IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 5, 2019
Location: Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett, Washington
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

It’s time to find out the #1 contender for the Cruiserweight Title as tonight is a four way match with the winner getting the Elimination Chamber title shot. Other than that we have a somewhat heated up Ariya Daivari, which isn’t likely to go very far because it’s a heated up Ariya Daivari. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick previews the four way between Lio Rush, Cedric Alexander, Akira Tozawa and Humberto Carrillo, with Buddy Murphy saying the challenger doesn’t matter.

Opening sequence.

Brian Kendrick vs. Mike Kanellis

Maria is is in on commentary again this week. Feeling out process to start with Maria saying last week’s loss doesn’t count because it wasn’t even a match. Mike runs him over and shout that this is HIS show, which isn’t the best battle cry in the world. Kendrick doesn’t like the sound of that and forearms Mike out to the floor. That just means a quick Maria distraction so Mike can run him over and get in a good posting. A suplex gives Mike two and it’s off to the chinlock as Maria says Mike only needs to win one match to become a legend.

Mike kicks him to the floor but Brian gets in a posting of his own for a breather. Back in and Kendrick grabs the Captain’s Hook for a bit, with Mike getting a single finger on the rope. Mike gets two off a superkick and frustration is setting in. A spinebuster is good for the same so Mike pounds in elbows to the chin. For some reason Mike lets up and Kendrick tells him to bring it, earning himself a kick to the face. With that not working, Mike tries a neckbreaker but gets reversed into Sliced Bread (Maria: “NO!”) for the pin at 10:36.

Rating: C-. I’m almost curious about where the Mike thing is going, as he hasn’t had any kind of a story, though at least he’s getting the chance to actually do something. He’s not the most thrilling guy in the world but he and Maria make for a good act. I had fun with this one, though a losing streak isn’t the best sign for Mike’s future.

We look back at Ariya Daivari laying out Hideo Itami after last week’s main event.

Daivari says he was tired of being the only person to have Itami’s back. Itami kept talking about respect but no one respected him until he took it last week.

Rush says he’s beaten Tozawa twice and has Alexander’s number. It’s time for Murphy to feel the rush.

Kendrick says Tozawa won last week and he’ll do it again tonight. Tozawa says he knows he can beat Murphy. If Tozawa can speak English, why is Kendrick here?

Carrillo says he’ll win the title at Elimination Chamber.

Alexander says he was running through the Cruiserweight Title tournament at this time last year but this time, he only has to beat three people.

We look back at Tony Nese attacking Noam Dar, earning himself a suspension.

Maverick tells Drew Gulak that he and Jack Gallagher can’t be in Carrillo’s corner, because no one is going to be in anyone’s corner. They leave when Dar comes in, saying he wants Nese next week. That’s a no, so Dar threatens to take care of Nese somewhere else. Drake agrees, making it a No DQ match next week.

Akira Tozawa vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Lio Rush

Elimination rules with the winner getting the shot at Murphy at Elimination Chamber. Rush starts talking trash, telling Tozawa that he’s beaten him twice and that he doesn’t know who Carrillo is. All three go after him so Rush bails to the floor, allowing Tozawa to hit a suicide dive. Back in and Cedric trades armdrags with Carrillo until Tozawa slingshots in to knock Carrillo outside. Rush breaks up another suicide dive and hits one of his own on Tozawa.

The big spinning tornado DDT plants Carrillo for two and Rush is right back with the trash talk. Carrillo kicks him down but walks into a missile dropkick from Tozawa for two more. Rush kicks Tozawa in the head for two of his own but Tozawa avoids the Final Hour. Cedric is right back in though and the Lumbar Check gets rid of Rush at 5:30.

That leaves us with three so Carrillo kicks Alexander in the head a few times. A heck of a missile dropkick nails Alexander, setting up a standing moonsault for two. Cedric is right back up on the apron but slips off and bangs up his knee, though he manages to clothesline Carrillo anyway. All three are down for a bit, which is a nice touch for a little reset. Tozawa kicks Cedric out to the floor in a big crash and shoves Carrillo off the top. The top rope backsplash gets rid of Carrillo at 9:56 and it’s down to Tozawa vs. Alexander.

Cedric takes his time getting back in and only has one good leg. The elbow pad comes off and Tozawa grabs the Octopus Hold until switching over to a rollup for two instead. Stereo big boots to the face give us another double knockdown and the fans are rather pleased. Tozawa gets up first and counters the Neuralizer into a snap German suplex, followed by a second one for two more.

Alexander is smart enough to roll away before the top rope backsplash can launch and drops Tozawa on the apron to take over. Back in and the fans are split in their cheering as the Lumbar Check is countered. Alexander gets him in an electric chair (after circling the ring a few times due to nearly dropping him) but gets countered into a reverse hurricanrana. The top rope backsplash sends Tozawa to the Chamber at 17:03.

Rating: B. This felt like a showdown for the sake of getting a big prize down the line, which is exactly the point. Tozawa winning wasn’t the biggest surprise after last week as Carrillo isn’t ready, Rush isn’t getting a shot at Murphy and Alexander has been done several times before. Tozawa makes sense and is a fresh option, so having a good match to get to the logical ending was rather nice.

Post match Murphy comes on screen to say he’ll be waiting on Tozawa at Elimination Chamber.

Overall Rating: C+. Another nice show here with a good main event and a perfectly watchable step forward in another story. Having another title match set up for the pay per view is a good moment and a sign that we might be getting more regular title matches on pay per view. That’s something the title has needed for a long time now and the regular TV show has been backing it up as well. Good stuff here, again.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

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.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: January 22, 2019
Location: Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas
Commentators: Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

As usual, the go home show for a pay per view is a little weird for this show as there’s only one match to build towards on Sunday. Thankfully it involves four people at once so there’s a lot to cover tonight. One such match will see all three challengers fight in a triple threat, though you can almost guarantee that the winner won’t be leaving the Rumble with the title. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick runs down the card, which sounds rather good.

Opening sequence.

Aiden English is introduced as the new announcer. It’s not like he’s doing anything else.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Gran Metalik

Feeling out process to start with neither being able to get very far off a wristlock. They exchange flips before an exchange of stereo dropkicks set up another flip off. Carrillo flips out of the corner until a heck of a wristdrag out of the corner sends Metalik outside. A big running flip dive takes Metalik down again but he’s fine enough to raise his feet up to block a moonsault. Metalik gets two off a reverse Sling Blade and the rope walk dropkick is good for the same. A chinlock doesn’t last long as it’s a spinning kick to the head to drop Metalik for two.

Metalik stumbles to the apron so Carrillo goes up top and hits a kind of bulldog onto the apron for a double knockdown. Carrillo gets back up onto the apron so Metalik gets a running start for a hurricanrana over the top and down to the floor again. Back in and a very high springboard Swanton gives Metalik two more. Carrillo blocks a superplex though and scores with a missile dropkick, followed by a handstand in the corner into a springboard moonsault (cool) for the pin at 10:32.

Rating: B. Now this was the kind of match that I was hoping for, with two luchadors flying around and showing off how good they can be. That’s exactly what it should have been and both guys looked great. Metalik is underrated and Carrillo continues to look awesome every time he’s out there. I liked this one a lot and I have a feeling that’s going to be the case going forward with either of them.

Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher are in Maverick’s office to say they aren’t happy with Carrillo. Before they can actually say anything though, Gulak leaves in frustration. Tony Nese comes in and says he wants a rematch with Noam Dar. It’s one win apiece so Maverick says he’ll consider it. That’s not cool with Nese, who threatens violence against Dar if he doesn’t get a match.

Akira Tozawa and Brian Kendrick say the title match doesn’t matter because Tozawa is winning the title on Sunday.

Lince Dorado and Kalisto are ready for a big year for the Lucha House Party. Kalisto suggests that if he wins the title, all three of them are champion.

Ariya Daivari promises that Hideo Itami will make an example of his opponents tonight and win the title at the Royal Rumble.

Kalisto vs Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami

Buddy Murphy is out for commentary. Hideo jumps both of them from behind to start but Kalisto picks up the pace with some dropkicks. Tozawa is right back up with a missile dropkick to send Kalisto outside, setting up a suicide dive. The fight goes over the announcers’ table with Murphy getting taken out, meaning he’ll move off to the side to watch instead.

Some kicks have Itami back in control and we hit the chinlock on Tozawa. That goes nowhere so it’s more dropkicks, including one to knock Kalisto out of the air. The cover is broken up though and everyone is down. That means the three way slugout with Tozawa’s hard right hands getting the better of it, followed by Kalisto catching Itami with a kick to the head. Everyone heads to a corner but it’s Murphy coming in to shove all of them down. Murphy goes after all three until Kalisto kicks him away and they fight back.

The Salida Del Sol sends him outside so Tozawa can add the suicide dive. The match is still going (remember No DQ) with Itami hitting a Falcon Arrow for two on Tozawa. Kalisto catches Tozawa on top and knocks Itami to the floor but Tozawa blocks a super hurricanrana attempt. Tozawa misses the top rope backsplash but Itami is back in for the spinning knee to the face to finish Tozawa at 12:21.

Rating: C+. This was good though not great, with the Murphy part making sense but not really going anywhere. Itami winning is fine as any of the three could have gotten the win here, though he’s not exactly thrilling (hence his future departure). It did a nice enough job to set up the title match on Sunday and was as logical of a move as they had, so I can’t quite complain all that much.

A bunch of replays end the show. Of course I finally get the idea of Itami’s finisher as he’s leaving. It’s still not good, but at least it makes sense.

Overall Rating: B-. Well done again here with a pair of entertaining matches as Carrillo gets a showcase and the title match gets some hype. What more could you want from a forty five minute show? They’re starting to find the sweet spot around here and while it’s not getting the most attention in the world, the quality is still high and that’s a good thing. Just keep it up.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: January 2, 2019
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

The title is the focus this week as Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy needs some challengers at the Royal Rumble. He actually needs three of them as Drake Maverick has put him in a fatal four way. That means we’ll be seeing two of three qualifying matches tonight, with the third taking place next week to find the three challengers. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory of Gene Okerlund.

Drake Maverick hypes up tonight’s qualifying matches and promises a big surprise at some point.

Opening sequence.

Kalisto vs. Lio Rush

The winner goes to the four way. The fans aren’t happy with Rush to start and it’s already time to run the ropes rather quickly. Kalisto’s handstand into a double backflip sends Rush bailing to the floor as Buddy Murphy and Tony Nese watch in the back. Rush comes back in for a slap to the mask and you can see Kalisto getting more serious. The chase is on with Rush swinging around the post so Kalisto uses them as a launch pad to get around the ring faster. A handspring kick to the head knocks Kalisto off the apron and that means a suicide dive as we actually get to the contact.

Back in and Rush snaps off a suplex before a knee to the back gets two. The reverse chinlock goes on for a good while until the cocky Rush sends him outside, setting up a quick rest on the top rope. A running elbow to the face cuts Kalisto down again and Rush snaps off the rapid fire strikes. Kalisto finally stops him with a raised boot in the corner, setting up a springboard flip dive to the floor.

Back in and Rush hits a spinning kick to the face and a second one….doesn’t get anything as Rush heads up top instead. That allows Kalisto a kick to the face of his own and a middle rope fall away slam backflipped into a World’s Strongest Slam (cool) gets two. They take their time getting up and the Salida Del Sol is countered into a spinning Unprettier for two more. Back up and the springboard spinning crossbody barely hits Rush, who kicks Kalisto in the face again.

A TKO onto the top rope sends Kalisto outside for a nine count and Rush’s frustration sets in. Rush loads up the Final Hour but Metalik and Dorado load up the noisemakers for a distraction. For some reason Rush is dumb enough to go after them and the Salida Del Sol sends Kalisto to the Royal Rumble at 14:19.

Rating: C+. The ending was a bit of a stretch but Kalisto winning is always a good idea. He comes off as one of the biggest stars around here and he’s going to make any match better. I wasn’t wild on Rush losing the way he did but he’s got enough going on over on Raw to make up for it. Nice match with a not great ending.

Nigel being annoyed at Kalisto winning is rather amusing.

We look back at last week’s street fight with Akira Tozawa and Brian Kendrick defeating Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak.

Gulak doesn’t consider himself an underdog against Tozawa tonight because he’s a realist. Tonight isn’t about weapons because it’s a wrestling match.

Drake Maverick promises new faces coming around here in the near year. That may or may not be interesting.

Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak

The winner goes to the Rumble and there are no seconds here. Feeling out process to start with Gulak taking him down in a headlock. Tozawa grabs one of his own but misses a big kick to the face. That seems to make Gulak a bit more serious so he goes after Tozawa’s ear and asks HOW DARE YOU. The quick right hand to the face drops Gulak and we get a Tozawa scream. They head outside with Gulak kicking him into the barricade and slamming the weakened back onto the floor.

We hit the double arm crank with a knee in Tozawa’s back before Gulak switches to a regular chinlock. That doesn’t go far so Tozawa is back up with a spinning kick to the head for two. Gulak gets draped over the middle rope for a Fameasser but Tozawa’s back is banged up again. The delay lets Gulak powerbomb him into the corner and hit a heck of a lariat for two more. Tozawa wins a slugout though and it’s a Black Widow on Gulak, who reverses into a Brock Lock of all things.

The rope breaks the hold and Tozawa is fine enough for a backdrop diver. Tozawa’s knee gives out on top though and he gets pulled down into the Gulock. The hold lasts for more than a few seconds, meaning of course Tozawa can roll over to the ropes for the break. Gulak bails outside and there’s the big suicide dive that you knew was coming. It’s too early for the top rope backsplash though as Gulak is fine enough to crotch him on top. Gulak can’t superplex him from the middle rope and the top rope version is broken up with a headbutt. Now the top rope backsplash can send Tozawa to the Rumble at 17:13.

Rating: B. I liked this more than I was hoping as the old guard of the division continues to roar back. Tozawa is the kind of guy you can move up to the next level anytime you need to and that’s what they did here. Gulak’s fall continues as he never recovered from losing the Cruiserweight Title shots last year. Still though, good match as you almost always get from Gulak.

Brian Kendrick comes in to celebrate as Buddy Murphy and Tony Nese aren’t exactly impressed.

Cedric Alexander isn’t scared of Hideo Itami in next week’s final qualifying match.

Hideo Itami and Ariya Daivari demand RESPECT next week.

Overall Rating: B. This was a wrestling show and that’s where 205 Live tends to shine. They did things well here and made two of the necessary big steps towards the pay per view title match. If they have another great match next week to set up the entire thing, the four way is going to be a blast. I’m also interested in seeing where those new names are going to go. That could be a variety of people either from NXT or elsewhere, and that can shake things up around here, which is often a good idea. Anyway, strong match here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: December 19, 2018
Location: Save Mart Center, Fresno, California
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

Well with the most recently title match out of the way, things are starting to get back to normal around here. That doesn’t mean we don’t have anything big planned for tonight though, with a street fight between Akira Tozawa/Brian Kendrick vs. Jack Gallagher/Drew Gulak. Tozawa and Kendrick had a great street fight last year and this has the potential to be incredible as well. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of Buddy Murphy retaining the Cruiserweight Title over Cedric Alexander at TLC. This leads into the regular preview of tonight’s show.

Opening sequence.

Here are Hideo Itami and Ariya Daivari for a chat. Daivari is extra serious tonight as he tells everyone to SHUT THEIR MOUTHS and show Hideo respect. He can’t sit idly by while a legend like Itami is ignored around here. Itami hasn’t had any real competition for two months so until that is changed, this show is canceled. Cue Drake Maverick to threaten Daivari with a suspension but Noam Dar interrupts as well. After a quick chat, the match is on. Good thing the McMahons decree has nothing to do with 205 Live. Do they know this show exists?

Noam Dar vs. Hideo Itami

Dar slugs away in the corner to start and hits a running dropkick to send him outside. Back in and Itami takes over with the kicks and drops Dar ribs first onto the top rope. A Fameasser knocks him right back off the ropes for two and we hit the chinlock. Dar gets up and slugs away to block some kicks but can’t fend them all off and gets knocked down again.

The second chinlock goes on but this time Dar is up even faster for a dropkick to the knee. A running shot to the face has Itami in more trouble and a northern lights suplex gets two. Itami misses a running kick and gets his leg kicked out from underneath him, followed by a shot to knock Daivari off the apron. Dar gets sent into the corner for a running dropkick and the spinning knee to the face gives Itami the pin at 6:56.

Rating: C-. I’m not big on either guy here but the match was perfectly fine. They got in some good offense each and Dar has a rematch if he wants one. Itami and Daivari isn’t exactly going to go anywhere but at least they’re doing something other than having Itami yell RESPECT ME over and over, which hasn’t worked and isn’t going to no matter how long they try it.

We look at Murphy retaining over Alexander again.

Murphy talks to Maverick about the times he was supposed to lose and then retained anyway. He wants a special challenger next time so Maverick says give him a few days. The new opponent will be announced next week.

Lio Rush vs. Aaron Solow

Solow is Bayley’s fiance. Lio talks some trash before slugging away but gets taken down with a few right hands. That’s it from Solow, as Rush takes him down and hits the Final Hour. Rush won’t cover though as he hammers away instead, followed by a second Final Hour for the pin at 1:05. Rush almost looked too dominant here as it didn’t even have any impact to have him win that fast.

Alexander is down from his loss but he’s still coming for the title.

Next week is a Best Of show. Makes sense.

Jack Gallagher/Drew Gulak vs. Brian Kendrick/Akira Tozawa

Gallagher and Gulak are both in suits. Kendrick has shaved off his beard and looks to be about 21 years old again. The good guys take over in the aisle and head inside to start the actual fighting. It’s already time for a table because they’re not wasting time this week. Gallagher and Gulak aren’t interested in that though and put the table back underneath the ring, making them even less popular. With that one not being an option, Tozawa and Kendrick take off the top of the announcers’ table and use it to drop both of them.

Gallagher gets punched in the face and Tozawa uses Kendrick as a launch pad for a backsplash. Gulak and Gallagher are right back up with trashcan shots to take over, allowing Gulak to put a can over Tozawa and beat it with a broom. Now it’s time for a mop bucket but first, Gulak needs to hit Kendrick with the mop itself. Kendrick gets in a few shots on Gulak as Gallagher armbars Tozawa inside.

Gulak busts out a bungee cord and fishhooks Kendrick’s mouth in a painful looking visual. A clothesline gives Gulak two as Tozawa is nowhere to be seen. Kendrick counters a double suplex into a double DDT so everyone is down at the same time. With Tozawa on the floor, Gulak goes outside and mocks the AH AH shouts but Tozawa blocks a punch with a chair.

The fans want tables but have to settle for Gulak being tied to the post with the cords for some alternating chops. Gallagher makes a save and brings over one of the announcers’ chairs, with Tozawa being put in it for a running dropkick. Back in and Gallagher gets an Indian deathlock on Kendrick, only to have Tozawa come in with a dragon sleeper.

Gulak makes a save with the Gulock so Kendrick slams Gallagher onto both of them for the break. Gallagher is right back on the knee with another deathlock and thankfully the referee doesn’t break it up for a grab of the rope. The top rope backsplash gives Tozawa a save and a near fall but his suicide dive hits a raised trashcan. That leaves Kendrick to hit a super Sliced Bread #2 to finish Gallagher at 17:01.

Rating: C+. It was good but this never hit the level that you would expect them to reach in a big gimmick match. It’s not exactly an upset either as you would expect Tozawa and Kendrick to be more at home in a street fight. The match was good enough, though I was looking for something a little bit more intense than this.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: November 21, 2018
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Percy Watson, Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re into a new area on this show as Buddy Murphy successfully defended the Cruiserweight Title against Mustafa Ali this Sunday at Survivor Series. That means we need a new challenger, but I can’t imagine that takes place tonight. 205 Live likes to set things up at a slightly slower pace and you never know when they’ll have their next title match anyway. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap focuses on the pretty awesome title match with Ali coming up short again. They’ve got a nice Wrestlemania moment there if they can hold out long enough.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Buddy Murphy to get things going. Buddy has a question: did you really think Mustafa Ali was going to beat him? Well it doesn’t matter because the people’s opinion doesn’t matter to him. You can’t stop the unstoppable, but here’s Tony Nese to stop him from saying anything else, albeit in a nice way.

Tony Nese vs. Noam Dar

Before the match, Dar says he’s here to make some noise in the cruiserweight division because he’s been spending so much time in NXT UK. Nese shoulders him down and poses to start, showcasing the wide variety of taunting that he has available. Dar trips him down and gets two off a backslide. A dropkick puts Nese on the floor but Murphy offers a distraction so Nese can score with a gutbuster.

Back in and a running elbow to the face gives Nese two and it’s off to the bodyscissors. Nese misses a charge though and gets kicked off the ropes so Dar can start striking away. The northern lights suplex (Alicia Fox must have taught him that) gives Dar two and it’s off to a guillotine. That’s broken up through raw power but Nese can’t German suplex him into the corner. Instead it’s a big forearm to Dar but he kicks Nese in the head and face. Murphy breaks up the Nova Roller though and Nese hits the German suplex into the corner. The running knee finishes Dar at 8:14.

Rating: D+. This wasn’t one of these better performances as both of them felt like they were going much more slowly than in recent months. Nese and Murphy aren’t the most thrilling combination in the world but I get why the champ needs a lackey. Not terrible, but a pretty forgettable match, which is worse on this show.

Mustafa Ali is hurt but it’s more mentally than physically. He wants to embrace it though, because he wants to use it to get up the next time he’s knocked down. That means he owes Murphy a thank you because now he’s going to work even harder to turn this pain into power. One day he’ll become Cruiserweight Champion. When they finally do that, it’s going to be a great moment.

Drake Maverick tells the referee to be ready for shenanigans (his word) in the main event. The referee leaves when Cedric Alexander comes in so Drake can make Alexander/Ali vs. Murphy/Nese for next week. Fair enough.

Akira Tozawa/Brian Kendrick vs. ???/???

Tozawa and Kendrick share a hesitant handshake as Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher are watching in the back. Gallagher doesn’t think much of Kendrick aligning himself with a wailing scoundrel like Tozawa. Kendrick grabs a cravate and slaps on an armbar as the jobbers don’t even have names to start.

The backsplash gives Tozawa two and it’s time for the chops. A double big boot gives Kendrick two and it’s off to the other unnamed jobber for a Downward Spiral/kick to the back of the head combination. The first one gets in a clothesline but a spinwheel kick cuts him off. It’s back to Tozawa to clean house with the backsplash and a missile dropkick, followed by Sliced Bread #2. The top rope backsplash gives Tozawa the pin at 3:26.

Rating: C-. Tozawa and Kendrick looked good together though I can’t say I’m thrilled with the idea of seeing the two of them face Gulak and Gallagher. It hasn’t been a thrilling feud and I don’t see that getting any better when they have the tag match. Maybe a stipulation could help, but it’s just not all that interesting.

Murphy and Nese aren’t worried about the tag match as Murphy has beaten both Alexander and Ali by himself.

Hideo Itami is back next week.

Gran Metalik vs. TJP

The pinatas are multiplying. TJP has Mike and Maria Kanellis with him and the guys all have House Party masks. Drake Maverick isn’t having that though and ejects everyone but TJP and Metalik. Metalik wastes no time in hitting a big flip dive to the floor and throws TJP back in, only to have him roll back outside. Back in and a reverse Sling Blade has TJP in trouble until he slaps on something like a half crab Scorpion Deathlock.

Now it’s TJP hitting a big dive of his own but comes up favoring his ankle. The leg is fine enough to hit a belly to back suplex for two and it’s off to the chinlock. That goes nowhere so TJP hits a gutbuster for two instead. The Muta Lock goes on as TJP is going all over on Metalik here. Metalik finally grabs a rope to get out of the leglock so TJP gives it until four before the break. That’s what a smart heel should be doing and he’s rather good at what he does.

TJP heads up but gets kicked in the head, setting up a dropkick to the back for two. The moonsault hits feet though and TJP grabs a Batista Bomb. Metalik is right back with the rope walk dropkick for two of his own and a hurricanrana off the apron in a cool looking spot. Back in and the Metalik Driver sets up the top rope elbow but TJP reverses into the kneebar. Metalik makes the rope so TJP goes after the pinata. You just don’t do that and it’s a sunset flip to finish TJP at 9:26.

Rating: C+. Nice match here with Metalik being on his own offering a good idea. You can only get so far with the three faces having the advantage so it was a smart move to push Metalik on his own for a change. He’s talented enough to have a good match and that’s what we got here. It also helps when TJP can work well with anyone.

Post match Maria comes out, losing it on Maverick, but it’s a distraction so Mike can come in with the chair to the House Party. The beatdown is on to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This was a show mainly focused on the midcarders and that’s not the worst thing in the world. You have to give this level some attention every now and then. It makes them mean more later on as otherwise it feels like nothing but filler. It’s an investment in the future and we happened to get a fine show as a result. Nothing wrong with that and the stories were advanced just enough here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: November 14, 2018
Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re coming up on the Cruiserweight Title match on Sunday, and believe it or not this one might actually make the pay per view. Therefore, this week’s show is going to be more about the non-title feuds, which doesn’t sound like the worst idea in the world anymore. The big match this week is going to be Cedric Alexander vs. Lio Rush, which should be fun. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap and preview.

Opening sequence.

Jack Gallagher/Drew Gulak vs. Brian Kendrick/Akira Tozawa

Before the match, Tozawa and Kendrick can’t answer questions about their past issues. Very nice touch on bringing those up in the first place and not something I would have expected them to remember. Kendrick and Gulak start things off but Gulak tags out before doing anything. A quick takedown from Kendrick sets up Tozawa’s screaming backsplash, followed by some stomping in the corner.

Double big boots get two on Gallagher but Sliced Bread #2 is countered with an elbow to the jaw. Of course now Gulak is willing to come back in but Kendrick is waiting on him with forearms. Kendrick gets a little too aggressive though and gets knocked to the floor where Gallagher hammers away. Back in and a hard clothesline gives Gulak two and it’s time to start working on the leg.

That goes nowhere so Gallagher slaps on a chinlock with Gulak coming in for the same. Kendrick fights up and a shout from Tozawa (yes just a shout) is enough to allow the hot tag. Everything breaks down and Tozawa’s suicide headbutt drops Gulak on the floor. A missile dropkick sets up the Black Widow but Gallagher shoves Kendrick into them for the save. Kendrick and Tozawa are about to brawl but Gulak rolls Tozawa up for the pin at 8:05.

Rating: C+. Nice little tag match here with both teams working together and amazingly enough, they even managed to get in the rather distant history between Tozawa and Kendrick. You don’t get that kind of stuff on a lower level show like this but they pulled it off well. Good match, and the story could go in a few different directions from here.

Earlier today, Mustafa Ali and Buddy Murphy had their official weigh-in for the title match. The required fight broke out but was quickly broken up.

Murphy says this is about the title and Ali trying to take it from him. That’s not happening.

Lucha House Party vs. Mike Karma/Kraig Keesaman

Kalisto and Lince Dorado for the Party here. Dorado punches Karma down and hits the springboard spinning crossbody. Karma dares to try a comeback and gets his face superkicked off. Kalisto comes in as everything breaks down, including a pop up dropkick to Keesaman. Salida Del Sol into the shooting star press is good (though Dorado wasn’t legal) for the pin at 2:00. Total squash with a good looking superkick.

Post break Maria Kanellis pops up on screen to tell the Lucha House Party that they should enjoy this. TJP and Mike Kanellis haven’t forgotten them and the party ends soon. Please with Gran Metalik good luck in his match with Mike next week.

Cedric Alexander says this is his legacy instead of a way to get famous like it is for Lio Rush. Tonight he’s fighting for himself and everyone who believes in him. Good fired from Cedric here, which is quite the rarity.

Cedric Alexander vs. Lio Rush

The fans are all over Lio to start as Cedric takes over with a wristlock. That goes nowhere so they run the ropes a bit with Rush’s hurricanrana being countered as Cedric lands on his feet. They yell at each other a bit until Rush drops down and sweeps the legs to get inside Cedric’s head. A springboard hurricanrana takes Cedric down this time and Rush talks even more trash. Cedric scores with a dropkick and a backdrop keeps Rush in trouble. There’s a running kick on the apron but Cedric gets knocked outside for a superkick.

Rush isn’t good with just the countout so he sends Cedric into the steps. NOW he’s fine with the countout but Alexander beats the count back inside. That’s not cool with Rush, who chokes away in the corner. We hit the chinlock but Rush would rather blast him in the head with forearms. You know, because he realizes how worthless chinlocks are. A kick to the face rocks Cedric again but he catches another kick and elbows Rush in the face. The springboard clothesline takes Rush down and the Neuralizer gets two.

The Final Hour misses but the Lumbar Check is countered into a hurricanrana (Alexander looked to have dropped him but Rush saved it). Rush bounces feet first off the bottom rope and hits a Stunner (cool, for sure this time) but Alexander hits a Spanish Fly. Now the Lumbar Check (bounce) connects to give Alexander the pin at 13:27.

Rating: B. This didn’t have quite the intensity that a main event needed but they were trading one big spot after another. Rush may not have the size to be a player on the main roster but his athleticism is incredible and he can move around like no one else. It’s interesting that they had Cedric end his losing streak fairly soon as that could have gone somewhere, but this was far from a terrible move.

Mustafa Ali, in a Bruno Sammartino shirt, says he’ll go as far as it takes to become Cruiserweight Champion because it means more to him than anyone else. It’s Murphy’s strength vs. his speed and even a juggernaut can’t stop the unstoppable.

Overall Rating: B. Good show this week with everyone working well and the matches delivering. Above that though, even if it wasn’t a hardcore push, I want to see Ali vs. Murphy now more than I did coming in, which is what matters most. You could go either way with that match and that’s one of the best feelings there is for a title match. The rest of the show worked too and that makes for a rather easy show to watch.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: October 3, 2018
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness

The road to Australia wraps up here as we’ve got one more show before Super Show-Down. That likely means one more segment between Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander and #1 contender Buddy Murphy, along with more between TJP and the Lucha House Party. You know, for a change. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening preview.

Opening sequence.

The empty seats are back with a vengeance this week.

Akira Tozawa vs. Jack Gallagher

Gallagher takes him up against the ropes to start so Tozawa shouts in his face. Tozawa takes it to the mat and it’s time to start fighting over a leglock. The pinfall reversal sequence gives us a reversing sequence of pinfall attempts until Tozawa kicks him in the chest. That sets up the backsplash because almost every wrestling match today needs a backsplash. Gallagher bails and Drew Gulak is a good enough villain to trip Tozawa so Jack can take over.

The chinlock goes on but even Gallagher knows how boring that is so he hammers away instead. Now it’s the longer form chinlock, plus a stomp to the arm. The double arm crank just seems to annoy Tozawa though as he kicks Gallagher to the floor for the suicide dive. Back in and the Black Widow has Gallagher in trouble but you don’t try holds on a British wrestler. Gallagher quickly reverses into a leglock to keep Tozawa down. With that not working, Gallagher takes him up top, which is rarely a good idea in general. Tozawa shoves him down and drops the top rope backsplash for the pin at 8:34.

Rating: C-. There was a story here with Tozawa getting a win back after he went with what worked well for him in the first place. Gallagher on the other hand had his success with the technical wrestling but then got out of his comfort zone. Tozawa could be a top star on the show at the drop of a hat, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the trio is split up soon.

Post match Gulak says the team hasn’t been successful lately so it’s time for the return of the POWERPOINT PRESENTATION! His plan for a better 205 Live includes no mercy, which is why he didn’t win the Cruiserweight Title. Starting right now, this team has no place for weakness or weak links. No place for former Cruiserweight Champions who have lost their edge and are dead weight holding Gulak back.

Gulak goes after Kendrick but gets sent outside, leaving Gallagher to take the Captain’s Hook. You never put a hold on when there are two people around though and Drew comes back in for the Gulock. Good enough angle, especially if you ignore Gallagher losing and Kendrick being called the weak link.

Video on Murphy vs. Alexander, complete with both of them training for the match. That’s a touch I haven’t seen in a very long time and it’s cool to see it back.

Drake Maverick says that Hideo Itami and Mustafa Ali will face off again, though no details are given.

Next week: Lio Rush’s Open Challenge.

Kalisto vs. TJP

They go right into the test of strength with TJP taking him to the mat into a double bridge. Kalisto monkey flips TJP down as well so TJP monkey flips over, only to have Kalisto land on his feet. A crossbody gives Kalisto two and it’s off to the armbar to slow things down. Back up and Kalisto dances a bit, followed by a slightly botched headscissors to the floor. The teased dive has TJP cowering away and he charges into a rollup for two more back inside.

Kalisto tries his hand walk again and gets dropkicked in the ribs this time, followed by another dropkick to the floor. Back in and TJP ties up the legs before tearing the back of the mast off. Good, as that tail thing looked stupid. The double arm crank (that’s popular around here) goes on until Kalisto fights up and tries a springboard but TJP is right there with a Russian legsweep in a cool counter.

TJP rolls some suplexes for two and the chinlock goes on for a few seconds. The Swanton misses though and Kalisto starts kicking away, including his rolling kick to the head. It’s too early for the Salida Del Sol so Kalisto settles for an enziguri instead. TJP is right back with an Iconoclasm of all things off the top but he goes up again, allowing Kalisto to pull him back down for a big crash.

A dropkick to the knee cuts Kalisto off again though and the kneebar goes on in the middle of the ring. Kalisto rolls him up for two and eventually dives over to the rope for the break. With nothing else working, TJP goes for the mask like a true villain. Cue Lince Dorado for the save, allowing Kalisto to grab a rollup pin at 14:27.

Rating: B-. Good match but it never reached the kind of level that these two are capable of hitting. Kalisto winning was a bit of a surprise and even though it wasn’t clean, it does him some good after losing so many times. TJP is still a star who should be on the main roster but why do that when you can have him toiling here?

Post match TJP steals the mask and runs off to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This was a pretty lifeless show as there was little to get excited over, mainly due to the Cruiserweight Title match being set for Saturday. That’s a constant problem in WWE and something that keeps happening no matter what. The show wasn’t bad, but it’s nothing that you need to see. Hopefully Saturday’s match is and things get better as we move forward.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: September 11, 2018
Location: Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Vic Joseph

We continue to build towards the Cruiserweight Title match between Champion Cedric Alexander and Buddy Murphy, though there’s also Drew Gulak running around, which could mean a few things. There’s a chance we’ll see another title match between now and the Australia show and that might be a little more interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening card rundown.

Opening sequence.

There are still a lot of empty seats but it’s a far better situation than last week.

Buddy Murphy vs. Gran Metalik

They trade some very early and non-near falls to start and we have a standoff. Metalik knocks him to the floor but Murphy ducks the baseball slide and punches him in the face. That goes nowhere and Metalik hits a moonsault off the top to take Murphy down again. Back in and Murphy sends him face first into the post to set up the chinlock.

That doesn’t do much so Murphy puts him on the top, earning himself a sunset bomb for a big crash as Murphy is in trouble. A reverse Sling Blade (more of a bulldog than a clothesline) sets up a springboard back elbow for two but the Metalik Driver isn’t happening. Murphy crotches him on top and hits a double powerbomb for two of his own.

An exchange of kicks to the face sets up the Metalik Driver for two and they’re both in trouble. Metalik tweaks his knee on a backflip though and Murphy knees him in the head. Wouldn’t it make more sense to knee him in the knee? Either way it sets up Murphy’s Law for the pin at 10:45.

Rating: C. I’m pretty much over watching any combination of Murphy/Tony Nese fighting with the Lucha House Party but who else is Murphy supposed to beat up before he gets his title shot in Melbourne? The match was perfectly watchable but they were stuck underneath a firm ceiling and that was obvious here.

Post match Murphy says that’s one step closer to the title at Super Show-Down.

Mustafa Ali has been medically cleared to return to the ring.

We look back at Ali’s medical issues, which have put him somewhat at odds with Drake Maverick.

Cedric Alexander comes in to see Ali. After pleasantries are exchanged, Alexander mentions that he’s teaming with Akira Tozawa tonight. Tozawa is rather intimidating.

Mustafa Ali vs. Michael Thompson

Before the match, here’s Hideo Itami to interrupt and speak some Japanese to Ali. Actually he missed Ali and hopes that he’s feeling better. Ali chops away to start and hits the rolling X Factor. Looking up at Itami doesn’t matter much as it’s the tornado DDT into the 054 for the pin at 1:45. Well Ali is back.

Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher come in to see Maverick before their main event tag match tonight. Other than a threat of having the AOP destroy them if they talk about the AOP again, there’s nothing to see here.

Noam Dar makes fun of how Lio Rush talks.

Rush tells Dar to keep his name out of his mouth.

Rush vs. Dar next week.

Cedric Alexander/Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak/Jack Gallagher

Gulak and Alexander start things off but the threat of an early Lumbar Check sends Gulak into the corner. Gallagher comes in and starts on Alexander’s wrist but Tozawa comes in to fire off some chops. We settle down to Tozawa getting something like an Octopus Hold on Gulak until Gallagher comes in for a double slam to take over.

An uppercut stops Tozawa’s comeback cold and Gallagher is smart enough to draw Cedric in, allowing more clubberin. A kick to the ribs allows the hot tag off to Alexander a few seconds later though, setting up the Neuralizer for two on Gallagher. Everything breaks down and Gulak gets kicked to the floor, leaving Gallagher to hit the running corner dropkick for two on Alexander.

Gulak is back in for a running clothesline/leg kick combination for the same near fall. Cedric avoids a double suplex though and Tozawa tags himself in to clean house with the kicks. The top rope backsplash misses though and Gallagher’s headbutt sets up the Gulock for the tap at 12:32.

Post match Maverick says Gulak gets his title shot next week.

Overall Rating: C. This show really does go by the strength of its Cruiserweight Title matches. Therefore, this week’s show wasn’t all that great, mainly due to there not being much of note. The end of the show announcement did help though and that’s going to make next week’s show a little more interesting. There’s a chance that they’ll have Gulak take the title via cheating as a transitional champion to Murphy, which could keep Cedric strong for later. Or they’ll just have Gulak lose again because the Australia show is more important than the week to week show. You never can tell around here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: August 28, 2018
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re still on the way towards….whenever the next Cruiserweight Title match is going to be as Drew Gulak seems ready to get another shot at Cedric Alexander. Last week’s main event saw Lucha House Party defeat Buddy Murphy and Tony Nese, but we could still get a thing or two more out of the feud, especially since Kalisto got involved at the end. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick gives us the recap/preview.

Opening sequence.

Brian Kendrick vs. Akira Tozawa

Before the match, Kendrick and Brian Gallagher rip on Toronto a bit for being a secondary Commonwealth city. In addition to that, Tozawa doesn’t know his place and needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. Tonight, Tozawa is taking the beating that he deserves. Kendrick bails to the floor to start so Tozawa dives onto both he and Gallagher. Back in and the hard kick to the chest sets up the screaming backsplash as Kendrick is in big trouble early on. Gallagher offers a distraction though and Kendrick knocks Tozawa out to the floor.

They head back inside with Kendrick nailing a butterfly suplex and slapping on a chinlock. The Captain’s Hook doesn’t work and Tozawa snaps off a hurricanrana. It’s too early for the top rope backsplash so Tozawa goes with the suicide headbutt instead. Back in and the extra aggressive Tozawa wraps the leg around the post before a Saito suplex knocks Kendrick silly. Three straight corner dropkicks to the knee set up a missile dropkick and the top rope backsplash finishes Kendrick at 6:15.

Rating: C-. This was just a step below a squash win for Tozawa, who needed something like this to get him back to normal after the losses to Lio Rush. Kendrick is fine for someone to put Tozawa over as he’s going to stay relevant due to his past success. In other words, a perfectly fine bit of booking.

We look back at Buddy Murphy costing Kalisto a match against Buddy Murphy. Last week, Kalisto made up for it by costing Murphy the fall in the tornado tag.

Murphy and Nese are ready to get rid of Kalisto and the Lucha House Party.

Hideo Itami vs. Michael Blaise

Before the match, Itami talks about feeling bad over Mustafa Ali. He should have hurt Ali even worse a few weeks ago. Itami hammers away in the corner as Vic name drops Hulk Hogan being at his debut press conference. Some kicks put Blaise down and some shots to the back have him in even more trouble. A Falcon Arrow gets two as Itami pulls him up. That GTS thing gets the same but Itami would rather hit the running corner dropkicks. Before he can hit the third, here’s Ali to interrupt. That’s enough for Itami, who bails into the crowd for the no contest at 3:50ish because countouts don’t exist when they’re not scripted.

Rating: D. Just a squash with an angle finish here and there’s nothing wrong with that. Itami still needs more than RESPECT ME and maybe some different gear would help. He’s a very small, skinny guy and that doesn’t exactly make him intimidating. They’re still looking for the right formula for him and I’m not sure how much longer that search can go on.

We recap Drew Gulak wanting a rematch with Cedric Alexander but running off when Alexander showed up.

Alexander says Gulak was a hypocrite last week but next week, he’ll be waiting in the middle of the ring for Gulak to come finish things.

Buddy Murphy vs. Kalisto

Tony Nese, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik are at ringside. Murphy wastes no time in throwing Kalisto down and the fans are behind him here. Back up and Kalisto does the pose but makes the mistake of trying a test of strength. Of course he’s powered down with ease so it’s time for some nipups. Kalisto finally gets smart by walking the ropes, setting up a hurricanrana to take Murphy down for the first time. Nese blocks a dive though and the noisemakers are already out.

The rescheduled dive takes the two of them out instead so everyone tries to come inside. The distraction lets Murphy hit Kalisto in the back to take over as things settle back down. Back in and another hurricanrana is countered so Kalisto tries a suicide dive….which is caught and reversed into a suplex. Well ok then. Another skirmish on the floor gets the House Party ejected while Nese is allowed to stay.

Murphy takes him back inside but misses a kick to the back. Kalisto slaps on a sleeper but Murphy powers out again, this time hitting Kalisto in the face for two. Nese tries a grab of the ankle and that’s enough to get him tossed as well. Things settle down and it’s Kalisto hitting a springboard seated senton and kicking away, followed by the reverse hurricanrana. The hurricanrana driver has both guys down and the referee has a quick chat with them. Murphy blocks the Salida Del Sol but gets his head kicked off to give Kalisto two.

They head to the apron and Kalisto gets launched hard into the announcers’ table for the loud crash. Murphy would rather send him into the barricade over and over than go for a pin but he’s smart enough to break the count. Kalisto tries a springboard (minus the spring) off the barricade, only to get kneed out of the air.

Now Murphy is willing to take the countout but Kalisto taunts him right back out. A monkey flip puts Murphy in the timekeeper’s area for nine but Kalisto catches him with another hurricanrana driver for another two. Murphy hits a helicopter bomb for two and we have a rare 205 chant. Murphy’s Law is reversed but Murphy knees him in the head again, followed by Murphy’s Law for the pin at 16:45.

Rating: B. They could have had a better match had it not been for all the shenanigans with the seconds but what we did get was quite good. Murphy continues to be someone way too good for this show, though the same thing is true of Kalisto. But they don’t weigh enough (allegedly in Murphy’s case) so they’re stuck here instead. Such is life in WWE, though the match was rather awesome.

Overall Rating: C+. The main event saved what was a pretty much otherwise lame show and there’s nothing wrong with that. Gulak and Alexander not being around isn’t the best idea in the world as the show is little more than a good standalone night, but you can only do those shows so often if the series is supposed to mean something. Good main event, but they’ve done better.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6