205 Live
Date: August 20, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

I think we can officially that we are now in the new 205 Live, which has nothing to do with weighing 205lbs and isn’t live. That could mean a few things and most of them seem to be positive. What matters here is putting on a show that is entertaining while not overstaying its welcome, which may or may not work. Let’s get to it.

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

The show is in such a state of flux that it has lost its opening sequence.

Andre Chase vs. Ikemen Jiro

Chase sends him down to start and wants Jiro to bring it. That earns Jiro a hiptoss but he snaps off an armdrag to even things up a bit. Another hiptoss is countered into another armdrag (Jiro is learning) to send Chase outside but he ties Jiro into the ring skirt to set up the beating. Back in and a neckbreaker gives Chase two and he pulls Jiro off the middle rope to cut off the comeback.

The crossface chickenwing keeps Jiro down for a bit but he’s back up with a running flip clothesline. A kick to the head sets up the slingshot springboard moonsault for two but Chase pulls him into the STF (how he predicted to win). Chase switches into a Crossface attempt but Jiro sends him outside to escape without much effort. Back in and Jiro hits a Swanton for two but Chase’s tiger driver gets the same. A splash misses in the corner though and the Ikemen Slash finishes Jiro at 9:56.

Rating: C. I’m running out of ways to say that 205 Live matches are completely competent and little more than that. Jiro is getting a little somewhere around here, but that is only going to get him so far when he is losing in squash matches on NXT. Chase is fine for a low level heel and I’m not sure how much further he is going than that.

Joe Gacy vs. Grayson Waller

Waller tries some grappling to start but gets shoved away without much trouble. A headlock slows Gacy down for a bit but he’s back up with a hiptoss into some slams. Gacy’s headlock sends Waller outside for a breather but he comes back in to get ripped apart with some chops.

Waller changes things up by kicking him in the face and slapping on a front facelock. Commentary starts talking about NXT UK as Waller sends him into the corner to drop Gacy again. The bodyscissors goes on but Gacy blocks a sleeper. Back up and Gacy hits a swinging slam for two. A pump kick sets up a handspring lariat to finish Waller at 9:01.

Rating: C+. Gacy might not be great in almost any way, but he stands out so much on this show just because he’s different. That’s what you need on a show like this after so much time being spent on the same nothing matches. What we got here was a nice change of pace and it was actually pretty good even without the size differences.

Overall Rating: C. The match wasn’t much but it was the kind of show that gives me some hope as we move forward around here. Again, just the idea of dropping the weight limit and letting the show be more of NXT’s version of Main Event makes a lot more sense and that is what it felt like here. The switch isn’t complete or anything yet, but it seems that we are heading in a rather welcome direction.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: March 20, 2007
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

We are just about to Wrestlemania and even ECW is picking up a lot. This time we are going to be seeing more from ECW Champion Bobby Lashley, which means there might be some guest stars coming after him. That could help things out a lot, and the ECW Originals vs. the New Breed should be enough to keep things going. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory of Arnold Skaaland.

We open with a recap (as in near replay) of Bobby Lashley breaking Chris Masters’ Masterlock last night on Raw.

Masters is here and promises to break Lashley tonight.

Opening sequence.

Sabu/Rob Van Dam vs. Marcus Cor Von/Kevin Thorn

Ariel is here with Cor Von and Thorn. Van Dam kicks Thorn in the face to start as the crowd is oddly quiet. Sabu comes in for a double Arabian facebuster and a dropkick to the leg cuts Thorn down again. A missed kick ties Van Dam in the ropes though and Cor Von blasts him with a clothesline to the floor. The villains (as in the stronger guys, which does go against most old ECW stars) take turns crushing Van Dam in the corner and we hit the chinlock.

With that not working for Thorn, Cor Von comes in for a chinlock of his own. Van Dam finally fights up for a kick to the head and Sabu comes back in to pick up the pace. A springboard leg lariat sets up a springboard DDT for two on Cor Von as everything breaks down. Van Dam headscissors Thorn outside, leaving Cor Von to hit a heck of a Pounce for the pin on Sabu (he went FLYING for one of the best looking Pounces I’ve ever seen).

Rating: C-. The match was the usual stuff from this feud but that ending made my eyebrows go up. You don’t get a collision like that very often and it looked awesome. That’s how you use someone’s natural talents to their advantage, because no one else was going to be able to hit like that.

Video on Snitsky.

Snitsky vs. Mike Tolar

Big boot finishes Tolar in just over thirty seconds.

The Sheik is going into the Hall of Fame. The look at the fireball is worth it alone, though it’s weird to hear him referred to by his real name.

CM Punk vs. Hardcore Holly

They start fast with Punk getting kicked away but coming back with an armdrag into an armbar. Cue Elijah Burke to watch as Punk hammers away in the corner. A hot shot cuts Punk off though and Holly chops away against the rope. Holly hits a clothesline to set up the chinlock and the CM PUNK chants start up.

Punk fights up with the usual collection of shots to the face but a glare at Burke lets Holly break up the bulldog. It’s time to take Punk up top, where he kicks Holly away. Burke gets on the apron for a distraction so here is Kevin Thorn to snap Holly’s neck across the rope (which Punk sees). The yet to be named GTS finishes Holly.

Rating: C. This was much more about advancing the Punk/New Breed stuff and it worked fine in that regard. Other than that though, it isn’t like there is a ton of drama to Punk beating Holly outside of some interference. They still need to upgrade some of the roster around here, or at least rotate people like Holly into something other than this. We’ve kind of hit Holly’s limit on this show and someone else WWE isn’t using could be a nice change.

Post break Punk comes up to Burke and says he doesn’t want any help. Burke says imagine what they can do for him at Money in the Bank.

Extreme Expose.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Elijah Burke

Sandman and Matt Striker are the seconds. Dreamer knocks him down to start before heading to the apron, where Burke hits him into the post. The chinlock is already on with Dreamer fighting up in a hurry. A neckbreaker and fall away slam put Burke down but he counters the DDT. The Elijah Express finishes Dreamer in short order.

Same Masterlock Challenge video which opened the show. That shouldn’t be needed in an hour long show.

Celebrities pick Trump vs. McMahon.

Chris Masters vs. Bobby Lashley

Non-title. They go with the power shoves to start until a shoulder makes Masters think twice. Lashley unloads in the corner and there’s a clothesline to the floor. Masters gets in a ram into the barricade though and it’s a suplex to drop Lashley back inside. The Masterlock is countered into a full nelson slam to plant Masters and the running powerslam finishes Masters in a hurry.

Rating: D+. They didn’t waste time here as this was all about beating up Masters to show what Lashley can do in a squash. It wasn’t good and it wasn’t technical, but why would you want something like that here? Lashley looked dominant and it isn’t like Masters has anything to lose in the first place.

Overall Rating: C-. They didn’t do much here as this show was about moving the ECW Originals vs. the New Breed forward with Lashley there too. It isn’t like there is a lot of depth to the two main matches on this show, making this a little more than a skippable week. It isn’t like WWE was focusing on most of ECW at this point though, as there are more important things going on.

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Main Event
Date: August 12, 2021
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Byron Saxton

This show continues to vex me but the last few weeks have taken away some of the fun that it can offer. They are getting back into the funk that has a tendency to stick around for years around here and I’m not sure if we are going to see it broken up anytime soon. At least the Summerslam build should be….let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Aliyah vs. Dakota Kai

Well so much for boring. Kai is suddenly a face here, even with commentary explaining her issues with Raquel Gonzalez. They trade waistlocks to start and Aliyah doesn’t seem impressed, even as she hides in the ropes. Back up and Kai takes her down by the arm, setting up a running dropkick for two. Aliyah gets in something like an Eye of the Hurricane out of the corner for two of her own and there’s a toss into another corner.

The crossarm choke goes on to keep Kai in trouble but she powers up for the break without much trouble. There’s a Scorpion kick to rock Aliyah again and Kai hits the running kicks to the face in the corner. The Kairopractor gets the same but Aliyah is back with a northern lights suplex for two more. Something like a running DDT (I think?) finishes Kai at 5:27.

Rating: D. If you needed any more proof that WWE either has no idea how NXT works or is actively trying to hurt it, here is your big exhibit. Aliyah has never meant anything in NXT but here she is beating the #1 contender in a nothing match on Main Event as both of them make their debut. Throw in the face/heel dynamic being all over and Aliyah not being very good in the ring and this is about as much of a miss as you can get. I’m not convinced it was unintentional either, and that is really sad.

We recap Sasha Banks returning, teaming with Bianca Belair and then turning on Belair, all in the span of about an hour and a half.

From Smackdown.

Bianca Belair vs. Zelina Vega

Non-title. Belair goes right after her to start but gets rolled up for a fast two. Vega gets sent to the apron but grabs Belair by the hair to take over. That doesn’t seem to bother Belair, who gorilla presses Vega but here is Sasha Banks for a distraction. Vega slips out and takes Belair down as we take a break.

Back with Belair fighting out of a chinlock but Vega sends her hard into the corner. The choke goes on so Belair drives her into the corner as well for a break. Belair suplexes her down but a delayed suplex is countered into a DDT. With Belair on the floor, Vega tries a hurricanrana from the apron, only to get pulled out of the air and swung into the apron. Back in and the KOD finishes Vega at 9:50.

Rating: C. Vega got in some offense here but ultimately this was never going to be in a ton of doubt. I’m curious to see how Banks vs. Belair goes and that is the right kind of feeling as we come into a match like this. If they can live up to the hype, things are going to go rather well. Vega worked hard here but was in over her head. The problem is I’m not sure how that can change, but a lot of the skill is there.

We look at Finn Balor nearly getting to sign to face Roman Reigns for the Universal Title at Summerslam until Baron Corbin interrupted.

From Smackdown.

Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin

Corbin has lost his music but hold on though as he has something to say. He offers Balor an apology for last week but gets punched in the face as Balor DOES NOT accept. Corbin knocks him into the corner and punches at the ribs but gets taken down again in a hurry. There’s the Sling Blade to drop Corbin and the shotgun dropkick puts him into the corner. The Coup de Grace gives Balor the pin at 2:46.

Post match Balor says he wants the Universal Title match with Roman Reigns and if he has to go through John Cena to get there, name the place and the time. Cue Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman to interrupt though and, after a break, they get in the ring for a chat. Reigns talks about how he was trying to give Balor an opportunity, so keep the Head of the Table’s name out of your mouth.

Reigns drops the mic and goes to leave but gets shoved out to the floor. The fight is teased (with the fans chanting for Cena) but here are the Usos to jump Balor from behind. The Superfly Splash misses though and Balor fights back, drawing Reigns back in for the brawl. Balor takes Reigns down but the Usos lay him out. Reigns guillotines Balor for the tap to end the show. Odds are Balor, perhaps as the Demon, is the fall challenger and there is time to rehab him on the way there.

We look at Charlotte beating Nikki Ash.

From Raw.

Nikki Ash vs. Rhea Ripley

Non-title and Nikki has banged up ribs. Nikki headlocks her down to start but gets faceplanted in a hurry. Ripley sends things outside and Nikki goes ribs first into the apron. We take a break and come back with Ripley planting her down again and hammering on the ribs. A flapjack is countered into a DDT though and both of them are down. Nikki rolls her up for two and counters the Riptide into a crossbody for two. Ripley catches her on top but the superplex is broken up, only to have Charlotte come in to shoves Nikki down for the DQ at 9:20.

Rating: C. The match was starting to cook but then it was Charlotte coming in to be the big monster. I can go with the idea of neither of them losing because they both need to win something. However, maybe it would be better if we weren’t at the point where the champ and former champ both need to avoid losses so desperately.

Post match Charlotte takes out Ripley with Natural Selection. Charlotte holds up the title, because she is smarter and better than everyone else.

Summerslam rundown.

Odyssey Jones vs. Austin Theory

Jones is a big monster and Theory is a bit of a prodigy you’ve probably seen before. Theory gets shoved around without much trouble to start and Jones knocks Theory’s running shoulder out of the air with ease. It’s time to get smart for a change (not exactly Theory’s strong suit) as Theory hits a rolling dropkick but gets knocked outside again.

We take a break and come back with Theory grabbing a lengthy chinlock. Some knees to the ribs don’t do much to Jones and an attempt at a fireman’s carry proves to be a bad idea. Theory manages some shots to the face but charges into something like a scoop belly to back suplex. Jones hits a frog splash for the quick pin at 7:04.

Rating: C. It was a better match, but Jones beating an established(ish) name on NXT is a bit weird. That being said, it is clear that WWE sees a lot in Jones and they are going to push the heck out of him as a result. The match wasn’t a classic or anything, but it was certainly an upgrade over the opener.

Video on the bizarre history of RKBro.

From Raw.

Here is the returning Randy Orton (now looking like Dexter Lumis with the mustache) to a heck of a face reaction. Orton grabs the mic but here’s Riddle to cut him off. Riddle is REALLY happy that Orton is back because now they can be a team again. Riddle wants to know where Orton has been because his stepdad left like that too and never came home. Orton asks why Riddle thinks Orton wants to be a team with someone as goofy as Riddle. He talks about how ridiculous Riddle is, prompting Riddle to ask if that means Orton doesn’t want to team with him.

Cue Omos and AJ Styles, with AJ talking about how Orton is a snake and of course he’s done with the team. AJ keeps going until Orton cuts him off, saying the only thing bigger than AJ’s ego is this jackass right here next to him. The challenge is thrown out for tonight and Orton uppercuts AJ. The RKO to Omos is swatted away and Riddle’s attempt doesn’t go much better. A chokeslam (and not a good one) leaves Riddle laying and Orton walks away, with Riddle staggering behind him.

From Raw.

Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles

Omos is here with Styles. Orton takes him down to start and gets in the big stomp before sending Styles outside. An Omos distraction lets AJ send him into the apron though and there’s the slingshot forearm to send us to a break. Back with Orton fighting out of a chinlock to start the slugout. The powerslam and backbreaker get two each but Orton comes up favoring his knee.

After blowing a kiss to Omos, Orton loads up the top rope superplex but AJ slips between the legs and pulls him down. The Calf Crusher goes on, sending Orton straight to the rope. The hanging DDT plants AJ but Omos offers a distraction to break up the RKO. Cue Riddle to post and choke Omos, who drives him into the post for the break. The Phenomenal Forearm is countered into the RKO to give Orton the pin at 11:19.

Rating: B-. The ending alone boosts this one up as that was a heck of a finish. Orton got a heck of a face reaction here and that isn’t a surprise given how long he was gone. It helps that he wrestles a style that can change so quickly and that was on display here. Good match, with the post match stuff with Riddle likely to make it even better.

Post match Orton yells at Riddle for coming out here but RIddle wants a hug. Orton tries to leave but eventually gives in to the hug. The fans love it and they pose….until the RKO lays Riddle out. Yeah you knew it was coming, but I’m not sure if that was the team breaking up (assuming they were a team in the first place).

Overall Rating: D+. I really wasn’t feeling this one and a lot of it is due to that horrible opener. WWE is in such a bad place at the moment and so much of that is due to how Raw is and how NXT is being treated. It is nice to have NXT out here for a change, but it doesn’t help when it is just the NXT roster doing other things instead of having them do what got them here in the first place. Bad show, with only a few highlights helping to carry things.

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205 Live
Date: August 13, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

This week is going to be our first look at the new (or newer) 205 Live after the latest roster purge. I’m not sure what we are going to be seeing this week and that is kind of interesting in a way. For the life of me I do not get why this is still a cruiserweight show when there are barely any cruiserweights, but that’s WWE logic for you. Let’s get to it.

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

Ikemen Jiro vs. Grayson Waller

Waller tosses Jiro (and the coat) around to start and it’s off to an exchange of headlocks. Jiro gets the better of things and trips Waller down, followed by an enziguri to make it worse. The Tarantula is broken up though and Waller gets in a shot to the face. A snap suplex drops Jiro again and the cravate goes on, complete with knees to the head.

The chinlock with an arm trap has Jiro in trouble and Waller rolls him up, with trunks, for two. Waller stops to yell at the referee though, allowing Jiro to hit a springboard missile dropkick to the floor. A big flip dive drops Waller again but the Ikemen Slash misses. The running Stunner gives Waller two but Jiro grabs a Kimura of all things. A powerslam gives Jiro two, only to have Waller slip out and hit the running stomp for the pin at 9:11.

Rating: C+. More 205 Live goodness here with two of the few remaining roster members. Waller is still one of my favorite guys around here and Jiro is popular enough with the fans to get somewhere. I’m not sure if that is actually going to happen, but Kushida actually appearing here last week might give them a bit of hope.

Josh Briggs is angry and back around here. He doesn’t care about the weight limit so he wants Joe Gacy.

Josh Briggs vs. Joe Gacy

The cruiserweight limit is thrown out for this one, as it should be. They fight over the power lockup to start and it’s time for the exchange of heavy forearms. The bigger Briggs hits a running big boot to drop Gacy and it’s time for some heavy elbows for two. Back up and Briggs misses a charge into the corner, only to run Gacy over for another near fall. We hit an arm/neck crank until Gacy fights up with the chops. That doesn’t really bother Briggs, who runs him over with a shoulder.

The cranking ensues again but this time Gacy is up with right hands and a headbutt. A swinging Rock Bottom out of the corner plants Briggs but Gacy can’t follow up. Another suplex sends Briggs flying and the standing clotheslines against the ropes keep him in trouble. Back up and Gacy hammers away with forearms, only to get blasted with a lariat to give Briggs the pin at 8:34.

Rating: C+. This was fun in a completely different way as it is nice to see some people doing something different around here. It might not be going with the spirit of the show, but it isn’t like having a show based around cruiserweights has meant anything in a long time. They had a good hoss fight here and I could go for seeing more of both of them in the future, perhaps around here.

Overall Rating: C+. Above all else, this show gave me some hope. For the life of me I do not get why this show is still based around the cruiserweight division and hopefully this is more about shifting towards an NXT supplemental show. Go with something more like this in the future, as it would be a very welcome change of pace. I have no reason to believe it stays that way, but you can always use some hope.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: March 13, 2007
Location: Sovereign Bank Arena, Trenton, New Jersey
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

Wrestlemania is on the way and ECW will actually be doing something on the show. Not only will CM Punk be in Money in the Bank, but we get the big eight man tag between the New Breed and the ECW Originals. That alone should be more than enough to carry ECW TV, but this week gets a bonus with a special appearance by Mick Foley. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Ernie Ladd.

Edge is in the back when Randy Orton comes up to yell at him for setting up Orton vs. Bobby Lashley tonight. Orton says Edge is kissing up to Vince McMahon and tensions are rather high.

Opening sequence.

Battle Royal

Tommy Dreamer, Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Sandman, Marcus Cor Von, Matt Striker, Kevin Thorn, Elijah Burke

The teams come out together but it’s one winner only. It’s a brawl to start (as it should be) with Sandman hammering on Striker in the corner. The posing is a bit too much though and Striker tosses him out without much effort. Sabu and Van Dam get rid of Cor Von, which probably should have been a bigger deal. Thorn blocks Sabu’s hurricanrana to toss him out as the eliminations are starting fast.

Van Dam kicks away at Thorn, including the step over kick to put him down. Striker cuts Van Dam off though as we’re into the everyone brawls without tossing anyone stage. A kick to the face rocks Thorn and some clotheslines get rid of him but Striker is right behind him to toss Van Dam as well.

We’re down to Striker, Burke and Dreamer, the latter of whom has to fight out of the corner. For some reason Striker charges at Dreamer in the corner and gets backdropped out, leaving us with Burke vs. Dreamer. Burke dropkicks him off the top but Dreamer hangs on and gets up on the apron. Back in and Dreamer blocks a big boot and shoves Burke out to win (with the Originals being announced as the winners).

Rating: C-. They kept this moving fast enough and that’s always appreciated in a battle royal with so many losers. Dreamer winning is a good idea as you need to give someone other than Van Dam some momentum in the feud and it’s not like losing in a battle royal is some kind of career death sentence. This feud is more than enough to carry ECW for the time being and this was a fine way to go for the week.

Post match the Originals all get back inside and here is Mick Foley. Post break, Foley says you might think that he is here for a cheap pop…..and you would be exactly right! He is here to talk about his new book, but he is also here to talk about Wrestlemania. Foley talks about turning on Tommy Dreamer last year and it made him unpopular with some of the boys.

Yes he is here to talk about his book because he has never been so honest before. He talks about everyone and everything in it and he wants Dreamer to look at it. Dreamer drops the book but Foley talks about how he turned on Dreamer last year. Yeah he loves the pop and the crowd reaction but One Night Stand meant so much to him that he wanted to shine the spotlight on Dreamer.

Sabu deserves the attention as well and that’s why we are getting to Wrestlemania. It is time for the Originals to face the New Breed in front of 70,000 people. Foley never got to do that and he is going to make it 70,001 by being at Wrestlemania in the stands. He will somehow squeeze into a seat and let his voice be heard as he chants ECW. The chant starts up again….at least a little bit. This was Foley trying as hard as he could to get an idea over but it is only going to get so far when it’s ECW in 2007.

Video on Snitsky.

Extreme Expose….is cut off by Snitsky.

Snitsky vs. Michael Deek/Danny Jacks

Total destruction, with Snitsky pinning Deek after a big boot in about forty seconds.

Elijah Burke wants CM Punk’s answer about joining the New Breed. Punk isn’t ready to answer but Burke asks him about his bad night on Smackdown. That’s not cool with Punk, but Burke wants to make sure Wrestlemania is a good night for Punk. Just think about it, and Burke hands him a New Breed shirt.

Celebrities offer their hair cut picks.

Long video on the Battle of the Billionaires contract signing from Raw.

Bobby Lashley vs. Randy Orton

Non-title and Edge comes out to watch. Lashley powers him into the corner to start but Orton gets smart by taking out the leg. A chop block puts Lashley down and the knee drop keeps him in trouble. Back up and Lashley sends him outside where Edge yells at Orton as we take a break.

We come back with Orton holding Lashley in a Boston crab, meaning it’s time to crawl to the rope. Orton stomps away but Lashley fights up, earning himself a poke to the eye to cut him off again. The RKO is blocked so Edge grabs the title, which is enough for an ejection. Edge seems rather happy as Orton yells at him and we take another break.

Back again with Orton hitting a suplex on the floor for a near fall, followed by the Orton Stomp. Another Boston crab goes on, with Orton being smart enough to face the ropes this time. Orton even bends forward to push onto the ropes….which I’m assuming adds some kind of extra pressure in heel logic.

Lashley gets out and the fans are not pleased with anything about Orton. They are a bit more appreciative of Orton being sent shoulder first into the post and getting torture racked. Lashley drops to his knees for the backbreaker and it’s time to unload in the corner. The running powerslam finishes Orton clean in a pretty flat ending.

Rating: C. The ending really sucked the life out of this one, which is impressive as it didn’t have a ton of life in the first place. Lashley has all of the tools you could need but he really isn’t feeling it in the ring with these matches. It wasn’t so much a hot comeback as much as Lashley hit a few moves and then won with his finisher. Not bad, but it got a very big “that’s it?”.

Vince McMahon, looking snazzy in a black pinstripe suit with a black tie, comes out to glare at Lashley to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. Not their best show here, but what matters is they have something big to focus on with the faction warfare. The problem is I’m not sure what the rest of the show is going to do when Lashley is out of the real Wrestlemania main event slot. The show wasn’t great, but it kept things moving, albeit fairly slowly, on the way to Wrestlemania.

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205 Live
Date: August 6, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

Believe it or not, then everything changed again. This time around, WWE has released almost everyone on the 205 Live roster, meaning the show could look very strange in the coming weeks. This show was taped in advance though, meaning this is going to be a pretty stand alone edition. That’s as opposed to the rest of the shows of course. Let’s get to it.

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

Leon Ruff vs. Grayson Waller

The fans are behind Ruff, even as Waller powers him to the mat and gets in the hair slapping. Back up and Ruff knocks him to the floor without much effort, meaning it’s Waller’s turn to be annoyed. Waller gets back inside and is knocked into the corner so Ruff hammers away. That takes a bit too long though as Waller reverses into an electric chair suplex for a cool counter. A slingshot double stomp to the back in the corner rocks Ruff again and Waller drops him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Ruff is sent outside so Waller teases a dive before sliding to the floor for an STO.

Waller spends a bit too much time talking trash though and Ruff flip dives off the steps to drop him for a change. Back in and Waller is fine enough for the torture rack into the Regal Roll, setting up the middle rope elbow for two. Something like a surfboard with knees in Ruff’s back keep him in trouble but he comes back up with a DDT to plant Waller. A springboard cutter gives Ruff two but he misses the frog splash. Waller loads up the fireman’s carry, which is reversed into a quick crucifix bomb to give Ruff the surprise pin at 9:39.

Rating: B-. That’s one of the better matches on 205 Live in a long time and of course it means absolutely nothing because WWE let Ruff go. Commentary made it clear that Ruff had not wrestled in a long time so you could probably see the writing on the wall for him here. Such is life on 205 Live, as Ruff would have been a perfectly logical addition to the roster but we need to drop him because it makes too much sense.

Kushida vs. Ari Sterling

Non-title. They go with a crisscross of all things to start and it’s an early standoff. Kushida takes him down by the arm and cranks away until Sterling armdrags his way to freedom. A dropkick puts Kushida on the floor but he avoids a springboard moonsault and dropkicks Sterling’s knee.

Back in and Sterling drops him across the top rope for the running flip Fameasser. A bodyscissors goes on but Kushida turns it into a leglock to break things up in a hurry. Sterling is fine enough to break up a handspring with a kick to the back. A running hurricanrana brings Kushida back down off the top but he nails a kick to the arm. The basement dropkick is enough to set up the Hoverboard Lock to make Sterling tap at 6:11.

Rating: C+. They were moving around out there and Kushida did a nice job of reeling in the kind of wild (not a bad thing) Sterling. That made for a good story, as Kushida was the more skilled and just had to wait to catch Sterling going one step too far. Again though, none of that matters as Sterling is already gone from the company as the roster destruction continues.

Overall Rating: B-. Just like the opener, this was one of the best things that the we have seen around here in a good while and none of it means a thing. I’m not sure why this show exists, at least in its current form, as WWE keeps getting rid of everyone around here. Changing this into some kind of a supplemental show for NXT would work better, as there is no reason to keep it focused on the rather limited cruiserweight division. Good show, with absolutely no long term impact.

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Main Event
Date: August 5, 2021
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Byron Saxton

It can always be curious to see how a bit of a harsher crowd might react to a show like this one. Main Event is back to its old self as of late and that is not the most inspiring news. Hopefully this is the show that shakes things up again, as the show could already use another change. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Angel Garza vs. Lince Dorado

Yep, it’s Main Event all right. Garza doesn’t seem to think much of the LUCHA dance so he takes Dorado down by the wrist. That’s broken up with a flying mare and a hurricanrana sends Garza outside. Hang on a second though as Garza needs to hand a rose to a fan, allowing Dorado to get in another takedown. Back in and Dorado grabs a neck crank until Garza backdrops his way to freedom. Garza flapjacks him for two but he has to fight out of a cross armbreaker. A dropkick lets Garza TAKE OFF HIS PANTS, setting up a superkick and the Wing Clipper to finish Dorado at 5:38.

Rating: C-. This was a bit of a weird one as it is hard to get my mind around the idea of Dorado as a heel. It wasn’t a full on heel turn or anything close, but it was certainly more about having Garza as the focal point here. That should be the case on a bigger stage but for now, we’ll have to settle for Garza as the latest Main Event star.

We recap John Cena wanting to face Roman Reigns, who accepted a challenge from Finn Balor instead.

From Smackdown.

It’s time for the contract signing between Roman Reigns and Finn Balor for Summerslam. Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce are in charge, with Pearce saying he knows the fighting is coming. Balor and Reigns, with Heyman, come out, with Reigns insisting on sitting at the head of the table. Pearce asks Reigns to sign, but Reign gets cut off by the CENA chants. Reigns: “We’ve already seen Mr. Missionary tonight.” Reigns asks if Balor heard Cena’s opening promo tonight, because Reigns thought it was Cena saying he was better than Balor. Cena has to use old material while Balor is fresh and new.

Reigns signs, but promises to send Balor back to NXT. Balor says he can’t wait to go back to NXT as Universal Champion again. Balor goes to sign but here is Baron Corbin to jump him from behind. The beating is on and Balor is left laying. Corbin grabs the contract but here is Cena to take Corbin out before he can sign. Cena signs the contract with a blue Sharpie (McAfee: “THAT SIGNATURE IS AWESOME!”). Cole and McAfee question the legality of signing a contract like this as Reigns seethes.

From Raw.

Here are MVP and Bobby Lashley for a chat. MVP is glad to have the fans back and knows they are all excited to see Goldberg. A few weeks ago, Goldberg challenged Lashley for the WWE Title but Lashley has yet to acknowledge the challenge. Goldberg is a legend who can destroy any man on any night, but Lashley is not just any man. MVP asks how Goldberg wants to….and here’s Goldberg to cut him off. Goldberg asks Lashley what kind of a gladiator he is. The first time Lashley saw Goldberg, Lashley thought he was a victim. Fans: “WE WANT WYATT!”

Goldberg lives by the spear and at Summerslam, Lashley dies by the spear. Goldberg leaves so MVP goes out to get in the face of Goldberg’s son. That brings Goldberg back out and the spear drops MVP. Goldberg: “You mess with my son, I’ll kill you!” The fans did not care about Goldberg here and it’s kind of hard to disagree. This whole thing feels forced and there isn’t much of a way around it.

Jaxson Ryker vs. Cedric Alexander

Ryker shoves Alexander into the corner to start but Cedric looks like he is going to have some fun. You don’t do that to Ryker, who grabs a spinning slam and hits a running headbutt. Alexander gets tied in the Tree of Woe for some forearms to the chest, setting up a clothesline to the floor. Back in and Cedric manages a clothesline off the apron and we take a break.

Back with Cedric grabbing an armbar and shouting at the fans a lot. Some elbows to the face make it worse but Ryker is back up with a spinebuster. Cedric is right back with his own seated armbar but this time Ryker powers up for the running corner clotheslines. Alexander’s tornado DDT rocks Ryker, who comes back with the swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 8:42.

Rating: C. This was a better way to go for Ryker, who needs someone like Alexander to bump off of him. The problem for Ryker continues to be the same thing though: other than glaring at people and having an intense stare, there isn’t much to focus on. He can do one thing well and that’s about it, which is not going to last all that long.

From Smackdown.

Here is Bianca Belair for a chat. She is so proud of her 111 day Women’s Title reign and now she is happy to be back in front of these people. Belair can’t wait to see what the next 100 days have….and here is Carmella to cut her off. Carmella thinks she should get another shot because the lighting at Rolling Loud was messing her up.

Cue Zelina Vega to say Carmella is too pretty to be a three time loser. Vega gets in Belair’s face to say the people want to see a rising star get a chance. Belair accepts the challenge but Carmella jumps her from behind. Cue the returning Sasha Banks (not for the first time since Wrestlemania McAfee) for the save and a big hug to Belair. That’s probably Summerslam.

From Smackdown.

Sasha Banks/Bianca Belair vs. Carmella/Zelina Vega

Belair and Carmella start fast by running Carmella over. Carmella gets in a few shots on Banks in the corner as everything breaks down. They all head outside with Belair gorilla pressing Banks, climbing onto the steps, and then throwing her onto the other two. We take a break and come back with Belair fighting out of a full nelson but getting slammed down anyway.

Carmella stomps away in the corner and Vega cuts off another hot tag attempt. Vega’s Black Widow is broken up in a hurry and the hot tag brings in Banks. House is cleaned, including Three Amigos to Vega. The frog splash gets two with Carmella making the save. Carmella’s X Factor is countered into the Bank Statement for the tap at 8:42.

Rating: C. Just a quick match to get Banks back in the ring with a win. I’m not sure I buy the idea that Banks is going to be Belair’s new best friend, but that is one of the two default stories for women in WWE these days. Hopefully this gets rid of Carmella from the title picture for the time being, as that has been done for a while now.

Belair and Banks celebrate after the match….until Banks jumps her. The beating is on and the Bank Statement makes Belair tap. Banks picks up the title and then puts the Bank Statement on again to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. That’s how Main Event tends to go, as there was very little here worth seeing but it was good enough while it lasted. As usual focusing on Smackdown is a lot better than the Raw clips, but it wasn’t like the original stuff was worth seeing. Just another run of the mill Main Event, meaning it did help me remember what happened on the important shows.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: March 6, 2007
Location: Tuscon Convention Center, Tuscon, Arizona
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

Now this is going to be different as we have a very special guest star in the form of Steve Austin. For once, it is someone who has an actual connection to the original ECW, which really doesn’t mean much but is kind of nice for a change. He’ll be talking about a Raw story, but that is the case with every show at the moment. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a quick recap of Vince McMahon vs. Donald Trump and Bobby Lashley drawing the boss’ ire.

Opening sequence.

Here is Vince McMahon to get things going in a surprise. Vince recaps Steve Austin being named guest referee for the Battle of the Billionaires and tells us to watch the contract signing on Raw. After getting a little rattled by the WHAT chants, Vince gets them back by saying “Tuscon sucks.” See how easy it is when the fans care about you? Vince promises a Billionaire B**** Slap to Donald Trump at Wrestlemania, but first we see a montage of Bobby Lashley receiving the same kind of slap.

Lashley tried to apologize to Vince earlier today but Vince isn’t accepting that unless it’s in public. Vince calls Lashley out for the apology so here is a rather happy looking Lashley. It’s true that Lashley wants to apologize, but to everyone here and at home as well as Vince (Vince: “Did you just call me Vince?”).

Lashley shakes, and squeezes, Vince’s hand and apologizes for not hitting him in the face for the slap last week. If Vince ever does that again, Lashley will break him in half. Vince goes down from the handshake and Lashley walks off. There wasn’t much said here, but Lashley felt intense and seemed like he belonged on this stage.

Ashley is in Playboy.

Hardcore Holly vs. Balls Mahoney

Holly wastes no time in jumping Mahoney and hammers him down in the corner. The stomping in the corner seems to wake Mahoney up though and he fires off the snap jabs. The guillotine legdrop misses though and Holly hits the Alabama Slam for the fast pin.

Post match, Snitsky comes in and kicks Holly in the face.

CM Punk talks about Money in the Bank but here is Elijah Burke to interrupt. Punk doesn’t seem happy but Burke offers him a spot in the New Breed. Rob Van Dam comes in to say Burke doesn’t know what ECW is all about (Burke probably can’t even spell ECW!) but he’ll learn tonight. Punk looks intrigued.

Rob Van Dam vs. Elijah Burke

The ECW Originals and New Breed are all here. Van Dam kicks him down to start and grabs a headscissors. Burke misses a right hand and gets armdragged down, allowing Rob to kick him in the face. A running crossbody sends Burke outside and they crash to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Rob fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught in some rolling suplexes for two. The double arm crank doesn’t last long on Rob but he misses a charge into the post. A double arm crank is broken up in a hurry so Burke takes him into the corner for some running knees to the back. They clothesline each other for a double breather until Rob makes the clothesline comeback. Some kicks to the face set up the split legged moonsault for two on Burke. The Five Star gives Rob the pin.

Rating: C. Not too bad here as Van Dam can still have a good match when he has the right opponent, which Burke can certainly be. This is the kind of match that helps the feud along too, as the New Breed can beat up the rest of the Originals but Van Dam gives them a fighting chance. Losing to Van Dam doesn’t hurt Burke and it makes the Originals look better so this was as effective as you could get.

Post match, Tommy Dreamer challenges the New Breed to an eight man tag at Wrestlemania. Answer coming later.

Nick Bockwinkel is going into the Hall of Fame. That feels wrong on ECW.

Extreme Expose.

We recap the opening segment.

Here is Steve Austin for the big close. He’s glad to be back home in Tuscon, which is home because WWE is here tonight. The dry heat bugs him though and he needs some beer. Austin recaps the Battle of the Billionaires, albeit in the to the point way that you might expect. Either way, he is calling the match right down the line.

While he has been walking through the airport, people have been asking him who he thinks is winning at Wrestlemania. Austin doesn’t know, so he goes outside and polls some fans, who want McMahon to get his head shaved. He’ll be at Raw for the contract signing because things could get interesting. You’ll see a bald headed billionaire at Wrestlemania….and that’s it. Beer is consumed to end the show, following this rather inconsequential cameo.

Overall Rating: C-. Austin being there felt big just because of who he is, but it wasn’t like he did anything important. This show was more or less an excuse for an Austin cameo to go along with setting up the eight man tag at Wrestlemania. In other words, it was basically a supplement to Raw’s main story with little in the way of importance on its own. The whole thing felt more like a bunch of commercials than a show, which meant it flew by without being all that interesting. Totally skippable show this week.

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Main Event
Date: July 29, 2021
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Byron Saxton

The fans are back, but unfortunately it seems that the changes that had been taken place around here are not. Last week felt a lot like the Main Event days of old, which is far from exciting news. Normally I would say that I’m not surprised, but I really can’t say I am with this show. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jaxson Ryker vs. Drew Gulak

Ryker powers him into the corner to start so Gulak does it to him as well. Gulak’s slap to the face doesn’t seem to be the best idea as Ryker is back with a spinning slam. We hit the armbar on Gulak as we hear about Ryker’s military career again. Gulak switches into a cravate to hold Ryker down and it’s off to a cross arm choke. Ryker powers up into some ax handles to the chest and a release slingshot suplex drops Gulak again. The swinging Boss Man Slam finishes Gulak at 5:17.

Rating: D+. This was exactly what you would have expected from these two and that is not a great thing. Gulak is great at the technical stuff but Ryker is as generic of a power guy as you can find. Nothing to see here, but what else were they going to do in a five minute Main Event opener?

From Smackdown.

We start fast this week with John Cena starting us off in a hurry. He talks about how hyped up the fans are here and knows that Roman Reigns is coming. There is some sports news coming out of Cleveland today, which is why he has changed his middle name to Guardians (as did Cleveland’s baseball team). He has to protect the little respect that WWE has left because Roman Reigns is terrible as Universal Champion. We’re back live and that means we are on the way to Summerslam, which is a place for the fans to show what they believe in. Whose team are you on?

That gives us a loud CENA chant, so he asks if you’re on Team Jorts or Team Cargo Pants? Team Hustle, Loyalty and Respect or on a team no one respects? Cena wants to know where Reigns is, because at Summerslam, Reigns can’t see him. Let’s get Reigns out here, but here is Paul Heyman (McAfee: “Legend.”) instead. Heyman says Reigns isn’t coming out here, but Cena will get an answer tonight. Then, Cena will know that the Tribal Chief is here. Heyman then does You Can’t See Me and sings (I guess?) the tune of Cena’s song in something you have to see to appreciate/believe. Both guys were amazing here.

From Smackdown.

Here is Roman Reigns to answer John Cena’s challenge. The fans don’t seem thrilled to see him but he demands to be acknowledged. Cena acknowledged him at Money in the Bank but Reigns did not expect to see it. Reigns was expecting a new Cena but it was the same music, the same run to the ring, the same catchphrases and the same everything, just like it was 2005. Reigns: “It’s like missionary position. The same thing every day!”

That’s not how we do it at the head of the table and that’s not what we’re doing at Summerslam. The answer is no (makes sense, as Bobby Lashley said the same thing to Goldberg this week), but here is Finn Balor of all people to interrupt. Reigns wants Balor to acknowledge him, but that’s not why Balor is here. If Reigns says no to Cena’s challenge, how about Balor instead? Fans: “ROMAN’S SCARED!” Reigns: “Challenge accepted.”

We look back at Goldberg returning and challenging Bobby Lashley for Summerslam.

From Raw.

Here are Bobby Lashley and MVP to respond to Goldberg’s challenge (which Lashley already did on Twitter last week). MVP recaps the challenge and asks Lashley for his answer. Lashley isn’t going to dignify that with a response, but says this is his ring. Cue Cedric Alexander to say he didn’t like the disrespect when Lashley broke up the Hurt Business. Now it’s Shelton Benjamin coming out to say Alexander’s voice is annoying before challenging Lashley as well. Lashley says he’ll fight them both at once.

Bobby Lashley vs. Cedric Alexander/Shelton Benjamin

Non-title and Lashley runs them over to start. Cedric is sent outside, leaving Lashley to go after Benjamin. Back in and Cedric trips Lashley up, allowing Benjamin to hit a running knee. A springboard tornado DDT plants Lashley for a double two but he is back up with the spinebuster to Alexander. The spear cuts Benjamin down and it’s a Jackhammer to plant him again. The Dominator puts Alexander onto Benjamin for the double pin at 2:44.

Angel Garza vs. Humberto Carrillo

Again. Garza bails to the floor to start to give a fan his rose before heading back inside. That’s fine with Carrillo as he grabs a headlock but hold on as Garza teases….something as we take a break. Back with Garza ripping at the face and grabbing a waistlock. That’s broken up in a hurry and Carrillo is back with the springboard spinning crossbody for two. Carrillo grabs a chinlock before kicking Garza in the face for two more.

The abdominal stretch lets Carrillo pound away at the ribs but Garza slips out. A flapjack gives Garza two of his own and we hit the pinfall reversal sequence. Carrillo headscissors him down and rolls backwards into a standing moonsault for two. Garza superkicks him out of the air, TAKES OFF HIS PANTS, and hits the Wing Clipper for the pin at 8:13.

Rating: C. The more you look at these things, the more confusing it is to see Carrillo getting pushed over Garza. It has never made sense as Garza is overflowing with charisma. Maybe the whole ladies man thing is slowing him down, but it’s a lot better than Carrillo being the generic smiling guy. Carrillo is very smooth in the ring, but you need something more than that, which he is lacking.

We recap Nikki Ash winning the Women’s Title with the Money in the Bank contract.

From Raw.

Here is Nikki Ash to get things going. She finally gets to welcome us to Raw and talks about how she didn’t believe she could get here. Nikki has worked to get here and once she finally started believing in herself, she accomplished her goals. If she can do it, everyone can do it and we can all be almost superheroes. Cue Charlotte to talk about how last week wasn’t fair and she is getting her rematch at Summerslam. Charlotte knows that everyone is tired of having people better than them around but they need to get used to it.

Cue Rhea Ripley, now smiling and high fiving (a few) fans. Ripley talks about how Charlotte only held the title for a day and promising to win the title herself. Nikki asks why she is being left out and here are Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville to interrupt. The triple threat match is on, and we’ll throw in Nikki vs. Charlotte tonight as well. Charlotte jumps Ripley but gets knocked outside by Nikki, who stands tall. This didn’t do much about making Nikki feel important.

From Raw.

Charlotte vs. Nikki Ash

Non-title and Charlotte chops her into the corner to start. Charlotte goes after the mask and chokes on the ropes to keep Nikki in trouble. Nikki is sent outside, allowing Charlotte to ask if this is your champion. Back in and Nikki’s comeback is cut off in a hurry, as Charlotte fires off more chops. Some rollups give Nikki two each and a headscissors sends Charlotte outside. There’s a dropkick through the ropes but Charlotte throws her over the announcers’ table as we take a break.

Back with Nikki still in trouble so Charlotte can grab the chinlock. Nikki fights up and hits a quick crossbody for a breather so Charlotte misses a bit boot. The leg is snapped across the top but she blocks the sunset flip without much effort. There’s a bulldog for two on Charlotte but she chops Nikki into the corner. Nikki is sat on top, only to come back with a tornado DDT. Charlotte rolls through the high crossbody though and pins Nikki at 12:33.

Rating: D. What is there to say here? Nikki is trying to be a star and gets beaten down, with Charlotte selling absolutely nothing for most of the match. I’d like to think that this leads to Cross overcoming the odds at Summerslam and retaining, but that isn’t going to matter if this is what happens to her on the way. This was a long form squash and Charlotte reminded us of that every chance she could.

Post match Charlotte laughs at Nikki and grabs a mic to say no one is in her league. Nikki grabs the mic and says she knows she lost but she showed she ALMOST could have won. Therefore, Charlotte gets a rematch next week. Charlotte accepts and beats Nikki down again, yells some more, and drops her one more time to end the show.

Overall Rating: D. Egads Raw is terrible. That’s the big story I got out of this, which says a lot when this is supposed to be the big highlight package show. Smackdown isn’t great but it’s better than Raw, which isn’t saying all that much. I would say hopefully Raw is going to get better but I think we can forget about that for the next….oh I’m thinking years or so at this point. Bad show, with Raw dragging things down even further.

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205 Live
Date: July 30, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

We seem to be getting back into the standard operating procedure with this show and that is kind of an annoying situation. It means that we are going to be seeing a lot of the same stuff over and over again with some different faces. The show is far from awful, but it’s forgettable, which might be worse. Let’s get to it.

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

Grayson Waller vs. Ikemen Jiro

The watermelon jacket is back this week. Waller actually shakes hands but then begs off as the fans chant for the jacket. Some knees to the ribs and a shoulder put Jiro down but he’s right back with a running hurricanrana. Waller is knocked outside so Jiro joins him only to be dropped…face first on the floor, though I think Waller was aiming for the apron. Back in and Waller clotheslines him down hard as the aggression continues. Jiro comes right back with a spinwheel kick and some shots to the face.

The Tarantula has Waller in more trouble and a double springboard moonsault gets two. Waller gets in a kick to the face of his own, only to miss an elbow. Jiro charges into a fireman’s carry spinebuster for a rather close two but the running Stomp misses. Instead Jiro rolls him up twice in a row for two each, setting up the Ikemen Slash for the pin at 7:29.

Rating: C-. I wasn’t quite feeling this one, but you can tell how much the crowd gets into Jiro’s stuff. The jacket is cool, but he also has a charisma that is going to get people to notice him no matter what. Waller is another guy who has potential, but he is not going to get any further just staying on 205 Live against the same people.

Asher Hale vs. Drake Maverick

This is the kind of thing that they should be doing more often. The fans seem happy to have Maverick back, even as Hale takes him down by the leg to start. Maverick’s wristlock is taken down in a hurry and Hale doesn’t seem worried here. Back up and Hale talks too much trash so Maverick punches him in the face.

A hard whip into the corner cuts that off and Maverick is favoring his shoulder. Like a good heel/wrestler in general, Hale goes right after the arm and rams it into the apron. The cross arm choke keeps Maverick in trouble but he fights up and this time it’s Hale’s shoulder going into the post. A running dropkick into the bulldog sets up a high crossbody to drop Hale again. Sliced Bread gives Maverick the pin at 7:44.

Rating: C+. This was more like it as they had someone fresh in to make the match feel like a bigger deal. Maverick is hardly the biggest star in WWE but he is bigger than anyone else on 205 Live. You don’t need to have him be a regular around here but you can have him, or a few others, pop in every now and then to spice up the show a bit. Maybe even put some of these new guys over once or twice.

Overall Rating: C. Maverick’s cameo helped things a bit here and it is the kind of thing I could go for again in the future. The show is actually getting shorter too as this one was less than twenty five minutes. Another completely watchable show here, even if it feels like a pair of dark matches that only exist because of contractual obligations.

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