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

NXT UK
Date: January 23, 2020
Location: York Barbican, York, England
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Aiden English

We’re back to normal after Takeover: Blackpool II and last week’s recap show. There isn’t much time to rest though as it’s also the go home show for Worlds Collide. Hopefully things can get going as well as wrapping up the build towards Saturday. That’s a hard balance to find but maybe they can make it work. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Sid Scala and Johnny Saint are in the ring with something underneath a blanket. Cue Imperium before anything can happen and it’s a presentation to them. Walter is presented with the new NXT United Kingdom Title, which the fans think he deserves. He approves of finally being honored as he should have been. This is now the top prize in European wrestling and he is glad to have destroyed Gallus. On Saturday, the Undisputed Era will get the same treatment.

Cruiserweight Title Match Qualifying Match: Ligero vs. Jordan Devlin

Devlin messes with the mask to start so Ligero hits him in the face. Ligero hammers away in the corner and grabs a rollup for two, followed by a kick to the jaw. A release Rock Bottom into a standing moonsault puts Ligero down and Devlin can take the jacket off. Back up and Ligero hits a running clothesline to put Devlin on the floor, only to get superkicked for trying a headstand on the apron.

Back in and Ligero gets sent into the corner and a backbreaker makes it worse. A seated abdominal stretch with some shots to the ribs have Ligero in even more trouble but he fights up for the escape. Ligero dodges the slingshot corner and hits a bottom rope springboard Stunner for two.

Devlin hits a standing Spanish Fly for the same and a half nelson suplex plants Ligero again. The moonsault misses so Devlin grabs a rollup with feet on the ropes for two. The Devil Inside is countered into a DDT, setting up Ligero’s top rope splash for two of his own. They slug it out from their knees until Devlin is sent to the apron. The slingshot cutter plants Ligero and the Devil Inside is enough to finish him off at 11:08.

Rating: B-. Devlin continues to grow but he probably isn’t going to be involved in the decision on Saturday. I can’t imagine him winning the title but at the same time he isn’t going to be taking the fall. Ligero continues to be the kind of guy who can go out there and lose in style, which is a valuable thing to have around.

Kay Lee Ray isn’t worried about Mia Yim on Saturday.

Imperium talks about how awesome they are when Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews come in. They don’t know how dominant Imperium can be without ever being Tag Team Titles.

Finn Balor is ready for Ilja Dragunov.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Josh Morrell

Dragunov takes him down by the arm and cranks on it a bit before standing up for the bring it pose. A shot to the face rocks Morrell and there’s a backsplash to make it worse. Morrell gets dropped with a running clothesline and a release pumphandle slam. Torpedo Moscow finishes Morrell at 2:25. Exactly what it should have been.

Post match Dragunov says he’s ready for Balor but here’s Gallus to interrupt. Joe Coffey wants to talk to Dragunov on his own so Mark and Wolfgang stay at the ramp. Joe talks about losing at Takeover but part of that is due to Dragunov. Yeah he helped against Imperium but he isn’t Gallus. That’s all well and good at the moment and they’ll let him deal with the Prince, but after that, it’s time to deal with the Iron King.

Imperium goes to the bosses and asks for a match with Andrews and Webster. That’s made but it’s going to be a six man tag with Webster and Andrews getting to pick a partner next week.

Also next week: the Hunt vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan.

Cruiserweight Title Match Qualifying Match: Travis Banks vs. Brian Kendrick

They stare at each other for a bit until Banks kicks away at the leg and pulls him down into a rollup for two. A dropkick puts Kendrick on the floor and Banks hits a running kick off the apron. Back in and the chinlock goes on but Banks gets bored and sends him outside instead. This time around it’s Kendrick sending Banks’ hand into the steps and then raking it across the ropes for a unique move.

Back in and Kendrick works on the arm with some nasty looking bending, plus a hammerlock for a bonus. Banks gets twisted down by the arm but Kendrick misses a knee drop. Kendrick’s leg gets kicked out and Banks hits a running dropkick in the corner. Another dropkick puts Kendrick on the floor for a suicide dive. Back in and Banks hits a double stomp in the corner, followed by the Kiwi Crusher.

Kendrick rolls outside though and catches a charging Banks with a suplex. That’s only good for nine so Kendrick slaps on the Captain’s Hook back inside. Banks breaks that up in a hurry, earning himself a kick to the face. Kendrick is right back up with Sliced Bread #2 for two and the shock is on. Back up and Banks hits a quick Slice of Heaven into the Kiwi Crusher for the pin at 12:37.

Rating: C+. Kendrick is still good for a solid midcard heel role and he made Banks work here. That being said, Banks was hardly a surprise winner here and there’s nothing wrong with that. I like him when he gets to be in the ring, which unfortunately isn’t all that often these days.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was built around two matches and they both worked out rather well. I’m curious to see how things are going to go in the next few weeks and they’ve done a good job of making me believe it’s going to keep working. NXT UK is a rather solid show these days and I really can’t say I’m surprised anymore. When did that happen?

Results

Jordan Devlin b. Ligero – Devil Inside

Ilja Dragunov b. Josh Morrell – Torpedo Moscow

Travis Banks b. Brian Kendrick – Kiwi Crusher

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: November 8, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Aiden English

After WAY too long, the show is finally taking place at Full Sail, which is what they should have done when the show first debuted. I have no idea why WWE feels the need to put the show in front of an empty arena after Smackdown but at least we’re getting a change of pace this time around. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Brian Kendrick vs. Mansoor

Kendrick pounds him down to start but Mansoor headscissors him out of the corner, followed by a dropkick to the apron. Back up and Kendrick is fine enough to send Mansoor’s hand into the rod connecting the buckle to the post. The same hand gets crushed in the barricade and there’s a Codebreaker to the arm.

The short armscissors doesn’t last long so Kendrick takes him down by the arm again. We hit the Fujiwara armbar for a bit until Mansoor gets up for some loud chops. An enziguri into the Falcon Arrow gives Mansoor two and a Death Valley Driver is good for the same. A half nelson suplex drops Mansoor on his head and there’s a powerslam, only to have Mansoor roll through into a small package for the pin at 6:33.

Rating: C-. The arm stuff was fine but Kendrick was recently turned heel and here he has to job to Mansoor because….I’m assuming it’s a clause for the Saudi Arabian shows. Mansoor is good enough in the ring to get by and certainly isn’t a chore to watch but if he isn’t going to be around (which wouldn’t be the worst idea), it’s a little annoying to have him come in and get a win just because Saudi Arabia.

From NXT.

Tony Nese vs. Angel Garza

The winner gets a Cruiserweight Title shot at some point in the future. Garza goes after the arm to start but it’s an early standoff. With that not working it’s time to start on the leg but Nese manages to get on top for a fast two and it’s another standoff. This time Nese takes him down by the arm for all of a few seconds, meaning it’s Garza snapping off a running hurricanrana.

That means it’s time for GARZA TO TAKE….a chop to the chest to prevent his disrobing. Garza puts him on the top and hits an enziguri, only to have Nese try a sunset bomb. That’s blocked and NESE TAKES OFF GARZA’S PANTS! Garza gets in a kick to the face and we take a break. Back with Garza hitting another kick to set up the moonsault to the floor. Nigel: “A thing of beauty from the most beautiful man in the world!”

Nese’s sitout pumphandle powerslam gives him his own two but Garza is back up with a reverse Project Ciampa. It’s Nese’s turn to knock him down and this time it’s a 450 for two with Garza getting a foot on the rope. They chop it out again until Garza flips around into a sitout powerbomb for his own near fall. A double underhook drop down (think a Bubba Bomb but with Nese turned the other way and with a butterfly instead of a full nelson) called the Wing Clipper finishes Nese at 11:19.

Rating: C. Garza winning is the right call and it makes more sense to push the NXT guys over the 205 Live guys. Point blank, most of the people on 205 Live are there for a reason and while Nese is good, he doesn’t feel like someone who would be a star around here. I’m still not sure how much longer 205 Live can last, but I’ve been saying that for two years now so what do I know.

Post match Lio Rush comes out and Garza slaps him in the face. Their title match is next week.

Danny Burch is coming.

Video on NXT invading Raw and Smackdown.

Lio Rush vs. Raul Mendoza

Non-title rematch from last week. Mendoza starts fast and knocks Rush into the corner, only to have the champ fight right back out. An enziguri slows Mendoza down but he catches Rush on top. We hit the surfboard on Rush, causing me to cringe as usual. With that broken up, Rush rolls around and flips into an enziguri to drop Mendoza again. That means a LIO chant so maybe he is doing something right.

Rush kicks him to the floor for a suicide dive (of course) and there’s the springboard Stunner for two back inside. A YES Kick is blocked and it’s a fisherman’s driver for two on Rush. Mendoza has to bail out of a Phoenix splash so Rush kicks him in the head and hits the spinning Unprettier for the pin at 5:40.

Rating: C. Rush is getting better at the face stuff and that’s a good thing if they won’t let him do what worked so well in the first place. Mendoza losing again doesn’t hurt him as it wasn’t like he had any capital in the first place, even if he has quite a bit of talent. They packed enough stuff into the match to make it entertaining, but it’s nothing I’m going to remember in fifteen minutes.

Overall Rating: C+. Maybe it was the show being shorter but my goodness does Full Sail make this show a lot easier to watch. There is an actual energy there and WWE doesn’t have to spend a lot of time trying to hide the empty seats from the camera. Just keep doing thing and cut the whole arena thing, though history has suggested that WWE will keep going because….well because they can be stubborn at times.

Results

Mansoor b. Brian Kendrick – Small package

Angel Garza b. Tony Nese – Wing Clipper

Lio Rush b. Raul Mendoza – Spinning Unprettier

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: October 25, 2019
Location: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Aiden English

It’s really kind of amazing that this show has gone from what used to be an entertaining show that I wanted to see to a show that I was forgetting about entirely. NXT and everything else has completely destroyed anything this show had and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Maybe the Cruiserweight Champion being back can help things a bit. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s triple threat main event with Tony Nese beating Oney Lorcan and Ariya Daivari.

Opening sequence.

Oney Lorcan vs. Lio Rush

Non-title and after a quick look at Rush staring down Angel Garza on last week’s NXT, we’re ready to go. For some reason Rush agrees to a test of strength and gets leg tripped down for two. Rush is fast enough to fireman’s carry him into a quickly broken armbar and a jumping enziguri gets two. Lorcan knees him in the ribs and grabs a bodyscissors for a good while.

That’s rolled over into a cover for two each before Lorcan goes outside. Rush’s suicide dive sends him into the announcers’ table but Lorcan is right back with the running Blockbuster for two back inside. Rush elbows his way out of a belly to back superplex and grabs a DDT for the double knockdown. The clothesline comeback is on and a handspring elbow sets up the bottom rope springboard Stunner. The Final Hour gives Rush the pin at 7:49.

Rating: C. Lorcan continues to fall and it doesn’t seem like he’s going to be getting the title, or even a title shot, for a long time. Rush is someone you can get behind in a hurry, though I still think he’s better used as the heel hype man. At least he had a nice enough match here, but the fan reactions in NXT compared to 205 Live tell you everything you need to know.

Post match here’s Nese to stare Rush down. Nese brags about his win last week and tells Rush to sit and watch a real athlete at work.

Raul Mendoza vs. Tony Nese

This is your NXT guest star and Rush is on commentary. Nese says hang on though because he has to pose, which doesn’t impress Rush. Feeling out process to start with Nese shouldering him down so Mendoza nips right back up. A springboard armdrag puts Nese down and there’s a springboard hurricanrana to send him outside.

Back in and Nese scores with a running elbow into some left hands as the fans are just gone for this one. The chinlock goes on as we look at a tweet from Angel Garza with the Cruiserweight Title Photoshopped around his waist. Nese stomps away and puts on the neck crank but misses a splash to give us a double knockdown. With Rush accusing Nese of spray painting his abs on, Mendoza gets some boots up in the corner and hits a springboard missile dropkick for his own two.

A bottom rope Lionsault gets the same but Nese flips out of a German suplex attempt. That means a double stomp for two on Mendoza and they’re both down. Nese sweeps the leg to put Mendoza on the floor for the Fosbury Flop, which makes Rush laugh for some reason. Rush holds up the title and since Nese can’t handle shiny things, Mendoza grabs a rollup for the pin at 11:11.

Rating: C+. This is a fine example of a match that was technically acceptable but no one cared. The fans weren’t reacting to anything at all and it was just sad to see people out there working hard and not being able to buy any attention from the crowd. This stuff feels so minor league from an importance standpoint, even if the match was perfectly watchable.

Nese is ticked, as he should be.

The Singh Brothers talk about what a big week it has been as they hide in an undisclosed location for the sake of keeping the title safe. Dancing ensues.

Brian Kendrick comes up to commentary and stands on the table with a mic. He talks about how back in the day, you had to earn the right to call yourself a professional wrestler. Someone had to bestow the title on you and you couldn’t just throw your bags into a locker room. There was a protocol to it all, starting with shaking hands with everyone and introduce yourself to them. You would ask the veterans to critique your work and help them teach you to become a wrestler.

Fans are consumers and not wrestlers and now there is no one left in the locker room. See, all you have to do is look yourself up on social media and you’re a star. The fans tell Kendrick to shut up so he talks about how the fans aren’t wrestlers. Drake Maverick is the one chasing around the Bollywood Boyz because he thinks he’s a wrestler but he’s just an embarrassment. Kendrick wants an answer from Maverick next week. This was every “I’m a veteran and that makes me better” promo and it still doesn’t work very well.

Ariya Daivari says he’s ready to fight anyone. Isaiah Scott has taken him up on that offer.

We look at Scott being a star on NXT.

Isaiah Scott vs. Ariya Daivari

Daivari kicks him in the ribs to start so Scott strikes away to put Daivari on the floor. That means a kick to the head back inside and they head right back out with Daivari whipping him into the barricade. Back in and a superplex gives Daivari two but Scott starts striking away again. A release German suplex sends Daivari flying but he’s right back with a Rock Bottom for two. Scott runs into a superkick but the hammerlock lariat misses. The Swerve Kick finishes Daivari at 6:25.

Rating: D+. Egads Daivari needs to get out of the ring already. He’s the most generic heel you can find and it’s not like he’s the kind of worker to make up for the lack of interest. Scott on the other hand is a star in the making and has that IT factor that you can’t ignore. Couple that with a good finisher and there is no reason he can’t go a long way in WWE.

Overall Rating: C-. I feel so sorry for this show as it doesn’t belong in a big arena like this one. This is the kind of thing that needs to be down in Full Sail as a preliminary card for NXT, not live after SmackDown with all of the star power. It’s unfair to the talent, who is working hard and trying everything they can but being stuck in an impossible situation. Having the remaining big names called up again (so they can get beaten up by stars) is a big hit around here and it’s showing badly early on.

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: October 11, 2019
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Aiden English

Here are the previous show’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Lio Rush beating Drew Gulak to become Cruiserweight Champion on NXT.

Opening sequence.

Drew Gulak/Tony Nese vs. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch

I know it’s almost Halloween but there are far too many people dressed up as empty seats already. Nese headlocks Lorcan down to start but it’s off to Burch in a hurry. A series of kicks take Lorcan and Burch down at the same time with Burch being dragged into the corner. Nese slams Lorcan down but can’t hit a belly to back suplex as Lorcan backflips out and brings in Burch off an ice cold tag.

That doesn’t last long either as Nese takes him into the corner and hammers away, setting up a quick chinlock. A spinning kick to the face gives Nese two and it’s a reverse chinlock this time around. That lets commentary go into a history of Nese always siding with someone who can help him at the moment, which is an interesting path to take. Gulak comes back in and works on a wristlock but Burch shoves him away and rolls over for the tag.

The running uppercuts rock Nese and Lorcan hits a top rope flip dive onto both of them. Back in and Gulak gets DDTed for two, followed by Burch’s powerbomb into a jackknife cover for the same. Nese comes back in and hits a rolling right hand to Lorcan, who is fine enough to dive in with a headbutt to save Burch. That fast paced sequence receives…..less enthusiastic applause than your average college golf match. Nese’s 450 gets two as everything breaks down. Nese gets knocked outside and the assisted elevated DDT finishes Gulak at 11:46.

Rating: C. I feel so bad for these guys as they are out there working hard and the fans just do not care. It’s a situation where they are fighting a battle they can’t win because this isn’t what the fans paid to see. This is the bonus show at the end where most fans don’t watch it in the first place and they don’t want to see the show. That’s a shame, but it’s a situation where the wrestlers can’t win, which is just sad to see.

Video on Isaiah Swerve Scott.

After losing the title on Wednesday, Gulak says that change is the rule and he is the law.

Lio Rush had his first photo shoot and can’t believe he’s here. Everything has been worth it.

Ariya Daivari vs. Chris Bey

Daivari runs his mouth about being a high roller in Las Vegas who gets to come and go while everyone else is stuck here. After he beats up this local jabroni, he’s going to triple his money at the craps tables. Bey gets punched in the face to start and a backdrop puts him on the floor. Back in and the Iconoclasm connects, allowing Daivari to chill on top for a bit. Bey gets in some left hands and a knee to the face, only to walk into a release Rock Bottom. The hammerlock lariat finishes Bey at 2:33. The announcers kept trying to get Daivari Dinero over as a new name and….yeah sure. As long as it’s Daivari, it won’t matter.

Lucha House Party has been drafted to Smackdown.

Akira Tozawa vs. Brian Kendrick

No DQ. They stare at each other to start until Tozawa punches him out to the floor. That means it’s time to grab a kendo stick each with Tozawa getting in the first shots. A right hand to the face drops Kendrick again and Tozawa kicks him in the head. With that not working, Kendrick heads outside again and grabs a chair to pelt at Tozawa’s head to block a suicide dive.

A DDT onto the chair gets two and it’s time to duct tape Tozawa’s wrists to the top rope. That means some free shots with the kendo stick before Kendrick grabs more chairs. Two of them are set up but Tozawa gets out and drops Kendrick back first onto said chairs. Here are even more chairs, bringing the total to about ten or so. They fight over a suplex, with Tozawa finally dropping him onto them. Nice spot, though it was better when Tozawa and Mike Kanellis did it back in May onto the open chairs.

A table is brought out and gets the pop of the show but Kendrick kicks him down and hammers away with the stick. Tozawa kicks him in the face though and the backsplash from the apron puts Kendrick through the table. Back in and Tozawa puts Kendrick on more chairs but here’s Mike Kanellis to lay Tozawa out. Some kendo stick shots onto the chair onto Tozawa knock him silly and Kendrick is dragged on top for the pin at 12:43.

Rating: C. Some of the spots were good and the duct tape torture deal always works but at the same time, it feels like nothing we haven’t seen before. These guys have been dealing with each other for years and while it is still quality stuff, it isn’t something that is going to spark a lot of interest.

Kendrick and Kanellis hug to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. It’s like this show’s soul has died. Maybe it’s all of the big changes or maybe it’s the talent at the moment, but the interest that this show had has just died for me. What are you expecting from a show that feels like it’s a contractual obligation more than anything else? The show just does not feel important and with the Cruiserweight Title going to NXT, what is the point of this show? It’s not a bad show, but it doesn’t seem like anyone cares.

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: September 24, 2019
Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
Commentators: Dio Maddin, Aiden English, Vic Joseph

It’s the final Tuesday show as next week will see everything moving over to Friday with Smackdown. It would be nice if that meant we were getting something special, though I would assume it’s going to be something we’ve seen before. Hopefully the show has some energy, as their slower episodes can make for a rough sit. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the returning Lio Rush becoming the new #1 contender by defeating Oney Lorcan on the first live NXT.

Drew Gulak isn’t surprised by having to face another ghost from his past because that’s what happens when you’re Cruiserweight Champion. Rush will learn just like everyone else: he is prepared for everything. Just ask Lorcan, who will learn it again in tonight’s main event. Lorcan refuses to learn, so Rush better be watching.

The Singh Brothers are sad to see cousins fight tonight but insist that nothing could ever come between them. Soon, they’ll be back in the ring to prove that it is lights, camera and Bollywood action.

Opening sequence.

Angel Garza vs. Humberto Carrillo

Battle of the cousins and, I kid you not, they are fighting because it was Garza’s birthday yesterday and Carrillo only sent him a message on social media instead of calling him or saying it in person. Feeling out process to start with Garza headlocking him down as we hear about what English wanted to get Carrillo for his birthday. Garza flips out of an armbar and takes him down by the leg as they’re staying on the mat to start.

English is still going on, talking about all the copies of WWE2K20 he needs to get Carrillo, along with big screen TVs and the best sound system (this is after sports cars, Browns tickets and various other things as the gag is getting some time). Carrillo jumps over him and Garza to flip out of a springboard armdrag and the fans applaud. Garza drops to a knee and offers a handshake, plus a huge grin. That’s kicked away but STOP, because GARZA NEEDS TO TAKE OFF HIS PANTS! English: “Somewhere Nigel McGuinness just fainted!”

Carrillo gets sent outside for a middle rope moonsault as we hear about Garza’s pants being weighted, meaning he’s taking off his limitations. Another shot to the face keeps Carrillo down on the floor but Garza gets smart by letting him get back inside for a dropkick to the knee. With that out of the way, we hit the arm trap chinlock, followed by a hard dropkick for two more. The chinlock goes on again but this time Garza fights up for a springboard armdrag.

A moonsault gets two and there’s the big flip dive to the floor. Back in and the great looking missile dropkick connects for Carrillo and he’s starting to get fired up by these near falls. That’s cut off by a good crotching though and a dropkick to the ribs gives Garza two of his own. An elbow to the face gives Carrillo two and now it’s frustration time.

We go very lucha with a Rocking Horse but Garza reverses into one of his own for some mind games. That’s broken up and they both try the crossbody, meaning it’s another double knockdown. Garza slams him down on the back of his head and a good looking Lionsault gets two more. That’s enough for Carrillo, who kicks him down and hits the Aztec Press for the pin at 13:49.

Rating: B-. The action was good as you can tell they know each other but the best part was English fawning over Carrillo to such a level that it became hilarious. Dio and Vic were having nothing to do with it and the man crush is really becoming one of the best current gags in WWE. Both of these guys looked good here and I could go for more of either of them.

We look back at Brian Kendrick snapping and turning on his partner Akira Tozawa and Jack Gallagher last week.

Kendrick says he did it because of the epidemic consuming 205 Live. That would be the epidemic of disrespect towards veterans like him, because they forget he opened the door for everyone here. What upsets Kendrick the most is that he hasn’t had a title match in three years like some kind of new guy who has to earn his stripes. Tozawa is infected like the rest of them so he had to do something about it. Now, Tozawa can learn what respect looks like.

Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch vs. Tony Nese/Drew Gulak

Burch and Gulak start things off with the former grabbing a headlock. That means a few headlock takeovers until Gulak gets smart with a headscissors to escape. That’s reversed into another headlock as they’re not exactly going at a fast pace to start. With that not working, they do the same thing with another headlock on Gulak. Thankfully it’s off to Lorcan for a change, or at least half of a double Russian legsweep so Burch can get two.

A double suplex gives Lorcan two and it’s off to a front facelock. Nese offers a distraction though and Gulak is able to knock Burch into the corner to take over. We hit the neck crank for a bit but it’s off to Lorcan for some running shots in the corner. Nese runs him over in a hurry and gets two off his own Lionsault. It’s back to Gulak, who mocks Lorcan for not being able to tag to Burch, which I’m sure will cause no future problems whatsoever.

The chinlock goes on for a few moments, followed by a double belly to back suplex for two more. Lorcan finally gets up and sends Gulak outside, only to have Nese pull Burch to the floor. As you probably guessed, the hot tag goes through a few seconds later and it’s time to clean some house. Everything breaks down and Lorcan hits the running Blockbuster on Gulak, setting up the half crab.

Burch Crossfaces Nese at the same time until Gulak kicks Lorcan away for the break. What looked to be the Doomsday European uppercut is broken up as well and Nese hits a 450 for two on Burch, with Lorcan making the save. Burch headbutts Nese down and it’s time to scream a lot. Now the Doomsday European uppercut can connect for two in quite the surprising near fall. With Nese still rocked, the elevated assisted DDT finishes him off at 14:24.

Rating: C+. Another rather good one here as Burch and Lorcan are a strong team who can be brought in for whatever you want them to do. I’m curious to see where they’re going here as Rush hasn’t been around for the last two shows and they’re still seemingly setting up Lorcan vs. Gulak. We just did a triple threat match so I’m not sure how we’re moving forward.

Burch and Lorcan do their Ultimate Warrior tribute to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Well they did go out with a solid show, which is as positive as you can get around here. Both matches were rather good and the Kendrick explanation was more than fine. I still don’t know if this show needs to exist and having it at 10pm on a Friday is something Impact thought was a good idea. At least we had a good show this week, and that is the case more often than not around here.

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: September 17, 2019
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Dio Maddin, Vic Joseph, Aiden English

Things might be starting to wrap up around here as the show’s future isn’t clear due to Smackdown moving to Fridays. There is a chance that 205 Live continues there, but HHH has made it clear that the show is going to be more integrated into NXT, as it should have been all along. I’m not sure what to expect here, but we do need a new #1 contender. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Sunday’s Cruiserweight Title match with Drew Gulak retaining the title over Humberto Carrillo and Lince Dorado.

Opening sequence.

Lince Dorado vs. Ariya Daivari

Daivari talks trash to him to start, saying that he could have made Dorado champion. Dorado sends him outside for a pair of dives to start and there’s a running hurricanrana off the barricade to make it worse. Back in and Dorado has to bail out of the shooting star press but the knee is banged up to let Daivari take over.

The chinlock goes on but the knee is fine enough for a springboard spinning crossbody for two on Daivari. Dorado’s comeback is countered into a quickly broken sleeper so a springboard backflip kick to the head puts Daivari down. A high crossbody gives Dorado two but Daivari crotches him on top. The Iconoclasm gives Daivari his own two but Dorado is back up with a superkick.

Two Super Crazy style moonsaults connect until Daivari grabs a Rock Bottom for two more. The hammerlock lariat is countered and they trade some rollups for two each. Daivari gets the better of a slugout and puts him on top, which just seems like a bad idea. The superplex attempt is broken up and it’s the shooting star press to give Dorado the pin at 12:16.

Rating: C+. These two went back and forth and it was entertaining enough. Daivari has gotten that much better just because he isn’t talking all the time or being the standard rich heel. It seems that the story between these two is done as there is no reason for them to keep fighting, but that has never stopped things around here before.

We recap Tony Nese snapping on Oney Lorcan a few weeks back, setting up their match tonight.

Lorcan promises to hurt Nese worse tonight. Then he’s coming for the Cruiserweight Title again.

Jack Gallagher vs. Brian Kendrick

During the entrances, Kendrick says he’s been looking forward to showing Gallagher what respect looks like. Gallagher takes him to the mat for some early arm bending, until Kendrick winds up on top for two. Back up and Gallagher does his handstand in the corner to stop Kendrick again and they head outside with Kendrick being whipped into the barricade. Gallagher wants Tozawa gone….and there’s a kendo stick shot to the back to disqualify Kendrick at 3:05.

Rating: D+. Well that….kind of happened. I’d assume this sets up a No DQ rematch next week on what could be the last show, which makes sense as this story has been building up for a long time now. It’s a rather understated feud but it’s certainly there, so maybe we can get something out of it to wrap things up nicely.

Post match Kendrick beats on Gallagher with the stick and even chokes him with it. Tozawa breaks it u but Kendrick beats him down with the stick as well.

Humberto Carrillo says he’ll get another chance and win the Cruiserweight Title.

Oney Lorcan vs. Tony Nese

They go straight to the slugout on the mat until Lorcan forearms him in the back to take over. Right hands in the corner have Nese in more trouble and they head outside. Nese is fine enough to send him into the barricade, followed by a slam through the announcers’ table. After a dive to beat the count back in, Lorcan gets kicked in the face for two.

A hard whip into the corner gets the same and it’s a one armed delayed suplex to stay on the back. We hit the bodyscissors, followed by a shot to Lorcan’s throat. Nese misses a springboard though and Lorcan snaps off some chops. The running Blockbuster puts Nese on the floor and Lorcan sends him hard into the barricade.

That works so well that Lorcan does it again and throws Nese back in for a rather hard clothesline. The pumphandle slam and half and half are both countered, with Nese hitting a double stomp to the chest for two. Lorcan slips out of the sunset driver and a running uppercut puts Nese on the floor again. Hold on though as here’s Drew Gulak for a distraction, allowing Nese to roll Lorcan up and grab some trunks for the pin at 15:22.

Rating: C+. Nese and Gulak being back together isn’t the most thrilling story in the world, though they are at least suggesting that it’s a ruse by Nese to get closer to Gulak and get the title back. I’m not exactly waiting to see what is going on for Tony Nese and Lorcan losing again doesn’t instill me with confidence. Fine enough match, but there was a firm ceiling on the amount of interest.

Overall Rating: C. If 205 Live is coming to an end after this month, I really don’t think I’ll mind all that much. The show can be outstanding at times, but how often is it something like this, where it’s just a match that comes and goes with nothing all that great to the whole thing? It’s still an entertaining enough show, but it’s the kind of show that I wouldn’t miss most weeks. With so many other big things going on, a very minor league show with a hit and miss record isn’t the most interesting thing. I’ll watch it as long as it’s around, but they need to find something a little more thrilling than what they have right now.

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: September 10, 2019
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English, Dio Maddin

We’re in the World’s Most Famous Arena for a show that may or may not be rather entertaining depending on how much effort they’re putting in this week. Last week saw a rather surprising addition to the upcoming Cruiserweight Title match with Lince Dorado joining the fray, meaning tonight is likely about fallout. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Humberto Carrillo and Lince Dorado earning title shots. This was followed by Tony Nese rejoining forces with Drew Gulak, which is as tag team matchish as you can get.

Opening sequence.

Dio Maddin (from NXT) joins the commentary team, replacing Nigel McGuinness, who is heading to NXT full time and needs to drop a show.

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

Gallagher comes in and takes Kendrick down so it’s a fast crawl over to Tozawa for the tag. A clothesline misses so Tozawa tries a quickly broken headlock. Tozawa bails to the floor, allowing Kendrick the chance to send Gallagher into the post and take over. Back in and it’s Tozawa dropping the backsplash for two before going after the banged up arm.

A glare from Tozawa accompanies the tag off to Kendrick and it’s a double Japanese armdrag to keep Gallagher in trouble. The assisted Sliced Bread is escaped though and Gallagher dives over for the hot tag to Kushida. A rolling DDT plants Kendrick and it’s off to an armbar with Tozawa making a save. Everything breaks down and Gallagher holds Tozawa for a running kick to the ribs.

Kendrick comes back in and grabs the Captain’s Hook on Kushida, which is broken up with a grab of the rope. Back up and Kendrick gets low bridged to the floor so Tozawa hits a cannonball off the steps to drive Gallagher into the barricade. Kushida turns Kendrick around though, meaning Tozawa’s running kick takes Kendrick down instead. A springboard flying armbar into the Hoverboard Lock makes Kendrick tap at 9:10.

Rating: C+. I’ve always liked Kushida so this was a nice treat. It gave the fans something to cheer about and the match was entertaining at the same time. I can’t imagine Kushida is going to be around permanently, but it wouldn’t exactly be a stretch to have one of the most successful junior heavyweight in New Japan history be moved straight up.

The Singh Brothers don’t think much of Kendrick and Tozawa because the Brothers deserve the worldwide adoration. Note: on their clapperboard, the director is listed as The Great Khali for a little Easter egg.

Mike Kanellis rants about having nothing to do, even after beating Tony Nese last week. Now Nese is in the main event while he is sitting around, waiting to do something to impress his wife. Cue Maria, to say that win last week meant nothing, just like all of his other victories. Maybe she doesn’t need to be here.

Humberto Carrillo/Lince Dorado vs. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese

Nese and Gulak jump them from behind and the fight is on. Ariya Daivari runs in to help the villains and the brawl is on in the ring. Gran Metalik comes out as well to even things up, followed by Carrillo saying let’s make it a six man.

Humberto Carrillo/Lince Dorado/Gran Metalik vs. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese/Ariya Daivari

Nese pulls Daivari to the floor to save him from Dorado early on, only to have Dorado dive onto all three of them. Back in and Dorado’s high crossbody gets two on Daivari and it’s the good guys starting in on the arm. Gulak drives Dorado back into the corner though and Nese comes in to take over. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Nese kicks him down for two. Gulak comes back in for the stomps and a double arm crank to keep Dorado down.

Dorado gets up easily enough and hands it off to Metalik for some bouncing off the ropes to armdrag Nese down. The fans get distracted and yell at someone in the crowd as Gulak takes over on Metalik instead. That includes the required ripping at the mask but since that isn’t happening outside of a finish, Daivari comes back in for another chinlock. It’s back to Gulak, who picks Metalik up and rocks him like a baby before powerslamming him down for two.

Nese’s bodyscissors continues the onslaught, followed by Daivari whipping him into the corner. Daivari stops to glare at Carrillo but the delay lets Metalik get in a reverse Sling Blade. The hot tag brings in Carrillo for the springboard spinning crossbody to Nese, followed by the big dive to the floor onto all three. Back in and a missile dropkick gets two on Gulak, setting off a stream of springboards. Gulak Michinoku Drivers Carrillo for two and we hit the chinlock.

Everything breaks down again and the villains all load up belly to back superplexes. They’re all broken up with back elbows to the face and it’s a trio of moonsaults, all of which hit raised boots. They’re fine enough to hit a superkick each, because a sequence like that looks natural. Gulak’s helicopter bomb gets two on Dorado as everything breaks down again. Everyone else is knocked outside and it’s another superkick to Gulak. Dorado’s shooting star press is good for the pin at 18:23.

Rating: C+. This one got some time and the match was better as a result. That being said, Dorado and Carrillo aren’t the most thrilling challengers. At the same time though, Gulak isn’t the most thrilling champion so it all balances out. It might be something that makes sense but watching them face off isn’t something I’m going to get excited about. The match was the kind of spot fest that we needed to see though and the kind of thing that is going to work every single time.

Overall Rating: B-. Totally watchable show here but it didn’t do much to shake the fact that the show isn’t all that interesting at the moment. I can understand why WWE is thinking about moving the show over to Full Sail and integrating it into NXT as it doesn’t quite need to stand alone and isn’t really capable of doing so anyway. There isn’t a really big star face and that is hurting the show a lot. Just merge them together already and let it be over.

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: September 3, 2019
Location: Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness

We’re on the way to a title match at Clash of Champions and that means we need to heat up the challenger a bit more this week. Therefore it’s Humberto Carrillo vs. Lince Dorado, which should be quite the high flying spectacle. Other than that we get some more of all the usual shenanigans around here, which means a lot of solid wrestling but not much in the way of stories. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with Erick Rowan leaving Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns out at ringside after the end of Smackdown. Reigns slowly gets up, looks at Bryan, and staggers away. This eats up over four minutes.

Earlier today, Carrillo and Dorado met with Drake Maverick, who confirmed their match. Dorado asks why he hasn’t had a Cruiserweight Title shot but Carrillo says that he earned his shot. Maverick makes a deal: if Dorado wins tonight, the Clash title match is a triple threat.

Opening sequence.

Tony Nese vs. Mike Kanellis

Nese goes straight to a waistlock to start and Mike bails to the rope. A headbutt works a bit better for Kanellis but Nese sweeps the leg for two as the announcers talk about the not present Maria. They head outside where things pick up in a hurry with Kanellis DDTing him onto the ramp for a loud crash. That’s good for a nine count and the Samoan driver gives Mike two more.

Maria is watching in the back and the chinlock goes on. That doesn’t last long so Kanellis backdrops him to the floor for a nasty looking crash. Back in and we hit the chinlock again, because that’s a great game plan. Tony fights up this time and hits a release German suplex into the corner but it’s too early for the Running Nese. A spinwheel kick drops Kanellis but the Sunset Driver is broken up. Kanellis grabs a good looking spinebuster for the same so it’s time to go up, allowing Nese to snap off a super hurricanrana.

One heck of a clothesline takes Nese down but Kanellis can’t follow up (it was a very hard hurricanrana). Kanellis orders Nese to hit him so it’s a very good left hand to stagger make Mike stagger. Nese dropkicks him to the floor for the big Fosbury Flop, setting up a 450 back inside. That’s only good for two in a surprising kickout and the fans declare this to be awesome. Fair enough in this case. Nese’s Sunset Driver is countered so he kicks Kanellis in the face instead. Kanellis superkicks him right back though and the twisting faceplant (name that thing already) finishes Nese clean at 11:30.

Rating: B-. I know they want to do something with Kanellis and this is the one thing they haven’t tried: let him win matches. I’m not sure why that isn’t a path they have taken and I don’t buy for a second that this is going to lead anywhere for him (it seems more like a story about Nese losing rather than Kanellis winning) but it just might be crazy enough to work.

Mike and Maria both look rather pleased.

Ariya Daivari wishes Dorado good luck in tonight’s match and would like a thank you for the help. Dorado isn’t down with that and says the House Party can succeed together. He knows Daivari was just in this for himself and there is no them.

The Singh Brothers (just call them the Bollywood Boys already) aren’t impressed by Akira Tozawa and Brian Kendrick. They’ll reintroduce the two of them the lights, camera and the Bollywood action.

Brian Kendrick/Akira Tozawa vs. Brandon Scott/Tyler Hastings

Scott tries a waistlock on Kendrick to start so it’s a blind tag to Tozawa, who kicks Scott in the face to take over. The right hand knocks Scott down again and it’s a double Japanese armdrag to make it worse. Hastings comes in and gets hit in the face again as Nigel can’t believe that Aiden is a licensed thespian. It’s back to Scott, who gets kicked in the face, setting up an enziguri/Downward Spiral combination to give Kendrick the pin at 2:42. Fun little squash.

Post match Kendrick wants to know where Jack Gallagher is this week. Kendrick expected this but it’s ok because the two of them will face Gallagher and a partner of his choosing next week. If Gallagher can find a partner that is.

Nese is furious so Oney Lorcan tries to calm him down, earning himself a beating instead. Nese does NOT like Lorcan saying he’s been there too.

Lince Dorado vs. Humberto Carrillo

If Dorado wins, he’s added to the Cruiserweight Title match at Clash of Champions. We get a serious handshake to start an an early flying mare sends Carrillo flying. The standoff lets the fans do the Lucha Dance until Carrillo takes him down by the leg. Back up and Dorado flips away from a wristlock, setting up an armdrag of his own. With that not working, they chop it out until Carrillo’s springboard armdrag has Dorado in some trouble.

A running hurricanrana puts Dorado on the apron but they switch places, allowing Dorado to hit a suicide dive DDT for a nasty looking crash. That’s only good for two back inside and the chinlock goes on, with Dorado forearming him in the face. A spinwheel kick sets up a nice top rope splash for two on Carrillo and we hit the reverse chinlock.

That lasts all of a few moments before Dorado puts him on top but gets knocked down, setting up the great looking missile dropkick. A standing moonsault gives Carrillo two and it’s a big flip dive to the floor to make it even worse. Back in and the top rope moonsault gets two more but they’re both gassed. The Golden Rewind is blocked so Dorado goes with the inverted hurricanrana for two instead.

Dorado’s chop is countered into a sitout powerbomb for a cool counter and another near fall. They slug it out with Dorado getting the better of things until Carrillo kicks him in the head. A spinning enziguri makes it worse but Dorado is right back with a fireman’s carry gutbuster. The shooting star hits Carrillo but the bounce means no cover as Carrillo rolls outside. Back in and a quick hurricanrana finishes Carrillo at 13:49.

Rating: B-. The surprise ending gave us the right result but it doesn’t do much good when they have to pin Carrillo to get there. Last week’s big selling point was that Carrillo hadn’t been pinned in months and now he’s just pinned clean here. There was no other way to get Dorado into the title match? I’m not wild on that path, but the triple threat is better than a one on one title match.

Post match Gulak runs out and beats down Dorado. Carrillo looks on but here’s Nese to run him over as well as the old friends are back together. The Running Nese and Cyclone Clash leave the future challengers laying to end the show. I like the overall idea, but it’s not as effective as Nese just lost to Mike Kanellis earlier. The motivation makes sense, but that downgraded Nese a bit.

Overall Rating: B+. There were some confusing booking choices on here but the wrestling was good and it felt like we were getting a fresh take on the show for a change. The show needs a different direction and for once they’re actually getting there. It felt like the stories were crossing over, which almost never happens in WWE these days. That’s a good idea for a change and I could go for something like that here. Rather strong show, though there are still improvements to be made.

Results

Mike Kanellis b. Tony Nese – Twisting faceplant

Akira Tozawa/Brian Kendrick b. Brandon Scott/Tyler Hastings

Lince Dorado b. Humberto Carrillo – Hurricanrana

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

205 Live
Date: July 9, 2019
Location: SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

It’s the final show before the Cruiserweight Title match between Drew Gulak and Tony Nese so expect the hard sell towards the title match in a big way tonight. Other than that we have a General Manager who is busy trying to escape the mob chasing after him for the 24/7 Title while trying to spend time with his new bride. Wrestling is a weird place. Let’s get to it.

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

Oney Lorcan, in his stoic voice, talks about tonight’s main event against Ariya Daivari being anything goes. He can use whatever he want….and here’s Daivari to jump him from behind. Drake Maverick and some referees break it up.

Opening sequence.

Brian Kendrick vs. Sunil Singh

Earlier today, the Singhs tried to give Kendrick a lifetime achievement Bollywood award but yelled about wanting a match instead. During the entrances, Nigel throws out that Drake has immunity from defending the 24/7 Title during the show, so at least that’s covered. Singh tries to dance to start so Kendrick punches him in the face and does his own dance. A Sumir distraction works well though as Kendrick gets sent knees first into the steps. Sunil: “YOU SHOULD DANCE WITH US!”

Sunil dances on his own and throws in a hip swivel as he’s running through his playbook in a hurry. We get an old Steve Austin camera motion, with Aiden dubbing them the Bollywood Blondes. The backbreaker sets up a missed middle rope elbow and Kendrick nails a leg lariat. Sliced Bread is broken up so Kendrick settles for the Captain’s Hook and the tap at 5:05.

Rating: D+. The match could have been worse but the problem here is the Singh Brothers. They don’t come off as a threat and they’re certainly not imposing. The Bollywood and Boscars deals are fine, but they’re more of a nuisance than anything else, which can get old in a hurry. Given that they’ve been featured every week for a long time now, it’s not going to get much better.

Post match the double beatdown is on until Akira Tozawa runs in for the save.

We get part one (of three) of a biography on Humberto Carrillo. He talks about watching wrestling growing up and his family supporting his decision to become a wrestler. They didn’t give us much here so hopefully the next two parts are an improvement.

Jack Gallagher vs. Devin Justin

After a polite handshake, Jack takes him to the mat and starts in on the hand. A fireman’s carry hot shot sets up the armbar with Gallagher bending Justin’s arms behind him and laying down on them for a painful visual. Gallagher gets creative by tying him into a knot around the ropes for a running dropkick (rather heelish), followed by a delayed suplex. Hold on though as here’s Mike Kanellis to start throwing things around as he rants about Drake ruining his life. Now he’s going to ruin the show by throwing stuff everywhere. Fans: “WHO’S YOUR DADDY???” Security gets rid of him and it’s the headbutt to finish Justin at 3:34.

Rating: C-. The angle was what mattered here, though the differences in what Mike does on here and what he does on Raw are striking. This came off as the same whiny Kanellis that has been around for months while the Raw version is at least entertaining. At least we got to see some of Jack’s rather cool offense here, with that knot always looking awesome.

Drake comes up to Mike in the back and apologizes for not being around as of late. He’s been neglecting everyone, including his wife, and Mike understands what it’s like to have trouble at home. Mike doesn’t buy it because Drake caused all of Mike’s problems. Therefore, Mike should ruin the show to even things up. Drake understands but is going to fine Mike for his actions. Mike goes into a rant about having a second baby on the way but says he’ll do something next week that will get him an even bigger fine.

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.

We wrap it up with a long video on Nese vs. Gulak, which hasn’t been mentioned up to this point. They were friends for a long time until Gulak realized that he was that much better than Nese. Tony talks about Gulak always being in it for himself but Gulak says Nese only cares about his abs. Nese showed he could get it done by beating Gulak in the #1 contenders tournament and going on to win the title. That made Gulak train even harder because he knew he was alone. It was enough for him to win the title at Stomping Grounds, but now he has to face Nese one on one. Good video, but the feud doesn’t have legs.

Overall Rating: C+. It helps a lot when your good main event is over 40% of your show. The rest of this one wasn’t great, but a lot of that is due to the amount of focus that the main event received. At the same time though, the rest of the show just isn’t that interesting, mainly due to how low level everything else seems. That has been a problem around here for a long time and I don’t see it getting better very soon.

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