205 Live continues to roll on with some momentum, as we come live from Memphis on the WWE Network!
First Match: Drew Gulak vs. Cedric Alexander
Interesting that Gulak and his partner Tony Nese haven’t been seen together in a week or so. Looks like Gulak is still in the Cedric Alexander angle, as the two face off. Alicia Fox tries to accompany Cedric to the ring, but Alexander brushes her off as Alicia goes crazy screaming at him. Noam Dar comes down to the ring and tries to calm her down, but Alicia yells that Cedric is “being mean” and he’s a “rookie in her book”. She tells Noam to do something about him.
Dar runs to the ring and as Cedric turns to face him, Gulak attacks Alexander from behind. The two start to work over Cedric, but he soon fights them off, sending Gulak and Dar outside. Cedric runs off the ropes and dives through the ropes, taking both men out.
While Alexander beats on Dar, Gulak takes out Alexander at the knees, and then Dar gets up and kicks Alexander, before leaving with Alicia Fox. Alexander is on the ground limping, waiving off officials, heading back to the ring. Cedric insists he can compete, so the ref rings the bell.
Cedric goes after Gulak early, but the leg injury dampens Alexander’s ability, and Gulak continues to work on the wounded limb with great ferocity. Gulak pulls off a series of shin breakers on Alexander, but he still kicks out at two on Gulak’s first pin attempt.
Alexander gets some breathing room when he tosses Gulak over the ropes, then meets him with some lariats and chops upon returning to the ring. A back elbow in the corner takes Gulak to the mat and he attempts to go the top rope. A springboard moonsault lands on Gulak, but the pain is too much, and he only gets a two count.
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Alexander goes for the Lumbar Check but Gulak counters with elbows to the back of Alexander’s head. Alexander fights back and tries the Lumbar Check again, but his knee gives out and he can’t do it. Gulak goes in and clips Alexander again, then goes for the bridging belly to belly suplex for the pin and the win.
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Backstage, Noam Dar is gloating and points out what he did for Alicia Fox, but she just slaps him.
205 Jive: Cedric Alexander sold that knee injury amazingly, in every motion of the match afterwards, and the pain was captivating. Gulak really got to show off his methodical approach to dismantling someone with his old school moves – the shin breakers were a nice touch. It will be interesting to see where Drew Gulak falls into play once Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander finally square off.
Second Match: Mustafa Ali vs. Tony Nese
Mustafa Ali has been a break out star so far on 205 Live – most expected names like Alexander, Dar, Nese, Gulak, Kendrick and others to shine, but Ali has been impressive the past few weeks since his hometown showing in Chicago. It seems they’re splitting the tandem of Nese and Gulak as neither seem to accompany each other any more. Both are solid wrestlers, so if it means more meaningful match-ups, then by all means.
Mustafa Ali shrugs off the cockiness of Tony Nese early and takes the upper hand, grounding Nese so he can’t use his strength or his athleticism. Nese gets up and tries to fight back, but Ali catches him with a spinning kick. Ali takes him to the corner, but Nese catches up going to the top turnbuckle.
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Nese kicks him off the turnbuckle into a Fireman’s gutbuster, getting a two count in the process. He proceeds to lock Ali into a leg lock around his waist, which Ali powers out of. Nese turns to a waist lock and lands a few elbows, knocking Ali to the mat. He heads to the top rope and launches a shooting star but no one home as Ali moves out of the way.
Ali lands a lariat off the ropes, then a solid kick to the face in the corner. Ali lands a quick neckbreaker, but Nese kicks out easily at two.
Nese attacks Ali in the corner, but Ali lands a Tornado DDT, but Nese kicks out again. Ali is starting to hold his ribs, from the early locks from Nese’s legs and arms.
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Nese lands a German Suplex on Ali into the turnbuckle, who then runs end to end with a vicious knee strike, and Nese picks up the win, ending Ali’s win streak.
https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/821561201561718784
205 Jive: Nese is a Superstar in the making. He was a stand out in Evolve for much of 2016 and it was no surprise the WWE came calling. His combination of speed and power make him an asset to any roster and a solid win over a burgeoning face who had some big wins of late, including one over Noam Dar last week. Mustafa Ali didn’t look as strong as he has in past weeks, but considering he was selling the rib injury, he still looked decent.
Main Event: ‘Gentleman’ Jack Gallagher vs. Ariya Daivari – I FORFEIT MATCH
I wonder if Jack Gallagher was intended to be pushed as one of the principle faces of 205 Live out the gate or if it was a product of his quick connection? Either way, he’s proven that the comedic, technical style of the UK can transcend the pubs and work on a larger level.
Daivari comes out next and the two men meet in the ring. Daivari has impressed as well. Would never have expected him to be one of the names in a feud off the bat, but he’s proven to be a solid hand and a perfect ‘scoundrel’ of a foil for our Manchester Gentleman.
Gallagher takes over first and humiliates Daivari a bit, but Daivari fights back, eventually getting Gallagher’s umbrella ‘William’ and snaps it in half. He returns to Gallagher, dropping him back first onto the ring apron as he lands on the outside. He scrambles back in and puts Gentleman Jack into a Camel Clutch in the ropes. Gallagher refuses to forfeit, so Daivari tosses Gallagher outside.
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Daivari slams Gallagher into the steel ring steps, then into the barriers, but still, Jack won’t quit. Daivari is wiping the ring area with Gallagher, but he refuses to forfeit to Daivari. He quickly tosses the Brit back into the ring.
Daivari starts to rake Gallagher’s mouth and eyes, then grinds his knee into Jack’s nose. Gallagher tries to fight back, but the stronger Daivari pushes him off. He runs out the ring and pulls Gallagher into the ring post, pulling on Gallagher’s head and feet. Daivari returns to the ring and continues to beat Jack in ring, before tossing him out once again.
He slams Gallagher off the announcers table then tosses him back in the ring. He continues to kick Gallagher in the ribs and lower back, then nails him with a lariat. He takes his head gear and ties Gallagher’s hands behind his back. He demands Gallagher forfeits, but Jack says “You’re a scoundrel!”
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Gallagher responds with a headbutt to his midsection, sending Daivari out the ring. He escapes from his “cuffs” and heads out the ring, grabbing another umbrella from under the ring. He follows a rolling Daivari up the ramp, but Daivari stops him with a series of kicks to the gut. He then slams Gallagher into the screen at the top of the ramp, followed by a short arm clothesline, but still our Gentleman refuses to give up.
Gallagher counters a powerbomb attempt at the top of the ramp and slingshots Daivari into the screen, then retrieves the second umbrella and begins to beat Daivari on the back with it, but Daivari refuses to give up either. He struggles to his feet and makes it back into the ring. Gallagher chases him but Daivari ends up throwing him back outside.
Gallagher catches Daivari and tosses him onto the announce table, which he bounces off. The crowd starts to chant “We want tables” and Gallagher removes the top of the table. Daivari takes Gallagher out but Jack lands a running dropkick to take him down. He soon goes and retrieves a third umbrella and brings it into the ring with Daivari.
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Wielding the umbrella, Gallagher asks him to forfeit. Daivari grabs the mic as if to submit, then suckers Gallagher in the face and throwing him in the Cobra Clutch. Gallagher grabs the umbrella and beats Daivari from the hold and then grabs Daivari in a crossface chicken wing using the umbrella, forcing Daivari to say “I Forfeit!”
https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/821566545469968384
205 Live: Hmmm. Not a terrible match by any means, but a physical hardcore I Quit match isn’t quite what I want to see from Jack Gallagher. If it was trading technical or submission holds, it would have shown more of what he was capable of. Still, Gallagher emerged victorious and it looks to be seen if this feud is ended or if it’s just getting going.
