205 Live – July 10, 2020: More Of This Please
IMG Credit: WWE
205 Live
Date: July 10, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
I have no idea what to expect on this show anymore as it has jumped from a nothing show to something slightly interesting to an actual supplemental show for the cruiserweights. What matters in the end is how much the cruiserweights are actually featured, which can vary pretty wildly. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Opening sequence.
Mansoor vs. Tehuti Miles
Miles kicks away at Mansoor’s leg to start and then throws him down. Mansoor is right back with a headlock on the mat, only to get tripped down again. This time it’s Miles grabbing a headlock, followed by a knee to the ribs to keep him down. Mansoor sends him to the floor but gets his throat snapped across the top. The running crotch attack on the rope lets Miles check his hair, plus get two for a bonus.
Back to back neckbreakers get back to back twos and Miles grabs the chinlock. That’s broken up and Mansoor trips him up, setting up a spinebuster. The cool slingshot neckbreaker gets two on Miles but he avoids the moonsault. Miles grabs a flapjack but Mansoor is right back with a One Winged Angel into a Death Valley Driver for the pin at 7:46.
Rating: C+. There were some moments in here that didn’t work so well but the big thing about Mansoor is he feels different. His offense is unique and he can put on a rather nice match. I’m not sure why he isn’t around more often but if he is available full time, there are far worse options to put in the ring. Miles still isn’t great, but this was a lot more entertaining than I would have bet on. Nice little match with Mansoor getting in some cool offense.
We look back at Legado del Fantasma beating Drake Maverick and Breezango on NXT.
Oney Lorcan vs. Santos Escobar
Non-title and the rest of Legado is here with Escobar. Feeling out process to start with Escobar wisely going after Lorcan’s banged up arm. That means an early armbar and Lorcan’s arm won’t let him slug his way out. The arm is wrapped around the rope but Lorcan reverses into a front facelock. That’s reversed into a half crab with a knee in Lorcan’s back so a rope has to be grabbed.
A hammerlock suplex bangs up the arm even more and Escobar sends it into the post. Escobar splashes the arm on the apron and it’s off to something like a Tequila Sunrise. Another rope break is good for the save and Escobar misses an enziguri. Lorcan slugs back with the good arm and hits the running Blockbuster. Escobar is fine enough to hit a Codebreaker on the arm though and the Phantom Driver is good for the pin at 8:39.
Rating: C+. I liked this one a good bit as Escobar picked Lorcan apart and shrugged off the offense before picking up the win. They’re making Escobar look like a killer out there and that’s the best thing that they can do with him. He isn’t someone who needs his goons to save him and that makes him all the more interesting.
Overall Rating: B-. Now THIS is more like it, with what felt like some actual effort rather than wasting time and treating the show like a contractual obligation. The wrestling was good, they showcased some people, and it tied into the other shows. If you want to build up the cruiserweights then it’s great to use this as a tool to get there, and for once the show felt like they were doing just that. Nice stuff here and I could absolutely go for more like this.
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