Tag: ariya daivari

WWE 205 Live results: Curt Stallion vs. Raul Mendoza

Posted on by Chick Fritts

August Grey defeated Ariya Daivari

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.

This was a fun match with an unexpected finish. 

Curt Stallion defeated Raul Mendoza (with Joaquin Wilde)

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 vs. Raul Mendoza set for WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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.

WWE 205 Live results: Five-way number one contender’s match

Posted on by Chick Fritts

205 Live’s 205th episode opened with a fantastic video package retelling the brand’s history with a special focus on individuals who have called the show home. 

Curt Stallion defeated Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and August Grey

Ashante “Thee” Adonis rolled out of the ring following the opening bell, allowing the now allied Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari to control the match’s opening. Curt Stallion and August Grey fought off the team, leaving themselves alone in the ring. Grey tried for a quick pin on Stallion before the two locked up. 

Adonis managed to control the match by beating down Nese and Daivari in an impressive display; however, Daivari and Nese together proved to be too much. After sending Adonis to the mat, Nese and Daivari stared each other down for the first time. Grey dove onto the pair before they could engage. The match broke down into temporary chaos as the established lead broke down.

Daivari and Nese reclaimed the match from the fog. The pair dominated all three of their other opponents with little resistance. Both Stallion and Grey tried their hand in slowing Nese and Daivari, but it was an Adonis distraction that opened a window; Daivari slammed that window shut.

After prolonged offense from Nese with Daivari’s support, Adonis hopped in the ring. With Nese holding Grey down, Adonis was able to throw Daivari to the outside and catch Nese with a sleeper. Stallion hit the ring with furry and stole the momentum gained by Adonis. Stallion nearly won the match with a DDT, but Nese broke the pin. Nese, for his troubles, was hit with an air raid crash neckbreaker. 

Grey hit a DDT of his own to trigger another five-way chaos-filled sequence. Grey, Adonis, and Daivari all scored near falls in quick succession. A dive-filled show of athletics followed. Nese set up for a running knee, but Grey met him with a superkick. Grey fell into a pin just in time for the Bollywood Boys to hit the ring. The two focused solely on Grey, pummeling him into the mat. 

Adonis helped in ejecting the Bollywood Boys just as Ever-Rise hit the ring. Ever-Rise laid Adonis to rest. Stallion stood up to the attackers and gained control with help from Adonis and Grey. Dual dives from Stallion and Grey took out all four interfering wrestlers. Daivari snuck into the ring and hit Adonis with chain-wrapped knuckles. 

Grey broke up Daivari’s pin attempt before Nese sent him to the outside. Stallion climbed to the top rope but was interrupted by Nese. The two struggled for control before a bloody Stallion hit Nese with a Spanish fly from the top. Stallion hooked Nese’s leg and gained the pinfall victory. 

This was a high-quality match. Throughout its runtime, Stallion’s charisma stood out. By the final bell, Stallion’s triumph was hard-fought. This match should be nothing short of a launching pad for the new number one contender.

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.

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.

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: Tony Nese vs. Danny Burch

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Ariya Daivari defeated Eli Night, Bobby Flaco, and Jason Cade 

Ariya Daivari took to social media promising $10,000 to any one of the three men he would face tonight. In what became a three-man gauntlet, Daivari’s money could be claimed by any of his competitors if they could pin or submit him.

Daivari wasted no time in clobbering Eli Night. Night was beaten and pinned exceptionally quickly with a hammerlock lariat being the impetus to the fall. 

Bobby Flaco hit the ring with a headlock, but this lasted about two seconds. Daivari, for his troubles, obliterated Flaco. A clothesline followed by a hammerlock lariat allowed Daivari to pin Flaco.

Jason Cade sprinted to the ring which allowed him to land some quick offense on the off-guard Daivari. With dollar signs in his eyes, Cade took a risky dive which Daivari took full advantage of. A uranage flattened Cade and the night’s third hammerlock lariat allowed Daivari to secure the pin, keeping his money safe in his wallet. 

Danny Burch defeated Tony Nese 

Danny Burch and Tony Nese struggled for control via grappling in the early going. Neither man was proving to be superior prior to a Burch facebuster. As soon as Burch secured some kind of advantage, Ariya Daivari walked to the ring, gaining the attention of Burch. Nese blindsided Burch as Daivari joined the commentary booth. 

Nese took to chopping Burch before grounding him with a chinlock. Nese continued his offense with a running hotshot before taunting Burch. Burch sprung up and delivered a chop of his own, but Nese was quick to land a dropkick, taking the match back to the mat in the process. At every point of Burch’s contention, Nese had an answer.

A Burch headbutt finally opened a window for Burch. Burch connected with a powerful offensive sequence that was punctuated with a second rope dropkick, a near fall followed. A colossal German suplex and a wind stealing lariat led to another near fall. Burch tried for a rollup, but a boot from Nese found Burch’s temple. Nese tried to follow up with a moonsault but a quick Burch caught Nese with a crossface during his descent. Nese made it to the ropes following a show of agony. 

Nese and Burch entered a brief exchange following the rope break, but it was Nese who regained control. A pump handle driver led to a Nese near fall. Nese tried for a running knee, but Burch avoided it. Both Nese and Burch fell outside of the ring in the moments that followed. Burch once again became distracted by Daivari, entering a momentary squabble before kicking Daivari. Nese took full advantage once again, kicking Nese and landing a running knee once Burch was back in the ring. Nese pinned Burch for the win.

Nese and Burch are good enough together to carry what would otherwise be a trivial match. The flow was nice and the action was crisp. Overall a good match.

WWE 205 Live results: Ariya Daivari vs. Jake Atlas

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde (with Santos Escobar) defeated Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)

After Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde were in the ring, Ever-Rise made their entrance to a surprisingly warm welcome. While they seem to be heels still, the Chase Parker and Matt Martel pairing were welcomed with cheers; their hated opponents surely were the reason for this change in reaction (at least in the context of the match before its beginning).

Chants of “Ever-Rise” accompanied the opening moments of the matchup. Martel and Mendoza started the match with an unfamiliar energy. The two briefly traded holds. Martel grew more and more confident as he maintained a semblance of control. An elbow to Mendoza’s midsection allowed for the tag to Parker. 

Parker would go on to lose the advantage gained by his partner after venturing too far into Legado Del Fantasma territory. Wilde sneakily tagged into the match and planted an unexpecting Parker with a DDT. Wilde mocked the now dazed Parker. Wilde attacked Parker with a haughty ease. Only after a complete sequence of domination and a knee to act as punctuation did Wilde tag his partner back. The Legado Del Fantasma subjugation continued under Mendoza’s control. 

Parker was eventually able to float over an attack after a prolonged period of being grounded. A hot tag followed. Martel connected with many a move on both Wilde and Mendoza, shifting the match into the favor of Ever-Rise. This lead seamlessly into Ever-Rise’s set up for the double-team double-knee facebuster on Wilde only for Mendoza to pull Parker to the outside. Wilde was then able to hold Martel still long enough for Mendoza to land an enziguri, which was sufficient for the pin. 

After watching from bell to bell, it is safe to say that this match served as a babyface turn for Ever-Rise. Martel played babyface during the entirety of the contest. He had a babyface comeback, wore babyface facials, and, along with his partner, was cheered as a babyface. 

This match was fine, at best. It should be a building block for the future of Ever-Rise and a footnote in the case of Legado Del Fantasma superiority..  

Ariya Daivari defeated Jake Atlas

As the match began, Jake Atlas initiated an early tie-up. Ariya Daivari soon found himself pressed against the ropes from where he called for a referee break. Daivari pushed Atlas while the referee was trying to separate the two. A second tie-up saw Atlas take Daivari to the mat with a side headlock. Daivari resorted to pulling the hair of Atlas to break the side headlock. The break lasted mere seconds as Atlas secured the headlock again almost as soon as he had lost it. A sequence similar to this then played out again. 

Daivari was finally able to break the side headlock chain with a forearm to the back. Atlas tried to maintain his advantage, but a knee strike from Daivari furthered his lead. A dropkick from Daivari sent Atlas crashing to the outside from where Daivari drove Atlas into the barricade and the announcer’s table. A rope-assisted neck breaker allowed Daivari to cement his heat. Daivari worked Atlas on the mat. Daivari held the wrist of Atlas while kicking him in insolent fashion. 

Daivari’s cocksure offense would be his undoing. Atlas fought back from the kicks in a show of courage. Strikes a plenty found their way to Daivari from a desperate Atlas. A German suplex from Atlas led perfectly to an enziguri. Daivari kicked out from the pin attempt that followed. 

Atlas and Daivari were now on equal footing. Daivari landed a big boot, Atlas a punt in response. Atlas secured the head of Daivari and planted him with a DDT, Daivari kicked out. Atlas landed a springboard guillotine, and Daivari rolled out of the ring. Atlas connected with a suicide dive, Daivari whipped Atlas as soon as the two re-entered the ropes. Again they were on equal footing. 

Daivari tried to remove the turnbuckle pad, but it drew the attention of the referee. Atlas went for a rollup, but Daivari kicked out. Daivari then thumbed the eyes of Atlas. Daivari grabbed his now blinded opponent and connected with the hammerlock lariat. Daivari pinned Atlas for the win.  

This match was just not very interesting. Headlocks in the opening act and eye-gouging in the last is not a recipe for success, baring an extraordinary performance. Nothing ever felt the least bit at stake.

WWE airing Ariya Daivari ‘Matches That Made Me’ episode of 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For the second straight week, WWE is airing a 205 Live episode that won’t feature any new matches.

“The Matches That Made Me: Ariya Daivari” will air as tonight’s 205 Live. It will feature Daivari taking “an in-depth look at the match that inspired him to become a WWE Superstar, as well as the most memorable match of his career.”

A Brian Kendrick edition of “The Matches That Made Me” aired on 205 Live last week. It featured WWE airing Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior from WrestleMania VI and Kendrick’s Cruiserweight Classic match against Kota Ibushi. There were also comments from Kendrick leading into the matches airing.

It was said on last week’s Kendrick episode that 205 Live would be taking a look at some members of the cruiserweight division while NXT’s interim Cruiserweight title tournament is taking place.

Jake Atlas (1-0), Kushida (1-0), Tony Nese (0-1), and Drake Maverick (0-1) are in Group A of the interim title tournament, while Akira Tozawa (1-0), El Hijo del Fantasma (1-0), Jack Gallagher (0-1), and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott (0-1) are in Group B. Each participant will face the other wrestlers in their group once, with the group leaders then advancing to the finals. Any ties will be broken by head-to-head record.

The interim title tournament is happening because — due to the coronavirus pandemic — NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin is currently unable to travel and defend his title.

WWE 205 Live results: Lorcan/Burch vs. Kendrick/Daivari no DQ match

Posted on by F4W Editors

After a recap of the issues between Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch and Brian Kendrick & Ariya Daivari, Joaquin Wilde came down to complete silence even with his air horn entrance. Raul Mendoza then entered and slapped hands with the kids to try and make at least some of the fans care about this match.

Wilde’s win over Mendoza from last month was shown, which would seem to indicate a reversal in that role tonight.

Raul Mendoza defeated Joaquin Wilde

They started things off with a knuckle lock flip exchange before Wilde got the better of Mendoza for a standoff. Wilde hit a run-up jumping back elbow from the corner for two. Mendoza recovered and hit a gorgeous springboard missile dropkick that sent Wilde out and resulted in Mendoza landing a somersault dive alongside it.

Wilde sent Mendoza out and hopped on the ring post for a flip dive. Wilde faked out a springboard to cause Mendoza to go for a phantom dropkick before a standing frog splash got two for Wilde. Mendoza sent him down and got two off a Lionsault.

Wilde hit a Codebreaker and went for his wacky pop-up double boot, but Mendoza blocked it and hit a jumping ushigoroshi mid-ring to win.

Mendoza and Wilde are now 50/50, so I’m sure their futures are bright on 205 Live. Mendoza is really good, but he isn’t gaining any traction. Wilde just isn’t working right now. As a worker, he seems worse than in Impact. As an act, he comes off as far less of a star without the flashy light-up gear.

A video from after Lio Rush’s loss to Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin on this week’s NXT aired. Rush was asked if Devlin has the better of him, then Tyler Breeze told him it’s okay to lose and Rush got pissed. Breeze is barely recognizable in regular attire and wasn’t identified by name in the promo.

Breeze came out to face Samir Singh.

Tyler Breeze defeated Samir Singh

Breeze got tied up in the corner, but sent Singh out and hit an Asai moonsault. Singh got a long chinlock before Breeze escaped. Singh went up but ate a kick to the jaw before leaping into a Supermodel Kick for the win.

Breeze left and just pointed in the air like a generic babyface from 1986. He needs to get his post-match character work over just like his pre-match. There, he comes across as something like a star and not just a guy on the roster.

A Tony Nese tweet hyping up his team with Mike Kanellis was shown. A 10-man tag team elimination match between 205 originals and cruiserweights from NXT is set for next week. Nese and Lio Rush are the captains.

Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated Ariya Daivari & Brian Kendrick in a no DQ match

As the heels came down, everyone brawled on the ramp and then around ringside. Daivari got chucked head-first into a chair. Burch hit a dropkick and went for a kip-up, but he slipped and then just threw his fingers up to save it a bit.

They grabbed tables and tried to send Daivari through, but Kendrick made the save and gave Burch a Death Valley Driver through the table off the apron. Daivari grabbed a ladder, but Burch chucked Daivari face-first into it. Kendrick gave Burch a Russian leg sweep off of the ladder and they were both down, so that was a pretty stupid thing to do.

Daivari set the ladder up in another corner, slowly climbed it, and got two off a splash due to Lorcan breaking up the pin. Lorcan fired up against Kendrick and man would Lorcan have been great in Memphis in the late ’80s. He has some great babyface fire, but Daivari put that out with a chair to the gut.

Kendrick and Daivari went for a double suplex on a chair, but Burch avoided it, set Kendrick up in the chair after a headbutt, and Lorcan hit a running blockbuster for two.

Lorcan hit a flip dive onto both opponents and then Lorcan and Burch duct taped Kendrick to the buckle. I really like the usage of duct tape as a weapon in WWE — it’s logical and makes more sense than having all manner of random stuff under the ring.

Lorcan and Burch hit a snapshot on Daivari on the announce table, but it didn’t break. That just had to suck. They then hit the move again mid-ring to pin Daivari right in front of Kendrick, who couldn’t break it up due to the duct tape.

This was a great brawl and felt like a fine way to close this rivalry. The episode was pretty fun, although the loss of the Cruiserweight Champion as a regular really hurts. It feels like there’s no end goal to the weekly matches, and that results in a weird latter-day Lucha Underground feeling of purgatory for the roster.

Lorcan and Burch feel like a complete mismatch for WWE right now as they’re pushed on this show, but nothing but enhancement guys elsewhere.

WWE 205 Live results: Mike Kanellis returns

Posted on by F4W Editors

The NXT number one contender’s match from this week was recapped and showcased how good Lio Rush and Angel Garza are. Rush will challenge Jordan Devlin for the Cruiserweight Championship on NXT next week.

Hometown heroes The Singh Brothers entered to a huge reaction in Vancouver. Well, that doesn’t usually bode well on WWE shows. They danced and a giant Bollywood chant broke out. They talked about getting advice from Wayne Gretzky to enjoy this moment and get out of Vancouver and take Bollywood to Hollywood. They then revealed rival hockey jerseys to get heat.

Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch came down to stand up for hockey apparently. 

Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated The Singh Brothers

Things started off with a brawl until The Singhs got the advantage with some nice double-team action. They got two off a Russian leg sweep/superkick combo.

The Singhs worked over Lorcan until he fought back with elbows out of the corner and got a chance to make a hot tag. Samir Singh tried to block the tag, but he couldn’t and Burch came in and threw hands.

The Singhs recovered, hit a double superkick, and landed the Bollywood Blast for 2.9 when Lorcan dove in to save the match for his team. Lorcan and Burch hit the Snapshot for the win.

Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari distracted Lorcan and Burch after the match, allowing The Singhs to attack Lorcan and Burch from behind. Kendrick and Daivari attacked Lorcan and Burch with chairs and paraded around the ring.

A Joaquin Wilde video package showed off his high-flying offense and got across a bit of his charisma in about 20 seconds. Raul Mendoza also got a highlight video to set up a match between them for next week.

A Lio Rush interview from after NXT aired. Rush said he was signed at 21 because he’s the best cruiserweight in the world, so what Devlin says means nothing. He’s beaten every ace and he’s the king of the cruiserweights.

Kendrick cut a promo and said The Singhs proved him wrong. He assumed they were like any other Canadian and would run like cowards the first chance they got. Kendrick cut an anti-Canada promo before quoting the Mountie’s theme. He said the Singhs are brave and honorable and — as far as he’s concerned — they’re now honorary US citizens.

Daivari said that he and Kendrick are 205 OGs — and that reminds me of Jerry Lynn saying being an ex-ECW Champion and having a dollar was good for a coffee. Kendrick mentioned that he and Daivari are contractually obligated to wrestle tonight. He asked who WWE had lined up for them.

Tony Nese entered and pointed to his abs. I guess he’s a face by proxy here? Mike Kanellis then made his return to WWE television to team with Nese. Nese’s pec bounce to the tune of Kanellis’ theme was tremendous.

Tony Nese & Mike Kanellis defeated Ariya Daivari & Brian Kendrick

After a brawl between the teams at the start, Kendrick tripped up Nese. Daivari got the advantage and insulted Canada.

Kanellis worked over Daivari. Nese’s neck was snapped on the rope before Kendrick came in and slugged away at Nese while Daivari held his arms. Kanellis came in and chopped away at Kendrick before charging in and eating a boot. Kanellis hit a spinebuster for two.

Kendrick distracted the referee so Daivari could throw Kanellis into the barricade. Kendrick locked on a kneebar before Kendrick tagged Daivari in. Daivari prevented a tag by knocking Nese off the apron and then applied a long chinlock.

A double-down off a double lariat opened the door to fresh men coming in. Nese came in and ran into Daivari with a spin kick. Nese sent himself over the top to Kendrick and hit a moonsault to Daivari for two.

Nese and Kanellis hit a combo pumphandle slam/flying knee before Kendrick locked the Captain’s Hook on Kanellis. Daivari got the Million Dollar Dream, but Nese sent him into the pile to break both moves up.

Nese hit a 450 on Daivari, but Kendrick broke the pin up. Daivari hit a frog splash, but Nese kicked out at two.

Kendrick got a pair of chairs and they teased using them while the referee threatened a disqualification. Lorcan and Burch came down bandaged up to stop them — and Nese used the distraction to roll up Daivari. The way Nese & Kanellis won didn’t really help them out much at all.

Burch and Lorcan got retribution on Kendrick and Daivari and laid them out with chairs after the match. Lorcan and Burch celebrated with chairs overhead — and it was announced that they’ll face Kendrick & Daivari in a no DQ match next week.