The two Cruiserweight trios of Lucha House Party and the Ungentlemanly Alliance have been going back and forth for months. Now it all comes to a head as all six men will battle until only one side stands tall! Plus, The Man of the Hour, Lio Rush, makes his 205 Live debut as the newest member of the division!

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tony Nese VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins.
• Lio Rush VS ???; Lio wins.
• Six Man Tag Elimination Match: Lucha House Party VS Drew Gulak, Jack Gallagher & THE Brian Kendrick; Gulak, Gallagher & Kendrick win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drake Maverick gives us the rundown on tonight’s episode.

Tonight’s theme: opportunity. First, the former Cruiserweight Champion, Akira Tozawa, and the Premier Athlete, Tony Nese, will start 1v1. Both men have racked up wins over some of the best Cruiserweights the WWE have to offer. Who will take a step closer to challenge the Age of Alexander? Then the newest Cruiserweight, the Man of the Hour, Lio Rush, makes his 205 Live in-ring debut! Can the 23 Year Old Piece of Gold prove he is “the right man in the right place at the right time”? And finally, the main event is about tag team supremacy as they settle this battle once and for all! Will the high-flying Lucha House Party or the gritty Ungentle Men prove themselves the superior trio?

Tony Nese VS Akira Tozawa!

It’s eight abs versus an insane amount of stamina as these two face off for a potential shot at Cedric Alexander’s Cruiserweight Championship. Will it be muscle or motivation that prevails here tonight?

The bell rings, and the “AH! AH!” start up right away. Tozawa and Nese circle, tie up, and Nese powers Tozawa to ropes. Nese backs up and flexes right in Tozawa’s face. Tozawa just drowns him out with “AH! AH!” Nese pie-faces, so Tozawa pie-faces back. Tozawa ducks the punch to give chop after chop. He fakes a chop to give the jab! Nese goes down to a corner, but Tozawa is on him with “AH! AH!” stomps. Tozawa backs off but gives another. He then whips Nese corner to corner. Nese stops himself and back elbows, then leaps up to the top. Nese back-flips but lands on his feet as Tozawa gets under. Tozawa swings but Nese Matrix handsprings to mule kick, knee lift, roundhouse and sweep the legs. Cover, ONE, but Nese mocks the “AH” then flexes.

Nese drags Tozawa up, Tozawa pushes him, but Nese comes back with a chop. Nese whips but Tozawa reverses, Nese sunset flips but Tozawa rolls through to kick and back senton! Tozawa gets fans into it again while Nese rolls out. Tozawa builds speed, but Nese avoids the torpedo. So Tozawa goes to the apron and leaps, but Nese catches him into a fireman’s carry! Nese snake eyes Tozawa on the apron, then runs him over with a back elbow. Fans boo while Nese toys with Tozawa. Nese puts Tozawa back in the ring, then drags him out for a cover. TWO, but Nese is on Tozawa with a neck wrench. Tozawa gets a ropebreak, but Nese still stomps him. Nese taunts Tozawa, but Tozawa hits back. Nese rocks Tozawa with a right, covers, TWO.

Tozawa hits back more with body shots to those abs, but Nese runs and hotshots Tozawa down. Nese slingshots, triangle moonsault! Cover, TWO! Nese grows frustrated with the former Cruiserweight Champion, and stomps him more. Nese brings Tozawa up in a torture rack, but Tozawa fights out with “AH! AH!” haymakers. He still gets a chop from Nese, but then retaliates with a headscissors and shining wizard! Tozawa fires up, and goes up top. He aims at Nese, but Nese bails out. So Tozawa DIVES! The Tozawa Torpedo connects! Tozawa puts Nese back in the ring, then climbs up again. Nese gets to ropes, but Tozawa flies in with the missile dropkick. Cover, TWO.

Tozawa is a bit frustrated, but he won’t stop. Fans rally with “AH! AH!” and Tozawa climbs up again. Tozawa aims, but Nese trips him up! Nese hits Tozawa with the top shelf kick and then gutbuster! Cover, TWO! Nese again grows frustrated, but he has Tozawa in a corner. He boot-washes Tozawa, then stomps him. Nese runs side to side, but misses his chance, and Tozawa retaliates with a boot. Tozawa runs, but Nese reels him back in for a forearm. Nese waistlocks, but Tozawa fights out. Tozawa kicks, swings, slides but Nese stops him, to back suplex. Tozawa lands on his feet, and boots Nese down! Nese is in the drop zone, and Tozawa climbs again. But Nese rocks the mouth piece right out of Tozawa’s jaw with that uppercut!

MOUTH GUARDS ARE FLYIN'!!! #205Live @TonyNese @TozawaAkira pic.twitter.com/DsQJ39pGYW

— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2018

Tozawa is dazed on the top rope, and Nese climbs up to join him. Tozawa fights Nese off, but Nese chops back. They brawl, Nese gets control, but SUPER Gordbuster from Tozawa! Then, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Tozawa wins!

Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall

The former champion defeats the Premier Athlete in a big victory. The race to challenge Cedric Alexander is still on, but has Tozawa moved up in the ranks?

WHAT A WIN for @TozawaAkira as he gets the better of the #PremierAthlete @TonyNese! #205Live pic.twitter.com/vRiDSOTDyo

— 205Live (@WWE205Live) June 27, 2018

Drake Maverick meets with Cruiserweight Champion, Cedric Alexander.

Maverick asks how Alexander is feeling. Alexander is feeling good, but also restless. He’s been on the sidelines, but he’s the champion. Alexander wants to know who his next contender will be. Maverick understands, it’s only fair to tell a champion that kind of stuff. And he will let Alexander know, when he knows. Alexander was hoping for something more. It’s Hideo Itami, right? Itami beat both Mustafa Ali and Buddy Murphy in a triple threat, it just makes sense. Maverick understands, but he isn’t going to reward bad behavior and bad attitudes. Otherwise TJP would be in the conversation.

.@CedricAlexander wants to defend his #Cruiserweight Championship against @HideoItami?!?!? Even #205Live GM @WWEMaverick is surprised! pic.twitter.com/9lTBBNUuvU

— 205Live (@WWE205Live) June 27, 2018

Maverick is surprised Alexander is vouching for Itami. This isn’t about Itami, this is about Alexander building his legacy. The best way to do that is taking on all comers, and that includes a Japanese legend like Itami. Itami may be disruptive and disrespective, and an all-around jackass, but he’s deserving. Alexander wants Itami. Maverick considers the option. Will this match happen in the near future?

Lio Rush VS ???

It’s finally the right time to #FeelTheRush! The Man of the Hour officially signed as a Cruiserweight for 205 Live, and he begins his 205 Live in-ring career here tonight. Will all the hype and anticipation be worth it? Or will the local Dewey James tarnish this 23 Year Old Piece of Gold?

Welcome to #205Live, @itsLioRush! #ManOfTheHour pic.twitter.com/UECWaC1igJ

— 205Live (@WWE205Live) June 27, 2018

Lio takes his time taking off his timepieces, but Dewey is impatient. The bell rings, but Lio still takes his time. Lio knows it’s showtime, but he’s also the show, so Dewey has to wait. Now Lio is ready, and he offers a handshake to Dewey. Dewey goes to accept, but he gets slapped in the face! Lio then runs, runs, and runs. Dewey ducks under but Lio adjusts, handsprings and enziguris Dewey down in a split second! Lio grins while fans fire up for him. He toys with Dewey, then dodges again. Lio throws Dewey out, but doesn’t realize Dewey holds on. But before Dewey can catch his breath, Lio knocks him down with a handspring kick!

Lio fetches Dewey, puts him in the ring, and rolls him for a spinning roundhouse! Dewey is down, so Lio says it’s time to end this. Lio climbs up, takes aim, BIG frog splash! The Final Hour, cover, Lio wins!

Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall

The Man of the Hour doesn’t get paid by the hour, so he makes short work of his opponent. There’s plenty of time for Lio to celebrate now, but will he be at the top of the Division in no time at all?

The future is just beginning for the #ManOfTheHour @itsLioRush as he celebrates his successful #205Live in-ring debut! pic.twitter.com/hM8z3QEhAk

— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2018

In-ring interview with Lio Rush.

Congratulations are in order, and he notes he barely broke a sweat. What can the WWE Universe expect from Lio Rush? The future of the Cruiserweight Division! This 23 Year Old Piece of Gold can do things in the ring that people in the locker room can only dream of. Lio sees guys that are good, but to be honest, they’re not Lio Rush. They have no style, no finesse, no presence. But the Man of the Hour makes every hour on the hour his time. Therefore, 205 Live is going to #FeelTheRush.

Backstage interview with Cedric Alexander.

Alexander said he wants Itami for a title match, care to explain? He knows how dangerous Itami is, having beaten Buddy Murphy & Mustafa Ali. But to be a worthy Cruiserweight Champion, he has to face all challengers. That includes Itami. Itami is more than welcome to step up to him. And so, Itami appears. Itami has heard what Alexander has to say, and shoves Alexander. Alexander shoves Itami back, but Maverick and referees rush in to keep the peace. This fight has to wait for an official match. When they have that match, will it explode in the ring?

Major announcement for next week!

While Alexander pointed out Itami as his choice, there is still issue between the Aussie Juggernaut and the Beacon of Light. There must be a winner in this newest rematch between these two incredible superstars, so it’s going to be NO DISQUALIFICATIONS! Who will win? Who will survive?!

There will be NO DISQUALIFICATIONS when @MustafaAliWWE battles @WWE_Murphy NEXT WEEK on #205Live! pic.twitter.com/xf6S7ddM1a

— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2018

Six Man Tag Elimination Match: Lucha House Party VS Drew Gulak, Jack Gallagher & THE Brian Kendrick!

This battle has raged on ever since the Philly Stretcher issued his rules for a #Better205Live. Gulak still wants a #NoFlyZone, and both Gallagher & Kendrick just want to prove they’re a superior team. That has led them to battle Kalisto, Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik time and time again, which brings us to this match. Only one team will be left standing, who will prove themselves the truly superior style?

But things don’t wait for the bell, as all three luchadors dropkick all three Ungentle Men off the apron! Then LHS builds speed to TRIPLE FLY! Kalisto hits Kendrick with a tope suicida while Dorado & Metalik hit Gulak & Gallagher with tope conjilo!

The #LuchaHouseParty aren't wasting ANY TIME in this #6ManTag #EliminationMatch! #205Live @WWEGranMetalik @LuchadorLD @KalistoWWE pic.twitter.com/BFmFufPr1q

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2018

Fans fire up with the fiesta and chant “LUCHA! LUCHA!” LHS put Gallagher in the ring, and Metalik starts with him. The bell rings, Gallagher narrowly avoids Metalik’s handspring, but Metalik chops him. Metalik tags Kalisto, Kalisto fireman’s carry and dumps Gallagher down, then tags in Dorado. Dorado comes in and helps Kalisto with an alley oop splash. Dorado adds his planking splash, then tags Metalik. Metalik climbs, walks the tight rope, to then splash down! Cover, but Kendrick saves Gallagher! Metalik SUPERKICKS Kendrick out, then whips Gallagher, but Gallagher reverses. Gallagher runs in but into a SUPERKICK. Metalik hits the Sling-Dog, then walks the ropes, but Gulak grabs him! Metalik fights him off, but Gallagher has time to prepare now, and he headbutts Metalik out of the sky! Cover, and Gallagher ELIMINATES Metalik!

Gallagher tags to Kendrick, and Dorado volunteers to jump in. The Golden Lynx and the Man with a Plan circle, but Dorado dropkicks Kendrick again and again. Dorado hits Gulak for good measure, then chops and chops Kendrick. He runs again, headscissors throws Kendrick to a corner. Dorado runs in, but is put on the apron. Dorado Listo kicks, but Gulak grabs at Dorado like he did Metalik. Gulak gets knocked away again, and Dorado crossbodies! Cover, TWO! Dorado keeps on Kendrick with a suplex, then hits Gallagher for good measure. Dorado hurries up, but Kendrick trips him up. Gallagher anchors his feet, but Dorado fights him off, too.

Kendrick climbs up and shovels Dorado off the top! Kendrick catches his breath, then covers, ONE. He drags Dorado over and tags in Gulak. Gulak taunts Dorado before stomping him down. Gulak wraps on a chinlock, trapping an arm. He taunts “Dorito”, but fans rally. Dorado fights his way up and out, but Gulak yanks him down by his mask so hard, the mask pops off! Dorado has to cover his face, and the referee gets him the mask. Gulak just grins, and Kendrick and Gallagher both point and laugh at the embarrassed luchador. The referee keeps them all back, but that doesn’t stop them from laughing.

Kalisto helps Dorado with his mask, and Dorado returns into the ring. Gulak goes after him, but small package counter! TWO, and Gulak grabs Dorado’s mask again! Dorado gets his mask away, but Gulak still has Dorado’s leg. Gulak tags in Gallagher, and now Gallagher goes after the mask. Gallagher also wrenches the arm, and brings Dorado down to the mat. Fans rally for Dorado, and Dorado fights Gallagher off. Gallagher wrings Dorado’s arm out, then tags Kendrick. Kendrick kicks the arm, then drives a knee into it. Kendrick stands with the armlock, and digs his knuckles into the bicep and elbow. Dorado endures, fans rally, but Kendrick whips Dorado to the corner.

Kendrick keeps Dorado trapped with shoulders, but then he distracts the ref so that Gulak and Gallagher can gang up on Dorado! Kalisto protests, but that distraction only makes the mugging last longer. Kendrick drags Dorado up for forearm after forearm. He backs off, which allows Gulak and Gallagher to get more cheap shots in. But then Dorado fights back and fights out of the corner! Kendrick intercepts Dorado with more shoulders to the ribs. Kendrick whips Dorado, who handsprings to knock Gallagher down, and still gets Kendrick with the Golden Rewind stunner! Cover, Dorado ELIMINATES Kendrick!

.@mrbriankendrick has been eliminated.

It's now 2️⃣ to 2️⃣ in this #6ManTag #EliminationMatch! #205Live pic.twitter.com/CjQxefWG6Q

— 205Live (@WWE205Live) June 27, 2018

The numbers are even again between the two Cruiserweight trios as it is now a battle of duos. Gallagher slips in and stomps out Dorado. He grinds a boot into Dorado, but backs off at 4. Gallagher brings Dorado up and scoop slams. Cover, TWO, but Gallagher drives in a knee. He brings Dorado up, tags in Gulak, and Gulak clubs Dorado down. Gulak stands over Dorado for the armlock, and he brings Dorado down. Fans rally with “Lucha! Lucha!” and Dorado endures. Gulak drags him over and tags in Gallagher. Gallagher headbutts and European Uppercuts Dorado down. He brings Dorado up for more EuroUppers, covers, TWO.

Gallagher keeps on the arm, and focuses on the wrist and fingers. Dorado screams from the joint manipulation while Gallagher tags in Gulak. Fans rally but Gulak keeps on Dorado with a knee. Dorado jawbreakers, but Gallagher tags back in. Gallagher drags Dorado away, but Dorado enziguris! Gallagher manages to tag Gulak, and Gulak stops Dorado with a gut punch. Gulak grins at Kalisto, then drags Dorado up for a suplex. Dorado slips out but Gulak unloads strikes. Dorado blocks the kick, to give his windmill kick! Both men are down, and crawling for their corners. “Lucha! Lucha!” echoes out while Dorado reaches.

But just as Dorado gets there, Kendrick trips up Kalisto! Kendrick shouldn’t be out here, he was eliminated! But what’s done is done, and Gallagher slithers in to headbutt Dorado! Gulak grabs Dorado, for the GuLOCK! Dorado taps, Gulak ELIMINATES him! Gulak finally lets go of Dorado so that he can leave ringside. That leaves just the former Cruiserweight Champion, Kalisto, against two gritty grapplers. And they know it, too.

And then there's one.@KalistoWWE will have to represent the ENTIRE #LuchaHouseParty against @GentlemanJackG & @DrewGulak on #205Live! @WWENetwork pic.twitter.com/N194gtN42C

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) June 27, 2018

Kalisto has no choice but to enter, even with Kendrick cheating. He enters to face his ol’ archenemy Gulak. Gulak rushes in but into a shoulder and Listo kick! Kalisto springboards for a seated senton, then hits Gallagher just because. He keeps moving, runs, springboard corkscrew crossbody! Kalisto knocks Gulak down but keeps moving, for the Spike-Rana! Cover, Gallagher breaks it! Gallagher drags Kalisto out onto the floor, then returns to his corner. Gulak tags Gallagher, and now Gallagher legally goes after Kalisto. Gallagher rams Kalisto into the apron, then puts him in the ring. Gallagher paces around Kalisto and taunts him about having no tag team partners.

Fans chant at him and Gulak, calling them “Cheaters! Cheaters!” Gallagher tunes it out, drags Kalisto up and snapmares for a face scrape. Gallagher tags Gulak, and Gulak drags Kalisto up to scoop slam him into the ropes! Kalisto’s legs are bent all over, Gulak covers, TWO. Gulak springboard stomps Kalisto, then stalks him to a corner. Gulak claims Kalisto is the cheater, and gives another springboard stomp. He headbutts Kalisto, covers, TWO. Gulak tags Gallagher and they bring Kalisto up. They double suplex, but Kalisto slips out to rally with kicks!

Gulak shoves, but Kalisto ducks under, spins Gallagher around then tilt-o-whirls and headscissors Gulak out. Kalisto rolls back to kick Gallagher, then prepares Salida del Sol. Gulak gets up on the apron, so Kalisto uses him as the step stool to hit SDS!

A #SalidaDelSol seals the deal as @GentlemanJackG is eliminated!

We're down to 1️⃣-on-1️⃣ as @DrewGulak is left alone with @KalistoWWE! #205Live pic.twitter.com/xRUj6As04E

— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2018

Cover, Kalisto ELIMINATES Gallagher! We’re down to 1v1! Gulak is shocked, but he and Kalisto are all alone. Kalisto dares Gulak to bring the fight. Gulak grimaces, and gets back in. Kalisto fires off kicks and a dropkick. Gulak ends up outside the ring again, and Kalisto adds a wrecking ball dropkick. Kalisto takes aim, and slingshots to knee-board senton onto Gulak! Direct hit! Kalisto puts Gulak back in the ring and fans chant “Lucha! Lucha!” Gulak flounders up, Kalisto springboards, crossbody! Cover, TWO!! So close yet so far from a win!

Both men are down, clutching arms and ribs. Fans continue to rally for Kalisto, and Kalisto feeds off their energy. That only angers Gulak, but Kalisto goes for SDS. Gulak pushes him away then knocks him down. Gulak clobbers Kalisto with a discus clothesline, then covers, ONE!? Frustration grows, but so does another rally from the fans. Gulak drags Kalisto up in a waistlock, but Kalisto breaks free. Kalisto tries another SDS, but Gulak grabs at the mask! Gulak gets the GuLOCK again! He wrenches back, Kalisto taps, Gulak wins!!

Winners: Gulak, Gallagher & Kendrick, Gulak by submission; Gulak is lone survivor

Though the victory was by hook and  by crook, the Ungentlemanly Alliance comes out on top against Lucha House Party. But the Philly Stretcher isn’t done, he adds insult to injury as he grabs Penelope Gulak the pinata! And he tears Penelope up before throwing her into the crowd!

We'll always remember you, Penelope.

😭 #205Live @DrewGulak pic.twitter.com/EXve3pexcx

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2018

While Gulak’s ideology of “win by any means necessary” won the day, does this really mean he and his allies are the best team in the Cruiserweight Division? And where does each trio go from here?

My Thoughts:

A pretty solid night for 205 Live, but again, Maverick does a lot of my job for me with that opening brief. Tozawa and Nese put on a great opener, and it’s good to see matches that don’t have to do with any story other than going after the Cruiserweight Championship. Obviously everyone will have to wait for Alexander VS Itami to determine where the title goes next, but it’s happening in a smooth and logical way. Even Alexander knows that contention isn’t about personality but wins and losses. Itami won, he should go next. We already get a great first interaction with that almost-fight. Their match is going to be great.

Lio Rush has a real fun and fast debut as he totally squashes Dewey James at high speeds. Lio is going to go far, and he’s going to be great for a long time given he’s only 23. I can’t wait to see who his first real rival is in 205 Live. Then that Six Man Tag was really great, and it went as you’d hope it would, and that’s right down to the last man. Honestly, I don’t know why this wasn’t for Cruiserweight Tag/Trios titles. Where are those titles, anyway? I don’t think WWE would be doing these tag team stories if those titles weren’t still a viable idea, so maybe something big will be building towards Summerslam time. Especially if 205 Live adds a few more Cruiserweight Tag Teams, like Lorcan & Burch.

My Score: 8.5/10