The first round of the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will conclude on 205 Live tonight.
WWE has announced that Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will face Marina Shafir & Zoey Stark in the final women’s Dusty Classic first round match on 205 Live tonight. Stark is Lacey Ryan’s new WWE in-ring name. She’s making her WWE debut in the tournament. Ryan has been based on the West Coast and also appeared on Impact Wrestling twice last year.
The team that wins tonight’s match will advance to face Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in the women’s Dusty Classic semifinals. LeRae & Hartwell defeated the debuting Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) & Cora Jade (Elayna Black) in the first round of the tournament.
On the other side of the bracket, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez will face Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter in the women’s Dusty Classic semifinals. That match will take place on NXT next Wednesday.
Kai & Gonzalez defeated Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in the first round of the tournament. Catanzaro & Carter defeated Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez.
Jake Atlas vs. August Grey vs. Ariya Daivari is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. The episode premieres on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & Cora Jade
205 Live’s first women’s match began with a typical tag team open; a headlock and a pair of quick tags. Jade gained control over LeRae. LeRae took advantage following a Hartwell distraction. Hartwell tagged into the match, landed a sidewalk slam, and tagged LeRae back in.
Jade rocked LeRae with a forearm and secured the hot tag. Hartwell tagged in only to be on the receiving end of Dolin’s leg kicks punctuated with a punt. Jade then rejoined the match, but Hartwell immediately retook control.
LeRae, now legal, and Jade traded back and forth rollups. Jade’s last kick out sent LeRae crashing into her own corner, allowing Hartwell to tag back in. Hartwell then dropped Jade with a spinning sidewalk slam and pinned her.
This was a wholly ordinary match. It was entirely by the numbers with nothing special going on, but seeing as it only exists to further the tournament, it could have been worse.
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Thatcher started the match by taking Daivari straight to the mat. After being contorted in one hundred ways, Daivari managed to tag Nese into the match; Thatcher then took Nese straight to the mat. Ciampa tagged in and continued the ground work on Nese.
Nese forced Ciampa into his corner, and with aid from Daivari, took the advantage for his team. A quick takedown left Ciampa tied up against the turnbuckle post; Daivari relentlessly whipped the legs of Ciampa into the metal beam. A Daivari figure-four leglock in the middle of the ring left Ciampa in deep water.
Daivari lost control of the legs, which allowed Ciampa to gain a quick tag. Nese tried to maintain control for his team, but Thatcher hit the ring with ferocity. Suplexes and uppercuts left both of his opponents downed, but eventually, the numbers proved to be too much. Nese connected with a running hotshot followed by a moonsault. Daivari then hit the Persian splash for a near fall.
Following the kick out, Thatcher reached the corner for a tag. Ciampa then took on both of his opponents, just as Thatcher did moments prior, and again the numbers proved to be too much. This time things played out differently; however, as Thatcher joined in even the odds. After a quick locking of eyes and a look of understanding between Ciampa and Thatcher, Ciampa hit Willow’s Bell on Nese and pinned him in the middle of the ring.
This was a strong match. It played well off of everyone’s strengths and came together under a nice bow.
Next Friday’s edition of 205 Live will feature matches in both the men’s and women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournaments.
WWE has announced that Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy will face Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari in a men’s Dusty Classic first round match on 205 Live next Friday. There will also be women’s Dusty Classic action on 205 Live next Friday, though the match that will be taking place on the show has yet to be revealed.
Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, and Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon are the first four teams announced for the women’s Dusty Classic. It was stated on 205 Live tonight that the women’s Dusty Classic will begin on 205 Live next week, but a first round match between Storm & Martinez and Catanzaro & Carter has already been announced for next Wednesday’s NXT.
Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong, MSK, The Grizzled Young Veterans, Killian Dain & Drake Maverick, and Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde have advanced to the second round of the men’s Dusty Classic thus far.
Two men’s Dusty Classic first round matches have been announced for next Wednesday’s NXT. Kushida & Leon Ruff will face NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory, while Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner will face Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado.
The full bracket for the men’s Dusty Classic was revealed earlier this week. It’s a 16-team tournament where the winning team will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
The first round of the Dusty Classic will continue with Killian Dain & Drake Maverick vs. Curt Stallion & August Grey and The Bollywood Boyz (Samir & Sunil Singh) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) airing on 205 Live this Friday night. 205 Live premieres on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
It had been announced last week that some of the first round of the Dusty Classic would be held on 205 Live.
The Dusty Classic kicked off with three matches taking place on this week’s NXT. Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeated Breezango, the debuting MSK defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise. MSK were formerly known as The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz.
The full bracket for the Dusty Classic was unveiled on Wednesday. The team that wins the tournament will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
In addition to NXT, some of the first round of the 2021 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will play out on 205 Live.
A video aired on Friday night’s 205 Live episode where NXT general manager William Regal announced that — starting next week — 205 Live will be joining with NXT to hold the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. WWE hasn’t announced which matches will be taking place on 205 Live.
Curt Stallion & August Grey defeated The Bollywood Boyz in a non-tournament match on this week’s 205 Live. Both teams have been announced for the Dusty Classic.
The Dusty Classic will kick off with Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong vs. Breezango and The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Ever-Rise taking place on Wednesday’s NXT.
The team that wins the tournament will get the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles. Here’s the current list of teams for the Dusty Classic:
Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong)
Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel)
Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Curt Stallion & August Grey
Killian Dain & Drake Maverick
Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner)
The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory
Atlas and Mansoor grappled as the match opened. Mansoor secured a single-leg crab. Atlas kicked Mansoor away, causing an awkward crash into the turnbuckles. A neckbreaker to a prone Mansoor and a forearm left Atlas with a pair of near falls.
Mansoor fought his way free from a headlock and landed a chop block. Mansoor landed two dragon screws and a spinebuster before locking in the scorpion deathlock. Atlas crawled into the bottom rope to break the hold. A surprise neckbreaker from Atlas gave him control.
Atlas tried for a suplex, but his leg gave way, allowing a quick pin attempt from Mansoor. Atlas powered through and landed a brainbuster before climbing to the top rope. Mansoor met Atlas with a dragon screw from the top rope to the mat. Mansoor maintained control of the leg and pinned Atlas.
This was a new side of Mansoor. This had some awkward moments but was well-executed.
Curt Stallion, Chase Parker, and Matt Martel defeated Sunil Singh, Samir Singh, and Ariya Daivari
Daivari gained the advantage for his team in the early going. He then taunted his tag partners, allowing Stallion to create some separation. Sunil stole a tag from Daivari. Stallion, with aid from Ever-Rise, maintained control.
Martel tried his hand at taking on all three of his competitors but fell short. After being overwhelmed by the numbers, Martel found himself on the receiving end of a double suplex. Martel then began his role as the punching bag.
A forced tag from Daivari stopped the Bollywood domination. Daivari immediately lost control of the match, allowing Stallion to tag in. Stallion unloaded on the now legal Samir; a gargantuan DDT left Stallion with a near fall. Stallion and Ever-Rise traded tags, taking out all three members of the opposition.
Daivari tagged back into the match, connecting with multiple strikes on Stallion. Daivari set Stallion up for a Samir dive, but Stallion missed, hitting Daivari instead. An enraged Daivari then announced he was leaving; the Singhs tried to console him. Stallion, not missing a beat, landed a beautiful dive, connecting with all three opponents. Stallion threw Samir back into the ring in time for Ever-Rise to connect with a double flapjack. On the rebound, Stallion connected with a leaping headbutt. Parker pinned Samir for the win.
This was fine enough, considering no one on Earth wants more Bollywood/Ever-Rise matches. Stallion has star potential.
WWE has announced which two matches will be taking place on the first 205 Live episode of 2021.
Mansoor vs. Jake Atlas is set for tonight’s New Year’s Day edition of 205 Live. Curt Stallion & Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel) vs. Ariya Daivari & The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil & Samir Singh) is also set for tonight’s show.
Mansoor is undefeated on 205 Live. He defeated Raul Mendoza on last week’s show.
Atlas was most recently in action when he lost to Isaiah “Swerve” Scott on NXT last week. That was a rematch after Atlas had won their previous meeting. Scott refused a handshake after that match and then used a headbutt to help him get the win in their rematch.
Stallion became the number one contender to Santos Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship by winning a fatal five-way match on 205 Live in November. Stallion has yet to get his title shot. Escobar is defending the Cruiserweight title against Gran Metalik on NXT New Year’s Evil next Wednesday.
Ever-Rise and The Bollywood Boyz have recently been feuding with each other. Parker defeated Samir Singh in a singles match on 205 Live last week.
205 Live airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
This opened with Samir Singh gaining a quick advantage following an opening distraction. Sunil Singh’s interference from the offset forced Matt Martel to lay out the opposing manager. As soon as Chase Parker gained some footing, Sunil stole his attention, effectively reestablishing Samir’s advantage.
A suplex to the floor left Parker gasping for air. Samir transitioned into a short segment of ground control that ended following a quick boot from Parker. Samir didn’t allow momentum to escape his grasp as he locked in a deep sleeper hold that Parker narrowly escaped.
Parker connected with a few overhand rights and an elbow drop to establish his first lead. Samir then rolled to the outside and swapped spots with his brother. Mind you, Sunil has about a foot less in hair, one less tattoo, and trunks instead of tights. The referee took a few seconds of studying before determining that Sunil wasn’t legal. Sunil was then ejected.
Before Sunil could leave the ring, Samir tried to hit Parker with a clipboard while the referee was occupied. Samir instead hit his brother, expediting his trip to the back. Parker turned the distraction into opportunity as he lifted Samir and dropped him onto the turnbuckle, which led directly to the pin.
This match wasn’t fantastic by any means, but the absurdity of the Singh swap left a smile on my face.
Mansoor defeated Raul Mendoza
A collar-and-elbow tie-up led to a Mansoor favored scramble in the earliest moments of the match. The series of arm drag variations that followed left Raul Mendoza dazed on the outside. Mendoza drove Mansoor into the barricade and the ring apron to gain control. Mendoza dragged Mansoor into the ring and continued to work him over. Mendoza was dominant during this stretch, taunting Mansoor as he slowly picked away at him.
The long-drawn Mendoza domination ended as Mansoor sidestepped a would-be spear to the corner, sending Mendoza crashing into the ring post. Mansoor connected with a clothesline, an atomic drop, and a spine buster, all in quick succession. A nearly catastrophic suicide dive led to a near fall.
Mansoor hoisted Mendoza for his one-handed electric chair driver, now dubbed the Sands of Time. Mendoza rolled free into a pin attempt that Mansoor escaped. A moonsault to the back of Mansoor led to another near fall by Mendoza.
Mansoor landed on his feet from a German suplex. He dropped Mendoza and transitioned into a scorpion deathlock. Mendoza reached the bottom rope to break the hold.
Mendoza connected with a swinging neck breaker to regain control. Mendoza then started the slow climb to the top rope, but missed his target. Mendoza was able to land on his feet, but the landing caused damage to his leg. Mansoor took advantage, landing a slingshot neckbreaker for the win.
Two matches are set for this Friday’s Christmas Day edition of 205 Live.
WWE has announced that Mansoor vs. Raul Mendoza will air on 205 Live this Friday night. Ever-Rise’s Chase Parker vs. The Bollywood Boyz’s Samir Singh is also set for the show.
Mansoor is undefeated on 205 Live. Mendoza is part of Legado Del Fantasma with NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar and Joaquin Wilde.
Ever-Rise defeated The Bollywood Boyz in a tornado tag match on last week’s episode of 205 Live. That was billed as a rubber match between the teams after they had each gotten wins against the other in recent weeks.
205 Live airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
Christmas Day will also feature SmackDown airing on Fox at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The episode was taped earlier this week and will include three title matches. Roman Reigns is defending his Universal Championship against Kevin Owens in a steel cage match, Sami Zayn is defending his Intercontinental title against Big E in a lumberjack match, and Asuka & Charlotte Flair are defending their Women’s Tag Team titles in a triple threat elimination match against Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair and Bayley & Carmella. Daniel Bryan vs. Jey Uso is also set for SmackDown.
– With SmackDown making a one-week shift to FS1 tonight, there will be a special edition of Talking Smack airing immediately after the show.
A one-hour edition of Talking Smack will air on FS1 after SmackDown at 10 p.m. Eastern time tonight. Fox Sports has announced that Booker T will join Kayla Braxton and Paul Heyman to host tonight’s Talking Smack.
It’s also been announced that tonight’s Talking Smack will feature Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer interviewing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Fox Sports’ Charlotte Wilder interviewing Sasha Banks. The Rock appeared on Glazer’s One Glass With Glazer on Instagram Live three weeks ago and Fox Sports uploaded an interview with Wilder and Banks earlier this month.
Talking Smack made its return this August and usually premieres on the WWE Network on Saturday mornings. A special edition of Talking Smack also aired on FS1 this October when SmackDown made a one-week move to FS1 due to a World Series game airing on Fox.
SmackDown is airing on FS1 tonight due to college football’s Pac-12 Championship Game being on Fox. After Talking Smack, a replay of tonight’s SmackDown will air on FS1 at 11 p.m. Eastern.
– 205 Live is airing on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern tonight. WWE has announced two matches for the show: Jake Atlas vs. Tony Nese and Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel) vs. The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil & Samir Singh).
Atlas defeated Nese on NXT two weeks ago. Ever-Rise vs. The Bollywood Boyz is being promoted as the rubber match between the teams due to them each having one victory over the other in recent weeks.
Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari defeated The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil & Samir Singh)
Nese started the match by driving Sunil Singh into his corner. Daivari tagged in, but the momentum soon shifted in favor of the Singhs as Samir joined the fray. A Bollywood Boyz double suplex punctuated the Singh lead; Nese then provided a distraction, allowing for a Daivari-favored shift.
Daivari reigned in fists from the mount to further his advantage. Nese looked to further this lead after a tag, but instead planted Daivari with an accidental dropkick. Sunil tagged in and was free to land a ton of offense on the now distraught Nese. A double superkick sent Nese to the outside as Daivari re-entered as the legal man. Both Singhs then set Daivari up for and connected with the Bollywood Blast. Nese broke up the pin.
Nese dragged Sunil to the outside both to gain Samir’s attention while also buying time for Daivari. Davarii then caught a distracted Samir with an uranage. Daivari climbed to the top rope and hit the Persian splash for the win.
This match was quick, opting for a tried and true formula while not overstaying its welcome.
Curt Stallion, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & August Grey defeated Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde
A lockup ultimately favoring Ashante Adonis started the match. Raul Mendoza, the other legal starter, was hit with two arm drags, inciting Legado interference. Adonis single-handedly dispatched both Joaquin Wilde and Santos Escobar before they could touch a hair on Adonis.
A passionate Curt Stallion tagged into the match. With his sights set on flying, Stallion hit the ropes; a kick from Mendoza stopped Stallion mid flight. Legado Del Fantasma was now in complete control. Knees and chops left Stallion in a heap of his own person.
The cocksure nature of the Legado beatdown allowed Stallion to steal a quick tag, allowing August Grey to make up some previously lost ground. A powerbomb left Grey with a near fall on Wilde. Grey tried to maintain his control over Mendoza, but Escobar pulled the ropes causing Grey to crash to the mat.
Legado utterly dismantled their opponents for a significant amount of time before a devastated Grey eventually landed the hot tag, allowing Stallion to re-enter the fold. Stallion then took on both Mendoza and Wilde in a great show of heroics. After every move he landed, Stallion made eye contact with Escobar. Stallion even locked eyes with the Cruiserweight champion during a near fall.
Mendoza broke up a Stallion pin attempt causing all six men to hit the ring. Legado emerged from the exchange with a man advantage, but Grey from the outside tripped Mendoza, allowing Stallion to roll up Wilde for a surprise pin.
Following the match, Legado Del Fantasma attacked Stallion. Adonis and Grey ran them onto the apron, and a forearm from Stallion cemented the Legado retreat.
This match was great. Every second felt as if its inclusion was necessary, and everyone made their presence felt.
This week’s episode of 205 Live will include an in-ring appearance by NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar.
WWE has announced that Legado del Fantasma (Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) will face Curt Stallion, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & August Grey on 205 Live tonight. This is a rematch from a match that took place before NXT TakeOver: WarGames went on the air this past Sunday. That match was released online by WWE and featured Escobar pinning Grey to get the win.
Stallion became the number one contender to Escobar’s title by winning a fatal five-way match on 205 Live last month. WWE hasn’t announced when or where their title match will be taking place.
Stallion defeated Mendoza in a singles match on 205 Live two weeks ago but was beaten down by Wilde and Mendoza after. Escobar then came out to the stage to stare Stallion down.
On the final episode of NXT before TakeOver: WarGames, there was an angle where Stallion was supposed to team with Leon Ruff against Escobar & Mendoza but was attacked by Legado del Fantasma before the show. Ruff ended up teaming with Damian Priest and pinning Mendoza to get the win.
The Bollywood Boyz vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. The show airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise) defeated Sunil Singh & Samir Singh (The Bollywood Boyz)
This rematch started with both members of Ever-Rise jumping the Singh brothers as the opening bell sounded. A brawl spilled the action to the outside. Back inside the ring, Chase Parker and Matt Martel traded tags to pick apart Sunil.
Sunil created an opening by shoving Parker into his corner. Samir tagged in before landing some big fists from the mount. The Singhs traded tags of their own, landing a two-man suplex after stomping a hole in Parker’s chest. Sunil locked in a choke that left Parker desperate for a tag. After Parker broke the hold, Sunil stopped the tag attempt with a spinning heel kick.
Samir tagged in and tried for an assisted diving elbow. Instead of hitting Parker, Samir leveled his brother, leaving Parker open to secure the hot tag. Martel planted both Bollywood Boyz before trading tags with Parker to further their new lead. Ever-Rise lifted Samir and hit him with a double snake eye, a move called “The French Connection” by the commentary team. Martel then hooked the leg and pinned Sunil for the win.
I assume that this match was better than their last. This might be because I forgot this was a rematch until tonight’s bout was nearly over. Ever-Rise’s new intensity should make this match more memorable compared to their leadoff from two weeks prior.
Curt Stallion defeated Ariya Daivari
Ariya Daivari and Curt Stallion traded a wrist lock in the opening moments.The two traded the advantage before Daivari left the ring. On the outside, Stallion landed a headbutt before slamming Daivari into every hard surface surrounding the ring. Stallion went for a dive, but Daivari, like a matador with a muleta, sidestepped Stallion, sending him crashing into the barricade. At the count of nine, Stallion re-entered the ring.
Daivari took full control back inside the ropes. Stallion, try as he might, was unable to string together anything meaningful for some time. Stallion fought free from the camel clutch and initiated a strike exchange, which allowed Stallion to regain some footing; a standing crossbody allowed Stallion to regain the lead. A dropkick to a seated Daivari and a DDT from the corner yielded Stallion the near fall.
Stallion climbed to the top, but Daivari sent him crashing back to the mat. Daivari tried for the hammerlock lariat, but Stallion ducked. Daivari hit a uranage for a near fall of his own. Daivari hit a superkick, which Stallion answered with an air raid crash neckbreaker. Stallion climbed to the top rope and landed a splash for another near fall.
A dropkick from Daivari sent Stallion crashing to the outside. Daivari tried for a splash of his own, but Stallion avoided the move. Stallion then jumped towards Daivari, landing a nasty leaping headbutt. Stallion then pinned Daivari.
This match was fun. Stallion has a real charisma about him, and Daivari’s work was strong. All in all, a good watch.
Grey and Daivari started the match with a basic babyface/heel grappling sequence that transitioned into a convincing show of Grey’s offense. After receiving a rana, slam, and bulldog, Daivari escaped to the outside. Daivari baited Grey, splitting his legs around the turnbuckle post before slamming one into the beam. Daivari pulled Grey back into the ring, hung Grey in the tree of woe, and continued targeting the left leg.
Grey sent Daivari back outside after evading a strike. Grey then used his legs to push Daivari into the barricade/chain link combination surrounding the Capitol Wrestling Center. Daivari made up the lost ground back in the ring as Grey’s leg gave out, allowing Daivari to land a chop block.
Daivari locked in the figure four leglock. After a struggle, Grey began to show signs of life. Daivari responded by dropping the hold, only for Grey to kick him back to the outside. Grey was able to catch Daivari as he re-entered the ring with a suplex. A Grey neck breaker sent Daivari outside once more. On the outside, Daivari grabbed his chain just as Grey hit a perfectly timed tope. Grey sent Daivari back into the ring, hit a crossbody, and a superkick.
Daivari pulled free from an unprettier and locked in a second figure four; Grey rolled into the ropes to break the hold. Grey then kicked Daivari away and landed a big slam for a near fall. Grey hoisted Daivari onto the top rope, but Daivari pushed him away and landed the Persian splash. Grey kicked out of a close pin and secured an inside cradle that Daivari just barely escaped from.
Daivari tried for a hammerlock lariat, but Grey ducked. Grey then transitioned into an unprettier position and landed a rope-assisted variation of the move. Grey folded up Daivari and pinned him.
Raul Mendoza took an early lead, toying with the contender Curt Stallion along the way. Mendoza used the hair of Stallion to whip him into both a headlock and a turnbuckle. Mendoza walked the rope and landed an impressive dropkick.
Mendoza pulled Stallion up from a pin by his hair. Stallion landed a slap to create some separation. Stallion landed a few significant strikes that sent Mendoza to the outside; Stallion hit a dive in follow-up. Back in the ring, Stallion landed a big boot, a running knee, a dropkick, and a DDT. A stomp to the chest left Stallion with a near fall.
Stallion scaled to the top rope, but Medoza met him atop the post. The two struggled, but Mendoza came out ahead with a colossal rana. Stallion landed on his feet after a suplex but was nearly rolled up by Mendoza. Mendoza landed a kick and set Stallion up for the finish. Stallion again slipped free and rolled up Mendoza for the win.
Joaquin Wilde hit the ring following the finish and began to beat down Stallion. Santos Escobar walked out following the beating.
This was another fun match, and with it, 205 Live’s role as NXT’s third hour was cemented. If 205 Live is used as nothing more than a story starter, that is a much better fate than cruiserweight purgatory.
Curt Stallion will face off with a member of Legado del Fantasma on 205 Live tonight.
WWE has announced that Stallion vs. Raul Mendoza will take place on tonight’s episode of 205 Live. The match was set up by a promo from Legado del Fantasma’s Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde. Mendoza challenged Stallion and — responding to comments from Stallion last week — said Stallion doesn’t even deserve to mention Santos Escobar’s name.
Stallion won a fatal five-way match on 205 Live two weeks ago to become the number one contender to Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Last Friday, a promo from Stallion aired. It ended with him telling Escobar to smarten up.
A Legado del Fantasma video then aired on NXT this Wednesday. They listed the cruiserweights Escobar has defeated and asked who’s next. Escobar pretended not to know Stallion’s name and mockingly said he’s sure Stallion is going to be a huge challenge.
WWE hasn’t announced when or where the Escobar vs. Stallion Cruiserweight title match will be taking place.
August Grey vs. Ariya Daivari is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. The show airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
