This week’s 205 Live starts with highlights from last week’s Fatal 4-Way main event, where Drew Gulak earned the right to face Cedric Alexander for the Cruiserweight Championship. From Tampa, Florida, Vic Joseph is joined on commentary by Nigel McGuinness and Percy Watson, the latter informing us that the title match will take place at Summerslam, as per General Manager Drake Maverick’s announcement on social media twenty-four hours earlier.
Kalisto vs Tony Nese
Thankfully, the incessant din of the Lucha House Party is only one-third of its power this week, as Kalisto makes his way to the ring, noisemakers in tow, on his own (no stablemates are allowed at ringside, as per the 205 Live two weeks ago).
Nese combines his power game with agility to better Kalisto’s speed in the early portions of the match. After some initial take-downs and holds by Nese, Kalisto has to take to the skies with a top rope cross-body in an attempt to get any momentum, but Nese catches a follow-up hurricanrana attempt, dropping Kalisto onto his knee. The luchador repeats the move, successfully this time, for a near-fall, but Nese remains the more dominant wrestler in the match, scoring a pin attempt of his own.
Both men seem to have put their respective theatrics to the side tonight. There is a more serious tone in this match, Nese and Kalisto looking for an early advantage in the ensuing feud between Lucha House Party, and Nese and Buddy Murphy, who is seen watching the match backstage.
Before the match moves out of first gear, however, that advantage goes to Kalisto, as he suddenly counters a hold from behind into a Solido Del Sol for the victory.
Winner: Kalisto
Nese is taken aback by the loss, what with how dominant he was in the match. Buddy Murphy is equally unhappy, as he comes to the ring and charges Kalisto on the ramp. Before Murphy can cause any long-lasting damage, Lince Dorado comes to Kalisto’s rescue. The lucha brothers size Murphy up, and land a stereo superkick, flooring Murphy at ringside. As far as amassing victories is concerned, as well as making a statement going forward, the Lucha House Party have Nese and Murphy’s number.
We cut to a contract signing between Cedric Alexander and Drew Gulak that was recorded earlier today, officiated by Drake Maverick. Gulak commends Alexander for his undefeated run in 2018, although he wonders what the Cruiserweight Champion has done since he won the title at Wrestlemania. Gulak states he has been out in the ring building 205 Live up to new heights, while Alexander is relaxing backstage. Gulak states that Alexander will forever be known as the “Brock Lesnar of 205 Live”. An interesting take on Alexander’s infrequent title defenses. It is a sentiment I have felt myself of late. Having a villain look to be a fighting champion, rather than the hero of a division, is also refreshing. Drew Gulak can do no wrong for me right now.
Lio Rush vs Ricky Martinez
Lio Rush comes to the ring with a microphone. He states that people are “apparently” upset that he didn’t give Akira Tozawa a rematch, as was supposedly announced on last week’s 205 Live. However Rush has found someone more qualified to face the twenty-three-year-old “piece of gold”. He enters the ring and sizes up his opponent, Ricky Martinez. He sings Martinez’ praises, claiming he could put up a better fight than Tozawa.
The match starts and Martinez immediately ducks an incoming clothesline from Rush. Rush may have been insincere with his praise of Martinez, and the Man of the Hour’s words may come back to haunt him, as Martinez gets some early offense in.
The idea of a shock win is quickly shot down, however, as Rush peppers his opponent with visually impressive punches and kicks, covering a sizable portion of the ring in the process. After a bottom rope suicide dive, a small nod perhaps to Tozawa’s own signature move, Rush wins the match by rolling Martinez into the ring and landing with a frog splash with an eye-catching trajectory.
Winner: Lio Rush
After the match, Tozawa makes his way to the ring and looks to battle it out with Rush. Tozawa doesn’t get his wish, however, as Rush rolls out of the ring and smugly heads up the ramp, leaving a frustrated Tozawa looking on.
Cedric Alexander vs Brian Kendrick
Kendrick makes his way to the ring alone tonight for this non-title match. He smiles wide-eyed at Alexander, who enters second.
Alexander takes down Kendrick and works on his ankle then neck subsequently. Kendrick fights back with lockups of his own, but he can’t seem to cope with the pace of Alexander. A shoving match between the two follows, which showcases Alexander as stronger than Kendrick as well as faster also, as the former champion sits by the bottom rope, looking worried about the match ahead.
The theme of dominance continues for Alexander, as Kendrick struggles to get the better in various encounters. It would appear that Kendrick is unable to do the job on his own. This looks to change, however, as Gulak makes his way to the ring. As Alexander is distracted, Kendrick plays possum under the apron. Alexander reaches for Kendrick, but the wily veteran lands a cheap shot, finally gaining himself an opening in the match. As Alexander shakes off the attack, Gulak joins the commentary team.
Back in the ring, and Alexander can’t shake off the cobwebs; Kendrick continuing his assault, but the champion has enough wherewithal to throw Kendrick outside. The respite affords him enough time to somersault over the top rope onto Kendrick, Alexander regaining the match’s momentum. A springboard clothesline earns him a two count.
Kendrick fends off a Lumbar Check, but he is too rocked to defend himself against the follow-up handstand springboard enziguri. Alexander goes for a bottom rope assisted flatliner, but the experienced Kendrick catches Alexander’s head and takes him down for his Captain’s Hook submission finisher. Alexander panics but is able to reach the bottom rope.
Alexander looks to land his second Mishonuko scoop slam of the night, but Kendrick rolls him up for a near-fall. Kendrick attempts his Sliced Bread finisher, but Alexander gathers himself, nailing Kendrick with a Lumbar Check, pinning his opponent for the win.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
After the match, Gulak wryly smiles at his Summerslam opponent’s victory. He makes his way onto the apron and stares Alexander down, who talks trash to him. Earlier during commentary, Gulak was asked where Jack Gallagher was, with Gulak not knowing. This was evidently not true, as Gallagher enters the fray and attacks Alexander from behind. Before a three on one beat down can take place, Drake Maverick rushes down and warns Gulak and his cohorts to back down if he wants to keep his title opportunity. Maverick checks on Alexander, as the dastardly threesome make their way up the ramp.
Seeing Maverick intervene like this lends credence to the danger that Gulak and Co pose to the Cruiserweight Champion, and 205 Live in general. Hopefully, the situation escalates in terms of how important the championship match is as we head towards Summerslam.
Check out the latest “Ricky & Clive Wrestling Show“ on the Social Suplex Podcast Network. Ricky & Clive are back together to discuss WWE’s first ever all women PPV: Evolution. Also, with Ricky being off the show for a few weeks, we have a whirlwind discussion on all things WWE right now, with Hulk Hogan, AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe, Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns, and much more. We finish with a quiz themed around shock comebacks. Not that Ricky is trying to put himself over or anything like that….
Have a look at all of my 205 Live reviews to date.
