Tag: Tony Nese

WWE 205 Live results: Tony Nese vs. Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Samir & Sunil Singh (The Bollywood Boyz) defeated Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)

The Bollywood Boyz danced together following the opening bell. Ever-Rise tried to copy the dance, but the Singhs blindsided them mid-boogie. Sunil, left as the legal man, lost the advantage. Parker and Martel secured some tags in quick succession that allowed them to form a lead. 

Bollywood Boyz regained control, with Sunil and Samir trading tags. They dropped both Parker and Martel with basic double-team maneuvers. 

Samir grabbed the camera he had brought with him to the ring, mockingly filming Parker. Parker snatched the camera away and threatened to break it. Martel sneakily tagged in while Samir was distracted and clubbed him with a clothesline to the back. Trading tags and double-teaming furthered Ever-Rise’s control. 

Samir was able to sidestep both members of Ever-Rise, leaving him clear to make a tag. Sunil lept into action with a double axe handle from the top rope and an atomic drop. Samir tagged in now that Sunil secured control, and the pair together delivered the Bollywood Blast. Chase Parker, however, broke up the pin.

The Singhs tried to follow up, but the referee forced Sunil to return to the apron. With the referee distracted, Ever-Rise was able to connect with their lifting double-knee face breaker. The referee then turned his attention to Parker, missing both the pin attempt and Sunil striking Martel with the camera; Samil rolled Martel over and pinned him following the blow.

Ariya Daivari walked through the ramp and berated the celebratory Bollywood Boyz before joining the announce team.

This match was quite uninteresting. 

Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated Tony Nese 

Nese met Adonis with chops in the middle of the ring as the match began. Adonis tried to fight back, but following an athletic evasion sequence, Nese left the ring and joined Daivari on commentary. Adonis ran after Nese as the referee continued to count, but Nese caught Adonis. 

Adonis reverses an Irish whip with a clothesline. He then unleashed a power-based offensive sequence that sent Nese crashing to the outside. Adonis taunted Daivari while smashing the head of Nese into the announcer’s table. Nese stumbled away from the table, throwing blows at an opponent ten feet away.

Adonis threw Nese back into the ring and flexed to the Capitol Wrestling Center’s screens. In an act of punishment, Nese threw the ring apron over Adonis and landed a dropkick. Nese landed a moonsault and near fall. 

Nese took the match to the mat, but Adonis powered up, lifting Nese onto his shoulders. Adonis dropped Nese flat on his face. He then began to connect with big strike after big strike, eventually landing a suplex for punctuation. 

Daivari left the announce booth and aided Nese in evading just as Adonis had victory in sight. Even so, Adonis connected with a DDT for a near fall. Daivari yelled into the ring, distracting Adonis just long enough for Nese to roll through and connect with a swift kick. Daivari then wrapped his hand with a chain and waited for his time to strike. 

Adonis hit a massive clothesline on Nese as Daivari hit the ring. Adonis ducked the chain loaded fist and planted Daivari with a spinebuster. Adonis lined up a superkick to flatten Nese, pinning him to win the match.

This was an impressive outing from Adonis, the cruiserweight powerhouse persona is awesome. Nese also pulled out a solid performance, as he always does, to round out this match. One of the better 205 Live matches in recent memory.

WWE reveals participants for 205 Live number one contender’s match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The participants are set for tonight’s fatal five-way number one contender’s match on 205 Live.

WWE has announced that Curt Stallion, August Grey, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, Tony Nese, and Ariya Daivari will face off in tonight’s fatal five-way match. The winner will get a future shot at Santos Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship, though WWE hasn’t announced when the title match will be taking place.

In the main event of last week’s 205 Live, Nese & Daivari defeated Grey & Stallion after Daivari used his chain as a weapon and struck Grey. Mansoor defeated Adonis on 205 Live last week.

Stallion and Grey (Anthony Greene) are former EVOLVE wrestlers who were announced as new WWE signees last month.

Tonight’s number one contender’s match is in celebration of this week’s 205 Live being the 205th episode of the show. The match was announced via a video that aired on 205 Live last week. Escobar cut a promo saying that he’s defeated everyone that has come his way so far and that will never change — but he welcomes the challenge. Escobar said he worked with NXT general manager William Regal to give multiple cruiserweights the chance of getting a shot at his title. Escobar warned the winner to watch their back at all times.

Escobar retained his title against Jake Atlas on this Wednesday’s episode of NXT.

WWE 205 Live results: Daivari & Nese vs. Stallion & Grey

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated Mansoor 

Ashantee Adonis extended for a handshake following the opening bell; Mansoor swatted away the hand of Adonis. Adonis tried to verbally convince Mansoor that he was trustworthy, but instead was taken to the mat. Mansoor took control of Adonis’s arm, but Adonis overpowered his opponent. After tossing Mansoor to the mat, Adonis tried again at convincing Mansoor of his character, but Mansoor answered with another takedown attempt. 

The two struggled for some time before a flapjack turned things around for Adonis. He tried to follow up further, but was interrupted on the top rope by Mansoor. Mansoor took his newfound match control to the outside of the ring. After some general outside offense, Mansoor rolled Adonis back into the ring and tried for a pin. 

Mansoor used a front facelock to maintain control as Adonis tried to gain some footing. Adonis teased a pass out finish before landing a short-arm clothesline to end the prolonged facelock. Adonis connected with a few strikes and a dropkick before climbing back to the top rope. A high crossbody left Adonis with a near fall.  

Both men tried for quick pins to end the match. Mansoor tried for sliced bread before, and Adonis slipped free. Mansoor lifted Adonis into position and landed his finishing one-handed electric chair driver to win the match. 

The handshake Adonis wanted in the opening moments he received following the closing bell.

Brian Kendrick’s influence on both these men was the center point of its story. Both Adonis and Mansoor have been taken in under him, or so the story goes. Regardless this match was inoffensive. 

Cruiserweight champion Santos Escobar announced a five-way match for next week’s 205 Live; the winner will go on to challenge him for the belt. The five competitors look to be Sunil Singh, Samir Singh, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, August Grey, Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese, The Brian Kendrick, Curt Stallion, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Chase Parker, and Matt Martel.

Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese defeated Curt Stallion and August Grey

Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari took quick control of August Grey as the match started. Curt Stallion stealthily tagged himself in and reset the match. Stallion took control of a tapped up arm attached to Daivari. Both Stallion and Grey then took turns torturing the arm with a variety of moves.

Daivari forced Stallion into his corner, which allowed Nese to get involved. Daivari leveled Stallion with a clothesline and began trading tags with Nese, each time furthering their lead. A failed suplex from Nese allowed a hot tag into Grey. Grey connected with moves on both Daivari and Nese before the numbers game proved to be too much. With Daivari maintaining the attention of Grey, Nese landed a running hotshot. Nese landed a moonsault and tagged Daivari back into the match. 

Daivari and Nese traded tags. Grey struggled and struggled for a tag as he was slowly picked apart by both his opponents. Finally, a desperation suplex from Grey onto Nese allowed for a hot tag into Stallion. Stallion landed a massive kick on the now legal Daivari, which he followed with a DDT. Grey tagged in and landed a move of his own that Nese had to break up. 

Grey soon found himself under attack from both Daivari and Nese. Grey overcame the numbers and sent Daivari to the outside. From nowhere, Stallion connected with a suicide dive on the prone Daivari. At the same time, Nese gained control of the happenings inside the ring and landed a reverse piledriver on Grey. Stallion broke up the pin. Daivari grabbed Stallion and threw him into the ring steps.

Back inside the ring, Grey was looking to get an upset. Nese sent Grey into the ropes where Daivari hit him with a golden chain. Nese rolled Grey up and stole the win. 

At times, this match was by the numbers. But it also was a densely packed expression of athletics. The finish, however, was lame. 

WWE 205 Live results: Ever-Rise vs. Brian Kendrick & Mansoor

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Curt Stallion defeated Ariya Daivari

A collar-and-elbow tie-up started the match and set the pace in the opening moments. Curt Stallion gained control of the match with a side headlock; Ariya Daivari pulled the hair of Stallion to stifle his offensive gains. Stallion resisted Daivari with passion and speed, but Daivari’s relative veteran status left him continually in the driver’s seat. 

A moment of separation allowed Stallion to connect with a spree of offense. A spinning forearm yielded Stallion a near fall. Daivari rolled to the outside, and Stallion followed. Tony Nese, who was commentating the match, gained Stallion’s attention, which allowed Daivari to blindside Stallion. Back inside the ring, Daivari took Stallion to the mat. As Stallion showed hopes of regaining momentum, Daivari had an answer.

After smashing the face of Stallion into the announce table, Daivari locked in a camel clutch inside the ring. Daivari dropped the grip momentarily; Stallion landed a low blow to a prone Daivari, which prompted a burst of Stallion offense. Daivari regained control by sending Stallion crashing into the ropes during a dive attempt. 

Daivari rolled outside of the ring to gain his composure. Stallion landed a dive on Daivari. Nese again gained the attention of Stallion, but this time a Stallion headbutt left Nese laying. Daivari tried to capitalize on Nese’s distraction, only for Stallion to duck the hammerlock lariat attempt. Amidst the chaos, Stallion rolled Daivari up and pinned him.

This was a simplistic showing, but not a bad one. Stallion is showing more and more promise each week. 

Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise) defeated The Brian Kendrick and Mansoor

Matt Martel squared off against Mansoor following the opening bell. Martel, with verbal aid from Chase Parker, took control of Mansoor. Parker tagged in and was immediately cut off. Brian Kendrick and Mansoor traded tags as they worked to gain a foothold. Parker earned a sneaky tag, which allowed Martel to blindside Mansoor with a clothesline, putting them back in control. 

Martel whipped Mansoor across the ring, causing him to crumble, but as soon as Parker tagged back in, Ever-Rise’s power slipped. Kendrick, now legal, landed some forearms before trading tags with Mansoor once more. Martel had to pull Parker out of harm’s way to stop the other team’s momentum. Martel tagged back into the match and again gained control for his team. 

While double-teaming Kendrick, a miscommunication sent Martel crashing into Parker. Kendrick, after two tries, secured the hot tag. Mansoor unloaded on both Parker and Martel, but both proved to be too much. Kendrick entered the fray to reset the in-ring action to its natural state. Mansoor hit sliced bread on Parker and secured the pinfall victory. 

This match was fun. The work was clean, and the homage to Kendrick in the finish was neat.

All in all, the show was entertaining, especially considering its limited ambition.

WWE 205 Live results: Mansoor vs. Brian Kendrick

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Mansoor defeated The Brian Kendrick 

Brain Kendrick used a headlock following the opening bell to take Mansoor to the mat. After some groundwork and a quick standing sequence, Mansoor gained footing for the first time by pushing Kendrick to the mat. Now angered, Kendrick failed to regain his lost ground as Mansoor landed a few quick moves to further his new lead. 

Following a Mansoor bulldog, Kendrick landed a kick to the spine to regain his control. Kendrick proceeded to dismantle Mansoor, turning his attention to his arm following a takedown. Kendrick toyed with Mansoor, kicking his head. Mansoor erupted into a rage and unleashed a flurry of strikes on an unsuspecting Kendrick. Mansoor landed a spinebuster, a pair of suplexes, and a falcon arrow all in quick succession. 

Kendrick followed a Mansoor powerbomb with a quick single-leg facebuster. After scaling to the top rope, Kendrick landed a butterfly suplex. Kendrick tried to pin Mansoor following the move; Mansoor rolled out of the pin into a pin of his own. Kendrick, in a state of shock, was unable to kick out. 

Kendrick and Mansoor completed the post match handshake ceremony that follows every Kendrick match. 

The simplistic nature of this match allowed Mansoor to shine in one of his best showings to date. Kendrick’s role as a reliable veteran suits him.  

A fantastic Jordan Devlin promo played. Devlin delivered a concise promo. Parallel to his transcendent work in OTT, Devlin’s promo was accompanied by slick edits and a dramatic score. 

The Bollywood Boyz hit the ring with two microphones and cut a quick promo declaring their return to 205 Live. 

A Curt Stallion Twitter promo played where he called out Tony Nese. He claimed that Nese’s interference in his match last week is the only reason he did not win the $10,000 prize. 

Tony Nese defeated Curt Stallion

Before the match could even begin, Ariya Daivari walked to the ring and gained the attention of Curt Stallion. Nese took full advantage and flattened Stallion just as the bell was sounding. Stallion tried to fight back, but Nese’s striking prevented any hope of a Stallion lead.

Stallion caught Nese with a quick suplex, which he followed with an air raid crash. Nese sent Stallion into the ropes to end Stallion’s offense. Nese then continued to brutalize Stallion as if he never stopped. A springboard moonsault gave Nese a near fall. 

Stallion slipped free from a torture rack from Nese and landed a German suplex. Stallion landed a few moves on Nese in the corner and scored a near fall with a DDT. Nese rolled to the outside only to be hit by a beautiful moonsault. Daivari gained the attention of Stallion again. Stallion laid out Davari but met the knee of Nese as he reentered the ring. Nese then pinned Stallion for the win.

Nese kept Davari away from Stallion following the match’s end. 

Another solid match to close the show. It seems as if Stallion might be playing a more significant role than one would imagine.

WWE 205 Live results: Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs. Brian Kendrick

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Ariya Daivari opened 205 Live by announcing that the second edition of his $10,000 gauntlet would start the show. If either of the two competitors in “Daivari’s Dinero Division” defeated Daivari, they would leave with his money-filled suitcase. 

Daivari’s Dinero Division Gauntlet: Ariya Daivari defeated Anthony Greene

Daivari showed an early confidence as the first match started. Greene tried to catch Daivari in his arrogance but was unable to gain anything substantial. Instead, Daivari took his time stomping and chopping at the Performance Center recruit. Greene at times connected with some unimpressive looking offense: a rollup, a press, a rana. All of this was short-lived, as Daivari played the role of top dog. Davari pinned Greene with a hammerlock lariat.

Daivari’s Dinero Division Gauntlet: Curt Stallion defeated Ariya Daivari by DQ

The second competitor in the Daivari gauntlet, Curt Stallion, took his sweet time before entering the ring. Once inside the ropes, Daivari stomped a hole in the former EVOLVE competitor. Stallion was able to catch Daivari both with a lariat and a kick which forced Daivari to throw Stallion to the outside in an act of self-preservation. Back inside, a Persian splash left Daivari within a hair of victory. Daivari then tried for a few moves to close the match but each time was blocked by Stallion. 

Stallion landed an echoing headbutt that sent Daiviri back outside and followed with a suicide dive. Stallion had victory in sight, but before he could capitalize was hit with a running knee from Tony Nese. This left Stallion with a disqualification victory over Daivari but before he could claim the prize, Daivari snatched his money. 

This was a good enough way to further the Daivari/Nese angle from last week’s show. The open-ended nature of the finish leaves such a variety of options for what is to come that intrigue is forced to follow. 

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated The Brian Kendrick

Kendrick opened the match by gaining control of Scott’s arm. Kendrick used the arm to score a takedown which initiated a back-and-forth sequence of chain wrestling. Once standing, Scott used a moment of temporary separation to connect with a rolling thunder flatliner. Scott then took the match back to the mat with a backdrop. On the mat, it was Kendrick who forced Scott to pull away. This separation allowed Kendrick to land a boot after both men popped back to their feet. 

After being taken down by a bodyscissors, Kendrick crawled to the bottom rope, and instead of breaking, threw Scott to the outside. Scott was sent crashing into the ring steps, leaving Kendrick back on top. Kendrick tried hoisting Scott by his tights but was caught by a stray boot. Kendrick was able to stifle Scott’s resurgence by side stepping a hip attack. Scott was hit with a pair of neckbreakers in Kendrick’s follow-up. 

Scott was able to avoid sliced bread and transitioned into a suplex. A leaping uppercut allowed Scott to turn his attention back to the arm of Kindrick. Scott tried for a second rolling thunder flatliner, but Kendrick used the movement of Scott to transition into the captain’s hook. Scott fought to his feet and into the corner just for Kendrick to connect with sliced bread. Scott kicked out of the pin attempt that followed. 

A failed rollup attempt from Kendrick and a quick scramble left Scott with control of Kendrick’s back. Kendrick grabbed the rope, but his previously worked arm gave out. Scott secured the double underhook and landed the JML driver. Scott held the folded body of Kendrick down for the three count. 

The now-signature post match Kendrick handshake followed the bell. 

The clever finish of this match almost made the awkward mat work worth enduring. Everything outside of the closing sequence was fine at best.

WWE 205 Live results: Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis vs. Brian Kendrick

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Jake Atlas defeated Ariya Daivari

Ariya Daivari started the match with a quick set of jabs which triggered a Jake Atlas fury. Atlas unloaded passionate strikes on the ring’s inside before throwing Daivari to the floor below. Atlas threw Daivari into the barricade before reentering the ring.

Daivari reset the match with a punch to the throat. Daivari’s offense that followed did not match the energy shown by Atlas in the earliest moments but instead was prolonged and ground-based. Atlas’s attempt to regain control was stopped by a clever dropkick to a slumped over Atlas. Daivari then continued to slowly pick apart Atlas. Atlas tried for an elbow that Daivari avoided and punished with a DDT. Atlas tried for a crucifix pin that Daivari kicked from and punished with a clothesline. 

Daivari threw Atlas into the corner, which Atlas bounced out of with a forearm. An Atlas back body drop, single-leg dropkick, and German suplex followed. After landing a pump kick on Daivari in the corner, Atlas tried for a big hook. Daivari ducked the punch and landed a neckbreaker, regaining his control. Daivari landed a top-rope splash and nearly scored the fall. Atlas was then hoisted into position for the hammerlock lariat which a quick elbow prevented. Atlas was then able to land a pump kick that sent Daivari to the outside. Atlas wasted no time, setting up for and connecting with a tope. 

Without any warning, enter Tony Nese in full sprint. A Nese running knee then laid Atlas out, leaving him with a disqualification victory. 

This match was very strong throughout. Atlas and Daivari both worked hard to make a simple match formula meaningful. The run-in was genuinely emotional due to the A-1 work that it extinguished all too soon.

Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated The Brian Kendrick 

Brian Kendrick was caught in the opening moments as Ashante Adonis landed a series of supercuts in the corner. Kendrick tried to lift Adonis for a suplex but instead found himself on the receiving end of an Adonis dropkick and back body drop. Adonis hit a clothesline that caused Kendrick to fall to the floor. 

As Adonis tried to follow up it looked as if he accidentally was caught by a baggy ring skirt. Kendrick, without hesitation, took full advantage. After driving Adonis headfirst into the barricade Kendrick returned to the ring. Kendrick attempted to follow up his newfound lead with a kick but was caught by Adonis. A back and forth offensive struggle followed but it was Adonis who landed a crossbody and a DDT to nearly secure the win. A spinebuster left him even closer. Adonis declared it his time before being dropped with a ton of strong kicks. 

Kendrick secured the captain’s hook. Adonis was able to roll onto Kendrick, nearly pinning him. Kendrick tried again for the hook but was kicked in the jaw for even trying. Adonis waited for Kendrick to rise and dropped him with a superkick. Adonis then hooked the leg and pinned Kendrick clean in the middle. 

For the third time, Adonis and Kendrick shook hands in the ring’s middle following the conclusion. 

This match was the best outing of this particular pairing. Adonis seemed as if he had something to prove, delivering a focused performance as the match’s standout. Likewise, Kendrick played the veteran role perfectly. 

205 Live’s debut in the Capitol Wrestling Center took place inside of an NXT dressed ring – yellow ropes, NXT turnbuckle pads, etcetera. The ring skirt featured the typical 205 Live branding. Whether this is a decision worth looking into or an oversight is currently undeterminable.

The content of the 200th 205 Live episode was the best in the pandemic era. The matches were fun and dramatic. All in all, a great show.

WWE 205 Live results: Tony Nese vs. Danny Burch

Posted on by Chick Fritts

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

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

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

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

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

Danny Burch defeated Tony Nese 

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

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

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

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

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

WWE 205 Live results: The Brian Kendrick returns

Posted on by Chick Fritts

The Brian Kendrick defeated Tehuti Miles

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. 

WWE 205 Live results: Nese & Scott vs. Legado del Fantasma

Posted on by Chick Fritts

205 Live kicked off this week with an Ariya Daivari promo. Daivari, in a boat and on a body of water, called out all of the notable cruiserweights: Santos Escobar, Tony Nese, Drake Maverick, etcetera. Ultimately, Daivari made it clear that he intended to return to 205 Live. 

Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza (with Santos Escobar) defeated Tony Nese and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott 

On the and only first match of the show, two of the only 205 Live storylines came to ahead. Tony Nese took the lead as the first legal man, perhaps in a show of responsibility to his newfound ally. Likewise, Raul Mendoza began the match for El Legado del Fantasma. Mendoza and Nese traded holds in an opening grappling exchange that set a good opening pace. The two continued to up the pace in the mere seconds that followed. Nese avoided an attack from Mendoza with a flip which led to a quick set of strikes. A bested Mendoza was then forced to tag in the pristine Joaquin Wilde. Isaiah Scott tagged in to challenge Wilde.

Scott and Wilde grappled back and forth after becoming legal. The two both gained an advantage on the mat. After an extended portion of mat control by Wilde, Scott used head scissors to create separation. Wilde, not allowing Scott to follow up, grabbed the hair of Scott to initiate a referee forced break. Scott grew enraged by this dishonorable act. This led to Scott thoroughly unloading on Wilde in the corner; Scott was showing a real sense of urgency combined with unfamiliar brutality. 

Scott sent the still dazed Wilde to the outside. Instead of maintaining a sense of focus for the match at hand, Scott turned his attention to NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar who had accompanied his underlings to the ring. After a staredown with the champion Scott returned to the ring, Escobar seemed to be unphased by the passion of Scott. Escobar then coached Wilde with an intriguing calmness. Said coaching caused Wilde to storm the ring with an intensity of his own. Scott tagged out as he was soon forced into his own corner. 

Nese stifled the attempted momentum of Wilde with a takedown. Nese tagged in Scott once more, this time the two launched a short two-man attack on Wilde. The double team offense continued as Nese and Scott traded tags. The budding partnership of Nese and Scott had seemingly left Wilde far behind in the match. 

Wilde’s break came after Mendoza slammed Scott to the mat while the referee was not looking. Wilde dropped Scott chin first onto his knee and tried in vain for a pin. Wilde tagged in Mendoza. Wilde and Mendoza then delivered a double Alabama slam followed by a double dropkick to Scott. Scott kicked from the pin attempt that followed. Mendoza was able to land some offense on Scott before tagging in Wilde again. Scott was immediately able to gain separation after Wilde became legal. 

Scott successfully went for the hot tag which allowed Nese to reenter the fray with ferocity. Nese initiated a brilliant sequence that he punctuated with a pump handle driver and a believable near fall. Nese locked in a deep Boston crab in the center of the ring. Before Mendoza was able to break up the submission, Scott landed a takedown on the would-be interferer and tried for an armbar. Wilde was able to push Nese into Scott from the bottom of the crab, breaking up both submissions. 

Wilde now had Nese grounded for the first time. Wilde climbed to the top rope but was uppercut immediately by Nese. Nese tried to crawl for Scott’s tag after the uppercut but Wilde, who was still seated on the top rope, grabbed the hair of Nese. Nese then without hesitation jumped for a rana on his highly elevated opponent to break his grip. With Wilde flat on his back, Nese was able to tag in Scott.

Scott hit the ring with a burst of energy. A clothesline hit the mark as Wilde tried to return to his feet. Mendoza tried to intervene but was met with a back-body drop as soon as he entered the ropes. This allowed Scott to show off with a quick ground sequence and a German suplex. Scott tried to end the match with a strong kick to the head but Wilde kicked out of the pin that followed. 

Scott tried to maintain his control, but Mendoza grabbed at his ankle from the outside. Wilde was able to break free from Scott and connect with a DDT. Mendoza tagged in before landing a springboard moonsault. Nese broke up the pin attempt that followed. At this point, a four-way brawl ensued. Nese and Scott gained the upper hand as they sent their opponents crashing to the outside. Nese and Scott then dove onto their opponents. Scott sent Mendoza back into the ring and connected with a double foot stomp but Wilde was able to break up the pin just before the referee’s count of three.

 Nese tagged in and hoisted Mendoza onto his shoulders. Scott climbed to the top rope. The two were setting up for something big. Before said setup could be actualized Escobar climbed the ring steps and stood on the apron gaining the attention of the referee, Nese, and Scott. Wilde pushed the now distracted Scott into the floor from the top rope. Nese tried for a rollup in the moments that followed, but Mendoza had sneakily tagged in Wilde. Wilde was then able to connect with a double knee face breaker on the confused Nese. This allowed Wilde to hold Nese in place for a Mendoza enziguri. Nese was then pinned by Wilde.

This match was good. Just as it began feeling long-winded, it came to a close. Storywise it succeeded in further establishing the current cruiserweight hierarchy; El Legado del Fantasma is at the top, everyone else is playing catch up. 

Also worth noting is crowd response. Early in the match, the crowd seemed quite loud, at least speaking in terms relative to the empty arena WWE shows. Whether this was a rather fervent set of attendees or a change in mixing, it’s hard to say.

WWE 205 Live results: Six-man tag action

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Drake Maverick defeated Leon Ruff

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.

WWE 205 Live results: Tony Nese vs. Chase Parker

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Mansoor defeated Tehuti Miles

As the bell sounded, Tehuti Miles threw his jacket in the face of Mansoor, which diverted the attention of Mansoor and allowed Miles to connect with multiple strikes. Miles stepped away momentarily after Mansoor crumbled in the corner. Mansoor took this as an opportunity as he attacked Miles on his way back but his offense was cut short by a Miles knee strike. 

Miles whipped Mansoor into the corner, Mansoor crumbled. Miles hunched over his fallen opponent in jest. Monsoon took advantage once more by grabbing the leg of Miles and securing a headlock. Miles after receiving a few strikes to the head rose back to a standing position from where he grabbed Mansoor.

Miles connected with enough strikes to force a referee break. Mansoor used the time provided to recoup partially. Mansoor stuffed a head smash and began to strike Miles. Mansoor’s striking moved the two across the ring. Mansoor attempted to punctuate his attack with a backdrop and a pin, but Miles kicked out. Mansoor used a standing suplex, Miles kicked from the pin that followed. 

Mansoor grabbed Miles in a chinlock. Miles fought to free himself from said hold, which he eventually did by rolling Mansoor to the outside. Mansoor tried to return to the ring quickly, but was met with a dropkick while standing on the apron. Miles took his offense to the outside. 

Miles drove the body of Mansoor into the barricade and plexiglass shield. Miles returned to the ring as did Mansoor at the count of nine. Miles connected with a neckbreaker followed by an extended period on the mat. He connected with a facebuster followed by a failed pin attempt.

Miles tried to send Mansoor to the outside again. Mansoor landed on the apron and ducked the followup attack from Miles, who was left in a flummox. He was then hit with a neckbreaker. Mansoor entered a fury from where he unloaded on Miles. An inverted atomic drop set Mansoor in position. He lifted Miles onto his shoulders, pulled in his head, and connected with what appeared to be the one-winged angel for the win.

This match worked fine in validating Mansoor’s win from last week (in a much better match) as well as further establishing his new finish. It played off of a simple story of overconfidence meeting persistence and done so adequately. Not fantastic but it served its purpose. 

A look in at an El Legado del Fantasma meeting followed. The meeting basically glossed over recent events in a vague way before Santos Escobar made some ominous statements in regard to the future. 

Tony Nese defeated Chase Parker (with Matt Martel)  

Tony Nese quickly tossed Chase Parker to the mat as the match got underway. Nese allowed Parker to return to his feet, but took him down with a single leg in the moments that followed. Neese attacked the ankle of Parker with a pair of holds. Parker tried to fight to his feet, but was flattened with a shoulder tackle. Nese then locked on, what was described by commentary as a leg-based abdominal stretch. Nese transitioned to the arm of Parker from where Parker was able to try for and succeed in forcing a referee break. 

Matt Martel grabbed the leg of Nese as he attempted to follow up. Nese was not caught off guard, however, as he connected with a back elbow on Parker who was trying to run at his seemingly distracted opponent. Nese then performed a fantastically athletic offensive sequence. Parker kicked out from the pin attempt that followed early. Nese then temporarily turned his attention back to the arm of Parker. 

Nese then ran Parker across the ring for a leaping rope cutter. Once on the floor following the cutter, Nese was confronted by Martel. This allowed for Parker to connect with a dropkick on the distracted Nese. Parker turned his attention to the left arm of Nese. A bulldog sent Nese to the mat from where Parker continued the attack on the arm. 

Nese finally produced some separation by driving Parker into the turnbuckle. Nese furthered the separation and a subsequent momentum shift with a kick to a midsection. This led perfectly into a high-speed sequence which was culminated with a spinning heel kick. Nese followed up with a moonsault and a pin attempt from which Parker kicked out.

 Nese lifted Parker for a driver, but was interrupted by Martel. Nese then drove the body of Parker into Martel, effectively stifling his interference. Nese tried for the driver again, but Parker rolled through. Nese responded to Parker with a spinning kick and a successful pin. 

Martel blindsided Nese following the match, but before Parker could aid in the delivery of their team finish, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott hit the ring for the save. 

This was a fine match with entertaining athleticism. Seeing follow up with the budding Nese/Scott alliance is an interest builder. Really there is nothing about this match to complain about. 

All in all this show was a solid and easy watch. The narrative elements aided in the show’s digestibility as did the short match times. A fine episode that seemingly will be built upon.

WWE 205 Live results: Legado del Fantasma debut

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Matt Martel (with Chase Parker) 

Isaiah Scott and Matt Martel entered a collar-and-elbow tie-up immediately following the opening bell. Martel successfully used an arm drag which was celebrated by Chase Parker, who accompanied him to the ring. A second collar-and-elbow tie-up saw Martel transition into a headlock. From the headlock, Martel bounced from the ropes and delivered a shoulder tackle to Scott. Scott kipped up and used an arm drag of his own. Martel recovered in the corner with aid from Parker, he was taunted by Scott as this was happening. 

A third tie-up then began. Scott found himself backed into the corner where the referee forced a break. Martel taunted Scott. In what was the fourth tie-up, Scott pushed Martel to the ground and landed a few forearms. Scott pulled back and allowed Martel to return to his feet. 

Martel tried for an overhand right but was sidestepped by Scott. Scott rolled around before trapping the head of Martel between his feet for a head-scissor takedown. A frustrated Martel rose and chopped Scott. Scott chopped Martel back causing him to fall. Scott continued chopping Martel before advancing to a wider variety of strikes. 

Martel retreated to the corner from where he kicked the pursuing Scott. Scott was slapped by Martel, but was unphased. Scott connected with an uppercut that sent Martel to the mat. Scott climbed to the second rope but before he could jump was pulled down by Parker. 

The referee called for the disqualification as Ever-Rise attacked Scott. Scott was continually stomped by the pair before, out of all people, Tony Nese hit the ring for the rescue. Nese scared Martel and Parker away from Scott before asking the referee to turn this into a tag match. The referee agreed to the match’s making before the ring announcer concretized the match with an official announcement.

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Tony Nese defeated Ever-Rise (Matt Martel and Chase Parker) 

Nese and Scott, who were seemingly rivals this time last week, were now a team. Before the match could begin Nese and Scott were already in a spat, both men wanted to start the match. Scott demanded he starts regardless of his condition. Parker, who was starting the match for his team, immediately jumped Scott as soon as the bell sounded. Nese reached for the tag but Scott was already being dragged across the ring by Parker. Martel tagged in and began a team-based assault. Martel and Parker traded legality as they beat down the already attacked Scott. 

Parker as the legal man tried for a suplex, but was blocked by Scott. Scott connected with a standing suplex of his own. Scott was obviously damaged and considered tagging in Nese but instead turned his attention to Parker. Parker soon after landed a punch that forced Scott to step back towards his corner. Much to the dissatisfaction of Scott, Nese tagged himself into the match. 

Nese immediately took the offense to Parker. After gaining significant control of the match, Nese offered the tag to Scott. Scott begrudgingly accepted the tag and aided Nese in delivering a double standing suplex. Scott began to attack the left leg of Parker but was quite quickly kicked off. Parker ran and got the tag. Martel struck Scott before taking him to the ground. 

Martel kept the pressure on Scott before tagging into Parker once more. Parker landed an elbow drop and tried for the pin but Scott kicked out. Scott, now on the ground, was receiving calls for a tag from Nese. As Scott inched closer and closer for a tag Martel tried to disrupt the opposing team by attacking Nese. Nese cartwheeled over Martel and connected with a nice forearm. Nese returned to the apron just in time for the tag from Scott. 

Nese hit the ring with ferocity. A set of high impact strikes left Parker laid out. Martel hit the ring and was immediately thrown out by Nese. Nese then ran the length of the ring with Parker’s head in his control. Nese jumped the top rope to drag the throat of Parker against it while simultaneously landing on the recovering Martel. 

Nese climbed to the second rope and connected with a picture-perfect moonsault which he followed with a kicked from pin attempt. Martel hit the ring again, and this time he created a long enough break for Parker to grab Nese. Parker positioned Nese up and connected with a gory bomb. The pin attempt that followed was broken up by Scott. 

All four men were now in the ring. After a momentary staredown, a brawl ensued. Martel and Scott were soon on the outside of the ring. Parker tried to roll up Nese, but found himself on the receiving end of a spinning heel kick after Nese rolled through. 

Nese pulled Parker into the corner and connected with a running knee. Nese then called for Scott to tag in. Scott accepted the tag and ascended to the top rope from where he connected with a double foot stomp. Scott pinned Parker and secured the victory.

Nese and Scott shook hands following their win but Scott still seemed confused by his newfound ally.

This match was very solid in both of its phases. The cut short singles portion of the match played off a simple  “Anything you can do I can do better” theme before its end. Thankfully its quick ending was not actually the end as tag match that followed seamlessly its theme into one of the unlikely allies.   

The tag portion of the match was fast-paced and story-driven. While it was short from perfect it made every second count. 

While on the topic of this match, Nese’s involvement in the second phase is intriguing. While his motivations are unclear what is clear is he has some motivation. Finding them out is something to look forward to. 

Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza with Santos Escobar) defeated Leon Ruff and Liam Gray

As soon as the bell sounded, Joaquin Wilde laid Leon Ruff out with a clothesline. Ruff had his arm attacked in the moments that followed. After an atomic drop and a moonsault, Raul Mendoza tagged in. Mendoza picked Ruff apart as the match continued. Ruff lucked into a tag after being tossed in the general direction of his partner. Liam Gray was able to get in some sparse strikes before being hit with a clothesline. Gray took a flip bump. Wilde tagged in again and held Gray in position for a running kick. Wilde then pinned Gray for the win.

Legado del Fantasma stood tall in the center of the ring following their victory. 

A decisive squash. There is absolutely nothing in this match to complain about. It had a simple purpose that was easily achieved.

WWE 205 Live results: Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs. Tony Nese

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Tony Nese

A light feeling out process started the match. Instead of fully engaging in the match, Tony Nese fell to a knee and flexed. This was before the two reentered a short lockup. Nese broke said lockup after Isaiah Scott gained the advantage. Nese then teased a test of strength but took down Scott with a single leg before Scott could lock in his fingers. 

Nese held onto the leg of Scott but soon found himself inside Scott’s guard. Scott took the arm of Nese but before he was able to capitalize Nese forced a rope break; Nese pushed the face of Scott instead of breaking cleanly. Scott pushed the face of Nese in retort. Nese was visibly unpleased by this interaction and charged Scott. Scott jumped Nese, which triggered a brief exchange that saw Nese back down on the mat.

Scott now had Nese under his control. He freely transitioned to different body parts of Nese, but ultimately held him in a side headlock. Nese broke the headlock multiple times, but found himself in it once more almost immediately. Finally, Nese was able to stand back into the corner, forcing the referee to break.

Nese successfully created distance with a back elbow which he used to attempt a moonsault. Scott avoided the dive, but Nese landed on his feet. Nese then dodged Scott’s attempted elbow with what was akin to a standing backbend. Nese tried for offense of his own but met a similarly impressive dodge from Scott. Scott landed an arm drag and returned the match to the mat.  Scott torqued the arm of Nese. Nese was able to stand and again cause the rope break.

 Nese struck Scott immediately following the break. Nese then took control of the head of Scott, ran him across the ring, and jumped to the floor, driving the neck of Scott into the top rope in the process. Nese pulled Scott from the ring by his foot and gestured to the ring steps. Before Nese could drive Scott into them Scott stuck out his boot. Scott then proceeded to walk the entirety of the ring; he chopped the chest of Nese while him into any barrier he could. Nese retreated to the inside of the ring but Scott pulled him back to the outside. Nese was able to avoid an attack of Scott’s by lifting him onto the apron. Nese met Scott, picked him up, and dropped the flat of his back onto the apron.

Scott laid on the outside of the ring until the referee counted to six Scott was immediately hit with a back elbow upon reentry. Nese meticulously struck Scott before going for a pin attempt. After Scott kicked out Nese grew frustrated. Nese toyed with Scott which allowed Scott to temporarily reenter the fray. Scott showed signs of life for a moment but was dropped by Nese with a leg sweep. 

As Scott laid flat on his back Nese traveled to the top rope where he delivered a picture-perfect moonsault on Scott. Scott kicked from the pin attempt that followed. Nese kept up the pressure with two backdrops and a pin attempt which Scott kicked out from.

Nese once again turned to toy with Scott. Scott was able to stand and chop Nese in response. As Scott looked to be in a good position Nese synched the head and tried for a suplex. Scott fell to his knees to block. Nese and Scott struggled. Nese lifted Scott for the suplex but failed to bring him over. Nese stepped back and kicked Scott before trying for the suplex again. Nese placed his head in the perfect position for Scott. Scott synched the head of Nese and connected with the suplex Nese had been fighting for. This was a very fun exchange. 

Scott climbed to the top rope – Nese met him with a stunning fist before he could jump. From the top Nese grabbed the head of Scott, he still was digging for the suplex. Scott pushed Nese off but before he could regain his footing Nese grabbed his head for the suplex once more. Scott shoved Nese down and before Nese could grab him again Scott jumped. On his decent Scott grabbed Nese with a rollup. Nese rolled through and tried to kick Scott’s head from his shoulders. Scott kicked out from the pin attempt that followed.

Nese used body scissors in an attempt to keep Scott grounded. Scott punched Nese in order to free himself. Nese slapped Scott as the opponents rose to their feet. Nese then grabbed the hair of Scott and tried to humiliate him with a collection of insults. Scott snapped up and connected with a barrage of quick strikes. Scott then dove from the middle rope with an uppercut to the back of Nese. Nese tried to seek safety on the outside but was immediately met with a punt. After Nese rolled in Scott connected with a flat liner. Nese kicked out from the pin attempt that followed.   

A gassed Nese then traveled to the corner. Scott tried for something but was pushed off by Nese. Nese then traveled to the middle rope and leaped with a dropkick. Scott pushed off the kick and transitioned over the body of Nese into waist control. Scott used this control to connect with a suplex and a near fall. Scott set up for the house call kick, but Nese stepped out of the way. Scott tried to regain offensive control but found himself inside the Boston crab after Nese stuffed a dropkick attempt. Scott struggled but eventually rolled out of the crab. Nese planted Scott with a power slam. Scott kicked out once more.  

Nese positioned Scott in the corner for his running knee finish, but Scott lifted Nese over the top rope and onto the apron before Nese could connect. Nese allowed Scott to fall over his head onto the outside. Once standing outside of the ring Nese connected with a spinning forearm. Nese then sent Scott crashing into the ring steps. Nese rolled Scott into the ring and climbed to the top rope. Nese connected with a moonsault. Scott grabbed the bottom rope in the pin attempt that followed creating another near fall. Nese looked agitated.

Nese, not knowing how to finish Scott, traveled to the outside where he picked up a chair. The referee yelled at Nese and eventually convinced him to drop the chair. Scott kicked him as soon as he did. Scott connected with two double foot stomps which resulted in a successful pin. 

This match being the only match on the card meant it had to go long, and it felt long. It is a strange decision to let a half-hour match end with a sequence that started with a referee distraction. It made Nese look barmy and incapable. 

This is not to say this match did not have its shining moments though. For example, Nese’s struggle for a suplex drew me in even if it was forgotten relatively quickly. The athleticism was there, the execution was there, but ultimately the match didn’t seem to have a clear start-to-finish story to tell.

Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs. Tony Nese set for WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One match is set for tonight’s episode of 205 Live.

WWE announced this afternoon that the rivalry between Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Tony Nese will continue with a singles match between them airing on 205 Live tonight. The two most recently faced off when Scott, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated Nese, Tehuti Miles & Jack Gallagher in a six-man tag match on 205 Live two weeks ago.

Though it was confirmed earlier this week that multiple people in WWE have tested positive for COVID-19, tapings for tonight’s SmackDown and 205 Live were held at the WWE Performance Center today.

WWE has announced that SmackDown will feature a tribute to The Undertaker following his apparent retirement from in-ring competition. That will include Undertaker and AJ Styles’ Boneyard Match from WrestleMania 36 airing on SmackDown tonight.

Styles defending his Intercontinental title against Drew Gulak, Sheamus presenting “a toast to Jeff Hardy,” and Braun Strowman responding to Bray Wyatt were announced for tonight’s SmackDown but aren’t being advertised on WWE.com as of now.