IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: August 20, 2019
Location: Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Aiden English

This is a special show as the whole evening is dedicated to one match. In this case that would be a ten man elimination tag, which has been built up all week on WWE.com. That’s a good thing though as the general lack of effort being put into the show doesn’t do it any favors, so having something like this is a good idea for a change. Let’s get to it.

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

Captain Drew Gulak goes over his picks and talks about how he isn’t worried tonight.

Captain Oney Lorcan doesn’t have any of his partners’ attributes but he knows how to fight. Gulak’s days as champion are numbered. Aren’t they always though? It might be a big number but it’s still a big number.

Opening sequence.

Team Gulak vs. Team Lorcan

Drew Gulak, Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese, Mike Kanellis, Angel Garza

Oney Lorcan, Isaiah Scott, Jack Gallagher, Akira Tozawa, Humberto Carrillo

Garza and Carrillo are cousins. It’s a big staredown to start with Gulak sending his teammates into the others for a fight with the ring being cleared early on. Gallagher brings in matching umbrellas for four stereo Mary Poppins Drops. We finally settle down for the opening bell with Gulak having to escape Lorcan’s half and half suplex attempt. Scott comes in to work on Gulak’s arm but it’s quickly off to Garza (Nigel: “The most beautiful man in the world!”) to face Carrillo with the latter flipping around to take over.

Hang on though as it’s time for GARZA TO TAKE OFF HIS PANTS! Garza suckers him in with a handshake and it’s time to stomp away in the villainous corner. Gulak and Kanellis take turns stomping on Carrillo with Gulak slapping on a chinlock which doesn’t last too long. Carrillo is back up and brings in Tozawa to start cleaning house. After a flip dive from the apron puts Gulak down, Tozawa puts Kanellis in the Iron Octopus. Kanellis slips out though and sends Tozawa into Gallagher, setting up the spinning neckbreaker to get rid of Tozawa at 6:09. Gallagher is in immediately with the headbutt to get rid of Kanellis at 6:25.

Gallagher and Nese grapple on the mat for a bit until Gallagher starts hammering away in the corner. Daivari pulls Gallagher down by the arm though, sending Nese into a bit of a rant about how he doesn’t need the help. Gallagher puts Nese on the floor but Daivari’s low bridge breaks up a suicide dive (and nearly breaks an umbrella). The crash lets Nese hit the sunset driver to get rid of Gallagher at 8:39.

Scott comes in for an anklescissors on Nese and an Austin Aries middle rope elbow to Nese’s seated back. A cartwheel splash of all things gets two but Nese pulls him over to the corner for the tag off to Garza. The camel clutch goes on and we cut to the back where Tozawa and Gallagher are arguing with Brian Kendrick saying he didn’t do anything last week. Kendrick and Gallagher will fight next week.

Back to full screen with Nese holding Scott in a bodyscissors as they’re finding a smart way to set up next week while having one match. Scott is back up and backdrops Nese to the floor but Garza pulls the ring skirt and sends him into the steps. They have a lot of time here so it makes sense to keep Scott in trouble for a long time.

It’s back to Gulak for more arm cranking, followed by Garza’s abdominal stretch. You would think villains would get the hint at some point but, again, Scott escapes and hits a superkick. Nese comes in and sends him hard into the corner….right next to Lorcan. The running knee hits Scott in the corner but the legal Lorcan comes in for a failed half and half attempt. Nese and Lorcan chop it out as they are known to do but Lorcan slips out of the sunset driver. The half and half suplex finishes Nese at 18:30 and we’re tied at three each (Lorcan/Carrillo/Scott vs. Gulak/Daivari/Garza).

Lorcan wants Gulak but gets Garza instead, meaning it’s back to Carrillo (Nigel: “The lesser Garza.”) instead. Carrillo kicks him down and hits a fast standing moonsault for two and it’s already back to Scott for stereo basement superkicks (Nigel: “NO! NO! NOT TO THE FACE!!!”). Scott’s running jump kick to the back of the head rocks Garza and it’s the Alberto double stomp to Daivari in the corner. Scott’s top rope stomp gets two on Garza with Gulak diving in for a save. Scott and Gulak take turns pulling on each other’s hair with Scott going throat first onto the top rope. The Cyclone Crash eliminates Scott at 21:59.

The remaining five stare each other down but Daivari throws Garza at Carrillo to get is down to one on one. Carrillo gets cheap shotted into the corner and it’s Daivari grabbing a neckbreaker for two. The chinlock goes on and we go split screen to hear the Lucha House Party talk about pudding and Kalisto facing Daivari next week. Back to full screen and Daivari blasts Carrillo with a clothesline for two. Gulak’s chinlock is broken up with an armdrag and it’s a pair of stereo crossbodies with Garza for a double knockdown.

The hot tag finally brings in Lorcan (though it’s not “well over thirty minutes into the match” as Vic would have you believe) for a double running Blockbuster on Daivari and Garza, followed by the running flip dive to take out Gulak. Everyone winds up on the floor and Gulak chairs Lorcan in the ribs for the DQ at 29:23.

Gulak gets in another shot to Lorcan’s back against the post and then does it again in the ring. As Gulak poses in the ring, we go split screen for an NXT commercial. Back with Garza crotching Carrillo on top for two and not being able to believe the kickout. Carrillo and Garza slug it out from their knees until Carrillo gets up for the springboard spinning headbutt.

Lorcan is fine enough to come back in and chop away at Daivari and hit the running elbows in the corner. One too many charges lets Daivari get up a superkick but the top rope splash misses. The hammerlock lariat is countered into a rollup to get rid of Daivari at 32:59, leaving us with Lorcan/Carrillo vs. Garza. Carrillo is back in with a springboard spinning kick to the face for two on Garza. Things slow down for another slugout until Garza dropkicks him out of the air for his own two. A basement dropkick gets two more on Carrillo but Garza misses his moonsault. The Aztec Press finishes Garza for the final pin at 37:05.

Rating: B. This was very long and was given the time to go where it needed to, which is exactly the point. What mattered here was pushing Carrillo as another potential challenger to Gulak, who can only get so much out of another match with Lorcan. Couple that with the fresh blood of Scott and Garza (who may or may not be sticking around) and this was a rather efficient match/show.

Overall Rating: B+. This is what could help 205 Live get some attention as the wrestling has been good but there is only so much you can do by watching the same shows over and over. Mixing things up like this a little bit is a great way to change up the show and they even set up some stuff for next week. It’s a good show with the one big match being solid for a very long stretch. Well thought out show here with everything working all together.

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

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

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

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

205 Live
Date: August 6, 2019
Location: Little Caesar’s Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph, Aiden English

It’s time to set up a last minute challenger to the Cruiserweight Title for Sunday at Summerslam. That likely means a big multiman match because that’s how things go around here, whether it makes sense or not. It does fit with the chaotic nature, though it’s pretty clear who is going to be getting the shot. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick opens us up and talks about how personal last week was. He hopes that is the only time he has to get in the ring because he didn’t like going there. Mike Kanellis can still compete in the cruiserweight division and Drake will call things fairly. As for tonight: we need a new #1 contender.

Opening sequence.

Lince Dorado vs. Humberto Carrillo

Gran Metalik is here with Lince, who mentioned that he wasn’t too impressed by Carrillo last week so we even have a bit of a setup. Feeling out process to start with Lince going after the arm, allowing Carrillo to flip his way out. Carrillo works on his own wristlock so Lince headscissors him down for a break. They both miss dropkicks and things reset a bit. Carrillo knocks him to the floor but Dorado blocks the dive with a kick to the head. Dorado hits a springboard dive, setting up a springboard splash for two back inside. The chinlock goes on for a bit before Dorado cranks on both arms.

Back up and Carrillo tries his comeback but the springboard armdrag is pulled down to the mat. They trade basement dropkicks and it’s time for a breather. It’s Carrillo up first with a standing moonsault mostly connecting for two. Dorado kicks him out of the corner and heads up top for a heck of a high crossbody for two of his own. The Golden Rewind is blocked so Dorado settles for an over the shoulder gutbuster instead.

A top rope Fameasser over the middle rope keeps Carrillo in trouble but Dorado misses the top rope splash. Carrillo kicks him in the head for two and frustration is setting in. They go up top at the same time with Dorado being knocked back a few steps onto the ropes. Carrillo hits a heck of a dropkick to knock him to the floor but Dorado is fine enough to send him hard into the barricade. Carrillo almost gets back in but is pulled down onto the apron for the double countout at 11:55. It looked like Carrillo beat the count and the fans don’t seem convinced.

Rating: B-. That ending hurt things a good bit as the match was two guys trading high spots and shots to the head for a long time. Lince was playing a subtle heel here, which is a way they haven’t gone with any of the House Party. I can’t imagine they turn the team but it’s cool to see them having some different shades for a change.

Post match an annoyed Carrillo takes out both Lince and Metalik.

Tony Nese planned to get his Cruiserweight Title back last month but things didn’t go as he planned. He’ll get it back at Summerslam instead because he doesn’t know where he is in this division if he loses.

We look back at the ending to the opener.

Ariya Daivari talks to Dorado in the back. Everyone is talking about Carrillo when everyone should be talking about Dorado. Lince could be the breakout star of Lucha House Party, just like Seth Rollins in the Shield. All Lince has to do is lose the dead weight, but Lince doesn’t buy it. Daivari says he’ll win the title at Summerslam and maybe Dorado, without the House Party, can get the first shot. Metalik comes in and doesn’t seem pleased, though Dorado might be a bit intrigued.

Kalisto vs. Ariya Daivari vs. Tony Nese vs. Oney Lorcan vs. Jack Gallagher vs. Akira Tozawa

One fall to a finish with the winner getting the title shot against Drew Gulak on Sunday. Kalisto promises to win, Nese says it’s his birthday, Gallagher says he’s prepared for tonight and Sunday, Daivari doesn’t say anything, Lorcan says he knows Gulak and Tozawa, with Brian Kendrick by his side, promises to teach Gulak what it’s like to lose the title at Summerslam. Daivari walks out to start so Tozawa hits a suicide dive to take him down on the floor.

Back in and everyone gets in some shots on Daivari, who goes up top and….completely misses a splash to no one in particular. Everyone pairs off with Gallagher and Daivari fighting on the floor and Tozawa superkicking Kalisto. Nese punches Tozawa and ducks a clothesline with a nipup. Kalisto is right back up with a cartwheel off the middle rope into an armdrag, only to have Nese throw him into the corner. Lorcan and Nese chop it out in the ring but Lorcan dives onto the pile on the floor instead.

Nese’s Fosbury Flop takes down a bunch of people as well but Gallagher tops it with the Mary Poppins Drop onto everyone but Kalisto. That means one more dive but the other five catch Kalisto and throw him over the announcers’ table. Back in and Lorcan uppercuts Daivari out of the air, followed by the Blockbuster for two.

We get the big quadruple submission with Daivari breaking it up and annoying the fans. Kalisto’s springboard crossbody takes Daivari down and the hurricanrana driver gets two. Nese superkicks Lorcan and hits the sunset driver but Tozawa makes the save. Gallagher goes nuts on Nese and the headbutt is good for two. Kalisto catches Nese on top and knocks him into the Tree of Woe, only to have Nese sit up and set up a modified Tower of Doom to send Kalisto and Gallagher down at the same time.

Daivari’s top rope splash gets two on Tozawa to leave everyone down. Daivari and Lorcan chop it out to renew their old issues but everyone else is back up for the parade of secondary finishes. Nese’s running knee smashes Gallagher in the face but Lorcan’s half and half suplex is good for the pin at 11:35.

Rating: B. This was exactly as advertised with everyone going nuts and hitting one spot after another. Lorcan was the pretty obvious winner of the whole thing but it’s cool to see him have a good match to get there. The other bonus about a match like this is you can set up some other matches for the future, which this probably will. Good match with the right result.

Post match Lorcan celebrates until Gulak comes out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Yeah this was great as the one hour shows continue their roll around the wrestling world. This show in particular works well when they don’t mess around and keep the storyline stuff to a minimum. They were going with nothing but the action and a little angle advancement with Dorado. I know I’ve been saying this a lot lately but it’s such an easy show to watch and that makes the show so much more enjoyable. The title match might not have much time to be built up but it’s been all but set for weeks so it could be a lot worse. Another rather good show this week, which has become the norm.

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

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

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

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

205 Live
Date: July 9, 2019
Location: SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

It’s the final show before the Cruiserweight Title match between Drew Gulak and Tony Nese so expect the hard sell towards the title match in a big way tonight. Other than that we have a General Manager who is busy trying to escape the mob chasing after him for the 24/7 Title while trying to spend time with his new bride. Wrestling is a weird place. Let’s get to it.

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

Oney Lorcan, in his stoic voice, talks about tonight’s main event against Ariya Daivari being anything goes. He can use whatever he want….and here’s Daivari to jump him from behind. Drake Maverick and some referees break it up.

Opening sequence.

Brian Kendrick vs. Sunil Singh

Earlier today, the Singhs tried to give Kendrick a lifetime achievement Bollywood award but yelled about wanting a match instead. During the entrances, Nigel throws out that Drake has immunity from defending the 24/7 Title during the show, so at least that’s covered. Singh tries to dance to start so Kendrick punches him in the face and does his own dance. A Sumir distraction works well though as Kendrick gets sent knees first into the steps. Sunil: “YOU SHOULD DANCE WITH US!”

Sunil dances on his own and throws in a hip swivel as he’s running through his playbook in a hurry. We get an old Steve Austin camera motion, with Aiden dubbing them the Bollywood Blondes. The backbreaker sets up a missed middle rope elbow and Kendrick nails a leg lariat. Sliced Bread is broken up so Kendrick settles for the Captain’s Hook and the tap at 5:05.

Rating: D+. The match could have been worse but the problem here is the Singh Brothers. They don’t come off as a threat and they’re certainly not imposing. The Bollywood and Boscars deals are fine, but they’re more of a nuisance than anything else, which can get old in a hurry. Given that they’ve been featured every week for a long time now, it’s not going to get much better.

Post match the double beatdown is on until Akira Tozawa runs in for the save.

We get part one (of three) of a biography on Humberto Carrillo. He talks about watching wrestling growing up and his family supporting his decision to become a wrestler. They didn’t give us much here so hopefully the next two parts are an improvement.

Jack Gallagher vs. Devin Justin

After a polite handshake, Jack takes him to the mat and starts in on the hand. A fireman’s carry hot shot sets up the armbar with Gallagher bending Justin’s arms behind him and laying down on them for a painful visual. Gallagher gets creative by tying him into a knot around the ropes for a running dropkick (rather heelish), followed by a delayed suplex. Hold on though as here’s Mike Kanellis to start throwing things around as he rants about Drake ruining his life. Now he’s going to ruin the show by throwing stuff everywhere. Fans: “WHO’S YOUR DADDY???” Security gets rid of him and it’s the headbutt to finish Justin at 3:34.

Rating: C-. The angle was what mattered here, though the differences in what Mike does on here and what he does on Raw are striking. This came off as the same whiny Kanellis that has been around for months while the Raw version is at least entertaining. At least we got to see some of Jack’s rather cool offense here, with that knot always looking awesome.

Drake comes up to Mike in the back and apologizes for not being around as of late. He’s been neglecting everyone, including his wife, and Mike understands what it’s like to have trouble at home. Mike doesn’t buy it because Drake caused all of Mike’s problems. Therefore, Mike should ruin the show to even things up. Drake understands but is going to fine Mike for his actions. Mike goes into a rant about having a second baby on the way but says he’ll do something next week that will get him an even bigger fine.

Oney Lorcan vs. Ariya Daivari

Anything goes. Lorcan charges up the ramp and the fight is on in a hurry. They get inside for the opening bell with Lorcan throwing him right back to the floor. It’s already time to throw some chairs inside as Lorcan wants to get violent in a hurry. Some running elbows in the corner have Daivari in trouble but he sends Lorcan over the top to get a breather. Daivari throws in a chain and pulls out a trashcan, with the delay letting Lorcan get in a suplex on the floor.

Let’s bring in a ladder, just to crank this one into high gear sooner. First though, the chain is pulled across Lorcan’s face, with Nigel saying it’s going to be hard to make it look worse. The ladder is set up in the corner with Lorcan sending Daivari into it for the crash. A suplex into the ladder is blocked so Lorcan settles for a hiptoss into the ladder instead. The half and half suplex onto a chair is countered into a reverse DDT, allowing Daivari to grab the chain again.

As Nigel talks about the Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine dog collar match, Daivari whips Lorcan into the corner with the chain around the neck. A camel clutch with Lorcan’s head inside the chair offers a rather good looking visual with Daivari ripping at the face to make it worse. With the hold not working, Daivari sits him in the chair and punches away but gets caught with a drop toehold into the chair for a double knockdown.

The running Blockbuster puts Daivari on the floor and a fired up Lorcan hits the running dive off the apron. The fans ask for and receive tables (stop indulging them) but it takes too long, allowing Daivari to hit a superkick. Lorcan rolls outside again but this time he pelts a trashcan at Daivari to knock him out of the air.

It’s time for six more chairs (dude, overkill) with Lorcan setting up for of them in front of the steps. Actually make that six and there is no way this is going to end well. Daivari uses the long breather to get in a shot of his own and a backdrop sends Lorcan off the steps and through all the chairs. Back in and Daivari starts setting up the table but goes for the ladder instead, drawing a YOU ARE STUPID chant.

The Persian Lion splash off the ladder gives Daivari two and you can hear Nigel losing his mind over the kickout. It’s time for another table but that one breaks as Daivari sets it up. That means another table with Daivari stacking it next to the previous one. Another splash takes too long though and Lorcan superplexes him through both tables for the pin at 20:56.

Rating: B. The time helped a lot here as it felt like they were able to beat on each other as much as they wanted to. Some of the spots took some time to set up but I’m rather happy that the match ended with a big spot rather than the finisher hitting out of nowhere. Good match, and Lorcan should get a title shot as a result.

We wrap it up with a long video on Nese vs. Gulak, which hasn’t been mentioned up to this point. They were friends for a long time until Gulak realized that he was that much better than Nese. Tony talks about Gulak always being in it for himself but Gulak says Nese only cares about his abs. Nese showed he could get it done by beating Gulak in the #1 contenders tournament and going on to win the title. That made Gulak train even harder because he knew he was alone. It was enough for him to win the title at Stomping Grounds, but now he has to face Nese one on one. Good video, but the feud doesn’t have legs.

Overall Rating: C+. It helps a lot when your good main event is over 40% of your show. The rest of this one wasn’t great, but a lot of that is due to the amount of focus that the main event received. At the same time though, the rest of the show just isn’t that interesting, mainly due to how low level everything else seems. That has been a problem around here for a long time and I don’t see it getting better very soon.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: July 2, 2019
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Aiden English

We have a new #1 contender with Tony Nese earning the right to face Drew Gulak for the title at Extreme Rules. That could make for an entertaining match, but what isn’t around here? 205 Live has turned into one of the best shows WWE puts out every week and it’s a shame that fewer people don’t see it. Let’s get to it.

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

We open in the back where Nese is giving Jack Gallagher and Oney Lorcan a pep talk before tonight’s six man tag. Gallagher is ready to team with Nese and the serious Lorcan wants to give Ariya Daivari some stitches.

Opening sequence.

Lucha House Party vs. Singh Brothers

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

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

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

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

Video on Humberto Carrillo.

Mike Kanellis doesn’t want to talk about his loss on Raw. He and Maria aren’t speaking at the moment because last night should have been the greatest moment of his life but she called him a disappointment. Mike is disappointed, but in Drake Maverick. It’s all his fault and Drake is sitting on a beach with his wife when Mike should be celebrating great news with the Cruiserweight Title. Maverick is going to pay.

Jack Gallagher/Oney Lorcan/Tony Nese vs. Ariya Daivari/Drew Gulak/Mike Kanellis

Nese and Gulak start things off but Mike is brought in with no contact. Gallagher comes in as well and they finally lock up over a minute in. Mike works on the arm and shoulders Gallagher down, only to have Gallagher tie himself in a ball on the mat. With that perplexing Mike, it’s off to Lorcan for some hard chops in the corner. Mike wants more chops and hits a clothesline, allowing the tag to Daivari. Some right hands set up a double suplex to give Gulak two as the villains start taking their turns.

Lorcan finally gets away and makes the tag to Nese so the pace can pick up. Nese’s springboard moonsault is broken up with a shove onto Lorcan, Gallagher and Daivari so the villains can take over again. Back in and Gulak grabs an armbar on Nese and it’s off to Daivari to pummel Nese some more. Nese small packages Kanellis for two, earning himself a hard clothesline to take him right back down.

A running corner clothesline sets up a superkick into an assisted Iconoclasm for two on Nese, which FINALLY draws in Gallagher to break up the triple team. With Gallagher on the apron again, Nese gets in a sitout powerslam and the hot tag brings in Lorcan. The running Blockbuster gets two on Daivari and Gallagher’s falling headbutt gets the same. Lorcan hits the big flip dive onto everyone but Daivari dives onto Lorcan plus everyone.

Nese follows suit and of course it’s Gallagher busting out the umbrella for the Mary Poppins Drop. Back in and a top rope headbutt gives Gallagher two on Daivari. Lorcan and Daivari fight to the back, leaving Gallagher to headbutt Gulak. Nese misses the 450 and Kanellis comes in for the two count (Nigel: “FOR THE LOVE OF MARIA!!!”). Nese is right back up with the sunset driver for the pin at 18:11.

Rating: C+. There was a lot of action in here and it was nice to see a match get this kind of time. Kanellis failing again is going to wind up being an interesting story, if nothing else just because Maria can yell at him in a very entertaining way. Now just get to some hot matches down the line and everything will go well.

Post match Gulak lays out Nese as Lorcan and Daivari are fighting on the ramp. The three fights go over the announcers’ table and Kanellis is sent into the steps to end the show with the violence rolling.

Overall Rating: C. It wasn’t a great show and the main event was only pretty good instead of awesome but I’ll take a pair of watchable matches any day. 205 Live has some weird stretches where the shows aren’t as interesting when the title match is set because it takes over a lot of the show. What we got here covered a lot of that with the six man tag, but Nese vs. Gulak isn’t the most thrilling title match in the world. Skippable show this week, albeit with a good ending. Oh and where is Chad Gable? Is he coming back?

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

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

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: June 25, 2019
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

Things have changed again with Drew Gulak becoming the new Cruiserweight Champion in a bit of a surprise. What matters most is that he FINALLY won the title after coming up short for months. Now we need a new #1 contender as Extreme Rules is only a few weeks away. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Gulak winning the title at Stomping Grounds in a triple threat match over champion Tony Nese and Akira Tozawa.

Gulak says you will have to call him champion. Tonight, Nese and Tozawa can fight to become #1 contender. Short and to the point here, which fits Gulak’s new persona.

Opening sequence.

Jack Gallagher vs. Mike Kanellis

Feeling out process to start with Gallagher cranking on both arms but Mike reverses into one of his own and takes him to the mat. That’s fine with Gallagher, who flips back and rotates his feet like he’s riding a bicycle for a series of kicks to Mike’s face. Back up and Gallagher does his handstand in the corner but a Maria distraction lets Mike post him. That’s only good for an eight count so Mike hammers away to let out some frustration.

One heck of a clothesline gets two but Gallagher starts the comeback. He dives into the raised boots though and a Samoan driver gives Mike two. The superkick sets up a rollup with a handful of trunks for two, meaning it’s time to argue with the referee. That’s enough for Gallagher to hit the headbutt for the pin at 7:00.

Rating: D+. They’re trying something with Kanellis but there’s no way around the fact that he’s just not that interesting. His work is average, his talking is fine at best and there’’s nothing to him that makes me want to watch him. I’m not sure why WWE re-signed him, as I can’t imagine how much of an impact he could make in AEW.

Post match Mike tells Maria that this was a mistake and he’s done before walking out through the crowd.

Nese says Drew didn’t beat him for the title so tonight he’s becoming #1 contender and getting his title back.

Tozawa, getting the WHAT treatment from the crowd, says he had a chance to win the title on Sunday and won’t let it slip out of his grasp again.

Drake Maverick calls Mike Kanellis and yells at his voicemail about Mike’s unprofessionalism.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Rob Rollenbeck

Rob goes for a wristlock to start but Carrillo shows him how it’s really done. A whip into the corner lets Carrillo backflip away for some applause, followed by a kick to the face. The high angle springboard armdrag sets up a missile dropkick to put Rob down again. The Aztec press completes the squash at 2:35.

We look back at Ariya Daivari attacking Oney Lorcan last week after getting disqualified in their match.

Lucha House Party is getting their rematch with the Singh Brothers in a tornado tag.

Tony Nese vs. Akira Tozawa

The winner gets Gulak for the title at Extreme Rules. Nese flips out of a wristlock to start and kicks Tozawa in the ribs for an early one. Back up and a hurricanrana sends Nese outside and Tozawa hits a heck of a cannonball off the apron. Tozawa heads up top so Nese rolls forward and kicks him in the head for two as things get back to even. The bodyscissors goes on to keep Tozawa in some trouble and a waistlock doesn’t really change anything.

Back up and Tozawa kicks him in the face, followed by something close to an F5. That sends Nese outside and now the suicide headbutt can connect. A missile dropkick gives Tozawa two and it’s the Iron Octopus to have Nese in real trouble. That’s reversed into a tilt-a-whirl slam, with Tozawa nearly landing on his head. A spinwheel kick sets up the springboard moonsault but Tozawa gets to the floor. That’s fine with Nese, who hits the running flip dive and the springboard moonsault for two back inside.

They chop it out until Tozawa heads up top, where Nese hits him in the face again. Tozawa is fine enough to hit a Canadian Destroyer for two but the top rope backsplash misses. Nese German suplexes him into the corner for two but the running Nese misses as well. Some kind of spinning sunset flip doesn’t work for Tozawa though as Nese catches him in an over the back piledriver for the pin and the title shot at 14:10.

Rating: B-. Another good match in a series of solid main events of late. This was the right ending because there isn’t likely to be much interest in Tozawa getting another title shot after he lost the fall at Stomping Grounds. Nese makes sense and has become a rather solid worker in the last few months, so this is the right call.

Respect is shown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This was a step below what they’ve been doing as of late but I still liked it well enough. 205 Live is still a good show and it offers such a nice breather after everything that Raw and Smackdown puts fans through earlier in the week. What we had here was fine and Nese vs. Gulak is usually an entertaining match. Fine enough show, but not a great one.

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

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

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: May 14, 2019
Location: 02 Arena, London, England
Commentators: Aiden English, Byron Saxton, Nigel McGuinness

It’s the go home show for Money in the Bank, meaning it’s time for the final push towards Tony Nese defending against Ariya Daivari. Tonight is a special show though as we have NXT vs. the UK with some guest stars from NXT UK filling in some of the spots. That could be interesting, but you never know around here. Let’s get to it.

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

General Manager Drake Maverick introduces the show and runs down the two matches.

Opening sequence.

Jack Gallagher vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. James Drake vs. Mark Andrews

Drake bails straight to the floor so it’s a triple headlock from the other three, even though there are only two headlocks included. A standoff sets up a series of dropkicks for some near falls with Drake’s attempt to steal one not going well. Drake gets caught back inside with Andrews chopping away and doing the slide on his knees to send Drake right back to the floor. That leaves Carrillo to hit his really high springboard spinning crossbody on Gallagher.

Drake pulls Andrews to the floor for a reverse powerbomb onto the apron as the pace picks up. Back in and Drake kicks Carrillo in the face to put him down in the corner. With the other two on the floor, a snap suplex gets two on Carrillo and Drake even has the time for a chinlock. Gallagher gets back on the apron for an exchange of forearms with Drake but a hard one puts him on the floor again. Carrillo sends Drake outside as well for the big flip dive to leave the ring empty.

Andrews grabs a running hurricanrana off the apron to Carrillo, followed by a spinning DDT to plant Drake on the floor. With everyone else down, Gallagher busts out William the umbrella for the Mary Poppins dive off the top. Just to show off some more, Gallagher grabs a very delayed vertical suplex on Andrews to the delight of his home country crowd. Drake catches Gallagher on top but takes too long going up, allowing Andrews to snap off a top rope hurricanrana.

Gallagher gets in a headbutt, followed by Carrillo hitting Twisted Bliss for two with Gallagher and Andrews making a save. Stundog Millionaire hits Carrillo and the moonsault kick to the head takes both Carrillo and Gallagher down. Gallagher is back up with a headbutt to Andrews, but knocks himself silly, allowing Carrillo to grab a rollup pin at 9:48.

Rating: B. It was cool to see Gallagher this fired up and inspired again. I know his character would suggest that he is fairly one note but there is some charisma inside there and it can come out at times. Carrillo getting a big win is nice, though Drake or Andrews winning wouldn’t have made a bit of sense.

Post match Carrillo and Gallagher shake hands.

Ariya Daivari, in a tanning bed, thinks Tony Nese is intimidated by him. Now Nese is flying eight hours for a match he doesn’t need to be in. Daivari will be fresh and massaged for Money in the Bank and have no problem beating a tired champion.

Nese is wrestling tonight because it’s right rather than smart. Yeah he could be in a tanning bed or training, but he’s a champion and got there by working hard.

Video on Ligero. It’s rather strange hearing him talk.

Lucha House Party accepts the Singh Brothers’ challenge to a rematch for next week.

Tony Nese vs. Ligero

Non-title. They battle over arm control to start with Ligero flipping around quite a bit, earning a drive into the corner from Nese. Ligero ties himself up in a ball on the mat and rolls Nese up as he comes near, setting up a long pinfall reversal sequence. That’s good for a handshake, plus one for the referee for keeping up with them. You don’t see that one every day.

Nese gets two off a rollup, followed by Ligero snapping off a hurricanrana for the same. Back up and Nese moonsaults over him before ducking a clothesline with a nipup. A kick to the ribs sends Ligero to the floor but he catches Nese with a pump kick. The running dive is cut off by an elbow to the face to give Nese two more though and it’s off to the waistlock.

Ligero uses a rollup to block the running knee in the corner so Nese goes back to the bodyscissors. This time Ligero fights up with a tilt-a-whirl into a crossbody but it bangs up the ribs again. With the wrestling not working so well, Nese goes with the shots to the face, including a spinwheel kick for two. The springboard moonsault misses so Ligero nails a springboard splash, which only hurts his ribs again.

Nese bails to the floor and you just don’t do that against a luchador, meaning it’s a big flip dive to take him down again. Back in and a super hurricanrana drops Ligero again, followed by the 450….for two. Nese’s stunned face gets superkicked but C4L is countered into a powerbomb into the corner. The running knee finishes Ligero at 14:20.

Rating: B. The lack of drama didn’t help things here as you can only do so much to convince people that the champ is going to lose five days before the title match. Ligero looked good here though and could easily hang on a show like this full time. Nese is rapidly settling in but he needs a far more interesting challenger than Daivari to make the title reign feel more important.

Post match Nese raises Ligero’s hand but Daivari runs in to beat both of them down. They’re trying so hard to make this work but there’s a limit to what can be done given the circumstances.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a one off show with two rather good matches and that made for one of the best shows they’ve had in a long time. The title angle still isn’t working but it certainly isn’t for a lack of trying, which I can always respect. It’s one of the best shows they’ve had, even if it means nothing in the long term.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: April 30, 2019
Location: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Aiden English, David Otunga

We’re actually on the road to Ariya Daivari vs. Tony Nese, which is the kind of thing you always hear about but never think you’ll actually see. Other than that we have the continuing issues between Drew Gulak and Humberto Carrillo, plus Mike Kanellis vs. Akira Tozawa. Hopefully the execution is better than it sounds. Let’s get to it.

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

Tony Nese handles our opening recap/preview and is ready to face Drew Gulak in a non-title match tonight.

Gulak says his plans for a better 205 Live can continue with a win tonight.

Opening sequence.

Yes we now have a FOUR MAN BOOTH on this show. Three is too many and we’re approaching having the same amount of people in the booth as wrestle on the show.

Lucha House Party vs. Singh Brothers

Before the match, the Singhs talk about being back to fix the division and dance a lot. They’ve been around the world for the last two years taking on World Champions and they’re the only undefeated team around here. Lince and Sumir dance at each other to start and it’s already time to work on Sumir’s arm. The announcers debate Bollywood movies as Sunil comes in and gets chopped in the corner.

A Sumir distraction lets Sunil get in a knee to the back to take over and a double suplex gets two on Dorado. Hang on though as we need to stop for more dancing. Something close to a dancing Demolition Decapitator gets no count as Dorado’s arm is underneath the rope so it’s off to the chinlock (with Sumir turning around to look at the camera in that never natural looking style).

Sunil comes back in for a chinlock of his own until more dancing is required. Back up and the Golden Rewind is enough to set up the hot tag to Gran Metalik. The rope walk dropkick into the reverse Sling Blade gets two and it’s Dorado coming back in off a blind tag. The Brothers aren’t fooled though and hit him with a double superkick but Metalik is right back in to take over. A rope walk elbow sets up the shooting star press to finish Sumir at 9:36.

Rating: C+. Nice formula match here and while the Singh Brothers aren’t great with Mahal, they’re right at home here. This is the place they should have been a long time ago as their run with Mahal was only known for them taking ridiculous bumps. They can be great cannon fodder here, but giving them a push as a team isn’t the worst idea in the world.

Humberto Carrillo comes in to see Drake Maverick, who suggests that Humberto steer clear of Drew Gulak. Jack Gallagher comes in and says he’ll be medically cleared in two weeks, when they happen to be in London. He offers a handshake to Carrillo in a rather polite challenge for a match at some point in the future.

Brian Kendrick comes out for a match but here’s Mike Kanellis to jump him from behind. Akira Tozawa runs in for the save and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of this in the future.

Ariya Daivari talks about being undefeated this year, which has put him in line for a Cruiserweight Title shot. Tonight, he’s going to enjoy seeing Gulak stretch Nese.

Next week: Tozawa vs. Kanellis in a no disqualification match.

Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese

Non-title. Nese takes him down by the arm to start but Gulak pulls him down into a pinfall reversal sequence for a few near falls. Back up and Nese starts firing off the strikes for two more, sending Gulak bailing outside for a breather. That means the big Fosbury Flop to drop Gulak for two back inside as it’s almost all Nese in the early going. They get back inside where Drew can start pulling on the arm but a knee to the face gets the champ out of trouble.

It’s too early for the running knee in the corner though so Gulak takes him outside for a slam onto the apron to bang up the back. A backbreaker gives Gulak two as it’s time to start picking Nese apart piece by piece. Gulak’s hammerlock is broken up though and Nese sets him on top for a running palm strike.

There’s a jumping hurricanrana to bring Gulak back down and they’re both in need of a breather with Nese favoring his knee. Nese scores with a spinwheel kick into a Lionsault for two, meaning frustration has begun. The Gulock is broken up and they fall to the floor for a double knockdown. Nese sends him into various things and hits a suplex to make it even worse. Back in and the pumphandle driver gives Nese two so he heads up.

Gulak catches him up there though, setting up a super gutbuster (Perhaps a tribute to the recently gone Dean Malenko?) for two more. A slugout goes to the champ but the 450 only hits mat. Now the Gulock can go on full but Nese manages to slip his head out. A hard running clothesline gives Gulak two more and it’s time for another Gulak. This one never even goes on as Nese pops up with a superkick into a German suplex into the corner. The running knee gives Nese the pin at 17:21.

Rating: B. This was a very strong back and forth match with Nese looking like the star the show wants him to be. However, the lack of energy and sizzle was very showing as the fans just did not care. That’s a big part of the problem with the show in general: there is nothing to get overly excited about and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon.

Overall Rating: B. Another quality but uninspiring show, which is looking like the standard operating procedure around here these days. You can’t expect much from these less than interesting stars but they’re having some awesome matches week to week. Just find someone that gets the fans’ attention and the show can get that much better.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: April 9, 2019
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Aiden English, Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

We’re past Wrestlemania and in this case that means we have a new Cruiserweight Champion in Tony Nese. I’m not sure how long he’s going to hold the title but you can imagine that Buddy Murphy is going to be coming for it, at least while he’s still on this show. Other than that it’s hard to say what we’ll be getting here, as 205 Live doesn’t always treat this show as anything special. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Nese winning the title and a look back at everything he’s gone through to get here. Well done.

Opening sequence.

Tonight: Murphy gets his rematch.

Jack Gallagher vs. Humberto Carrillo

Drew Gulak joins commentary. Gallagher’s wristlock is countered into an armbar so Gallagher switches over to an ankle hold instead. They go into the exchange of monkey flips with Carrillo landing on his feet for a big smile. A neck snap across the top rope puts Carrillo down and Gallagher sends him head first into the corner for a bonus. Carrillo reverses a suplex into a small package for two but Gallagher knocks him right back down with ease.

Jack misses the running corner dropkick though and gets high crossbodied down. There’s a dropkick to send Gallagher outside for a running flip dive (Gulak: “Kid don’t learn.”). Back in and Carrillo hits a missile dropkick to the back of Gallagher’s head, followed by a handspring armdrag to pull Gallagher off the mat (that’s a new one). Carrillo heads up again but this time Gulak shoves him down for the DQ at 8:12.

Rating: C. Carrillo’s offense continues to look great, but at the same time you can only do this same high flying vs. evil mat wrestling story so many times before the impact goes away. It feels like something we’ve seen way too many times now. At least the match we got was good enough while it lasted, even if it’s designed to keep the story going.

Post match Gulak stays on Carrillo but Gallagher knocks Drew down for the save.

Murphy says he’s getting the title back tonight.

Nese says no he isn’t.

Oney Lorcan is in Drake Maverick’s office when Cedric Alexander interrupts. Cedric says the rematch better be next week and Drake confirms that it is. That’s fine with Lorcan, because Cedric told him that Oney was the future of the division. Next week, he’s getting rid of Alexander.

Cruiserweight Title: Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Nese

Nese is defending after winning the title two days earlier. They take turns shoving each other around until Murphy goes with a headlock for the most basic of advantages. That goes nowhere so Nese shoves him down and gets two off a knee lift. Another toss into the corner has Buddy holding his knee so the referee holds Nese back. And yes, it is in fact goldbricking as Nese gets sent into the post to put him in trouble.

Murphy throws him over the announcers’ table and a knee to the head gets two on the champ. After a suplex gets two, Nese fights back with left hands but gets backdropped out to the floor. One heck of a running flip dive takes Nese down again and it’s off to the chinlock. Nese drives him into the corner for the save and knocks Murphy off the top into the barricade for a heck of a crash. That means a running flip dive from Nese and some more trips into the barricade.

Back in and a super hurricanrana gives the champ two and the springboard moonsault with Murphy in the ropes is good for the same. A sitout pumphandle powerslam gets a third two but Murphy is right back with a superkick to catch Nese in the corner. That means a heck of a sitout powerbomb but the knee is countered into a suplex to send Murphy into the corner this time. They fight to the apron with Murphy hitting his own knee to the face, leaving Nese mostly dead.

Murphy goes for a powerbomb but has to break the count, allowing Nese to backdrop him onto the announcers’ table (which contains a pancake). That’s still not enough for a countout as Murphy slides back in and hits a powerbomb faceplant for two more. Murphy’s Law gets the same and Murphy is stunned, as he should be. A pair of knees to Nese’s face just fires him up enough to hit a reverse hurricanrana, setting up a pair of running knees to finish Murphy at 20:03.

Rating: B. This felt like the epic match that they were going for but more importantly, it feels like Murphy’s goodbye to the show. There is no reason for him to stick around here and with the Superstar Shakeup coming next week, it would make all the sense in the world to move him up here. Nese looked good here and can have these longer form matches, though I have no idea how they think he has the character stuff to back them up.

A bunch of replays wrap us up.

Overall Rating: B+. It wasn’t quite some blow away episode but the main event felt big and important, which is more than they usually offer most weeks. There will likely be some changes in next week’s Shakeup, mainly in the form of Murphy, though I wonder if anyone is going to be sent here, either from NXT or the main shows. They’re doing well at the moment though and that’s a nice way to wrap up the week.

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

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

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

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

I guess it’ll do.

For the life of me I don’t get this one. I mean I get the story with Nese being a hometown guy and Murphy’s former training partner, but Nese getting a title shot at Wrestlemania is as absurd as you can get. Outside of another Cedric Alexander match, I can’t think of a weaker option than Nese in this spot. Murphy has been awesome as champion and should be on the main shows but he’s stuck here trying to give some credibility to 205 Live.

I’ll take Nese winning for the hometown moment, but my goodness if that’s the case have Murphy moving up to the main roster immediately. He’s WAY too good for this show anymore and Nese….well he’s Nese and I don’t know what else to say about him. This isn’t going to be interesting and the fans are likely to be getting food or taking one last walk before the show, because it doesn’t get much less interesting than this one.

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: April 2, 2019
Location: Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Aiden English

It’s the go home show for Wrestlemania so I think you know what to expect. That would be a segment on the Cruiserweight Title match and a bunch of other stuff that feels like business as usual because only two people from this show get to make Wrestlemania. In other words, the show should be fine. Let’s get to it.

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

Drake Maverick gives us the regular preview/recap.

Opening sequence.

Kalisto vs. Oney Lorcan

Lorcan wastes no time blasting Kalisto in the back of the head but Kalisto is fine enough to get a rollup. A few more shots send Oney outside for a baseball slide and a crossbody gets two back inside. Lorcan gets physical and sends Kalisto hard into the barricade while asking if Cedric Alexander saw that. He’s even smart enough to break up the count before driving Kalisto back first into the apron.

A quick comeback bid is cut off by another shot to the mask as it’s almost all Lorcan so far. The waistlock goes on and we cut to the back where a ticked off Buddy Murphy is….walking! Back to the ring where Lorcan gets two off a clothesline to the back of the head and slapping on a bodyscissors. That’s switched into a chinlock as the slow pace continues. Kalisto fights up and nails a kick, only to flip into and out of the half and half suplex.

The hurricanrana driver gets Kalisto out of trouble but Lorcan knocks him to the apron again. Kalisto is fine enough for a Salida Del Sol on the apron for easily his biggest offense of the match but he can’t get Lorcan back in immediately. Instead Lorcan catches him on top but the super half and half is broken up. That means an elbow to knock him off the top but the 450 hits Lorcan’s raised knees. Now the half and half connects for the pin on Kalisto at 12:32.

Rating: C. Lorcan brings a different kind of intensity to the show and that’s something that has been lacking (at least on someone with potential) around here. He could be a star down the line and pinning Kalisto clean is a good star. The good thing is that Kalisto is basically bulletproof around here so the loss isn’t going to hurt him at all.

Cedric Alexander comes in to Maverick’s office where the boss tells him that he’s lost a few times recently. That means Alexander needs some time off, which is why he didn’t get to face Lorcan here. Cedric isn’t happy but agrees to have the match later.

Mike Kanellis vs. Akira Tozawa

Maria Kanellis and Brian Kendrick are the seconds. Technical sequence to start with Tozawa taking him down by the leg to send Kanellis bailing to the rope. The Black Widow sends Kanellis straight to the ropes again and it’s time for Tozawa stomping away in the corner. A discus clothesline finally gives Mike a breather and he stomps away as well. The chinlock goes on and Kanellis gets two off three straight vertical suplexes.

Another chinlock doesn’t last long so Kanellis grabs a powerbomb for two. Maria demands aggressiveness and apparently that means a double arm crank. Since it’s a pretty simple hold, Tozawa is up with a hurricanrana into the corner. A fireman’s carry faceplant into a basement dropkick to the face gives for two on Mike. Kanellis is right back with a spinebuster for two of his own but the Black Widow cuts him off all over again.

They fall outside and Kanellis neckbreakers him off the apron for a near knockout. Kendrick tries to check on his buddy and gets knocked down, allowing Tozawa to snap off a super hurricanrana for two back inside. They trade kicks to the face and it’s a double knockdown to make Maria nervous. Tozawa tries a sunset flip but Maria grabs the hands for two before getting caught. The break is enough for Tozawa to finish the flip for the pin at 15:50.

Rating: C+. I’d assume a third match between the two for the trilogy match, which doesn’t sound like the worst idea. Mike and Maria have gotten a little better in recent weeks but they still have a lot of ground to make up after being unused for so long. Tozawa losing in the end will be fine, assuming that’s what actually happens.

Another video on Nese vs. Murphy wraps us up. And yes, it’s officially on the Kickoff Show.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the show well enough, even if Nese is as uninteresting of a challenger for a title match as you can have. They’re setting some things up for after Wrestlemania in a smart move, but there’s only so much you can do with fifty minutes and a single match of note to build towards. The show still needs some fresh blood, but at least Lorcan is there to help solve a bit of the problem.

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

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

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

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