205 Live – October 22, 2021: I’m Looking Forward To It

205 Live
Date: October 22, 2021
Location: Capitol One Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

It’s weird to be looking forward to this show but they have managed to make it happen. I have no idea what to expect from the show but the mere hint of effort and a purpose has turned this show into something with a bit of value for a change. What’s next? An actual big name showing up around here? Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Amari Miller/Valentina Feroz vs. Katarina Cortez/Yulisa Leon

Leon is new. Feroz and Cortez go to the mat to start with Feroz’s takedown not having any effect. It’s off to Leon for a very spinning wristdrag and Cortez’s missile dropkick gets two. Feroz has to fight out of a chinlock and Miller comes in for the first time, only to get clotheslined down. Everything breaks down and Miller cravates Leon onto her knee for the pin at 3:48.

Rating: C-. Not much to see with this one but Miller getting a win is not exactly surprising. It is clear that they want to do something with her and she has to start somewhere. Feroz and Leon weren’t bad but this was about Cortez and Miller getting over, which worked well enough for this stage.

We see the Duke Hudson poker room from last week’s NXT.

Duke Hudson vs. Malik Blade

Hudson runs Blade over to start and then tosses him outside with straight power. Back in and Blade cranks on a headlock but Hudson counters a dive into an overhead belly to belly. Some slams put Blade down again and Hudson is looking rather cocky. Blade hits a dropkick into a running corner clothesline but Hudson sends him flying again. The more serious Hudson puts him down and finishes by….grabbing Blade by the back of the head and shoving him face first onto the mat at 5:31. Not driving him down mind you, but just shoving him.

Rating: C. The match was pretty good, including Blade being treated more seriously this time, but Hudson is going to need a MUCH better finisher. That felt like the kind of thing you do to embarrass your opponent and get a one count but it finished here. Hudson is already a bit hard to take seriously and that didn’t help things.

Post match, Hudson tosses him a poker chip.

Halloween Havoc rundown.

Jeet Rama vs. Xyon Quinn

Feeling out process to start with Quinn grabbing a headlock until Rama sends him into the corner. A front facelock suplex gives Rama two and the armbar goes on. Back up and a hard whip sends Rama into the corner to give Quinn a breather. The armbar goes right back on, though this time Quinn muscles him up for a World’s Strongest Slam. Quinn is back up to toss Rama around, setting up a running shoulder in the corner. The running forearm finishes Rama at 4:15.

Rating: C. Quinn has been treated as something of a big deal in recent weeks but this time it was more about Rama. I could see that going somewhere as Rama looks good enough in the ring to become a bit of a player. I’m not at all surprised that Quinn won though, as he could turn into one of the upcoming stars of NXT without much trouble.

Respect is shown post match.

Overall Rating: C. This was a bit of a downgrade, but it’s nice to see this as the pretty firm new format of the show. Above all else, it gives you something to look forward to and that is a nice change of pace after so many years of nothing from 205 Live. If this can become something like NXT’s Dark, WWE might be on to something for a change.

 

 

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