205 Live – May 1, 2020: Playing The Hits

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: May 1, 2020
Host: Tom Phillips

It’s more of the Matches That Made Us with the Singh Brothers getting a turn. I’m not sure what that could include but these things have been a pleasant surprise so far. While I’ve never been anything close to a Singh Brothers fan, they’ve probably had a good match in there somewhere for the second half of the show. Let’s get to it.

Tom gives us a quick intro.

The Singhs talk about the match that made them huge fans when they were kids so here it is.

From Wrestlemania XII (clipped on the show but this is the full version):

WWF World Title: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels

Feeling out process to start as Shawn grabs some quick takedowns to frustrate Bret just a bit. Bret holds on to a headlock to slow things down as Vince tries to say there are no Bret or Shawn fans but only WWF fans. Lawler is all over him for sounding stupid as this headlock continues. In this case though it makes sense as both guys would want to conserve energy.

With three minutes left, Shawn gets two off a top rope ax handle. The top rope elbow gets the same and Shawn plants him with a gutwrench powerbomb. He goes up with two minutes left and a moonsault press gets another near fall. A middle rope hurricanrana gets the same and Shawn is winded. With a minute left, Shawn goes up top but misses a dropkick and gets caught in the Sharpshooter. Bret cranks back on it but the time limit expires at 1:00:00.

Bret is all ticked off and leaves, not to be seen for over seven months. Vince gets in the great line of “the boyhood dream has come true for Shawn Michaels.” Shawn is stunned but finally celebrates like you knew he was going to do.

And a match with the Singhs in it.

From 205 Live, July 9, 2019.

Lucha House Party vs. Singh Brothers

Tornado tag with Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado for the House Party. It’s a dance/pose off to start before the House Party punch them out to the floor. The Singhs get chopped a lot until it’s Metalik kicking away at Sunil back inside. Dorado comes back in and throws Metalik onto Sunil for two as Sumir comes back in for a save. That’s fine with Dorado, who hits a springboard moonsault for two of his own.

Something like a reverse hart Attack gets two on Sumir but Sunil crotches Dorado to break up the rope walk elbow. A double suplex gets two and a spinwheel kick sets up some hip swiveling. Some kicks keep Metalik down and, of course, that means it’s time for dancing, because that’s what the Singh Brothers do. A top rope Demolition Decapitator (Nigel: “BUENOS NOCHES!!!”) gets two as Dorado seems to have fallen into a hole somewhere.

As Metalik gets sent outside, Dorado FINALLY comes back in to break up some more hip swiveling. A high crossbody gets two with Sunil making a save of his own. The Golden Rewind puts Sumir down but the luchadors get double superkicked out of the air. Sunil brings in the Boscar trophy, which is taken away by Kalisto. The Metalik Driver sets up the rope walk DDT/a shooting star press for the stereo pins at 10:52.

Rating: C-. It wasn’t bad but this did a lot to expose the Singh Brothers as little more than a one note act. They did very little other than their dancing and that’s not enough to carry a ten minute match. The Bollywood Boys deal is fine, but come up with a better way to present that during the matches.

Tom says goodbye.

Overall Rating: C. This could have been a lot worse as Shawn winning is a major moment and one of the biggest moments of the era. The 205 Live match was nothing to see but there is only so much to be gotten out of a Singh Brothers match in the first place. I could go for something a little more out of left field next time though, as they’ve only been hitting the big classics over the last few weeks. Mix it up a bit.

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

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

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

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

205 Live – February 21, 2020: Hokey Smoke They Did It

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 21, 2020
Location: Gila River Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

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

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Joaquin Wilde vs. Raul Mendoza

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

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

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

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

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

Samir Singh vs. Tyler Breeze

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

205 Live – February 14, 2020: Come Up With Your Own Angry Title

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 14, 2020
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Singh Brothers vs. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch

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

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

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

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

Video on Joaquin Wilde.

Video on Raul Mendoza. He meets Wilde last week.

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

Jordan Devlin tweeted a response, basically saying nu uh.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

205 Live – February 7, 2020: What Did We Do To Them?

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 7, 2020
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Joe Quasto, Aiden English

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

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

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

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

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

Singh Brothers vs. Joe Furrer/Devon Dixie

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

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

Tony Nese vs. Lio Rush vs. Jordan Devlin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

205 Live – January 10, 2020: Get Out While You Can Tyler

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: January 10, 2020
Location: Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana
Commentators: Aiden English, Byron Saxton

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

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Isaiah Scott vs. Lio Rush

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

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

Singh Brothers vs. Lio Rush/Isaiah Scott

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

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

Post match, Rush and Scott seem cool.

Video on Tyler Breeze.

Ariya Daivari vs. Jeff Brooks

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

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

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

Tyler Breeze vs. Tony Nese

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

205 Live – January 3, 2020: They Failed

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: January 3, 2020
Location: FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Aiden English

It’s back to this show as we couldn’t just continue with the Best Of format that worked so well to end the show. Angel Garza is the new Cruiserweight Champion and needs something to do around here, which we might start setting up tonight. Or more random matches like back when the show first started. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of Garza defeating Lio Rush to win the title in December.

Opening sequence.

The announcers welcome us to the show and Aiden wants to have more fun this year.

Ariya Daivari vs. Danny Burch

During his entrance, Daivari talks about needing to protect the division because he’s a 205 Live original, because we’re still on that for some reason. Daivari runs him over to start and lays on the top as we go to the low camera angle to try and hide the empty seats. Burch works on the arm and takes it to the mat with a headlock.

After a few more headlocks, Burch stomps away in the corner but gets pulled off the middle rope with Burch having to roll outside. Back in and Daivari hits a running knee to the face to set up the chinlock. A reverse DDT gives Daivari two as we continue the match in search of a crowd reaction. Daivari goes to the middle rope, mocks the Jerry Lawler strap drop (ok that was good), and dives into a raised boot.

Burch starts his comeback with uppercuts and the middle rope dropkick, followed by the headbutt for two. The Crossface is broken up in a hurry and Daivari gets his own two off an Iconoclasm. Burch is right back with the Crossface but a masked man, who is pretty clearly Brian Kendrick, jumps the barricade as Daivari taps. The distracted Burch lets go and it’s the hammerlock lariat to finish Burch at 11:29.

Rating: D. It wasn’t even that bad of a match but anything involving Daivari and Kendrick just shows you how dull and stale this show is. Kendrick can do some good things but we’ve seen him so many times now that it doesn’t mean anything. Daivari is far from the worst performer but he’s just so dry and uninteresting with the most generic rich villain character that I groan every time I see him. Terribly uninteresting match, as tends to be the case around here far too often.

Post match Kendrick reintroduces himself to the crowd and talks about starting the cruiserweight division. He wants someone to do something and hits Sliced Bread #2 on Burch. Kendrick smiles at Daivari and DEAR GOODNESS NOT AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN THESE TWO! Come on already people.

Sunil Singh is now a father. That’s rather nice.

We hear about some of the great things to happen to the Singh Brothers in 2019 and Aiden’s resolution of having more fun is ruined.

Singh Brothers vs. Corey Storm/Anthony Wayne

Storm is from OVW for Tom is now a Singhs fan. Wayne gets kneed down to start and it’s a double elbow to the face to make it worse. Storm (Casey according to Tom) comes in and gets stomped down in the corner until Samir is accidentally whipped into the buckle. It’s back to Wayne who looks a bit confused, only to have Sunil kick him in the face. The Bollywood Blast finishes at 2:21.

Tony Nese vs. Angel Garza

Non-title. Garza bails to the floor to start and says it’s his time with the amount of empty seats depressing me even more. They do it again with Garza getting some kisses on the cheek before heading inside to offer a handshake. Nese shoves him away and waistlocks him down as they finally do something.

That means we get some bragging about the abs as commentary has to acknowledge the complete silence from the fans. They fight over a test of strength for a bit until Garza gets in a springboard wristdrag. Garza avoids a whip into the ropes and…..Nese won’t let him TAKE OFF HIS PANTS! They head outside with Nese being sent into the steps so Garza can VIVA MEXICO. Fans: “THIS IS AWFUL!”

Back in and Garza gets two off a kick to the chest, followed by a hanging reverse DDT for the same. Nese finally crotches him on top and we hit the bodyscissors because the fans need a reason to lose even more energy. Garza gets back up and they trade kicks to the face for a double knockdown. The comeback is on with some clotheslines and there’s a wristdrag into the corner. Now GARZA CAN TAKE OFF HIS PANTS and a superkick gets two.

Nese palm strikes him down and snaps off a hurricanrana. They botch….something that looked like a sunset flip and Nese has to fall on top for two. Nese sends him outside again and Garza hits a middle rope moonsault but the Wing Clipper is countered into a suplex. Nese’s Boston crab sends Garza crawling to the rope and they’re back up. Finally willing to put the match out of its misery, Garza blocks the Lionsault and hits the Wing Clipper for the pin at 13:44.

Rating: D-. This is a complicated one because there are two factors at play here. First of all, the match wasn’t very good because they didn’t have a lot of chemistry together and Garza’s charisma was turned off for some reason. That being said, these two were left out there to die in front of a crowd that wouldn’t have reacted had Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan gone out there and had a match. The crowd shook them as they’re capable of having a perfectly good match but we got this disaster instead. A lot of it was their fault but they were in a no win situation.

Overall Rating: F. I know I’ve said this several times before but if this didn’t kill off 205 Live, nothing is going to. Look at this show and tell me what in the world was good about the whole thing. The crowd just was not interested and most of them had left by the time the show was over. What are the wrestlers supposed to do? They’re put in a situation where they can’t do anything about it and the company isn’t willing to change a thing about the show. Awful show in no way is it entirely on the wrestlers.

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

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

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NXT – December 11, 2019: I Don’t Like This Feeling

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: December 11, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Beth Phoenix

It’s the next to last show of the year with one more show to go after this in 2019. That show is going to need a main event and we’ll be setting that up tonight with a triple threat match for the #1 contendership to the NXT Title. In other words, it’s Keith Lee vs. Tommaso Ciampa vs. Finn Balor, which should tell you everything you need to know. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at the triple threat but Adam Cole cuts things off to say this is a waste of time. Whoever wins tonight is just cashing a ticket to a beating from the best NXT Champion of all time. That is undisputed.

Cruiserweight Title: Angel Garza vs. Lio Rush

Rush is defending and we get the Big Match Intros, as we certainly should for something like this. Rush jumps him before the bell though and it’s a brawl to start until Garza spears the champ through the ropes. A tackle into the steps has Garza down but he drops Rush face first onto the apron to take over. Garza can’t TAKE OFF HIS PANTS though as Rush tackles him down and starts the rapid movements. He gets caught in the corner though and a superkick gives Garza two more.

Garza sends him outside though and we take a break. Back with Rush getting in a shot to the face to put Garza on the floor as well. That means a moonsault to the floor as the pace slows a bit. A slingshot reverse suplex is reversed into a crossbody for two on Garza but he catches Rush with an enziguri on top. That means the super Spanish Fly for a very close two, followed by an exchange of superkicks for the double knockdown.

It’s Rush up first with a Wing Clipper of his own for a near fall of his own but Garza puts him in an electric chair. For some reason Garza drops him onto the ropes so Rush bounces right back with the Stunner. The Final Hour connects but Garza crawls to the floor…..AND RUSH TAKES OFF GARZA’S PANTS! Another Final Hour to the floor only hits knees though and the Wing Clipper gives Garza….two. In a smart move, Garza grabs the underhook again and pulls back for the tap and the title at 15:17.

Rating: B. This was an intense, back and forth match with Rush trying as hard as he could but ultimately being beaten by the better man. That being said though, it isn’t exactly an interesting feud and while Garza has been impressive, he just feels like the next guy to hold the title. It’s way better than whatever they would do on 205 Live, but the title still doesn’t serve much of a purpose other than filling in time on these now double length shows.

Clip from a special on Shayna Baszler vs. Rhea Ripley to set up their title match next week. That is feeling special.

Finn Balor doesn’t like Tommaso Ciampa because he calls the NXT Title Goldie. He’s coming for the title.

During the break, Garza brought his girlfriend into the ring and proposed to her. She said yes, as you might have expected.

Last night, Cameron Grimes attacked Kushida at the Performance Center.

Cameron Grimes vs. Raul Mendoza

Grimes jumps him in the corner to start and sends him outside for a big flip dive. Cue Kushida for a distraction though and Mendoza snaps off a hurricanrana for the pin at 1:14.

Kushida steals the hat, just to be evil.

Mia Yim is furious at Dakota Kai and promises to put her in an ambulance tonight.

Video on Travis Banks, who is in action tonight.

Travis Banks vs. Jaxson Ryker

When Worlds Collide preview. Banks starts fast by kicking him to the floor and hitting a suicide dive. Back in and Ryker chops away in the corner before throwing Banks down with ease. Banks dropkicks the knee out to send Ryker into the corner though and there’s a Cannonball to the back. The top rope double stomp misses so Ryker ax handles him in the chest. A missile dropkick sets up the Slice of Heaven to pin Ryker at 2:46. Remember when Ryker was an unstoppable monster who survived a bunch of ladder shots earlier this year at Takeover? NXT doesn’t either. Or Banks is just that awesome.

Dakota Kai vs. Mia Yim

Yim dropkicks her into the corner to start but Kai forearms away. That just earns her a toss into the corner and a basement dropkick to the head gives Yim two. Kai is back with some kicks to the back but a missed charge puts Kai on the floor. That means a Cannonball against the steps as we take a break.

Back with Yim working on the leg but getting sent face first into the buckle. The circling kick to the face gets two on Yim but she scores with some kicks to the ribs. A belly to belly sends Kai down for two more, followed by Code Blue for the same. Kai grabs a sitout powerbomb out of the corner for two but a one kneed Codebreaker puts her on the floor. Back in and Yim charges into a boot to the face, allowing Kai to pull off a turnbuckle pad. A bounce off the exposed buckle gives Kai the pin at 10:00.

Rating: B-. Yim is a lot better when she’s motivated like this and we got a good match out of it. I’m also rather surprised by how well Kai has done with the heel run. She seems like the most natural face ever and yet here she is cheating and making me want to see someone stop her. Well done indeed and a good match too.

Post match Yim goes after Kai again and takes her onto the tech platform. The belly to back superplex onto some tables destroys Kai as Yim is up pretty quickly. Kai may be hurt as the referees are checking on her for a good bit.

Keith Lee says all he needed was an opportunity and now it’s going to take a lot to stop him. He’s the only one who can make the other two bask in his glory.

Breezango vs. Singh Brothers

One: Breezango are doctors this week. Two: I ALREADY WATCH 205 LIVE SO WHY DO I HAVE TO WATCH THESE STUPID SCHMUCKS HERE TOO????? A jumping knee to the face rocks Sunil to start and a Backstabber puts him down again. It’s off to Fandango, who avoids a charge in the corner to get two on Samir.

A dropkick lets Sunil get a breather and he sends Breeze outside for a few seconds. Back in and the Bollywood Blast gets two on Breeze and we hit the chinlock. Breeze enziguris his way out of trouble and it’s back to Fandango for a top rope kick to the face. Everything breaks down and Samir gets powerbomb onto the apron. Back in and the Last Dance gives Fandango the pin at 4:17.

Rating: D. Well that certainly existed. I’m not sure what the appeal or even point here was supposed to be but it did fill in some time. Having Fandango in a costume of the week (or month at this rate) is missing the point, but it’s not like it’s going to matter all that much either way. At least they got on TV, but

We get another part of the Baszler vs. Ripley video, this time focusing on Ripley’s rise to the top of NXT UK.

Kayden Carter vs. Bianca Belair

Belair charges at her in the corner to start but Carter is right back with a springboard kick to the face. A backbreaker into a gutbuster puts Carter right back down and it’s off to an Argentine backbreaker. That’s broken up so Belair drops down onto Carter’s back a few times. Carter comes back with a forearm to the ribs but the tornado DDT is blocked. Carter gets knees up to block a moonsault and Belair misses a charge to the floor. Back in and Belair spears her down, setting up the KOD for the pin at 4:55.

Rating: C. Carter is someone who has impressed me multiple times so far and she got in some offense against a much bigger star here. Belair is fine in moments like this but she keeps falling short at the finish line. It wasn’t a squash though and that’s a good sign for Carter’s future.

Adam Cole comes out to watch the main event.

Video on Tommaso Ciampa, who is back to claim what is his.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Keith Lee vs. Finn Balor

During his entrance, Ciampa dedicates this to Goldie. Ciampa starts on Balor to start with Finn being sent outside. That means a stalking from Lee, who drops Balor onto the apron. Lee sends him back inside for a slingshot dive onto both of them for the big knockdown. Back from a break with Lee crushing both of them with corner splashes until Ciampa kicks him in the face. A Cactus Clothesline leaves Balor alone in the ring but it’s Ciampa back inside in a hurry.

Ciampa’s running knees to the face has Balor in trouble and there’s a double hanging DDT to both Lee and Balor. Ciampa pats himself on the back (as he does) and starts slugging away at Lee for a change. Lee runs him over but the splash hits knees in a hurry. The Fairy Tale Ending is broken up though and it’s Balor coming back in for a double stomp to Lee’s chest. With everyone back in, Lee starts crushing the other two in the corner.

That gets the fans going all over again and a double backdrop makes it even worse. Lee goes up but gets double super Russian legsweeped back down. We take another break and come back again Ciampa trying the super Air Raid Crash….so Lee puts them both on his shoulders for a double electric chair. Lee misses a middle rope moonsault but he’s fine enough to hit the Limit Breaker on Ciampa. Balor reverses another attempt into a small package for two but Lee is fine enough to block the Sling Blade.

The Spirit Bomb is countered into a double stomp. Ciampa is sent outside and Balor hits a big flip dive onto Lee. Balor sends Ciampa into the barricade to knock down some fan but it’s time for Lee to start running people over back inside. Ciampa goes after Lee’s knee and somehow hits the Air Raid Crash for two. Back up and Lee plants him with a spinebuster, setting up the middle rope moonsault for two of his own. The Spirit Bomb hits Ciampa but Balor comes in off the top with the Coup de Grace to Lee (that was some great timing) for the pin and the title shot at 18:10.

Rating: B+. The ending alone made this one that much better as Balor came in out of nowhere and got the pin, including after hitting his finisher instead of stealing someone else’s win. This is a match where no one looks bad and the action was awesome throughout so what more can you ask for? Other than Lee winning, but he seems safe for now.

Cole stares Balor down and the Undisputed Era comes out to join him to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I’m not sued to saying this but for the first time in a long time, it felt like this show dragged in parts. There were matches (Belair and Breezango in particular) which felt like they were there for nothing other than filler to get us to the two hour run time. That being said, you had the Cruiserweight Title match, the main event and Grimes vs. Kushida continuing so we should be fine going forward. It just makes me miss the hour long format because this could have been a classic show had they not had to stretch to fill in the time.

Results

Angel Garza b. Lio Rush – Double underhook pull

Raul Mendoza b. Cameron Grimes – Hurricanrana

Travis Banks b. Jaxson Ryker – Slice of Heaven

Dakota Kai b. Mia Yim – Ram into an exposed turnbuckle

Breezango b. Singh Brothers – Last Dance to Sunil

Bianca Belair b. Kayden Carter – KOD

Finn Balor b. Keith Lee and Tommaso Ciampa – Coup de Grace to Lee

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

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

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205 Live – November 15, 2019: New Levels Of I Don’t Care

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: November 15, 2019
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

I’m trying to keep my interest up in this show. I really am, but they are not exactly making it easy on me. Last week’s show featuring a match from Full Sail made it clear that things could go a lot better around here but for some reason we just can’t get that out of them on a regular basis. Tonight is likely to continue Angel Garza vs. Lio Rush, which feels like a far cry from Alexander, Murphy and Ali. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of Rush successfully defending the title against Angel Garza, who blew Rush’s wife a kiss as a result.

Opening sequence.

Angel Garza vs. Jack Gallagher

Angel offers a handshake to start but pulls it away and grabs a rollup for two. That earns him a double stomp to the legs so Angel takes Gallagher down for a splash to the leg of his own. Garza pulls on the leg some more but spends too much time going after Gallagher’s hair, allowing Gallagher to reverse into a headlock. Back up and Gallagher’s very spinning headscissors is countered into a reverse powerbomb to put Gallagher in trouble.

Gallagher is sat on top for a running dropkick but hang on because GARZA HAS TO TAKE OFF HIS PANTS! It’s off to a seated abdominal stretch for a bit before Gallagher comes back with some suplexes. Garza sends him to the floor though and, after faking a dive, slaps Gallagher in the back. That makes Gallagher scream but also annoys him enough to start the comeback. The Gentleman’s Dropkick misses though and Garza grabs a rollup, plus trunks, for the pin at 6:37.

Rating: C. Just a quick match with Garza continuing to feel like a star and the regular 205 Live wrestlers feeling like tired acts that we have seen forever. Gallagher is awesome but he’s been around so long now that his talents are not having any real impact. That has been one of the biggest problems for 205 Live for months now and it isn’t going well in the slightest.

Post match Gallagher yells at English for saying bad things about him on commentary.

24/7 Title: Tim Gange vs. Samir Singh

Singh is defending. Before the match, the Singh Brothers brag about their long reign with the title (which now says Bollywood) and even sing us a song. They’re a team, so this is a handicap match.

24/7 Title: Tim Gange vs. Singh Brothers

The Brothers are defending. The Brothers double team him to start but Gange fights back and even gets to shake the ropes a bit. A superkick/Russian legsweep combination sets up the Bollywood Blast for the pin at 1:52. I’m reaching new levels of being sick of the Brothers.

On Wednesday, Lio Rush said he wasn’t happy with Angel Garza disrespecting his wife. It’s becoming personal and if Garza ever comes near his wife again, Rush is rearranging his face.

Lio Rush/Raul Mendoza vs. Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese

Mendoza goes straight after Nese but gets sent outside by Daivari. Rush enziguris Nese to the floor and hits the big suicide dive, allowing Rush and Mendoza to rule the ring. Back in and Rush stomps on Daivari’s arm before handing it off to Mendoza for an elbow. A splash gets two and it’s Rush grabbing a chinlock. Nese gets in a cheap shot though and Rush gets knocked outside.

Back in it’s Rush’s turn to get beaten up with Daivari and Nese taking turns putting the audience to sleep. Rush is back up with a suicide dive to take Daivari out on the floor and the hot tag brings Mendoza back in. Daivari makes a save but Mendoza is right back with a running kick to the face. Mendoza and Daivari head to the floor where Daivari drives him into the barricade because this show needs to keep going.

A double suplex puts Mendoza down and Nese teases knocking him off the apron. Daivari’s sleeper is broken up and Mendoza rolls over for the hot tag to Rush. Everything breaks down and Daivari superplexes Rush down. A lot of punching sets up Rush’s springboard Stunner for two and Mendoza’s spinning Rock Bottom to Daivari gets the same. Nese’s 450 misses and the Final Hour finishes him off at 13:26.

Rating: C-. The wrestling wasn’t too bad but my goodness I do not care about these people or anything that they are doing. That is the underlying problem here and it was certainly on display here. I’m not sure if we’re supposed to be going for NXT vs. 205 Live but if that’s the case, they’re even more delusional about the future of this place than I thought they were.

Overall Rating: D. The wrestling isn’t interesting, the characters aren’t interesting and the show isn’t interesting. I don’t know why I’m supposed to be interested in the Singh Brothers shouting BOLLY BOLLY BOLLY BOLLY BOLLY every single week or various low level NXT people showing up. This show is dying in a way that I didn’t think was possible and even though the shows have been a bit shorter as of late, they are feeling longer and longer almost every week. I would say fix this, but I don’t think that can be done without blowing the whole thing up. Again.

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

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

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205 Live – October 18, 2019: The Final Draft Fallout

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: October 18, 2019
Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Aiden English,

Things are not in a good place around here at the moment and that has been the case for far too long now. There is just no energy or life to the show and it gets more and more obvious every week. Couple that with NXT getting the Cruiserweight Title and there is only so much that can be done around here. Something needs to change but I’m not sure what can be done. Let’s get to it.

General Manager Drake Maverick talks about how the Draft took away a lot of the show’s talent. That has changed things around a bit around here so now we are going to be making a change. Going forward, NXT talents who meet the weight limit will be appearing on the show. Maverick does mention being drafted to Smackdown, which doesn’t seem to mess with his 205 Live status. If he can be, why can’t the rest of the drafted ones?

Opening sequence.

Jack Gallagher vs. Brian Kendrick

Jack jumps him in the aisle and uppercuts him against the barricade, followed by the running dropkick for a bonus. Kendrick comes back with a kendo stick to the ribs, which is fine as the bell never rang. They get inside for the bell so Kendrick spears him into the corner and gets two off a butterfly suplex. A hard whip into the corner has Gallagher down again so Kendrick does it a second time. Something close to a seated abdominal stretch goes on as you can’t fault Kendrick’s logic so far. Gallagher gets out with a hiptoss and hammers away to send Kendrick outside.

Back in and a good looking missile dropkick gives Gallagher two but Kendrick is right back with a superkick. The Captain’s Hook goes on with Kendrick flipping him away from the ropes. The second escape attempt works a bit better so it’s the Gentleman’s Dropkick for two. With the wrestling not working, Gallagher heads outside and grabs the kendo stick from earlier. Since the referee isn’t cool with that, Kendrick uses the distraction to send Gallagher ribs first into the buckle. Sliced Bread finishes Gallagher at 6:09.

Rating: C. This wasn’t an exciting match but it was performed well by two guys who know what they’re doing out there. Kendrick has been around forever and Gallagher is very polished in his own right, making this about as good as you were going to get in this situation. The crowd was silent for it though, and that’s the problem with the way 205 Live is set up, which we’ve covered more than enough times before.

Post match Gallagher sits in the corner and stares at Kendrick.

Video on Angel Garza.

Singh Brothers vs. Justin Alexander/Justin Morris

The Brothers are billed as the #1 overall pick in the Bollywood Draft. Samir headlocks Alexander to start and gets armdragged into an armbar in a hurry. That’s about it for Alexander though as as Sunil comes in for the chinlock. Alexander fights up in a hurry and gets over for the tag to Morris. Everything breaks down and it’s a double superkick, followed by the Bollywood Blast for the pin on Morris at 3:28.

Rating: D+. Yeah fine. I’m running out of ways to explain my level of disinterest in the Singhs and I don’t know what WWE sees in them. Is it another attempt to cater to the Indian market? The match was just a squash but the Singhs haven’t been interesting since they were the punching bags for Jinder Mahal’s opponents and they weren’t that great then.

Lio Rush is back next week.

Ariya Daivari vs. Tony Nese vs. Oney Lorcan

Lorcan gets double teamed to start before they take turns laying over the top. That’s broken up as Lorcan fights up and knocks them both to the floor so he can lay on the top for a change. Nese comes back in so Daivari can steal a rollup for two, only to get sent right back to the floor. That lets Tony come back in to strike away at Lorcan until Daivari steals a rollup for two. Everyone gets back in to exchange strikes, with Lorcan taking over.

Daivari’s charge in the corner sends Nese outside but Lorcan is back up with a pair of top rope flip dives to take Daivari down. The running flip dive to the floor takes Nese and Daivari down at the same time and there’s the top rope version for a bonus. Back in and a double running Blockbuster gives Lorcan two each. Nese kicks Lorcan down, only to walk into a Rock Bottom from Daivari.

An Iconoclasm sends Nese into Lorcan to give Daivari two but Lorcan is back up with the half and half. Nese is waiting with a superkick to Lorcan but has to take care of Daivari, meaning the 450 misses Lorcan. Daivari makes a save of his own and everyone is down. Nese loads up a superplex on Daivari until Lorcan breaks it up and hits his own superplex. That isn’t even good for a cover though as Nese runs back in for the sunset driver and the pin on Lorcan at 16:41.

Rating: B-. It was a rather action packed match but I rolled my eyes when I saw the three people involved. How many times have these people, or at least some of them, get into the main event for a future title shot? It’s these same people over and over and while the matches are good, it still isn’t something I care to see so often.

Post match Nese grabs English’s headset and says he’s coming for the Cruiserweight Title.

Overall Rating: C+. That main event helped a lot but you can feel the complete lack of energy around here. It isn’t that the show is all that terrible but there is such a low reason to care about anything going on here. WWE has made it clear that this show doesn’t mean much and that makes it very hard to get behind anything happening here.

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

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

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205 Live – August 13, 2019: What’s Left?

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: August 13, 2019
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Aiden English

We’ll wrap up the major (work with me here) shows from Toronto with this one as there isn’t much Summerslam fallout to deal with. That tends to be the case when you only have one match at the pay per view and that’s what happened this weekend. What matters now is setting things up for Clash of Champions, though I have no idea who is next for Gulak. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at the title match, which ended when Gulak got in a cheap shot to the threat. Therefore, it’s a rematch tonight.

Opening sequence.

Jack Gallagher vs. Akira Tozawa

Fallout from last week’s #1 contenders match and Tozawa has Brian Kendrick with him. Feeling out process to start with Gallagher taking him to the mat but getting reversed into a headscissors. Back up and Gallagher slides between the legs and trips Tozawa down before starting in on the hand. Tozawa is fine enough to reverse into the Iron Octopus, which of course is quickly broken up because British people know how to get out of submissions.

Things get a bit more aggressive with Gallagher catapulting him into the post for a change of pace, leaving Tozawa down on the floor for nine. Back in and we pause for the referee to check on a cut, though Tozawa is fine enough to hit a Shining Wizard. It’s too early for the top rope backsplash though and Gallagher slaps on a Gory Special. As usual, the hold only lasts so long until Tozawa sends him outside. That means the suicide dive, setting up a missile dropkick to give Tozawa two.

Gallagher can’t elbow his way out of a fireman’s carry so it’s something like an F5 for two more. Back up and Gallagher hits a rare standing dropkick before it’s off to an inverted Gory Stretch. That’s not enough for Gallagher, who drives Tozawa ribs first into the corner, but a superplex attempt is thrown down. Now the top rope backsplash can connect for the pin at 8:46, even though Gallagher’s foot was on the rope for a second.

Rating: C. Perfectly fine midcard match here but they never went to the next level that they’re capable of reaching. Gallagher is at his best when he does all of his crazy submissions and Tozawa shines with his charisma (usually including yelling). It was fine, but I was expecting more.

Replays show that Brian Kendrick slapping the mat might have knocked Gallagher’s foot off the rope (it’s intentionally unclear).

Oney Lorcan, sporting a sore throat, promises that he isn’t done with Drew Gulak and promises to win the title tonight.

Humberto Carrillo/Kalisto/Lince Dorado vs. Singh Brothers/Ariya Daivari

Carrillo is replacing Gran Metalik, who was attacked off camera in the back. Notice Nigel dancing to the Singhs’ entrance on the way to the ring in a funny bit. Humberto armbars Daivari to start and then does the same to Sunil for a bonus. Kalisto comes in for the same thing as Nigel speculates about Metalik having gotten some bad tequila. Lince adds a splash, looks at Carrillo, and tags Kalisto in instead. That means Kalisto can climb onto Lince’s shoulders for a splash but a Samir distraction lets Sunil break up a springboard. It’s back to Daivari for two off a backbreaker and the chinlock goes on.

The dancing is on (Nigel: “Those hips move with a lubricated grace!”) and so is the waistlock to keep Kalisto in trouble. A few kicks to the head almost let Kalisto get over for the hot tag but Dorado is pulled to the floor. Carrillo is there though and everything breaks down with the Salida Del Sol planting Daivari. The double dives from Dorado and Carrillo take the villains down and Daivari walks out. That leaves Carrillo to hit a missile dropkick and the Aztec press to Sunil, but Dorado tags himself in for the shooting star press and the pin at 7:36.

Rating: C-. I’m curious to see where this Lucha House Party split could be going and that’s not something that has been the case for a long time with the trio. They have something here but more importantly it gives Carrillo something to do. He’s been floating from one nothing story the next since he debuted so hopefully this goes somewhere. As a bonus, Daivari is far less annoying in this role so it’s a step up from a step down.

Gulak promises to keep the title on his battlefield. The only constant in this world is change and he is the law.

Tony Nese lost last week and he needs to start from scratch.

Cruiserweight Title: Oney Lorcan vs. Drew Gulak

Gulak is defending and Lorcan is holding his throat. Lorcan goes right after him to start so the champ takes an early breather on the floor. Back in and the half and half connects (with Gulak landing on the top of his head) to send Gulak outside again, this time for a big dive from Lorcan.

A super half and half is broken up with Lorcan falling outside, allowing Gulak to send him throat first into the announcers’ table to take over. Lorcan dives back in at nine, earning himself some springboard stomps. The neck crank goes on before switching into a chinlock, which makes sense for a change. A middle rope clothesline gives Gulak two and helps show how much he’s changed. Imagine him doing that a year or even six months ago.

Lorcan fights back up and hits the running Blockbuster into a hard clothesline for two as things swing a bit. Gulak manages a slam for two but the Cyclone Crash is broken up. Instead Gulak hits his own hard clothesline for two more before taking Lorcan up top. That’s broken up and Gulak gets crotched, allowing Lorcan to hit the super half and half for the major crash.

Gulak manages a foot on the rope after the slow crawl over and Lorcan’s stunned face is pretty great. The angry Lorcan chops away, followed by a bunch of slaps to the face. Lorcan can’t get an O’Connor roll though and gets caught in the Gulock, eventually passing out at 15:31.

Rating: B+. These two beat the fire out of each other as Lorcan becomes the next person who can have a good match against anyone of any size but is around here because he’s not that big. The ending helped save some of his face too so it’s not like he got crushed here. I’m not sure who else Gulak can face, but the bigger question is what Lorcan can do next.

Overall Rating: C+. The main event helped a lot but they’re setting up some stuff for the future, which is one of the best things you can do on a weekly show. It’s still a perfectly watchable show and gives me a bit more hope that things are turning around in WWE. The fact that they are getting somewhere with their smaller shows might mean that the bigger shows can as well, which has to be an improvement after the nightmare summer. Just keep it going though, which is far from a guarantee.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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