Akira Tozawa will be teaming with Meiko Satomura at Fight Club: PRO’s show in Tokyo, Japan.
It was announced today that Tozawa & Satomura will face CCK (Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos) at the show, which is named “Project Tokyo” and will take place at Korakuen Hall on January 7, 2019. This is the first event that the British-based promotion has held in Japan.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Tozawa — who is under contract with WWE and part of the cruiserweight division on 205 Live — would be wrestling at Project Tokyo. There had been NXT UK wrestlers pulled from the show, with Project Tokyo taking place in the days before NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool is held on January 12.
Satomura is the Fight Club: PRO Champion and is a founder of the Sendai Girls promotion in Japan. She made appearances for WWE in this year’s Mae Young Classic, making it to the semifinals before losing to Toni Storm.
The promotion announced today that the 205 Live star will be making an appearance for the promotions Project Tokyo event at Korakuen Hall on January 7. It wasn’t made clear who he would be facing.
This comes after a number of NXT UK talent were pulled from the show, including British Strong Style, Jordan Devlin and Travis Banks. NXT UK talent have signed new contracts in recent weeks that have put even more restrictions on where they can work. One of the new restrictions also bars wrestlers from competing on a show one week out before a NXT UK taping, and there will in fact be a taping that following weekend.
Tozawa has wrestled infrequently this year as he hasn’t been focused much on 205 Live and the brand doesn’t tour. In recent weeks, however, he has been teaming with Brian Kendrick feuding against Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher.
A stipulation match and an appearance by Lio Rush are set for next week’s episode of 205 Live.
During last night’s 205 Live, it was announced that Brian Kendrick & Akira Tozawa will face Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher in a tag team street fight next week. Kendrick and Tozawa have been paired together as a team since shortly after the storyline where Gulak and Gallagher turned against Kendrick in October.
It was also announced that Lio Rush will return to 205 Live next week. It will be the first time he’s been on the show since he lost to Cedric Alexander on the November 14 episode.
Alexander will challenge for Buddy Murphy’s Cruiserweight Championship at TLC this Sunday.
Though the finals of Mixed Match Challenge season two are taking place at TLC, WWE plans to keep 205 Live as a taped show airing on Wednesdays for the last two episodes of the year. Dave Meltzer notes that a decision for 2019 will be made after that.
The Big Takeaway: After losing to Mojo Rawley on Main Event last week, No Way Jose got his win back here over Mike Kanellis. Drew Gulak and Akira Tozawa also put on a fine match at the top of the show with Gulak notching up a submission win.
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No Way Jose defeated Mike Kanellis (5:10)
After a defeat at the hands of Mojo Rawley last week, No Way Jose beat Kanellis with the pop-up punch. At this point, the decision not to put Kanellis through NXT before progressing to the main roster would seem to have been a questionable one, with Kanellis floundering and without a singles win since July of last year.
There wasn’t much to this, but Jose’s entourage of conga line cheerleaders always gives his matches more of an important feel. Kanellis took most of the match with his aggressive and physical moveset. He started to pose, blow kisses, and even bust a few ironic moves the more he took control of things.
Jose got a near fall from a flapjack and then looked beaten when Kanellis nailed him with a superkick. He looked dazed and staggered into the middle of the ring but snapped out of it in time to catch Kanellis and pop him up for the Fastball Punch.
The conga line went crazy on the bell and we went straight to the Raw recap without a replay of the finish.
Drew Gulak defeated Akira Tozawa (6:44)
The cruiserweight division over on 205 Live has made for compelling watching of late with some solid output. Not only has the content been good, but some of the personas are really developing, too.
When Gulak first came to WWE, he looked a little like a fish out of water, until he walked through the ropes. Looking at him now, he’s so much more confident in his character and really looks the part as he struts to the ring in his hooded boxer walkout robe.
These two worked well together and kept things 50-50 as they paced themselves towards a finish built around Gulak’s dragon sleeper (with a body scissors) submission hold. At one point, Tozawa locked in a modified Octopus, but Gulak got to the ropes. The other high points were when Tozawa escaped a powerbomb attempt and Gulak moved out of the way of a top senton attempt.
The finish looked really strong as Gulak sent Tozawa face-first into the second turnbuckle so that he could snap on the Gu-Lock right in the middle of the ring. Tozawa had no option but to tap to a submission hold that Gulak makes look pretty inescapable and terrifying.
Here are this morning’s Axxess results, which featurned a number of PROGRESS and WWN talent defending their titles.
– Heavy Machinery defeated PROGRESS tag team champions Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake and Zack Gibson) by DQ
War Raiders (formerly War Machine) came out and interfered for the disqualification.
– Toni Storm defeated Lacey Evans to retain the PROGRESS women’s title
Elias came out for a live performance.
– Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai to retain the NXT Women’s title.
– Candice LeRae defeated Billie Kay
LeRae defeated Kay by submission.
– Lars Sullivan defeated Keith Lee
Sullivan pinned Lee with the freak accident, then laid him out with two more after the match.
– Austin Theory defeated Marcel Barthel to retain the WWN title.
– Pete Dunne defeated Lio Rush to retain the WWE United Kingdom title
Dunne pinned Rush with the Bitter End to retain.
– Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly defeated Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate and Trent Seven) to retain the NXT tag team titles.
All of Undisputed Era ran down to the ring after the match for a beat down on Bate and Seven. Pete Dunne ran in for the save and drove them off. The trio posed together after the bout.
– Travis Banks defeated No Way Jose to retain the PROGRESS World title.
Before the main event, there was a Q&A section with the Bella Twins.
– Adam Cole defeated Akira Tozawa to retain the NXT North American title.
Wrestlers from outside of 205 Live’s regular roster appearing has been a theme of the Cruiserweight Championship tournament, and that’s set to continue next week.
Mark Andrews, who is part of WWE’s planned United Kingdom division, will be wrestling on next Tuesday’s episode as he faces Akira Tozawa in a first round match. In the show’s other tournament match, Drew Gulak will take on Tony Nese.
Tyler Bate appeared in the first week of the tournament, losing to TJP. Roderick Strong defeated Hideo Itami last night to advance to the second round.
A reboot for 205 Live began when Rockstar Spud (now known as Drake Maverick) was announced as the show’s general manager and a renewed focus on in-ring action was indicated. PWInsider reported today that the reboot extends to what’s going on behind the scenes as well, with Vince McMahon stepping aside and “no longer personally putting 205 Live together” as of last week’s episode.
PWInsider noted that Triple H is now overseeing 205 Live after McMahon made the decision to allow him to take over as showrunner two weeks ago.
Cedric Alexander, TJP, Kalisto, and Strong have advanced in the Cruiserweight title tournament so far. After Andrews vs. Tozawa and Gulak vs. Nese, there will be two more remaining first round matches. The bracket for the tournament hasn’t been revealed, but the new champion will be crowned at WrestleMania.
The Big Takeaway: Alicia Fox defeated Dana Brooke only a week after Brooke’s win over Mickie James. Akira Tozawa & Mustafa Ali then beat Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari in under four minutes to close out the show.
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Alicia Fox defeated Dana Brooke (w/ Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews) (5:39)
Only a week after defeating Mickie James, Dana Brooke lost on Main Event to Alicia Fox. Fox’s position is hardly high right now and the decision for Brooke to lose momentum after such a big win is puzzling to say the least.
The match was as you would expect, with Fox — by far the more experienced competitor — selling for Brooke. Brooke was playing a cocky heel throughout, taking the support of Apollo Crews and Titus O’Neil (who is now sporting a Chris Jericho-esque scarf to complement his suit). At one stage, Brooke no-sold a shoulder barge from Fox and dropped down to the mat to show off her one-handed push-ups.
Fox took much of the second half of the match before Brooke kicked out of a Northern Lights suplex. Brooke got the heat with clotheslines and running forearms, but Fox got the win when she blocked a charge and nailed Brooke with the Watch Yo Face in the middle of the ring.
Akira Tozawa & Mustafa Ali defeated Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari (3:51)
Once again, the cruiserweights were given too little time to make much of an impression, but, that said, this was fun while it lasted. Gulak and Tozawa were the stars here, going back and forth and outdoing each other at every turn.
The Zo Train bullied their way into contention and built to a false finish when Daivari blind tagged himself in with Ali prone by the corner of the ring. Daivari hit the Persian Lion Splash, but Tozawa came in to make the save.
The last minute was really strong here: Tozawa did a suicide dive on Daivari outside while Gulak and Ali exchanged pin attempts in the ring. Ali came off the second rope to hit Gulak with a rolling DDT and left him position to hit his finisher. Ali then landed the 054, beautifully, for the win to leave The Zo Train winless in their last four outings.
The Big Takeaway: Accompanied by Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews, Dana Brooke stole a win against Mickie James. In a strong performance, Akira Tozawa got his win back from Tony Nese in a rematch of their 205 Live bout from the previous week.
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Dana Brooke (w/ Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews) defeated Mickie James (4:37)
Brooke has been at the side of Titus Worldwide for the last few weeks here on Main Event, so it was interesting to see her take to the ring instead this week with both O’Neil and Crews at her side. James, who hasn’t appeared on Main Event since July, took the fall having last scored a singles win in October.
The match really wasn’t particularly good until the second half. Brooke dominated the first part of the bout with chinlocks and rest holds, but James eventually took over with a more impressive and interesting move set. James locked in a tarantula at one point and looked to be in line for a win when Brooke had to roll outside for a breather, only to be berated by O’Neil and Crews.
The finish saw Brooke block a roll-up attempt that allowed Brooke to flip over James and apply a weak-looking bridging pin to essentially steal the win. Vic Joseph and Nigel McGuinness played up the coup on commentary and had kept putting James over as a former six-time champion.
Titus Worldwide made off like bandits, even doing a lap of honor around the ring, while James was left to look on.
Akira Tozawa defeated Tony Nese (5:49)
On 205 Live the previous week, Nese picked up the win over Tozawa after some fierce back and forth, eventually finishing Tozawa with a running knee. The rematch on Main Event saw them face off on a show that Tozawa is yet to lose on.
Once again these two were excellent together. The whole match was a back and forth where you felt that either man could come out on top. They built to a point where both had dominated moments and equaled each other and both went for a big boot and both landed it. They looked glassy-eyed — but it was Tozawa who got up first.
Nese tried a roll-up and a pumphandle slam but Tozawa was quick enough to escape them. Eventually, Tozawa was able to strike Nese with a windmill kick to leave him prone by the corner. Tozawa hit the Drop Zone for the win in what was a really strong bout. It would be good to see these two get more time together on WWE television.
The Big Takeaway: Curt Hawkins’ losing streak continued to rise with a loss against Rhyno, and the trend of short cruiserweight tag matches headlining the show persisted with Gran Metalik & Akira Tozawa dispensing with Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher in less than four minutes.
In the city that is home to the currently winless Cleveland Browns, Curt Hawkins added yet another loss to his ridiculous total. Although this took the streak to 0-142, at the time of this writing, Hawkins is now 0-144.
Rhyno mowed down Hawkins in the first few minutes, taking stiff chops in every corner of the ring. Finally, Hawkins reversed a whip to the corner and waffled Rhyno with a lariat and then applied a rest hold. Hawkins took Rhyno outside and roughed him up, nailing him back-faced into the ring apron.
Rhyno got the advantage with a huge back body drop and started to fire up with clotheslines and belly-to-bellys. The finish saw Rhyno catch Hawkins and nail him with the spinebuster for the win.
Gran Metalik & Akira Tozawa defeated Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher (3:20)
Main Event was again left with a tag team bout that was 100 mph and lamentably too short. The standout performer was Gran Metalik, who was exceptional here — moving around with such pace and agility.
Tozawa was all over Gallagher in the early going and Metalik then overwhelmed Kendrick. Gallagher distracted him to break up the flow of the match so that Kendrick could come off the second rope with an inverted atomic drop on Metalik.
Metalik worked his way out of trouble, hitting Gallagher with the Metalik Driver but missing the blind tag that Kendrick had made. The ring filled, and Tozawa sent Kendrick outside so that he and Metalik could hit stereo suicide dives on the heels. Metalik then finished Kendrick off with a rope-walk top rope elbow drop.
The Big Takeaway: Curt Hawkins took the pinfall as he and Dash Wilder lost again this week to continue both of their respective losing streaks. Akira Tozawa also got a win over Tony Nese in a fairly ordinary main event.
I mentioned a few weeks back that Curt Hawkins has been without a win since the night he returned to WWE. Well, he is now playing this up in his ring entrance on Main Event. Over his music, Hawkins’ recorded voice says, “his 118 match losing streak is going to come to an end right before your eyes.” And, of course, it didn’t.
Wilder is also without a win since his Revival teammate Scott Dawson was struck down with an injury in June, and it didn’t get any better for him here. However, his tag partner took the loss — when Rhyno nailed Hawkins with a spinebuster — to take the streak to 119.
Slater and Rhyno fared well with the pre-Raw crowd. They have been performing without each other for a number of weeks now, but, reunited, they went over well here. Rhyno did the power moves, Slater played babyface in peril, and Hawkins brought out the inner trash-talker in Wilder. Overall, this match was fun while it lasted.
The finish started when Rhyno got the hot tag. Hawkins blind tagged in while Wilder was wheeling from the onslaught, but Slater saw it and dumped Wilder outside so that Rhyno could focus on Hawkins, who he nailed with a spinebuster for the win.
Akira Tozawa defeated Tony Nese (4:56)
Tozawa hasn’t been on Main Event since April, but he’s such a pleasure to watch. Here, he was all action and took the match 100 miles per hour. Nese is a good foil for Tozawa’s pace and made it look like he was going to take the spoils until he got caught trying something on the top rope and Tozawa was able to hit the Drop Zone.
There was a spot here where they teased an early finish with Nese lying prone and Tozawa in position for the Drop Zone, but Nese rolled out of the ring. Tozawa’s response was amazing: he leaped off the top rope and — as he landed — began sprinting into the ropes and then dove through them headfirst at Nese. It was both breathtaking and really quite dangerous at the same time.
Otherwise, it was Nese using his physique and strength to try to dominate Tozawa and the match was punctuated by Tozawa’s efforts to get the crowd riled up. When the finish came, it felt a little early, but Tozawa seized the opportunity and got plenty of hang time on his impressive finisher, the Drop Zone.
Neville and Tozawa stole the show with an excellent main event, Jack Gallagher’s issues with Brian Kendrick continued with a clown being added to the mix, TJP bickered with Rich Swann for a bit, and Tony Nese and Drew Gulak endured another loss.
Show Recap —
Akira Tozawa’s win from last Monday night was recapped before his title loss at SummerSlam was shown. Vic Joseph and Corey Graves then hyped up the title match tonight before Cedric Alexander came out to team with Gran Metalik.
Drew Gulak still believes in a better 205 Live and will team with Tony Nese tonight. Nese showed off his eight-pack, and the new neon green gear he’s got on makes them shine. Nese buried the fans for being fat and eating pizza. Well, I can’t imagine the arena pizza is all that good — so good for him for encouraging better eating habits.
Cedric Alexander & Gran Metalik defeated Tony Nese & Drew Gulak
Nese and Alexander started things off and Nese took a break from a tie-up to pose. Alexander took Gulak down with a giant forearm strike. Metalik came in, but he got laid out by a forearm shot and the heels cut the ring off.
Metalik ducked under a baseball slide from Nese and hit a moonsault to the floor, then Nese talked smack to Alexander and got cradled for two. Metalik hit a crossbody from the ring post to mid-ring.
Alexander and Gulak came in and Gulak ate a springboard lariat for two. The faces hit a double team pop-up dropkick on Gulak before Metalik splashed down for a close near fall. Alexander followed with a Lumbar Check to win it.
Titus O’Neil talked to Tozawa about how he wishes he took a break before this rematch to rest up, but Tozawa remained confident. Tozawa gave him two claps and a Ric Flair.
A SummerSlam recap led to Jack Gallagher vs. Brian Kendrick in a duel. Gallagher ran down his issues with Kendrick and cut an intense promo on being doubted and how maybe there’s a grain of truth to him being a clown, but now he has someone in his life who needs knocking out.
Kendrick mocked Gallagher and said he has a suitable opponent for him — Sprinkles the Clown. Gallagher headbutted and stomped him. He went to powerbomb Sprinkles through a table, but Kendrick jumped him and beat him with an umbrella before sending Gallagher through the table. Kendrick challenged him to a no DQ match next week.
Rich Swann interrupted TJP’s game of WWE 2K17 and demanded his attention. TJP showed off his giant knee brace and said he hurt his knee beating him the week before. He logically pointed out that it’s not his fault that Swann was distracted by music.
Gallagher and Kendrick’s no DQ match was confirmed for next week. Neville walked backstage before his match, leading to Tozawa coming out before Neville entered.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defeated Akira Tozawa to retain his title
Neville gave Tozawa a clean break to start before grinding him with a necklock. Neville went for a kick and Tozawa caught it. He chopped Neville in the corner and then rained down forearms in another one.
Neville recovered and began to work on the bad arm to gain an edge. He applied a Muta Lock on the elbow and snapped back. Neville sent Tozawa outside and hit a moonsault off the top onto the arm and slammed it into the LED board before flipping him into the barricade.
Neville got sent off the top and rolled to the floor — so Tozawa dove onto him. Tozawa hit a Saito suplex for a near fall.
Tozawa went up for the Drop Zone senton bomb, but Neville crotched him. Neville hit a superplex, but Tozawa cradled him for an unsuccessful pinning attempt. Neville kicked him down for two. Tozawa got a schoolboy and a kick for another two count.
Neville went for a flash Rings of Saturn that was turned into a cradle for two. Tozawa kicked him down for the Drop Zone, but it missed and the Rings of Saturn got the win for Neville. This was an excellent match and a return to form for the show.
Neville cut a promo on conquering everyone, then Enzo Amore debuted in one of his more ridiculous outfits. Amore did his sing-along promo with kids going crazy for him and got a huge “How you doing?” chant, which was amazing given how long everyone had actually been in the building.
Akira Tozawa is the new WWE Cruiserweight champion, defeating Neville after an impromptu match on Raw.
The two were previously scheduled to square off at SummerSlam this Sunday. Michael Cole explained before the match that Tozawa’s manager Titus O’Neil went to Raw General Manager Kurt Angle before the show and mentioned that Boston was a big town, rich of sports tradition and would be the perfect place for Tozawa to win the title. Angle agreed, setting up the title bout.
The finish had Neville going for the Red Arrow, but Tozawa rolled out of the way, sending Neville crashing to the mat. Tozawa made it to the apron and launched with the senton, pinning Neville and winning the championship.
Neville had held the title since beating Rich Swann at the Royal Rumble back on January 29, holding it for 197 days. It’s currently unclear if the match already set for SummerSlam will take place.
Titus O’Neil hyped up Neville vs. Akira Tozawa nicely, while future contenders were built up with both Jack Gallagher and Rich Swann gaining victories.
Show Recap —
Titus O’Neil started things off walking backstage in a red shirt and wacky hat. He yelled and told Akira Tozawa that he’s going to make tons of money after the pay-per-view. He then chatted with Ariya Daivari about his wardrobe and told Mustafa Ali that he was impressed by him before doing the “ha-ha!” bit. Okay then, this was weird.
Corey Graves and Vic Joseph ran down the show tonight. Jack Gallagher faces Tony Nese and Rich Swann takes on TJP. O’Neil came out to a decent crowd reaction while the fans did the millions of dollars dance.
O’Neil was mid-ring with a Titus Worldwide podium and photos of Neville and Tozawa. He said that Neville has been dominant, but he’s no match for the Powah of Tozawa. Neville called Titus Worldwide a mere facade and showed Apollo Crews being demolished by Braun Strowman on Raw.
Well, he raised a valid point, but the fans chanted “you’re not Strowman!” Neville said that O’Neil doesn’t care about his clients, only money, and he’ll invite him to do commentary while he destroys Lince Dorado.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defeated Lince Dorado in a non-title match
Neville locked on a headlock, but he got quickly cradled for two. Neville went for a German suplex, but Dorado flipped out. Dorado dove onto Neville, but got sent knees-first into the steps on the floor.
Neville methodically beat him up through two nine counts that he broke up to continue the beating. Neville hit a powerbomb before cranking on the Rings of Saturn to win it.
TJP wrapped his hands while Swann walked up in a smoking jacket. TJP said that Swann wanted the old TJP back, so he’ll bring back the old TJP that beat him in the Cruiserweight Classic.
We got a recap of Nese beating Gallagher two weeks ago to set up their match tonight.
Jack Gallagher defeated Tony Nese
Nese outwrestled Gallagher to start things off, but Gallagher spun him around a bunch with a Kiwi roll and got two. Nese lifted him into the ropes and hit knees to the spine for two. Nese ran him over with a flying crosschop for two.
Nese locked him in the tree of woe before doing the sit-up kicks. Nese locked on a sweet reverse torture rack, which looked a bit bizarre, but a few knees from Gallagher ended that. Gallagher went for a rolling armbar, but Nese locked the arms and got an easy Backlund lift before a Gallagher sunset flip got two.
A double jump moonsault resulted in Nese coming up lame and then trying to attack Gallagher, who hit the headbutt and the corner dropkick to win it. This was quite fun to watch.
Gallagher celebrated before Brian Kendrick interrupted with a history lesson of Great Britain in front of a green screen library. He talked about the British being cowardly and said that Gallagher will surrender to him. This got a big “USA” chant and then Gallagher got no reaction going to the back with his theme playing.
We got a recap of the Cedric Alexander vs. Alicia Fox rivalry. Noam Dar chatted with the trainer about his bad neck before Fox came in and complained about wanting him to go after Alexander — not the title. Dar knows he’s in hell and it’s great.
Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong for the title on NXT was hyped up before TJP came out for his match with Swann.
Rich Swann defeated TJP
Swann outwrestled TJP on the mat to start before TJP locked on a modified headscissors. Swann sent him outside and faked a dive before dabbing. Swann grabbed TJP’s feet for a variety of kicks in the corner, but Perkins backdropped him to the floor.
TJP bent Swann’s fingers back on the mat before landing an outside-in tope con hilo for two. TJP went for a submission with the Muta lock, but Swann made it to the ropes. Swann recovered and landed a rolling thunder splash for two, then hit a Michinoku driver for a near fall.
They exchanged dives before Swann hit a spin kick. TJP landed the chickenwing gutbuster and went for the kneebar, but Swann escaped. They each went for, and landed, a double high kick — resulting in Graves immediately comparing it to Fedor vs. Matt Mitrione. Swann and TJP traded cradles, before Swann got one that ended it.
Neville vs. Tozawa was hyped up and will be on the kickoff show at Great Balls of Fire — probably due to the tag titles now being defended in an Iron Man match.
Brian Kendrick mocked Jack Gallagher and beat him half to death with an umbrella. Drew Gulak’s no fly zone cost him another win against Mustafa Ali, and the never-ending Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar storyline continued.
Neville and Tozawa also had an intense staredown and got physical for the first time ever to close the show.
Show Recap —
Akira Tozawa’s rise with the Titus Brand started things off thanks to an impressive highlight reel. A Neville highlight package then showcased his intimidating presence and deadly moves.
Vic Joseph and Corey Graves (in an outstanding used car salesman suit) welcomed us to the show. Neville will address the fans and Cedric Alexander will face Ariya Daivari.
Jack Gallagher chatted with Dasha Fuentes. Gallagher said that he let his guard down last week against Tony Nese, but he will not do that tonight against Brian Kendrick. Kendrick showed up dressed like Gallagher and called him a joke.
Jack Gallagher defeated Brian Kendrick by DQ
Kendrick wrestled in a suit and hit Gallagher with a cheap shot before locking on a headlock. A long Kendrick promo and a headlock may not be the hottest way to start the show.
Gallagher went into the corner, but Kendrick simply refused to move and ended that. Gallagher landed a big uppercut, but ate the buckle before Kendrick landed a big corner forearm.
Vic Joseph said that Kendrick has a plan, and Graves said yes, he calls himself that and not the man with occasional forethought. Kendrick beat Gallagher up with his umbrella for the disqualification. He then grabbed Gallagher’s umbrella to beat him with that one too. The crowd came alive thanks to all this, so I guess it worked.
Drew Gulak vs. Mustafa Ali was hyped up, leading to Gulak being interviewed by Fuentes. Fuentes threw to a video package showing Gulak losing via cradle and Gulak said that the victory proved his point — Ali couldn’t beat him with something flashy.
Gulak yammered on the bullhorn before Ali asked why Gulak hates exciting moves. Ali said that high flying is something Gulak just can’t do — and he gave him a big grin and a thumbs up.
A drive-in movie-style ad hyped up Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns for Great Balls of Fire.
Mustafa Ali defeated Drew Gulak
Gulak talked on the bullhorn to no reaction from the crowd. Ali took him down with a snap arm drag, so Gulak just punched him. Ali went for a dive, but he ate a kick to the gut. Gulak twisted his head on the mat before cranking on a chinlock.
Gulak hit a nasty snap suplex into the buckle for a near fall before raking Ali’s face against the top rope. Ali landed a slick spinning DDT to the sound of silence. He then landed a series of forearms before connecting with a high kick out of the corner.
A blockbuster got two for Ali, but Gulak sent him down and went for a Superfly dive. It missed and Ali cradled him to win.
Alexander vs. Daivari was hyped up before Noam Dar apologized to Daivari for throwing his bag out. Dar told him it’s really all Alexander’s fault. Daivari said that the shirt was only $15,000 and he wouldn’t even bend over to pick that up. Dar told him that Alicia Fox has his funds tied up anyway, then took a call from her.
Daivari told him that he doesn’t owe him money — he just owes him. He then destroyed Dar’s phone. Thank God — maybe that’s it for the FaceTime gimmick.
Ariya Daivari defeated Cedric Alexander
Alexander and Daivari exchanged armlocks before Alexander hit a big dropkick. The big springboard lariat got two for Alexander. Alexander cleaned Daivari’s clock with a giant right elbow strike, but he got tossed into the buckle — giving Daivari an edge.
Daivari locked on a chinlock before turning it into a body vice variant that is a bit too similar to Samoa Joe’s finisher. Alexander got his foot on the rope and Dar came out to distract Alexander, with Daivari getting a cradle for two. Daivari hit a modified Rainmaker and won it.
Dar jumped Alexander with some dreadful punches from a side mount before asking for a mic. He told Fox that he would love to be on FaceTime, but the Cedric Alexander chapter is over and now it’s time to move on so they can focus on their love. He quoted the movie “Rocky” by saying they did it.
Neville walked backstage to prepare to talk to the crowd. His mere presence woke the crowd up and he told them that in two weeks, he will defend his title against another so-called challenger.
Him mentioning Tozawa’s name resulted in the crowd doing the “Ha!” bit and he called it cute before saying that Titus Worldwide is a smokescreen and Tozawa is a mere lamb being led to slaughter. As champion, he gives warnings and the second that Tozawa comes in the ring, he will be smacked with reality and he isn’t close to the Neville level.
Tozawa came down and Neville asked him if he understands what he’s saying before getting nonstop “Ha’s” in response. Tozawa kicked him down, which resulted in the fans doing the battle cry and then Tozawa doing it while Neville left with his tail tucked between his legs. They had an intense staredown to close the show.
WWE continued to build to Great Balls of Fire on Monday night’s episode of Raw.
Two more title matches were confirmed for the pay-per-view, with Sasha Banks challenging Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship and Neville putting his Cruiserweight title on the line against Akira Tozawa. As was previously revealed, Brock Lesnar defending his Universal Championship against Samoa Joe will headline the show.
Banks won a gauntlet match in the main event of Raw to determine Bliss’ next challenger. Nia Jax dominated Bayley, Mickie James, Dana Brooke, and Emma before Banks entered last and submitted her with the Banks Statement.
It was Titus O’Neil who revealed that Tozawa would challenge for the Cruiserweight title at the PPV, with him also announcing that their storyline has resulted in Tozawa joining “Titus Worldwide.”
Bray Wyatt indicated that he’d be having a match with Seth Rollins at Great Balls of Fire as well. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in an ambulance match is the only other match that has been confirmed as of now. More will become official on next week’s go-home show before the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas hosts the PPV on July 9th.
