WWE 205 Live
Episode 31
#205Live
Original Air Date: June 27, 2017
Event Date: June 27, 2017 (aired live)
City: San Diego, CA
Venue: Valley View Casino Center
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Clips of Titus O’Neil trying to convince Akira Tozawa to join “The Titus Brand” and of Titus informing everyone that he secured a title match for Tozawa at Great Balls of Fire.
Intro Video
“Hail to the Crown” by CFO$
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes Jack Gallagher. Gallagher says he let his guard down last week against Tony Nese, but he won’t do the same against The Brian Kendrick tonight.
Ring Area
Jack Gallagher heads to the ring for a match. After he gets into the ring his music starts to play again. Out comes Brian Kendrick dressed (sort of) as Gallagher, complete with a mustache and an umbrella. Kendrick says Gallagher is a parody and a joke. He thinks Gallagher could do well if he took himself seriously, but as it is now, he’s just a cheap imitation of William Regal.
** Not the most original way to go after Gallagher (Neville said basically the same thing during his brief feud with Jack), but any excuse to see a series of matches between these two is a good thing. **
Match 1
Gentleman Jack Gallagher vs The Brian Kendrick
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Jack Gallagher wins via DQ when Kendrick attacks him with an unbrella
Time: 3:04
Match Thoughts
An okay match, but this was really just to set up a feud between these two. Kendrick had no interest in winning, he just wanted to make a point by hurting Gallagher.
Ring Area
After the match, Kendrick continues to attack Gallagher. He breaks one umbrella on Gallagher’s body, so he tosses it into the crowd and continues the beating with Gallagher’s own umbrella. After a few more strikes, Kendrick walks away.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes Drew Gulak. Gulak points out that Ali’s win last week with “a wrestling hold” simply proves his point that 205 Live should be a “no fly zone.” Mustafa Ali walks up and asks why Gulak hates high flying. He offers an answer: that Gulak hates high flying because he can’t do it himself. Gulak doesn’t seem to like that answer.
Match 2
Mustafa Ali vs Drew Gulak
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Mustafa Ali wins via pinfall with a crucifix pin after Gulak misses a diving splash (complete with some Snuka hand signs)
Time: 6:54
Match Thoughts
I really like this match. The action was good, but the ending is what really made it great. Gulak found himself sitting on the top turnbuckle and you could see him start to think. Remembering what Ali told him before the match about not being able to fly high, Gulak slowly and nervously went to the top rope. It was a great moment that tied together everything that was said and done by both guys on this show, and it plays in perfectly with everything that’s happened in previous shows.
These two have been doing a lot of similar things week after week, but this moment made it feel fresh. Very well done by both guys, particularly Gulak who has shown a lot of great personality.
Backstage
Noam Dar apologizes to Ariya Daivari for throwing his bag into the river last week by shifting the blame to Cedric Alexander. Daivari says the $15,000 it cost means nothing to him. Dar is relieved that he doesn’t have to pay him back. Daivari might not want Dar’s money, but he says Dar still owes him.
Match 3
Cedric Alexander vs Ariya Daivari
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Ariya Daivari wins via pinfall after a hammerlock into a short arm lariat
Time: 5:00
Match Thoughts
A good match. Daivari looked particularly strong in this match. That’s not to take anything away from Alexander. He looked good as usual, but the strong showing from Daivari was very much needed for him.
Ring Area
Dar attacks Alexander after the match. Dar gets on the mic and says that the “Cedric Alexander Chapter” is over. Now he wants to focus on his relationship with Alicia Fox.
Ring Area
Neville heads to the ring. He says that his next challenger for the title, Akira Tozawa, is being misled. He warns Tozawa not to show up at Great Balls of Fire. If he gets in the ring with Neville, he’s going to get hurt.
Tozawa comes out and heads to the ring. Neville asks him what he wants, but Tozawa just says “ah.” Neville goes for an attack but ends up getting dumped out of the ring. Neville seems quite upset as the show ends.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. A couple of good matches, some nice story moments, and good buildup for upcoming matches. I’d like it if they let Tozawa talk though.
Match of the Night
Mustafa Ali vs Drew Gulak
The finish of this match made it the best of the night. Good stuff.