205 Live Review 04/02/2019
205 Live Review: April 2nd, 2019
Live from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland
Tuesday nights are not just meant for Smack Down Live but also made for the hottest hour on television, 205 Live! The Cruiserweight Division makes its final stop in Baltimore, Maryland before WrestleMania this Sunday. With one match at the showcase of the immortals, there is nothing else confirmed besides a rematch between Mike Kanellis, who has struggled to find a win in 205 before last week’s victory, and Akira Tozawa. Other than that, we do have a brewing situation between the Submission Commission members Drew Gulak, Jack Gallagher, and Humberto Carillo. After last week’s debut loss to the Lucha House Party, how can the trio for a Better 205 Live make a comeback? All this on the newest episode of 205 Live!
Match #1: Kalisto (with The Lucha House Party) vs. Oney Lorcan
Before the match, The Lucha House Party cut a promo, welcoming Baltimore, Maryland to 205 Live. Kalisto then announces in a Dragon Ball Z esque way that it is Lucha Time!
As soon as the bell rings, Oney Lorcan rushes immediately to the former Cruiserweight champion with a brutal uppercut to the corner. However, Kalisto comes back with chops and a kick that sends Lorcan over the top rope. Kalisto brings him back in, which sets up a springboard crossbody for an unsuccessful two count. However, Oney Lorcan sends the luchador over the top rope on the outside. Lorcan then sends Kalisto straight into the barricade! Lorcan sends Kalisto back into the ring to only smash his head into the ring apron. During the match, cameras roll to Buddy Murphy, who enters the building. Kalisto then hits a high dropkick which is then transitioned into a ruthless clothesline by Oney to take control. He then hits a running knee and into what seems to be a body scissors submission. He transitions into a gripping headlock. Kalisto comes back and hits a spinning springboard. Oney goes for the half and half suplex but Kalisto reverses it. He then hits a hurricanrana to gain momentum. He sets up for the Salina Del Sol but is reversed into another brutal uppercut. Both men appear on the ringside apron with Lorcan trying to hit a half-and-half suplex but Kalisto fights out of it. The Lucha House Party member HITS A HUGE SALINA DEL SOL ONTO THE APRON which sends both men to the outside. They make it into the ring for another unsuccessful two count. Kalisto is caught in the corner by Lorcan, however he is stopped by Lorcan. Lorcan attempts a half and half suplex on the turnbuckle which Kalisto escapes and attempts a 450 splash. It is unsuccessful and Oney is finally able to hit the half and half suplex for the win.
Result: Oney Lorcan via pinfall
My Thoughts:
This match from bell to bell proved to exceed expectations! Loved the bareknuckle style of Oney Lorcan mixed with the Luchador style of Kalisto. Truth be told, I hate the Lucha House Party with all my heart and soul. However, when I see the athleticism and undefinable air skills of Kalisto, I get amazed! But for the love of God, please cut off the House Party’s microphones when making a promo? I cannot stand that unbearable sound of continuous Lucha chants and party favors being displayed. End the pain and just get to fighting!
Backstage Segment: Drake Maverick and Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander walks into the office of 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick’s office, asking him why he was not given a match against Oney Lorcan. Maverick explains that he is trying to save Alexander’s energy for a match with Oney in the near future.
Backstage Interview – Dasha Fuentes, Tony Nese, Buddy Murphy
Dasha Fuentes appears to interview Tony Nese about his highly anticipated Cruiserweight Championship match against Buddy Murphy. As soon as Nese answers, Murphy attacks him out of nowhere which leads into a brawl backstage, heading into the stage area. The two combustible elements brawl on the stage, which is broken up by WWE Officials. This leads to Tony Nese standing tall after hitting Murphy with a Running Nese to end the segment.
Match #2: Mike Kanellis (with Maria Kanellis) vs. Akira Tozawa (with The Brian Kendrick)
The bell rings and Mike Kanellis immediately takes control of the arm but Akira Tozawa takes out the left leg to stop the action for a moment. Kanellis takes control yet again with a headlock and a shoulder tackle. Tozawa then answers back with an octopus stretch to weaken down Kanellis. The two athletes convert back and forth with chops and strikes until Mike Kanellis stops the momentum with a huge clothesline. This leads to a mudhole stomp in the corner which sends Tozawa rolling into ringside. He then uses a huge right hand strike to weaken Akira more and applies a chin lock. Tozwa reaches the bottom rope. Mike Kanellis then three consecutive suplexes for two unsuccessful two counts, showcasing his frustration. Kanellis hits a huge powerbomb. At ringside, Mike gets motivational talk from Maria. He then applies the surfboard stretch. With all of his strength, Akira lifts Mike to only lead him into a huricanrana to the corner. Tozawa hits a missile dropkick for another two count. He then goes for a German Suplex but instead hits a Samoan Drop/Dropkick combo. While attempting a running strike, Akira Tozawa is caught by a HUGE spinebuster by Mike Kanellis. Tozawa comes back with a huge octopus stretch submission. Kanellis powers out, lifting both competitors to what seemed to be a botched crossbody over the top rope. He then hits a huge neck breaker onto the floor and punches The Brian Kendrick. Both Tozawa and Kanellis are met on the top rope for a superplex but Mike catches him in the Fireman’s Carry which is suddenly reversed into a hurricanrana for another unsuccessful two count. Both men frustrated giving each other vicious strikes and chops. Both hit big boots and superkicks to knock each other out. Akira gets back on his feet and hits a German Suplex. Akira Tozawa attempted a sunset flip but Kanellis reverses it and tries to gain the assist from Maria. However, Kendrick returns, distracting the referee, making Akira reverse, and gains the victory.
Result: Akira Tozawa via pinfall
My Thoughts:
Do not dare to ever sleep on 205 Live! That match was more awesome than people would expect! You even heard this is awesome from the Baltimore crowd, which would you apparently never hear from a labeled “dead” crowd after SmackDown Live. Love how the odds were evened out with the addition of The Brian Kendrick but Mike Kanellis should have gotten the win there. I would have expected a mean streak from the Happy Kanellis couple, finding new and better ways to win matches. Don’t sleep on Tozawa either! The former Cruiserweight Champion proved that he still has got what it takes to compete with the best of them. I feel like that from here, Tozawa might be the one to be a dark horse in this show.
Final Thoughts:
Surprisingly enough, 205 Live, in my opinion, put asses to seats and eyeballs to screens! Honestly, I do not watch 205 Live as consistently as I would used to due to college work and/or writing the SmackDown Live reviews during that time. However, I am glad to be back watching the hottest hour on television once again and tonight was a prime example of what this show is capable of. I understand that the WWE Universe and wrestling fans in general consider 205 Live as the second WWE Main Event on Tuesday nights. I disagree because it is more than just a division, it is more than just a show. To me, 205 Live is a movement! A movement that needs more voices and more eyes to lead a revolution. I hear everyday that 205 Live is the embodiment of punishment for a WWE Superstar if they are placed or “sent” there. But that is all a bunch of malarkey. It is the embodiment of gifted male talent who defy the odds above and in the ring. I think of it as what Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko brought to ECW in 1995. I believe that every one on this roster should be labeled as an elite group because there are a very select few who can showcase high flying and mat-based wrestling better than them. So next time , when you shit on a show without ever really watching it, take tonight as an example of being proven wrong! Never judge a book by its cover. I promise you all, that 205 Live will be WWE’s predominant fourth brand.
