By Jason Powell
WWE 205 Live on WWE Network
Aired live from Corpus Christi, Texas at American Bank Center
205 Live opened with a video package that recapped Neville’s return and his victory over Rich Swann for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship at the Royal Rumble… The 205 Live opening aired…
The broadcast team of Mauro Ranallo, Corey Graves, and Austin Aries checked in from ringside. Graves noted that Rich Swann was medically unable to compete (as previously announced) and would be replaced by Jack Gallagher in the show’s tag team main event. They also hyped the debut of Akira Tozawa…
1. Tony Nese vs. Lince Dorado. Footage aired of Nese attacking TJ Perkins after losing a match to him last week. Late in the match, Dorado performed a handspring into the ropes and then performed a Stunner for a two count. He followed up with a springboard moonsault for two. Nese came back and connected with his running knee and then pinned Dorado…
Tony Nese beat Lince Dorado in 6:10.
After the match, Nese worked over Dorado until TJ Perkins ran out and connected with a kick to the face of Nese, who left the ring and backed away…
Powell’s POV: They told me Nese was boring on Raw. Who am I to argue? Ranallo is playing to the fans of Japanese wrestling. First, he mentioned that he’s a puroresu fan, and then he mentioned Kazuchika Okada while praising a dropkick. Graves mocked him both times for using strange words.
Graves set up a recap from Raw of the Neville and Swann segment…
Backstage, Tom Phillips interviewed Rich Swann, who was on crutches and wore a walking boot. He said he hurt his ankle kicking the crown off Neville’s head. He said it was fine when the adrenaline was pumping. Neville showed up and asked when Swann is going to learn his place. He called him a peasant and suggest he stay down. Swann said bum ankle or not, Neville will never keep him down. Neville said he begs to differ, then shaved Swann down…
A Gran Metalik teaser video aired. He was listed as coming soon…
Powell’s POV: I’m still not a fan of all the WWE king lines, but I like that Swann stood his ground despite being injured, and I loved Neville shoving him to the ground despite the injury.
Brian Kendrick made his entrance and joined the broadcast team for the next match…
2. Akira Tozawa vs. Aaron Solow. Solow performed a sunset flip at one point. Tozawa caught him with a kick and then performed a standing senton. Aries spoke about spending time in Japan and being there when Tozawa was paying dues, and he said that made him who he is today.
Kendrick praised Tozawa’s speed and his ability to performed a German suplex out of nowhere, but added that he’s no Kendrick. Tozawa performed a huracanrana and then knocked Solow to the floor. Tozawa performed a suicide dive. Tozawa followed up with a wicked German suplex into a bridge for the win…
Akira Tozawa pinned Aaron Solow in 3:00.
After the match, Austin Aries interviewed Tozawa in the ring and asked if he “understand the words that are coming out of my mouth.” Tozawa spoke in Japanese. Aries said he couldn’t have said it better himself…
Powell’s POV: A nice debut for Tozawa, who must be a really quick study. It’s taken Shinsuke Nakamura nearly a year to learn about WWE production, but apparently Tozawa mastered it in a fraction of that time. I’m just humoring myself at this point, folks.
Backstage, Noam Dar and Alicia Fox approached Neville. Dar was trying to suck up to him, but Neville made it clear that he didn’t want anything to do with him. Neville told him that he doesn’t care about his love life. “Leave your baggage at home,” Neville said. Fox was unhappy…
3. Neville and Noam Dar vs. Cedric Alexander and Jack Gallagher. Dar came out without Fox. Gallagher applied holds to Dar and then had some fun by twirling his mustache. However, Neville checked in and worked over Gallagher. Neville caught him with a forearm to the face and got a two count. Neville went to the top rope and hit a missile dropkick.
Neville and Dar isolated Gallagher for a good stretch. Gallagher eventually headbutted Dar and fell on top of him. Neville had to run in to break up what would have been a pin. Cool spot. Dar crawled to his corner for the tag, but Neville dropped off the apron and walked out. Neville told him that he had his chance. Dar pleaded with him to come back, but Neville left.
Alexander took the tag and then caught Dar with a kick. Dar tried to leave, but Gallagher threw him back inside the ring. Alexander hit the Lumbar Check for the win…
Cedric Alexander and Jack Gallagher beat Neville and Noam Dar in 13:00.
Powell’s POV: A good main event with some of the better personalities in NXT combined with a surprising finish. Neville showing arrogance to the heels is a really nice touch. I also liked how vocal Alexander was while standing on the apron hoping to get a hot tag. He was shouting encouragement to his partner, and yelling at both opponents, which made it seem like he was really into the match. Overall, the Tozawa debut and the main event made this a solid edition of the cruiserweight show.
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