WWE 205 Live
Episode 32
#205Live
Original Air Date: July 4, 2017
Event Date: July 4, 2017 (aired live)
City: Phoenix, AZ
Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena
Commentary: Corey Graves, Vic Joseph
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Backstage
Titus O’Neil talks to Akira Tozawa on the phone. He talks about how much money Tozawa will be making when he sees Ariya Daivari. He compliments Daivari’s jewelry before moving on. Titus encounters Mustafa Ali next and compliments him on his match with Gulak last week.
Intro Video
“Hail to the Crown” by CFO$ featuring From Ashes to New
Ring Area
Titus O’Neil heads to the ring. In the ring he hypes the upcoming title match between Neville and Tozawa. He talks about “the powa’ of Tozawa” when Neville interrupts and comes out to the stage.
Neville tells Titus that everything he’s talking about is a fantasy. He shows footage of Apollo Crews getting beat up by Braun Strowman as an example of what happens to those who sign with Titus Worldwide. Neville says Titus doesn’t care about his clients, he only cares about money. He dares Titus to prove him wrong by forfeiting Tozawa’s match.
Match 1
Neville (Cruiserweight Champ) vs Lince Dorado
(referee: Dan Engler; guest commentary: Titus O’Neil)
Result: Neville wins via submission with the Rings of Saturn
Time: 3:57
Match Thoughts
Good match. Dorado started very strong with a string of quick moves, but Neville slowed things down with his power and a few well-placed big moves. A good match for both guys.
Backstage
Rich Swann asks TJP why he requested a match tonight. TJP responds by saying he wants to show Swann “the old TJP” through some friendly competition. Swann seems to like that, and the two men shake hands.
Match 2
Tony Nese vs Gentleman Jack Gallagher
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Jack Gallagher wins via pinfall after a running dropkick
Time: 6:01
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was a nice follow-up to their previous match. It revisited some moments from that bout and expanded on them. Gallagher looked particularly good, keeping the pace high and showing some unique transitions.
Ring Area
The Brian Kendrick appears on the tron after the match to share “The History of Great Britain.” He mostly talks about battles that the British have lost as a way to references Gallagher’s losses. Kendrick pledges to rid 205 Live of the “British scourge” that is Jack Gallagher. After the video ends, some of the crowd chants “USA,” because, whatever.
Backstage
Noam Dar is checked out by a trainer who informs Dar that he doesn’t need a neck brace. Dar then tells Alicia Fox about his plans to move up in 205 Live and challenge whoever is champ after Sunday’s title match. Fox wants to know what he’s going to do about Cedric Alexander. Dar says that’s finished, but Fox won’t accept that. She says it won’t be finished until Alexander quits 205 Live. Dar reluctantly agrees.
Match 3
TJP vs Rich Swann
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Rich Swann wins via pinfall with a jackknife cover
Time: 12:12
Match Thoughts
Very good match. With was very interesting. It was a match between friends meant to be “friendly competition,” but the way it was set up you didn’t really know if TJP was being completely honest about his intentions. That feeling came through extremely well during the match. TJP’s mannerisms and facial expressions made it feel like he was right on the edge of attacking Swann or taking the cheap way out. It gave the match some good tension. And the action itself was very good. Both guys were evenly matched throughout, though TJP did dominate a good portion of the match.
Show Impressions
A good show. The main event was great, and all the other story bits throughout the show were nicely done.
Match of the Night
TJP vs Rich Swann
I’m interested to see where this goes from here.