205 Live has found a comfortable rhythm and that continues with tonight’s episode. Now that Akira Tozawa has been announced as the next challenger for Neville’s Cruiserweight Championship, the King of the Cruiserweights will address his newest pursuer. Jack Gallagher returns to action to face The Brian Kendrick, who hasn’t been seen in a few weeks, and Cedric Alexander takes on Ariya Daivari. Lastly, Mustafa Ali and Drew Gulak have another rematch while still disagreeing on high-flying wrestling.
Gentleman Jack Gallagher vs. The Brian Kendrick
Jack Gallagher expects to have a normal match against The Brian Kendrick, but this is far from it. Kendrick has not been seen on 205 Live since losing to Akira Tozawa several weeks ago, and he makes his return dressed like the Extraordinary Gentleman himself. Kendrick has a suit, wig, and a fake mustache on and calls Gallagher a caricature while calling him, and his home country of England, an “embarrassment.”
After knocking Gallagher down to the mat, Kendrick grabs his own version of William III and nails Gallagher across the mid-section. Kendrick continues the assault while referees come to the ring and pull him away. Winner (via getting hit with an umbrella): Gentleman Jack Gallagher
Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak and Mustafa Ali have traded wins over the past few weeks and this is a rubber match of sorts. Gulak has been defeating Ali through his use of ground-based wrestling, but last week, Ali beat him at his own game. Tonight, Gulak looks to re-establish supremacy in the technical wrestling game.
Gulak goes against everything he stands for by going to the top rope. While whispering “I can do it” to himself, Gulak attempts a splash a la Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, but he misses wildly. Ali takes advantage of Gulak’s mistake to roll him up, keeping his feet on the ground for the win. Winner: Mustafa Ali
Even though Drew Gulak lost, his performance tonight was by far his most entertaining to date. Hopefully Gulak and his megaphone will continue to be a mainstay for the Cruiserweight Division.
Cedric Alexander vs. Ariya Daivari
Before the match starts, Noam Dar approaches Ariya Daivari in the locker room. Last week, Dar went to throw Cedric Alexander’s bag into a river, but it ended up belonging to Daivari. Dar apologizes to Daivari, and Daivari accepts before smashing Dar’s phone against the wall.
Noam Dar distracts Cedric Alexander while he is on the apron, and it gives Ariya Daivari just enough time to capitalize. Daivari finishes Alexander with the Hammerlock Lariat, giving Alexander his first loss since returning from injury. Immediately after the match ends, Dar assaults Alexander and calls this chapter of his life “over.” Winner: Ariya Daivari
Like Corey Graves mentioned on commentary, Ariya Daivari is more than talented enough to succeed in the Cruiserweight Division, but he has found himself on the losing end of his matches more often than not. He just needs to string a few wins together to climb the ladder, and this could be the start.
In-ring Segment
Neville makes his way to the ring to address his Cruiserweight Championship defense against Akira Tozawa at the Great Balls of Fire Pay-Per-View. The King of the Cruiserweights warns Tozawa, telling him that he should not even bother showing up to the match because according to Neville, he is going to get hurt.
Tozawa interrupts the Cruiserweight Champion, and every time Neville tries to insult him, he just responds with his “Ha!” chant. This enrages the King of the Cruiserweights to no end, and the two end up exchanging strikes. Tozawa gets the better of the exchange, sending the champion reeling after a unique version of the Trouble in Paradise spinning kick.
WWE has done a good job of keeping Neville and Akira Tozawa away from each other (unlike Neville’s feud with Austin Aries), and once they collide at Great Balls of Fire, it has a huge chance to steal the show from high-profile matches like the Ambulance Match or the Universal Championship match.
