Left My Wallet returns with the man formerly known as August Grey in NXT, Anthony Greene.
Anthony was on the show last year prior to signing with WWE, but now he’s back to talk about his time there and his return to the independent scene. He talks about which coaches he enjoyed working with at the Performance Center, adjusting to working television matches, learning from Brian Kendrick, Sonjay Dutt and Scott Taylor, and whom he enjoyed working with on 205 Live. He also talks about teaming with Ikemen Jiro and the bond they developed both in and out of the ring.
We then talk about his first match back on the indie scene since his release, how he felt, and what his goals are. He talks about evolving this time around and developing a more rugged persona.
The talk then turns to obscure indie wrestling and some of the names and experiences from the past that we’ve encountered, both in and out of New England. Finally, we talk sports cards and what it was like to finally have a trading card of his own.
Today, WWE cut eight members of the already thin 205 Live roster; given 205 Live is taped, and the left-hand seemingly doesn’t know what the right is doing, all of those cut still appeared on the show intro.
This is an entirely different show than it was this time last week.
Ikemen Jiro defeated Ariya Daivari
Ariya Daivari was among the released earlier today, so this seems to be his unofficial sendoff. It was a good match, but what unfortunate circumstances it was under.
The match opened with Daivari and Jiro going back and forth. Commentary mentioned Daivari fighting for “job security” after Jiro debuted; if only they knew. Jiro emerged from the opening skirmish with swagger-filled control.
Jiro connected with multiple forearms but was intercepted. As Daivari gained a lead, commentary again referenced Daivari’s pay. Daivari landed multiple strikes before a reverse suplex reset the match’s pace.
A quick sequence composed of a missed Ikeman slash and Asai moonsault left Jiro with a near fall. After Daivari climbed to the top rope and missed a dive, Jiro connected with the Ikemen slash; this time, the pin was successful.
Grayson Waller defeated August Grey
Talk about a boring match.
Waller and Grey toyed with each other in the opening moments by connecting with substantial moves that weren’t followed. The match slowed as Grey gained control of Waller’s arm. After holding Waller on the mat for a while, Grey was caught by a quick forearm, opening up the match once more.
A massive kick to Grey allowed Waller to take complete control. After positioning Grey in the tree of woe, Waller stomped his opponent into the corner. Waller then connected with a top rope elbow drop for a near fall.
Grey flipped Waller with a quick backdrop before sending him to the outside with a forearm. Grey hit a tope which he followed with a crossbody; Waller tied himself in the ropes to prevent any follow-up. After Waller freed himself, he connected with the curb stomp, pinning Grey soon after.
It’s becoming a pattern at this point — someone targets Sterling’s leg, Sterling doesn’t care. The consistent leg work in Sterling’s short 205 Live tenure has been a focal point of his opponent’s offense, yet it hasn’t made a lick of difference in Sterling’s offense. Why bother? It’s the same match every week; only it gets worse with every retelling.
Sterling opened the match by connecting with a strong knee strike that sent Sunil to the outside, allowing Samir to take his place while the referee wasn’t looking. The referee soon noticed, saying “you’re the wrong Bollywood Boy.” Sunil connected with a chop block from the chaos and turned his attention to Sterling’s left leg.
Sunil continually attacked the left leg of Sterling, slamming it into the turnbuckle post, dragging it across the ropes, and locking in the Bollywood lock; this didn’t last long as Sterling rallied, flipping as if his leg was fine. An enziguri and a facebuster finish left Sterling with another win.
August Grey defeated Ariya Daivari
This was a fine enough match with plenty of back and forth. Commentary heavily hinted at Grey accepting Kushida’s open challenge, so it’ll be interesting to see if 205 Live will play any role in the cruiserweight title’s future.
A decisive strike from Daivari knocked Grey to the mat, but Grey fought back with a quick neckbreaker. Grey connected with a tope but could not follow up as Daivari caught him as he exited the ring. After Daivari slammed Grey into the ring and into the announce table, the match returned to the ring.
Daivari and Grey struggled for control once they returned to the ring. Daivari hit a Persian splash to the back following a short opening before locking in the camel clutch, but a double clothesline left them back on even footing.
Grey connected with a clothesline and a backdrop that sent Daivari to the outside. Grey slammed Daivari into the cage surrounding the Capitol Wrestling Center attendees, returning the favour.
Daivari slipped free from the fireman’s carry but missed the hammerlock lariat; he instead connected with the hammerlock DDT. Grey ducked another hammerlock lariat and landed with a slam that transitioned into a single leg crab. Daivari barely escaped the submission, only to fall victim to the unprettier. Grey pinned Daivari to close the show.
This was a fine match. Sterling applied his selling inconsistently, which his standard moveset demands. Hale’s performance was quite good.
The match started with Sterling trying to match Hale’s grappling prowess, and unsurprisingly Hale gained the advantage. A kick to the back of the knee of Sterling worked to ground him for about two seconds. Sterling hit a rana, ignoring the leg he was limping on, before sending Hale to the outside. Sterling tried for moonsauce, but Hale avoided the attack. Hale slammed Sterling into the barricade to reassert his control.
Back inside the ring, Hale hit Sterling’s knee with a dropkick. Hale, now laser-focused, lifted Sterling onto the ropes before hitting a figure four dragon screw, furthering the damage done to the limb. A bridging Indian deathlock forced Sterling into the ropes.
Sterling tried for a quick rollup, followed by another, then another. A pump knee strike from Sterling opened Hale up for a flipping facebuster, then covered Hale for the win.
Ikemen Jiro & August Grey defeated Sunil Singh and Samir Singh (The Bollywood Boyz)
This wasn’t anything special, but it wasn’t bad.
Grey and Samir engaged in some basic grappling to open the match. Sunil and Jiro tagged in soon after, allowing Jiro to connect with some compelling offence. After a Jiro springboard moonsault, Grey tagged back into the match but lost control almost immediately.
Samir and Sunil took turns picking apart Grey, causing a call for rally from Jiro. Grey finally tagged out of the match after being dominated for minutes. Jiro unloaded with palm strikes, taking out both Singhs. A second moonsault left Jiro with a near fall.
Jiro missed a senton, causing both of his opponents to hit the ring. After Grey ran off Samir, Jiro connected with an incredible rana from the top rope. A knee strike to Sunil awarded Jiro a pinfall victory.
Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese defeated The Bollywood Boyz (Samir Singh & Sunil Singh)
This was an enjoyable match. It was well-paced and focused on a simple formula that worked between the ropes.
Nese gained early control after a distraction from Daivari in the opening moments. Nese and Daivari traded tags while working on cutting the ring in half. After an extended stint in isolation, Samir finally connected with a DDT, but Nese prevented the tag.
Finally, Sunil tagged in after a float over. The following hot tag saw Sunil run the table, convincingly taking out both Nese and Daivari. A double team back elbow from the Bollywood Boyz lead to a near fall, as did the Bollywood Blast; Daivari broke up the latter, opening the door for Nese. Nese clubbed Samir, setting him in perfect position for the running knee. Nese then pinned Samir for the win.
Ashante Adonis defeated August Grey
Not bad, but far from great. Grey still hates count-outs.
The match started with a show of jest. Adonis pulled Grey’s headband off to finish the first tie-up, and Grey responded by rubbing said headband back in his face moments later. Adonis connected with an elbow to end the games.
Grey gained momentary ground control, targeting Adonis’s arm. As Adonis fought to his feet, he pushed Grey into the ropes, sending him crashing to the outside. Adonis stomped away at Grey after he returned to the ring.
After a dropkick, that looked as if it missed by a mile, Adonis went for ground control. Enter Ariya Daivari. Grey fought to his feet and connected with a neckbreaker and a bulldog before momentarily turning his attention to Daivari. Grey hit Adonis with a beautiful twisting crossbody, crashing into Adonis on the outside. Grey had his third opportunity for a count-out victory, but he rolled Adonis into the ring. Daivari distracted Grey after returning to the ring, allowing Adonis to hit a superkick for the pinfall victory.
This was a breezy match. It had a simple structure and a fine execution—nothing exceptional, but not bad.
Atlas started the match by securing the arm of Adonis and taking him to the mat. Atlas’s control was short-lived, and Adonis connected with a heavy clothesline after escaping. Adonis then took the match completely into his favor, stuffing a cartwheel DDT attempt before slamming Atlas into the CWC chain link barricade and ring steps. Adonis turned his attention to Atlas’s arm.
Atlas escaped an armbar before connecting with multiple kicks, uppercuts, and a suplex. He then climbed to the top rope but was met by Adonis, who threw Atlas to the mat and delivered a crossbody of his own.
After a failed Adonis pin attempt, Atlas delivered a quick knee dazing Adonis. Atlas then tried for another cartwheel DDT, and this time it connected, allowing Atlas to pin Adonis for the win.
August Grey defeated Tony Nese
The new story on 205 Live: August Grey hates count outs. Again this was fine. It was awkward at times, and this finish was kind of silly, but this wasn’t an awful match or anything approaching that.
Grey gained an early headlock which he used to set the pace of the match. He took Nese to the ground multiple times, all the while maintaining control of the head. Nese eventually broke the hold by dropping Grey on his back.
Nese hoisted Grey into position for a pump handle, but Grey wiggled free. Grey hit Nese before climbing to the top, only for Nese to cut him off. After slamming Grey to the mat, Nese connected with a gutbuster and a suplex. Nese then successfully hit the pump handle for a near fall.
Grey stuffed Nese’s running hotshot with his boot; this allowed Grey to slam Nese into the ropes. Grey followed up with a dive, destroying Nese—the referee’s count climbed to 9 before Grey broke the count, just as he did for Mansoor last week. Grey rolled Nese into the ring before Ariya Daivari gained his attention. Nese tried for a rollup that Grey reversed into a pin of his own for the win.
Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese defeated Sunil Singh (with Samir Singh) & Matt Martel (with Chase Parker)
The bizarre pairing of Martel and Sunil is part of a new alliance dubbed “Bolly-Rise.”
Nese and Sunil took turns in the opening moments trading light advantage and occasional taunts; Daivari and Martel subbed in for more of the same. Sunil and Martel tried for a double team strike, but Martel blindsided Sunil, leaving the door open for Nese and Daivari.
Daivari and Nese traded tags, picking apart Sunil. Sunil struggled for and finally achieved a tag of his own to reverse the flow of momentum. Martel took out both Nese and Daivari with suplexes. Martel tagged Sunil back in, allowing the pair to deliver a successful double team maneuver.
A four-way brawl broke out, leaving the match in a state of chaos. Nese subdued Sunil outside while Daivari tried to deliver a chain-wrapped fist to Martel on the inside. The referee caught Daivari before he could connect with the loaded strike. As the official disposed of the chain, Nese hit a running knee on Martel, allowing the legal man Daivari to score the pin.
This wasn’t great, but it certainly beats Sunil and Martel wrestling each other. As for the future of Bolly-Rise, only time can tell.
August Grey defeated Jake Atlas
Atlas and Grey traded ground control following the initial bell. After a stalemate, the two went at it. Atlas won the strike exchange that followed, allowing him to connect with some significant offense for the first time. A neckbreaker left Atlas with a near fall.
Grey took match control for himself by connecting with a rana after a moment of separation. A dropkick opened Atlas up to a few thunderous chops from Grey.
Atlas caught Grey with a boot, which he followed with an elbow drop. A standing moonsault, German suplex, and lariat left Atlas with a near fall.
Grey snuck in a forearm that left Atlas in a daze, falling to the outside. That allowed Grey to connect with a tope. Back inside, Grey hit a spinning crossbody for a questionable three count.
Following the match, Daivari and Nese hit the ring, destroying both Grey and Atlas.
This match was not fantastic either. Nothing felt like it was building to a finish, and when the finish arrived, it was completely flat.
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & Cora Jade
205 Live’s first women’s match began with a typical tag team open; a headlock and a pair of quick tags. Jade gained control over LeRae. LeRae took advantage following a Hartwell distraction. Hartwell tagged into the match, landed a sidewalk slam, and tagged LeRae back in.
Jade rocked LeRae with a forearm and secured the hot tag. Hartwell tagged in only to be on the receiving end of Dolin’s leg kicks punctuated with a punt. Jade then rejoined the match, but Hartwell immediately retook control.
LeRae, now legal, and Jade traded back and forth rollups. Jade’s last kick out sent LeRae crashing into her own corner, allowing Hartwell to tag back in. Hartwell then dropped Jade with a spinning sidewalk slam and pinned her.
This was a wholly ordinary match. It was entirely by the numbers with nothing special going on, but seeing as it only exists to further the tournament, it could have been worse.
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Thatcher started the match by taking Daivari straight to the mat. After being contorted in one hundred ways, Daivari managed to tag Nese into the match; Thatcher then took Nese straight to the mat. Ciampa tagged in and continued the ground work on Nese.
Nese forced Ciampa into his corner, and with aid from Daivari, took the advantage for his team. A quick takedown left Ciampa tied up against the turnbuckle post; Daivari relentlessly whipped the legs of Ciampa into the metal beam. A Daivari figure-four leglock in the middle of the ring left Ciampa in deep water.
Daivari lost control of the legs, which allowed Ciampa to gain a quick tag. Nese tried to maintain control for his team, but Thatcher hit the ring with ferocity. Suplexes and uppercuts left both of his opponents downed, but eventually, the numbers proved to be too much. Nese connected with a running hotshot followed by a moonsault. Daivari then hit the Persian splash for a near fall.
Following the kick out, Thatcher reached the corner for a tag. Ciampa then took on both of his opponents, just as Thatcher did moments prior, and again the numbers proved to be too much. This time things played out differently; however, as Thatcher joined in even the odds. After a quick locking of eyes and a look of understanding between Ciampa and Thatcher, Ciampa hit Willow’s Bell on Nese and pinned him in the middle of the ring.
This was a strong match. It played well off of everyone’s strengths and came together under a nice bow.
The first round of the Dusty Classic will continue with Killian Dain & Drake Maverick vs. Curt Stallion & August Grey and The Bollywood Boyz (Samir & Sunil Singh) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) airing on 205 Live this Friday night. 205 Live premieres on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
It had been announced last week that some of the first round of the Dusty Classic would be held on 205 Live.
The Dusty Classic kicked off with three matches taking place on this week’s NXT. Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeated Breezango, the debuting MSK defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise. MSK were formerly known as The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz.
The full bracket for the Dusty Classic was unveiled on Wednesday. The team that wins the tournament will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
After an opening lockup, Daivari gained the advantage. He taunted Adonis, immediately reversing control in Adonis’s favor. A spinebuster followed by a dropkick sent Daivari to the floor. A missed tackle into the corner left Adonis prone. Daivari slammed Adonis’s leg into the post, creating a target for the rest of the match.
Following a prolonged leg-targeting segment, Adonis finally pushed Daivari away. Adonis took advantage of this separation, connecting with some quick offense before hobbling to the top rope. A massive crossbody and a kip-up left Adonis ahead.
Adonis set up for a superkick to end the match, but failed in execution due to his injured leg. Daivari gained a quick takedown before locking in the figure-four leglock. Adonis struggled in the hold before flipping to apply the pressure to Daivari. Daivari freed himself and landed a uranage. Adonis ducked the hammerlock lariat attempt that followed and connected with the superkick. Adonis hooked the leg and pinned Daivari.
This was a decent match, most notable for its semi-consistent leg injury narrative.
Curt Stallion and August Grey defeated Sunil Singh and Samir Singh (The Bollywood Boyz)
Samir and Grey struggled for control in the opening moments of the match. Following tags from both teams, a double foot stomp left Sunil in deep water. Grey and Stallion then traded tags to further their control.
Grey found himself on the outside of the ring as he tried to follow Sunil. A massive lariat from Samir blindsided the distracted Grey. The Singhs then traded tags of their own, tearing down Grey in the process. This beatdown lasted forever. A Bollywood blast marked the end of the prolonged Grey beatdown, a pin breakup and a hot tag followed.
Stallion hit the ring with fury. A big boot, dropkick, and a DDT left a legal Grey in perfect position for a crossbody. Stallion hit a tope to Sunil and tagged back into the match, only for Samir to block the dive attempt that followed. Sunil pulled Grey to the outside as Samir tried for a quick pin. The match quickly fell out of the Singh’s favor as Stallion landed a pair of headbutts and Grey an unprettier. Grey then pinned Samir to pick up the win.
Playing into a crowd-based match so heavily without an audience to back you up is hard to pull off, to say the least. This match missed the mark in that way
Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari defeated The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil & Samir Singh)
Nese started the match by driving Sunil Singh into his corner. Daivari tagged in, but the momentum soon shifted in favor of the Singhs as Samir joined the fray. A Bollywood Boyz double suplex punctuated the Singh lead; Nese then provided a distraction, allowing for a Daivari-favored shift.
Daivari reigned in fists from the mount to further his advantage. Nese looked to further this lead after a tag, but instead planted Daivari with an accidental dropkick. Sunil tagged in and was free to land a ton of offense on the now distraught Nese. A double superkick sent Nese to the outside as Daivari re-entered as the legal man. Both Singhs then set Daivari up for and connected with the Bollywood Blast. Nese broke up the pin.
Nese dragged Sunil to the outside both to gain Samir’s attention while also buying time for Daivari. Davarii then caught a distracted Samir with an uranage. Daivari climbed to the top rope and hit the Persian splash for the win.
This match was quick, opting for a tried and true formula while not overstaying its welcome.
Curt Stallion, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & August Grey defeated Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde
A lockup ultimately favoring Ashante Adonis started the match. Raul Mendoza, the other legal starter, was hit with two arm drags, inciting Legado interference. Adonis single-handedly dispatched both Joaquin Wilde and Santos Escobar before they could touch a hair on Adonis.
A passionate Curt Stallion tagged into the match. With his sights set on flying, Stallion hit the ropes; a kick from Mendoza stopped Stallion mid flight. Legado Del Fantasma was now in complete control. Knees and chops left Stallion in a heap of his own person.
The cocksure nature of the Legado beatdown allowed Stallion to steal a quick tag, allowing August Grey to make up some previously lost ground. A powerbomb left Grey with a near fall on Wilde. Grey tried to maintain his control over Mendoza, but Escobar pulled the ropes causing Grey to crash to the mat.
Legado utterly dismantled their opponents for a significant amount of time before a devastated Grey eventually landed the hot tag, allowing Stallion to re-enter the fold. Stallion then took on both Mendoza and Wilde in a great show of heroics. After every move he landed, Stallion made eye contact with Escobar. Stallion even locked eyes with the Cruiserweight champion during a near fall.
Mendoza broke up a Stallion pin attempt causing all six men to hit the ring. Legado emerged from the exchange with a man advantage, but Grey from the outside tripped Mendoza, allowing Stallion to roll up Wilde for a surprise pin.
Following the match, Legado Del Fantasma attacked Stallion. Adonis and Grey ran them onto the apron, and a forearm from Stallion cemented the Legado retreat.
This match was great. Every second felt as if its inclusion was necessary, and everyone made their presence felt.
This week’s episode of 205 Live will include an in-ring appearance by NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar.
WWE has announced that Legado del Fantasma (Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) will face Curt Stallion, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & August Grey on 205 Live tonight. This is a rematch from a match that took place before NXT TakeOver: WarGames went on the air this past Sunday. That match was released online by WWE and featured Escobar pinning Grey to get the win.
Stallion became the number one contender to Escobar’s title by winning a fatal five-way match on 205 Live last month. WWE hasn’t announced when or where their title match will be taking place.
Stallion defeated Mendoza in a singles match on 205 Live two weeks ago but was beaten down by Wilde and Mendoza after. Escobar then came out to the stage to stare Stallion down.
On the final episode of NXT before TakeOver: WarGames, there was an angle where Stallion was supposed to team with Leon Ruff against Escobar & Mendoza but was attacked by Legado del Fantasma before the show. Ruff ended up teaming with Damian Priest and pinning Mendoza to get the win.
The Bollywood Boyz vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. The show airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Grey and Daivari started the match with a basic babyface/heel grappling sequence that transitioned into a convincing show of Grey’s offense. After receiving a rana, slam, and bulldog, Daivari escaped to the outside. Daivari baited Grey, splitting his legs around the turnbuckle post before slamming one into the beam. Daivari pulled Grey back into the ring, hung Grey in the tree of woe, and continued targeting the left leg.
Grey sent Daivari back outside after evading a strike. Grey then used his legs to push Daivari into the barricade/chain link combination surrounding the Capitol Wrestling Center. Daivari made up the lost ground back in the ring as Grey’s leg gave out, allowing Daivari to land a chop block.
Daivari locked in the figure four leglock. After a struggle, Grey began to show signs of life. Daivari responded by dropping the hold, only for Grey to kick him back to the outside. Grey was able to catch Daivari as he re-entered the ring with a suplex. A Grey neck breaker sent Daivari outside once more. On the outside, Daivari grabbed his chain just as Grey hit a perfectly timed tope. Grey sent Daivari back into the ring, hit a crossbody, and a superkick.
Daivari pulled free from an unprettier and locked in a second figure four; Grey rolled into the ropes to break the hold. Grey then kicked Daivari away and landed a big slam for a near fall. Grey hoisted Daivari onto the top rope, but Daivari pushed him away and landed the Persian splash. Grey kicked out of a close pin and secured an inside cradle that Daivari just barely escaped from.
Daivari tried for a hammerlock lariat, but Grey ducked. Grey then transitioned into an unprettier position and landed a rope-assisted variation of the move. Grey folded up Daivari and pinned him.
Raul Mendoza took an early lead, toying with the contender Curt Stallion along the way. Mendoza used the hair of Stallion to whip him into both a headlock and a turnbuckle. Mendoza walked the rope and landed an impressive dropkick.
Mendoza pulled Stallion up from a pin by his hair. Stallion landed a slap to create some separation. Stallion landed a few significant strikes that sent Mendoza to the outside; Stallion hit a dive in follow-up. Back in the ring, Stallion landed a big boot, a running knee, a dropkick, and a DDT. A stomp to the chest left Stallion with a near fall.
Stallion scaled to the top rope, but Medoza met him atop the post. The two struggled, but Mendoza came out ahead with a colossal rana. Stallion landed on his feet after a suplex but was nearly rolled up by Mendoza. Mendoza landed a kick and set Stallion up for the finish. Stallion again slipped free and rolled up Mendoza for the win.
Joaquin Wilde hit the ring following the finish and began to beat down Stallion. Santos Escobar walked out following the beating.
This was another fun match, and with it, 205 Live’s role as NXT’s third hour was cemented. If 205 Live is used as nothing more than a story starter, that is a much better fate than cruiserweight purgatory.
Curt Stallion will face off with a member of Legado del Fantasma on 205 Live tonight.
WWE has announced that Stallion vs. Raul Mendoza will take place on tonight’s episode of 205 Live. The match was set up by a promo from Legado del Fantasma’s Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde. Mendoza challenged Stallion and — responding to comments from Stallion last week — said Stallion doesn’t even deserve to mention Santos Escobar’s name.
Stallion won a fatal five-way match on 205 Live two weeks ago to become the number one contender to Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Last Friday, a promo from Stallion aired. It ended with him telling Escobar to smarten up.
A Legado del Fantasma video then aired on NXT this Wednesday. They listed the cruiserweights Escobar has defeated and asked who’s next. Escobar pretended not to know Stallion’s name and mockingly said he’s sure Stallion is going to be a huge challenge.
WWE hasn’t announced when or where the Escobar vs. Stallion Cruiserweight title match will be taking place.
August Grey vs. Ariya Daivari is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. The show airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
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.
