The fallout from Halloween Havoc took place on last night’s NXT.
After adding Pete Dunne to their ranks and laying out Kyle O’Reilly last week, Pat McAfee, Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch, and Dunne declared themselves the new Kings of NXT. They held a ceremony “retiring” Undisputed Era. They threw an Undisputed Era banner in the trash and lit it on fire.
McAfee, Lorcan, Burch, and Dunne interrupted a match between Killian Dain & Drake Maverick and Ever-Rise on last night’s show before their promo. Dain tried to fight back as the Kings of NXT were leaving the building but was outnumbered and had a car door kicked into his head by Dunne.
Shotzi Blackheart got to pick her own opponent last night after hosting Halloween Havoc. Blackheart chose a match against Toni Storm, but Blackheart lost after being distracted by Candice LeRae on the video screen. LeRae destroyed Blackheart’s tank as a way to get back at Blackheart for getting involved in her match against NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai at Halloween Havoc and stopping LeRae from cheating via interference.
A person wearing a Scream costume tried to help LeRae and Johnny Gargano win last week. While LeRae lost to Shirai, Gargano defeated Damian Priest to win the NXT North American Championship. Last night, Gargano promised to break his title defense curse by retaining against “a worthy opponent” next week.
Plus, Shirai issued a challenge to Rhea Ripley, Ember Moon faced Dakota Kai, Kushida took on Cameron Grimes, and Tommaso Ciampa faced off with Velveteen Dream.
Former All-Pro punter Pat McAfee returned to NXT last night and helped Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan win the NXT Tag Team titles.
Burch & Lorcan weren’t originally supposed to challenge for the Tag Team titles last night, but there were angles where Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong were attacked backstage throughout the episode. Kyle O’Reilly was going to team with Strong after Fish was attacked, but O’Reilly told NXT general manager William Regal to give Burch & Lorcan the title shot after Strong was attacked too. Fish & Strong had defeated Burch & Lorcan in a number one contenders match last week.
A masked attacker pushed Fandango off the top rope during last night’s main event. Burch low blowed Tyler Breeze and then a double-team elevated DDT got Burch & Lorcan the win.
The attacker took off his mask after the match and was revealed to be McAfee. He mocked Undisputed Era and then cut a promo after the show saying this is the start of something very special. McAfee said he, Burch, and Lorcan are the new kings of this brand and they’re nowhere near done with what they’re going to do to NXT.
This was McAfee’s first appearance on NXT since making his in-ring debut in a loss against Adam Cole at TakeOver XXX this August. He was also presumably the person who had Ridge Holland attack Cole at TakeOver 31.
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch are the new NXT Tag Team Champions after getting an assist from the returning Pat McAfee.
It was advertised that Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish would challenge for Breezango’s Tag Team titles on NXT tonight, but that match didn’t take place following angles where Fish and Strong were laid out by an attacker backstage. Kyle O’Reilly was going to team with Strong after Fish was attacked. After Strong was later attacked too, O’Reilly told NXT general manager William Regal that he should give Undisputed Era’s title shot to Lorcan & Burch. Strong & Fish had defeated Lorcan & Burch last week to become the number one contenders to Breezango’s titles.
An attacker wearing a mask appeared during tonight’s title match and pushed Fandango off the top rope. Burch hit a low blow on Breeze while the referee was distracted, then Lorcan and Burch hit a double-team elevated DDT on Breeze to win the titles. After the match, the attacker unmasked and was revealed to be McAfee. He mocked Undisputed Era and their pose to close the show.
McAfee, a sports media personality and former All-Pro punter for the Indianapolis Colts, made his in-ring debut in a loss against Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver XXX this August. At TakeOver 31 earlier this month, it was revealed at the end of the show that Cole had been attacked by Ridge Holland. It was later teased that someone had paid Holland to attack Cole.
Holland has undergone surgery after suffering a left ankle dislocation and fracture and a right knee patellar dislocation and patellar tendon rupture on the post-TakeOver 31 episode of NXT.
McAfee told ESPN after TakeOver XXX that he had no further commitments with WWE at the time but was open to returning.
This is Lorcan & Burch’s first reign as NXT Tag Team Champions. Prior to losing the titles tonight, Breezango had been NXT Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner this August.
Breezango’s next challengers will be determined on this week’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch will face Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish in a tag match on NXT this Wednesday. The winning team will become the number one contenders to Breezango’s NXT Tag Team titles, though WWE has yet to announce when they’ll be getting their title shot.
The number one contender’s match was set up when Strong & Burch teamed together to defeat Fabian Aichner & Raul Mendoza on NXT three weeks ago. In storyline, Fandango pitched the match to NXT general manager William Regal. The stipulation was that one member of Lorcan & Burch would team with one member of Undisputed Era against one member of Imperium and one member of Legado del Fantasma. The winners would then advance to face each other in a number one contender’s tag match.
Breezango have been NXT Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from Aichner & Barthel on the August 26 episode of NXT. They’ve had one title defense since then, defeating Imperium in a rematch last month.
Lorcan & Burch vs. Strong & Fish is the first match that’s been announced for this week’s NXT.
Ridge Holland appeared to suffer an injury to his ankle on tonight’s episode of NXT.
After defeating Danny Burch, Holland continued to attack him until Burch’s tag team partner Oney Lorcan came for the save. Holland was taken out initally, but he came back and attacked Lorcan. At one point, Lorcan went for a pescado to the floor, which Holland caught, On landing, Holland appeared to injure his ankle. Lorcan was pulled off and the referee held the X sign.
Upon return from commercial, Holland was stretchered out, giving a thumbs up sign as he was taken out of the arena.
Holland played a part in the closing angle that took place on TakeOver this past Sunday. After Finn Balor retained the NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Holland appeared with an injured Adam Cole on his shoulder. He dumped Cole on the floor, with the rest of Undisputed Era coming in asking what happened as the show went off the air.
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.
205 Live began with a rematch; the man formerly known as Tehuti Miles, now Ashante Adonis, was to once again wrestle the man who triggered this change in personas, The Brian Kendrick.
Kendrick in the early going looked to be regretting his words of wisdom towards Adonis late last month. Kendrick shoved Adonis, only for Adonis to pursue him with his newfound intensity. Adonis gained an early lead from this point which was lost after a big boot from Kendrick. Kendrick pummeled Adonis while avoiding all of his reversal attempts.
Kendrick eventually gave an inch to Adonis in the way of separation which Adonis fully capitalized on, landing a momentum nullifying clothesline. An Adonis spinebuster and head kick resulted in a pair of near falls. Finally, after a brief struggle, Adonis landed a DDT but taunted Kendrick in the moments following. Kendrick took advantage, secured the captain’s hook, and submitted Adonis.
Kendrick and Adonis shook hands just as they did in their match two weeks ago.
This match, in the same manner as their last, was fine in the ring and played further into the same story. The Adonis rebranding seems to be a means to further confirming the already established character of Miles following his first Kendrick match. Adonis is now more intense than ever but is still overconfident.
Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise) defeated Andrew Lockhart and Erik Lockhart
This match was a complete and total squash. Neither member of Ever-Rise gave up even an inch of offense to either Lockhart. The match was executed well enough considering its contents.
Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde (w/ Santos Escobar) defeated Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
Oney Lorcan and Joaquin Wilde started this match with a nice progression of chain wrestling. Wilde eventually won out and was able to trade tags with his partner Raul Mendoza in hopes of furthering their advantage. Danny Burch was able to secure a tag after Lorcan fought into his corner, a tag that Burch was able to take full advantage of. After regaining momentum for his team Burch delivered a double suplex with the aid of Lorcan.
Wilde was able to interfere on behalf of his team which allowed Legado Del Fantasma to stomp Burch into the mat. Wilde and Mendoza both traded tags as they further damaged Burch. Burch dug down deep to tag Lorcan back into the match, a tag which set a passion-filled Lorcan free. Lorcan effectively shifted the match back into his team’s favor before tagging Burch back in where he, with the help of Lorcan, landed an elevated DDT. Mendoza was forced to break the pin attempt that followed.
Burch and Wilde were now on seemingly equal ground and it was Burch who was getting ahead. A massive German suplex triggered a reaction from Santos Escobar. Escobar hopped onto the apron but before anything could come of it Ever-Rise entered the ThunderDome. Ever-Rise initiated an attack on Escobar which drew the attention of Burch, which lasted no more than three seconds. Wilde was able to roll up his distracted opponent and effectively steal the win.
This match was well structured and well-executed from bell to bell. The finish, while a bit flaky, was a followup from a reasonably angered Ever-Rise. All in all, a good watch.
Ariya Daivari immediately took to striking Tehuti Miles who seemingly was unchanged following his loss to Brian Kendrick last week. Daivari, after besting Miles in a sudo-boxing exchange, called Miles trash. It was this comment that triggered a shift in Miles’s demeanor. Miles transitioned into a more brutish version of himself; a look of passion developed on his face and an uncharacteristic intensity found its way into his moves.
Daivari was able to suppress the offense following the shift in Miles’s mannerisms by ejecting him to the outside of the ring. After driving Miles into the announce table, Daivari continued his offense in the ring for some time. Miles took a flattening clothesline but mere moments later met Daivari with a DDT. Miles kipped up and let out a great roar. Daivari was then dropped with a spinebuster which almost left Miles the victor. Miles climbed to the top rope from where he lept, only for Daivari to avoid the attack and connect with a leaping forearm.
Daivari called Miles trash once again. Miles tried for a surprise roll-up, but Daivari kicked out. Daivari worked for a hammerlock lariat only for Miles to try once more for a surprise rollup which Daivari, once again, kicked out from. A Daivari superkick and hammerlock lariat followed a combination that allowed Daivari to pin Miles for the win.
Daivari extended his hand to Miles in the same way Kendrick did last week, but Daivari pulled his hand away before Miles could shake it.
This match was interesting. It, again, was playing to a new Miles, a Miles which we saw shades of tonight. A fun watch.
Mansoor defeated Colby Corino
Mansoor at every turn in the early match read Colby Corino as if he were a book. Mansoor, after an extended offensive stretch with only light resistance, climbed to the second rope. Before he could leap, Corino kicked Mansoor’s leg off the rope, resulting in a gross fall. Corino took full advantage of this opening as he laid in firm strikes and a 450 senton to a grounded Mansoor.
Corino locked in an abdominal stretch that Mansoor fought free from. A northern lights suplex from Mansoor preceded a sloppy rope assisted neck breaker. Mansoor lifted Corino for his still-unnamed one-handed electric chair driver. Mansoor pinned Corino for the win.
This match was not good. Not insultingly bad, just entirely uninteresting and occasionally sloppy.
[No Contest] Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch vs Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)
Matt Martel and Chase Parker took an early lead on Oney Lorcan with quick tags. This lead was continued following Danny Burch tagging in. Both Burch and Lorcan were met with team-based domination in the early going.
Lorcan made a hard-fought hot tag that finally moved the match into their favor. Burch completely moved the advantage back into his team’s favor. Enter El Legado Del Fantasma. The faction smashed all four members with chairs, kicks, and duct tape. In the end, only El Legado Del Fantasma stood tall
The Brian Kendrick was quick to disrespect Tehuti Miles following the bell. The returning Kendrick kicked the golden fanny pack of Miles to the mat before the two had even made contact. The pair exchanged brief words before entering a tie-up. Both men traded advantage but it was Miles who succeeded in landing a quartet of arm drags.
Miles took his time as he taunted Kendrick, an act which left Kendrick visibly unhappy. Kendrick landed a kick in retort before driving Miles into the corner. Miles was able to fight free and connect with a peppering of strikes, an Irish whip, and a dropkick. Miles tried for the pin but Kendrick kicked out. Miles took time again to taunt Kendrick, who he was seemingly far ahead of. This allowed Kendrick to roll an unfocused Miles up for a quick pinfall victory.
Kendrick extended his hand to Miles, which Miles reluctantly shook.
This match was here to serve as a critical moment in the story of Miles, at least on the surface. His loss to the wiser Kendrick and the subsequent show of respect should be a catalyst for character development, especially considering his winless 205 Live record.
The match itself was quick and to the point. Nothing was included that need not be and yet it did not feel as if it was missing anything. This was not meant to be a showcase of athletics but instead strictly a device of narrative, and at that, this match fully succeeded.
Tony Nese defeated Liam Gray
Liam Gray was immediately flattened by Tony Nese with a back elbow. Gray tried for separation, but was crushed at every turn by Nese. Nese stood over Gray, taunting him before launching him into the corner with a German Suplex. Nese hit a running knee on Gray before Nese then pinned Gray for the win.
Nese entirely pulverized this man. In fact, Gray was given no offense whatsoever. Nese’s intensity only furthered his gains from this slaughter.
Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch defeated Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)
Oney Lorcan and Matt Martel started this match, but it was Danny Burch who tagged in moments after the match started and secured a headlock on Martel. Martel was able to tag in Chase Parker, who was also grabbed by a Burch headlock.
Martel was able to make a stealthy tag of which Burch was none the wiser. Burch tried chasing Parker, who he thought was legal, but was clubbed by Martel. Martel dropped a few elbows on Burch before Parker was tagged in again. Parker dropped a bigger elbow on Burch and tried for a pin that Burch kicked out from.
Martel, now legal, hoisted Burch onto his shoulders but Burch was able to wiggle himself free and tag in Lorcan. Lorcan leveled both Parker and Martel with uppercuts. Burch and Lorcan’s attempts at tandem offense were then repeatedly interrupted by Parker at every turn.
Parker, now legal, landed a diving neckbreaker with assistance from Martel. Lorcan barely kicked out from the pin attempt that followed. Parker and Lorcan struggled for a suplex from the apron but only by the aid of Martel was Parker able to come out ahead. The referee then proceeded to yell at both Martel and Parker for their disregard for the rules, allowing Lorcan to make a sly tag of his own. Martel was quickly thrown to the outside by Burch, leaving Parker alone with his fresh opponent. Burch quickly secured a crossface and forced Parker to tap out.
It turns out that Ever-Rise is not a babyface pairing, in spite of their babyface-ish showing last week, in fact, they are as underhanded in tactic as ever. What purpose, if any, this match served other than reverting last week’s happenings is hard to say.
A pre-show match has been added to the card for NXT TakeOver XXX.
Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde), Breezango, and Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch will face off in a triple threat match on the TakeOver XXX pre-show this Saturday. The winning team will become the number one contenders to Imperium’s NXT Tag Team titles.
Legado del Fantasma (NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar, Mendoza & Wilde) defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Breezango in a six-man tag match on NXT tonight. Scott had Escobar beat at one point but wasn’t the legal man after accidentally tagging in Tyler Breeze.
Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner have been NXT Tag Team Champions since defeating Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher for the titles this May. Imperium don’t have a title defense set for TakeOver XXX.
The TakeOver pre-show will begin at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday. Here’s the updated card for the event:
NXT Champion Keith Lee defending against Karrion Kross
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defending against Dakota Kai
Ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Championship (Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Cameron Grimes, Johnny Gargano, and Velveteen Dream)
Triple threat number one contender’s tag match: Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) vs. Breezango vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch (pre-show)
WWE has revealed which match will be opening tonight’s episode of NXT.
It was announced during this morning’s episode of WWE’s The Bump that Karrion Kross vs. Danny Burch will kick off NXT tonight. The match was announced after Burch was one of the people Kross laid out backstage last week, sending a message to NXT Champion Keith Lee and general manager William Regal.
Kross warned Lee last month that everyone would suffer unless Lee gave him a shot at the NXT Championship. Lee told Kross to pick the time and place, but Regal told them he wouldn’t be bullied into making championship matches. Regal said title shots have to be earned.
Burch posted video of a promo earlier this week where he said Kross chose the wrong person to get his point across on. Burch vowed to prove that Kross is human and can be beat.
Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s NXT:
Kushida vs. Cameron Grimes vs. an opponent who has yet to be announced (winner qualifies for the ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Championship at TakeOver XXX)
Bronson Reed vs. Damian Priest
Non-title match: NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar vs. Tyler Breeze
Next week’s NXT will feature a pair of grudge matches in addition to the final three-way qualifier for a shot at the vacant North American title at TakeOver XXX.
Karrion Kross will face Danny Burch after Kross laid out Burch and other wrestlers backstage on Wednesday’s show in trying to make a point to NXT Champion Keith Lee. This will be Kross’ first match since a July 15th win over Dominik Dijakovic while this will be a rare singles match for Burch.
Also announced for the show was a battle of qualifiers for the North American title ladder match in Damian Priest and Bronson Reed. As Priest was being interviewed Wednesday after his win, Reed wished him good luck and the two got into a heated confrontation that led to the match being made.
The other match set for the show is a three-way qualifier for the vacant North American title with Kushida vs. Cameron Grimes vs. a mystery opponent.
Drake Maverick’s return to 205 Live was not without narrative. The cruiserweight brand’s former general manager came to the ring with a taped up shoulder and an obvious stiffness.
Following the bell’s sounding, Leon Ruff initiated a tie-up with Maverick that Maverick was forced to break from. Maverick wore a face of frustration as he created separation. Ruff tried for a second tie-up and this time took Maverick to the mat and tried for a quick pin. Maverick kicked out but was visibly off-put by the exchange. In the third tie-up, Maverick took control of the arm of Ruff. Ruff was able to fight free with a strong elbow but only after being pressed to the mat and having his arm contorted. Ruff tried to follow up but the referee prevented him from doing so; Maverick was holding his nose and walking from corner to corner.
After Maverick’s referee enforced breather Ruff tried to follow up once more but was laid out with a lariat. Ruff took a while to rise to his feet and was dropped once more after regaining some footing. Maverick unloaded with clotheslines, a dropkick, a bulldog, and a senton all in quick succession. Maverick stood over Ruff and waited for him to rise, but Ruff was unable to. Instead Ruff crawled in Maverick’s direction, using his hands to drag himself forward. Maverick sprung into action with a sunset flip bomb that sent Ruff into the corner. This move was as quick as it was brutal. Maverick then climbed to the top, jumped, and pinned Ruff for the win.
Maverick looked exceptionally strong in this match. It feels as if he still has something to prove.
Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan, and Mansoor defeated Matt Martel, Chase Parker, and Tehuti Miles
Mansoor and Tehuti Miles started this match as the legal men, but Miles tagged Chase Parker in immediately following the bell. Mansoor and Parker entered a tie-up that saw both men trade holds. Parker tagged in Matt Martel who was then thrown across the ring by a Mansoor arm drag. Mansoor allowed Oney Lorcan to tag in and begin wearing down Martel. Lorcan then returned the favor, tagging in Danny Burch who aided in the stretching.
Lorcan, Burch, and Mansoor traded tags until Mansoor was left with a headlock on Martel. Martel was able to break free with a knee to the midsection of Mansoor. Miles tagged in to relive his partner. Mansoor, without hesitation, went off on Miles with fists-a-plenty. The partners of Miles tried to help, but both were laid out by Mansoor, who landed a big clothesline on Miles causing Martel and Parker to hit the ring. Burch and Lorcan hit the ring in response, causing a six-man staredown. Parker and Martel fell back from the staredown, as did Burch and Lorcan. Chaos was averted, at least for the time being.
Lorcan tagged in and tried to roll up Miles. Parker jumped into the ring to break up the pin. Burch and Mansoor were stopped by the referee as they tried to enter which allowed for Martel to strike Lorcan. Miles was then able to connect with a dropkick against his dazed opponent. Miles mounted Lorcan from where he beat Lorcan’s face. Miles led Lorcan to his corner. Martel, Parker, and Miles traded tags and team-based maneuvers until Parker was left as the team’s legal man. Parker, in a very favorable position, climbed to the top rope from which he leaped. Instead of furthering his team’s lead, Parker found himself on the wrong end of Lorcan’s boot. Lorcan then crawled for and succeeded in getting the hot tag.
Burch, now the legal man, began unloading on both members of Ever-Rise. As his team’s last standing body, Miles tagged into the match and was promptly hit with a snug German suplex and an impactful clothesline. Burch tagged in Mansoor, who was rolled up after becoming legal. Mansoor kicked out but the momentum seemed to be in Miles’s favor again. Miles tried to send Mansoor to the outside but Mansoor was able to keep his footing on the apron from where he connected with his corkscrew neckbreaker. Mansoor then lept to the outside with a corkscrew dive to further emphasize he was in control.
Burch and Martel entered the ring and traded strikes. The two struggled for advantage, but Parker entered the fray just in time. Martel and Parker laid out Burch but before they could turn around, Lorcan landed a double blockbuster from out of nowhere.
Mansoor and Miles were still the legal men. As Mansoor re-entered the ring, he set up for a second corkscrew neckbreaker on Miles but was sidestepped by the already wiser Miles. Miles tried for a backslide, but Mansoor rolled out into a pin of his own for the win.
This match was really nothing special – it sort of just happened. There was never a real sense of drama, and there was not a near great enough display of athletics to carry the match.
All in all, it was really just a rehashing of recent events. Mansoor pinned Miles clean for the third time and hopefully final time, at least for now. Mansoor can prove nothing more against Miles.
One of those is a six-man tag match. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will team up with Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch against Tony Nese, Jack Gallagher & Tehuti Miles.
After Miles got a win against Burch the previous week, Lorcan defeated Miles on 205 Live last Friday. Like in his win against Burch, Miles tried to roll-up Lorcan while holding his tights for leverage. Burch alerted the referee about it, Miles started arguing with Burch, and Lorcan rolled up Miles to get the win.
Scott defeated Gallagher on 205 Live last week after turning an armbar attempt by Gallagher into a pin. Nese then attacked Scott after the match.
Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel) vs. EVOLVE’s Leon Ruff & Adrian Alanis will also air on 205 Live tonight. Ever-Rise previously lost to Lorcan & Burch on an episode of 205 Live last month.
Oney Lorcan with Danny Burch defeated Tehuti Miles
205 Live kicked off with a sort of run back from last week. A reminder that Tehuti Miles scored a surprise win over Danny Burch on the last 205 Live broadcast. This week Miles would be tried with Burch’s tag team partner Oney Lorcan.
Lorcan and Miles engaged in the opening seconds. Lorcan looked to be all business while Miles seemed to be overweening following his victory. Miles shrugged off each tie-up before being taken down. Miles did not take long before kipping up from even a disadvantaged position with an air of earned, even if over present, confidence.
Lorcan chopped and uppercut Miles in response to his complacency. Miles rolled to the outside wherein he encountered Burch. The two began a verbal spat that left Miles distracted. Lorcan chopped Miles once more. Lorcan tried for an Irish whip but found himself on the receiving end of a reversal into a flapjack. Miles intensified his game, he clubbed the back of Lorcan and stomped him in the corner. Miles then placed Lorcan over the middle rope where he choked him with a knee. Miles taunted Lorcan, running his hands through his hair and kissing his biceps before dropping an elbow on a worn Lorcan.
Miles taunted for an extended period, which allowed Lorcan to try for a comeback in his offensive footing with a chop. Miles kicked Lorcan after selling the chop before propping him up and dropping him with a neck breaker. Miles continued his taunting of Lorcan. Lorcan was sent to the mat with a shoulder block and had his arm attacked with a hold that was transitioned into a Fujiwara armbar. Lorcan fought to his feet, but was met with an immediate club to the back. Miles could not help but jeer his downed opponent.
Lorcan responded to the sneer remarks interspersed with chops by entering a rage. Lorcan chopped, uppercut, and elbowed Miles with an incredible intensity. Lorcan then tried to lift Miles who resisted the lift with a rollup. Miles had the tights. Burch called out to the referee from the outside who broke up the pin that would have otherwise left Miles with a second surprise victory. Miles yelled at Burch before Lorcan rolled up Miles. Miles was unable to kick out from the unexpected pin leaving Lorcan the victor.
This match built from what was left last week. It was competently wrestled and leaves the viewer interested in what is to come. So many paths are open in this blooming storyline that anything short of a compelling journey would be a disappointment. This surely is to be continued in the coming weeks.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Jack Gallagher
Following the bell, Jack Gallagher tried to avoid a tie-up instead of going for a distanced strike. Isaiah Scott closed the with a clinch distance but was immediately thrown to the ground. Gallagher did not fully engage with Scott on the mat he instead stood over him. Scott tripped the legs of Gallagher and transitioned into a top position. Gallagher secured the guard momentarily before standing with the foot of Scott in hand. Gallagher continued a wear down ground attack with interspersed standing.
While reaching for the legs of Scott, Gallagher was pulled into an armbar. Gallagher struggled free and in the process gained a phenomenal position on the back of Scott. Gallagher clubbed the head of Scott in devastating fashion. Gallagher tried for the arm of Scott but in doing so gave Scott the opportunity to escape his doom. Gallagher drug Scott to a standing position and tried for a whip but was caught with a rana in response.
Scott snapped into action. Scott shot Gallagher across the ring with a dropkick. Scott then jumped from the second rope with an uppercut to the back of a now seated Gallagher. Gallagher kicked from the pin attempt that followed. Scott positioned himself for a top rope dive but Gallagher rolled to the apron. Scott tried for a boot but was caught. Gallagher took the leg of Scott that he now had in hand and snapped it into the turnbuckle post. Gallagher attacked his now enervated opponent with light kicks.
Gallagher taunted Scott. Scott stood up to his taunter but was dropped. This did not stop Scott from standing up once more. This time Scott withstood enough strikes to get in one of his own. Scott landed two large kicks to the chest before being blocked on his third. Gallagher in his riposte uppercut Scott multiple times. When given a moment Scott faked another kick to the chest and tripped Gallagher as he went for the block. Scott connected with the house call kick. Gallagher rolled to the outside but was booted to the floor from an incandescent Scott. Scott drove the head of Gallagher into the mat who then kicked out from the pin attempt that followed.
Scott kicked repeatedly at the chest of Gallagher, but Gallagher took the kicks with Hulk style ease, rising after each blow. Scott ran at Gallagher. Gallagher leaped and synched in a guillotine choke on an unsuspecting Scott. Scott soon fell to the mat. Scott slowly fought back to a standing position before showing a burst of energy. Scott lifted Gallagher over his head and laid him out with a brainbuster.
Both men rose to their feet at the same time. Scott showed early signs of life, but was met with an elbow that rendered him on his back. Gallagher climbed to the top rope with his back turned. Scott met Gallagher atop the ropes. Scott tried for a superplex but while in the air, Gallagher transitioned over, landing on Scott in position for a pin. Scott kicked out.
Scott and Gallagher rose to their feet simultaneously once again. Gallagher then smashed his skull against the chin of Scott in brutish fashion. Scott collapsed but kicked out from the pin attempt. Gallagher boiled over in shock as well as frustration. Gallagher clubbed Scott. Gallagher tried for an armbar but was rolled through. Scott won the match with a rollup pin.
Tony Nese then ran from the back and attacked the winner. Gallagher looked over the limp body of Scott following said attack.
This match was fantastic bell to bell. Gallagher could believably finish a match at any moment. Scott gelled with Gallagher’s style in particularly great fashion.
The NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship tournament finals then played in full.
While both exclusive matches of the night ending in roll ups might be a little off putting, they each benefited from their finish. The show was fast paced and a very easy watch. This was the best 205 Live in months, definitely the show’s best exhibit during the COVID pandemic.
