IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

In Memory of Gene Okerlund.

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

Opening sequence.

Kalisto vs. Lio Rush

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

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

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

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

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

Nigel being annoyed at Kalisto winning is rather amusing.

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

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

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

Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hideo Itami and Ariya Daivari demand RESPECT next week.

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

Noam Dar vs. Hideo Itami

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

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

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

We look at Murphy retaining over Alexander again.

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

Lio Rush vs. Aaron Solow

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

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

Next week is a Best Of show. Makes sense.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: December 5, 2018
Location: Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

Last week saw Cedric Alexander pin Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy in a tag match, which should set him up as the next challenger to the title. With a pay per view coming up, the timing couldn’t be much better. As for tonight, we have the Lucha House Party vs. Mike Kanellis and TJP in a Texas Tornado match. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick previews the show, which works very well every week.

Opening sequence.

Drew Gulak vs. Brian Kendrick

Jack Gallagher and Akira Tozawa are at ringside. The empty seats are AWFUL this week with far more red seats than people visible, meaning we start with the lower camera angles. Nice idea, but it just shows how bad the problem is around the arena. Gulak takes him to the mat to start but can’t get him anywhere. More grappling gives us a stalemate so Gulak nails him with a clothesline to take over.

A modified half crab (with Gulak pulling back on the foot instead of wrapping his arm around) starts in on Kendrick’s knee and Gulak takes him down by the leg for good measure. Kendrick tries a full nelson of all things, followed by a tiger suplex of all things for two. That just earns him a powerbomb into a regular half crab as Gulak’s logical moveset continues. It’s off to a headlock as Gulak moves towards the neck for a change.

With that not being as weakened, Kendrick fights up so it’s another leg hold to cut him down again. A front facelock keeps Kendrick in trouble but he flips out into the Captain’s Hook. That means a crawl over to the ropes for the break so Kendrick goes with a dragon suplex for two instead. A quick trip to the floor goes nowhere but Gallagher sends Tozawa into the post for a distraction. The rollup gives Gulak two and Sliced Bread #2 gives Kendrick the same as Gallagher comes in for the DQ at 8:49.

Rating: C. Technically fine but I still have no reason to care about what these people do. The feud has been going on for weeks now and it seems like they’re in about the same places they were before. That’s the case with the opening match around here most of the time, but it doesn’t make things any more interesting.

Gallagher and Gulak destroy Tozawa and Kendrick post match.

We look back at last week’s tag team main event.

Maverick sits down with Buddy Murphy, who isn’t worried about facing Cedric Alexander in a rubber match. Murphy cuts him off and says he’s glad to face Alexander one more time. Besides, Mustafa Ali is the tougher opponent. That sounds manipulative to me.

Ariya Daivari vs. Clay Roberts

Daivari is in street clothes and is all aggressive to start with stomps in the corner. A kick to the head has Roberts in more trouble as Hideo Itami is watching from the back. The hard standing clothesline gets two and a hammerlock lariat is good for the same, with Daivari pulling him up both times. Three more clotheslines knock Roberts silly and the referee stops it at 1:48 before Daivari can do it again. Good idea, but it’s still Ariya Daivari hitting a bunch of clotheslines. Maybe it gets better, but they’re facing an uphill climb.

Itami seems pleased.

Mustafa Ali is down after losing but he’s getting back up, which is the harder part. He’s rooting for Cedric, but he’s coming for the title no matter who has it.

Alexander isn’t letting Murphy get into his head and wants his title back.

Noam Dar wants Buddy Murphy too and the title doesn’t even need to be on the line.

Lucha House Party vs. TJP/Mike Kanellis

Tornado tag with Kalisto and Lince Dorado for the Party, without Gran Metalik around. Maria is around though and that’s a good thing. During his entrance, Kalisto puts a hat on a young girl’s head and she looks LIVID in a funny bit. TJP gets sent outside to start and Kalisto’s splash off Dorado’s shoulders (after a little balancing) connects with Mike. Both villains are put on the floor so Dorado can hit a dive off the post to take them both out. Kalisto pulls a noisemaker out of a Christmas sack before grabbing a tornado DDT for two on TJP.

Mike gets in a spinebuster on Dorado on the floor but Kalisto kicks him in the face. That’s a little too much offense though and Maria grabs the pinata and threatens to destroy it. The distraught Kalisto gets taken down and Mike gets in a good shot. TJP kicks the pinata away and hits his half of a double clothesline on Dorado. Now it’s time to pull out a spare mask and hammer away a bit more, followed by an elbow drop for two. Yeah he covered off an elbow drop and was surprised as the kickout. I don’t get it either.

Kalisto gets a bit too close to getting back in so Mike knocks him into the barricade. Dorado is back with a double Golden Rewind, followed by Kalisto with a springboard high crossbody to TJP. The hurricanrana driver is countered into an STF and it’s time to go for Kalisto’s mask. As TJP goes for the eye, we see a replay of Mike hitting a Russian legsweep off the apron on Dorado. You don’t see WWE cameras missing things like that very often. With the mask not working, it’s time for the kneebar on Kalisto, who eventually makes the ropes. TJP gets caught up top and Kalisto’s knee is fine enough to superkick an invading Mike.

A top rope hurricanrana sends TJP into Mike and Dorado is back in to help things out. Another superkick to Mike sets up the Super Crazy triple moonsaults for another near fall. The masked guys yell at each other a lot and it’s time to bring in the Christmas bag, which is full of mini pinatas. Dorado has to fight out of a bunch of suplexes onto the pinatas and it’s time to fight over who gets tossed from the corner onto them.

A double superplex finally puts TJP onto them but Mike makes a very fast save. TJP powerbombs Kalisto for two more and now he wants the BIG pinata. Maria and Kalisto get in a fight over the thing until he throws it at her, knocking him off the apron and onto Mike. The springboard Salida Del Sol into the shooting star press finishes TJP at 14:17.

Rating: C+. At first I wasn’t really feeling this one as it was all kinds of carnage and insanity….and then I realized that was the point. It’s called a Texas Tornado match for a reason and the match was fun as a result. This was an entertaining match with all four guys getting involved, plus Maria as a bonus. I could go for fewer pinatas next time, but at least what we got was entertaining with the right ending.

We get a preview of next week’s matches.

Tony Nese is ready to finish Cedric for good next week.

Overall Rating: C. The main event helped but this was a show that didn’t exactly showcase some of the more entertaining wrestlers on the roster. It helps that we’ll be getting Ali, Murphy and Alexander in the next few weeks though and that’s a great sign for the show going forward. This wasn’t a bad show or anything, but it didn’t have quite the pop that it needed.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

Opening recap and preview.

Opening sequence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lucha House Party vs. Mike Karma/Kraig Keesaman

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

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

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

Cedric Alexander vs. Lio Rush

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: September 19, 2018
Location: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Corey Graves, Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton

We’re on Wednesdays now and officially no longer live as this was taped on Tuesday night before Smackdown, therefore making the show much closer to what it should have been a long time ago. Things are getting better, though the lack of people sticking around for the show is about as bad of a sign as you can have. Hopefully things can get better this time around and a Cruiserweight Title match between champion Cedric Alexander and Drew Gulak could help that effort. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look back at the Summerslam Kickoff Show match between Alexander and Gulak, with the latter saying Cedric won’t get lucky again in their rematch tonight. Gulak had to create some chaos to get the match made but it eventually worked.

Opening sequence.

There are still a bunch of empty seats in the lower arena. From what I’ve heard though, this was due to WWE not announcing that the show would be starting earlier. Most Smackdowns I’ve been to start at 7:30, and if this taping started at 7:00, you can’t imagine many fans were going to be there for the start of the show. Well done WWE, again.

TJP vs. Lince Dorado

Dorado takes him down to start as the cameras try to avoid the mostly empty seats opposite the hard camera. An early armbar has TJP in trouble so he armdrags Dorado and tells him to stay down. That earns TJP a slap to the face and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker but TJP is right back with a guillotine choke over the ropes. A high crossbody doesn’t even warrant a cover as TJP would rather hammer away instead. You don’t see him get angry like that too often.

A Pentagon arm snap still isn’t enough for a cover as TJP dropkicks him in the back instead. The slingshot hilo sets up some rolling suplexes for two as the Eddie Guerrero tribute begins. We hit the armbar as the fans get behind Dorado (“LET’S GO LUCHA!” Close enough.), bringing him back to his feet. The comeback is cut off by a springboard spinning forearm but Dorado spinwheel kicks him right back. A single overhand chop puts TJP down again and Dorado gets two off a moonsault press. With nothing else working, TJP pulls the mask off and rolls the shocked Dorado up for the pin at 8:30.

Rating: C. I’m getting tired of the pull the mask off pin as it’s become a cliché in a luchador match anymore. TJP cheating to win makes sense but put your feet on the ropes or do something that isn’t done so often. Not a bad match and you can imagine that TJP will now face the rest of Lucha House Party, which seems to be a rite of passage on this show anymore.

TJP steals the noisemaker and Dorado chases him to the back.

Lio Rush comes in to see Drake Maverick and says he can’t wrestle tonight because he has commitments with Bobby Lashley on Monday Night Raw. That’s not cool with Drake, who says Rush has to fulfill his obligations here. Rush brings up Drake being AOP’s manager, which Drake brushes off. Rush vs. Noam Dar is set for next week and there will be consequences if Rush doesn’t wrestle.

Post break Mustafa Ali comes in to see Drake as well and wants to face Hideo Itami. Drake is worried but agrees to make the match for next week.

Cruiserweight Title: Drew Gulak vs. Cedric Alexander

Gulak is challenging and has Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick in his corner. The fans (who are now filling in the seats) are behind Cedric here, which isn’t the biggest surprise in the world. Feeling out process to start as the announcers go into a discussion of Super Show-Down as this match really doesn’t mean much. An early Kendrick distraction lets Gulak try the Gulock but Cedric dives for the ropes. A lockup doesn’t go anywhere as they’re still mostly in first gear.

Alexander starts speeding things up as commentary actually gets the idea right here by having Percy set up Nigel for some expert analysis on what it’s like to be either challenging or defending in a title match. The referee catches Kendrick cheating though and ejects both him and Gallagher to get us down to one on one. The now focused Alexander takes over with an armbar and a stomp to the arm for good measure. Alexander’s springboard DDT is countered into a high collar suplex and Gulak takes over for the first time.

Back in and Gulak gets sent into the corner for a running kick to the face, followed by the springboard clothesline for two. The Lumbar Check is countered into a small package so Alexander Neuralizes him out to the floor. Gulak is right back up and grabs the Gulock, sending Alexander to the ropes. The champ is rocked though and Gulak slams him a few times. Some trash talk sets up a running clothesline for two but Alexander flips out of a powerbomb.

A Michinoku Driver gets two and Cedric starts firing off the hard chops (the sweat flying is always a nice touch). Cedric charges into a boot in the corner though and Gulak GOES UP TOP for a clothesline and a near fall of his own. The Gulock with the bodyscissors goes on in the middle of the ring and the fans really don’t react. They clap Alexander out of the hold for a few seconds but Gulak gets it back on, only to have Cedric flip out and hit the Death Valley Driver into the corner for the real break. They chop it out again and Cedric elbows him in the jaw, setting up the Lumbar Check to retain at 20:16.

Rating: B+. This was a heck of a match with two guys seeing who was willing to go further to walk out as champion. That being said, this more or less ends Gulak as a threat to the title as there’s nowhere else for him to go now that Alexander got out of the Gulock three times in a single match. Alexander almost has to lose to Murphy in Australia now though as there’s no one left for him to beat at the moment. There are some people who could get there, but they’re not ready yet.

Buddy Murphy says Alexander’s winning streak is impressive but seeing the Age of Alexander crash down is going to be even better.

Overall Rating: B-. Much like this week’s NXT, the one big match is more than enough to carry the show. There’s nothing else on the show that really matters and while the idea of another person running the Lucha House Party gauntlet doesn’t do much for me, it’s nice to have TJP featured even more. The show was fine because of the main event, but that’s all there is to see here. Again though: that’s not a bad thing.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

Opening card rundown.

Opening sequence.

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

Buddy Murphy vs. Gran Metalik

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mustafa Ali vs. Michael Thompson

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

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

Noam Dar makes fun of how Lio Rush talks.

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

Rush vs. Dar next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: September 4, 2018
Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re coming up on another Cruiserweight Title match, but oddly enough it’s going to be taking place in Australia and it’s going to be Buddy Murphy getting a title shot instead of Drew Gulak, who has been built up for another title match in recent weeks. Other than that we could have some more from the better than expected midcard around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick gives us the opening recap with no mention of the Authors of Pain last night.

Opening sequence.

Tony Nese is on his way to the ring for a match and gets annoyed when an interviewer tries to talk to him. Buddy Murphy takes the interview instead, saying he’s looking forward to facing Cedric Alexander in his hometown. Last time it was in Cedric’s backyard but this time, Murphy will have 70,000 people in his corner.

Gran Metalik vs. Tony Nese

Everyone else is barred from ringside (and the wide shot suggests that they’re barred from sitting in the stands as well). Nese shoulders him down to start and they trade some armdrags. A dropkick exchange gives us a standoff so Nese kicks him down. Nese has to bail out of a Lionsault so Metalik hits a springboard armdrag and Nese is sent out to the floor for a breather. You can’t do that to a luchador so the dive is loaded up but Nese trips him instead.

A swing into the barricade has Metalik in trouble as the amount of empty seats in the bottom half of the arena is as bad as I’ve ever seen them for this show. There are full empty rows visible and there might be more empty seats than full ones. Back in and Metalik elbows him in the face, followed by a tornado DDT to plant Nese. Metalik’s rope walk dropkick gets two but he slightly botches a spinning sunset flip. Nese gets sent to the apron so Metalik can try a running hurricanrana, land on the top rope for a second, and then hit it a second later.

A moonsault to the floor hits Nese’s raised boots and they’re both down. Nese is up first for the running flip dive, followed by a 450 for two back inside. The running knee is cut off by a superkick and the Metalik Driver gets two. Metalik goes up and manages to crotch Nese, setting up a springboard hurricanrana. The rope walk elbow is good for the pin at 11:09.

Rating: C-. This got some time but it was more long than good, which is rarely a good thing. There were some notable bad spots in there too, but the bigger problem is the empty arena. You can’t avoid something like that and it looked horrible no matter what they did. With this as the way to start the show, I can’t say I’m surprised by the fans not being thrilled. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exactly thrilling stuff.

Percy gets a noisemaker and Nigel looks like he wants to kill him.

We look back at Hideo Itami destroying the jobber last week until Mustafa Ali came in to chase him off.

Ali comes in to see Maverick and mentions the Authors of Pain, but Drake tells him to stay out of it. Maverick wasn’t pleased with what happened last week and Ali isn’t wrestling again until Maverick says so.

Noam Dar vs. Bryan Kelly

Lio Rush comes out for commentary. Kelly is the name of Notre Dame’s, a University of Michigan rival, football coach. After Rush only shakes Nigel’s hand, he complains about not getting booked while Dar is in the ring. Dar fires off some knees to the ribs and hiptosses Kelly into the ropes. Kelly armbars him to no effect and Dar kicks him off the middle rope. The Nova Roller finishes Kelly at 2:30.

Dar stares at Rush. That could be a fun one.

Maverick runs into Cedric Alexander in the back and allows him to call out Drew Gulak. Just keep it professional.

Here’s Cedric who gets straight to the point by calling Gulak out. There’s no Gulak but here’s TJP instead. TJP isn’t good at waiting in line and he’s not waiting in line for his shot at the Cruiserweight Title. He wants to fight right now and Cedric is more than ready. Cue Maverick to say let’s have the match right now, non-title though.

Cedric Alexander vs. TJP

Non-title. Cedric takes him down by the wrist to start but a shoulder just makes TJP nip up. That earns him a shove right back down, which is a smarter move than it should be. The Neuralizer puts TJP on the floor and there’s the suicide dive. TJP is right back up with a DDT onto the apron (that’s turned into a free space on the wrestling Bingo card) and Cedric is in trouble. A slingshot headscissors into an Octopus Hold is reversed into a Brock Lock of all things but TJP reverses that into a rollup.

Cedric dropkicks him to the floor but gets caught in a modified Octopus Hold in the ropes. That’s enough to bang up Alexander’s arm so TJP sends it into the buckle. Cedric almost drops him on a Michinoku Driver attempt but TJP is smart enough to switch it into a rollup to keep things looking fine. The Pentagon Jr. arm snap makes Alexander scream and the rolling suplexes get two. An armbar goes on for a bit until the springboard spinning forearm drops Cedric again.

He’s fine enough for the springboard clothesline, which is a pretty bad idea when you have an injured arm. A suplex into a gutbuster (that’s a new one) gives Cedric two but the Lumbar Check is countered into a Kimura with a bodyscissors. That’s broken up as well so TJP puts on a Fujiwara armbar but switches it over to the kneebar instead. As usual, the first attempt doesn’t work very well and Cedric is in the ropes in a hurry. TJP tries the Detonation Kick but gets reversed into a one armed Lumbar Check to give Cedric the pin at 11:01.

Rating: B. They were telling a nice story here with the arm work and everything that TJP did to hurt Cedric. Throw in the good idea of having Cedric use one arm for his finisher instead of doing the full version and this was a very solid main event. I could have gone with more hype for such a big time match but it’s not like it’s going to change the audience or anything.

Post match here’s Gulak to say he accepts the challenge but Jack Gallagher runs in from behind to take Cedric out. The Gulak puts Cedric to sleep, drawing Maverick out for the save to end the show. They’re getting somewhere with this Cedric as a fighting champion deal and whoever finally takes the title from him is going to look like a giant killer.

Overall Rating: C. The main event bailed the show out but there’s no way around those crowd shots. It’s depressing, to the point where it had to get in the wrestlers’ heads. There was just almost no one there and there’s not much you can do to make up for that. Hopefully it’s better next week, but this show isn’t going to last with that kind of a visual. WWE won’t stand for it.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: August 21, 2018
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo

I’m not sure what to expect from this show. Sure there was a big time Cruiserweight Title match on Sunday, but it’s not like that meant much for the post-Wrestlemania show. Cedric Alexander is still Cruiserweight Champion and now he needs a new challenger. That might not be established tonight, but we will have a tornado tag team match between Lucha House Party and Buddy Murphy/Tony Nese. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick recaps the title match and hypes up tonight’s matches. That’s a rather nice way to open the show, even if it’s just a way to kill time while the shows change over.

Opening sequence.

TJP vs. Noam Dar

Rapper Wale is on commentary for celebrity reasons. TJP has a slightly different version of his theme. Before the match, TJP says he can’t wait to get back to Los Angeles. He brings up Dar’s knee issues and his kneebar finisher so tonight is close your eyes time. Or you could just leave, as one more empty seat in a sea of them won’t matter that much. Wale brings up Dar’s relationship with Alicia Fox, which ended last April. This guy is going to be on commentary all night isn’t he?

Dar drives TJP into the corner as Wale can’t get the initials in the right order. Hang on a second though as TJP bails to the floor and grabs a mic so he can introduce Wale. TJP dabs at him (Wale: “Nobody dabs anymore!”) and gets dropkicked by Dar, leaving Wale to call him PJ. Dude, it’s THREE LETTERS. TJP gets sent into a variety of things and a snapmare sends him into the ropes. Dar slugs away as Wale talks about hosting the New Day vs. Usos rap battle from last July. A running dropkick sends TJP outside as Nigel can’t pronounce Wale’s name (it’s Wah-Lay).

Back in and a quick DDT gives TJP two as Wale talks to his rap friends. We hit a Tequila Sunrise on Dar to work on the knee for all of two seconds. Another leglock allows TJP to point at Wale and then a curb stomp keeps Dar down. Dar stops a slingshot hilo with a raised knee, which is a bad idea when your knee has been worked over for a few minutes. Wale has moved to intentionally misspelling TJP’s name. It doesn’t make it any funnier, but at least it’s a change of pace.

A right hand to the face gets Dar out of trouble and a release northern lights suplex gets two. TJP pulls him down into the kneebar though but Dar is too close to the ropes, as is almost always the case with the first kneebar attempt. Back up and Dar kicks him in the leg, followed by the Nova Roller for the pin at 9:03.

Rating: C+. I like TJP far more than Dar but it seems that WWE wants to push Dar a bit harder at the moment. The running kick is better than another frog splash or 450 so at least it’s a little change of pace. TJP is still one of the best guys on the roster with the leg stuff, but I get why they would rather have him making people look good instead of pushing him.

That’s it for Wale, thank goodness.

Clip of Sunday’s title match.

Earlier today, Drew Gulak was in the empty arena and said Cedric got lucky on Sunday. If Cedric cares about his legacy, he’ll give Gulak a rematch.

Drake Maverick isn’t so sure because Gulak needs to earn a rematch. Request denied at the moment.

Akira Tozawa vs. Colin Delaney

Or not as Gulak, Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher run in and beat up both guys.

Gulak accuses Cedric of running scared and wants an answer to the challenge right now. Cue Cedric to say that if he’s the scared one, why does Gulak have Thing #1 and Thing #2 out there? Maverick comes out to hold Cedric back as Gulak goes full Green Eggs and Ham. Gulak wants to know what the Age of Alexander is. Whatever it is, is absolutely sucks. The fans want a fight and Cedric finally gets through the referees to chase Gulak off.

Lucha House Party vs. Tony Nese/Buddy Murphy

Tornado rules with Lince Dorado/Gran Metalik for the House Party. Lince starts fast with a high crossbody to take them both down, followed by a launch into a double dropkick. The running flip dives are broken up so the House Party settles for the hard chops on the floor instead. Stereo backdrops over the top set up stereo top rope Asai moonsaults as Dorado and Metalik are moving as one so far. Things settle down with the fights splitting off, including Murphy slamming Dorado’s head into the ramp.

Dorado dropkicks both of them off the apron but the big running flip drive is caught in midair, setting up a powerbomb against the barricade. Back in and Nese starts in on Dorado’s injured thumb but Murphy can’t get the case off. Metalik gets up and walks the rope for a dropkick on Nese, only to have Murphy powerbomb him down. A pumphandle slam/running neckbreaker (more like a running shove to the back of the head) keeps Metalik in trouble and Dorado gets sent into the post.

It’s not much of a posting as he’s back in with a double missile dropkick just a few seconds later as the back and forth continues. Murphy hits Nese by mistake and a hurricanrana gives Dorado two as everyone is down. Dorado tries a double springboard moonsault press but only Nese goes down, which drags Murphy down with him in what might have been a botch. A running tornado DDT has some more luck on Murphy with a near fall but Nese crotches Dorado on the top.

Metalik breaks up the double superplex and actually doesn’t set up a Tower of Doom. I’m as shocked as you are. Nese gets knocked down and the shooting star gets two, leaving everyone down. Murphy and Dorado head up top but Nese is right there with a German superplex, though he ties himself in the Tree of Woe, allowing Metalik to walk the ropes for a dropkick.

Murphy is still up top though and hits a top rope Meteora to put Metalik down, meaning another four way knockdown. The House Party is up first with the superkicks and some alternating moonsaults get two on Nese with Murphy diving in for a save. Even Nigel is impressed by the House Party here so you know this is good. Nese German suplexes Metalik into the corner but the running knee is blocked.

Dorado misses a dive off the apron so Metalik walks the ropes for a hurricanrana to pull Nese off the top and into Murphy for a crazy looking crash, causing Metalik to lose his mask (Kalisto is right there to cover his face like a good buddy). Murphy shoves Kalisto against the announcers’ table so Kalisto trips him down (the first time he’s gotten involved), setting up a Code Red to give Metalik the pin at 17:20.

Rating: A-. I had heard some high praise for this match coming in and they more than lived up to the hype. The House Party has lost a lot over the last few months so giving them a big win is a good idea, while also showing how much better they are as a team. This was a wild and fun brawl and that’s the kind of match that these guys needed. Just a lot of fun with the match getting the time to reach that other level that this show doesn’t reach often enough.

Overall Rating: B+. Sometimes you need to have things just go nuts and put on an entertaining show. The Cruiserweight Title stuff was good too, though I need a little better reason to see a rematch than “I want a rematch and you’re a coward”. Still though, if it means Gulak gets the title one day, everything will be fine. Throw in Wale leaving after about fifteen minutes and the show became a combination of a lot of fun and a relief at the same time. Check out that main event.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: July 31, 2018
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

For the first time in the better part of a year, we actually have a pay per view match to build towards. Last week Drew Gulak became #1 contender by winning a four way match, earning himself a shot against Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander. Other than that we have Lio Rush vs. Akira Tozawa in a pretty nice feud. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of the four way, which was quite good.

Opening sequence.

Kalisto vs. Tony Nese

Feeling out process to start with Nese shoving him around but not stopping to count the abs. You can tell he’s serious here. A hard running elbow drops Kalisto again and Nese sends him hard into the corner. After mocking the lucha dance (as everyone does), Nese whips him again even harder, this time tying Kalisto in the Tree of Woe for some kicks to the ribs.

We hit the waistlock for a long time until Kalisto rolls out and kicks him in the face, followed by a good looking springboard crossbody. Nese trips him up but tweaks his knee coming off the top. He’s still strong enough for a buckle bomb but the kickout frustrates him even more. The delay lets Kalisto grab a very quick Salida Del Sol for the pin at 7:28.

Rating: C-. Nese is a good character but his offense doesn’t exactly inspire me. There’s only so much you can get out of having Nese work on the waist the entire time and that’s about as far as we got here. Buddy Murphy being there will definitely help in the eventual tag match so there’s hope for the feud. If nothing else though, Nigel going full heel on commentary here was a nice change of pace as something like that can enhance a show in a hurry.

Post match Murphy comes out to block Kalisto from leaving and gorilla presses him until Lince Dorado comes out for a save. A double superkick drops Murphy.

Earlier today we had the contract signing for the Cruiserweight Title shot. Drew is ready to sign first but has something to say. Cedric knows this is going to take some time and signs first to save some time. Gulak talks about how Cedric is undefeated this year but that doesn’t mean anything yet. Where was Cedric when the title wasn’t on the line? It was people like Gulak who built the show up while Cedric wrestles whenever he wants to. Cedric will be known as the Brock Lesnar of 205 Live and his reign ends at Summerslam. Gulak signs and leaves.

Lio Rush vs. Ricky Martinez

Before the match, Rush says fans aren’t happy with him for not giving Akira Tozawa a rematch. The problem is that he’s a hot commodity and everyone wants a piece of his time. That’s why he’s found a new opponent who is much more worthy of his time. Rush thinks this guy could put up a better fight than Tozawa so let’s see what he has. Martinez gets in a kick to the head in the corner but Rush flips up and hits two kicks of his own. There’s the suicide dive (ala Tozawa) and a rolling kick to the head. The frog splash (the Final Hour) puts Martinez away at 1:11.

Post match Tozawa chases Rush off. This will continue and that’s not the worst thing in the world.

Brian Kendrick vs. Cedric Alexander

Non-title and Cedric has a taped up thumb. Feeling out process to start with Alexander nipping out of a headscissors, sending Kendrick backing into the corner. Kendrick’s headlock works a bit better until Cedric snaps off a good looking armdrag. A chop brings Kendrick to his knees as they’re still in pretty slow motion early on. Cue Gulak for a distraction, allowing Kendrick to roll underneath the ring.

The sneaking around lets Kendrick send him into the steps and it’s time to choke on the ropes as Gulak joins in on commentary. An armbar keeps Cedric down but he pops back up for some forearms. The springboard clothesline is broken up though and Alexander takes a nasty fall onto the ropes. Those always worry me a bit but he’s fine enough to send Kendrick outside. The big flip dive to the floor drops Kendrick and Alexander is down next to him. Gulak: “What a bonehead.”

Alexander gets two off the springboard clothesline but he can’t hit the Lumbar Check. He can however hit the Neuralizer to send Kendrick out to the apron. Back in and Kendrick grabs a quick Captain’s Hook but Cedric makes the rope, much to Gulak’s chagrin. Another Hook is countered into a Michinoku Driver and Alexander can’t follow up. Kendrick superkicks him and tries Sliced Bread, but Cedric pulls him into the Lumbar Check (with a great sell job) to finish Kendrick at 12:20.

Rating: B-. This match did something that is almost impossible to pull off: having a match that has no drama turn into something rather entertaining. Cedric isn’t going to lose in a non-title match just before Summerslam but Kendrick helped turn this into a fun match. Piling up wins before Summerslam is going to make the likely title change mean more and Gulak seems primed to take the belt away. Much better than it should have been here.

Post match Gulak gets on the apron for a distraction, allowing Jack Gallagher to come in for a shot to the face. Gulak: “Cedric my boy! What happened to you?” Drake Maverick comes in and threatens to take Gulak’s title match away if anything else happens. Gulak and company back off to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. They’ve figured out the right balance around here and I’m sure none of that has anything to do with the title becoming a more active part of the show. They’ve found a good structure to the show and that’s exactly what they needed to do. If they can keep this going for a few more weeks and months, they might just have a good show on their hands.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: July 24, 2018
Location: Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph, Percy Watson

Things are starting to pick up around here as the title is actually being defended a bit more regularly. Tonight we’ll be finding out the new #1 contender to Cedric Alexander’s Cruiserweight Title in a four way match. I’ll certainly take it over another tournament and hopefully we get the right choice for the winner. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick hypes up the main event and introduces the four participants: TJP, Drew Gulak, Mustafa Ali and Hideo Itami.

Opening sequence.

The announcers, with Maverick sitting in on commentary, discuss the four way.

Akira Tozawa vs. Jack Gallagher

Gallagher gets technical to start so Tozawa kicks him in the chest and drops the backsplash. The announcers grill Maverick about his choices for the four way as the commentary turns into something like a State of 205 Live Address. With Gallagher on the floor, Tozawa tries a baseball slide but gets caught in the ring skirt so Gallagher can pound away from behind. Back in and we hit the neck crank but let’s cut away from that to look at Maverick. Gallagher switches to a nasty armbar as Nigel and Maverick get a little testy over Nigel asking so many questions.

A stomp to the bent arm lets Gallagher parade around the ring a bit so Tozawa snaps off a kick to the head. The threat of a backsplash sends Gallagher outside so Tozawa follows with the suicide headbutt. A Black Widow has Gallagher in trouble so he spins out into a slam for a break. Tozawa gets caught on the top but is fine enough to shove Gallagher off, setting up the top rope backsplash for the pin at 7:32.

Rating: B-. Nigel and Maverick were the more interesting part here with Maverick being a rather good talker who comes off as professional and proper in everything he says. The needling from Nigel was enough to get something out of Maverick and they stayed in the area of what was going on in the ring. It’s amazing how everyone but Raw can pull that off.

Post match Tozawa says he wants a rematch with Rush and Maverick says he’ll see what he can do.

TJP is glad that Maverick finally figured out the obvious and put him back in the main event. The Cruiserweight Title is coming home, but first it’s time for a nap.

Itami shouts in Japanese before saying Cedric won’t survive again.

Lince Dorado/Kalisto vs. Ryan DePolo/Chris Robinson

This was supposed to be Tony Nese/Buddy Murphy but Nese can’t be here for “outside circumstances”. Hang on though as the masked guys have shirts to hand out. Dorado jumps over DePolo a few times to start and there’s a Bronco Buster to really have him in trouble. The Tower of Lucha keeps DePolo down and there’s a kick to the head. Robinson comes in to take a double Golden Rewind and falls to the floor. That’s cool with Dorado, who dives onto him while tagging Kalisto in midair. The Salida Del Sol ends DePolo at 2:06. The jobbers had no offense at all.

Gulak doesn’t like the chaos that will be taking place in tonight’s match. It doesn’t matter though as one of them will be tapping out.

Mustafa Ali is ready to take whatever he has to in order to get the Cruiserweight Title.

Lio Rush doesn’t think much of Tozawa asking for a rematch because he beat Tozawa already.

Mustafa Ali vs. TJP vs. Hideo Itami vs. Drew Gulak

One fall to a finish with the winner getting a title shot at some point in the future. TJP stands back while Itami and Gulak stomp on Ali (wrestling shirtless tonight) in the corner. Ali fights back and catapults Gulak into TJP for two with Itami using a kick to break things up. With Gulak and TJP on the floor, Itami kicks Ali out of the air to take over for the time being. Hideo is really not happy with TJP breaking up a cover so Ali headscissors TJP to the floor and kicks Itami in the face.

Gulak comes back in with a hard clothesline to take Itami’s head off and we hit a neck crank rather early on. Everyone gets back in and Itami wants to take out TJP but Gulak says not so fast. Gulak knows what TJP is but tells Itami to beat Ali up instead. They gang up on Ali with a triple backdrop in quite the show of respect. The trio takes turns calling spots on Ali until TJP rolls Gulak up for two, which doesn’t sit well with anyone.

The argument allows Ali to dropkick them all down but TJP puts Itami and Ali in abdominal stretches at the same time. TJP: “YOU GIVE UP! YOU GIVE UP! SOMEBODY GIVE UP!” Gulak breaks it up and Gory Stretches TJP which is reversed into a pinfall reversal sequence. Itami takes them both down and yells at TJP but stops to kick Ali in the head. Ali and Gulak get back up with Ali hurricanranaing him into Itami for a double knockdown.

There’s the rolling X Factor to TJP and the spinning DDT for two on Gulak with Itami making the save to put everyone down. TJP is up with a nasty looking spin kick to Gulak’s face but Itami kicks him as well, followed by a superkick from Ali for another knockdown. Ali and TJP hit stereo crossbodies with Ali rolling out to the floor. Gulak and Itami have a staredown with Gulak offering a handshake but getting into a slugout instead.

A Falcon Arrow gives Itami one with no one coming in for the save. They roll outside again so Ali and TJP can take their places, only to have TJP pulled back outside. Ali hits a big dive onto all three of them, followed by a heck of a tornado DDT on TJP. The 054 connects but Itami makes a save. Itami dropkicks Ali into the steps but Gulak posts Itami hard. Ali is out though and the Gulock gives Gulak the easy win at 14:47.

Rating: B. Above all else, it’s the right winner. Gulak has been on a roll in the last few months and there’s no reason to keep him away from the title picture (and hopefully the title) any longer. I can also go with TJP and Ali closer to the title as TJP is a great cocky heel and Ali lives up to his moniker of the heart of NXT. Itami is getting better (or maybe I’m just getting used to him) and as long as he cuts out the RESPECT ME stuff, he’s completely serviceable in his role.

Gallagher and Brian Kendrick come in for the celebration to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Another strong show with the right choices and some good action all night long. Above all else though I’m glad to see Gulak getting the push towards the top of the show. He’s long overdue for this spot and really, his promos alone make him a better option than Alexander. They have figured this show out and that couldn’t come at a better time. Nice stuff here, which is becoming very common.

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

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