On the debut of 205 Live, Rich Swann defeated Brian Kendrick to capture the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Swann’s first title in WWE. Kendrick would immediately cash in his rematch last week, but the match ended in a no contest when TJ Perkins (who was sitting at the announce table at the time) interfered. While the three men involved will compete for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on Sunday at Roadblock: End of the Line, Swann faces Perkins in non-title action tonight.
Along with the Cruiserweight Championship title scene, we have seen Ariya Daivari, Jack Gallagher, Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, Noam Dar, The Bollywood Boyz, and Cedric Alexander all compete in great matches. Tonight, we continue the push of the Cruiserweight Division while trying to find reasons for the WWE Universe to care about them outside of in-ring talent.
Jack Gallagher vs. Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak appeared on the first episode of 205 Live, where he lost a tag team match alongside Tony Nese against the Bollywood Boyz. Now Gulak tries to gain some momentum in singles action against one of the hottest stars in the Cruiserweight Division: the extraordinary gentleman, Jack Gallagher.
Gulak and Gallagher do everything from flashy mat wrestling to brawling, but it ends after Gallagher nails Gulak with a headbutt, then in the corner with a running dropkick to put him away. Winner: Jack Gallagher
Announcement
A video packages announces that WWE veteran and Cruiserweight Classic competitor Tajiri will be coming to 205 Live soon. Tajiri, along with Austin Aries (who is currently on commentary), will provide veteran experience to the Cruiserweight Division, along with enough star power to gain the interest of some casual fans.
Backstage Segment
Jack Gallagher interfered in Ariya Daivari’s match last night against Lince Dorado on Raw as a response to Daivari hurting his knee. The Englishman runs into Daivari backstage and asks if they can bury the hatchet since they are “even” in his eyes. Daivari refuses, and clearly has unfinished business with Gallagher.
Lince Dorado vs. Mustafa Ali
This is the first time both Lince Dorado and Mustafa Ali are appearing on 205 Live, but fans of the Cruiserweight Classic might remember their great match that displayed great aerial move sets from both. Dorado has a slightly varied lucha libre arsenal, where Ali adds martial arts to an agile offense.
Dorado and Ali are fighting on the apron, when Dorado hits a brutal tilt-a-whirl headscissors on Ali from the apron to the floor. Dorado follows it up with a springboard moonsault, and both men are laid out long enough where they fail to get in the ring by the referee’s count of 10. Result (via double count-out): Draw
After the match, Lince Dorado tries to show good sportsmanship by extending his hand for a handshake, but Mustafa Ali slaps him instead. Ali looks to continue the attack, but Dorado counters and sends Ali out of the ring. This is yet another set of Superstars that 205 Live is starting to develop characters for, which is much needed for a weekly show.
TJ Perkins vs. Rich Swann
TJ Perkins, for some reason, has another opportunity to capture the WWE Cruiserweight Championship after fighting Brian Kendrick and Rich Swann to ruin their Cruiserweight Championship match last week. Before they meet up at Roadblock: End of the Line, TJ Perkins gets a chance to get a non-title victory over the champion before the big one. To scout his competitors, Brian Kendrick joins Mauro Ranallo, Corey Graves, and Austin Aries on commentary.
Swann got the best of Perkins a couple weeks ago on Raw, but Perkins was ahead of the game tonight. Perkins scouted Swann’s offense perfectly, and forces the Cruiserweight Champion to tap out with his patented kneebar. Winner (via submission): TJ Perkins
After the match, Brian Kendrick comes down to the ring to sarcastically shake the hands of Perkins and Swann, and they knock him out of the ring. Perkins then teases a superkick to Swann to end the show.
