Last week on 205 Live, we had a huge “I Forfeit” match between Gentleman Jack Gallagher and Ariya Daivari to blow off a feud that has been going on for weeks. Tonight, we don’t have any huge matches on that scale, but tonight’s episode could have lingering effects, especially at the Royal Rumble on Sunday. TJ Perkins and Tony Nese battle to get closer to a Cruiserweight Championship opportunity, Brian Kendrick takes on a local wrestler named Tripp Bradshaw, and Cedric Alexander takes on Neville.
TJ Perkins vs. Tony Nese
TJ Perkins and Tony Nese faced each other in six man tag team action last night on Raw, and Perkins’ team (including Jack Gallagher and Mustafa Ali) picked up the win. While Tony Nese lost the tag match, he has been on a roll as of late. Last week, Nese defeated the red hot Ali by throwing him into the turnbuckle with a German suplex.
Perkins, on the other hand, has not been doing too great since losing the Cruiserweight Championship to Brian Kendrick. Perkins failed to gain the title back on multiple occasions, then he got destroyed twice by Neville. A win for Perkins tonight could help him gain back lost momentum.
Nese takes too long planning the German suplex into the turnbuckle, and Perkins rolls him up to steal the victory. After Nese gets pinned, he executes his suplex to the corner anyway. Referees come down to the ring to help an injured Perkins after the match, but it is not clear how serious the injury is. Winner: TJ Perkins
Announcement
There is one last video package to hype the 205 Live debut of Akira Tozawa, but this time he is praised by Sami Zayn. The main reason why this is the last video package for Tozawa is that he is debuting next week. Tozawa is the only competitor on 205 Live (or the Cruiserweight Division as a whole) that has gotten this much promotion and hype. Tajiri was given some video packages, but none as complimenting as Tozawa’s. Hopefully, this will mean big things for the Japanese Superstar.
Brian Kendrick vs. Tripp Bradshaw
This might be a first for 205 Live. Brian Kendrick is building some heat momentum by taking on an unknown local wrestler. Kendrick is supposed to be feuding with Tajiri, but a knee injury to the Japanese Buzzsaw has squandered those plans for now. There is still a glimmer of hope for the veterans to feud, since Kendrick insults the knee injury by not even believing that Tajiri is really out of action.
Bradshaw (not JBL) puts up a decent fight, but Kendrick locks in the Captain’s Hook, forcing the Toledo local to tap out. Winner (via submission): Brian Kendrick
Cedric Alexander vs. Neville
Both Cedric Alexander and Neville have been consistently great over the past several weeks. Neville is one step away from being the true “King of the Cruiserweights.” All he needs to do is defeat Rich Swann for the Cruiserweight Championship this Sunday at the Royal Rumble. Cedric Alexander could easily be in the Cruiserweight Championship title picture, but he has been sidetracked as of late. Between Noam Dar and Alicia Fox, Alexander was caught up in an unusual love interest angle until he ended things with the former Divas Champion two weeks ago.
Neville and Cedric Alexander put on a great match, and Alexander has Neville reeling more than most would expect. Alexander looks for a second springboard clothesline, but Noam Dar rushes down to the ring. Alexander attacks Dar, and he slips on the rope when he goes for the clothesline again. Neville immediately capitalizes, and locks in a submission, tying Alexander up like a pretzel for an important win going into a championship match. Winner (via submission): Neville
After the match, Neville and Noam Dar further the assault on Cedric Alexander, but Neville doesn’t want Dar’s help. Rich Swann rushes the ring and brawls with Neville, while Alexander and Dar fight each other to close the show.
