WWE 205 Live
Episode 89
#205Live
Original Air Date: August 7, 2018
Event Date: August 7, 2018
(aired live on the WWE Network)
City: Orlando, FL
Venue: Amway Center
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Drake Maverick says tonight’s show will be one of the most combustible episodes in recent memory. Murphy and Nese will take on the Lucha House Party, and Itami will face Ali one on one.
Intro Video
“Hail to the Crown” by CFO$ featuring From Ashes to New
Match 1
Kalisto & Lince Dorado w/ Gran Metalik vs Tony Nese & Buddy Murphy
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Tony Nese pins Kalisto with a schoolboy after a distraction from Buddy Murphy
Time: 10:36
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was fun, and I like that despite all the really good action, the finish leaves it wide open for lots more matches.
Backstage
Drake Maverick asks Mustafa Ali how he’s feeling. Ali says he’s fine, but Drake is worried because Ali has been in the hospital recently. Ali assures Maverick that he’s fine.
Backstage
Hideo Itami says Mustafa Ali should have shown him respect.
Video
A package video highlighting Noam Dar and his recovery from injury.
Match 2
Noam Dar vs Sean Maluta
(referee: Eddie Orengo; watching in the back: TJP)
Result: Noam Dar wins via pinfall after a running shin strike
Time: 2:24
Match Thoughts
A pretty good exhibition for Noam Dar. It was nice seeing Sean Maluta get an actual entrance, but he was just there to make Dar look good. He did that well.
Selfie Promo
Cedric Alexander isn’t surprised that Drew Gulak has Jack Gallagher attack him. Alexander says Gulak knows that he can’t beat him.
Backstage
Drew Gulak thinks a match between Gallagher and Alexander is a great idea. Gulak also thinks only he can create a better 205 Live by being champ.
Match 3
Mustafa Ali vs Hideo Itami
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Hideo Itami wins via pinfall after a trio of running dropkicks in the corner
Time: 16:32
Match Thoughts
Great match. This match was a good example of furthering an injury story without sacrificing any action or going with a less than satisfying finish. Itami and Ali were hitting each other with some very hard strikes and some very big moves. Throughout the match Ali would pause here and there, increasingly showing that something wasn’t okay. Itami was blocking and reversing a lot of Ali’s moves, but that could have been contributed to either Ali being off his game or just that Itami is really good. I think both are accurate for what they put together here.
Ring Area
After the match, Mustafa Ali collapses in the ring. The referee calls for help, and Maverick runs down to the ring. Ali is still down on the mat as the episode ends.
Show Impressions
A strong show with some good story moments.
Match of the Night
Itami vs Ali
The match itself was great, and the injury story for Ali helped make this match interesting on an additional level.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-205-live/2018-08-07