Raw’s AJ Styles came to NXT last night for a confrontation with Grayson Waller.
After being mocked by him on social media, Styles interrupted a promo by Waller on last night’s show. They went back and forth on the microphone, with Styles accusing Waller of trying to copy his style in the ring. Styles said people like Bron Breakker, Tony D’Angelo, and Carmelo Hayes are future superstars, but the jury is still out on whether Waller can be one.
Styles said Waller’s problem is that he’d rather look good and lose than look bad and win. The segment led to Waller threatening that he could end Styles if he wanted to. Styles dared him to do it, but Waller backed away after acting like he was going to step to Styles. Waller told Styles that he’s going to let Omos get Styles first — and then Waller has next.
Styles will face his former tag team partner Omos on Raw next week.
The card for NXT New Year’s Evil also started to take shape last night: Tommaso Ciampa will face off against Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship, Mandy Rose will put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade in a triple threat match, and NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong will meet in a title unification match.
New Year’s Evil is a special episode of NXT that’s taking place on Tuesday, January 4.
AJ Styles is headed to NXT tonight and appears to be set for a confrontation with Grayson Waller.
The appearance was announced after Waller mocked Styles on social media. Waller made fun of Styles’ hair and called him out for riding Omos’ coattails. Waller said he loved Styles when he was a kid, but Styles has hung around too long.
Waller has laid out Johnny Gargano and LA Knight on NXT over the last two weeks.
Styles’ partnership with Omos came to an end on Raw last night after dissension between them. Omos gave Styles a press slam when the two fought after their loss to Rey & Dominik Mysterio.
The rivalry between Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai will come to a head as they face off in a street fight tonight. Pete Dunne vs. Tony D’Angelo, Dexter Lumis vs. Trick Williams, and The Creed Brothers vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans are also set for the show. Plus, Von Wagner will be in action.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opens with NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa in the ring for a promo. Ciampa says as the NXT Champion is hunted, with all eyes on the champion. Ciampa is different than past champions, because Ciampa says he does the hunting. Ciampa says that last week Bron Breakker becomes the hunted.
Ciampa goes on to say Breakker will soon interrupt him, but he does need to do that. Instead, Ciampa invited Breakker to the ring. Out comes Breakker, and he goes to get a microphone. Ciampa tells Breakker he does not need a mic.
Ciampa talks about Breakker pinning the champ at the WarGames match last month. Ciampa says Breakker earned another shot at the title. Ciampa basically challenges Breakker to a title rematch on January 4 at New Year’s Evil. Ciampa chides Breakker by saying don’t “drown” like he did last time, bringing up Breakker losing to Ciampa in a title match in October at Halloween Havoc.
Breakker stares a hole through Ciampa as Ciampa tells Breakker he is not ready to be a champion in Ciampa’s NXT. Although Ciampa says Breakker is doing great, Ciampa tells him that he is not ready. Too much too soon. Ciampa goes on to mock the Breakker about Breakker winning the title. Ciampa throws in a Steiner reference without actually saying the word Steiner.
Ciampa’s tone changes, and he gets into Breakker face. Ciampa snarls at Breakker before slapping Breakker. Ciampa screams at Breakker. Breakker cannot take anymore, he grabs Ciampa by the throat and picks him up with a gorilla press. But Breakker puts him down. Breakker grabs the belt and says at New Year’s Evil there is blood in the water.
“This shark is going to eat you alive,” Breakker says to Ciampa. Breakker says he will see Ciampa in two weeks, and then Breakker leaves the ring.
Grayson Waller cut a promo on Instagram burying AJ Styles.
Dakota Kai ambushes Raquel Gonzalez
Raquel Gonzalez is backstage getting ready to go out to the ring. Dakota Kai tries to ambush Gonzalez with a crate, and the fight is on between the two. They were fighting backstage, but there match apparently was yet to start because neither made it to the ring. So they were basically having an impromptu Boiler Room Brawl.
They fight with props scattered around backstage. Kai tries to flee and throw stuff at Gonzalez to block her path like a low budget slasher movie. Gonzalez still manages to put Kai in the face with a high kick. Kai superkicks Gonzalez after hitting her with objects. Gonzalez is down selling as Kai tries to set up a table. Gonzalez ran into Kai with a cart, and then sends Kai crashing into a door.
The fight spills outside the building as the show cuts to a split screen commercial break. During the break, they brawl their way to the ring. The match finally begins.
Raquel Gonzalez defeated Dakota Kai in a street fight
Gonzalez pins Kai in what appears to a blow off to their feud.
There might have been more weapons used in the ring than during the brawl backstage. No rolling carts, though. They left the carts backstage. The ring and ringside area were littered with chairs, kendo sticks, and trash cans. Tables soon came into play as well, but nobody went through one set up in a corner.
They teased a spot through a table before Kai gives Gonzalez a hurricanrana, which sends them both out of the ring. A trash can is placed over Gonzalez’s head, and Kai leaps onto the trash can with a double stomp off the apron. Gonzalez soon counters Kai, giving Kai a powerbomb on the ring steps.
Back in the ring, Kai takes a powerbomb onto a trash can. Gonzalez then pins Kai for a three count.
Gonzalez grabs a mic to cut a promo where she calls out NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose. Gonzalez challenges Rose to a title match right here and now, and the show cuts to a commercial as we await an answer.
Tony D’Angelo in a pre-tape promo disrespects Pete Dunne. They meet later in match tonight.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez is still in the ring calling out Rose. Out comes Cora Jade instead.
Jade, with one arm in a sling, tells Gonzalez that she deserves a rematch with Rose. Jade says wants Toxic Attraction to pay for injuring her, and Jade says the way to do that is cut the head off the snake.
Gonzalez responds by basically telling Jade to not get in her way. Gonzalez says she will go through anybody to get her title back. Jade says not if she gets there first.
Mandy Rose interrupts them by appearing on the video screen. Rose was poolside wearing a swimsuit while also wearing her championship belt. Rose says the champ is speaking, and enough whining. Rose announces at New Year’s Evil she will defend her title against both Gonzalez and Jade in a triple threat match.
Jacy Jayne amd Gigi Dolan of Toxic Attraction hit the ring to blindside Gonzalez and Jade with a sneak attack. The heels were hitting the babyfaces with kendo sticks. Jade is sent outside, as Gonzalez tries to fight off the two heels by herself. Double-teamed and outnumbered, Gonzalez is beaten down. The table set up a corner earlier on was finally used when Toxic Attraction send Gonzalez crashing through it.
Gonzalez is laid out with the table crumbled over her as the heels leave the ring.
Joe Gacy in a promo apologies to Brian Kendrick on behalf of Harland, who threw Kendrick down a flight of stairs last week. Somehow, Gacy manages to blame Kendrick for the incident.
Grizzled Young Veterans were trying to act tough about their match with the Creed Brothers later on. This was an attempt at comedy I think.
Persia Pirotta and Indi Hartwell were backstage when Grayson Waller confronts them. Hartwell is mad at Waller for what he did to Dexter Lumis. Waller insults Lumis, and Pirotta has to hold Hartwell back from attacking Waller.
Creed Brothers (Brutus & Julius Creed with Malcolm Bivens) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) went to a no-contest
Huge brawl between four teams, two from the match and two at ringside, led to the bout being thrown out.
The Creed Brothers with an early advantage as they work over Gibson. Brutus does not notice when Drakes makes a bling tag, which allows Gibson and Drake to take over. Jacket Time (Ikemen Jiro and Kushida) enter ringside carrying a mock announce table. Jacket Time becomes the impromptu Japanese announce team. Kind of spoof on the Bill and Buddy Show from Memphis wrestling from 30+ years ago (Google it kids as it’s highly entertaining).
Heat on Brutus as Grizzled Young Veterans work him over. Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen came down the aisle to watch the match from ringside. Hot tag by the Creed Brothers, but Brutus is soon cut off by tope from Gibson. A tease of powerbombing someone through the mock announce table. Jacket Time get up and get into the face of the Creed Brothers. Grizzled Young Veterans shove Creed Brothers into Jacket Time, kicking off a huge brawl.
All of the various teams both in the match and at ringside all begin to fight.
McKenzie Mitchell, wearing a holiday sweater featuring The Rock, interviews NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes, who is wearing a Santa hat. Hayes and Trick Williams cut a promo on Dexter Lumis.
Dexter Lumis defeated Trick Williams (with Carmelo Hayes)
Lumis submits Williams. Match was not particularly good. To try and hide that, there was a lot of other stuff going on. Like much of this show, too much as going on. Very Russo, bro.
Lumis was in solid control until outside interference by Hayes. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong attacks Hayes to even the odds. Malcolm Bivens and Ivy Nile of Diamond Mine watch from a perch above the ring. Strong and Hayes brawl to the back.
Williams capitalize on the distraction to get heat on Lumis. Come back by Lumis. Williams tries to hit Lumis with a shoe. Lumis blocks the shoe and applies his signature sleeper hold. Williams passes out, and Lumis wins the match.
Grayson Waller from behind and out of nowhere hits Lumis with a chair. Waller lays out Lumis with chair shots. AJ Styles is seen arriving to the building in an SUV, and he is heading to the ring.
AJ Styles confronts Grayson Waller
After a commercial break, Waller is still in the ring. He is cutting a promo on the fans. The entrance of AJ Styles interrupts Waller’s promo. Thank goodness. The crowd goes crazy because Styles is a true superstar.
Styles tells Waller to shut up. Styles then cuts a promo on Waller. They go back-and-forth on the mic for a moment. Waller says Styles is here because his partner turned on him last night (which happened on Monday Night Raw). Waller insists that Styles wants Waller to be his new tag partner, which of course is not true. Waller says he is more of a singles guy.
Styles says Waller is calling him out because Waller wants a rub. Styles notes that Waller wrestles with gear, like his gloves for example, that is rip off of Styles. AJ responds by basically burying Waller, insinuating he is not yet ready to be a real superstar.
Waller threatens Styles. Waller says this is his ring, and Waller says he can “end” Styles right now. Styles dares him to do it. Styles says Waller thinks he is a superstar after three weeks, but Styles has been a star for twenty years.
Waller takes off his shirt, and teases a fight with Styles. Ever the heel, Waller instead leaves the ring. He tells Styles that Omos can have Styles firsy, and Waller has next. This seems to set up a match with Styles in a few weeks.
Another wackly skit with MSK and Matt Riddle where Riddle gives them Randy Orton merchandise. Riddle then reveals that next week MSK will call out Imperium, and Riddle vows to be at their side when they do so. MSK and Riddle then ride away on scooters, but they are hit by a vehicle. Suddenly, MSK wake up at the bus stop. Was it all a dream? They think so until they find a Riddle hat in their fanny pack. Riddle then appears, and they ride away on scooters. Riddle stops them to look both ways before they ride away.
Edris Enofe defeated Von Wagner
Enofe surprises Wagner by pinning him after a counter.
Enofe tries to attack Wagner at the bell, but to no avail. Wagner begins to pummel him. Continuing the theme of this show where people watch a match from ringside, Robert Stone looks on from the aisle. He is apparently scouting Wagner.
Wagner goes for a powerbomb (which is a move used and/or teased throughout this show), but Enofe counters with a sunset bomb. Enofe then scores a three count to win the match.
Wagner attacks Enofe after the bell, and Wagner beats him down to leave Enofe laid out. This seems to lead towards a rematch.
NXT Champions Imperium cut a promo on MSK in foreign languages. Finally, in English they say that MSK may have a shaman, but Imperium has a general. An obvious reference to WALER, so he could possibly be in the champs’ corner opposite MSK and Riddle.
Matches made official for two weeks time at New Year’s Evil:
Tommaso Ciapma defends the NXT Championship against Bron Breakker in a rematch
Mandy Rose defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzalez in a triple threat match
On her way to the ring, Elektra Lopez cuts a promo on Io Shirai. Lurking in the background unnoticed by Legado del Fantasma is Xyon Quinn.
Io Shirai defeated Elektra Lopez (with Legado del Fantasma)
Shirai pins Lopez after a bunch of gaga involving Xyon Quinn.
Lopez gains an early advantage, but Shirai soon fires up. Lopez cuts off Shirai when Shirai went for a moonsault.
Xyon Quinn storms onto the scene as he comes down to ringside. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde try to stop him, but Quinn throws them aside like rag dolls. Quinn puts a mistletoe into his mouth as he climbs on the ring apron.
Quinn holds the mistletoe overhead as Lopez approaches him. Lopez grabs the mistletoe out of his hands as Santos Escoabr enters the scene to pull Quinn off the apron. Quinn reverses a whip and sends Escobar crashing into the ring steps.
Meanwhile, the match is still ongoing. A distracted Lopez is easy prey for Shirai. Palm strike by Shirai followed by a moonsault press. Shirai then covers Lopez for a three count.
Backstage, Carmelo Hayes accepts the challenge for a title vs. title against Roderick Strong at New Year’s Evil.
Brian Kendrick is wearing a neck brace as he cuts a cellphone promo on Joe Gacy and Harland. Kendrick takes off the brace while saying he resigned as a coach in NXT. He also signed a waiver. Kendrick challenges Gacy and Harland to apologize to his face.
Announced for next Tuesday on NXT:
Contract signing for the unification match between North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong (hosted by Wade Barrett)
Dexter Lumis vs. Grayson Waller
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolan & Jacy Jayne) vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Cora Jade in a non-title match
Pete Dunne defeated Tony D’Angelo
Dunne pins D’Angelo after a Bitter End. This was easily D’Angelo’s best singles match so far in NXT. D’Angelo gets his heat back after the match by attacking Dunne to lay him out.
Good sequences in the opening moment of the match. Dunne also kicked D’Angelo right in the side of the head at one point, which looked like it hurt.
The match goes through a commercial break as Dunne targets the fingers of D’Angelo. Dunne with joint manipulation as the show returns from the break.
D’Angelo cut off Dunne, and D’Angelo went for a float over. Dunne traps D’Angelo in a triangle, yet D’Angelo escapes the hold by powering out with a suplex. D’Angelo follows with an exploder suplex into a corner.
Comeback by Dunne with series of strikes and a near fall. Dunne stomps on D’Angelo, but Dunne collapses in a heap. Double down leads into them trading strikes. D’Angelo counters with a falcon arrow for a near fall.
D’Angelo grabs a crowbar that was hidden at ringside. He goes to hit Dunne with the crowbar, but Dunne counters him. Dunne transitions into applying an armbar. D’Angelo escapes and he takes out Dunne mouthpiece. Dunne soon counters again, and he snaps the fingers of D’Angelo. Bitter End by Dunne, and he covers D’Angelo for a pinfall.
D’Angelo attacks Dunne after the match, and D’Angelo gives Dunne a twisting fisherman’s buster on the floor at ringside. D’Angelo again grabs the crowbar. He puts the bar in Dunne’s mouth, and D’Angelo wacks Dunne in the hand with a shot from the crowbar. The show goes off the air with Dunne selling his arm.
A main roster star is set to appear on NXT this Tuesday night.
During tonight’s Raw, it was announced that AJ Styles would be on Tuesday’s NXT. The appearance was set up by a video that NXT’s Grayson Waller posted on social media over the weekend.
In the video, Waller said The Miz should have better Miz TV guests than Styles. Waller said he loved Styles when he was a kid, but Styles is hanging on a bit too long in his career. Waller mocked Styles’ haircut and called him out for riding Omos’ coattails. Waller continued to mock Styles by putting on his sunglasses and calling himself “The Phenomenal Grayson Waller.”
Waller tweeted after it was announced that Styles would be on Tuesday’s NXT: “Did I hear that right? @AJStylesOrg wants to come to my house at @WWENXT? Just make sure you wipe your feet on the way in #WWERaw”
In the main event segment of NXT two weeks ago, Waller attacked Johnny Gargano as Gargano was addressing his future. Waller laid out LA Knight in the parking lot on last week’s show.
Styles’ tag team with Omos officially came to an end on Raw tonight following dissension between them. Omos refused to tag in, leading to him and Styles losing to Rey & Dominik Mysterio. Styles fought with Omos after the match, but Omos gave Styles a press slam as he was going for the Phenomenal Forearm.
Styles previously made an appearance on NXT during the build to Survivor Series 2019, teaming with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson against Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee & Riddle.
Here’s the updated lineup for Tuesday’s NXT:
Street fight: Raquel Gonzalez vs. Dakota Kai
Pete Dunne vs. Tony D’Angelo
Dexter Lumis vs. Trick Williams
Von Wagner in action
The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
The Waller vs. Knight match was set up when they went back and forth on Twitter over who should be the host of Halloween Havoc. After Waller lobbied to be the host of the event, Knight responded by calling Waller’s video trash. Waller then told Knight that the NXT originals are sweating the new NXT 2.0 wrestlers.
Knight said he’d never sweat someone who looks like Waller, and he’ll always stand head and shoulders above everyone else regardless of what version of NXT it is. Knight said he didn’t even know who Waller was until 24 hours ago.
Shotzi Blackheart was the host of last year’s NXT Halloween Havoc.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa & Bron Breakker vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans
Triple threat match to determine who will spin the wheel for the Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal NXT Women’s Tag Team title match at Halloween Havoc (tonight’s triple threat match will feature one member of Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta, and Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne)
Odyssey Jones vs. Andre Chase
Tony D’Angelo in action
Grayson Waller vs. LA Knight (winner will host next week’s Halloween Havoc episode)
On tonight’s NXT, Roderick Strong defeated Kushida to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. The finish of the match included interference by all of Strong’s Diamond Mine stablemates.
Kushida had the Hoverboard Lock applied on Strong during the match, but Diamond Mine manager Malcolm Bivens put Strong’s foot on the bottom rope to cause a rope break. While the referee was distracted by Bivens and Hachiman, Julius & Brutus Creed pulled Kushida out of the ring. Ivy Nile then jumped off the steel steps and hit a strike on Kushida.
After the Creed brothers threw Kushida back in the ring, Strong hit a jumping knee strike and End of Heartache to win the Cruiserweight title.
Grayson Waller interrupted Diamond Mine as they were celebrating in the ring after the match. Waller challenged Strong to a Cruiserweight title match on next Tuesday’s NXT, and Bivens accepted on Strong’s behalf after consulting with him.
Waller (formerly known as Matty Wahlberg) joined the WWE Performance Center this April.
Waller has been a regular on 205 Live since making his WWE debut. He’s also been aligned with Drake Maverick in NXT.
Kushida and Strong’s Cruiserweight title match was originally scheduled for last month, but it couldn’t take place then due to Kushida testing positive for COVID-19.
Today marks the first 205 Live taping to air following the batch of recent talent cuts. It also follows the announcement of 205 Live’s welcoming of those over 205 pounds, which WWE finally mentioned after months of its happening. And perhaps even more interestingly, this is the first episode of 205 Live to run directly against AEW’s new show, Rampage.
Grayson Waller defeated Ikeman Jiro
To preface my praise for this match, I was more than disinterested heading in. This was an excellent, detail-oriented match.
Jiro gained some early momentum with offence that a prepared Waller cut off. Waller slowed the match to a crawl, connecting with move after move, each of which was interrupted by pauses. Waller tried to end the match with a pin accompanied by a handful of tights. The referee interrupted the illegal pin providing Jiro with some much-needed space.
Jiro connected with two dives after resulting in a near fall. Jiro tried for the Ikeman slash, a move Waller avoided by rolling to the outside. Waller re-entered the ring in a hurry to further interrupt Jiro with a cutter resulting in a fully convincing near fall.
Following another back and forth, Jiro connected with a beautiful hammerlock powerslam. Waller was able to kick out of the move and gain enough separation to land a curb stomp. He followed the stomp with a pin to close an excellent match.
Josh Briggs defeated Joe Gacy
This was a fun match that is entirely different from what one is used to seeing on 205 Live. Two big men were hitting each other with big men wrestling moves; it’s easy to like.
To kick off the “new” era of 205 Live, these heavyweights opened with a showcase of power. Splashes and strikes filled the opening minutes as Briggs used his weight entirely to his advantage. Gacy’s rally also featured the use of his power. Both men traded power moves and intense strikes deep into the match. It was a proper hoss fight. A colossal lariat closed the match in favour of Briggs.
Why 205 Live doesn’t pivot to a name that makes marginal sense is beyond me. WWE owns such an expansive library of already established brands that this shouldn’t be a challenge. This should be called Velocity, Heat, or anything other than 205 Live, as the show is neither live nor featuring those under 205 lbs.
Also, against Rampage, it makes no sense to watch this show live. Even if the matches are good at times, it’s wholly uneventful and entirely forgettable.
205 Live aired this week following another batch of cuts from WWE, leaving 205 Live’s already thin roster even slimmer. Two of the individuals cut (Leon Ruff and Ari Sterling) were featured on tonight’s episode.
Why this show even exists, I couldn’t tell you. In the past, it was a kind of purgatory pretending to be NXT’s extra half-hour, where people toiled indefinitely, working out the duration of their contract. Now that Titan has moved away from talent hoarding, this is just thirty minutes of random guys who might or might not be under 205 pounds without any semblance of purpose.
Leon Ruff defeated Grayson Waller
Leon Ruff’s release was revealed less than an hour before this match aired.
In his last match, Ruff was dominated for most of its duration. In the end, he powered through and pulled off an unexpected win.
Waller used his size to gain an early advantage. Waller took his time, dropping Ruff with move after move. After minutes of domination, Waller sent Ruff to the outside, where the command continued.
Ruff connected with a dive as Waller argued with the referee, but Waller regained momentum moments later. Ruff fought free again, only for Waller to dodge a dive before Ruff could connect with anything significant.
Waller connected with his cutter for a convincing near fall. He then lifted Ruff for the Argentine backbreaker, but Ruff reversed, connecting with a surprise crucifix driver. Waller failed to kick out of the pin that followed, leaving Ruff with a surprise victory.
Kushida defeated Ari Sterling
Ari Sterling’s release was also revealed less than an hour before this match aired. Sterling is a highly talented athlete who had yet to wet his feet in WWE.
In his last match, Sterling put on an athletic showcase as he is so prone to do. The match opened with both men on equal footing. Sterling sent Kushida outside, but Kushida dodged the moon sauce. Kushida connected with a dropkick to the knee, opening the limb up for further attack.
Sterling avoided further punishment by gaining control with knee strikes. A flipping leg drop allowed Sterling to take Kushida to the mat. Kushida escaped the body scissors by reapplying pressure to the injured knee.
With both men on the top rope, Sterling connected with a rana. Sterling missed a double foot stomp allowing Kushida to dropkick the once more. Kushida maintained his control and locked in the hoverboard lock, forcing Sterling to tap.
While his time in Titan was short, I’m sure Alex Zayne will make it. He’s too talented not to.
205 Live continues its stint in the Capital Wrestling Center, a definite change of scenery for the worse compared to the shows beginning to tour.
Guru Raaj defeated Asher Hale
This match was fun. Nothing here was more than decent, but it was still a fine way to open the show.
Raaj gained momentum early, showing off to those in attendance in every spare moment. Raaj’s offensive streak ended soon, however. Hale was forced into the ropes where he laid in wait for Raaj, punishing him with a nasty neckbreaker for approaching. Hale threw Raaj into the chainlink barricade surrounding the CWC before dragging him back into the ring and controlling his neck with a brutal neck crank; the DDT that followed resulted in a near fall.
Raaj reversed the match’s momentum by ramming his shoulders into a prone Hale; a running knee from Hale ended Raaj’s seemingly short-lived rally. In complete control, Hale lifted Raaj onto his back; Raaj rolled into a backslide, pinning Hale for a surprise finish.
Ari Sterling defeated Grayson Waller
This match was good. Tons of action centering around substantial limb work. With that being said, the majority of Sterling’s matches on 205 Live have featured limb targeting. However, this time was a little different, as the targeted limb wasn’t crucial to the entire moveset of Sterling, resulting in a logically sound match. All around, a worthwhile watch.
Waller and Sterling opened with basic back and forth wrestling (collar-and-elbows, quick takedowns, etc.). The takedowns featured plenty of flips for the curious. Waller began targeting the arm of Sterling after interrupting a cartwheel by grabbing Sterling’s wrist. Waller stomped away at the wrist before trying for a cross arm breaker later in the match. A diving stomp to the wrist of Sterling was the precursor to the Fujiwara armbar.
Sterling tried to rally, slapping into the chest of Waller with both his healthy and injured arm. Hale struck Sterling down before trying for a kimura. Sterling was able to fight free, sending Waller to the outside. Waller maintained his control on the outside, draping Sterling over the top rope, locking in an armbar the referee was forced to break. When back inside, Waller connected with his stunner for a near fall.
Waller forced Sterling to fight free from another submission. This time Sterling was able to gain hold of the match. Sterling connected with some quick offence before Waller rolled to the outside for safety, where he was hit with moonsauce. Sterling hit a top rope rana and Baja ‘86 before pinning Waller.
Both matches on tonight’s 205 Live featured men over 250 pounds; I guess that’s what happens when you gut the entire cruiserweight roster.
Josh Briggs defeated Asher Hale
205 Live opened with the 6’9’’ Josh Briggs, a man who is closer to 305 pounds than 205. This was a typical “David vs Goliath” match, only with Goliath emerging victorious. It was fine.
Briggs used his size to his advantage, forcing Hale to use his speed and intelligence if he wanted to stand a chance. Hale had a moment or two of hope as the match got underway, but Briggs proved dominant.
Hale dodged a knee drop late in the match, opening Briggs up for some quick strikes. Hale connected with a DDT and locked in a crossface to cement control for the first time in the match. Hale unloaded with everything in his repertoire but was unable to finish Briggs. Hale, in desperation, climbed to the top rope but missed his double foot stomp. Briggs hit the ropes and connected with a clothesline from hell, leading directly to his pinfall victory.
Odyssey Jones defeated Grayson Waller
The night of giants continued with the 205 Live debut of Odyssey Jones, a genuine 400 pounder [insert 405 Live joke here]. Commentary also pointed out Jones could deadlift FOUR typical 205 Live competitors at once. I’m not sure what this show is anymore.
This match wasn’t great. It was awkward at times, and the groundwork was just plain bad.
Waller opened the match by feeling out Jones with some sparring. Jones responded by dropping Waller with a shoulder tackle. This match then started playing out like the last; Jones abused his strength as Waller struggled for hope.
Waller was able to open up Jones by sending him to the outside. A slam into the ring post allowed Waller to connect with tons of strikes before locking in a guillotine; this wasn’t enough to stop the strength of Jones, however. A stunner and lariat from Waller resulted in Jones a one-count kick out.
Jones regained control by sheer strength alone. After tossing Waller around a little, Jones connected with the world’s strongest slam before pinning Waller clean in the middle.
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.
Jiro has wrestled on 205 Live twice previously, teaming with August Grey in tag matches. Jiro & Grey have defeated Nese & Ariya Daivari and The Bollywood Boyz. Jiro & Grey also teamed together on NXT last week, losing to The Grizzled Young Veterans.
Jiro (formerly known as Jiro “Ikemen” Kuroshio) was part of the group of wrestlers that joined the WWE Performance Center last December. AJPW, DDT, and Wrestle-1 are among the promotions that he’s wrestled for during his career.
Hale (Anthony Henry) and Waller (formerly known as Matty Wahlberg) both joined the WWE Performance Center earlier this year. Hale made his WWE debut on NXT last month and has wrestled on 205 Live four times. Waller made his 205 Live debut by defeating Sunil Singh last week. Singh suffered a dislocated shoulder while facing Waller but still finished the match.
A recent WWE signee will make their debut on this week’s episode of 205 Live.
WWE has announced that Matty Wahlberg will have his first match for the company on 205 Live this Friday night. Wahlberg is now going by the name Grayson Waller. He’ll face The Bollywood Boyz’s Sunil Singh in a singles match on this Friday’s 205 Live.
Wahlberg, whose real name is Matt Farrelly, is a pro wrestler from Sydney, Australia. It was first reported this March that he had signed with WWE. Wahlberg was part of the group of signees that reported to the WWE Performance Center in April.
Wahlberg was a contestant on “Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders” in 2019. He’s also a former history teacher.
Ari Sterling (formerly known as Alex Zayne), Ikemen Jiro (Jiro “Ikemen” Kuroshio), and Asher Hale (Anthony Henry) have also had their first 205 Live matches in recent weeks. Carmelo Hayes (Christian Casanova) made his NXT debut by unsuccessfully challenging for Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship last week.
On this Friday’s 205 Live episode, Sterling & Hale will team up against Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese.
