WWE 205 Live
Episode 62
#205Live
Original Air Date: January 30, 2018
Event Date: January 30, 2018 (aired live)
City: Philadelphia, PA
Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Intro Video
“Hail to the Crown” by CFO$ featuring From Ashes to New
Ring Area
Daniel Bryan comes out to the stage. He is accompanied by a man named Drake Maverick. Bryan says he was proud to be a part of the Cruiserweight Classic in 2016. Under the management of Drake Maverick, 205 Live will enter a new era.
The new GM, Drake Maverick, has worked his entire career to get to the WWE, and he is proud to be a part of 205 Live. His first proclamation is to announce a 16 man tournament to determine a new Cruiserweight Champ. The finals will happen at Wrestlemania, and the first two matches will take place tonight.
Backstage
Kalisto and Lince Dorado pump up Gran Metalik for his match. Drake Maverick walks up and tells Metalik that it’s time.
Match 1
Cruiserweight Title Tournament First Round Match
Cedric Alexander vs Gran Metalik
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Cedric Alexander wins via pinfall after a Lumbar Check
Time: 9:27
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Both guys looked great. As the match went along, both of them started hitting bigger moves and getting closer and closer to winning. I liked how this one built up to the finish. I kind of wish this match had been later in the tournament though. I’d like to see both of them as champ.
Video
A re-introduction to Tyler Bate.
Video
Jack Gallagher hope his fellow countryman, Drake Maverick, understands the importance of a gentleman winning the title tournament.
Backstage
Maverick talks to a crew member when Drew Gulak walks up. Gulak has a bouquet of roses for Maverick, and says he’s looking forward to seeing what changes Maverick has in mind for a better 205 Live.
Backstage
Mustafa Ali says his match with Cedric last week was awesome even though he lost. The loss was a wakeup call. He’s going to go through this title tournament and punch his ticket to Wrestlemania.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes TJP. First ever Cruiserweight Champion TJP. TJP says everyone around here must have a short memory. He won the first Cruiserweight Classic tournament. Maverick walks up and says TJP’s win was a long time ago. TJP faces Tyler Bate tonight, and Tyler Bate is hungry. Maverick wonders if we’re going to see the TJP who won the Cruiserweight Classic, or the one that whines and complains.
Video
Akira Tozawa is disappointed that he isn’t the GM, but he’s happy that he can win the title tournament.
Match 2
Cruiserweight Title Tournament First Round Match
TJP vs Tyler Bate
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: TJP wins via pinfall with a sunset flip (and a handful of trunks)
Time: 14:32
Match Thoughts
Great match. TJP and Bate picked each other apart, trading holds and strikes that led to finish that worked very well. The pace was methodical at first, and it slowly picked up as the match went along. I thought this was very well done by both guys.
Show Impressions
This was a very good show. The choice of Drake Maverick as GM is already starting to grow on me, a new cruiserweight tournament is an exciting prospect, and the two matches tonight were great. I think 205 Live might be the show to watch over the next couple of months.
Match of the Night
TJP vs Tyler Bate
Cedric and Metalik had a great match, one that probably would have been the best on most nights, but I really liked the submission psychology of the main event. Plus, TJP’s story over the past few weeks played into (but didn’t overshadow) the action in the ring. I think that’s great to see.