1/10 Powell’s WWE 205 Live TV Review: Rich Swann vs. Tony Nese, Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar

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By Jason Powell

WWE 205 Live on WWE Network
Aired live from Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Raising Cane’s River Center

A long video package recapped the Noam Dar, Cedric Alexander, and Alicia Fox drama… The 205 Live opening aired and then pyro shot off on the stage… The broadcast team was Mauro Ranallo, Corey Graves, and Austin Aries…

1. Cedric Alexander (w/Alicia Fox) vs. Noam Dar. Before the match, Dar came out with a microphone and told Fox to ask all the women why he’s called the Scottish Supernova. Dar offered a handshake, but Alexander just glared at him. After Alexander controlled the early offense, Dar caught him with a kick to go on the offensive.

Alexander came back with a sunset flip for a two count. Dar blasted him with a great uppercut for a two count. Fox worked the crowd by slamming her hands on the mat in support of Alexander, who eventually came back with an elbow. However, Alexander leapt off the top rope and Dar caught him in a Fujiwara armbar on the way down. Alexander reached the ropes to break it.

Dar continued to work the arm. He stood on the floor, looked at Fox, then slammed Alexander’s arm on the mat, which Cedric sold by screaming out in agony. Dar backed up and ran toward Alexander for a move, but Fox got in his way. Alexander recovered and dropkicked Dark through the ropes.

Alexander talked Fox down, then returned to the ring and performed a springboard clothesline while continuing to sell his other arm. Alexander went for his finisher, but Dar avoided it. Cedric performed a handspring kick for a two count.

Alexander went to the top rope and went for a moonsault, but Fox pulled Dar out of the way. Dar smiled. The color commentators both said they were confused. Dar waited until Alexander stood up, then hit him with a running kick and pinned him. Afterward, Alexander shook his head while looking at Fox. Dar approached her and she slapped him. “This whole thing is bizarre,” one of the color commentators said…

Noam Dar beat Cedric Alexander in 13:00.

The broadcast team spoke at ringside. Graves said he doesn’t even know if Fox could explain her actions, but she had a lot of explaining to do… The broadcast team hyped Rich Swann vs. Tony Nese… An Akira Tozawa video package aired with Kalisto talking about Tozawa’s greatness. Tozawa was listed as coming soon…

Powell’s POV: This was a really good match, especially by 205 Live opening match standards. I really have no clue what they were going for with Fox. She acted like she was confused. I guess the idea is that she is torn between two lovers and feeling like a fool? Loving both of them is breaking all the rules? As much as I hate that Alexander is saddled with a girlfriend storyline, Dar is going a terrific job portraying the sleaze ball foil.

The broadcast team hyped Talking Smack with Shane McMahon and Renee Young hosting, and Dolph Ziggler and Mojo Rawley were listed as guests…

Brian Kendrick headed to the ring as footage aired of Tajiri spraying mist in his face. Kendrick cut a promo in the ring in which he said he would make sure Tajiri is choking on the mist the next time he seems him. Kendrick addressed his opponent, Sean Maluta, was at ringside. Kendrick said Maluta has a bright future, but if Tajiri could beat him, he’d be lucky to last 30 seconds with him…

2. Brian Kendrick vs. Sean Maluta. The wrestlers shook hands. Maluta got a couple of two counts early. Graves noted that they were well past the 30-second mark. Maluta got another two count off a neckbreaker. Kendrick ended up at ringside, and Maluta performed a senton off the ring apron and then rolled him back inside the ring.

Maluta performed a diving headbutt for another two count. Kendrick caught Maluta with a kick and got a two count of his own. Kendrick went for a Cobra Clutch. The fans, who had been quiet, started clapping in support of Maluta briefly. Kendrick went for a slam, but Maluta caught him with an inverted DDT. Maluta missed rolling thunder in embarrassing fashion. Kendrick ran into a kick for another two count.

Maluta performed two suplexes and then performed a sit-out gordbuster before following up with a shining wizard for a two count. Maluta went up top and went for a frogsplash, but Kendrick put his knees up. Kendrick went for a pin and Maluta kicked out, but Kendrick applied Captain’s Hook for the win. Aries said it took 29.5 seconds…

Brian Kendrick beat Sean Maluta in 4:50.

Backstage, Alexander told Fox that what she did was not an accident. She said she wanted to be with Alexander. Cedric asked if she thought Dar was cute. Alexander said they were finished and said she could be with “that pervert” Dar. Fox protested, but Alexander held up his hand and said they are done. Fox went into crazy mode while screaming “Nobody breaks up with me” and “Cedric, come back”…

Powell’s POV: The match was decent with Kendrick giving Maluta plenty of offense. Maluta is one of those guys who seems to get caught up in his match so much that he doesn’t play to the fans. They may have been more invested in what he did if he simply made them feel more involved. Meanwhile, Alexander breaking up with Fox was fine, but Fox’s crazy routine is painful.

The broadcast team hyped the UK Title tournament…

Jack Gallagher made his entrance as footage aired of him stating on Raw that he was inviting Ariya Daivari to the ring for parley. There was a desk set up in the ring. Daivari made his entrance. Gallagher said their thing had gone on too long and it was time to end.

Daivari said he wasn’t there to be a gentlemen. Daivari said people who fight like gentlemen get stomped by people like him, who will do anything to win. Daivari said Gallagher called for the parley to admit that he surrendered. Gallagher said they need a resolution, but he never said it would be peaceful. Gallagher called him a scoundrel who besmirched his honor and it won’t stand.

Daivari said he has a family name that he needs to live up to. Daivari said he won’t rest until Gallagher is a pasty white smear on the bottom of his boot. Gallagher said all he needed to do was sign the contract he had ready for him. Daivari read it quickly and asked what an “I Forfeit” match. Gallagher said there are no disqualifications or count-outs, it only ends when one man forfeits, and that ends the quarrel between them once and for all. Daivari said it will be his pleasure to make Gallagher scream he forfeits.

Daivari signed the contract, then threw Gallagher’s umbrella “William” down. Gallagher said he hoped the queen wasn’t watching. Gallagher attacked Daivari. They exchanged punches until several referees ran out to pull them apart. Ranallo said the “I Forfeit” match would take place on 205 Live… [C] An ad for NXT TV hyped the tag title match…

Powell’s POV: A good segment with the best mic work we’ve heard from Daivari thus far. There have been times when he sounds like he’s trying to remember his lines, but he fired back aggressively and believably this time around. There were fans giving both men the “What” treatment, which is too bad. It’s nice to see them set up something a week out for 205 Live.

Ring entrances for the main event took place. Rich Swann danced his way to the ring. Footage aired of Neville beating Lince Dorado on Raw, and Swann attacking Neville afterward. Tony Nese made his entrance.

3. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann vs. Tony Nese in a non-title match. The wrestlers shook hands before the match. Ugh. Nese threw Swann into the air at ringside and dropped him on the barricade. Nese brought him back to the ring and applied a leg scissors. Nese continued to dominate and performed a gut buster for a two count.

Nese went for a springboard moonsault off the middle rope, but Swann avoided it. Swann caught Nese on the top rope with a huracanrana. Swann went for a kick, but Nese avoided it in flashy fashion and performed a double stomp for a two count. Swann came back with a tigerbomb for a two count.

The fans chanted “Let’s Go Swann” briefly. Swann threw kicks and punches, then connected with his big kick to the head and got the win…

Rich Swann beat Tony Nese in a non-title match in 7:30.

After the match, Swann said a man who some say might resemble a gargoyle has been calling himself King of the Cruiserweights. Swann said he is the champion. Neville made his entrance and said 205 Live is his show. Swann said he didn’t hear him because some people don’t have ears like Dumbo like he does.

Swann asked if he fired him up, then challenged him to come to the ring and get lit up like he did on Raw. Neville said it was a typical ignorant American to project his shortcomings on him. Neville said he wouldn’t set a foot inside the ring with him until he gets his title shot. Neville said his coronation as King of the Cruiserweights will occur when he destroys him at the Royal Rumble. Swann held up the title belt and his music played to close the show…

Powell’s POV: They saved the worst for last. That’s certainly not in reference to the match, as both wrestlers worked hard and did a nice job. Unfortunately, the match received zero promo support, and it simply does not help establish Nese as a heel when he shakes hands with Swann beforehand for no good reason other than someone in WWE wants to be like Ring of Honor.

The post match angle was really bad with Swann coming off like an asshole for mocking Neville’s looks and then taking a shot at his ears. How is that a babyface move? On a positive note, I am happy that their match will take place at the Royal Rumble, and they can easily get it back on track before then. It’s too bad that the show closed in flat fashion because I really enjoyed it up until the main event, and it was encouraging to see them set up a match a week out. I will have more to say about the show in a member exclusive audio review on Wednesday. Thanks for watching along with me.

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