IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: April 24, 2020
Host: Tom Phillips

We’re still doing The Matches That Made Us and believe it or not, this is one of the shows that I can enjoy the most. Not that it’s such a short show (which it is), but more along the lines of it’s nice to open the huge WWE Vault and showcase some of their stuff. It’s ok to have some classic footage instead of the completely unimportant cruiserweight show and it wouldn’t surprise me if it didn’t come back. It probably will, but I wouldn’t be shocked otherwise. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Tom Phillips welcomes us to the show and introduces us to tonight’s subject: Ariya Daivari.

Daivari talks about being a huge Steve Austin fan and sends us to our first match, from Survivor Series 1996.

Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart

Bret takes him down and stays on the arm with a hammerlock until a hard elbow to the jaw puts him down. Austin keeps slugging away until Bret pulls him into another armbar. Bret: “ASK HIM!” Did Jericho get that from Bret? Steve comes right back with a hot shot and starts choking on the bottom rope.

Daivari throws us to our next match, from 205 Live, July 9, 2019.

Oney Lorcan vs. Ariya Daivari

Anything goes. Lorcan charges up the ramp and the fight is on in a hurry. They get inside for the opening bell with Lorcan throwing him right back to the floor. It’s already time to throw some chairs inside as Lorcan wants to get violent in a hurry. Some running elbows in the corner have Daivari in trouble but he sends Lorcan over the top to get a breather. Daivari throws in a chain and pulls out a trashcan, with the delay letting Lorcan get in a suplex on the floor.

Let’s bring in a ladder, just to crank this one into high gear sooner. First though, the chain is pulled across Lorcan’s face, with Nigel saying it’s going to be hard to make it look worse. The ladder is set up in the corner with Lorcan sending Daivari into it for the crash. A suplex into the ladder is blocked so Lorcan settles for a hiptoss into the ladder instead. The half and half suplex onto a chair is countered into a reverse DDT, allowing Daivari to grab the chain again.

As Nigel talks about the Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine dog collar match, Daivari whips Lorcan into the corner with the chain around the neck. A camel clutch with Lorcan’s head inside the chair offers a rather good looking visual with Daivari ripping at the face to make it worse. With the hold not working, Daivari sits him in the chair and punches away but gets caught with a drop toehold into the chair for a double knockdown.

The running Blockbuster puts Daivari on the floor and a fired up Lorcan hits the running dive off the apron. The fans ask for and receive tables (stop indulging them) but it takes too long, allowing Daivari to hit a superkick. Lorcan rolls outside again but this time he pelts a trashcan at Daivari to knock him out of the air.

It’s time for six more chairs (dude, overkill) with Lorcan setting up for of them in front of the steps. Actually make that six and there is no way this is going to end well. Daivari uses the long breather to get in a shot of his own and a backdrop sends Lorcan off the steps and through all the chairs. Back in and Daivari starts setting up the table but goes for the ladder instead, drawing a YOU ARE STUPID chant.

The Persian Lion splash off the ladder gives Daivari two and you can hear Nigel losing his mind over the kickout. It’s time for another table but that one breaks as Daivari sets it up. That means another table with Daivari stacking it next to the previous one. Another splash takes too long though and Lorcan superplexes him through both tables for the pin at 20:56.

Rating: B. The time helped a lot here as it felt like they were able to beat on each other as much as they wanted to. Some of the spots took some time to set up but I’m rather happy that the match ended with a big spot rather than the finisher hitting out of nowhere. Good match, and Lorcan should get a title shot as a result.

Tom gives us a quick wrap up.

Overall Rating: A+. What else are you expecting here? It’s an hour long show and the weaker half is a heck of a fight. They have a good idea here and I could go for several more weeks of it. 205 Live hasn’t meant anything in a good while and even though it has some positive moments, I’d much rather see something like this any week. Opening the vault can be fun and that’s what we got here, as Bret vs. Austin is one of those matches you can’t see enough times and the other match was quite solid too. What more could you want?

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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: March 13, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

And then everything changes. Instead of wrestling in front of a shrinking crowd after a show or a filing in crowd before a show, they’re wrestling in front of no one because this show is cursed. It’s actually a big show this time around with an elimination tag between Team NXT and Team 205 Live Originals. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Team NXT vs. Team 205 Live Originals

NXT – Isaiah Scott, Tyler Breeze, Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan, ???

205 Live – Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Brian Kendrick, Jack Gallagher, Mike Kanellis

The Singh Brothers are here with the 205 Live originals and NXT’s mystery partner is….Kushida. Nese takes Kushida down to start and strikes the pose but Kushida is right back up with a wristlock. That’s broken up so Kushida hits the handspring elbow, meaning it’s off to Kanellis vs. Burch. The latter works on the arm and hands it off to Lorcan for more of the same. Nese comes back in to forearm Lorcan in the face but it’s already back to Burch for some right hands.

Burch throws Nese outside but has to beat up the Singhs. The distraction doesn’t mean much as Burch grabs a Crossface on Nese, causing everything to break down. That leaves Nese and Burch in the ring so the distracted referee misses the Singhs coming in. Burch takes care of them but a camera shot to the face lets Nese get rid of Burch at 5:32.

Nese stomps away at Breeze on the way back in but refuses to tag Gallagher. He’ll tag Kanellis, who tags Nese right back in to stomp on Breeze as well. Gallagher tags himself in though and hammers away but Breeze is right back with a sunset flip. Gallagher counters that with a rollup for the elimination at 7:45 though and 205 Live is up 5-3. Lorcan comes in and gets kicked into the corner before it’s back to Nese….who is promptly half and half suplexed for the elimination at 8:58.

Kanellis is in next and gets chopped in the corner but superkicks Lorcan right back down. Hold on though as Nese pulls Gallagher off the apron, earning himself a headbutt. Gallagher headbutts Kanellis as well, sending him into a rollup from Lorcan for the pin at 10:34. We’re tied up again as Kendrick elbows Lorcan in the back of the neck. Daivari’s neckbreaker gets two and we hit the chinlock (you shouldn’t need that in an elimination tag. Lorcan fights up and it’s a double clothesline for the double knockdown.

Kendrick and Scott come in with the latter cleaning house but a Daivari distraction lets Kendrick knock him to the floor. It’s Daivari coming in legally for a change but he misses a charge into the corner, allowing Scott to roll him up for the elimination at 15:05. Kendrick comes back in and gets small packaged for the pin at 15:13.

That leaves us with Gallagher vs. Scott/Lorcan/Kushida, but Kendrick and Daivari beat Scott up before leaving. Kushida gets sent into the announcers’ table and Lorcan goes into the steps, leaving Gallagher to pound on Scott. Gallagher gets tossed to the floor but comes back in for a discus elbow to get rid of Lorcan at 17:30. A dive off the top takes Scott down and the running dropkick in the corner gets two on Kushida. Gallagher cranks on the arms but Kushida slips out and hits him in the face, allowing Scott to come back in. The House Call gets two and it’s Pop Culture into Kushida’s cross armbreaker for the win at 20:22.

Rating: C+. The thing that makes me happy here is how they built something up and then had a pretty good match. It wasn’t the best show in the world but what we got was good enough for a major match, at least by this show’s standards. I’m not sure if it is enough to go anywhere, at least not with Kendrick and Daivari as such big heels, but all in all, pretty good stuff.

Scott and Kushida show respect but stare each other down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. These one idea shows are always weird. This one was good though as it’s an effort and some thought going into this show, and that’s what this show has been lacking for months. I could go for some more of this, though having the title mainly on NXT (or NXT UK at the moment) is making this show seem less and less important every week. Just try in some way though and maybe there can be a need for this thing. Given how the wrestling world is going at the minute, anything is better than nothing.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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: March 6, 2020
Location: Keybank Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

We actually have something to build to for once as next week will see the five on five elimination match between 205 Live Originals and NXT. That has the potential to be an awesome match or the potential to be rather disappointing. Either is equally possible but I’ll take any kind of a direction over none whatsoever. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We open with a look at the end of last week’s show, including the return of Jack Gallagher. Due to the attack, Lio Rush is out of the elimination tag.

Isaiah Scott promises payback and there won’t be a new captain to replace Rush. There will be a fifth member, but no captain.

Isaiah Scott vs. Ariya Daivari

Scott’s attempted armbar sends Daivari straight to the rope so he settles for a dropkick to the side of Daivari’s head. With Daivari out on the floor, Scott kicks him in the head and grabs the modified Rings of Saturn, with Scott using the leg to wrap the arm back. Daivari gets out and hits him in the neck, followed by a hanging neckbreaker to really take over. The throat is laid across the middle rope so Daivari can kick the rope into said throat and we hit a neck pull to keep Scott in trouble.

Back up and Scott scores with a discus lariat and there’s the middle rope elbow to the back of the neck. Some YES Kicks against the ropes set up the rolling Downward Spiral for two on Daivari. Scott has to slip out of the hammerlock lariat and grabs a rollup for two, only to get DDTed for the same. Another hammerlock lariat attempt is broken up and it’s the House Call….for two? With that not working, Scott stomps on the arm to bend it back (Pop Culture) and finishes with the top rope double stomp at 8:34.

Rating: C-. That’s probably as good as you’re going to get from Daivari and it’s nice to see Scott getting a win. I’m not sure what the two of them are going to do in next week’s elimination match but the more Scott and less Daivari the better. The House Call only getting two was weird, but the double stomp might be an even better finisher for Scott.

Tony Nese/Mike Kanellis vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan

Nese shoves Burch away to start and hits the bicep pose, only to get knocked down so Burch can do his own. Lorcan comes in to headlock Kanellis but gets run over with a shoulder so it’s back to Burch to take over. A wishbone pull has English wondering how many more kids he can give Maria so Mike slaps Burch in the face. The chase is on outside and Nese gets in a cheap shot to take over.

Back in and the tag brings in Lorcan, who is taken down with a quick blindside clothesline so the villains can stomp away. Kanellis gets two off a knee to the face and we hit the chinlock. Nese comes in for his own chinlock but misses a Lionsault, allowing the hot tag to Burch for a kick in the corner. A DDT out of said corner puts Kanellis down but Nese breaks up a Doomsday Device. The pumphandle slam/middle rope knee to the head finishes Burch at 8:31.

Rating: C. Better match than the opener here and hopefully we get something bigger and better next week in the huge elimination tag. Burch and Lorcan are great for the face tag team around here as they can have good matches against anyone and that includes getting Kanellis and Nese over as a team. Fine enough match and that’s what you need for the 205 Live version of a go home show.

Overall Rating: C. That’s what they’ve been building towards for a few weeks now and if that goes well, I’m curious to see where this is going. If nothing else, it’s nice to see the show getting ANY kind of attention after months of nothing. Just please let next week work. Otherwise, I’m not sure what else is going to actually matter around here because they don’t even have to build up an entire show, but just one match. Make it work and have even a passable mystery partner and everything should work out well enough.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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: February 21, 2020
Location: Gila River Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

I fear this show more and more every single week. The biggest problem continues to be the uninteresting talent being pushed as the focal points of the show and by that I mean the Singh Brothers, and to a lesser extent, Ariya Daivari. They aren’t the kind of people you build a show around and yet that’s the best this show can get. By that I mean it’s the best talent WWE will allow on here because they gave up on 205 Live a long time ago. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Joaquin Wilde vs. Raul Mendoza

Feeling out process to start as they do the test of strength/bridging near falls/they know each other so well sequence. Back up and Mendoza charges into a headscissors for two before bailing to the floor for a breather. Wilde slaps him in the chest but charges into a kick to the head in the corner. A hurricanrana puts Wilde on the floor and gets taken down with a running Cannonball.

Back in and Wilde hits a sunset bomb out of the corner before shoving Mendoza off the top and outside. Wilde throws him back in and teases a springboard, causing Mendoza to try to dropkick him out of the air but Wilde hangs on in a smart move. The actual springboard crossbody gets two but Mendoza is right back with Rhea Ripley’s standing Cloverleaf. That’s pulled down into a bodyscissors with Wilde making the rope in a hurry. Wilde gets two off a rollup but Mendoza is back with a running kick to the face for the pin at 8:11.

Rating: B-. This was as good as if not better than anything on this show in about a month as it was a pair of talented people getting a few minutes to showcase themselves. It’s a match we’ve seen before but after so many weeks of the same people over and over again, these two were a breath of fresh air. They didn’t even have a great match but they had a good one and something we hadn’t seen in a good while.

We look at Jordan Devlin retaining the Cruiserweight Title on NXT.

Post loss, Lio Rush was upset but Tyler Breeze came up to mock him. I think you know where this is going.

Samir Singh vs. Tyler Breeze

Well why go with something that could be good when you can have a Singh match? Aiden is so sick of the Singhs that he threatens to walk out on the match. Samir forearms Breeze down and hits the dancing because he has to get that in. A belly to back suplex gives Breeze two and he dives onto Samir for taking a break on the floor. Sunil gets in a few shots though and Samir scores with a top rope elbow to the face. The chinlock goes on for a bit until Samir goes up, only to dive into the Supermodel kick to give Breeze the pin at 3:24.

Rating: D+. Nothing to see here but they kept it short and Samir was a bit more serious than usual. It’s nice to see that for a change as they keep going on with the same shtick far too often. Both of the brothers are fine enough in the ring but my goodness the same stuff for so many weeks and months has ruined anything positive they could offer.

Post match Sunil tries to jump Breeze and gets superkicked as well.

We look back at Tony Nese and Mike Kanellis defeating Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari last week, thanks to Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.

In two weeks: Lio Rush and Tony Nese captain five man teams in an elimination match between newcomers and 205 Live originals. I know that’s not some revolutionary idea but it’s something DIFFERENT for a change and that’s what this show has been dying for over the last few months.

Ariya Daivari/Brian Kendrick vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan

No DQ. It’s a brawl in the aisle before the bell with Daivari throwing Lorcan off the stage (for a rather short drop). Kendrick gets whipped hip first into the steps and Lorcan is brought inside for the opening bell and a near fall as Burch and Kendrick fight in the crowd. Lorcan throws Daivari over the barricade and into Kendrick, who is taken inside for a beating.

It’s Daivari coming in with a chair, only to get sent face first into said chair. Again: Daivari is not very good at….anything really. Burch tells Lorcan to get the table and they set one up at ringside. Kendrick saves Daivari from going through the table and sends Lorcan through it instead with a Death Valley Driver from the apron. Lorcan goes over the announcers’ table and Daivari throws in a ladder. Naturally, Daivari is sent into the ladder because he’s a sitcom character at this point.

Kendrick Russian legsweeps Burch off the ladder and Daivari adds a splash off the ladder for two. Lorcan Hulks Up to slug it out with Kendrick but Daivari makes the save with the chair. A running Blockbuster sends Kendrick onto the chair and Burch duct tapes Kendrick to the turnbuckle. Daivari tales the assisted spike DDT onto (not through) the table. Another one inside finishes Daivari at 12:16.

Rating: B. Again, it’s the kind of match that works for the dual reason of they were trying hard and it was something fresh around here. These guys beat each other up rather well and the weapons were the right touch here. Burch and Lorcan are two of the better people around here and if you can get some better opponents for them more often than not, they could be the focal point around here.

Overall Rating: B-. It’s hard to believe that this was an entertaining show but that’s what we got here. Maybe it was seeing the Singhs get kicked in the face or maybe it was the two rather good matches but I had a good time with this one and as usual it isn’t too long. Now I have no reason to believe that this will be the norm, but when you expect the usual drek and get a good show, I’ll certainly take it.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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: February 14, 2020
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

We have a new #1 contender now that Lio Rush defeated Angel Garza last week on NXT. Notice that the big stuff is taking place there, which isn’t a good sign for anything going on with this show. Then again there hasn’t been anything to get excited about around here for years now and that hasn’t changed a thing. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at Rush beating Garza last week.

Opening sequence.

Singh Brothers vs. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch

The Brothers are the hometown boys and come out in Vancouver Canucks jerseys. They actually get a big face reaction for a change and I don’t know how to handle this. The two of them met Wayne Gretzky at some point and he told them to have fun….and get out of Vancouver as soon as possible. They pull off their jerseys to reveal Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys, which bring out Lorcan and Burch to start the fight in a hurry.

Sunil offers a distraction though so Samir can take over as we really get going. A double superkick lets Samir dance some more and the chinlock goes on. Samir comes in for a front facelock and an elbow to the face gets two. The chinlock continues the theme we’re working on here but Lorcan fights up and gets over to Burch for the hot tag. Everything breaks down and a double superkick sets up the Bollywood Blast for two on Burch. Lorcan takes care of Sunil and it’s the elevated DDT to plant Samir for the pin at 5:59.

Rating: D+. As weird as it is to see the Singhs as faces (at least for a second), it doesn’t make the match any better. They’re not good at keeping interest and we’ve seen them so many time snow that there’s no reason to car about anything going on. Burch and Lorcan are far ahead of them on the totem pole and that doesn’t leave us with much to get excited about here.

Post match Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari run in to beat down Burch and Lorcan with a chair. It’s like my nightmares coming together.

Video on Joaquin Wilde.

Video on Raul Mendoza. He meets Wilde last week.

Lio Rush has been up against aces his whole life and he’s going to be the next Cruiserweight Champion.

Jordan Devlin tweeted a response, basically saying nu uh.

Kendrick and Daivari are STILL in the ring with Kendrick bashing Canadians everywhere. We get some of the most generic Canadian jokes and Daivari says that they’re OG’s around here. The two of them are going to be wrestling tonight so get some opponents out here.

Brian Kendrick/Ariya Daivari vs. Tony Nese/Mike Kanellis

You have to pay for the baby somehow. Kanellis and Nese jump them to start and it’s a brawl at the bell. Kendrick grabs Nese’s foot so Daivari can take over, plus yell at Canadians as a bonus. Nese fights up and drop toeholds Daivari into a Kanellis’ knee. Commentary actually uses CONTINUITY to talk about Kanellis and Kendrick being friends when Kanellis most recently disappeared. I’m as shocked as you are.

Kendrick pulls Daivari away from the springboard moonsault and it’s a camel clutch to keep Nese in trouble. That’s broken up with a quick jawbreaker and it’s back to Kanellis to pick up the pace. A spinebuster gets two on Kendrick but Daivari low bridges Kanellis to the floor. The kneebar has Kanellis in more trouble and Daivari grabs a chinlock. That’s broken up and it’s a double clothesline to put them both down. It’s Nese coming in to clean house again with Kendrick being thrown outside.

Now the moonsault connects for two on Daivari and it’s a pumphandle slam/top rope knee to the head combination to plant him again. Kendrick makes the save and grabs the Captain’s Hook on Kanellis, which is broken up as well. Nese’s 450 gets two on Daivari with Kendrick making another save and it’s Sliced Bread to put Nese down. The Persian Lion splash gets two more and it’s time for the chairs. Cue the bandaged Lorcan and Burch for the distraction so Nese can roll Daivari up for the pin at 14:07.

Rating: C-. It was halfway to being a MOVEZ match and that’s not the best thing in the world to see. It was weird to see Nese and Kanellis as the de facto faces here. That’s not exactly how you tend to see them out there and the match was good enough, but making me care about Kendrick and Daivari just isn’t happening.

Burch and Lorcan grab the chairs and clean house to end the show.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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: February 7, 2020
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Joe Quasto, Aiden English

This show continues to vex me every single week. I’m not sure what to expect here but that never changes on any given week. The big deal this week is Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin is here for the first time. If nothing else, maybe he can bring some energy into the show. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan vs. Ariya Daivari/Brian Kendrick

This has been built up over a few weeks. Lorcan punches Kendrick to the floor at the bell but it’s Daivari being thrown inside instead of Kendrick. Burch gets the tag as the fast paced start continues. Some kicks to the head have the villains in trouble but Daivari trips Burch down. Leave it to him to stop something entertaining.

Kendrick gets in some choking on the ropes and it’s Daivari coming back in to work on the knee. We’re already back to Kendrick with a leglock but Burch breaks it up in a hurry. The hot tag brings in Lorcan as everything breaks down. Daivari brings in a chair but it gets dropkicked into his face because Daivari is rather inept. Lorcan grabs the chair as well and hits Daivari with it for the DQ at 6:34.

Rating: D+. Just a tag match here until the ending, which likely sets up a rematch that the world is waiting for. The problem is Burch and Lorcan are a fine midcard (if not a bit higher) tag team but Kendrick and Daivari….well they’re Kendrick and Daivari. They’re such low level villains that there’s no reason to worry about what they’re doing to Burch and Lorcan. But now we’ll get to see it happen again because we’re that lucky.

Post match Burch tells Lorcan to get the tables but Kendrick and Daivari bail in time.

Singh Brothers vs. Joe Furrer/Devon Dixie

Sunil starts with Dixie but hold on because the Brothers need to dance. A middle rope clothesline means, of course, more dancing. Samir comes in for a double basement dropkick and the Paisan elbow gets two. We hit the neck crank and Sunil comes in to clap his movie slate. Dixie tries his comeback and gets powerbombed down. A double superkick gets rid of Furrer and the Bollywood Blast finishes Dixie at 3:24.

Rating: D-. What is there to say at this point? These guys have done the same match with the same shtick for the better part of a year now and they still aren’t going anywhere. It’s another match that doesn’t advance anyone and more TV time wasted on people who might be able to develop into something. Another nothing match and that’s all you ever get with these guys.

Tony Nese vs. Lio Rush vs. Jordan Devlin

Non-title. Rush dropkicks Nese down to start and gets headlocked for his efforts. Devlin gets kicked in the face but it’s Nese coming back in to snap Rush’s throat across the top rope. Nese strikes away at Devlin, who snaps off a DDT for two. Devlin slips out of a pumphandle slam from Nese and Rock Bottoms Rush onto Nese, setting up the standing moonsault.

It’s Rush being sent outside so Devlin elbows Nese in the head, only to be legswept out to the floor. Back in and Devlin’s standing Spanish Fly gets two on Rush as Nese is down on the floor. Devlin works on Rush’s ribs before switching to a neck crank. Nese is back in to break it up so he and Devlin crotch Rush on top. Rush knocks them both down though and hits a double high crossbody. The springboard Stunner hits Devlin and there’s one for Nese as well with the latter kicking out.

The Final Hour is loaded up but Nese rolls to the floor, with Devlin moonsaulting onto Rush. Nese hits his Fosbury Flop onto Devlin before sending Rush over the announcers’ table. Devlin’s slingshot cutter gets two on Nese with Rush making the save. A headbutt sends Rush into the corner but Nese grabs the Sunset Driver for two on Devlin. Nese’s 450 misses Devlin but he gets his knees up to stop a quick Final Hour from Rush. Nese hits a second 450 on Rush but gets pulled into the Devlin Side for the pin at 12:40.

Rating: B. This was your standard yet exciting triple threat match, even with the cousin of the annoying ending (at least Devlin didn’t pin Rush after throwing Nese outside). Devlin had to win here and while it would have made more sense for Nese to face him one on one after Nese beat Rush two weeks ago, at least we had some good action to make this one work. Good main event.

Post match Devlin says he’s keeping the title for a long time because you never bet against an ace.

Overall Rating: D+. That main event came close to saving the show but my goodness. How in the world do they think that this is the best that they can do for the first half? Throw ANYONE out there from NXT or even the NXT house show circuit and it would be an improvement. I know none of the WWE higher ups care about this show so maybe swap some people in for Daivari and the Singhs to see who else is out there? This has become Friday night Main Event (or at least parts of it have) and that’s a very bad thing to see.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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 31, 2020
Location: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Joe Quasto, Aiden English

Things have changed a bit since last week as Jordan Devlin won the NXT Cruiserweight Title at last weekend’s Worlds Collide special. That doesn’t exactly bode well for 205 Live, as the champion is already splitting time with NXT and now they’re going to have to split time with another show. But at least we have Ariya Daivari and Brian Kendrick. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at Devlin winning the title.

Opening sequence.

The announcers talk about the title change as the ring is cleaned up after the dog food incident that ended Smackdown.

We look back at Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari joining forces to become the new League of Super Villains.

Joaquin Wilde vs. Raul Mendoza

They go to the mat to start with Wilde tying up the legs before flipping over to crank on both arms. That’s reversed into a headlock from Mendoza but Wilde headscissors his way out. A few very fast covers get one or less each and Wilde nips up to a standoff. Wilde elbows him to the floor but Mendoza is right back in with a dropkick to cut him down. Mendoza’s shoulder gets two and we’re off to the cobra clutch.

Back up and Wilde hiptosses him to the floor, setting up the big running flip dive. Unfortunately you can hear him shout because the fans are so quiet at the moment, which is as bad as you can get. A backbreaker gives Mendoza two but Wilde is right back with a reverse hurricanrana. Mendoza gets caught with a rolling Codebreaker and the Wilde Thing is good for the pin at 6:26.

Rating: C. Wilde is someone who could go somewhere around here, which is almost impossible to imagine after his pretty lame run as DJZ in Impact. Mendoza is someone who can have a fine match against anyone and that is the kind of wrestler that is going to have a job forever around here because they’re incredibly valuable.

Respect is shown post match.

Brian Kendrick vs. Danny Burch

When did this show get so rematch happy? Daivari is here with Kendrick so we can fill our quota this week. Burch chases Daivari off the apron before the bell and Kendrick bails to follow him right after the bell rings. At least they’re a matched set again. The stalling continues and Daivari’s distraction fails, allowing Burch to hit Kendrick in the face. Burch sends Kendrick into the steps and it’s time to stall some more. This time it’s a fake out though as Kendrick sends Burch over the announcers’ table.

Burch comes up but is favoring his knee, meaning it’s time for Kendrick to hammer away. What looked to be a Figure Four attempt is broken up so Kendrick kicks at the leg again. Daivari’s interference fails again (come on man) and Burch uses the good leg to kick him in the head. The missile dropkick connects but bangs up the knee some more. With the leg not an option, Burch headbutts him into a Crossface, drawing in Daivari for the DQ at 7:07.

Rating: C-. This was the Two Bumbling Heels Show and that’s not what I really need to see. As usual, the problem stems from how apathetic you almost have to be towards the heels. They’re not interesting and don’t impose any kind of a serious threat, so what is there to dislike about them? I’m sure Burch will find a friend to help him but my goodness, give us better villains.

Post match the beatdown is on, including a chair to the knee, but Oney Lorcan runs in for the save with a chair of his own. Of all the people around here, Daivari and Kendrick are getting a story???

Devlin is here next week.

Tyler Breeze vs. Angel Garza

English isn’t sure which one is more handsome. Garza, with his shoulder bandaged, holds Breeze in place off a headlock until Breeze shoulders him down and lays on the top rope. Garza doesn’t think much of that so he….runs around a bit and tries to TAKE OFF HIS PANTS, only to get kicked in the face. This time it’s Breeze chilling on the floor so they switch places, followed by Garza pulling him back outside for a hard crash.

Back in and we hit the bow and arrow hold but Breeze is back up in a hurry, only to get sent into the corner. That’s enough for Garza to TAKE OFF HIS PANTS (to almost no reaction), followed by a kick to the ribs for two. Something like a seated abdominal stretch has Breeze in more trouble until he comes back up with some forearms to the head.

Breeze superkicks him out of the air for two but a knee to the face gives Garza the same. A slingshot reverse suplex gets two more but Breeze rolls away before the moonsault can launch. Garza tries a Lionsault instead and hits raised boots. That doesn’t seem to matter very much though as it’s the Wing Clipper to finish Breeze at 11:44.

Rating: C. The wrestling was better here and it was a match between two people who are a little higher up on the ladder than the rest of the show. That being said, you can feel the lack of enthusiasm from the fans here and while it is a main event event match for around here, it isn’t anything great, as tends to be the case on this show.

Overall Rating: D+. This was slightly better than some of the previous weeks but they have so far to go up the ladder that it doesn’t really matter at this point. The show has become a zombie over the last few months and just having Jordan Devlin around next week isn’t going to make it that much better. They would be much better off having an hour long version of Main Event (bring back Superstars or something) because this isn’t worth the time anymore.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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 24, 2020
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

What is there left to say about this show at this point? The show has turned the clock all the way back to the beginning when there is almost nothing going on and a bunch of people just having random matches for no particular reason. That’s a horrible shame given what this show can be but if WWE doesn’t want to try, there isn’t much that can be done. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ariya Daivari vs. Tyler Breeze

Yeah, because THIS needed a rematch. Breeze snaps off a dropkick to start and hammers away in the corner, possibly trying to let out some frustration at being stuck with Daivari. They head outside for a few seconds with Daivari taking over and hammering away back inside. Another dropkick puts Daivari in the corner but he’s right back with a kick to the face. A neckbreaker across the middle rope gives Daivari two and the chinlock stays on Breeze’s neck.

Breeze breaks out of that in a hurry and sends him outside so Daivari comes right back in with a bunch of right hands. A neck stretch/pull slows Breeze down again but he’s back up for stereo crossbodies. Breeze kicks away and hits a lariat for two, followed by a catapult into the corner. The Supermodel kick gets two and the Unprettier is the same with Daivari getting his foot on the rope. The Beauty Shot misses but so does the hammerlock lariat, allowing Breeze to counter a sunset flip into a cradle for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: C-. The wrestling was decent enough but it was a boring rematch of a match that wasn’t very good in the first place, featuring one of the least interesting people in WWE today. For some reason they keep putting him out here while a bunch of people are sitting on the sidelines. When someone is making you long for Mike Kanellis, you can tell something is bad.

Post break, Daivari gets to the back and Brian Kendrick offers some friendship. We’re really doing this again???

Brian Kendrick vs. Danny Burch

Fallout from Kendrick hitting him low a few weeks back. Burch starts fast by knocking Kendrick around, setting up a Thesz press with right hands (must be a bald guy in black trunks thing). Kendrick gets knocked outside so Burch sends him head first into the steps a few times. A Russian legsweep into the post rocks Burch though and Kendrick grabs the Captain’s Hook back inside.

Burch reaches a rope so Kendrick slaps it on again. This time it’s broken up so Burch uppercuts away, setting up a middle rope dropkick for two. Burch’s headbutt to the chest gets two so Kendrick rakes the eyes. Sliced Bread #2 is broken up and Burch hits another clothesline as Daivari is back. The distraction lets Kendrick grab a rollup and hold Daivari’s hands for the pin at 8:04.

Rating: D+. Daivari. Again. Somehow they actually see something in him??? DAIVARI??? I don’t get it and I don’t want to get it, with Kendrick being better but not a lot better by any stretch. This is a great example of what is killing the show from a wrestling standpoint and while there are other problems, nothing is going to get better while this is one of the top storylines.

Lio Rush vs. Tony Nese

They talk trash to start until Nese runs him over with a shoulder. That’s brought back with an enziguri but Nese is right back with the left hands to the face. It’s way too early for the 450 though and Rush rolls to the apron. Nese is sent outside for the hard suicide dive but he sends Rush at the steps, with Rush diving over them with ease.

Back in and Nese kicks him in the head for two and there’s a hard whip into the corner. A dropkick gives Nese two and we hit the bodyscissors. Rush fights up and slips out of a pumphandle slam, setting up the rapid fire strikes to the face. The springboard Stunner gives Rush two but Nese kicks him down again.

The Lionsault misses so Nese hits the pumphandle powerslam for two more. Rush strikes away again and kicks Nese off the top, only to have the Final Hour broken up again. Both guys go up top and punch each other to the floor for the big crash. Nese throws him over the announcers’ table though and that’s enough to win by countout at 11:32.

Rating: C. It was better than some of the matches we’ve been seeing around here lately and a lot of that is due to Rush’s athleticism. It’s weird that he was so good as the annoying hype man for Bobby Lashley and now he’s getting rather awesome as the simple hero. It’s working well so roll with it, though having him lose by countout here wasn’t the most thrilling way to wrap up a bad show.

Overall Rating: D. I’m not sure what you want me to say here. This show has gone from something interesting and entertaining to little more than a place to put cruiserweights with nothing else to do. The wrestling was nothing you need to see and the idea of watching Daivari and Kendrick as the new big bads, especially after Daivari has lost to Breeze two weeks in a row, makes me sad about what we could have around here compared to what we’re getting.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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 17, 2020
Location: Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, North Carolina
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Mansoor

We’re wrapping up the week with another likely lifeless edition of the cruiserweight show. At least this time we can start building towards the four way Cruiserweight Title match at When Worlds Collide, with only one of the three challengers already set. I’m not sure what that means for tonight but hopefully it’s an upgrade. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Isaiah Scott becoming one of three challengers to the Cruiserweight Title.

Opening sequence.

What a bizarre commentary team.

Tyler Breeze vs. Ariya Daivari

It’s amazing how much the place dies when Daivari’s music hits. Daivari takes him down to start and lounges on the ropes for a bit. Breeze is right back with a dropkick and does some lounging of his own. The threat of a Supermodel kick puts Daivari on the floor so Breeze sends him into the barricade a few times. Back in and Daivari pulls him down by the hair before cranking on the arm.

Breeze gets tied in the Tree of Woe for more stomping but he slips out and knocks him away. Daivari gets in a crotching on top though and the armbar goes on. That’s broken up and Breeze backdrops him hard out to the floor, followed by a catapult into the corner back inside. Daivari’s Rock Bottom gets two and he shouts about how no one wants Breeze here. That just earns him a Supermodel kick for two and it’s an enziguri to put Daivari down again. Breeze can’t hit the Unprettier but can hit the Beauty Shot for the pin at 10:49.

Rating: C-. Another match that wasn’t all that good but at least they didn’t have Daivari win. I don’t remember the last time that someone was this uninteresting but for some reason he sticks around for months on end. He just isn’t all that interesting and it was another instance of someone feeling like they’re here because they have nowhere else to go.

Jack Gallagher is willing to come back to 205 Live if certain criteria are met:

1. Drake Maverick stars dressing like a real General Manager.

2. My new entrance music is to be Stunner by Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip.

4. I must be officially recognized as a former UpUpDownDown Champion.

5. I appear on one of those late night talk shows where they pretend to know who you are the whole time.

6. Wrestlemania in England.

Lio Rush vs. Sunil Singh

Rush dives onto Sunil to start, even breaking up the dancing in the process. They head back inside with Rush running him over and heading up top, only to have Samir offer a distraction so Sunil can knock him off the apron. Dancing, snap suplex, dancing, middle rope elbow for two. The chinlock goes on but Rush fights up in a hurry and puts him on the apron for a handspring kick to the head. The Brothers try to switch and are caught in a hurry, mainly due to the sunglasses (not due to the different gear). Rush knocks Sunil down in a hurry and hits the Final Hour for the pin at 6:01.

Rating: D. Dear goodness get some new heels already. That’s one of the biggest problems around here and it’s not getting any better. Rush is getting a lot better in the ring and is figuring out how to be the face around here. The Singhs….yeah I’m not sure what else I can say to complain about them any more. It isn’t that they’re bad, but it’s been the exact same things over and over again and it stopped being entertaining months ago. Just get something new, please.

We hear the announcement of the Cruiserweight Title qualifying matches from NXT UK.

Raul Mendoza vs. Isaiah Scott

Mendoza armdrags him down to start so Scott goes to the mat with a wristlock. Back up and Mendoza tries a rollup but Scott flips forward to his feet. This time it’s Mendoza being sent down and Scott’s confidence is starting in a hurry. They switch places though and Scott gets dropkicked into the barricade and it’s time for the chops inside. The chinlock goes on but Scott fights up and sends him outside for a kick to the face.

Back in and Scott hits a middle rope uppercut to the back, setting up a jumping Downward Spiral for two more. The JML Driver is countered though and Mendoza’s Santa Maria gets him his own two. Scott gets crotched on top and a bottom rope Lionsault gives Mendoza another near fall. Mendoza misses a Phoenix splash though and the House Call gives Scott the pin at 10:31.

Rating: C. The action was good and Scott got the logical win, though it wasn’t a match with any heat or really anything close to it. Mendoza continues to be a good hand but Scott is someone who seems to have all the potential around here. He should be on a bigger show but for some reason he’s around here, which seems just to be little more than a holding pen for so many talented people.

Overall Rating: D+. Another bad week here and so much of that is due to how the story is set up. There’s no overall structure with no major story and no top heels in sight. This is more like the old school original days of the show and that is one of the worst things you can have. There might be a few stories here but it’s not like they mean anything or have anything to build towards. Therefore, what’s the point in watching? I don’t think anyone has an answer to that and that has been the case for a long time.

Results

Tyler Breeze b. Ariya Daivari – Beauty Shot

Lio Rush b. Sunil Singh – Final Hour

Isaiah Scott b. Raul Mendoza – House Call

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-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 10, 2020
Location: Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana
Commentators: Aiden English, Byron Saxton

The slow march through 205 Live purgatory continues with a grand total of nothing happening around here. I still don’t get why WWE puts in no effort on this thing and it’s still rather annoying to see how little they think of it, but the show must go on. I’m not sure why, but it must. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Isaiah Scott vs. Lio Rush

They start fast with Scott sending him into the corner but having to avoid the springboard Stunner to set up an early standoff. Scott grabs the wrist and manages to hold on despite Rush’s spinning escape attempts. Back up and Rush starts running the ropes with the dodges included before they both flip to the floor for another standoff….and here are the Singhs as the match is thrown out at about 2:50.

The Singhs dance around a lot and I guess we’re having a tag match.

Singh Brothers vs. Lio Rush/Isaiah Scott

Scott jumps Sunil on the floor and we start in a hurry. Rush comes in and gets slapped in the face, meaning it’s time for a chase on the floor. Samir gets in a cheap shot though and we hit an early chinlock. A superkick gets two on Rush and the chinlock goes right back on. To mix it up a bit, Sunil wraps on a bodyscissors for a change. Back up and Rush bobs and weaves a bit, allowing the tag to Scott. Kicks to the Singhs’ chests set up the springboard Stunner into the House Call for the pin at 6:58.

Rating: D. Please stop featuring the Singhs. I’m guessing they appeal to the Indian audience, but is there really no one better for that role? They’re some of the most annoying and least interesting people on any roster and yet here they are almost every single week. This was a glorified workout for Scott and Rush, who deserve a lot more than what they got here.

Post match, Rush and Scott seem cool.

Video on Tyler Breeze.

Ariya Daivari vs. Jeff Brooks

Daivari talks trash to start and tells Brooks to do something. That earns Daivari some shots to the face but he’s right back with the Rock Bottom to plant Brooks. The hammerlock lariat gives Daivari the pin at 1:28. So now we’re giving DAIVARI showcase matches?

Post match, Daivari hits a second lariat. Good. Now go away.

We look back at Jack Gallagher snapping and turning heel two weeks ago, earning himself a suspension. Not that it matters as Drake Maverick lifted the suspension. So much for that.

Tyler Breeze vs. Tony Nese

Nese poses to start and Breeze really doesn’t seem impressed. A catapult sends Nese into the corner for two and it’s a quick rollup into an even more quickly broken half crab. They head outside with Breeze hitting some forearms to the back but Nese gets in a cheap shot to take over. A ram into the apron gives Nese two and it’s time to stomp Breeze down in the corner.

Nese kicks him in the face for two more and it’s off to the bodyscissors. Breeze fights up and sends Nese outside but a dive is blocked with a kick to the head. Left hands to the face keep Breeze down but the Lionsault misses. A backbreaker puts Nese in the corner so he snaps Breeze’s throat across the top. The springboard moonsault gets two and Nese yells about how Breeze doesn’t belong here. Nese dropkicks him in the back but the running Nese is blocked with a superkick. Back in and Breeze misses a high crossbody but is fine enough to grab a rollup for the pin at 11:57.

Rating: C. Tyler Breeze feels like a bigger star than anyone on this show but it isn’t going to help if he’s being dragged down by the same people that we’ve seen around here forever. That’s the case here, as Nese is pretty good in the ring and a former Cruiserweight Champion but he isn’t exactly thrilling. Not a bad match, but just there, as is so much around here.

Overall Rating: D+. That main event showcased so many of the problems with this show. The problem is still the lack of star power and if you’re on 205 Live, you don’t have star power by definition. Fans rightfully see this as the lowest rung on the pole and there is no reason to get excited over anything that happens here, especially now that most of the good talent is gone. It’s not about the wrestling or anything close to it. WWE doesn’t care about these people and they’ve been left in the lurch for years now. That isn’t changing but WWE likes having them around here and that’s what we’re stuck with for a long time to come.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also -available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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