The biggest story coming into 205 Live this week surrounds the Cruiserweight Championship. Rich Swann has a guaranteed rematch for the belt he lost to Neville at the Royal Rumble, but a foot injury from a couple weeks ago has kept the former champ out of action. In the meantime, we need to find a new #1 Contender for Neville’s Cruiserweight Championship. Tonight, we find that out in a Fatal Five Way Elimination Match main event, featuring Cedric Alexander, Jack Gallagher, TJ Perkins, Tony Nese, and Noam Dar.
Announcement
Before the show gets underway, it is announced that Tony Nese was hurt last night on Raw, so he can’t compete in the #1 Contender’s match tonight. In order to still keep this a Fatal Five Way match, whoever wins the singles match between Ariya Daivari and Mustafa Ali will get that final spot.
Ariya Daivari vs. Mustafa Ali – Fatal Five Way Qualifying Match
Both Ariya Daivari and Mustafa Ali could give Neville a run for his money. Ali only debuted a few weeks ago, but his unique agility and flashy offense has helped him build up some momentum. Ariya Daivari trades in flash for effectiveness, and his previous feud with Jack Gallagher helped carry 205 Live for several weeks and build the foundation for potential stars.
Mustafa Ali hits an incredible springboard tornado DDT, and follows it up with his inverted 450 Splash (or as Austin Aries calls it, the “054”) to pencil his name in the main event. Winner: Mustafa Ali
Lince Dorado vs. Brian Kendrick
Before the match stars, Brian Kendrick talks during his entrance, calling himself the “gatekeeper of 205 Live.” He wants to keep the “clowns” out and crush their dreams, except for one man: Akira Tozawa. Tozawa debuted on 205 Live last week, and he defeated Drew Gulak last night on Raw. Kendrick has noticed how impressive Tozawa has been in the ring, and offers to take the new talent under his wing.
Brian Kendrick counters Lince Dorado’s Shooting Star Press, and takes advantage to lock in the Captain’s Hook, forcing the Golden Lynx to tap out. Winner (via submission): Brian Kendrick
Austin Aries gets another exclusive post-match interview, this time with Brian Kendrick. Aries asks the gatekeeper about his opinions about Akira Tozawa, but Kendrick would rather have Tozawa speak for himself. After Kendrick invites him down to the ring, Tajiri surprisingly returns from injury, sneaks up on him, and hits the Man with a Plan in the eyes with his patented green mist.
Jack Gallagher vs. TJ Perkins vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar vs. Mustafa Ali – Fatal Five Way Elimination Match
This match does a great job of showing the depth of the Cruiserweight Division. Like Jack Gallagher’s feud with Ariya Daivari, Cedric Alexander and Noam Dar feuded for several weeks over Alicia Fox, and while it wasn’t the greatest story ever, it helped establish both men in terms of in-ring skill and character. We also have TJ Perkins, who is a former Cruiserweight Champion in his own right, as well as the man with a clear disadvantage, Mustafa Ali. On top of becoming #1 Contender, the winner will get their Cruiserweight Championship match against Neville at the Raw-exclusive Pay-Per-View, Fastlane.
Noam Dar picks a bone with everybody at the beginning of the match, and that bites him back later on. While the Scottish Supernova is focused on showboating, Cedric Alexander sneaks up from behind and hits Mr. Steal Your Girl with the Lumbar Check. Eliminated: Noam Dar
Even though he is eliminated, Noam Dar interferes and pulls Cedric Alexander off of the top rope. TJ Perkins takes advantage to hit the Detonation Kick to make this a Triple Threat match. Eliminated: Cedric Alexander
Jack Gallagher dodges Mustafa Ali’s inverted 450 Splash, and Ali lands right on his elbow. TJ Perkins notices the crash landing, and follows up with a Cross Armbreaker, giving Ali no choice but to submit. Eliminated: Mustafa Ali
Gallagher hits arguably the hardest running corner dropkick of his WWE career, leaving TJ Perkins flat on his back for the elmination. The Exrraordinary Gentleman heads to Fastlane to face Neville for the Cruiserweight Championship. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Jack Gallagher
