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.
After defeating Danny Burch last week, Tehuti Miles will face off with Burch’s tag team partner on 205 Live tonight.
WWE has announced that Miles vs. Oney Lorcan will air on tonight’s 205 Live episode. Last week’s match against Burch was the first time Miles has gotten a win on WWE television.
Miles pinned Burch last week with a schoolboy while holding onto his tights.
Miles, who joined the WWE Performance Center in August 2019, has made appearances on NXT, Raw, and 205 Live in recent months. He’s a United States Army veteran, was on the University of Maryland Terrapins football team, and debuted on the Maryland independent wrestling scene before signing with WWE.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Jack Gallagher is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. Scott defeated Tony Nese on NXT this week despite a distraction by Gallagher. Gallagher went after Scott after the match, but Scott rolled out of the ring.
Gallagher defeated Scott during the interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament last month after Nese attacked Scott during his entrance.
In addition to the two matches, an encore of El Hijo del Fantasma vs. Drake Maverick in the interim Cruiserweight title tournament finals from this week’s NXT will also be shown on 205 Live tonight. Fantasma defeated Maverick and became interim champion, but Maverick was offered an NXT contract by Triple H after the match.
An immediate change to the typical 205 Live atmosphere was noticeable as instead of playing to a non-existent crowd, Tyler Breeze, and all other wrestlers, played to a makeshift crowd of WWE talent.
In the opening moments of the match, Tony Nese and Breeze entered a lock-up. Nese broke the lock-up and flexed his arm; let my satisfaction be known in hearing a crowd respond to the narcissism of Nese. What a fantastic change in scenery.
Nese and Breeze reentered a lock-up. Breeze came out in an advantaged position that saw Nese in a partial choke. Nese tried and tried before eventually succeeding in breaking the hold. As Breeze tried to return the match to the mat, he was on the receiving end of a strong kick from Nese.
Nese mounted Breeze, punching him multiple times before standing to bask in a field of boos. Breeze tried to escape the attack of Nese by migrating to the corner but there he was caught by a barrage of stomps. Nese landed a slam and then went for a pin that was answered.
Following the pin attempt, Nese secured back mount wherein he attacked the eyes of Breeze. The referee stopped the attack with a count which allowed Breeze to transition into the guard of Nese. Breeze postured up and leveled Nese with a strong forearm followed by a few weak ones. Nese pulled away.
As Breeze tried to follow up, he was struck in the throat. Nese then took the head of Breeze, ran him across the ring, and jumped to the outside leading Breeze’s throat across the top rope. Nese ascended to the top rope where he dove. Breeze avoided the dive. Nese’s flight was graceful; his crash, on the other hand, was better described as unpleasant.
Breeze landed two forearms to the face, a kick to the midsection, and a dropkick all in short succession after both men rose. Nese tried to reverse a whip but was met with a kick. As Breeze tried for further offense Nese rolled to the outside and tripped a running Breeze. Nese climbed to the top rope again and landed a picture-perfect moonsault. Breeze kicked out from the subsequent pin attempt.
As both men rose from their position of prostration, Nese positioned Breeze for a back to belly piledriver. Breeze fell from the back, rolling Nese up in a seamless changeover. Nese kicked out but was kicked in the midsection and dropped with an atypical move best described by my estimation as an over the shoulder facebuster. Breeze tried for another pin but Nese kicked out.
Breeze began a slow climb to the top rope but was cut short by an uppercut from Nese. Breeze fell into perfect position for a running knee but was able to avoid the attack before it could be delivered. Breeze, now on the outside, grabbed the legs of Nese; one leg on the left side of the post the other leg on the opposite side. Breeze took the left leg of Nese and whipped it into the post. Nese tried to hobble away from his attacker but was grabbed by Breeze who synched a single leg crab on the appropriate leg. Nese cried out in pain as he crawled ever so slowly to the bottom rope with each second passing seemingly being a possible end.
Nese rolled to the outside, still selling the effects of his now destroyed leg. Breeze then jumped from the apron with a forearm smash that sent Nese to his back. Breeze rolled Nese into the ring before grabbing him for a release German suplex. Nese landed on his feet, then jumped, and then connected a double foot stomp before returning to selling his supposedly injured leg. Nese, after a failed pin attempt, grabbed his leg once again. Nese then scaled the ropes again and jumped. He was caught by Breeze. It is also worth mentioning that Nese was caught only after landing on his leg.
Nese pulled away, entered a sprint, and then was put down by Breeze with a spinebuster. Breeze then lifted Nese and dropped him once more with a uranage. Nese kicked from Breeze’s pin attempt.
Breeze pulled Nese to his feet and positioned him for the unprettier. Nese pushed Breeze to the corner to avoid. Nese ran at Breeze, seemingly forgetting he had a bum leg, and laid him out with a spinning back elbow. Breeze was then sat in the corner in the perfect position for a running knee that he was hit with at full speed, with the supposedly damaged knee mind you. Nese pinned Breeze for the win.
This match had potentially fantastic moments, but ultimately fell short due to its inconsistency. The improved ambiance and skill of both men should have produced a better match. An injured leg was introduced partway through the match only to be forgotten in the closing moments and then to be remembered again after the concluding bell. As to why, I cannot tell you.
Tehuti Miles defeated Danny Burch
Tehuti Miles snubbed Danny Burch in the initial lock-up. He then entered a proper lock-up for a moment before snubbing Burch again. An annoyed Burch ran at Miles, who escaped to the outside. Burch grew in his annoyance. The two locked up again. This time Miles took down Burch with a pull to the legs. Miles then proceeded to walk over the face-down body of Burch.
This disrespect caused Burch to snap. He struck Miles on the ground before taking him down with a headlock. Burch worked a mean headlock, interspersing his hold with brutal palm strikes. Miles fought to his feet, only to be sent to the ground with a shoulder tackle. Miles was then uppercut, chopped, and forearm smashed across the ring. Burch stomped Miles into the corner forcing a referee separation.
Miles took advantage of this separation by pulling down the rope as Burch tried to continue his assault, sending him to the outside. Burch tried once again to continue his offense but was met with a dropkick as he tried to reenter the ring. Miles rolled Burch into the ring and assumed a full mount. Ground and pound followed. A more serious Miles stood and dropped the straps of his attire. Miles then stomped Burch into the corner. Burch was then dragged into a standing position and returned to a grounded one with a neck breaker. Miles tried for a pin, but failed.
Miles then grabbed Burch with a chin lock. Burch tried to return to his feet while still being in the chin lock but was dropped once more with a neck breaker. Miles tried and failed another pin before synching another chin lock that was ultimately broken. Burch then stuck Miles thrice before climbing to the second rope for a dropkick. Burch landed an enziguri that he followed with a brutal German suplex.
Burch connected with a lariat that sent Miles to the outside. Miles was rolled into the ring by Burch who was looking to finish his wounded opponent. Before he could think, Burch was rolled up by Miles for the surprise victory.
This match was very good. Both men played to their strengths and ultimately came out looking good. The finish was unexpected but satisfying. What this win means for Miles is hard to say but hopefully, it is the groundwork for a bright future.
This show was far better than the last few renditions of 205 Live simply due to the live crowd. What they added to the show is all too easy to understate. The matches themselves varied in success but are worth considering a watch if you are partial to any of the performers.
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 Live’s return to the WWE Network was not without a significant change. Said change was immediately noticeable, even prior to the completion of Tyler Breeze’s 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 wasn’t terribly noticeable throughout the show.
Following the bell’s 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 Breeze’s 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 driver’s 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 Mile’s 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 Nese’s 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 Nese’s 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.
In-ring action is returning to 205 Live this week.
WWE has announced two matches for tonight’s 205 Live episode: Tony Nese vs. Jack Gallagher and Tyler Breeze vs. Tehuti Miles. This will be the first time 205 Live has had new matches in over a month.
WWE has aired “The Matches That Made Me” 205 Live episodes over the past four weeks, featuring members of the cruiserweight division choosing one match that inspired them to become a wrestler and one of their favorite matches from their WWE careers. Brian Kendrick, Ariya Daivari, The Singh Brothers, and Oney Lorcan were spotlighted on those shows.
Nese and Gallagher are both out of contention in NXT’s interim Cruiserweight Championship tournament. Nese went 0-3 in Group A, while Gallagher went 1-2 in Group B. Group action will wrap up with Kushida vs. Drake Maverick and El Hijo del Fantasma vs. Akira Tozawa taking place on NXT next Wednesday.
Miles, who joined the WWE Performance Center last August, has recently been used in enhancement matches on NXT and Raw.
Last week’s 205 Live featured Jeremy Borash making his WWE television debut and hosting the show with Tom Phillips.
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.
Big Takeaways: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Tony Nese picked up clean wins in an empty WWE Performance Center.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Joaquin Wilde
In the opening moments in what was the third 205 Live taped in an empty WWE Performance Center, an immediate change of presentation was noticeable. Following the bell to open the night’s action, it became apparent that a recurring complaint had been addressed; the hard camera no longer faced the empty seats surrounding the ring but instead looked in the direction of the entrance ramp.
As soon as the match began, so did the mat wrestling. Both Isaiah Scott and Joaquin Wilde traded holds on the ground and drags into holds on the ground to open the contest. The initial back-and-forth trading ended when a frustrated Scott rolled to the outside. Wilde attempted a baseball slide, but it was blocked by Scott which trapped Wilde in the apron. A swift kick to the face of Wilde freed him from his trap while also tearing down said apron.
Scott rolled Wilde into the ring and continued his attack. Scott used a collection of strikes and stretches in the second mat wrestling portion of the match. Eventually, Scott worked Wilde into the corner and to the top rope wherein Wilde began to fight for an opening.
Wilde scored the opening and delivered a truly stunning rana to his standing opponent. Scott was sent rolling to the outside but this did not stop the assault from Wilde. Wilde jumped from the ring onto Scott in a wheelbarrow position and managed to transition seamlessly into an arm drag that drove Scott into the announce desk. Wilde sent Scott back into the ring and attempted an Arabian springboard DDT, but was stuffed.
The two men were on equal footing once again. They began to trade strikes but this cliche quickly evolved into a trading of moves. Scott caught Wilde with a German suplex and Wilde answered with a reverse rana. Scott answered the rana with his finisher, the house call. Wilde kicked out of the subsequent pin attempt.
Wilde, for the last time in the match, strived for a momentum shift. Multiple unique reversals were attempted by Wilde but in the end, it cost him the match. Scott caught Wilde mid reversal with a Michinoku driver and secured the pinfall victory.
It’s easy to say this match would have been much better without the slow open. The grappling would have added little to nothing to the match with a crowd but without one it really made the opening bland. The innovative and creative displays of offense and defense from both men saved the match in the minutes that followed. Overall the match was a decent to good watch.
Tony Nese defeated Oney Lorcan
This week’s main event opened with a feeling out process. Multiple collar and elbow tie-ups, multiple tests of strength, and plenty of chain wrestling. Both men proved to be near equals on the mat with a slight edge going to Lorcan. After what felt like ages, a rope break ended the trading of insignificant holds.
With both men on equal footing, an exchange of strikes began. Tony Nese got the better of Lorcan with a kick to the side of his head after a failed rollup attempt. Nese then proceeded to strike Lorcan across the body before slamming him to the mat where the grounded grappling continued. Lorcan was held in by the legs of Nese for some time before a significant strike allowed Lorcan to take full mount.
Lorcan rained forearms on the guarded face of Nese. Unlike the absolutely dry open of this match, this ground exchange. while a little long. felt meaningful to structure the match. Nese was able to roll away from his attacker only to be continually struck after reaching his feet.
Lorcan paused after a kick out from Nese which allowed Nese to shift the momentum in his favor. Nese ran across the ring with Lorcan in hand and drove the neck of Lorcan into the rope. This was followed by a springboard moonsault from Nese.
Nese tried a cover, but Lorcan kicked out. However, Nese did not allow this to interrupt his offense. He instead put a decisive stop to the match with a snug German suplex into the turnbuckles followed by a running knee. Lorcan was then swiftly pinned, making Nese the winner of tonight’s main event.
Not to beat a dead horse. but again. this match would have benefited greatly from a greatly reduced if not totally eliminated feeling out process. It added nothing to the match. What makes the opening minutes a real shame is the two men went on to show they could deliver an interesting and realistic mat wrestling sequence later in the same match.
Final Thoughts: This entire show, as is so common with 205 Live, felt logical but soulless. Someone needs to call for a shortening of the drawn-out matches to give talent a chance to get over on the microphone, be it separate from the in-ring action or post-match. 205 Live is entirely devoid of character.
All of 205 Live was booked to build interest in next week’s interbrand bout as both Team 205 Live and Team NXT picked up a win prior to their official meeting next Friday.
Show Recap
The show began with a brief recap of last week’s show. Following the retelling of last week’s events, commentary notified the viewers of Lio Rush’s health status due to the attack at the hands of Jack Gallagher as he is not cleared for next week’s NXT vs. 205 Live match.
To further develop the inner workings of the now captainless Team NXT, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott was interviewed backstage and insisted they would move on without a captain and confirmed that a replacement for Rush had been secured.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Ariya Daivari via pinfall
After both men entered the ring to a quiet reception, thee exchanged tense words of discontent prior to the bell.
The match began with a lockup, followed by a strike exchange that saw Scott, representing team NXT, taking advantage. Scott used the time gained by his advantage to travel to the top rope. After noticing Scott’s position, Team 205 Live’s Daivari rolled to the outside. Scott was able to adapt and deliver a running punt to the apron. Daivari was then rolled back into the ring and worked over on the mat.
Scott gave up his mat advantage after locking in a brutal arm submission in order to taunt to the crowd. Daivari then took control of the match and struck Scott’s neck. Daivari continued to work the neck with a myriad of moves.
After a “I’m striking you so strike me back” sequence that is all too common in wrestling today, Scott came out of the sequence ahead and followed up with a flatliner and near fall.
The two both traded light moves and pin attempts until Scott once again attacked the arm of Daivari. Scott climbed to the top rope and landed a flush flying double stomp to Daivari and picked up the pin.
All in all, this match was a typical WWE cruiserweight bout with some ultimately pointless limb targeting. Even with the impending 5-on-5 match, there was little heat and the action itself did little to change that.
Tony Nese and Mike Kanellis defeated Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan via pinfall
Burch and Nese started with Nese taunting Burch and Burch flattening him in response. Burch and Lorcan traded tags to dominate Kanellis with double team moves. Nese entered the ring to aid his partner but suffered the same fate.
With Burch and Kanellis as the legal men, Nese acted as a distraction after a rope break provided Kanellis with a breather. Burch eventually tagged out to Lorcan who simultaneously fought both Nese and Kanellis but eventually fell victim to the pair. Kanellis slowed the match to a crawl with a rest hold and soon after tagged in Nese who continued to keep Lorcan grounded with a rest hold of his own.
Nese attempted and missed a moonsault. He was punished by this blunder when Lorcan got a much needed hot tag. Burch cleared the ring of Nese and set Kanellis, who tagged in during the hot tag sequence, up for an avalanche tag team maneuver. The move was broken up by Nese who was once again tagged in following the save. Nese picked up Burch pump handle style, allowing Kanellis to hit a flying knee followed by Nese slamming Burch to the mat, pinning him to pick up the win for Team 205 Live members.
Final Thoughts:
Both of the matches on this week’s show were nothing special. It felt as if they should have meant a great deal with next week’s interbrand match, but they failed to connect with the audience in any significant way.
Joaquin Wilde took the rubber match in his third 205 Live meeting with Raul Mendoza.
Tensions between NXT’s and 205 Live’s 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.
Rush’s 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 week’s 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 NXT number one contender’s match from this week was recapped and showcased how good Lio Rush and Angel Garza are. Rush will challenge Jordan Devlin for the Cruiserweight Championship on NXT next week.
Hometown heroes The Singh Brothers entered to a huge reaction in Vancouver. Well, that doesn’t usually bode well on WWE shows. They danced and a giant Bollywood chant broke out. They talked about getting advice from Wayne Gretzky to enjoy this moment and get out of Vancouver and take Bollywood to Hollywood. They then revealed rival hockey jerseys to get heat.
Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch came down to stand up for hockey apparently.
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated The Singh Brothers
Things started off with a brawl until The Singhs got the advantage with some nice double-team action. They got two off a Russian leg sweep/superkick combo.
The Singhs worked over Lorcan until he fought back with elbows out of the corner and got a chance to make a hot tag. Samir Singh tried to block the tag, but he couldn’t and Burch came in and threw hands.
The Singhs recovered, hit a double superkick, and landed the Bollywood Blast for 2.9 when Lorcan dove in to save the match for his team. Lorcan and Burch hit the Snapshot for the win.
Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari distracted Lorcan and Burch after the match, allowing The Singhs to attack Lorcan and Burch from behind. Kendrick and Daivari attacked Lorcan and Burch with chairs and paraded around the ring.
A Joaquin Wilde video package showed off his high-flying offense and got across a bit of his charisma in about 20 seconds. Raul Mendoza also got a highlight video to set up a match between them for next week.
A Lio Rush interview from after NXT aired. Rush said he was signed at 21 because he’s the best cruiserweight in the world, so what Devlin says means nothing. He’s beaten every ace and he’s the king of the cruiserweights.
Kendrick cut a promo and said The Singhs proved him wrong. He assumed they were like any other Canadian and would run like cowards the first chance they got. Kendrick cut an anti-Canada promo before quoting the Mountie’s theme. He said the Singhs are brave and honorable and — as far as he’s concerned — they’re now honorary US citizens.
Daivari said that he and Kendrick are 205 OGs — and that reminds me of Jerry Lynn saying being an ex-ECW Champion and having a dollar was good for a coffee. Kendrick mentioned that he and Daivari are contractually obligated to wrestle tonight. He asked who WWE had lined up for them.
Tony Nese entered and pointed to his abs. I guess he’s a face by proxy here? Mike Kanellis then made his return to WWE television to team with Nese. Nese’s pec bounce to the tune of Kanellis’ theme was tremendous.
Tony Nese & Mike Kanellis defeated Ariya Daivari & Brian Kendrick
After a brawl between the teams at the start, Kendrick tripped up Nese. Daivari got the advantage and insulted Canada.
Kanellis worked over Daivari. Nese’s neck was snapped on the rope before Kendrick came in and slugged away at Nese while Daivari held his arms. Kanellis came in and chopped away at Kendrick before charging in and eating a boot. Kanellis hit a spinebuster for two.
Kendrick distracted the referee so Daivari could throw Kanellis into the barricade. Kendrick locked on a kneebar before Kendrick tagged Daivari in. Daivari prevented a tag by knocking Nese off the apron and then applied a long chinlock.
A double-down off a double lariat opened the door to fresh men coming in. Nese came in and ran into Daivari with a spin kick. Nese sent himself over the top to Kendrick and hit a moonsault to Daivari for two.
Nese and Kanellis hit a combo pumphandle slam/flying knee before Kendrick locked the Captain’s Hook on Kanellis. Daivari got the Million Dollar Dream, but Nese sent him into the pile to break both moves up.
Nese hit a 450 on Daivari, but Kendrick broke the pin up. Daivari hit a frog splash, but Nese kicked out at two.
Kendrick got a pair of chairs and they teased using them while the referee threatened a disqualification. Lorcan and Burch came down bandaged up to stop them — and Nese used the distraction to roll up Daivari. The way Nese & Kanellis won didn’t really help them out much at all.
Burch and Lorcan got retribution on Kendrick and Daivari and laid them out with chairs after the match. Lorcan and Burch celebrated with chairs overhead — and it was announced that they’ll face Kendrick & Daivari in a no DQ match next week.
WWE has revealed who NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin will be facing in his 205 Live debut.
A non-title match between Devlin, Lio Rush, and Tony Nese is set for 205 Live tonight. Devlin is making his debut on the show after winning the NXT Cruiserweight Championship in a fatal four-way match at Worlds Collide over Royal Rumble weekend.
Devlin also appeared on NXT this week and defeated Tyler Breeze.
Angel Garza, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and Travis Banks were also in the fatal four-way at Worlds Collide. Garza was the NXT Cruiserweight Champion heading into the match. He went to pin Scott near the finish, but Devlin gave him a headbutt and then pinned Scott after hitting Devlin Side.
Garza defeated Scott on this week’s NXT and then cut a promo saying he wants the Cruiserweight title back from Devlin.
Tonight’s SmackDown and 205 Live are taking place at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Brian Kendrick & Ariya Daivari is also set for 205 Live. Lorcan returned to the show last Friday and saved Burch from Kendrick and Daivari.
WWE has made a couple of match announcements for next week’s taped Christmas Day edition of NXT.
NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong will issue an open challenge on the NXT episode that’s airing next Wednesday. The show will also feature Keith Lee & Lio Rush vs. Damian Priest & Tony Nese.
Priest defeated Killian Dain on NXT tonight. Rush lost the Cruiserweight Championship to Angel Garza last week, while Finn Balor defeated Lee and Tommaso Ciampa in a triple threat number one contender’s match. Adam Cole retained his title against Balor tonight after Johnny Gargano made his return.
WWE has announced that the teams for the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will be revealed on the New Year’s Day episode of NXT. The winners of NXT’s year-end awards will also be announced then.
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.
A triple threat match will be taking place on tonight’s episode of 205 Live.
WWE has announced Oney Lorcan vs. Tony Nese vs. Ariya Daivari for tonight’s show. This will be the second Friday that 205 Live has aired live on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time. It was supposed to make the move on October 4, but WWE decided that day that there wouldn’t be a new 205 Live episode that night.
WWE.com wrote about tonight’s triple threat match: “While the bout does not guarantee a title opportunity, each Superstar hopes to prove they have what it takes to challenge Lio Rush for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.” Rush won the Cruiserweight title from Drew Gulak on NXT last week.
Gulak, The Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado), and Drake Maverick have been drafted to SmackDown, while Humberto Carrillo and Akira Tozawa were drafted to Raw.
The Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana is hosting tonight’s SmackDown and 205 Live.
