Right off the bat, we’re told that Rich Swann is not cleared to medically compete due to his beating from Neville last week, but this week TJ Perkins will face Neville as payback.
TAJIRI vs. SEAN MALUTA
Two faces from the Cruiserweight Classic make their 205 Live debuts, as former WWE Superstar Tajiri returns to the WWE to face Sean Maluta, who lost in the first round of the CWC to Kota Ibushi. For those keeping score, Maluta is the 6 billionth member of the Ano’ia family to compete in the WWE.
Tajiri gets in the bulk of the offence, with all his trademark spots, including his Tarantula ring submission, springboard elbow and his Buzzsaw kicks. He picks up the win quickly.
As Tajiri celebrates, Brian Kendrick’s music hits. Kendrick comes down to the ring to welcome him back to the WWE. Kendrick kisses up to Tajiri, as a pioneer of the Cruiserweight Division, and former friend and running mate on Smackdown. Kendrick proposes the two work together and offers Tajiri his hand.
Tajiri goes for the hand but instead spits green mist into Kendrick’s face and leaves Kendrick writhing on the mat, as Tajiri slithers out the ring smiling.
GREEN MIST to the face of @mrbriankendrick! @TajiriBuzzsaw is out to reach the top on @WWE205Live! #205Live pic.twitter.com/OIXxXE8I88
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) January 4, 2017
205 Jive: Not the greatest Tajiri match – his CWC matches were far superior – but a nice welcome back introduction for the WWE fans. Nice to see the quick win quickly turn into a feud against Kendrick. These two should put on a clinic if they’re given the time.
Backstage, Neville is approached by a WWE interviewer, where he complains he’s been mistreated and disrespected in the USA and the rest of the planet outside of England. So tonight he takes it all out on TJ Perkins.
JACK GALLAGHER vs. TONY NESE
Jack Gallagher has been the Cinderella story of 205 Live so far. Many were worried that his comedic, yet technical, UK style may not translate in the larger WWE arenas, but his personality has won over the crowds and he’s arguably one of the most popular characters in the Cruiserweight Division. Tony Nese is coming off two big wins last week, as well as helping his partner Drew Gulak pull off the win this past Monday on Raw.
Nese starts off strong against Gallagher, who’s accompanied at ringside by Gulak. Gallagher uses his unique counters to escape Nese’s holds early, but “The Premier Athlete” continues to work on the “Perfect Gentleman”. A toss into the corner by Nese results in Gallagher landing a handstand on the top rope, and Gallagher ends up tossing Nese out the ring.
Ariya Daivari runs in and attacks Gallagher and the ref quickly calls for the bell. Daivari puts Gallagher in the Tree of Woe and assaults him until more refs come down to shield Gallagher. Daivari backs away as Gallagher seethes in the ring.
Backstage, Alicia Fox is apologizing to Cedric Alexander for costing him his match on Raw. Alexander says she just needs to be more careful, but they can work this out.
205 Jive: Gallagher and Daivari are having a great feud, but they need a PPV or special event to showcase more of what they can do. Whether that happens at Royal Rumble or NXT Takeover: San Antonio leaves to be seen. Nese and Gulak are both seemingly without a true destination in their characters storyline, but they’re helping out two storylines get over. It’ll be nice to see what these two get out of this, as both are superior talents.
NOAM DAR vs. MUSTAFA ALI
Ali got a great reception last week in his native Chicago and put on a great showing. Solid match-up early on, but Dar takes a commanding lead soon enough.
Dar has that stiff body and style of Dean Malenko in his youth, but his charisma is miles ahead of the Ice Man. Dar works Ali’s arms and shoulders, but Ali counters with a quick roll-up for the first pin attempt. Dar counters with a sunset flip for a 2-count.
Ali quickly heads to the top rope and lands a tornado DDT that takes both men down. Mustafa is first to his feet and gains some momentum, landing a roundhouse kick on Dar in the corner, followed by a neckbreaker, but only a 2-count.
Ali goes for another aerial move but Dar catches him in a Fujiwara armbar. Ali scrambles out of it, and catches Dar with another kick when the Scotsman chases him. Ali lands his inverted 450 on Dar for the pin and the victory.
The BEAUTIFUL #Inverted450Splash seals the victory for @MustafaAliWWE over @NoamDar on @WWE205Live! #205Live pic.twitter.com/UBMgA25xXS
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 4, 2017
205 Jive: Surprising victory for Ali, as Dar is in the midst of a feud with Cedric Alexander, but a solid match from both guys.
In the ring, Dar is interviewed about 2017 starting off with a loss. Dar says that he just needs lady luck in his corner. Dar says that Alexander may not be man enough to keep Alicia Fawwwwwwx, but she’s always welcome in his corner.
205 Jive: I could listen to Noam Dar say “Alicia Fawwwwwx” over and over again. The little interview redeems Dar a fraction. It shows his feud with Cedric over Alicia is still in full force and he hasn’t given up yet. This reeks of a Foxy heel turn.
NEVILLE vs. TJ PERKINS
“The King of the Cruiserweights” Neville makes his way down to the ring first. He’s soon joined by TJ Perkins and neither man follows the ref’s instructions to shake hands.
The get into it quickly, trading holds back and forth, from arm bars, locks, flips and reversals, before Perkins grounds Neville with a leglock to Neville’s head.
https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/816490008903200768
Neville powers out the two continue to display moves and counters while running the ropes. Perkins lands a bulldog into a head scissors take down that sends Neville outside the ring.
Neville re-enters the ring and starts to showcase his power, but beating Perkins down to the mat. A quick slam and Neville lands a drop kick from the top rope, but only gets a 2-count.
Neville continues to ground Perkins, but a twisting 450 splash attempt from the 2nd rope fails to connect and Perkins takes over the momentum.
https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/816490685415067650
Neville rolls out of the ring, but Perkins lands a corkscrew dive and tosses Neville back in the ring. A flying crossbody, but Neville kicks out at two.
Neville and Perkins take the fight to the corner, with Perkins landing a Frankensteiner on Neville, but again, only a two count.
Perkins continues his assault, but Neville catches him into a gorgeous wheelbarrow suplex, but before the King of the Cruiserweights can capitalize, Neville catches a kick to the side of the head.
Perkins slowly ascends the ropes, but Neville manages to cut him off and the two battle in the corner. Neville climbs up and the two grapple for control, until Neville explodes with a Superplex and the 1-2-3.
205 Jive: Neville continues to roll. Interesting but smart move having heel Neville avoid using the Red Arrow. It’s a move that elicits face reactions and having something a little less flashy like the Superplex showcases Neville’s strength and allows him to continue as the heel. Solid match-up – I’m sure we haven’t seen the last battle of these two.
Overall, another solid show from 205 Live. It’s not at it’s apex by a longshot, but it’s a long way from it’s beginnings. They’ve got some great feuds brewing, some bubbling, and they’re introducing a lot of great new stars. Forum those who complain about it, it seems most don’t even watch. The action has been solid, the characters are emerging nicely, and once some of these feuds get their payoffs on a PPV or Special Event, they are all going to try and steal the show.
