WWE 205 Live
Episode 104
#205Live
Original Air Date: November 21, 2018
Event Date: November 20, 2018
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Los Angeles, CA
Venue: Staples Center
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
At Survivor Series, Mustafa Ali failed to win the Cruiserweight Title from Buddy Murphy.
Intro Video
“Hail to the Crown” by CFO$ featuring From Ashes to New
Ring Area
Buddy Murphy comes out to the stage. He welcomes everyone to his 205 Live. He wonders if everyone really thought Ali was going to win, but he also says that he doesn’t care what people think. He says he can’t be stopped. Tony Nese comes out, and both men head to the ring.
Match 1
Tony Nese w/ Buddy Murphy (Cruiserweight Champ) vs Noam Dar
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Tony Nese wins via pinfall after a running knee strike in the corner (and a distraction from Buddy Murphy)
Time: 8:10
Match Thoughts
Good match. Nese has been on a roll over the last few weeks, but Dar is coming off of some huge matches in NXT UK (though they were taped over the summer). Both men looked very good, and there were a lot of fun sequences here. The match was fought pretty evenly, though Dar seemed to be getting the upper-hand as the match went along. Of course, Buddy Murphy was at ringside, and that played into Nese’s favor.
Backstage
Mustafa Ali says he’s hurt physically and mentally. He’s not running from the pain though, he’s embracing it. He will remember his pain and turn it into power. Ali will rise up, and he will become Cruiserweight Champ.
Backstage
Drake Maverick tells refeee Damilo Anfibio to be on his guard for shenanigans. The ref leaves, and Cedric Alexander walks in. Alexander feels good after his win over Lio Rush last week. Maverick says there is a match he’d like to see: Alexander and Ali versus Murphy and Nese. Alexander likes the idea, so the match will happen next week.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton asks Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak for some insight on the team of Tozawa and Kendrick. They say Tozawa and Kendrick aren’t a team, and if they challenge Gulak and Gallagher again, they will tap out.
Match 2
Akira Tozawa & The Brian Kendrick vs Fidel Bravo & Richie Slade
(referee: Jason Ayers; watching in the back: Drew Gulak, Jack Gallagher)
Result: Akira Tozawa pins Fidel Bravo after a diving senton
Time: 3:25
Match Thoughts
Good match for a squash. This showed what Kendrick and Tozawa can do when they are working together. They still seemed wary of each other (Tozawa more than Kendrick), but they managed to put that aside. At least for tonight.
Ring Area
After the match, Tozawa celebrates by hopping and yelling. Tozawa wants Kendrick to join in, but Kendrick doesn’t want to. Tozawa insists, and Kendrick finally starts jumping and yelling. Kendrick smiles, and the two men embrace before leaving the ring together.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes asks Murphy and Nese about next week’s main event. Murphy has beaten both Alexander and Ali individually, so just imaging what he and Nese can do to them together.
Ring Area
Lucha House Party heads to the ring for Gran Metalik’s match. Maria Kanellis comes out to the stage and beckons for Mike Kanellis and TJP to join her. When they come out, TJP and Mike are wearing two of the masks TJP stole from Lucha House Party. Everyone starts to come together on the ramp for a brawl, but Drake Maverick and some referees prevent a fight from happening. Maverick sends everyone to the back except for Gran Metalik and TJP.
Match 3
Gran Metalik vs TJP
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Gran Metalik wins via pinfall with a roll-through reversal to a hurricanrana
Time: 9:25
Match Thoughts
Good match. Metalik started strong, but TJP was able to catch Metalik with some really nice holds and strikes. There were a few big moves as the match went along, but I think the best part was watching TJP transition to different submissions. The finish was good, but it was sudden enough to warrant another match. Either man could have won, and that’s part of what made it fun to watch.
Ring Area
After the match, Lucha House Party joins Gran Metalik in the ring. Meanwhile, Maria Kanellis comes out to the stage screaming at Drake Maverick about something. Using the distraction of his wife, Mike Kanellis enters the ring and smashes Lucha House Party with a chair. Maria smiles as she escorts Mike and TJP back up to the stage.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. There were no big moments, but it set up a lot of future big moments very well. I like the direction everything is headed in on 205 Live.
Match of the Night
Gran Metalik vs TJP
This and the opener were both good, and it was difficult to choose between the two. I think the added story element to the main event helped get me a little more invested in TJP versus Metalik.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-205-live/2018-11-21