reason: No Rps.