205 Live Review – 09/03/2019
205 Live Review
September 4th, 2019
205 Live Review: September 3rd, 2019
Author: Captain Charisma
Live from the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia
Hello fellow peeps! Captain Charisma has returned after a long hiatus, writing the review for last night’s episode of 205 Live! I do apologize for the latency of this review as some personal issues came about after SmackDown Live went off the air. However, the 205 Live reviews have returned, representing the hottest hour on television properly. This episode of comes to us live from the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, just three days removed from this past Saturday’s All Out Pay-Per-View presented by All Elite Wrestling! Before we bask in the glory of the greatest cruiserweight champion of all time Drew Gulak, we have several matches in store for the fans! According to WWE, 205 Live has been announced to feature a match between the number one contender Humberto Carrillo and one thirds of the Lucha House Party, Lince Dorado. In addition to that, it was announced before the show started via social media that The Premiere Athlete Tony Nese will go one on one against Mike Kanellis in singles action after stating last week in an interview that he needs to change his ways. All this and more as 205 Live starts now!
Before the show officially starts, the fallout from Rowan’s attack on both Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns continues as it airs live on the WWE Network. We see both Reigns and Bryan struggle to realize the events that just occurred.
Backstage Segment – Drake Maverick, Humberto Carrillo, and Lince Dorado
After the carnage left by Rowan on SmackDown Live, we immediately cut to a segment recorded earlier in the day which features General Manager Drake Maverick standing backstage with both Humberto Carrillo and Lince Dorado, eager to hear what the GM has in store. After commemorating Humberto’s victory last week, Maverick has made the match for tonight against Dorado official. However, he does point out Dorado’s comments for the past several weeks about the lack of opportunities on 205 Live. Dorado responds by teasing Maverick about not having a referee with him given that Maverick would lose the 24/7 championship to R-Truth later in the night. He then goes on to say that despite being a member of the cruiserweight division since the start, he has never received a cruiserweight championship match. I would argue that Gran Metalik (the finalist of the Cruiserweight Classic, whom NEVER got a cruiserweight title shot) deserves this more but, that is just me. Agreeing with his claims, Drake Maverick raises the stakes by adding the stipulation of if Lince Dorado wins in the main event against Humberto Carrillo, he will be added into the cruiserweight championship match against Carrillo and Drew Gulak. Dorado expresses gratitude and begins to celebrate however, it is Carrillo’s disappointment that leads Dorado to open his hand in a handshake. The two competitors shake hands in preparation of the main event of tonight’s show.
My Thoughts:
Adding Lince Dorado to the Cruiserweight Title match at Clash of Champions is stupid in the sense that we see yet another triple threat match for the purple and platinum. I mean, do not get me wrong, Dorado made value points to his argument for an opportunity at the title but he is not the right person to receive (or kayfabe “earn”) that chance! Trust me, I am not saying that because he blocked me on Instagram. There is no logical explanation to have the weakest Luchador on 205 aside from Kalisto to be in that spotlight!
Match #1 – Tony Nese vs. Mike Kanellis
The bell rings and both Nese and Kanellis lock up. Tony Nese gains the advantage and applies the waist lock Greco Roman wrestling style on Mike Kanellis to then force a rope break. After the rope break, Kanellis goes to work with a kick to the gut followed by multiple chops. He then attempts an Irish whip to the corner which leads to Nese hitting a beautiful moonsault, landing on his feet. This leads to a kick to the gut of Kanellis and htiing the Premiere Combination for a quick two count. This sends the Future of 205 Live Kanellis rolling onto the outside only for Nese to hit his patinate cartwheel counter and hitting a huge left hand that stuns the Norfolk crowd. However, it is Kanellis who comes back and hits a sudden DDT onto the floor which lays out the former cruiserweight champion. Nese gets back into the ring before the ten count and immediately Kanellis plants him with a Samoan Driver, which is only good for a two count. Mike Kanellis begins to grow frustrated with himself not ending the match and starts to continuously stomp on Nese. We then see Maria Kanellis looking on backstage, really focused on this match for her husband. Kanellis then applies the chin lock to slow the Premiere Athlete down. However, Nese fights back and takes him down with a sliding leg sweep. Nese then goes for the springboard moonsault and disconnects. As Nese charges at Mike Kanellis, Kanellis quickly reverses with a back body drop over the top rope, sending him flying to the moon. Instead of resenting to a count out victory, he then goes for a running flying big boot onto Nese, who is prompted on the barricade. After another unsuccessful pinfall, Kanellis applies the chin lock once more. Nese then rams him into the corner turnbuckle. However, Kanellis throws Nese hard into the corner. Nese comes back and reverses the Samoan Driver and hits a German Suplex onto the turnbuckle. After getting fired up, Nese finally connects with the springboard moonsault. Nese then resorts to a Connor Roll pin attempt but does not work that time followed by an inside cradle attempt. This would lead to Kanellis hitting a HUGE spinebuster, giving him the momentum once again. Angry at his disability to end the match, he would then start the barrage of back elbow strikes in the corner. Nonetheless, it is Nese who fires back after both men meet on the top rope with an open palm strike to the face. This comes with a hurricanrana for yet another two count. Immediately, Tony Nese attempts to end it all with a pumphandle slam but Kanellis escapes out of it and hits a huge clothesline. After egging on Nese, the two competitors to go back and forth in strikes. Nese then gets Kanellis to roll onto the outside where he lands a vintage spaceman plancha. Nese then hits the 450 splash afterwards only for a two count. Both men are exhausted and frustrated with a huge “this is awesome” chant from Norfolk. While Nese looked to finish things with the Running Knese, Kanellis catches him for a moment but a well scouted Nese hit him with another open palm strike to the face. He then goes for a sunset driver (formerly known as the Dude Buster) but is reversed and reversed again into a spinning back kick from Nese. He goes for running Nese once more but Kanellis catches him with a superkick that would make HB-Shizzle proud! He then hits the Twisted Face Plug for the one-two-three win!
Result: Mike Kanellis via pinfall
My Thoughts:
MIKE KANELLIS WINS FINALLY FOR GOODNESS SAKES!! I am so happy that Kanellis not only got the victory in this bout against Tony Nese but put on a tremendous show. As a huge fan of the Future of 205 Live, I believe this match showcased heart and passion on both ends of the spectrum. You have Tony Nese, who has not really been heard or seen since his loss at Extreme Rules versus a star like Mike Kanellis, who has been in the nix of his wife demanding more out of him despite winning the 24/7 Championship. Straight and simple, these two put on a clinic with great athleticism and agility. What’s next for Tony Nese is something we do not know for now. However, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Mike!
Backstage Segment – Lince Dorado and Ariya Daivari
Lince Dorado is seen backstage in preparation of his main event match tonight. However, it is seen that Ariya Daivari comes to the picture and wishes the Golden Lynx good luck on the main event. Daivari then demands a thank you from Dorado after taking out both Kalisto and Gran Metalik in the past weeks. If it was not for Daivari Dinero, Lince would be stuck in the Lucha House Party (which is really true). Dorado commends his comments but denies the fact that he needs him in order to be successful as he has his amigos by his side. Daivari rebuttals but Dorado accuses him of being a leech, leeching on all talent to benefit him. He then states that he will win in the main event, go onto Clash of Champions, and call his amigos to celebrate by throwing the biggest party that 205 Live has ever seen.
My Thoughts:
Again, Dorado does not deserve to have this main event given to him on a silver platter. On top of that, I still struggle to understand the purpose of having Daivari play this millionaire gimmick. The only positive I ever saw within Daivari was his alliance with Drew Gulak and Hideo Itami. Other than that, Enzo, Tozawa, and Dorado have all failed like The Certified G’s reign as champion. I get that he is a manipulative heel but I do not see it with someone like Dorado. Why does he need to go after someone like him? Why not Metalik? At least he has a valid reason to turn on the Party rather than a little lynx who does not know how to handle negativity.
Backstage Segment – Another Bollywood Boys Backstage Promo – Singh Brothers (Where is Jinder Mahal?)
We see Sunil and Samir Singh appear backstage in director’s chairs at the Bollywood Movie Studio about to address the 205 Live Universe. Sunil begins to speak on breaking ground and making major improvements in their tag team career. Samir adds onto say that studies have shown that everything in their opponents in The Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa is not in comparison to their in-ring style. The Singh Brothers would then continue to make fun of their opponents. They then state that the 205 Live audience will see them in action next and will face justice in the Bollywood action.
Match #2 – Akira Tozawa and The Brain Kendrick vs. Local Jobber Team of Brandon Scott and Tyler Hastings
The match starts and The Brian Kendrick quickly hits the starting jobber with a knee to the midsection. Kendrick transitions into a waist lock and as the first jobber tries to get ahead of the game, Tozawa makes the quick tag and hits him with a big boot to the face. Both Tozawa and Kendrick hit a double under hook slam followed by an elbow drop and a senton bomb. After multiple chops and a bop to the chin, Akira Tozawa is on fire. After displaying a unique double team maneuver, Kendrick is tagged back in. This leads jobber number one to jobber number two. A huge arm drag connects from Kendrick. For some odd reason, they allowed jobber number one to gain a cheap shot on Brian Kendrick. Team Jobber attempt to get a double team move but Kendrick escapes out of it and tags Tozawa back in. Akira Tozawa hits a flying dropkick to both Scott and Hastings. He then hits a wannabe Trouble In Paradise on Jobber Two. Tozawa makes the tag to Kendrick, pushes jobber to the corner turnbuckle, hits a running elbow strike and hits a STO-dropkick finishing move to end the match completely with Kendrick pinning for the win. Post-match, Brian Kendrick cuts a promo stating that he is not surprised that Jack Gallagher is not present on 205 Live yet again. However, he challenges The Gentleman to a tag team match at next week’s show at Madison Square Garden against himself and Tozawa. He then lays up the challenge and tells him to step up.
Result: The Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa via pinfall
My Thoughts:
Not much to say about this one. Pretty normal 205 Live squash match where they make the jobbers look like actual competition but in reality, are not at all. I joke about not knowing the names of the local competitors but in all honesty, who cares? The post-match promo is what I found interesting enough aside from the unique tag team finisher. Laying out the challenge to Jack Gallagher to find himself a partner for next week’s episode from Madison Square Garden makes me invested to see who the Extraordinary Gentleman chooses.
Backstage Interview – Sarah Schreiber and Oney Lorcan featuring Tony Nese
WWE announcer and interview correspondent Sarah Schreiber is seen backstage, about to interview Oney Lorcan. After mentioning that Lorcan stated that last week he is not done with Drew Gulak, he is then interrupted by an upset Tony Nese who lost in his match against Mike Kanellis earlier in the night. Lorcan consults Nese only to lead into a brawl backstage. This gets The Preimere Athlete to drive Oney on the wall and lays him out. He continues to yell at Lorcan, questioning him on if he went through what Nese is currently going through. The assault is then broken up by WWE officials and come to the aid of Lorcan.
Match #3 – Lince Dorado vs. Humberto Carrillo – If Dorado wins, the Cruiserweight Championship becomes a Triple Threat Match at Clash of Champions
As the bell rings for the main event, both Lince Dorado and Humberto Carrillo have an aggressive handshake as a show of respect. Two of 205 Live’s hottest stars lock up and it seems like both men have an answer to every hold and lock up they have in their back pockets. However, it is Lince Dorado who hits a rolling drag and then shows off some flippy moves. As Dorado teases Humberto, he then gets a huge Lucha chant from the Norfolk crowd. This would lead to Humberto Carrillo to apply an reverse ankle lock to slow the pace down. He then goes for a ground submission known as the modified surfboard stretch but The Golden Lynx immediately reverses into a pinfall attempt. After a stand off between the two competitors, they both begin to do more flippy flips and tricks to show off their incredible agility and athleticism. Dorado takes control with an arm drag, chop, and an Irish whip between the ropes to Carrillo. They then convey into a pin battle containing sunset flips, roll ups, and a backslide pin attempt. Dorado attempts a hurricanrana but both men once again reverse their respective attempts to find a good edge. Dorado and Carrillo butt heads which leads to a ruthless battle of chops that would make Ric Flair proud. However, it is Carrillo who hits a beautiful flying arm-drag to Dorado. One more arm-drag later, Carrillo attempts to get control but quickly meets Dorado taking him out with a springboard DDT onto the outside. After dragging Carrillo back into the ring, Dorado hits his vintage plank body splash for a two count. A couple of kicks to the spine and a standing moonsault later, Dorado begins to grow frustrated and applies a headlock to slow him down. Carrillo manages to get back on his feet only to be met with a spinning heel kick by Dorado. He then hits a huge body splash only good for a two count. He then applies a camel clutch to put the hurt on Carrillo. Carrillo escapes with the arm-drag. Dorado then prompts Carrillo on the top rope. However, it is Carrillo who hits a flying missile dropkick on Dorado. Both men are laid out. Carrillo gets on his feet and hits a clothesline/running dropkick combination to take out his competition. He then hits a Rob Van Dam inspired Rolling Thunder Standing Moonsault. He then hits a running springboard arm drag to Dorado, sending him to the outside. This gives Carrillo the opportunity to hit a spinning, twisting suicide dive on Dorado on the outside. Carrillo hits a huge flying moonsault which is only good for another two count. However, it is not long until Dorado comes back with his own offense and attempts an springboard stunner but is caught by Carrillo in the Gory Bomb position. Dorado reverses with another arm drag. He then hits a springboard reverse hurricanrana (which I believe he landed on his own head on that exchange). After another two count, Dorado is not willing to give up on his dreams of Cruiserweight platinum as he hits Carrillo with multiple forearm strikes to the face. Carrillo takes advantage over an exhausted lynx and hits a powerbomb. After both men have a chop and forearm exchange with one another, Carrillo manages to hit a huge enziguri. However, Lince hits a gutbuster leading to a Shooting Star Press. Carrillo rolls away. They meet back in the ring and Carrillo tries the inside cradle for the win but is unsuccessful. Lince, from out of nowhere, hits a hurricanrana to get the three count and cement his way into the Cruiserweight Championship at WWE Clash of Champions one week from Sunday. Post-match, as Dorado celebrates, he gets attacked from behind from cruiserweight champion Drew Gulak! After a serious of hammering strikes to Dorado, Carrillo steps up to Gulak, only to be met with an open palm strike to the face by….TONY NESE?!?!? Nese and Gulak stare eye to eye and immediately continue the attack on the Luchadores. Carrillo and Dorado attempt to fight back after being thrown into the ring but Nonetheless, the heroes do not always prevail as the newly reunited duo of Nese and Gulak stand tall as Nese hits the Running Nese on Dorado and Gulak hits the Torture Rack Neckbreaker to send the message that he is the greatest cruiserweight champion ever.
Result: Lince Dorado via pinfall – gets added into the Cruiserweight Title Match at Clash of Champions
My Thoughts:
I do not want to be that type of guy to say but that was a long match, at least for me. But, the way these two fought and put everything on the line for 205 was incredible! I loved the contradiction between two individuals who want to steal the show and obtain championship gold. Despite of what I personally think of Dorado, tonight he certainly impressed. The agility of that cat was something to see! Same goes for Humberto Carrillo as the young talent has an amazing future ahead of him. But do not get it twisted, this does not mean I believe one of these two will win at Clash of Champions. They will both suffer in defeat at the hands of Drew Gulak, the almighty Cruiserweight Champion of the World. We saw a preview of that tonight after the match when Gulak and Nese reunited as a force to be reckoned with. There is no debate that this got me hyped for Clash in less than two weeks!
Final Thoughts
YOWIE WOWIE! That was a long episode but let us break it down. Aside from my bias opinions about the only Cruiserweight Champion who has showcased the 205 Live brand outside of the show itself, I thought the overall structure of the show was average at best. Typical Bollywood Boyz promo claiming that they are the best tag team in 205, yet 205 does NOT have a tag team division nor titles to show for it. Believe it or not, I was more than impressed by how both Lince and Humberto put on a good showing of lucha libre. However, I think that the opening to the night with the phenomenal match between Mike Kanellis and Tony Nese was ten times better than the main event. I believe the only thing that made me continue watching after the match was seeing the Great Cruiserweight Champion himself realign with the same man that came with him in WWE was superb! Heel Tony is better than Baby Nese. As a fan of Tony Nese, I thought it was a little annoying to see him three times in one night but it was for the better as he gained the spotlight he deserved (and no, I do not mean beating up Oney Lorcan, who will ended going to war with him after that attack backstage). Thank you all for tuning into this week’s return of the 205 Live Review! Hope to see you all on the hottest hour on television once more.
