IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: April 29, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Beth Phoenix, Mauro Ranallo, Tom Phillips

The shows are continuing under the same format they’ve had for weeks now: continue on like nothing has changed and hope for the best. Things might have to change though after last week’s real life situation with Velveteen Dream, which could change a lot of the plans going forward. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at the Interim Cruiserweight Title Tournament.

Interim Cruiserweight Title Tournament Group B: Isaiah Scott (0 – 1) vs. El Hijo de Fantasma (1 – 0)

Fantasma wastes no time in going for a rollup and takes Scott down a few more times. Scott nips right back up into an anklescissors though and Fantasma needs a breather on the floor. That’s fine with Scott, who follows him to the floor and is promptly enziguried straight back down. They wind up standing on the middle rope at the same time so Scott grabs a jumping hurricanrana for two. A kick to the face puts Fantasma on the floor and we take a break.

Back with Fantasma hitting a basement dropkick to put Scott in the corner, setting up some running knees to the chest. Fantasma’s frog splash gets two but Scott muscles him up with a German suplex. They head outside with Scott’s big dive missing, allowing Fantasma to hit his running dive. The Phantom Driver is countered and it’s a crucifix to give Scott the pin at 11:23.

Rating: C+. That’s a good decision as Scott gets to be back in the hunt here, making me wonder what might happen with the rest of the tournament. Hopefully things keep going as I’m liking the format so far. They need to do something like this to fill in a bunch of time as they can only do so much with such a limited crew.

Group B

Akira Tozawa – 1 – 0

Isaiah Scott – 1 – 1

El Hijo de Fantasma – 1 – 1

Jack Gallagher – 0 – 1

Post match, Scott says he’s ready to go and he needs this more than anyone. Nothing but respect for Fantasma of course.

Dominick Dijakovic didn’t like the sound of Johnny Gargano rebelling against the establishment. It was the same establishment that got him into about a million straight Takeovers, but now Johnny hates it anyway. Next week, let’s see if Johnny can back it up against someone twice his size.

During the break, the masked men tried and failed to kidnap Fantasma again.

Candice LeRae vs. Kacy Catanzaro

Johnny Gargano handles Candice’s entrance (Gargano: “From Riverside, California, but currently residing in my heart, my favorite wrestler, Candice LeRae!”) and it’s glorious. Kacy gets taken into the corner for a clean break and then grabs a wristdrag on LeRae. A drop toehold takes Candice down again but she blocks a spinning splash with some raised knees. The chinlock goes on and a wheelbarrow faceplant drops Kacy again. The Gargano Escape is blocked so Candice elbows her in the face. A curb stomp (the Wicked Stepmother) finishes Kacy at 4:04.

Rating: C-. This was a good way to debut Candice and it’s fine to have her take some punishment to start. There is no reason for Candice to suddenly be dominant and amazing and they didn’t do that here. She can win over a lower level star like Kacy and this was a fine way to debut her under her new (and possibly awesome) persona.

Post match Candice slaps on the Gargano Escape as Gargano is rather pleased.

Damian Priest knows Keith Lee is injured and it’s time for him to become North American Champion.

Here are Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher for a chat. Riddle knows people have been complaining about NXT throwing people together in tag teams but he and Pete Dunne were a real team. The two of them are a real team too and Riddle already knows him like the back of his hand. Therefore, it’s time for the first episode of the NEWLY BROS SHOW, with Byron Saxton as host.

Saxton goes way over the top and makes some jokes about Thatcher hurting people, complete with a laugh track. Riddle on the other hand like drinking pina coladas in the rain. Now for the game though, where they’re asked a question and one answers out loud and the other writes the answer down. If the answers match, they get a point. First question: what did Matt have for breakfast?

Thatcher has no idea…and neither does Riddle so that’s a match! Riddle isn’t sure what they’re doing so we’ll move on to the second question: what is Thatcher’s favorite TV show? Thatcher doesn’t own a TV, though he’d be interested in buying one if the price is right. Riddle’s answer on the board: the Price is Right, which counts as another correct answer. And no, Thatcher has never Netflixed and Chilled because he doesn’t need Netflix to chill.

Question #3: as a wrestler, where is the craziest place you’ve ever done it. Thatcher says he’s had a triple threat in a laundromat and Riddle’s card says “threesome on a washer”. That counts so we’ll move on to the speed round. Riddle: “Uh, speed isn’t really my thing.” Cue Imperium to jump the champs from behind and Riddle is taken out. The European Bomb drops Thatcher and Imperium poses with the titles. They’re better than Bivens’ guys at least.

Today is Make-A-Wish Day.

Adam Cole isn’t happy with it but he’s defending the NXT Title against Velveteen Dream next week. That’s when it’s Dream over. There’s your answer about Dream’s status in WWE’s eyes, barring a big bait and switch.

Mia Yim vs. Charlotte

Non-title. Charlotte backs her into the corner to start and it’s already a clean break. The feeling out process continues until Charlotte is whipped into the corner. A Flair Flip puts her on the apron but she is right back with a shoulder to the ribs. That’s fine with Mia, who strikes away and hits a Cannonball in the corner. The tornado DDT gets two on Charlotte but she’s right back with a whip into the ropes. Mia steals Andrade’s gimmick by posing in the ropes and avoiding a charge to send Charlotte outside. The dive is blocked though we take a break.

Back with Charlotte stomping away and bending Mia’s neck around the rope and then slowly stomping away. Mia fights back and gets a quickly broken Tarantula, followed by Soul Food. Charlotte gets the backbreaker out of the corner, only to get caught in the Code Blue for two. That just earns her a Boston crab, with Mia kicking out into a rollup for two. A big boot gives Charlotte the same but the Figure Eight is blocked. Protect Yo Neck is countered as well though and it’s the Figure Eight to make Yim tap at 10:50.

Rating: C+. They were trying here and that made for a good match. I’m not sure if it’s just not hearing Mia called the HBIC every few seconds or something similar, but the match was easier to watch. Charlotte had to sweat a bit here and the whole thing was a nice enough piece of business.

Post match Io Shirai comes out and says next week, Charlotte is hers.

Karrion Kross is here next week.

Kacy Catanzaro’s neck is banged up. Gargano and LeRae come in to say this is the new NXT. Kayden Carter stands by and doesn’t seem pleased.

We’re still not sure who attacked Finn Balor but he’ll be here next week.

Dexter Lumis vs. Shane Thorne

Thorne slugs away to start and Lumis seems to enjoy it. A Thesz press has Thorne in trouble but he’s back up with a kick to the head in the corner. Lumis shoves off a tornado DDT attempt but Thorne rakes the eyes. Thorne’s running dropkick in the corner just annoys Lumis, who plants him with a spinebuster. The Side Effect into the head and arm triangle finishes Thorne at 3:30.

Rating: D+. Lumis is a weird case as he’s very creepy, but we also have Kross coming in to fill the creepy void. Then again there is a certain charisma to Lumis that makes him feel like a major threat and that’s a very good thing. Granted how much can you get out of a three and a half minute squash?

Last week, Jake Atlas gave Drake Maverick a pep talk after the loss. Maverick seemed touched.

Keith Lee is ready for Damian Priest.

Interim Cruiserweight Title Tournament Group A: Tony Nese (1 – 0) vs. Drake Maverick (0 – 1)

Maverick tries a wristlock to start and gets blasted into the corner with a forearm. Nese forearms away in the corner and there’s a running kick to the back. More shots to the ribs and back have Maverick cringing all over again and Nese snaps his throat across the top. Back from a break with Nese talking a lot of trash as Maverick crawls to the corner to get up.

A ram into the corner wakes Maverick up though and Nese starts taking some steps backwards. Maverick unloads in the corner and hits a basement dropkick, only to get caught with a release German suplex into the corner. A cutter out of the corner gives Maverick two but he misses a top rope elbow. Nese gets crotched on top to break up the 450 though and a super bulldog gives Maverick the upset pin at 10:03.

Rating: C+. In the words of Jerry Lawler at Survivor Series, I want to believe, I’m trying to believe. They have the potential to put together one of the best Cinderella runs in a good many years with Maverick and this gives him the breathing room that he might need. It’s a crazy long shot, but there is a chance that he could pull it off and that’s a great feeling to have.

Group A

Jake Atlas – 1 – 0

Kushida – 1 – 0

Drake Maverick – 1 – 1

Tony Nese – 0 – 2

Post match Maverick says he knew he could do it and next up is Kushida. He isn’t leaving yet because he loves this.

Video on Priest vs. Lee. They’ve been fighting for months and will continue to do so tonight, with the title on the line.

Next week: Io Shirai challenges Charlotte for the Women’s Title, Dominick Dijakovic vs. Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole defends the NXT Title against Velveteen Dream.

North American Title: Keith Lee vs. Damian Priest

Priest is challenging. They run the ropes to start and Lee crashes down onto his back, followed by a right hand to knock Priest out of the air. A clothesline puts Priest on the floor and Lee follows, where he goes behind the barricade, gorilla presses Priest, and throws him onto the apron. Good grief that kind of stuff never gets old. A missed charge sends Lee through the barricade though and we take a break.

Back with Priest hitting a running hip attack in the corner but neither can hit a vertical suplex. Instead it’s a hangman’s neckbreaker to drop the champ but he’s back up with a Pounce into the corner. The big spinebuster drops Priest to the floor again and of course Lee hits a slingshot corkscrew dive. Back in and a hard clothesline drops Priest again but he’s right back up for the slugout. Lee breaks up the chokeslam attempt but Priest muscles him up for the Broken Arrow.

That’s enough to send Lee rolling to the floor and Priest hits the big dive over the top. Back in and top rope spinwheel kick give Priest two more so he goes outside. You don’t do that to Lee, who apron superplexes him back in for the big near fall. Priest pops up with a chokeslam for two more so he loads up the baton. This time Lee knocks it away and hits the Grizzly Magnum. Back to back Spirit Bombs retain the title at 14:37.

Rating: B. Most of the time, if you see a match or one close to it done this often, it’s going to lose some of its luster. That has yet to be the case with Lee vs. Priest/Dijakovic and I’m not sure what it would take to stop being this much fun. These guys beat each other up and it never stopped looking cool no matter what they did here. Another very entertaining match from these two because they can do things that no one else can pull off.

Overall Rating: B. Another good show here as things are starting to get into a rhythm. That is the best thing that can happen with these shows as NXT thrives when they have a goal in sight and work towards it. Next week will be a big time show with the two title matches and some other interesting things. They’ve got something with a few of these ideas and if they stay at them, the whole thing will be just fine.

Results

Isaiah Scott b. El Hijo de Fantasma – Crucifix

Candice LeRae b. Kacy Catanzaro – Wicked Stepmother

Charlotte b. Mia Yim – Figure Eight

Dexter Lumis b. Shane Thorne – Head and arm triangle choke

Drake Maverick b. Tony Nese – Super bulldog

Keith Lee b. Damian Priest – Spirit Bomb

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: April 10, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Byron Saxton

The timing could be interesting around here as William Regal has announced a tournament to crown an interim Cruiserweight Champion due to Jordan Devlin being unable to leave the UK. The tournament won’t start until next week, but at least it gives them something to focus on around here. Or maybe it won’t be mentioned yet because of the taping schedule. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence

Tony Nese vs. Danny Burch

Commentary does know about the tournament so that’s a nice change of pace. Burch armbars him down to start so Nese reverses into a headlock on the mat. That’s broken up into a standoff so Burch goes for the leg, sending Nese to the ropes again. They do the same things with the roles reversed as they’re staying mostly even here. Burch slips out of a headscissors and grabs a headlock but Nese sends him to the apron.

An elbow to the face puts Burch on the floor and it’s a splash for two back inside. The bodyscissors stays on Burch’s ribs and Nese switches over to a waistlock, which is countered with a Stunner of all things. Burch fights back with some clotheslines and a middle rope missile dropkick gets two. Nese flips out of a German suplex and stomps on the ribs for two. The Lionsault gets the same but Burch pulls him down into the Crossface. That’s broken up as well and it’s the German suplex into the corner. The Running Nese finishes Burch at 10:16.

Rating: C+. I liked this one a good bit as the two of them worked well with each other and there was a story throughout the match with Nese working on the ribs throughout. Nese winning makes sense as Burch is usually the one who loses around here most of the time so this was the smart way to go.

Post match Nese brags to commentary and promises to be the next champion.

Jordan Devlin isn’t happy about the tournament but he’ll be here to take the title from whoever wins it.

Oney Lorcan vs. Jack Gallagher

Nese is still at ringside and talking more trash but Gallagher comes out and gets in his face to get rid of him. They go with the grappling to start with Burch taking it to the mat for a headscissors. That’s reversed and Gallagher pounds away, only to bail from the threat of an ankle lock.

Gallagher heads to the ropes, followed by more grappling to send Gallagher to the ropes again. Burch takes him down by the leg so Gallagher gets in some elbows to the head for the break. A few more shots send Burch outside but he’s back in with chops. Those just make Gallagher smile and he strikes away in the corner. They slug it out from their knees with Burch getting the better of things, only to get headbutted down.

Burch BLASTS him with a clothesline for two and loads up a belly to back superplex but gets elbowed back down. Gallagher hits a spinning high crossbody to put both of them down but Nese is here for a distraction. A rollup gives Burch two so Gallagher headbutts the heck out of him. That’s enough for Nese as he comes in and jumps Gallagher for the DQ at 8:01.

Rating: C+. Another good match here and a different style than the first one as this was more of a brawl. The ending even felt like an angle, which hasn’t been the case around here for a few weeks. Lorcan (and Burch) are still great for matches like this as they can work with anyone and have a good match as a result, even Gallagher doing his Conor McGregor deal.

Post match Nese stays on Gallagher but Burch makes a save. Nese gets up and grabs the chair but Lorcan runs out for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This is the first time that they had any kind of an angle on the show for about a month and it made things a little bit better. What matters though is they have good enough matches and the show doesn’t include the horribly annoying people who were dragging things down for so long. That and the shorter run time makes the show that much better. Good stuff here, even if the show is still on the lowest level on the totem pole around this company.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: March 27, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

We’re still in the new version of the show here and that’s the kind of thing that 205 Live has been needing. It’s just a showcase show these days with no pressure or stories, but more importantly they don’t have the vanishing crowds or extended shows. It’s a good sign, even though the show is little more than filler on the Network. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Isaiah Scott vs. Joaquin Wilde

Wilde goes with the hammerlock on the mat to start before switching over to the armbar. Scott is right back up and they trade headscissors to a standoff. Another headscissors sends Scott to the floor but he pulls the ring skirt aside to trap Wilde. Some kicks to the back set up some forearms to the face as Scott is a bit more aggressive this time. The chinlock sets up a Gory Stretch of all things, cranking the arms together rather hard.

Scott even leans down into a backslide for two but Wilde is fine enough to shove him off the top. A top rope hurricanrana sends Scott outside again, followed by a ram into the announcers’ table. Back in and Scott blocks a tornado DDT, setting up the slugout. Scott gets the better of things and hits the House Call for two, only to have Wilde get in a kick to the head. Wilde goes up top, only to get pulled down into a flipping slam (Quasto calls it a pop up Michinoku Driver so good enough) for the pin at 8:34.

Rating: C+. Scott is officially on a roll around here and it would be nice if he had somewhere to go as a result. This was a good enough match and that’s all it needed to be. The entirety of 205 Live has turned into little more than good exhibitions and until things change in a big way, that’s all it needs to be.

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

Tony Nese vs. Oney Lorcan

Nese bails to the corner to start as the announcers bicker about whether or not Lorcan cheated in the elimination tag. Nese’s hammerlock doesn’t get him very far so Lorcan takes it down into a headscissors on the mat. That’s reversed into a front facelock, which is reversed into a quickly broken Fujiwara armbar. That means a standoff until Nese is right back with another chinlock.

Lorcan slips out in a hurry and starts cranking on the wrist before going to a headscissors. Back up and they strike it out with Nese having to bail to the floor. That doesn’t last long as Nese elbows him down and slaps on a bodyscissors to keep Lorcan down for a bit. Lorcan fights up again and hits the running Blockbuster for two but Nese snaps the throat across the top. The Lionsault gets two and it’s a German suplex into the corner. The running Nese finishes Lorcan at 9:47.

Rating: C. Just a match here though Nese getting a win is a nice way to keep him relevant around here. I’m still a little tired of him after his rather long time around this show but he’s established and fine enough in the ring. Lorcan is rather hot and cold most of the time and this was another week where he was fine but lost again, as tends to be his case.

Overall Rating: C+. I know it’s a nothing show but this has turned into something fairly refreshing most of the time. They don’t waste time with nonsense and are in and out with nothing going on that shakes things up these days. Just go with what they need to do and get out, which might have been the solution all along: let the wrestlers wrestle and stop pretending that this show is ever going to matter.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: March 25, 2020
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton

We’re back to a little more normal this time around with NXT having regular matches instead of a mini documentary show like last week. Since there was no Takeover: Tampa Bay, those matches and stories will have to be addressed and HHH will be here tonight to start that process. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano getting in their huge brawl last week.

Tom Phillips confirms that matches originally scheduled for Takeover will be taking place on NXT TV instead.

Austin Theory vs. Tyler Breeze

Theory has his own phone with him to mock Breeze. The lockup goes nowhere so Theory talks trash, saying he’s the future and Breeze is the past. Back up and Breeze hits a dropkick, allowing him to chill on the top rope for a bit. The Supermodel Kick has Theory distracted so Breeze hits a clothesline instead. Theory is right back with a running Blockbuster though and the pace slows down a bit. The reverse chinlock keeps Breeze down and Theory keeps talking trash about how great he is. A rolling dropkick puts Breeze on the floor and we take a break.

Back with Theory hitting a spinning torture rack bomb for two, meaning Breeze needs to roll outside again. Theory throws him through the barricade (Theory: “LET’S TAKE A PICTURE TYLER!”) and hits a Buckle Bomb back inside. Breeze hits a quick Supermodel Kick for two and Theory slows down a bit. He’s fine enough to go up top and hit a shot to the back of the neck for two. A bunch of stomping has Breeze down but Theory goes to get his phone and film himself talking trash. That lets Breeze come back with the Beauty Shot for the pin at 13:25.

Rating: C. They’ve got something with Theory, who is only lacking experience to get him to the next level. The loss here doesn’t mean much as the idea is that he spent too much time bragging, meaning that he could come back a lot more serious next time and win a rematch in more dominant fashion. Good storytelling here, and Theory will be fine.

Post match Breeze grabs Theory’s phone for his own selfie.

Killian Dain vs. Tehuti Miles

Miles gets an entrance and has some swagger to him. Some early shots have little effect on Dain and it’s a pump kick to put Miles on the floor. Back in and Dain knees him in the chest as the beating is on. The neck crank goes on for a bit but Dain misses a charge into the post. Dain forearms him in the head though and hits the backsplash. The Vader Bomb finishes Miles at 3:43.

Rating: D+. Just a squash here and that’s something Dain needs. He keeps going away and coming back for matches like this so if they want to push him, they have to reignite him every little while. The match wasn’t the point here and there’s nothing wrong with having something like this involved, as they kept it short and dominant.

Cameron Grimes vs. Tony Nese

Grimes doesn’t think much of the bicep pose and they lock up in a hurry. Nese takes him down with an armbar, followed by an armdrag into another armbar. A clothesline puts Nese down for two but Nese blocks a powerbomb. Grimes walks into a spinwheel kick and the Lionsault gets two. The sunset driver is countered though and a Superman forearm rocks Nese. He’s fine enough to hit a superkick into the corner though, only to get forearmed again. The Cave In finishes Nese at 5:38.

Rating: C-. This didn’t do much for me but the Cave In always looks good. They didn’t have a ton of time here but at least Nese made him sweat a bit. Grimes is someone who could go somewhere around here and that’s a good thing to have no matter where you are. Not a bad match, but it didn’t go very far.

We look at Aliyah having her nose broken by Xia Li four months ago.

Women’s Title #1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Xia Li vs. Aliyah

Well done on remembering something mostly forgettable that happened four months ago. Hold on though as Li has been attacked. We need a replacement.

Women’s Title #1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Io Shirai vs. Aliyah

Shirai dropkicks her in the corner to start and shrugs off Aliyah’s right hands. A butterfly backbreaker sets up the perfect moonsault to give Shirai the pin at 1:22. Total squash.

Here’s Keith Lee for a chat. Two weeks ago he powerbombed Dominick Dijakovic but now he knows it was Damian Priest who attacked him. Therefore, he owes Dijakovic an apology so here’s Dijakovic in person. He doesn’t want an apology though because all he cares about is the North American Title.

Lee took the food off of Dijakovic’s family’s plate, but here’s Priest to interrupt. He wants the title because it will give him more women, money and legacy, but first he needs to win the title. Lee says the champ is right here so Priest busts out his baton, meaning the three way fight is on. Priest and Lee fight outside so Dijakovic hits a big flip dive to take both of them out and stand tall.

Adam Cole is by the pool and talks about being the longest reigning NXT Champion in history. He’s been thinking about his altercation with the Velveteen Dream and it shook him up a bit. However, he isn’t the only member of the Undisputed Era who wants some of that experience. Therefore, next week, it’s going to be Dream vs. Bobby Fish.

Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch vs. Shane Thorne/Brendan Vink

The rather large Vink shoves Burch around to start and powers him into the corner for the tag off to Thorne. That means it’s time to start in on the arm so Burch fights up without much trouble and hands it off to Lorcan. It’s already back to Vink for a Rock Bottom out of the corner to plant Lorcan for two more. Burch gets over for the hot tag a few seconds later though as everything breaks down. A dropkick puts Vink down and the Crossface goes on, followed by Lorcan’s half crab on Thorne for the double tap at 3:44.

Rating: C-. Just a quick match here to keep up Lorcan and Burch’s ability to wrestle on more shows than is healthy for anyone around. I’m not sure if they are ever going to become Tag Team Champions but they can have a good match against almost anyone so it makes sense to keep them strong. The Aussies were fine enough here, but they were just there to get beaten up.

Women’s Title #1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Candice LeRae vs. Kayden Carter

LeRae headlocks her down to start and grabs a rollup for two. They trade stereo missed dropkicks for a standoff and seem to wait around for applause that isn’t coming. Carter takes over with a whip into the corner and clotheslines her down a few times. A running knee to the face gives Carter two more but she has to roll out of the Gargano Escape attempt. LeRae misses a Lionsault but slips out of a rollup and grabs the Gargano Escape for the tap at 4:29.

Rating: D+. This wasn’t very good with little more than Candice shrugging off some clotheslines until she got in the hold for the win. I get why NXT would want to see her in the ladder match but it still wasn’t all that much to see. The Lionsault didn’t look great either, and the whole match just didn’t give me anything to care about.

Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong

There are no seconds here and Riddle does fist bumps with the non-existent fans. They go to the mat to start with neither of them being able to get the better of it. That’s the same result when they try it again so they do it a third time with Strong grabbing a front facelock. Riddle shoves him away to the ropes so Strong tries striking away. Strong drops him ribs across the top rope and we take a break.

Back with Riddle fighting out of a camel clutch and kicking away to put Strong in the corner. A t-bone suplex looks to set up a running kick to the chest but Strong reverses it into the Strong Hold. That doesn’t last long either so it’s the Bro To Sleep for two on Strong instead. The Bro Derek is broken up as well so Strong hits an Angle Slam for two. Strong hits the running forearms against the ropes, only to try one too many and get caught in the Bro Derek for the pin at 10:53.

Rating: B-. This was a good grappling match to start and then turned into a fight, but it never got close to the next level. It didn’t help that neither partner was here and the feud between the two teams seems to have wrapped up. Riddle didn’t seem to be in much trouble here either and that kept things slow as well. Good match, but you would expect more.

Post match two big guys come out and beat Riddle up, despite his best efforts to fight back. Cue the debuting Malcolm Bivens (formerly Stokely Hathaway) to say it’s a shame that Pete Dunne isn’t here because this is the future of the tag team division. No names are given but I think the point was made.

Here’s HHH to address the Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano war. Before he can get that far though, here’s Ciampa to interrupt. He knows it’s time to end this with Gargano and wants him out here now. HHH says there can be no physicality between the two of them tonight and tells Gargano to get out here as well. Gargano comes out and stands on the stage because he knows Ciampa will start something. Why was Gargano fined for wrecking the Performance Center when Ciampa started things in the first place?

HHH doesn’t want to hear it and tells Gargano to get in the ring. He understands what the two of them are doing because he and Shawn Michaels did it as well. This has to end and it should end on the biggest stage in the world. Gargano says it was supposed to end last year but Ciampa broke his neck. It’s a shame Gargano didn’t get to break Ciampa’s neck for him. Gargano knows this has to end and says they can do it anywhere. Put a ring in an empty building and give them a referee so they can finish it.

HHH says that works for him and we’ll do it in two weeks. After that, it’s done and neither can touch each other after or they’re gone. Gargano promises to prove that he’s the better man and wrestler….and those videos about death pop up on the screen. This time, a voice is included speaking something other than English, with Killer Kross’ face appearing a few times. A clock hits midnight to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. It was good enough and I like where things are going, but at the same time it felt rather flat in a lot of ways. That is going to be the case for a lot of these shows going forward and there aren’t a lot of ways around that reality. Having the Takeover matches is a good idea though and hopefully we can get somewhere else in the future with some other stories. Not a bad show, but at least it worked well enough.

Results

Tyler Breeze b. Austin Theory – Beauty Shot

Killian Dain b. Tehuti Miles – Vader Bomb

Cameron Grimes b. Tony Nese – Cave In

Io Shirai b. Aliyah – Moonsault

Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan b. Brendan Vink/Shane Thorne – Crossface to Vink

Matt Riddle b. Roderick Strong – Bro Derek

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: March 13, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

And then everything changes. Instead of wrestling in front of a shrinking crowd after a show or a filing in crowd before a show, they’re wrestling in front of no one because this show is cursed. It’s actually a big show this time around with an elimination tag between Team NXT and Team 205 Live Originals. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Team NXT vs. Team 205 Live Originals

NXT – Isaiah Scott, Tyler Breeze, Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan, ???

205 Live – Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Brian Kendrick, Jack Gallagher, Mike Kanellis

The Singh Brothers are here with the 205 Live originals and NXT’s mystery partner is….Kushida. Nese takes Kushida down to start and strikes the pose but Kushida is right back up with a wristlock. That’s broken up so Kushida hits the handspring elbow, meaning it’s off to Kanellis vs. Burch. The latter works on the arm and hands it off to Lorcan for more of the same. Nese comes back in to forearm Lorcan in the face but it’s already back to Burch for some right hands.

Burch throws Nese outside but has to beat up the Singhs. The distraction doesn’t mean much as Burch grabs a Crossface on Nese, causing everything to break down. That leaves Nese and Burch in the ring so the distracted referee misses the Singhs coming in. Burch takes care of them but a camera shot to the face lets Nese get rid of Burch at 5:32.

Nese stomps away at Breeze on the way back in but refuses to tag Gallagher. He’ll tag Kanellis, who tags Nese right back in to stomp on Breeze as well. Gallagher tags himself in though and hammers away but Breeze is right back with a sunset flip. Gallagher counters that with a rollup for the elimination at 7:45 though and 205 Live is up 5-3. Lorcan comes in and gets kicked into the corner before it’s back to Nese….who is promptly half and half suplexed for the elimination at 8:58.

Kanellis is in next and gets chopped in the corner but superkicks Lorcan right back down. Hold on though as Nese pulls Gallagher off the apron, earning himself a headbutt. Gallagher headbutts Kanellis as well, sending him into a rollup from Lorcan for the pin at 10:34. We’re tied up again as Kendrick elbows Lorcan in the back of the neck. Daivari’s neckbreaker gets two and we hit the chinlock (you shouldn’t need that in an elimination tag. Lorcan fights up and it’s a double clothesline for the double knockdown.

Kendrick and Scott come in with the latter cleaning house but a Daivari distraction lets Kendrick knock him to the floor. It’s Daivari coming in legally for a change but he misses a charge into the corner, allowing Scott to roll him up for the elimination at 15:05. Kendrick comes back in and gets small packaged for the pin at 15:13.

That leaves us with Gallagher vs. Scott/Lorcan/Kushida, but Kendrick and Daivari beat Scott up before leaving. Kushida gets sent into the announcers’ table and Lorcan goes into the steps, leaving Gallagher to pound on Scott. Gallagher gets tossed to the floor but comes back in for a discus elbow to get rid of Lorcan at 17:30. A dive off the top takes Scott down and the running dropkick in the corner gets two on Kushida. Gallagher cranks on the arms but Kushida slips out and hits him in the face, allowing Scott to come back in. The House Call gets two and it’s Pop Culture into Kushida’s cross armbreaker for the win at 20:22.

Rating: C+. The thing that makes me happy here is how they built something up and then had a pretty good match. It wasn’t the best show in the world but what we got was good enough for a major match, at least by this show’s standards. I’m not sure if it is enough to go anywhere, at least not with Kendrick and Daivari as such big heels, but all in all, pretty good stuff.

Scott and Kushida show respect but stare each other down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. These one idea shows are always weird. This one was good though as it’s an effort and some thought going into this show, and that’s what this show has been lacking for months. I could go for some more of this, though having the title mainly on NXT (or NXT UK at the moment) is making this show seem less and less important every week. Just try in some way though and maybe there can be a need for this thing. Given how the wrestling world is going at the minute, anything is better than nothing.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: March 6, 2020
Location: Keybank Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

We actually have something to build to for once as next week will see the five on five elimination match between 205 Live Originals and NXT. That has the potential to be an awesome match or the potential to be rather disappointing. Either is equally possible but I’ll take any kind of a direction over none whatsoever. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We open with a look at the end of last week’s show, including the return of Jack Gallagher. Due to the attack, Lio Rush is out of the elimination tag.

Isaiah Scott promises payback and there won’t be a new captain to replace Rush. There will be a fifth member, but no captain.

Isaiah Scott vs. Ariya Daivari

Scott’s attempted armbar sends Daivari straight to the rope so he settles for a dropkick to the side of Daivari’s head. With Daivari out on the floor, Scott kicks him in the head and grabs the modified Rings of Saturn, with Scott using the leg to wrap the arm back. Daivari gets out and hits him in the neck, followed by a hanging neckbreaker to really take over. The throat is laid across the middle rope so Daivari can kick the rope into said throat and we hit a neck pull to keep Scott in trouble.

Back up and Scott scores with a discus lariat and there’s the middle rope elbow to the back of the neck. Some YES Kicks against the ropes set up the rolling Downward Spiral for two on Daivari. Scott has to slip out of the hammerlock lariat and grabs a rollup for two, only to get DDTed for the same. Another hammerlock lariat attempt is broken up and it’s the House Call….for two? With that not working, Scott stomps on the arm to bend it back (Pop Culture) and finishes with the top rope double stomp at 8:34.

Rating: C-. That’s probably as good as you’re going to get from Daivari and it’s nice to see Scott getting a win. I’m not sure what the two of them are going to do in next week’s elimination match but the more Scott and less Daivari the better. The House Call only getting two was weird, but the double stomp might be an even better finisher for Scott.

Tony Nese/Mike Kanellis vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan

Nese shoves Burch away to start and hits the bicep pose, only to get knocked down so Burch can do his own. Lorcan comes in to headlock Kanellis but gets run over with a shoulder so it’s back to Burch to take over. A wishbone pull has English wondering how many more kids he can give Maria so Mike slaps Burch in the face. The chase is on outside and Nese gets in a cheap shot to take over.

Back in and the tag brings in Lorcan, who is taken down with a quick blindside clothesline so the villains can stomp away. Kanellis gets two off a knee to the face and we hit the chinlock. Nese comes in for his own chinlock but misses a Lionsault, allowing the hot tag to Burch for a kick in the corner. A DDT out of said corner puts Kanellis down but Nese breaks up a Doomsday Device. The pumphandle slam/middle rope knee to the head finishes Burch at 8:31.

Rating: C. Better match than the opener here and hopefully we get something bigger and better next week in the huge elimination tag. Burch and Lorcan are great for the face tag team around here as they can have good matches against anyone and that includes getting Kanellis and Nese over as a team. Fine enough match and that’s what you need for the 205 Live version of a go home show.

Overall Rating: C. That’s what they’ve been building towards for a few weeks now and if that goes well, I’m curious to see where this is going. If nothing else, it’s nice to see the show getting ANY kind of attention after months of nothing. Just please let next week work. Otherwise, I’m not sure what else is going to actually matter around here because they don’t even have to build up an entire show, but just one match. Make it work and have even a passable mystery partner and everything should work out well enough.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 28, 2020
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Joe Quasto, Aiden English

It’s time for a special edition of the show, and by that I mean one that was taped before Smackdown went on the air. My guess is that this is just due to the travel situation because it would make too much sense to do this regularly. We’re coming up on the big ten man tag match so maybe we have something good here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Raul Mendoza vs. Joaquin Wilde

Rematch from last week when Mendoza won to even their series. Mendoza hits a running dropkick for an early one and we’re already in the armbar. That’s switched to a cobra clutch but Wilde fights up and gets in a powerbomb off the ropes. Wilde sends him outside for a flip dive, followed by a kick to the chest for two back inside.

They fight on the corner with Mendoza saying that Wilde isn’t better than him, earning himself a super hurricanrana for two. Mendoza snaps off a Spanish Fly for his own two and a pumphandle driver is good for the same. The Wilde Thing is countered so Wilde gets two off a backslide before ducking Mendoza’s running kick to the chest. Mendoza knees him in the face but a bottom rope Lionsault hits knees. The Wilde Thing into a rollup finishes Mendoza at 8:12.

Rating: C+. These two have good chemistry together and that’s what matters. It’s a fun, fast paced match and after weeks of the Singhs and Ariya Daivari having the same boring matches week after week, this is a huge upgrade. Now do something with them and send them to other stories around here so they can stay fresh. That’s how you build something from scratch, which is what they need to do around here.

Here are the teams for the elimination tag in two weeks:

Team NXT: Lio Rush (Captain), Tyler Breeze, Isaiah Scott, Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan

Team 205 Live: Tony Nese (Captain), Mike Kanellis, Jack Gallagher, Brian Kendrick, Ariya Daivari

Lio Rush vs. Tony Nese

Mike Kanellis is here with Nese. Hold on as Nese needs to pose at the bell. That’s not cool with Rush, who hammers away but gets taken into the corner by straight power. Rush hammers away and grabs a springboard hurricanrana, only to get kicked in the face. Nese gets sent outside and it’s a springboard flip dive to take him down. Back in and Nese hits a fireman’s carry gutbuster and grabs a bodyscissors but Rush is back with a rollup for two.

Nese kicks him down again and hits a Lionsault for two of his own. Rush knocks him off the top for a high crossbody but Nese spinwheel kicks him down. A backbreaker sets up a Boston crab to put Rush in more trouble so he grabs a rope. Kanellis’ distraction doesn’t work so Rush hits the springboard Stunner, drawing in Kanellis for the DQ at 10:00.

Rating: C+. Another good back and forth match here to help set up the big tag. As usual, it’s a good idea to have a match like this end in a DQ so you don’t put one of the wrestlers at a disadvantage going into the elimination tag. Rush continues to show off very well in matches like this because he can move in a way that no one else can. Good match here, and the ending sets up more stuff in the future.

Post match the beatdown is on but Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan come out for the save. The four of them brawl to the back, leaving Rush alone. This brings out the returning Jack Gallagher to beat Rush down and plant him with a headbutt. Gallagher takes off his tracksuit to reveal a bunch of tattoos, making him look a bit like Conor McGregor.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a big upgrade over recent weeks for the simple reason that there was a focus. There was a point to the show and it felt like they were building to something for a change. I can go for that after weeks of lackluster shows and matches that meant nothing. This show was also about fifteen minutes shorter than the usual edition and it helped a lot. I don’t think that’s going go be the case going forward, but it’s nice for a one off show.

Results

Joaquin Wilde b. Raul Mendoza – Wilde Thing

Lio Rush b. Tony Nese via DQ when Mike Kanellis interfered

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: 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.

Overall Rating: D-. To recap: we have a show long angle involving Ariya Daivari and the Singhs. How in the world is that supposed to be something that makes me want to come back and watch again later? The wrestling wasn’t good and the story (not stories) was even worse. Mike Kanellis returning as a highlight isn’t an acceptable result but that’s what we were given this week. Just do…something. I don’t know what it needs to be, but do something.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: 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.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: January 24, 2020
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

What is there left to say about this show at this point? The show has turned the clock all the way back to the beginning when there is almost nothing going on and a bunch of people just having random matches for no particular reason. That’s a horrible shame given what this show can be but if WWE doesn’t want to try, there isn’t much that can be done. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ariya Daivari vs. Tyler Breeze

Yeah, because THIS needed a rematch. Breeze snaps off a dropkick to start and hammers away in the corner, possibly trying to let out some frustration at being stuck with Daivari. They head outside for a few seconds with Daivari taking over and hammering away back inside. Another dropkick puts Daivari in the corner but he’s right back with a kick to the face. A neckbreaker across the middle rope gives Daivari two and the chinlock stays on Breeze’s neck.

Breeze breaks out of that in a hurry and sends him outside so Daivari comes right back in with a bunch of right hands. A neck stretch/pull slows Breeze down again but he’s back up for stereo crossbodies. Breeze kicks away and hits a lariat for two, followed by a catapult into the corner. The Supermodel kick gets two and the Unprettier is the same with Daivari getting his foot on the rope. The Beauty Shot misses but so does the hammerlock lariat, allowing Breeze to counter a sunset flip into a cradle for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: C-. The wrestling was decent enough but it was a boring rematch of a match that wasn’t very good in the first place, featuring one of the least interesting people in WWE today. For some reason they keep putting him out here while a bunch of people are sitting on the sidelines. When someone is making you long for Mike Kanellis, you can tell something is bad.

Post break, Daivari gets to the back and Brian Kendrick offers some friendship. We’re really doing this again???

Brian Kendrick vs. Danny Burch

Fallout from Kendrick hitting him low a few weeks back. Burch starts fast by knocking Kendrick around, setting up a Thesz press with right hands (must be a bald guy in black trunks thing). Kendrick gets knocked outside so Burch sends him head first into the steps a few times. A Russian legsweep into the post rocks Burch though and Kendrick grabs the Captain’s Hook back inside.

Burch reaches a rope so Kendrick slaps it on again. This time it’s broken up so Burch uppercuts away, setting up a middle rope dropkick for two. Burch’s headbutt to the chest gets two so Kendrick rakes the eyes. Sliced Bread #2 is broken up and Burch hits another clothesline as Daivari is back. The distraction lets Kendrick grab a rollup and hold Daivari’s hands for the pin at 8:04.

Rating: D+. Daivari. Again. Somehow they actually see something in him??? DAIVARI??? I don’t get it and I don’t want to get it, with Kendrick being better but not a lot better by any stretch. This is a great example of what is killing the show from a wrestling standpoint and while there are other problems, nothing is going to get better while this is one of the top storylines.

Lio Rush vs. Tony Nese

They talk trash to start until Nese runs him over with a shoulder. That’s brought back with an enziguri but Nese is right back with the left hands to the face. It’s way too early for the 450 though and Rush rolls to the apron. Nese is sent outside for the hard suicide dive but he sends Rush at the steps, with Rush diving over them with ease.

Back in and Nese kicks him in the head for two and there’s a hard whip into the corner. A dropkick gives Nese two and we hit the bodyscissors. Rush fights up and slips out of a pumphandle slam, setting up the rapid fire strikes to the face. The springboard Stunner gives Rush two but Nese kicks him down again.

The Lionsault misses so Nese hits the pumphandle powerslam for two more. Rush strikes away again and kicks Nese off the top, only to have the Final Hour broken up again. Both guys go up top and punch each other to the floor for the big crash. Nese throws him over the announcers’ table though and that’s enough to win by countout at 11:32.

Rating: C. It was better than some of the matches we’ve been seeing around here lately and a lot of that is due to Rush’s athleticism. It’s weird that he was so good as the annoying hype man for Bobby Lashley and now he’s getting rather awesome as the simple hero. It’s working well so roll with it, though having him lose by countout here wasn’t the most thrilling way to wrap up a bad show.

Overall Rating: D. I’m not sure what you want me to say here. This show has gone from something interesting and entertaining to little more than a place to put cruiserweights with nothing else to do. The wrestling was nothing you need to see and the idea of watching Daivari and Kendrick as the new big bads, especially after Daivari has lost to Breeze two weeks in a row, makes me sad about what we could have around here compared to what we’re getting.

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

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

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