205 Live
Date: February 19, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s another week and I still have no idea what to say about this show. Odds are it’s going to be Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari dealing with some other young whippersnappers because that’s all they have done for months. Oh and some Ever Rise/Bollywood Boyz stuff because that’s still going. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Curt Stallion/Jake Atlas/Ashante Adonis/Mansoor vs. Bollywood Boyz/Ever-Rise

Well it’s different enough. Mansoor and Martel get things going but it’s off to Parker in a hurry for a double shoulder. Samir comes in and gets caught in an armbar so Ashante comes in, only to get elbowed down by the Boyz. That doesn’t last long so it’s off to Martel vs. Atlas, the latter of whom helps Stallion shoulder Martel down for two. Parker comes in and gets caught in Stallion’s headlock as the rapid fire tagging continues.

Adonis comes back in and gets distracted by Martel, allowing the Boyz to take him down. We finally slow down a bit with Adonis getting beaten up by the rotating villains. Sunil grabs a chinlock for all of ten seconds before Adonis is sent back into the corner for more stomping. A drop toehold into an elbow to the back gets two and a top rope back elbow is good for the same.

Martel can’t slam Samir onto Adonis though and it’s off to Atlas to clean house. Everything breaks down again and Adonis dropkicks Parker for two. Mansoor’s Death Valley Driver gets the same but he gets taken down into the Power and the Glory (Did I miss Power and Glory becoming the most influential team ever???) for another two. A bit of miscommunication lets Mansoor grab a Falcon Arrow for two as everything breaks down again. Stallion comes in off the blind tag and headbutts Sunil for the pin at 9:59.

Rating: C+. It might not have been good, but it was absolutely energetic and that’s a lot better than the usual around here. I’m still not interested in the Ever Rise/Bollywood Boyz deal, but some kind of continuing story is better than none. Just find something for all eight of these people to do and this show might be able to get somewhere, because the talent is there.

Earlier today, Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese jumped August Grey for stealing his chains.

We look at Santos Escobar backing out of his match with Karrion Kross on NXT. The match happens next week or Escobar loses the title.

Karrion Kross is ready to end Escobar.

Ariya Daivari vs. August Grey

Tony Nese is on commentary. Grey goes at Daivari to start but gets hit in the ribs. An early attempt to go after Grey’s leg lets him kick Daivari to the floor, setting up a high crossbody back inside. A belly to back suplex gives Grey two but Daivari is right back with a DDT for the same. We hit the neck crank on Grey but he slips out and grabs a sunset flip for two.

There’s a neckbreaker to drop Daivari, who pops right back up with a sleeper. The Rock Bottom plants Grey for two more but Grey ducks the hammerlock lariat. A superkick connects to Daivari and they’re both down again. Grey sends him out to the apron and then clotheslines him to the floor but stops to glare at Nese. Daivari is sent inside but Nese holds up Daivari’s chains to distract Grey (they are rather shiny). The distraction lets Daivari get in a dropkick and the hammerlock lariat is good for the pin at 6:57.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure how many times this match has taken place, but the problem is that it feels like one we have seen a dozen or so times. As usual, that is one of the major problems around here: there is nothing to fight over and it becomes rather tiring in a hurry. The match was fine, but how interesting is Daivari vs. Grey really going to be able to be?

Overall Rating: C. And so ends another rather uninspiring edition of 205 Live. The opener was fun but that’s a pretty rare situation around here. The show has a lot of problems, but the biggest is the lack of anything to fight over. Daivari won the main event this week. Is that going to change anything? Is Daivari ever going to be moved up to another level? Of course not, as the Cruiserweight Champions (yeah remember there are two of them) are never here, so what is the point of this show? Other than giving the wrestlers a short show to say they’re still active, I’m missing the point, but when has that ever stopped them?

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205 Live
Date: February 12, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

We’re fully back to normal here and that may be rather hit or miss depending on your tastes. I’m not exactly thrilled to see some of the 205 Live people again but that has been the case for a long time now. As usual, they need some kind of a way to pick up the pace around here but I have no reason to believe that is going to take place anytime soon. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Mansoor/Ashante Adonis vs. Samir Singh/Chase Parker

It worked so well last week you see. Singh headlocks Mansoor down to start but gets reversed into a headscissors. The first gear holds continue with an exchange of armbars until Mansoor sends him into the corner for the tag off to Parker. Adonis comes in for an armbar of his own and then grabs a headlock.

It’s back to Singh to stomp away and a double suplex gets two on Adonis. We hit the alternating chinlocks but Adonis is up in a hurry with the tag off to Mansoor to clean house. That’s cut off in a hurry and the Bollyrise Blast gets two as Adonis makes the save. Mansoor’s Falcon Arrow gets two on Singh as everything breaks down. The Long Kiss Goodnight finishes Singh at 7:41.

Rating: C-. This felt like I was watching a Lethal Lottery match and I’m almost worried to see where we go next with the Boyz and Ever Rise. I do appreciate the opponents being different from last week but it’s not the most interesting story. Then again, I’m not sure who else there is to put out there.

Post match, Mansoor and Adonis do the Bollywood dance.

We look back at August Grey beating Jake Atlas last week and then getting jumped by Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari (that’s like a merit badge around here).

Jake Atlas vs. Tony Nese

The bell rings and here’s Ariya Daivari to join commentary. Nese slams Atlas down to start and stomps away in the corner but Atlas snaps off a hurricanrana. A running elbow cuts that off in a hurry but Atlas is right back with a neckbreaker. Nese isn’t having any of that and kicks him in the face and hits a hard whip into the corner.

A suplex gives Nese two and we hit the bodyscissors. Atlas fights up and hits a hard clothesline but gets pulled into a waistlock. Some kicks put Nese down and the standing moonsault connects for no cover. Atlas plants him with a brainbuster for two so Daivari throws in the chain. The referee does his job for once so here’s August Grey for another distraction, allowing Atlas to grab a rollup pin at 9:59.

Rating: C. As I’ve been saying for a long time now, this is what we get around here. We’re setting up yet another old vs. new/us vs. them tag match and I can’t bring myself to care about the idea again. I understand that they are stuck with what they have available but DANG is there no one other idea they can run out there?

Overall Rating: C-. Another show that felt like it could have been from any point in the last three plus years. That is becoming a bigger and bigger problem around here as just seeing some of these names facing each other in very similar stories isn’t the most thrilling stuff. Then again this isn’t the most thrilling show and it isn’t on the wrestlers, but that doesn’t make it much better. The usual completely acceptable but forgettable show here.

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205 Live
Date: February 5, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

Things should be back to normal around here as we are almost all the way up to Takeover: Vengeance Day, meaning we are not going to have many more Dusty Classic matches to go around here. I’m not sure how much of an improvement that is going to be around here but we should be back to the usual cruiserweight action. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese vs. Sunil Singh/Matt Martel

Well it’s certainly different. This is the official burying of the hatches between Ever Rise and the Bollywood Boyz. Singh and Nese go to the mat to start until Singh armdrags him into an armbar. Nese powers up into a fireman’s carry but gets small packaged for two instead. Singh gets taken over to the corner so Daivari can come in. That doesn’t go well either as the tag brings in Martel….who hits Singh by mistake.

It’s already back to Singh, who gets taken into the corner and then suplexed down for two. Nese works on a waistlock but Singh fights up and rolls under Daivari’s clothesline. Martel gets to clean house in a hurry, including throwing some suplexes. Everything breaks down and Sunil drops a top rope elbow on Daivari with Nese making a save. Daivari drops Martel so Singh has to make a save so it’s time to bring in the chain. The referee throws that out but the distraction lets Nese hit the running Nese on Martel to give Daivari the pin at 7:51.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure how much of a difference there was in mixing the teams here but at least they did something different. If there is one major problem around here, it is having everything feeling so repetitive so just mixing it up a little bit like this can help a lot. Not a very good match, but at least it wasn’t something we have seen before.

We look at Legado del Fantasma’s success on NXT….until Karrion Kross took them out.

August Grey vs. Jake Atlas

They go to the mat to start with Grey grabbing a headlock as we hear about Jordan Devlin as the NXT UK Cruiserweight Champion. They trade armbars until Atlas drives him up against the ropes and puts on a cravate. Atlas even holds on as Grey slams him down but they get back up to fight over a backslide. With that not working, things get a little more serious with a slugout until Grey snaps off a hurricanrana.

Another right hand puts Atlas down again but he’s back with a big boot. Some kicks to the chest set up a standing moonsault but Grey is up before a count. It’s way too early for the cartwheel DDT though, meaning Atlas has to settle for a clothesline. Grey sends him outside for a suicide dive and then heads back in, with a spinning high crossbody finishing Atlas at 9:31.

Rating: C. That ending came so out of nowhere that I’m not completely sure it was the planned finish. You could see the referee talking to Atlas after it was over so maybe there was something wrong. Either way, it came at the end of a match that was ok at best, but that’s about what you would expect from the completely passable wrestlers in there.

Post match Daivari and Nese run in to beat down Atlas and Grey.

Overall Rating: C-. Yeah you could feel the lack of interest this time around and I’m thinking that is going to be the case around here going forward again. It was nice to have a few weeks with something different but now it is back to the same stuff that we have been seeing for years. This show keeps cycling through the same people and it has taken them about as far as it can. Get some fresh names in there, or at least try a bit harder.

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205 Live
Date: January 22, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s another special show this week with two more Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic matches. That’s a very good idea as the tournaments are going to consist of twenty two matches and after tonight, nearly than a fifth of them will have taken place here. That’s going to relieve some pressure on NXT, which is a good service that 205 Live can provide. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long tournament recap, including the stories that lead into tonight’s matches. This is more detail than a 205 Live preview usually gets.

Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: The Way vs. Gigi Dolin/Cora Jade

It’s Indi Hartwell/Candice LeRae for the Way and that would be Priscilla Kelly/Elayna Black, both of whom are making their debuts. This is also the first ever women’s match in 205 Live history. Jade gets in a shot to Hartwell’s arm to start and hands it off to Dolin in a hurry for some shots to the face. LeRae comes in but misses a legdrop, allowing Dolin to drive her back into the corner.

It’s back to Jade, who gets caught in an early neck crank to put her in trouble. Hartwell adds a running shot in the corner before slapping on the cravate. A side slam gets two on Jade and it’s back to LeRae for her own chinlock. Jade kicks her away without much effort and hands it back to Dolin to kick away at Hartwell. Hartwell powers her way out of a double suplex and hands it back to LeRae. That means Jade can grab a few rollups for two each but a belly to back slam lets Hartwell pin Jade at 5:57.

Rating: C. This wasn’t much of a showcase for Dolin and Jade but more a way to get their feet wet in a WWE ring. In that regard, it worked out fine, especially in a match they had next to no chance of winning. The Way very well could be favorites to win the whole tournaments and they’re already in the final four, so at least they’re off to a good start.

Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese vs. Tommaso Ciampa/Timothy Thatcher

Ciampa and Thatcher have taken the spot of the injured Ashante Adonis/Desmond Troy. They just happened to beat the heck out of each other in the Fight Pit earlier this week but the word “respect” was dropped so all was forgiven. Thatcher grabs Daivari by the face to start and headlocks him to the mat. A hammerlock takes Daivari down again and the surfboard makes it even worse. Daivari gets up and manages to push Thatcher over for the tag to Nese, though I’m more interested in the Nintendo 64 shirt in the crowd.

That’s fine with Thatcher, as Ciampa takes over on Nese’s arm and hands it off to Ciampa. Nese takes him down by the leg but is quickly caught in a front facelock as this is a very grappling heavy match so far. Daivari comes in but Nese gets in a cheap shot, allowing Daivari to wrap Ciampa’s knee around the post. Back in and the Figure Four keeps Ciampa’s knee in trouble, with Nese offering a distraction so he can pull Daivari into the corner.

Ciampa gets out and scores with an enziguri, allowing the hot tag off to Thatcher. Uppercuts abound with Nese having to break up an ankle lock. Daivari’s Persian Splash gets two and the next hot tag brings Ciampa back in to clean house. Thatcher and Ciampa knock them both to the floor and it’s Willow’s Bell for the pin on Nese at 8:15.

Rating: C-. This was another match that wasn’t exactly in doubt but it was a little more competitive than the first. Ciampa and Thatcher could well be dark horses to pull off the whole thing and that could make for something interesting. The men’s brackets are looking good so far and we could be in for some cool matches as we move forward. Ciampa and Thatcher didn’t seem to quite trust each other but that’s the case for most thrown together teams.

Here are the second round brackets:

Undisputed Era

Tommaso Ciampa/Timothy Thatcher

Kushida/Leon Ruff

Grizzled Young Veterans

MSK

Drake Maverick/Killian Dain

Lucha House Party

Legado Del Fantasma

Overall Rating: C. Again, this was a show designed to take pressure off of NXT and there is nothing wrong with that. 205 Live is hardly the most important show in the world on its own so switching things over for a few weeks isn’t going to hurt anything. The Dusty Classics are big tournaments so letting 205 Live host some matches is a good way to keep things moving. Nothing must see here, but it did what it was supposed to do.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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205 Live
Date: December 18, 2020
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

The seemingly endless road to Curt Stallion getting a Cruiserweight Title shot continues and I’m not sure what that is going to mean for this week. You can all but guarantee who is going to be on the show, but at some point they are going to run out of combinations. Hopefully that is happening soon as we could use a fresh face or two. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ever-Rise vs. Bollywood Boyz

Tornado tag and the Boyz are so serious that they aren’t even dancing. Everyone fights to the floor in a hurry with the Boyz taking over to start and a middle rope bulldog gets two on Parker. The turnbuckle pad comes off and Martel has to save Parker from a whip into the corner. Martel comes in to crotch Samir onto the top rope though and a backbreaker/running knee combination gives Martel two.

Everyone winds up on the floor again with Samir hitting a springboard dive to take the other three out. Back in and Parker breaks up the Bollywood Blast but Samir hits Parker with a top rope superplex. Sunil’s top rope elbow gets two with Martel having to make another save. Sunil gets in a camera shot for two on Martel with Parker making the save. Samir gets in some right hands in the corner but Sweet Taste onto the exposed buckle knocks him silly for the pin at 6:58.

Rating: C. This was a little better than I was expecting and I heartily approve if it means another over the top Ever-Rise promo. The Boyz are still the kind of team who can absorb loss after loss without it meaning much of anything so this was a fine use of a short match. It’s better than the same stuff over and over so mix it up a bit on the way to the Boyz probably winning the blowoff.

Tony Nese vs. Jake Atlas

Nese kicks him in the ribs to start and sends him outside, followed by a ram into the announcers’ table. Back in and Atlas avoids an elbow and snaps off a headscissors. A belly to back suplex takes Atlas down again and then grabs a snap version for the same. Atlas catapults him into the corner for two so Nese hits a running elbow for another near fall. A running clothesline in the corner sets up another belly to back suplex for another two on Atlas.

The middle rope necksnap into a Lionsault gets two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Atlas hits a discus lariat before having his sunset flip attempt blocked. That doesn’t work for Atlas as, while still upside down on Nese’s back, he climbs the corner and shoves off (cool) to get the sunset flip for two.

The cartwheel DDT is broken up though and a Cactus Clothesline puts them both on the floor. They beat the count back in so Nese heads back out to grab a chair. It’s just a ruse though as Ariya Daivari runs in to post Atlas. That’s enough to set up the 450 for…..another two as Atlas gets his foot on the rope at the very last second. Atlas hits a Downward Spiral into the cartwheel DDT for the pin at 11:50.

Rating: C. Atlas continues to be the definition of someone who is just kind of there and happens to get a few wins here and there. It’s not a bad idea to push him and the wins are starting to pile up a bit but beating Nese isn’t going to change anything. Nothing to see here, but at least the right person won.

Overall Rating: C. Rather lifeless show here, but that is the kind of thing that you almost have to expect. At the end of the day though, a weak 205 Live is going to be even weaker than the bad WWE shows and that is the case here. Just nothing to see and it was a pretty lame 27 minutes. That time is the key though, and the reason to keep watching the show, even something like this one.

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:

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

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205 Live
Date: December 11, 2020
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

The rise of the new guys continues around here and that’s a good thing. Curt Stallion is leading the pack and I could go with the title match against Santos Escobar. It’s nice that they’re building things up a bit as while Stallion is unlikely to win the title, he is gaining a lot with the victories that are setting it up. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tony Nese/Ariya Daivari vs. Bollywood Boyz

Nigel dancing with the Bollywood Boyz is always worth a chuckle. Samir fights off the early double teaming attempt and it’s off to Sunil for two off a clothesline. A double suplex gets two more but the way too early Bollywood Blast attempt misses. Nese comes back in with a chinlock and then a torture rack, which looks quite impressive on someone who can be bent around like Samir.

That’s broken up and Nese dropkicks Daivari by mistake, allowing the hot tag to Sunil. Everything breaks down and the superkicks abound, meaning that NOW the Bollywood Blast can connect for two. Nese makes the save but it’s Daivari hitting a Rock Bottom on Samir. The Running Nese knocks out Sunil on the floor and the Persian Lion splash finishes Samir at 5:22.

Rating: C-. Just a match here as the Bollywood Boyz’ fall continues. It’s not a big deal to lose to Daivari and Nese, as they needed a boost after their losses to the young guys. It helps when the Boyz have more charisma than they know what to do with and my goodness it’s a lot easier to watch them as faces. Not a good match, but at least it helped the bigger names.

Curt Stallion/Ashante Adonis/August Grey vs. Legado del Fantasma

This is a rematch from the Takeover: WarGames bonus match, which apparently only aired on the YouTube channel a few days after the show. Adonis and Mendoza start things off with Adonis driving him into the corner without much trouble. They trade headlocks until Adonis shoulders him down. Wilde tries to come in and gets caught in a flapjack, followed by a kick to the face to put Escobar on the floor.

Stallion comes in but the distraction lets Mendoza knee him from behind to take over. Escobar hits a heck of a chop for two on Stallion but he kicks Wilde into the corner, allowing the tag to Grey. A gutwrench powerbomb gets two on Wilde and a victory roll gets the same on Mendoza. Escobar low bridges Grey to the floor though and it’s time to take Grey into the corner.

Some running clotheslines in the corner have Grey in more trouble and a suplex into a splash gives Mendoza two. We hit the cravate (with Escobar giving tips on how to crank) but Grey slips out and makes the hot tag to Stallion to clean house. Stallion’s top rope splash hits Wilde for two with Mendoza having to make the save. Everything breaks down and Stallion rolls Wilde up for the pin at 9:54.

Rating: C+. This is where 205 Live has been doing well as of late. No this stuff has no value anywhere else and no the title match isn’t going to be the most important thing, but they are making it feel like a big deal around here. The match and the build are being treated as something important and that is what makes this feel so much better. Good enough match too, with Stallion’s roll continuing.

Post match Escobar loads up a cheap shot on Stallion but Grey and Adonis make the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The main event means a lot more and it carries the show well enough. I’m not sure when they are finally going to get to the title match, but they have done a good job of turning what should be nothing into something I kind of want to see. That’s amazing for a show like 205 Live and this is working out rather well. Good enough show here though and that means a lot for probably the lowest show on the WWE menu.

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:

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IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: December 2, 2020
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Beth Phoenix, Wade Barrett, Vic Joseph

It’s the go home show for Takeover: WarGames and that means it’s time for another ladder match (yes I said another ladder match). There is also one last spot to be filled on Team Blackheart and there is a chance that could be revealed tonight. Other than that, it’s time for the final push towards Sunday and that is where NXT shines. Let’s get to it.

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

The roster, including the bosses, are on the stage for an In Memory Of Pat Patterson graphic.

We get the big video tribute, set to Patterson singing My Way, as only it could be. That’s a big one as Patterson really was one of the forces in WWE and an absolute genius at all things wrestling.

The roster gives us a THANK YOU PAT chant in a pretty emotional moment.

Opening sequence.

Damian Priest/Leon Ruff vs. Legado del Fantasma

Johnny Gargano is on commentary and Priest seems to be replacing Curt Stallion, who was jumped by Legado del Fantasma. Earlier today, Priest attacked Joaquin Wilde for sticking a finger in his face, meaning there is no Wilde here with Santos Escobar/Raul Mendoza. Ruff insists that he gets to start with Escobar as Gargano explains what a dad joke is supposed to be. Escobar gets taken down early but Ruff is pulled into the corner for a tag off to Mendoza.

That doesn’t go well for Ruff and it’s already back to Escobar for a jumping knee to the face. Priest comes in for a change and has some trouble with the faster Mendoza. They head outside with Mendoza getting sent into the barricade but Priest is distracted by the Ghost Face in the crowd. That’s enough for Escobar to hit a suicide dive and we take a break. Back with Priest grabbing Mendoza by the throat but getting dropkicked by Escobar.

A suplex gives Escobar two and it’s time to start working on Priest’s knee. Priest is fine enough to power up with a Downward Spiral to Escobar but he’s a little hesitant to bring in Ruff. He finally does though and it’s time to clean some house but a Mendoza cheap shot puts Ruff down. That’s only enough to knock Ruff over to the corner for the hot tag to Priest and now it’s time for the real house cleaning. Priest loads up the Reckoning but Ruff tags himself in. That’s fine with Priest, who Reckonings Mendoza, setting up Ruff’s frog splash for the pin at 12:23.

Rating: C. I don’t need Priest and Ruff as a big man/little man tag team (not without whistling music) but for a one off to build Ruff up a bit, it did well enough. They were also smart enough to not have Escobar take the pin, which shouldn’t be happening anytime soon. I’m curious about Stallion being gone and hopefully it isn’t a health issue, but maybe it’s better to not have him in a spot like this just yet.

Post match Priest shakes Ruff’s hand but turns around to see two Ghost Faces behind Gargano.

We look back at the end of last week’s show with a masked man costing the Undisputed Era the WarGames advantage.

Rhea Ripley and Ember Moon show Shotzi Blackheart an engine for their war machine. Blackheart thinks she’s in love and is ready to go to war.

We look at Undisputed Era’s history in WarGames. The team is together (in suits for a change) and getting ready for one more match, even after Pat McAfee and company have been taking them apart a few times. They’re ready to go to war but their backs are against the wall. This time though, they’re going to make McAfee and company their b******. This did a nice job of making the Era look good, though don’t we already kind of know that?

Team LeRae laughs off the idea of anything from Team Blackheart. The team is ready to fight and Raquel Gonzalez is going to gain the advantage. Tonight, Blackheart is going to feel like she has been run over by a tank.

August Grey vs. Cameron Grimes

Grimes has a bag with him and pulls out the strap. Some kicks to the chest have Grey in trouble to start and there’s a hard whip into the corner. Grey manages a dropkick and a jawbreaker, followed by a running neckbreaker to rock Grimes. Back up and Grimes sends him to the apron, with Grey going up top for a rope walk spinning high crossbody. Grey’s rollup gets two but he gets caught in a swinging Side Effect. The Cave In finishes Grey at 2:17.

Post match Grimes says Dexter Lumis is making a mistake with the strap match and ties Grey by the wrist. A clothesline drops Grey again and the whipping ensues. Grimes gets a little too cocky though and here’s Lumis to take Grey’s place. The beating is on with Grimes being sent running off. Lumis stares a lot because that’s what Lumis does.

Jake Atlas vs. Tony Nese

Atlas armdrags him into an armbar to start and Nese hides in the ropes for a bit. A dropkick sends Nese outside but he’s fine enough to crotch Atlas on the top back inside. We cut to the back where Pat McAfee and Company arrive and come back to full screen with Nese kneeing Atlas in the face. The torture rack keeps Atlas in trouble but he’s right back with a few right hands. Some forearms give Atlas two but Nese is back with a throat snap across the top rope into a low superkick. Nese misses a running knee in the corner though and the cartwheel DDT gives Atlas the pin at 5:24.

Rating: C. This was at least partially there as filler so we could see McAfee and Company arrive. Nese didn’t even get an entrance here so you can only expect so much out of him here. Atlas is still someone who seems like they want to push but he often fails as he gets close to the next level, though he is starting to seem a little more comfortable around here.

Post match Atlas says that bad things have happened around here but he’s not going to stop. One day, he is going to be Cruiserweight Champion.

Here are McAfee And Company for their weekly chat. McAfee says rest in peace to Pat Patterson, who he respects and appreciates. Then you go to the opposite end of the respect spectrum with every wrestling fan at home and here tonight, plus the Undisputed Era. Earlier tonight, we had to see a night out with the Undisputed Era, which was the lamest night out McAfee had ever seen in his entire life.

That was all about nostalgia BROTHER, so let’s do that themselves. McAfee talks about investing into greatness here because he has more money than anyone here has ever seen. He talks about how great they are and talks about Pete Dunne being the longest reigning United Kingdom Champion. Last week, Dunne won a ladder match, with the help of a masked man (who must be handsome and athletic under the mask, but it certainly wasn’t him) and on Sunday, they will have the advantage as a result.

Then you have thirty years of experience between the Tag Team Champions, who have finally gotten the chance that they deserve. McAfee wants everyone to watch on Sunday because he wants them to feel every single bit of pain. You can tune in to see him get hut, but the truth is that these guys broke the Undisputed Era’s spirit. Dunne says the Era is done this Sunday. McAfee wraps it up and continues to make me want to hear him talk more and more.

Quick video on the Grizzled Young Veterans.

The older man makes Boa and Xia Li dunk their heads under water. They then bow to him, only to be attacked from behind. I’m still not sure what to make of these things.

Ever Rise vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Hang on though as here is Imperium to jump Ever Rise and say this is their tag division. They want the Veterans right now so let’s do this instead.

Imperium vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Aichner works on Gibson’s arm to start and hands it off to Barthel for more of the same. Drake comes in to slug away at Barthel but gets taken into the corner as well, meaning Imperium can start taking turns on him. A suplex doesn’t work though and it’s back to Gibson to clean a bit of house. An armdrag into a headscissors doesn’t do much to Aichner so they hiptoss each other to the floor.

Back from a break with Aichner in trouble, including a spinwheel kick from Drake to give Gibson two. Drake gets dropped ribs first onto the top rope though and Gibson gets catapulted into the corner to put him in trouble. The stereo dropkicks in the corner set up White Noise to give Barthel two. Gibson gets in a shot to the throat to slow Barthel down but Aichner breaks up the tag attempt (even though Drake is still down on the floor).

A spinebuster into a kick to the face into a tilt-a-whirl faceplant gets two as frustration begins to set in. Aichner’s moonsault hits knees though and now the tag brings in Drake. Aichner catches Drake on top for a superplex though and Gibson has to make a save this time. With everyone else on the floor, Aichner hits a huge dive, only to have Ever Rise come in to send Barthel into the steps for the DQ at 14:04.

Rating: C+. This was getting going near the end and that’s kind of hard to do in a heel vs. heel match. Thank goodness there was no indication that either side was turning, as it would be quite the bad idea all around. The Veterans needed a win here though and I’m not sure why they didn’t get one, when you could have had Ever Rise cost Imperium the match instead. Also, as usual, Imperium without Walter isn’t worth much of your time.

During the break, Ever Rise ran off while still talking trash.

It’s time for Thatch As Thatch Can. Thatcher talks about how tired he is of all the interruptions….and Tommaso Ciampa is behind him. Ciampa says he’s here to teach and class is in session. Thatcher says he doesn’t want any trouble and then tackles Ciampa down, with Ciampa getting the better of things (Ciampa: “LESSON #1: DON’T BE AN A**!”). Thatcher’s student gets in a cheap shot from behind though and the beating is on, with Thatcher choking Ciampa out.

WarGames rundown.

Thatcher is proud of his student and says on Sunday, Ciampa is going to learn respect.

Raquel Gonzalez vs. Shotzi Blackheart

Ladder match for the WarGames advantage. Shotzi kicks away to start but misses a charge in the corner. Gonzalez gets her in an over the shoulder backbreaker before flipping her down and grabbing the hair (kind of an easy target). Blackheart gets knocked off the apron so it’s time to set up the first ladder. A dropkick through said ladder has Gonzalez down but she manages to drop Blackheart face first onto a ladder.

Gonzalez starts heading back in so Blackheart jumps on her back. That doesn’t work either as Gonzalez sends her into the barricade, only to have Blackbeard send her leg first into the steps. A dropkick sends Gonzalez into the steps as well and a Coffin Drop off the barricade puts them both down.

Back from a break with Shotzi hitting a DDT onto the apron for another double knockdown. Gonzalez is right back with a steps shot to the face and it’s time to set up the ladder in the ring. Shotzi makes another save and they take turns sending each other into the ladder. Said ladder is laid over the middle rope and Shotzi’s running inverted Cannonball sends Gonzalez into the ladder. With Gonzalez on the floor, Shotzi hits a big dive to take her down again.

The rest of the teams are looking on from their podiums but come to ringside to start the brawl at ringside. Indi Hartwell can’t get the briefcase down as Blackheart makes the save, only to have Gonzalez take Shotzi down. Gonzalez goes up but here’s Io Shirai to take her down. After sending Gonzalez outside, Shirai hits the huge moonsault onto everyone else. That’s enough for Blackheart to climb the ladder to win the briefcase at 14:39.

Rating: C+. Take two people, have them do a few big spots, then have the interference to set up the ending. This feels like your run of the mill ladder match these days and while it is still good enough, it isn’t exactly inspiring. Shotzi winning is a bit of a surprise, but they probably have a twist to put her team in trouble on Sunday. Fair enough, but this (and last week’s main event) didn’t need to be a ladder match.

Team Blackheart poses on the ladder to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was all about setting up Sunday but at the same time, the WarGames cage alone is going to be enough to sell the show. The rest of the stories are getting somewhere and while I don’t really need to see Lumis vs. Grimes, the card looks good enough to be a solid night. That’s what this show needed to establish and it did so well enough.

Results

Leon Ruff/Damian Priest b. Legado del Fantasma – Frog splash to Mendoza

Cameron Grimes b. August Grey – Cave In

Jake Atlas b. Tony Nese – Cartwheel DDT

Imperium b. Grizzled Young Veterans via DQ when Ever Rise interfered

Shotzi Blackheart b. Raquel Gonzalez – Blackheart pulled down the briefcase

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: November 20, 2020
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

Things were changed up a bit last week when Curt Stallion became the new #1 contender to the Cruiserweight Title. It’s nice to have some new names around here getting some focus, but the question now becomes where does everyone else go. That’s part of the trick that 205 Live has had trouble with in the past so hopefully it is better this time around. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Bollywood Boyz vs. Ever Rise

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. Ok so Nigel dancing around during the Boyz’ entrance is funny. We pause for a dance off before the Boyz jump the two of them to start. A double clothesline into a double fist drop has Sunil in trouble and Martel drives him into the corner. Sunil elbows him in the face for one and grabs the armbar before handing it off to Samir. It’s already back to Sunil, who takes over with an armdrag into an armbar. Hold on though as Parker grabs the camera, which is enough to send Samir into a frenzy.

The distraction lets Martel get in a cheap shot and the backbreaker gets two on Samir. The neck crank goes on, followed by a step up elbow to the back for two. Samir manages to backdrop Parker to the floor though and the diving tag brings in Sunil to clean house. The Bollywood Blast gets two on Martel with Parker making the save. The referee gets rid of Sunil so it’s an assisted Codebreaker to Samir, only to have Sunil hit Martel with the camera for the pin at 8:55.

Rating: C-. The action was fine and somehow the Boyz are growing on me a bit. There’s something about the enthusiasm they show when they’re doing their thing that makes them fun to watch and that’s what we got to see here. Not a memorable match or anything but since this is the 205 Live tag division, it was as good as you can ask for.

Post match Ariya Daivari comes out to join commentary and to yell at the Boyz for not helping him become #1 contender last week despite paying them well.

We look at Curt Stallion becoming #1 contender last week.

Curt Stallion doesn’t know why Santos Escobar didn’t shake his hand last week but maybe Escobar just isn’t familiar with him. Escobar needs to smarten up then because Stallion is coming for the Cruiserweight Title.

Tony Nese vs. Ashante Adonis

Daivari is on commentary and continues complaining about these young whippersnappers. Adonis’ threat of a shot the face sends Nese outside early on, where he grabs a headset and says he can do this all day. Adonis doesn’t like the delay and throws his wristband at Nese so the fight is on again. That goes to Adonis as well, with some shots to the face in the corner setting up a backdrop.

They head outside with Adonis sending Nese face first into the announcers’ table and glaring at Daivari at the same time. The distraction lets Nese throw the ring skirt over Adonis’ head and hit a dropkick to take over, much to Daivari’s delight. Back in and the Lionsault connects for two, followed by the required chinlock.

That also means the required comeback as Adonis fights up and hits a suplex. A flapjack drops Nese so Daivari gets up off commentary with the distraction…..allowing Adonis to hit a DDT for two. As usual, Daivari can’t do anything right. Nese is back with a spinning kick to the face for the same as Daivari loads up a chain around his fist. He almost hits Nese by mistake before charging into the ring and right into a spinebuster. Adonis hits the Long Kiss Goodnight for the pin at 8:06.

Rating: C. Much like with Stallion last week, at some point you have to just give someone a win and that’s what they did here. There were some shenanigans afoot, but at the end of the day, Adonis pinned him with a superkick and that’s all you could have asked for here. It wasn’t a particularly great match, but at least they let someone move up the ladder, which is always an issue around here.

Overall Rating: C. This was more of a show about the future and there is nothing wrong with doing that. Above all else, 205 Live needs something to draw in some interest and you can only get so far with the same people over and over. The problem is we reached that point so long ago that 205 Live has lost a lot of its potential. New stars can help, but they have a long way to go. At some point you have to start though and the last two weeks are a good sign in that direction.

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: November 13, 2020
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

It’s time for a special show as we are at the 205^th episode of 205 Live. This time around that means we are going to be seeing a five way match to crown a new #1 contender to the Cruiserweight Title. That should mean we have a long and well put together match which won’t likely change all that much. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a history of the show and the cruiserweight division, which has done rather well at various time. Granted it’s the absolute bottom of the barrel but the matches have been good. We also get some quick looks at some of the more important cruiserweights, including Brian Kendrick, Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Akira Tozawa, Ariya Daivari and the Bollywood Boyz (ok some of them are better than others).

Next up is a recap of the current originals vs. newcomers story, setting up tonight’s five way.

Opening sequence.

Ariya Daivari vs. Tony Nese vs. Curt Stallion vs. Ashante Adonis vs. August Grey

One fall to a finish for the future title shot. Adonis drops to the floor to start and Nese and Daivari beat the other two down. Stallion and Grey fight the two of them off and have a staredown of their own, with Grey grabbing a quick rollup for two. Daivari and Nese run back in to jump them, which is enough to bring Adonis back in to clean house. That doesn’t last long and it’s Adonis being sent outside as well, only to have Grey break up another, ahem, anticipated showdown.

Stallion strikes Grey down but it’s Adonis coming back in for a dropkick. A hard whip into the corner rocks Grey so Stallion stomps Adonis down, only to have Daivari and Nese jump both of them again. Stallion gets suplexed down but Grey slips out of one and hits a belly to back for two on Nese. Grey avoids Nese’s Lionsault but Daivari pulls him outside and the villains take turns sending Grey face first into the announcers’ table. The beating heads back inside, including Daivari intercepting Adonis.

Nese grabs the chinlock on Grey until Adonis grabs a sleeper on Nese for the break. Daivari clears the ring until Stallion sneaks up from behind with a German suplex and a DDT. Nese makes the save until Daivari comes back in to Rock Bottom Adonis. Daivari isn’t done as he sends Grey into the steps and hits the Persian Lion splash. Stallion is right back in to cover Daivari for two but it’s Nese coming in with a 450 to Stallion for two of his own.

Grey gets back up….and here are the Bollywood Boyz to beat him down. Now it’s Ever Rise coming in to hammer on Adonis and Grey as well, as Nese and Daivari seem to have paid for all of these people. Adonis, Stallion and Grey get together to fight them off so Daivari wraps a chain around his fist and knocks Adonis out. Grey makes another save so Nese makes one of his own. Nese catches Stallion on top but he slips out and hits a super reverse Spanish Fly to pin Nese for the title shot at 18:38.

Rating: B-. As usual, 205 Live can get a lot better if they are given the time and a reason to fight. Bringing in the extra people to help fight out the young guns is a good idea too as it actually makes things feel a little bigger, though the combined forces of the Bollywood Boyz, Nese/Daivari and Ever Rise are less intimidating than the NWO B Team. Stallion winning is a good choice and while I don’t think he’ll win the title, it’s nice to see someone getting a boost in this division for a change.

Overall Rating: B-. These one match shows are always a little weird but they did well enough here. The history of the show wasn’t the focal point here but that’s the right idea, as the history will only show you how far the show has fallen. What we got here was good enough though and hopefully Stallion vs. Escobar can work out well. Good show here, and nicely done with making it feel special.

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: November 6, 2020
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

This show has been getting a little bit better as a result and that is a good thing to see. Things have started taking a familiar but still somewhat new direction and hopefully we get to see a good show this week again. I’m not sure what that is going to entail, but the former Evolve guys are at least something new. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ashante Adonis vs. Mansoor

They lock up to start with Mansoor taking him to the ropes for a shove. An armbar works a bit better on Adonis but he gets caught in a front facelock. Adonis grabs a flapjack but gets knocked off the top for the crash to the floor. Mansoor’s dropkick through the ropes connects for two back inside as the pace has picked up.

Back in and Mansoor grabs a front facelock of his own and they even tease a knockout for a change. That’s broken up with a faceplant and Adonis hits a heck of a dropkick. A high crossbody into a kick to the head sets up a small package for two on Mansoor but he catches Adonis on top. The electric chair Death Valley Driver finishes Adonis at 8:06.

Rating: C+. Again, Mansoor continues to be one of the best and most consistently solid wrestlers around here so hopefully he gets an upgrade in the near future. Adonis has been doing fine as well and it s a good example of taking one of the dozens of people you have on the roster and turning them into something. If WWE could do that more often, it’s almost scary to imagine how fast they could restock the shelves.

Post match, respect is shown.

Curt Stallion and August Grey are ready to take care of Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese later tonight.

Santos Escobar says next week is the 205^th episode of 205 Live so we’ll be seeing a five way match for a future Cruiserweight Title shot. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Tony Nese/Ariya Daivari vs. Curt Stallion/August Grey

Nese drives Grey into the corner to start and it’s Daivari coming in for some loud chops. Stallion comes in off a blind tag though and it’s time to work on Daivari’s taped up elbow. A double stomp to the chest gets two on Daivari but Nese gets in a cheap shot from the apron to take over. Daivari’s neckbreaker gets two and Nese blasts Stallion in the face for two more.

Stallion grabs a small package for two though and rolls straight over for the hot tag to Grey. House doesn’t get a chance to be cleaned though as Nese gets in a shot from the apron and the Lionsault connects for two. Daivari suplexes Grey but pulls him up at two, which can’t be a good idea. Nese’s chinlock keeps Grey down and Daivari’s follows, though it doesn’t work so well.

Nese splashes Grey on the back and puts on a bodyscissors Grey, who elbows his way to freedom. The hot tag brings in Stallion to clean house and everything breaks down. Stallion gets sent outside so Grey has to fight both of them at once, which actually works for a change. Back up and Stallion hits a heck of a suicide dive to drive Daivari into the announcers’ table. Nese sends Stallion hard into the steps though and he heads back inside, only to get rolled up for two. The kickout sends Grey into the ropes, where Daivari gets in a cheap shot with a foreign object to give Nese the pin at 12:57.

Rating: B-. This was one of the better matches in recent 205 Live time as they had time, a formula and some cheating to make the veterans look like they couldn’t keep up with the younger team. The rookies need something like this and even though they didn’t win, the fact that they are having actual competitive matches serves as a good sign for their future.

Overall Rating: B-. It’s a good show with a pair of solid matches that is still off the air in just over half an hour. They are doing some nice things around here and you have a few interesting stories. I’m not sure what to expect from the show going forward, but at least we have some potential going forward. That hasn’t been the case in a long time, though I’m not sure if I have any reason to believe it’s sticking around. I’ll take what I can get though and that includes a good show here.

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