205 Live – January 29, 2019: Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You
IMG Credit: WWE
205 Live
Date: January 29, 2019
Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness
We’re done with the Royal Rumble and that means Buddy Murphy is in need of a new #1 contender. Murphy retained the title in a four way match on Sunday, meaning we might not be seeing the title defended for a little while now. Then again maybe they’ll actually pick up the pace for a change, which would be rather nice. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Drake Maverick recaps Murphy retaining the title and previews the show.
Opening sequence.
Kalisto vs. Mike Kanellis
The Lucha House Party and Maria are at ringside. During the entrances, Kalisto puts a mini sombrero on Nigel’s head, yet he somehow manages to not erupt. He’s getting better at this anger management stuff. Maria even sits in on commentary for a bonus. Mike goes after the ribs to start but gets headscissored out to the floor. Back in and Kalisto hammers away as Maria talks about all the things that she and Mike have done for a fair chance.
Aiden points out that the two of them haven’t accomplished anything in WWE yet and Maria isn’t pleased, even as Mike takes over again with a sliding dropkick. A whip sends Kalisto into the barricade (Maria: “Poor baby!”) and it’s some shots to the mask back inside. Kalisto gets in a kick to the face, followed by the hurricanrana driver for two. The Salida Del Sol is countered as Mike rolls outside, only to have him shove the suicide dive attempt into the barricade.
Back in and the required tornado DDT plants Mike for two, followed by a kick to the head to stagger Mike on top. Mike is fine enough for a super sitout Rock Bottom for a near fall of his own with Maria getting annoyed at the kickout. Three straight suplexes set up a Backpack Stunner for two more as Kalisto has to go with a foot on the rope. Mike grabs a gutwrench but Kalisto rolls him up for the quick pin at 11:01.
Rating: C. I’ve always liked Kalisto but this was a nice showcase for Mike, who got to show off a little bit. The problem is that he almost never gets on TV and isn’t the most defined character. Maria is a great talker though and really made herself sound like someone you wanted to see get what was coming to her. They didn’t play up the Power of Love thing here either and that’s a step in the right direction, assuming the two of them are sticking around.
The announcers talk about the Worlds Collide tournament. I really need to watch that.
Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak are behind a podium and think there is potential in Humberto Carrillo. All he needs is the right guidance, which the two of them can provide. They’ll be in his corner for his next match.
Ariya Daivari says Hideo Itami is ready to prove that he’s the most destructive force around here, at Akira Tozawa’s expense.
Earlier today, Tony Nese and Noam Dar got in a fight in the parking lot until Drake and some wrestlers broke it up.
Nese has been suspended for starting the fight. Buddy Murphy isn’t happy with the suspension but isn’t upset about what he did. He retained at the Royal Rumble and now he’ll knock down his next challenger.
Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami
Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari are at ringside. Itami hides in the corner for some early stalling as there’s no contact in the first minute. Some shots to the ribs stagger Tozawa but Itami goes over to Daivari for some advice (Perhaps “don’t sign an extension”?), allowing Tozawa to get in a few kicks of his own. The surprise right hand gives Tozawa two but it’s way too early for the top rope backsplash.
Instead he tries the middle rope version but only hits raised knees. Itami starts in with the kicks to the RESPECT ME chest. English even gets in some Shakespeare to talk about how Itami might be desperate, even as he drops a middle rope knee to the back of the head for two (Nigel: “Itami, Itami, wherefore art thou Itami?”). We hit the chinlock as the eerie silence continues. A few neckbreakers give Itami two and it’s right back to the chinlock. Tozawa fights up and grabs a quickly broken Octopus Hold, followed by the Shining Wizard for a knockdown.
The missile dropkick sends Itami outside for the suicide headbutt but Tozawa can’t follow up. Back in and the tornado DDT onto the top rope sets up the top rope clothesline for two. Tozawa gets in another kick but Daivari gets up on the apron AGAIN, allowing Itami to get two of his own off a discus lariat. The Falcon Arrow is good for the same but Itami’s running dropkick hits Daivari by mistake. That’s enough for a snap German suplex into the top rope backsplash to finish Itami at 14:55.
Rating: B-. That’s it for Itami and I can’t say I blame him. It hasn’t worked in WWE and that’s been the case for a variety of reasons. Let him go back to Japan where he’s going to be a much bigger star and most likely happier. There’s nothing wrong with that as not everyone is cut out for/needs WWE. Itami tried his best but it just wasn’t clicking, and that’s ok.
Post match Daivari picks Itami up….and lays him out with a clothesline. Might as well get some heat out of Itami leaving.
Overall Rating: C+. Pretty good show here with two solid enough matches and some story advancement. You can probably pencil in Tozawa for his title shot at Elimination Chamber, which is a good sign for his future. Tozawa is still a fun guy with a ton of charisma and while he might not be #1 contender, that’s about as clear of an indication as you can get. Nice show here, especially considering the lack of top stars on the show.
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Regarding Worlds Collide…I found it underwhelming, especially for the talent involved.
Itami seems like a name that will go to AEW and do the anti-WWE schtick that so many have done elsewhere (WCW, TNA).