Tag: 205 live

WWE 205 Live results: Tony Nese vs. Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Samir & Sunil Singh (The Bollywood Boyz) defeated Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)

The Bollywood Boyz danced together following the opening bell. Ever-Rise tried to copy the dance, but the Singhs blindsided them mid-boogie. Sunil, left as the legal man, lost the advantage. Parker and Martel secured some tags in quick succession that allowed them to form a lead. 

Bollywood Boyz regained control, with Sunil and Samir trading tags. They dropped both Parker and Martel with basic double-team maneuvers. 

Samir grabbed the camera he had brought with him to the ring, mockingly filming Parker. Parker snatched the camera away and threatened to break it. Martel sneakily tagged in while Samir was distracted and clubbed him with a clothesline to the back. Trading tags and double-teaming furthered Ever-Rise’s control. 

Samir was able to sidestep both members of Ever-Rise, leaving him clear to make a tag. Sunil lept into action with a double axe handle from the top rope and an atomic drop. Samir tagged in now that Sunil secured control, and the pair together delivered the Bollywood Blast. Chase Parker, however, broke up the pin.

The Singhs tried to follow up, but the referee forced Sunil to return to the apron. With the referee distracted, Ever-Rise was able to connect with their lifting double-knee face breaker. The referee then turned his attention to Parker, missing both the pin attempt and Sunil striking Martel with the camera; Samil rolled Martel over and pinned him following the blow.

Ariya Daivari walked through the ramp and berated the celebratory Bollywood Boyz before joining the announce team.

This match was quite uninteresting. 

Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated Tony Nese 

Nese met Adonis with chops in the middle of the ring as the match began. Adonis tried to fight back, but following an athletic evasion sequence, Nese left the ring and joined Daivari on commentary. Adonis ran after Nese as the referee continued to count, but Nese caught Adonis. 

Adonis reverses an Irish whip with a clothesline. He then unleashed a power-based offensive sequence that sent Nese crashing to the outside. Adonis taunted Daivari while smashing the head of Nese into the announcer’s table. Nese stumbled away from the table, throwing blows at an opponent ten feet away.

Adonis threw Nese back into the ring and flexed to the Capitol Wrestling Center’s screens. In an act of punishment, Nese threw the ring apron over Adonis and landed a dropkick. Nese landed a moonsault and near fall. 

Nese took the match to the mat, but Adonis powered up, lifting Nese onto his shoulders. Adonis dropped Nese flat on his face. He then began to connect with big strike after big strike, eventually landing a suplex for punctuation. 

Daivari left the announce booth and aided Nese in evading just as Adonis had victory in sight. Even so, Adonis connected with a DDT for a near fall. Daivari yelled into the ring, distracting Adonis just long enough for Nese to roll through and connect with a swift kick. Daivari then wrapped his hand with a chain and waited for his time to strike. 

Adonis hit a massive clothesline on Nese as Daivari hit the ring. Adonis ducked the chain loaded fist and planted Daivari with a spinebuster. Adonis lined up a superkick to flatten Nese, pinning him to win the match.

This was an impressive outing from Adonis, the cruiserweight powerhouse persona is awesome. Nese also pulled out a solid performance, as he always does, to round out this match. One of the better 205 Live matches in recent memory.

Next challenger for Cruiserweight title decided on WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new number one contender to the NXT Cruiserweight Championship was decided on last night’s episode of 205 Live.

Curt Stallion defeated Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and August Grey in a fatal five-way number one contender’s match on 205 Live last night. Stallion will get a future title shot against NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar, though WWE hasn’t announced when that title match will be taking place.

Stallion pinned Nese in last night’s fatal five-way match after hitting a reverse Spanish Fly off the top rope. Stallion’s face was bloody after being busted open above the eye earlier in the match.

Stallion, who formerly wrestled for EVOLVE, has been a regular on 205 Live since being introduced as a new WWE signee as part of last month’s Performance Center class.

Last night’s number one contender’s match was in celebration of the show being the 205th episode of 205 Live.

In his most recent title defense, Escobar retained against Jake Atlas on this week’s NXT.

WWE reveals participants for 205 Live number one contender’s match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The participants are set for tonight’s fatal five-way number one contender’s match on 205 Live.

WWE has announced that Curt Stallion, August Grey, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, Tony Nese, and Ariya Daivari will face off in tonight’s fatal five-way match. The winner will get a future shot at Santos Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship, though WWE hasn’t announced when the title match will be taking place.

In the main event of last week’s 205 Live, Nese & Daivari defeated Grey & Stallion after Daivari used his chain as a weapon and struck Grey. Mansoor defeated Adonis on 205 Live last week.

Stallion and Grey (Anthony Greene) are former EVOLVE wrestlers who were announced as new WWE signees last month.

Tonight’s number one contender’s match is in celebration of this week’s 205 Live being the 205th episode of the show. The match was announced via a video that aired on 205 Live last week. Escobar cut a promo saying that he’s defeated everyone that has come his way so far and that will never change — but he welcomes the challenge. Escobar said he worked with NXT general manager William Regal to give multiple cruiserweights the chance of getting a shot at his title. Escobar warned the winner to watch their back at all times.

Escobar retained his title against Jake Atlas on this Wednesday’s episode of NXT.

Number one contender’s match set for next week’s WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A match with Cruiserweight Championship implications is set for the 205th episode of 205 Live.

In a video that aired on 205 Live last night, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar announced that a number one contender’s fatal five-way match will take place on 205 Live next Friday. The match is in celebration of the show being the 205th episode of 205 Live.

When the winner of the number one contender’s match will be challenging for Escobar’s title hasn’t been revealed.

Escobar said during his promo last night that he’s defeated everyone that has come his way so far and that will never change — but he welcomes the challenge. Escobar said he’s worked with NXT general manager William Regal to give multiple cruiserweights the chance of getting a shot at the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Escobar warned the winner to watch their back at all times.

The five wrestlers who will be taking part in the number one contender’s fatal five-way match haven’t been revealed, but Tony Nese, Brian Kendrick, Ariya Daivari, Curt Stallion, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, August Grey, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil Singh & Samir Singh), and Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel) are featured on the match graphic.

WWE 205 Live results: Daivari & Nese vs. Stallion & Grey

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated Mansoor 

Ashantee Adonis extended for a handshake following the opening bell; Mansoor swatted away the hand of Adonis. Adonis tried to verbally convince Mansoor that he was trustworthy, but instead was taken to the mat. Mansoor took control of Adonis’s arm, but Adonis overpowered his opponent. After tossing Mansoor to the mat, Adonis tried again at convincing Mansoor of his character, but Mansoor answered with another takedown attempt. 

The two struggled for some time before a flapjack turned things around for Adonis. He tried to follow up further, but was interrupted on the top rope by Mansoor. Mansoor took his newfound match control to the outside of the ring. After some general outside offense, Mansoor rolled Adonis back into the ring and tried for a pin. 

Mansoor used a front facelock to maintain control as Adonis tried to gain some footing. Adonis teased a pass out finish before landing a short-arm clothesline to end the prolonged facelock. Adonis connected with a few strikes and a dropkick before climbing back to the top rope. A high crossbody left Adonis with a near fall.  

Both men tried for quick pins to end the match. Mansoor tried for sliced bread before, and Adonis slipped free. Mansoor lifted Adonis into position and landed his finishing one-handed electric chair driver to win the match. 

The handshake Adonis wanted in the opening moments he received following the closing bell.

Brian Kendrick’s influence on both these men was the center point of its story. Both Adonis and Mansoor have been taken in under him, or so the story goes. Regardless this match was inoffensive. 

Cruiserweight champion Santos Escobar announced a five-way match for next week’s 205 Live; the winner will go on to challenge him for the belt. The five competitors look to be Sunil Singh, Samir Singh, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, August Grey, Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese, The Brian Kendrick, Curt Stallion, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Chase Parker, and Matt Martel.

Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese defeated Curt Stallion and August Grey

Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari took quick control of August Grey as the match started. Curt Stallion stealthily tagged himself in and reset the match. Stallion took control of a tapped up arm attached to Daivari. Both Stallion and Grey then took turns torturing the arm with a variety of moves.

Daivari forced Stallion into his corner, which allowed Nese to get involved. Daivari leveled Stallion with a clothesline and began trading tags with Nese, each time furthering their lead. A failed suplex from Nese allowed a hot tag into Grey. Grey connected with moves on both Daivari and Nese before the numbers game proved to be too much. With Daivari maintaining the attention of Grey, Nese landed a running hotshot. Nese landed a moonsault and tagged Daivari back into the match. 

Daivari and Nese traded tags. Grey struggled and struggled for a tag as he was slowly picked apart by both his opponents. Finally, a desperation suplex from Grey onto Nese allowed for a hot tag into Stallion. Stallion landed a massive kick on the now legal Daivari, which he followed with a DDT. Grey tagged in and landed a move of his own that Nese had to break up. 

Grey soon found himself under attack from both Daivari and Nese. Grey overcame the numbers and sent Daivari to the outside. From nowhere, Stallion connected with a suicide dive on the prone Daivari. At the same time, Nese gained control of the happenings inside the ring and landed a reverse piledriver on Grey. Stallion broke up the pin. Daivari grabbed Stallion and threw him into the ring steps.

Back inside the ring, Grey was looking to get an upset. Nese sent Grey into the ropes where Daivari hit him with a golden chain. Nese rolled Grey up and stole the win. 

At times, this match was by the numbers. But it also was a densely packed expression of athletics. The finish, however, was lame. 

WWE 205 Live results: Ever-Rise vs. Brian Kendrick & Mansoor

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Curt Stallion defeated Ariya Daivari

A collar-and-elbow tie-up started the match and set the pace in the opening moments. Curt Stallion gained control of the match with a side headlock; Ariya Daivari pulled the hair of Stallion to stifle his offensive gains. Stallion resisted Daivari with passion and speed, but Daivari’s relative veteran status left him continually in the driver’s seat. 

A moment of separation allowed Stallion to connect with a spree of offense. A spinning forearm yielded Stallion a near fall. Daivari rolled to the outside, and Stallion followed. Tony Nese, who was commentating the match, gained Stallion’s attention, which allowed Daivari to blindside Stallion. Back inside the ring, Daivari took Stallion to the mat. As Stallion showed hopes of regaining momentum, Daivari had an answer.

After smashing the face of Stallion into the announce table, Daivari locked in a camel clutch inside the ring. Daivari dropped the grip momentarily; Stallion landed a low blow to a prone Daivari, which prompted a burst of Stallion offense. Daivari regained control by sending Stallion crashing into the ropes during a dive attempt. 

Daivari rolled outside of the ring to gain his composure. Stallion landed a dive on Daivari. Nese again gained the attention of Stallion, but this time a Stallion headbutt left Nese laying. Daivari tried to capitalize on Nese’s distraction, only for Stallion to duck the hammerlock lariat attempt. Amidst the chaos, Stallion rolled Daivari up and pinned him.

This was a simplistic showing, but not a bad one. Stallion is showing more and more promise each week. 

Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise) defeated The Brian Kendrick and Mansoor

Matt Martel squared off against Mansoor following the opening bell. Martel, with verbal aid from Chase Parker, took control of Mansoor. Parker tagged in and was immediately cut off. Brian Kendrick and Mansoor traded tags as they worked to gain a foothold. Parker earned a sneaky tag, which allowed Martel to blindside Mansoor with a clothesline, putting them back in control. 

Martel whipped Mansoor across the ring, causing him to crumble, but as soon as Parker tagged back in, Ever-Rise’s power slipped. Kendrick, now legal, landed some forearms before trading tags with Mansoor once more. Martel had to pull Parker out of harm’s way to stop the other team’s momentum. Martel tagged back into the match and again gained control for his team. 

While double-teaming Kendrick, a miscommunication sent Martel crashing into Parker. Kendrick, after two tries, secured the hot tag. Mansoor unloaded on both Parker and Martel, but both proved to be too much. Kendrick entered the fray to reset the in-ring action to its natural state. Mansoor hit sliced bread on Parker and secured the pinfall victory. 

This match was fun. The work was clean, and the homage to Kendrick in the finish was neat.

All in all, the show was entertaining, especially considering its limited ambition.

WWE 205 Live results: Mansoor vs. Brian Kendrick

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Mansoor defeated The Brian Kendrick 

Brain Kendrick used a headlock following the opening bell to take Mansoor to the mat. After some groundwork and a quick standing sequence, Mansoor gained footing for the first time by pushing Kendrick to the mat. Now angered, Kendrick failed to regain his lost ground as Mansoor landed a few quick moves to further his new lead. 

Following a Mansoor bulldog, Kendrick landed a kick to the spine to regain his control. Kendrick proceeded to dismantle Mansoor, turning his attention to his arm following a takedown. Kendrick toyed with Mansoor, kicking his head. Mansoor erupted into a rage and unleashed a flurry of strikes on an unsuspecting Kendrick. Mansoor landed a spinebuster, a pair of suplexes, and a falcon arrow all in quick succession. 

Kendrick followed a Mansoor powerbomb with a quick single-leg facebuster. After scaling to the top rope, Kendrick landed a butterfly suplex. Kendrick tried to pin Mansoor following the move; Mansoor rolled out of the pin into a pin of his own. Kendrick, in a state of shock, was unable to kick out. 

Kendrick and Mansoor completed the post match handshake ceremony that follows every Kendrick match. 

The simplistic nature of this match allowed Mansoor to shine in one of his best showings to date. Kendrick’s role as a reliable veteran suits him.  

A fantastic Jordan Devlin promo played. Devlin delivered a concise promo. Parallel to his transcendent work in OTT, Devlin’s promo was accompanied by slick edits and a dramatic score. 

The Bollywood Boyz hit the ring with two microphones and cut a quick promo declaring their return to 205 Live. 

A Curt Stallion Twitter promo played where he called out Tony Nese. He claimed that Nese’s interference in his match last week is the only reason he did not win the $10,000 prize. 

Tony Nese defeated Curt Stallion

Before the match could even begin, Ariya Daivari walked to the ring and gained the attention of Curt Stallion. Nese took full advantage and flattened Stallion just as the bell was sounding. Stallion tried to fight back, but Nese’s striking prevented any hope of a Stallion lead.

Stallion caught Nese with a quick suplex, which he followed with an air raid crash. Nese sent Stallion into the ropes to end Stallion’s offense. Nese then continued to brutalize Stallion as if he never stopped. A springboard moonsault gave Nese a near fall. 

Stallion slipped free from a torture rack from Nese and landed a German suplex. Stallion landed a few moves on Nese in the corner and scored a near fall with a DDT. Nese rolled to the outside only to be hit by a beautiful moonsault. Daivari gained the attention of Stallion again. Stallion laid out Davari but met the knee of Nese as he reentered the ring. Nese then pinned Stallion for the win.

Nese kept Davari away from Stallion following the match’s end. 

Another solid match to close the show. It seems as if Stallion might be playing a more significant role than one would imagine.

WWE 205 Live results: Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs. Brian Kendrick

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Ariya Daivari opened 205 Live by announcing that the second edition of his $10,000 gauntlet would start the show. If either of the two competitors in “Daivari’s Dinero Division” defeated Daivari, they would leave with his money-filled suitcase. 

Daivari’s Dinero Division Gauntlet: Ariya Daivari defeated Anthony Greene

Daivari showed an early confidence as the first match started. Greene tried to catch Daivari in his arrogance but was unable to gain anything substantial. Instead, Daivari took his time stomping and chopping at the Performance Center recruit. Greene at times connected with some unimpressive looking offense: a rollup, a press, a rana. All of this was short-lived, as Daivari played the role of top dog. Davari pinned Greene with a hammerlock lariat.

Daivari’s Dinero Division Gauntlet: Curt Stallion defeated Ariya Daivari by DQ

The second competitor in the Daivari gauntlet, Curt Stallion, took his sweet time before entering the ring. Once inside the ropes, Daivari stomped a hole in the former EVOLVE competitor. Stallion was able to catch Daivari both with a lariat and a kick which forced Daivari to throw Stallion to the outside in an act of self-preservation. Back inside, a Persian splash left Daivari within a hair of victory. Daivari then tried for a few moves to close the match but each time was blocked by Stallion. 

Stallion landed an echoing headbutt that sent Daiviri back outside and followed with a suicide dive. Stallion had victory in sight, but before he could capitalize was hit with a running knee from Tony Nese. This left Stallion with a disqualification victory over Daivari but before he could claim the prize, Daivari snatched his money. 

This was a good enough way to further the Daivari/Nese angle from last week’s show. The open-ended nature of the finish leaves such a variety of options for what is to come that intrigue is forced to follow. 

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated The Brian Kendrick

Kendrick opened the match by gaining control of Scott’s arm. Kendrick used the arm to score a takedown which initiated a back-and-forth sequence of chain wrestling. Once standing, Scott used a moment of temporary separation to connect with a rolling thunder flatliner. Scott then took the match back to the mat with a backdrop. On the mat, it was Kendrick who forced Scott to pull away. This separation allowed Kendrick to land a boot after both men popped back to their feet. 

After being taken down by a bodyscissors, Kendrick crawled to the bottom rope, and instead of breaking, threw Scott to the outside. Scott was sent crashing into the ring steps, leaving Kendrick back on top. Kendrick tried hoisting Scott by his tights but was caught by a stray boot. Kendrick was able to stifle Scott’s resurgence by side stepping a hip attack. Scott was hit with a pair of neckbreakers in Kendrick’s follow-up. 

Scott was able to avoid sliced bread and transitioned into a suplex. A leaping uppercut allowed Scott to turn his attention back to the arm of Kindrick. Scott tried for a second rolling thunder flatliner, but Kendrick used the movement of Scott to transition into the captain’s hook. Scott fought to his feet and into the corner just for Kendrick to connect with sliced bread. Scott kicked out of the pin attempt that followed. 

A failed rollup attempt from Kendrick and a quick scramble left Scott with control of Kendrick’s back. Kendrick grabbed the rope, but his previously worked arm gave out. Scott secured the double underhook and landed the JML driver. Scott held the folded body of Kendrick down for the three count. 

The now-signature post match Kendrick handshake followed the bell. 

The clever finish of this match almost made the awkward mat work worth enduring. Everything outside of the closing sequence was fine at best.

WWE 205 Live results: Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis vs. Brian Kendrick

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Jake Atlas defeated Ariya Daivari

Ariya Daivari started the match with a quick set of jabs which triggered a Jake Atlas fury. Atlas unloaded passionate strikes on the ring’s inside before throwing Daivari to the floor below. Atlas threw Daivari into the barricade before reentering the ring.

Daivari reset the match with a punch to the throat. Daivari’s offense that followed did not match the energy shown by Atlas in the earliest moments but instead was prolonged and ground-based. Atlas’s attempt to regain control was stopped by a clever dropkick to a slumped over Atlas. Daivari then continued to slowly pick apart Atlas. Atlas tried for an elbow that Daivari avoided and punished with a DDT. Atlas tried for a crucifix pin that Daivari kicked from and punished with a clothesline. 

Daivari threw Atlas into the corner, which Atlas bounced out of with a forearm. An Atlas back body drop, single-leg dropkick, and German suplex followed. After landing a pump kick on Daivari in the corner, Atlas tried for a big hook. Daivari ducked the punch and landed a neckbreaker, regaining his control. Daivari landed a top-rope splash and nearly scored the fall. Atlas was then hoisted into position for the hammerlock lariat which a quick elbow prevented. Atlas was then able to land a pump kick that sent Daivari to the outside. Atlas wasted no time, setting up for and connecting with a tope. 

Without any warning, enter Tony Nese in full sprint. A Nese running knee then laid Atlas out, leaving him with a disqualification victory. 

This match was very strong throughout. Atlas and Daivari both worked hard to make a simple match formula meaningful. The run-in was genuinely emotional due to the A-1 work that it extinguished all too soon.

Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated The Brian Kendrick 

Brian Kendrick was caught in the opening moments as Ashante Adonis landed a series of supercuts in the corner. Kendrick tried to lift Adonis for a suplex but instead found himself on the receiving end of an Adonis dropkick and back body drop. Adonis hit a clothesline that caused Kendrick to fall to the floor. 

As Adonis tried to follow up it looked as if he accidentally was caught by a baggy ring skirt. Kendrick, without hesitation, took full advantage. After driving Adonis headfirst into the barricade Kendrick returned to the ring. Kendrick attempted to follow up his newfound lead with a kick but was caught by Adonis. A back and forth offensive struggle followed but it was Adonis who landed a crossbody and a DDT to nearly secure the win. A spinebuster left him even closer. Adonis declared it his time before being dropped with a ton of strong kicks. 

Kendrick secured the captain’s hook. Adonis was able to roll onto Kendrick, nearly pinning him. Kendrick tried again for the hook but was kicked in the jaw for even trying. Adonis waited for Kendrick to rise and dropped him with a superkick. Adonis then hooked the leg and pinned Kendrick clean in the middle. 

For the third time, Adonis and Kendrick shook hands in the ring’s middle following the conclusion. 

This match was the best outing of this particular pairing. Adonis seemed as if he had something to prove, delivering a focused performance as the match’s standout. Likewise, Kendrick played the veteran role perfectly. 

205 Live’s debut in the Capitol Wrestling Center took place inside of an NXT dressed ring – yellow ropes, NXT turnbuckle pads, etcetera. The ring skirt featured the typical 205 Live branding. Whether this is a decision worth looking into or an oversight is currently undeterminable.

The content of the 200th 205 Live episode was the best in the pandemic era. The matches were fun and dramatic. All in all, a great show.

Escobar vs. Scott preview special set for WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

This week’s episode of 205 Live won’t feature any new in-ring content.

Instead, tonight’s 205 Live will be a special episode previewing Santos Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship defense against Isaiah “Swerve” Scott at NXT TakeOver 31 this Sunday.

“On a very special episode of 205 Live tonight, Vic Joseph will look at the upcoming title bout between Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott and Santos Escobar, slated for this Sunday at NXT TakeOver 31,” WWE.com wrote. “The championship fight will represent a monumental moment for the purple brand, as it is the first time that the NXT Cruiserweight Title will be on the line at an NXT TakeOver.”

Scott is the only person who’s pinned Escobar in WWE. He defeated Escobar in a group match during NXT’s Cruiserweight Championship tournament and also pinned Escobar during a six-man tag street fight on NXT last month. When Scott unsuccessfully challenged for Escobar’s Cruiserweight title in August, the finish of the match involved Escobar using a lucha mask that was loaded with a weapon.

Post Wrestling’s John Pollock confirmed with multiple sources that no matches are going to be taped for 205 Live at the Amway Center tonight. 205 Live is going to be running out of the WWE Performance Center starting next week. NXT is also moving to the Performance Center starting with Sunday’s TakeOver event.

WWE 205 Live results: Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs. Ariya Daivari

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Mansoor defeated Ashante “Thee” Adonis 

Ashante Adonis started the match by taunting Mansoor. Instead of responding to the taunts with jest of his own, Mansoor responded with action. He maintained momentum in the early going and gained a near fall following an inverted DDT. 

Adonis was able to secure some offensive footing of his own following Mansoor spilling to the outside. Plenty of big moves followed from Adonis, two of which resulted in near falls. Adonis once again took to slowing the pace, a move that Mansoor took full advantage of. A splash from the top rope and a bulldog from the second left Adonis in position for Mansoor’s one-handed electric chair driver, but Adonis escaped before he met his doom. Adonis’s escape from his fate also allowed him to secure a crossface, which Mansoor escaped from. Mansoor then hoisted Adonis up for the one-handed electric chair driver which yielded him the pinfall victory. 

The contents of this match were slow and uninteresting. The rebranding of Adonis at this point is borderline comical; he’s the same guy, a cocksure loser, but with a new name. He is not a lost cause by any means but he’s definitely on a bad path. 

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Ariya Daivari 

Ariya Daivari and Isaiah Scott found themselves on equal footing in the early going. Daivari’s groundwork was thwarted by Scott. Daivari was able to connect with a brief set of strikes before Scott returned the favor, pulling and prodding at the joints of Daivari at every opening. 

The two soon fought to the outside. It was during Scott’s return to the ring, however, that Daivari landed a DDT. Daivari took Scott to the mat once again. Scott tried and succeeded in fighting back to his feet. A strike exchange ensued in which Scott was the victor. Scott used the provided space to deliver a diving elbow. Scott followed up with a flat liner which nearly resulted in a pin. 

Scott was growing desperate as Daivari continued to show signs of life. Daivari fought free by driving Scott into the turnbuckles but Scott maintained his pursuit. Scott landed a huge suplex and nearly pinned Daivari again. Scott grew even more disgruntled. Scott slowly clubbed Daivari before trying for a big boot which Daivari sidestepped and turned into a uranage. A top rope splash from Daivari and a pin attempt followed. Daivari, with victory in sight, tried for a hammerlock lariat, which yielded him three pins on last week’s 205 Live. However,Scott slipped free. 

Daivari and Scott then struggled in what would be the last moments of the match for any advantage whatsoever, but it was Scott who caught Daivari with the house call following a failed sunset flip. Scott then pinned Daivari for the victory. 

This match was mediocre. Nothing from either guy stood out. It is hard to find anything meaningful to say in regards to something so forgettable.

WWE 205 Live results: Legado Del Fantasma vs. Lorcan & Burch

Posted on by Chick Fritts

The Brian Kendrick defeated Ashante “Thee” Adonis

205 Live began with a rematch; the man formerly known as Tehuti Miles, now Ashante Adonis, was to once again wrestle the man who triggered this change in personas, The Brian Kendrick. 

Kendrick in the early going looked to be regretting his words of wisdom towards Adonis late last month. Kendrick shoved Adonis, only for Adonis to pursue him with his newfound intensity. Adonis gained an early lead from this point which was lost after a big boot from Kendrick. Kendrick pummeled Adonis while avoiding all of his reversal attempts. 

Kendrick eventually gave an inch to Adonis in the way of separation which Adonis fully capitalized on, landing a momentum nullifying clothesline. An Adonis spinebuster and head kick resulted in a pair of near falls. Finally, after a brief struggle, Adonis landed a DDT but taunted Kendrick in the moments following. Kendrick took advantage, secured the captain’s hook, and submitted Adonis.

Kendrick and Adonis shook hands just as they did in their match two weeks ago.

This match, in the same manner as their last, was fine in the ring and played further into the same story. The Adonis rebranding seems to be a means to further confirming the already established character of Miles following his first Kendrick match. Adonis is now more intense than ever but is still overconfident.

Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise) defeated Andrew Lockhart and Erik Lockhart

This match was a complete and total squash. Neither member of Ever-Rise gave up even an inch of offense to either Lockhart. The match was executed well enough considering its contents. 

Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde (w/ Santos Escobar) defeated Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch

Oney Lorcan and Joaquin Wilde started this match with a nice progression of chain wrestling. Wilde eventually won out and was able to trade tags with his partner Raul Mendoza in hopes of furthering their advantage. Danny Burch was able to secure a tag after Lorcan fought into his corner, a tag that Burch was able to take full advantage of. After regaining momentum for his team Burch delivered a double suplex with the aid of Lorcan. 

Wilde was able to interfere on behalf of his team which allowed Legado Del Fantasma to stomp Burch into the mat. Wilde and Mendoza both traded tags as they further damaged Burch. Burch dug down deep to tag Lorcan back into the match, a tag which set a passion-filled Lorcan free. Lorcan effectively shifted the match back into his team’s favor before tagging Burch back in where he, with the help of Lorcan, landed an elevated DDT. Mendoza was forced to break the pin attempt that followed. 

Burch and Wilde were now on seemingly equal ground and it was Burch who was getting ahead. A massive German suplex triggered a reaction from Santos Escobar. Escobar hopped onto the apron but before anything could come of it Ever-Rise entered the ThunderDome. Ever-Rise initiated an attack on Escobar which drew the attention of Burch, which lasted no more than three seconds. Wilde was able to roll up his distracted opponent and effectively steal the win. 

This match was well structured and well-executed from bell to bell. The finish, while a bit flaky, was a followup from a reasonably angered Ever-Rise. All in all, a good watch. 

WWE 205 Live results: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Ever-Rise

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Ariya Daivari defeated Tehuti Miles

Ariya Daivari immediately took to striking Tehuti Miles who seemingly was unchanged following his loss to Brian Kendrick last week. Daivari, after besting Miles in a sudo-boxing exchange, called Miles trash. It was this comment that triggered a shift in Miles’s demeanor. Miles transitioned into a more brutish version of himself; a look of passion developed on his face and an uncharacteristic intensity found its way into his moves. 

Daivari was able to suppress the offense following the shift in Miles’s mannerisms by ejecting him to the outside of the ring. After driving Miles into the announce table, Daivari continued his offense in the ring for some time. Miles took a flattening clothesline but mere moments later met Daivari with a DDT. Miles kipped up and let out a great roar. Daivari was then dropped with a spinebuster which almost left Miles the victor. Miles climbed to the top rope from where he lept, only for Daivari to avoid the attack and connect with a leaping forearm. 

Daivari called Miles trash once again. Miles tried for a surprise roll-up, but Daivari kicked out. Daivari worked for a hammerlock lariat only for Miles to try once more for a surprise rollup which Daivari, once again, kicked out from. A Daivari superkick and hammerlock lariat followed a combination that allowed Daivari to pin Miles for the win. 

Daivari extended his hand to Miles in the same way Kendrick did last week, but Daivari pulled his hand away before Miles could shake it. 

This match was interesting. It, again, was playing to a new Miles, a Miles which we saw shades of tonight. A fun watch.

Mansoor defeated Colby Corino

Mansoor at every turn in the early match read Colby Corino as if he were a book. Mansoor, after an extended offensive stretch with only light resistance, climbed to the second rope. Before he could leap, Corino kicked Mansoor’s leg off the rope, resulting in a gross fall. Corino took full advantage of this opening as he laid in firm strikes and a 450 senton to a grounded Mansoor. 

Corino locked in an abdominal stretch that Mansoor fought free from. A northern lights suplex from Mansoor preceded a sloppy rope assisted neck breaker. Mansoor lifted Corino for his still-unnamed one-handed electric chair driver. Mansoor pinned Corino for the win. 

This match was not good. Not insultingly bad, just entirely uninteresting and occasionally sloppy. 

[No Contest] Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch vs Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)

Matt Martel and Chase Parker took an early lead on Oney Lorcan with quick tags. This lead was continued following Danny Burch tagging in. Both Burch and Lorcan were met with team-based domination in the early going.

Lorcan made a hard-fought hot tag that finally moved the match into their favor. Burch completely moved the advantage back into his team’s favor. Enter El Legado Del Fantasma. The faction smashed all four members with chairs, kicks, and duct tape. In the end, only El Legado Del Fantasma stood tall

WWE 205 Live results: The Brian Kendrick returns

Posted on by Chick Fritts

The Brian Kendrick defeated Tehuti Miles

The Brian Kendrick was quick to disrespect Tehuti Miles following the bell. The returning Kendrick kicked the golden fanny pack of Miles to the mat before the two had even made contact. The pair exchanged brief words before entering a tie-up. Both men traded advantage but it was Miles who succeeded in landing a quartet of arm drags.

Miles took his time as he taunted Kendrick, an act which left Kendrick visibly unhappy. Kendrick landed a kick in retort before driving Miles into the corner. Miles was able to fight free and connect with a peppering of strikes, an Irish whip, and a dropkick. Miles tried for the pin but Kendrick kicked out. Miles took time again to taunt Kendrick, who he was seemingly far ahead of. This allowed Kendrick to roll an unfocused Miles up for a quick pinfall victory. 

Kendrick extended his hand to Miles, which Miles reluctantly shook.

This match was here to serve as a critical moment in the story of Miles, at least on the surface. His loss to the wiser Kendrick and the subsequent show of respect should be a catalyst for character development, especially considering his winless 205 Live record. 

The match itself was quick and to the point. Nothing was included that need not be and yet it did not feel as if it was missing anything. This was not meant to be a showcase of athletics but instead strictly a device of narrative, and at that, this match fully succeeded. 

Tony Nese defeated Liam Gray 

Liam Gray was immediately flattened by Tony Nese with a back elbow. Gray tried for separation, but was crushed at every turn by Nese. Nese stood over Gray, taunting him before launching him into the corner with a German Suplex. Nese hit a running knee on Gray before Nese then pinned Gray for the win.

Nese entirely pulverized this man. In fact, Gray was given no offense whatsoever. Nese’s intensity only furthered his gains from this slaughter. 

Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch defeated Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)

Oney Lorcan and Matt Martel started this match, but it was Danny Burch who tagged in moments after the match started and secured a headlock on Martel. Martel was able to tag in Chase Parker, who was also grabbed by a Burch headlock. 

Martel was able to make a stealthy tag of which Burch was none the wiser. Burch tried chasing Parker, who he thought was legal, but was clubbed by Martel. Martel dropped a few elbows on Burch before Parker was tagged in again. Parker dropped a bigger elbow on Burch and tried for a pin that Burch kicked out from. 

Martel, now legal, hoisted Burch onto his shoulders but Burch was able to wiggle himself free and tag in Lorcan. Lorcan leveled both Parker and Martel with uppercuts. Burch and Lorcan’s attempts at tandem offense were then repeatedly interrupted by Parker at every turn. 

Parker, now legal, landed a diving neckbreaker with assistance from Martel. Lorcan barely kicked out from the pin attempt that followed. Parker and Lorcan struggled for a suplex from the apron but only by the aid of Martel was Parker able to come out ahead. The referee then proceeded to yell at both Martel and Parker for their disregard for the rules, allowing Lorcan to make a sly tag of his own. Martel was quickly thrown to the outside by Burch, leaving Parker alone with his fresh opponent. Burch quickly secured a crossface and forced Parker to tap out. 

It turns out that Ever-Rise is not a babyface pairing, in spite of their babyface-ish showing last week, in fact, they are as underhanded in tactic as ever. What purpose, if any, this match served other than reverting last week’s happenings is hard to say. 

WWE 205 Live results: Nese & Scott vs. Legado del Fantasma

Posted on by Chick Fritts

205 Live kicked off this week with an Ariya Daivari promo. Daivari, in a boat and on a body of water, called out all of the notable cruiserweights: Santos Escobar, Tony Nese, Drake Maverick, etcetera. Ultimately, Daivari made it clear that he intended to return to 205 Live. 

Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza (with Santos Escobar) defeated Tony Nese and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott 

On the and only first match of the show, two of the only 205 Live storylines came to ahead. Tony Nese took the lead as the first legal man, perhaps in a show of responsibility to his newfound ally. Likewise, Raul Mendoza began the match for El Legado del Fantasma. Mendoza and Nese traded holds in an opening grappling exchange that set a good opening pace. The two continued to up the pace in the mere seconds that followed. Nese avoided an attack from Mendoza with a flip which led to a quick set of strikes. A bested Mendoza was then forced to tag in the pristine Joaquin Wilde. Isaiah Scott tagged in to challenge Wilde.

Scott and Wilde grappled back and forth after becoming legal. The two both gained an advantage on the mat. After an extended portion of mat control by Wilde, Scott used head scissors to create separation. Wilde, not allowing Scott to follow up, grabbed the hair of Scott to initiate a referee forced break. Scott grew enraged by this dishonorable act. This led to Scott thoroughly unloading on Wilde in the corner; Scott was showing a real sense of urgency combined with unfamiliar brutality. 

Scott sent the still dazed Wilde to the outside. Instead of maintaining a sense of focus for the match at hand, Scott turned his attention to NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar who had accompanied his underlings to the ring. After a staredown with the champion Scott returned to the ring, Escobar seemed to be unphased by the passion of Scott. Escobar then coached Wilde with an intriguing calmness. Said coaching caused Wilde to storm the ring with an intensity of his own. Scott tagged out as he was soon forced into his own corner. 

Nese stifled the attempted momentum of Wilde with a takedown. Nese tagged in Scott once more, this time the two launched a short two-man attack on Wilde. The double team offense continued as Nese and Scott traded tags. The budding partnership of Nese and Scott had seemingly left Wilde far behind in the match. 

Wilde’s break came after Mendoza slammed Scott to the mat while the referee was not looking. Wilde dropped Scott chin first onto his knee and tried in vain for a pin. Wilde tagged in Mendoza. Wilde and Mendoza then delivered a double Alabama slam followed by a double dropkick to Scott. Scott kicked from the pin attempt that followed. Mendoza was able to land some offense on Scott before tagging in Wilde again. Scott was immediately able to gain separation after Wilde became legal. 

Scott successfully went for the hot tag which allowed Nese to reenter the fray with ferocity. Nese initiated a brilliant sequence that he punctuated with a pump handle driver and a believable near fall. Nese locked in a deep Boston crab in the center of the ring. Before Mendoza was able to break up the submission, Scott landed a takedown on the would-be interferer and tried for an armbar. Wilde was able to push Nese into Scott from the bottom of the crab, breaking up both submissions. 

Wilde now had Nese grounded for the first time. Wilde climbed to the top rope but was uppercut immediately by Nese. Nese tried to crawl for Scott’s tag after the uppercut but Wilde, who was still seated on the top rope, grabbed the hair of Nese. Nese then without hesitation jumped for a rana on his highly elevated opponent to break his grip. With Wilde flat on his back, Nese was able to tag in Scott.

Scott hit the ring with a burst of energy. A clothesline hit the mark as Wilde tried to return to his feet. Mendoza tried to intervene but was met with a back-body drop as soon as he entered the ropes. This allowed Scott to show off with a quick ground sequence and a German suplex. Scott tried to end the match with a strong kick to the head but Wilde kicked out of the pin that followed. 

Scott tried to maintain his control, but Mendoza grabbed at his ankle from the outside. Wilde was able to break free from Scott and connect with a DDT. Mendoza tagged in before landing a springboard moonsault. Nese broke up the pin attempt that followed. At this point, a four-way brawl ensued. Nese and Scott gained the upper hand as they sent their opponents crashing to the outside. Nese and Scott then dove onto their opponents. Scott sent Mendoza back into the ring and connected with a double foot stomp but Wilde was able to break up the pin just before the referee’s count of three.

 Nese tagged in and hoisted Mendoza onto his shoulders. Scott climbed to the top rope. The two were setting up for something big. Before said setup could be actualized Escobar climbed the ring steps and stood on the apron gaining the attention of the referee, Nese, and Scott. Wilde pushed the now distracted Scott into the floor from the top rope. Nese tried for a rollup in the moments that followed, but Mendoza had sneakily tagged in Wilde. Wilde was then able to connect with a double knee face breaker on the confused Nese. This allowed Wilde to hold Nese in place for a Mendoza enziguri. Nese was then pinned by Wilde.

This match was good. Just as it began feeling long-winded, it came to a close. Storywise it succeeded in further establishing the current cruiserweight hierarchy; El Legado del Fantasma is at the top, everyone else is playing catch up. 

Also worth noting is crowd response. Early in the match, the crowd seemed quite loud, at least speaking in terms relative to the empty arena WWE shows. Whether this was a rather fervent set of attendees or a change in mixing, it’s hard to say.