Jack Claffey (FKA Jack Gallagher) took a loss in his MMA debut.
The 32-year-old suffered a first-round TKO defeat to Marlon Jones on Saturday at Full Contact Contender 32. The event aired on UFC Fight Pass. It was Claffey’s first professional MMA fight. He had a 2-0 record in amateur bouts previously, having picked up victories in 2015 and 2016.
Marlon Jones brings it EARLY and gets the first-round TKO finish
Earlier this year, Claffey won his bare-knuckled boxing debut. He KO’d Rick Caruso in the third round at BKFC 25 on May 6, 2022.
The Manchester native wrestled with WWE from 2016 to 2020 under the name Jack Gallagher, competing primarily in the cruiserweight division on 205 Live. He was released from the company on June 19, 2020, following allegations of sexual assault stemming from an incident in 2014. He has not wrestled since departing the company.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
After last nightās Raw, WWE uploaded a video where NXTās LA Knight got into a verbal confrontation with Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode. Roderick Strong was also shown walking by Ziggler & Roode during the video. Knight and Strong were both at this weekās Raw to wrestle matches on the tapings for Main Event. During the post-show confrontation, Knight invited Ziggler & Roode to come to NXT. Ziggler & Roode said they appreciated the invitation, but they work Mondays and are focused on winning the Royal Rumble and going to WrestleMania.
I think rolling with the punches is something I realized more recently than not that if I just accept that Iām out of control on some of these situations, and Iām talking about the business right now, if I just take what they give me and do it to the best of my ability, like I was doing stuff with The Fiend a year ago and it was hard. Some of it was rough.
They put me in the burn mask one week and then the next week Iām out of it and my skin healed. Itās tough [laughs].
Then you go to who you would imagine you would go to when you have a gripe and say, āHey, I canāt do this. Arenāt they going toā¦ā and you hear, āJust do it. Itās going to work.ā Okay. You roll with the punches. You do your best job.
Even though Iām lighting a dead guy on fire and heās the babyface, I had a very hard time trying to make that real, but I feel like I did a good enough job that even though it was a little cringe worthy for some people because I really, really, tried to just believe that I was going through this, I think it helped people buy into it a little bit more while weāre suspending that reality and trying to make them believe like they would when theyāre watching the most recent Halloween movie or Jason movie,
They want to believe when theyāre in there. They want to be entertained so I think the more I can accept that, make that real, and make that something Iām feeling and not just words that some 22-year-old writer wrote on paper for me, but if I believe it and make it mine, I can get them to believe. I think thatās what changed with my promos too recently.
While appearing on Throwing Down with Renee Paquette and Miesha Tate, Lita confirmed that she had other āpotential opportunities floating aroundā before agreeing to be in the women’s Royal Rumble match: āYeah, so definitely, like you said [Lita wanting to get one more run in], so pandemic life kind of simplified everyoneās priorities because itās just like only whatās in front of your plate but then ā so I feel like I spent the first half of the pandemic just being like ā just eating too much junk and processed food and doing absolutely nothing. Iām going, āOkay, so like even if the pandemic ends, you canāt just slowly kill yourself just laying around and eating junk food.ā So I had already just started to like lifestyle train which is very different from like G.I. Jane training, but I was like, Iām already starting to kind of remember what it felt like to, āOh, it feels good when you move your body. It feels good when you push yourself.ā And I think those kind of was ā it was a very baby step that culminated with ā you know, and there were like potential opportunities floating around that I was like, āWell, maybe, maybe, maybeā and then this thing was just like, āYes or no, do you want to do this Rumble on this day? Like yes or no? Are you in?ā And I was just like ā put my feet to the fire. I was like, āYes, Iām inā and then it was like, okay, so now that Iām in, itās time to make the most of it.ā
On his Something to Wrestle podcast, Bruce Prichard said he can see Vince McMahon continuing to run WWE for a long, long time: āYes [I always felt like Vince McMahon would continue running WWE past the early 2000s]. Absolutely. Yeah, I canāt imagine him not doing it and I am sure that he will continue to do it probably for the next 25-to-30 years. His momās 101 and still going so, you know, he shows no signs of slowing down at all and heās a freak of nature and itās hard to imagine it without him and I donāt think that weāll have to imagine it without him for a long, long time.ā
The Sporting News asked Deonna Purrazzo what it means to her that Jonathan Gresham called her the best technical wrestler in the world: āGresham has tweeted that once or twice, and it is quite a feeling. He is the number one wrestler in the entire world. I canāt speak enough praises about him, I think heās phenomenal and Iām so envious of what he can do out there. I wish that I can be like Jonathan Gresham. For him to give me that kind of recognition, it means the entire world to me. I fought so hard to be at Impact Wrestling and also be able to do stuff with ROH, and Gresham was one of those people who were pushing for me. For him to be on my side and give me that recognition is amazing because I always wanted to be considered one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. If someone like that thinks that, then itās that validation and approval that means everything.ā
Joey Janela will face Dr. Wagner Jr. at GCWās If I Die First show in Dallas on Saturday, February 5.
Mick Foley posted a video responding to the āF*ck Mick Foleyā gear that Matt Cardona wore at GCWās Hammerstein Ballroom show.
Cardona tweeted about the Hammerstein event: āI love @GCWrestling_. Everyone involved wants it to succeed so badly. The fans want it to succeed so badly. I couldnāt even get through my timeline last night. So much buzz. So much heart. Some much passion. So much potential. We danced. Now letās f*cking go!ā
āMan Scoutā Jake Manning has been hired by AEW to work in their merchandise department: āIām officially employed by @AEW to work in their merch department. Itās been a long road to get here but Iām grateful for the opportunity. Iām also thankful that this job will give me the ability to continue to work on my mental health & my indy wrestling & comedy careers.ā
Drake Maverickās return to 205 Live was not without narrative. The cruiserweight brandās former general manager came to the ring with a taped up shoulder and an obvious stiffness.
Following the bellās 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 Maverickās 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 Maverickās 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 Lorcanās face. Miles led Lorcan to his corner. Martel, Parker, and Miles traded tags and team-based maneuvers until Parker was left as the teamās legal man. Parker, in a very favorable position, climbed to the top rope from which he leaped. Instead of furthering his teamās lead, Parker found himself on the wrong end of Lorcanās 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 teamās 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 Milesās 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.
After a woman came forward with a story detailing a sexual assault at a party, WWE announced they have come to terms on the release of Jack Gallagher.
The woman, who calls herself Becky, tweeted a story of a 2014 New Year’s Eve party where she said Gallagher was trying to get her drunk, made continued advances despite being told no, and then burst into a bathroom and ripped her skirt down before she was able to leave.
She later tweeted a conversation between Gallagher (real name Oliver Claffey) and the person that owned the house where the party was held, saying he has no recollection of the event but wanted to apologize to her.
The 30-year-old has been with WWE since 2016 after a run on the UK independent scene. He also had a brief stint as an amateur MMA fighter and there were some rumors Bellator MMA might be interested in his services.
Earlier Friday, WWE released a no tolerance statement related to various forms of abuse. Several WWE-signed wrestlers, including Matt Riddle, Ligero and Jordan Devlin, all denied sexual assault claims as the #SpeakingOut movement has exposed wrestlers and others in the pro wrestling industry of sexual abuse and assault.
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 Burchās 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 Gallagherās 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 showās best exhibit during the COVID pandemic.
Big Takeaways: 205 Live returned to the WWE Network with a stellar main event that saw Jack Gallagher defeat fellow interim NXT Championship tournament competitor Tony Nese.
Tyler Breeze defeated Tehuti Miles
205 Liveās return to the WWE Network was not without a significant change. Said change was immediately noticeable, even prior to the completion of Tyler Breezeās entrance, as the new announce team of Cory Graves and Byron Saxton could not go a minute before playing to the insolent jerk and naive pushover announce team cliche. This thankfully wasnāt terribly noticeable throughout the show.
Following the bellās sounding, Tehuti Miles threw the towel he had brought with him to the ring in the face of Breeze. Miles unloaded strikes on Breeze in the corner forcing a referee separation that allowed Breeze a window of opportunity. Breeze connected with a knee from the corner which led into a short sequence that was punctuated with a spine buster.
Miles rolled behind ropes. Breeze attempted to continue his offense but was stopped by the referee due to Miles’ continued state of rope clinching. Miles, not allowing the opening to pass him by, struck Breeze while the referee was attempting to create separation. Miles landed a dropkick to Breeze which sent Breeze to the floor. While alone in the ring, Miles posed on his side as he waited for Breezeās reentry to the ring.
Breeze rolled in and was met with plenty of stomps that were followed by punches that were followed by a neck breaker. Breeze kicked from a pin attempt and Miles continued his attack. More stomps, a second neck breaker, and a second pin attempt left Breeze in an unfavorable position.
Breeze showed signs of life, but was repeatedly met with more offense from Miles. Miles continually slowed the pace of the match which ultimately led to a point that allowed Breeze to connect with a surprise supermodel kick. Breeze was unable to capitalize as Miles successfully regained the match advantage.
With Miles in the driverās seat, Breeze looked to be in an unwinnable position but hesitation from Miles on what would have been a third neck breaker allowed Breeze to spin into the unprettier. Breeze hooked the leg and secured the victory.
This match told a simple story competently; Breeze was consistently outmatched but ultimately came out on top due to Mileās cocksureness. Nothing felt at stake but as a one-page drama, it was fine.
Jack Gallagher defeated Tony Nese
Both Jack Gallagher and Tony Nese seemed to have something to prove heading into this match. Both men are in poor position in the ongoing round-robin tournament for the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
The initial feeling out featured chain wrestling that resulted in both men on the mat. Gallagher, in his new brutish form, ended the mat grappling with raining elbows. Nese was forced to withdraw, but even in retreat, he was met with strikes from an unwavering Gallagher. Nese rolled to the outside.
Gallagher then directed his attention not to his competitor that was laid out on the Performance Center floor, but to the announce team. Nese returned to the ring and was able to gain a favorable position in the match by blocking an attempted strike from Gallagher. Nese then led a succinct sequence that returned the match to the mat. Gallagher fought to his feet and was immediately returned to the mat in a headlock. On his second fight to a standing position, Gallagher incorporated strikes to the midsection which forced Nese to break the hold.
In his bid for sustained control, Nese sent Gallagher into the ropes with an Irish whip. Gallagher floated over the shoulder of Nese and attempted to score the win with a crucifix pin on the rebound. Nese kicked from the pin and proceeded to attack Gallagher as if it had never happened. Gallagher was sent to the outside after Nese Irish whipped him into the corner but quickly rolled back into the ring. Nese picked Gallagher up for a scoop slam before returning to a hold on the mat.
Gallagher turned into the guard of Nese and once again reigned fists on his grounded opponent. Instead of continuing his attack, Gallagher stood up and walked away which allowed Nese to grab his legs and secure the Boston crab. Gallagher rolled his body free from Neseās hold. Both men, under their own volition, exited the ring. Following a pithy struggle, Gallagher proceeded to drive the head of Nese into the barricade.
Gallager rolled Nese into the ring once more, this time maintaining wrist control. Gallagher mockingly kicked Nese before being met with a forearm. A rattled Gallagher then attempted a kick with Neseās wrist still in hand, but Nese ducked. Nese lifted Gallagher, but Gallagher broke free.
A struggle once again ensued. Nese, in seeming consummation, sent Gallagher to the mat once more with a rope to the throat followed by a picture-perfect moonsault. Gallagher answered the pin with a strong kick out. Gallagher once again rose to his feet but was firmly planted with a back-to-belly piledriver. Gallagher kicked out once more.
Gallagher, now in a state of complete daze, crawled to the corner. Nese lowered his kneepad and entered a sprint but before connecting with his strike, Gallagher rose again and met his running opponent with a headbutt to the sternum. Both men were on equal footing afresh. Both men traded failed roll-ups, missed strikes, and dropped lifts before Gallagher was sent into the ropes. Gallagher bounced against the ropes into a rolling elbow. Nese fell to the mat with Gallagher falling onto him for the pinfall victory.
Though I felt a slight clash of styles, this match was very good from start to finish. If these are the men performing poorly in this tournament, then this belt must be a true prize worth chasing. Gallagher continues to impress with his new rough-hewn persona and Nese refused to quit.
Three interim Cruiserweight Championship tournament matches are taking place on NXT next Wednesday.
WWE has announced that Kushida vs. Tony Nese, Drake Maverick vs. Jake Atlas, and El Hijo del Fantasma vs. Jack Gallagher are set for next week’s episode of NXT. Kushida vs. Nese and Maverick vs. Atlas are Group A tournament matches, while Fantasma vs. Gallagher is a Group B match.
This will be the first time Fantasma has wrestled on NXT television. A video hyping his debut aired tonight.
The tournament kicked off with Akira Tozawa defeating Isaiah “Swerve” Scott in a Group B match on tonight’s NXT.
Everyone in the tournament will face the other wrestlers in their group one time. The wrestler with the best record in Group A will then face the wrestler with the best record in Group B in the finals.
Any ties will be broken by head-to-head record.
Jordan Devlin is the NXT Cruiserweight Champion but is currently unable to travel and defend his title due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During the initial moments in 205 Live’s opening match, Danny Burch applied pressure to the left arm of Tony Nese. After being briefly grounded, Nese was able to roll to his feet and force a referee initiated break. Said break allowed Nese to land a headlock takedown on Burch. Burch transitioned from his disadvantaged ground position into a surprise pin attempt. Nese kicked out and both men returned to their feet.
A test of strength followed the reset. Burch prevailed and attempted a single leg boston crab but Nese was able to quickly grab the middle rope. After being stood up once again both men stared each other down for a very brief instant before Nese landed a takedown which he followed with a hold to the left ankle of Burch. As Burch struggled for freedom, Nese placed his foot on the bottom rope for additional leverage. Burch kicked his way free, but was clearly strained.
The two rose to a standing position wherein Burch was immediately taken back down to the mat by Nese. Nese then proceeded to continue his assault on the left leg of Burch with a single leg boston crab. Burch quickly crawled to the rope and kicked off Nese who was not honoring the break ordered by the official.
In the third reset of the match, Burch scored a headlock takedown of his own. Once on the mat, both men traded advantage. Nese was eventually bested on the ring floor but drew in Burch by playing possum next to the ropes. Burch fell for his trap and was sent through the ropes. Nese then landed a flush spinning back elbow sending Burch crashing to the outside. At the count of eight Nese left the ring and began an outside attack which included driving Burch’s back into the barricade and Burch’s head into the ring apron. Nese rolled Burch into the ring and attempted a pin but Burch kicked out.
After Burch kicked out, Nese secured a pseudo-rear-mount that slowed the match to a crawl. Burch ultimately freed himself from this hold. Burch landed a flurry of intense strikes and a huge second rope missile dropkick. Burch hesitated for a moment after a failed pin attempt. Burch then picked up Nese for a standing suplex but Nese floated over.
Burch endeavored to maintain his control with a big boot followed by a german suplex. In a fantastic moment of athleticism, Nese landed on his feet following the release from Burch’s german suplex; Burch landed on his back from the same move. Nese then promptly delivered a seamless double foot stomp to the chest of Burch and hooked his leg for a near fall.
Both men struggled to their feet, Nese was first to stand. Nese took control of Burch’s head, ran him across the ring, and jumped to the floor to force the throat Burch into the top rope. Nese without hesitation jumped from the floor to the apron and then to the second rope where he delivered a stunning moonsault to his grounded opponent. Burch kicked out again.
A frustrated Nese taunted Burch on the ground. Burch was able to take the arm of his mocker and secure a crossface in the center of the ring. In what seemed to be a possible end of the match, Nese rolled the crossface into a pin and nearly picked up a victory. Both men regained footing momentarily. Nese landed a strike that stunned Burch and a german suplex in the corner that rendered him lifeless. Nese then performed a running knee, allowing Nese to pick up the win.
The match was overall quite fun. It could probably have done without the lull before the climax but ultimately it was an entertaining watch.
Following the previous match’s resolution, Nese was yelling at the announce team. Nese was met by Jack Gallagher who was entering the empty WWE Performance center for the main event. The two entered an intense staredown that narrowly avoided coming to blows.
Jack Gallagher defeated Oney Lorcan
This week’s 205 Live main event began with a briskly passed chain grappling segment. Jack Gallagher landed an early takedown. Once on the ground, Gallagher took the back of Lorcan wherein he reined in a few devastating fists to the back of the head. Lorcan was able to avoid any significant damage and made it back to his feet.
Gallagher remained on his back and lured Lorcan into his guard. The two ended up in the ropes and stood up for a moment but quickly returned to the mat wherein they both fought for control of the other’s legs. They again ended up in the ropes and scraped during the standup.
After being stood up again, Lorcan attempted a takedown but was stuffed. The two then struggled for control but Gallagher proved to be better on the ground, at least in this instance. Gallagher landed multiple strikes that rendered Lorcan staggered. Lorcan tried to match the intensity of Gallagher, but was once again bested in strikes not once but twice in two intense sequences.
Lorcan was able to gain advantage when Gallagher connected with a headbutt that resulted in the Gallaher being dazed. Lorcan landed a half-and-half suplex on Gallagher and hooked the leg for a two count pin attempt. Lorcan continued his offense with a shoulder block and a clothesline but Gallagher powered out of both pin attempts. Lorcan then sat Gallagher on the top rope for a half-and-half suplex but was elbowed in the process. Gallagher connected with a crossbody with a turn during the descent.
Both men were laid on the mat flat when Tony Nese re-entered the picture. Gallagher rose to see the man he had just had a sour interaction with brandishing a chair. Before he could act, Lorcan rolled up Gallagher. Gallagher answered the referee’s count at two. Gallagher then landed a brutal headbutt that seemed to signify the end of the match, but before he could follow up Gallagher was attacked by Nese making Gallagher the winner by disqualification.
Lorcan aided his opponent in fending off Nese. Nese took a chair and looked to inflict serious harm on Lorcan but before he could, the music of Danny Burch played and Burch ran to the ring, saving his partner.
This match was incredibly realistic and it at no point lulled. The shoot style segments were intense and meaningful. While the screwy finish might be a turnoff to some, it was an excellent catalyst in concretizing the dastardly nature of Tony Nese while maintaining both Lorcan and Burch.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, WWE had to cancel plans for the NXT UK brand for the upcoming months.
NXT UK usually tapes at Axxess over WrestleMania weekend, which obviously did not take place this year.
Today they announced that both their May tapings following the scheduled NXT UK TakeOver in Ireland, as well as the Download Festival tapings had been canceled.
So it looks like we will be getting a series of specials looking back at the history of NXT UK, as announced by NXT UK Assistant GM Sid Scala.
What is weird about this decision is that during the last set of tapings in March, they taped at least six more matches which haven’t aired yet, including pretty major bouts like WALTER vs. Ridge Holland, Ilja Dragunov vs. A-Kid, Finn BĆ”lor vs. Kenny Williams and Toni Storm vs. Isla Dawn as reported here and here on this site.
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The show opened with clips of Triple H announcing the original UK Tournament and the establishment of a WWE UK championship in late 2016.
After the opening, Andy Sheperd is our host and he isn’t allowed to address the pandemic or the virus by name either, and keeps calling it “unique times”. Well, I guess that makes Vince McMahon a unique individual.
WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament Quarter Final Match: Tyler Bate beat Jordan Devlin (6:06; January 15, 2017, WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament 2017 – Day 2, Blackpool/England)
Odd choice, as this was voted worst match of that particular night on the Observer poll for the show.
Bate looked very young and very deer in the headlights coming out. Both men taped brief, current cell phone videos talking about it but neither said anything of particular note and it was more sound bites like “The people got their first glimpse of the Irish Ace.”
Here’s Dave’s original recap of the match from that week’s Observer:
Bate hit a tope right away. He also did a power spot where he pressed Devlin overhead and followed with an airplane spin.
They played off the injury to Burch the night before when they put over Devlinās enziguri on Bate. Bate won with a quick left jab and a Tyler driver 97. This match was sloppier than most but still got a good reaction and was all action. **Ā½
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They then recapped the rest of the tournament, including Bate beating Pete Dunne in the finals.
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Next up was a look at the second WWE UK Championship tournament in June of 2018 in Royal Albert Hall.
WWE United Kingdom Championship #1 Contendership Tournament Quarter Final Match: Zack Gibson beat Gentleman Jack Gallagher (13:37; June 19, 2018, WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament 2018 – Day 2, London/England)
Dave, at the time wrote:
In the first of the quarterfinals of the U.K.. tournament, Zack Gibson beat Jack Gallagher with the Shankly Gates arm submission. It was notable that they used a newcomer to advance over a main roster wrestler, but Gibson should be a top heel on the new television show.
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After that, they recapped Zack Gibson winning the tournament, Moustache Mountain winning the NXT tag team titles over Undisputed Era and Triple H announcing the NXT UK brand.
Mark Andrews vs. Joe Coffey w/ Mark Coffey (7:38; NXT UK #1, aired October 17, 2018, Cambridge/England)
Here’s my original report on the match:
Coffey tried to use his strength to immobilize the smaller Andrews, but he managed to repeatedly flip out of some armlocks until Coffey overpowered him.
Andrews is back with some armdrags and a great-looking springboard huricanrana. Coffey hit a mean pounce, a seemingly very European kind of body check, as it’s also a popular tool for other Euro big men such as Avalanche and Dante (the former tag team partner of Aleister Black).
Coffey continued to show his brute strength by grabbing Mandrews by the neck, spinning him around a few times just for the heck of it and hitting a butterfly suplex. Nigel mentions that Joe Coffey actually was Kurt Angle’s opponent at the latter’s last singles match for ICW back in 2016.
While Mark Coffey distracted the ref, Joe takes Andrews out with a stiff clothesline, forcing Andrews out of the ring.
Back in the ring, Mandrews channeled his best inner football player and slid under a clothesline attempt on his knees and hit a quick enziguri. He followed with a very cool combination of some double knees in the corner, a lucha roll-up, double foot stomp and a standing, twisting moonsault for a near-fall.
Coffey quickly recovered and launched himself at Andrews with a running/diving headbutt into the corner, followed by a quick power slam that almost got him the win.
He went for a vertical suplex, but Andrews countered it into the Stuntdog Millionaire, before hitting he top rope.
Mark pulled his brother to ringside and assumed safety, but Andrews hit a big moonsault on both of them.
Andrews, grasping at victory went to the top again but Mark Coffey once more proved to be a major distraction as he grabbed at hs leg, leading to a Joe Coffey overhead belly-to-belly from the middle rope and a brutal lariat for the pin in 7:38.
Post-match, the Coffey Bros. once more went to attack Andrews but Flash Morgan Webster came out with his helmet in hand for the save.
A very fun mean guy/quick guy match that showcased the strengths of both guys.
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Up next, a look at Pete Dunne.
WWE United Kingdom Championship #1 Contenders Match: Pete Dunne beat Trent Seven (14:45; WWE United Kingdom Championship Special, May 7, 2017, Norwich/England)
Here’s the report on the match from this site:
They went back and forth off a collar-and-elbow tie-up before Dunne circled around to try and gain a good position on the damaged right arm of Seven.
Dunne took him down and tortured him for a bit, but Seven escaped and landed a series of chops. Dunne was pulled off the second rope and ate a left arm lariat to the gut for 1.
Dunne went behind, but Trent’s rope escape left the arm open for a hard shot to the arm. They brawled to the floor and Dunne landed a nasty forearm strike to the jaw. This allowed him to trap the arm in the steps and kick the arm into the post.
Dunne talked smack on the apron and ate a slap before kicking away, but opened himself up to a Dragon suplex on the apron! They were both down for a 9.5 count before rocketing back in. This got a well-deserved “this is awesome” chant and it’s easily the best match on TV in at least a month.
Trent went up top for a superplex, but Dunne attacked the hand. Trent still went for a Dragon suplex off the top, but Dunne flipped to his feet and landed a forearm before eating a backfist and then landing an enziguri.
Dunne ran off the rope, but ate a lariat for 2.5.
Trent tried for a Seven Star lariat, but a bodyscissors counter opened the door for the Kimura. Seven recovered and hit a Dragon suplex and a backfist.
Dunne avoided a wrist clutch burning hammer and landed the Bitter End to win it
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They next looked at Dunne winning the championship from Tyler Bate at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, then defending it against Joe Coffey at the first ever NXT UK TakeOver in Blackpool.
The show ended just as that show did, with WALTER coming out and facing off with Dunne.
In an in-set video, Dunne said that he knew the match needed to happen.
Three weeks ago, Kushida was part of the Team NXT vs. 205 Live originals 10-man elimination tag match on 205 Live. He was revealed as the final member of Team NXT on that show, replacing Lio Rush. Team NXT won the match after dissension between Gallagher and his teammates. Kushida and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott were the two members of Team NXT left standing at the end.
Kushida defeated Joaquin Wilde on the episode of NXT that aired last night.
Tomorrow’s 205 Live will be the third time Kushida has wrestled on the show. He teamed with Gallagher to defeat Akira Tozawa & Brian Kendrick when 205 Live took place at Madison Square Garden in September.
Joaquin Wilde took the rubber match in his third 205 Live meeting with Raul Mendoza.
Tensions between NXTās and 205 Liveās respective teams increased during the Lio Rush-Tony Nese main event as their 10 man tag match inches closer.
**Show Recap**
Joaquin Wilde defeated Raul Mendoza via pinfall
The match began with immediate offense saw Mendoza deliver a dropkick in the opening moments. The pace quickly slowed as Mendoza overwhelmed Wilde with a whip to the corner followed by a prolonged nothing-happening mat wrestling segment. For a crowd as uninterested as the one watching this match, this did nothing but encourage their continued lack of attentiveness.
Wilde slowly worked his way to his feet and gained some advantage. After a small struggle, Wilde delivered a power bomb to Mendoza who was seated on the top rope. Mendoza rolled to the outside and Wilde delivered a stair assisted hurricanrana. To no avail, Wilde attempted to engage the crowd with the sound of a DJ horn.
Eventually, the pair traded roll-ups, roll throughs, and reversals in the fastest and most interesting sequence of the match. After a failed rollup attempt by Mendoza, Wilde found himself in position for his Wilde thing finisher, helping him score the win and the 2-1 advantage over his rival.
Seeing as there was little to no interest in this to begin with, the match itself was fairly lackluster with no reason to revisit this rivalry.
— A hype package played reminding viewers of the NXT vs. 205 Live ten-man tag scheduled for 205 Live in two weeks. The team captain of team NXT, Lio Rush, and the team captain of 205 Live, Tony Nese, are set for action in the main event.
Lio Rush defeated Tony Nese (w/Mike Kanellis) via disqualification
Both guys got a slightly louder crowd reaction compared to the previous match. After the bell sounded, Nese took a knee and flexed his arm for the first truly audible reaction of the night.
After a fairly typical WWE style feeling out process, Rush delivered an enziguri that sent Nese to the outside. Nese quickly found his way back into the ring and passed through a rollup attempt to deliver a swift kick to the head of Rush. Nese continued to work Rush with slow heelish offense that provided Rush with an opportunity to gain match control. Rush did so with a perfectly executed corkscrew dive variation.
Rushās control did not last long. Mike Kanellis (who accompanied Nese to the ring) distracted Rush after he ascended to the top rope. Nese struck the distracted Rush and executed a gutbuster, maintaining his control long enough to perform a visually stunning springboard moonsault.
Nese tried to follow with a superplex but was blocked. Rush regained control with a crossbody followed by a float over DDT. Rush went for a second crossbody but was caught by Nese who transformed the catch into a bridging suplex.
Nese rolled Rush to his belly and locked in a deep boston crab. Rush broke free and delivered a spin kick, but Kanellis succeeded in gaining Rush’s attention after he stepped onto the apron. Rush knocked Kanellis to the floor and hit Nese with the come up. When Rush attempted to pin Nese, Kanellis hit the ring and attacked Rush.
Nese and Kanellis took turns stomping Rush long enough for Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch of Team NXT to come to the aid of their captain. The two teams brawled into the back leaving only Rush in the ring. Before Rush could make it to his feet, he was attacked by the returning, and now heavily tattooed, Jack Gallagher.
Gallagher, now a part of Team 205 Live, stood tall after Rush was brutalized.
Final Thoughts:
This weekās show featured two fairly uninteresting matches, both of which had little to no heat. Neither match was bad in execution per se. They were both just boring and devoid of heat, even with the angles that led to them.
The show opened with highlights from Wednesday’s NXT Cruiserweight title match between Lio Rush and Akira Tozawa.
Tom Phillips and Aiden English then welcomed us to the third anniversary of the 205 Live brand. What a time to be alive.
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ARYIYA DAIVARI DEFEATED RAUL MENDOZA
Daivari used a side headlock and hit some chops. Mendoza hit a cartwheel, a leapfrog, then sent Daivari outside, which led to nothing. Back inside, Mendoza hit a tijeras, then a springboard tijeras. Mendoza hit a suicide dive.
Mendoza tried another springboard attack, but Daivari shoved him off the ropes to the floor. Daivari sent Mendoza into the steps, then tossed him back inside. He hit an elbow drop for a near fall, then worked a chinlock.
Mendoza broke free of the chinlock, only to be hip tossed into the buckle. Daivari tried a top rope splash but missed. They exchanged strikes. Mendoza connected with a disaster kick, then a springboard missile dropkick for a near fall.
Daivari dodged a pump kick, then hit a uranage for a two count. Mendoza answered with another disaster kick, then hit a modified black hole slam. Daivari blocked another pump kick and hit a superkick.
The finish saw Mendoza hit two kicks. He tried a uranage, but Daivari blocked, then hit a hammerlock lariat for the pin.
This featured some good action, but if I were putting these matches together I would have suggested picking up the pace. The crowd was dead.
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Jack Gallagher cut a selfie promo backstage. He said it’s no secret that he’s been unlucky lately, but he’s here tonight to remind Angel Garza and himself that he’s great. He said if he loses, he doesn’t know what he’ll do.
Garza then cut a promo. He said he doesn’t care what happens to Jack, and that he wants to beat Jack again, “Because everybody knows what Garza gets, what Garza wants.” He said after he’s done with Jack, he wants Lio Rush to stop avoiding him and give him a rematch.
Both promos were actually quite good, but Garza’s verbiage was slightly off.
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DANNY BURCH DEFEATED GREG WILLIAMS
This was a squash. Williams was the perfect jobber and took a heck of a beating.
They locked up. Williams hit a slap to the face. Burch answered with a big right hand, then used a headlock takeover. Burch hit a shoulder block. Williams tried a leapfrog, but Burch turned it into a flapjack.
Burch hit a couple of European uppercuts, then a vertical suplex. Williams got a brief spurt of offense with a jaw breaker and some strikes, but Burch responded with a headbutt, a German suplex, then hit the Hangman’s DDT, a draping DDT from the top rope, for the pin.
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Tom and Aiden threw to a WWE.com video from Wednesday showing a pull-apart between Lio Rush and Angel Garza.
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ANGEL GARZA DEFEATED JACK GALLAGHER
This was good. Garza is super green but also super charismatic. Gallagher is good enough to carry a great match by himself, and worked to that end here.
Gallagher used a headlock takeover. Garza forced a rope break. Frustrated, Garza rolled outside. They repeated this spot twice. Garza offered a handshake. Gallagher refused. Garza punched Gallagher in the face.
Gallagher used a second rope handstand. Gallagher used a crucifix for a two count. Gallagher tried a monkey flip out of the corner, but Garza blocked. Garza hit an enziguri, then took his pants off.
Garza sat Gallagher on the top rope and hit some strikes. He tied Gallagher to the tree of woe, then hit a running knee for a two count. Garza hit a pop-up kick to the chest for another near fall. Garza hit a slingshot suplex, then hit a kick for a near fall. Garza applied a camel clutch, then transitioned to a chinlock.
Gallagher hit an up-kick, beginning a mini-comeback. He hit an Irish whip, a hip toss, then a crossbody for a two count. They traded strikes on the top rope. Garza teased a sunset bomb. Galagher tried a flying attack, but came off the top right into a dropkick.
Garza hit a knee to the ribs for a two count. Garza teased a double underhook suplex. Gallagher blocked, then hit a Gentleman’s Headbutt. Garza responded with a superkick, into a double down.
They traded strikes. Gallagher sold as though he snapped, hitting a flurry. He tried a Gentleman’s Dropkick, but Garza blocked. Garza tried a springboard moonsault, but Gallagher kicked him, catching Garza up in the ropes.
Gallagher hit a missile dropkick with Garza draped in the ropes, then hit a Gentleman’s Dropkick. Gallagher covered, but Garza got a foot on the bottom rope.
Gallagher used a guillotine choke. Garza forced a break by backing Gallagher into the corner. Garza then hit the Wing Clipper for the pin.
After the match, Gallagher took apart the announce table. He threw water at the ref, then threw two chairs at the ref. Two security guards ran down, but Gallagher snapped on them. He sent one into the barricade, then hit a series of strikes on the other.
Drake Maverick and three referees ran down. Maverick threatened to suspend Gallagher. Gallagher gave him a Gentleman’s Headbutt, then walked up the ramp, closing the show.
After one week of being taped at Full Sail University, 205 Live is back to airing live after SmackDown tonight.
WWE has announced two matches for the episode. Cruiserweight Champion Lio Rush will team with Raul Mendoza against Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese, and Angel Garza will take on Jack Gallagher. WWE is also hyping that 24/7 Champion Samir Singh will defend his title on the episode.
Rush has defeated Mendoza in non-title matches on 205 Live each of the past two weeks. Rush retained his title against Garza on NXT this Wednesday, with Garza having his foot on the rope while he was being pinned.
WWE.com is pushing that Garza, Daivari, and Nese have their sights set on getting a Cruiserweight title shot.
Samir & Sunil Singh bailed on their 24/7 title handicap match against R-Truth on Monday’s Raw. They were then attacked by Erick Rowan backstage.
Tonight’s SmackDown and 205 Live are taking place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Last week’s 205 Live was taped at Full Sail due to WWE taping SmackDown and Raw in Manchester, England last Friday.
Chad Gable is returning to 205 Live on tonight’s episode.
WWE has announced Jack Gallagher vs. Gable for tonight’s 205 Live. It’s a rematch of Gable’s 205 Live debut from June 11, where Gable won by countout after Gallagher tried to get back into the ring but wasn’t able to.
WWE.com is promoting Gable as “SmackDown LIVEās Chad Gable.”
Akira Tozawa vs. Samir Singh has also been announced for tonight’s 205 Live, Mike Kanellis will be in action after losing to Zack Ryder in seconds on Raw, and WWE will follow up on Drew Gulak retaining the Cruiserweight Championship against Tony Nese on the Extreme Rules pre-show.
SmackDown and 205 Live are taking place at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts tonight. Shane McMahon hosting a town hall meeting, Peyton Royce & Billie Kay defending the Women’s Tag Team titles against Asuka & Kairi Sane, an announcement from Daniel Bryan, and Ember Moon and a partner vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville are set for SmackDown.
