The Cruiserweight Champion is STILL Buddy Murphy! Who will step to the Juggernaut next? Plus, TJP and Gran Metalik look to settle their lucha libre grudge!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tony Nese w/ Buddy Murphy VS Noam Dar; Nese wins.
• Akira Tozawa & THE Brian Kendrick VS Fidel Bravo & ???; Tozawa & Kendrick win.
• TJP w/ Mike & Maria Kanellis VS Gran Metalik w/ the Lucha House Party; Metalik wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Survivor Series was about Brand Warfare, AND the Cruiserweight Championship!

The Juggernaut and the Beacon of Light renewed their rivalry for one more epic battle! Buddy Murphy promised to prove that he was truly unstoppable, but Mustafa Ali vowed not to let the title get away from him again. Both men gave it their all, but in the end, Murphy had just a little bit more. Murphy said he was willing to Hell and back, is that what it’s going to take to take that title away from him?

Buddy Murphy is here!

And the Cruiserweight Champion has a mic to speak. “Welcome to MY 205 Live!” LA cheers for Murphy. But before the show gets going, he has a question: “Did you really think Mustafa Ali was going to beat me at Survivor Series? Really?” Well it doesn’t matter if fans did, their opinions mean nothing to him! Murphy proved to Ali and to the world that “you can’t stop the unstoppable!” But here comes Tony Nese! The Premier Athlete is Murphy’s fellow Body Guy, and he has a match! Murphy heads down to the ring with him to show his support.

Tony Nese w/ Buddy Murphy VS Noam Dar!

The Scottish Supernova returns from NXT UK and his unsuccessful yet very impressive attempt at the WWE United Kingdom Championship. Now Dar looks to make an impact towards the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, can he do it against 205 Live’s Ab Master?

The bell rings and they circle. They tie up, Dar gets a headlock. Nese powers out then flexes right in Dar’s face. Dar shrugs it off, it doesn’t matter if Nese has bigger muscles. They tie up again and Dar gets the wristlock then shifts to a headlock. Nese powers out and runs Dar over, then flexes again. Fans boo, and Dar goes after that arm! Dar wants to wrench it but Nese swings on him. Dar gets a waistlock but Nese the standing switch. Fans rally as Dar elbows out and speeds things up. Dar holds ropes to bait Nese in, then gets him with a table top. Dar grins and fans applaud. Nese rushes in, but he gets caught into a spinning, spinning, spinning, spinning backslide! TWO but Nese is dizzy.

Dar puts Nese on the apron, then ducks to sweep the legs. Nese hits the apron, and Dar builds speed to blast him off with a basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Dar goes out. Murphy stands in Dar’s way, but the ref backs the champ off. Dar drags Nese up but Nese drives him into the LED apron. Nese then fireman’s carry to a gutbuster! Murphy mocks Dar while fans boo and jeer. Nese toys with Dar, then drags him up into the ring. Fans rally for Dar as Nese stalks him. Nese runs, and runs Dar over with back elbows! Cover, TWO! Nese keeps on Dar with body scissors! Dar endures the squeeze while Murphy tells commentary he and Nese run the Division. Fans rally and Dar pushes back to a cover. TWO and Nese keeps on the body scissors.

Dar goes after the knees, but Nese shifts to a rear bearhug. Dar endures again, and fights back. Nese squeezes tight but Dar fights free with headbutts and forearms. Nese knees low and Murphy hypes him up, but fans boo. Dar reverses the whip then dodges Nese’s tackle! Murphy coaches Nese up and Nese back elbows Dar. Nese hops up but Dar sweeps the legs again! Nese hits the mat, Dar takes ai. He throat chops, headbutts and uppercuts! Nese is in the corner again, and Dar runs in for a forearm smash! Northern Lights suplex, cover, TWO! Murphy is relieved, and he coaches Nese again. Fans rally up and Dar aims from a corner. Dar runs in but gets a back kick. Nese knee lifts then roundhouses, but Dar jumps over the sweep. Dar jumps on for a guillotine!

Nese stays up and powers out, but Dar fires off forearms from both sides. Dar runs into a jab, and Nese runs for the bulldog hotshot! Then springboard triangle moonsault, but Dar gets out of the way! Nese lands on his feet, and Dar leaps on for another guillotine! Fans rally as Dar pulls on Nese’s head. Nese powers out to his own Northern Lights! Bridge, TWO! Nese catches his breath while going over to Dar. He drags Dar up for a waistlock, but Dar pries his way out. Dar kicks and kicks Nese, then victory rolls, TWO! Dar brings Nese up, but Nese shoves him away and rocks him with a forearm on the rebound! Nese brings Dar around but Dar sweeps the legs yet again! Dar gordbusters then basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Nese survives and Dar is frustrated.

Dar refocuses as he aims from the corner. Murphy swipes at Dar, so Dar wrecks him with a boot. But Nese hits a big knee! And a German Suplex into buckles! Dar is down, Nese goes side to side, Premier Kneese! Cover, Nese wins!

Winner: Tony Nese, by pinfall

The Body Guys worked together to make sure both men remain victorious. And Murphy adds insult to injury on Dar as he scrapes him out of the ring! With these two working together, will they both be unstoppable? But if Nese keeps winning, won’t he just end up facing his buddy for the title?

Mustafa Ali speaks.

“I’m hurt.” And not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Ali doesn’t want to forget the pain, though. He isn’t running from it, he’s embracing it. Ali wants to feel every single ounce of it. “That way, when I’m tempted to stay down, I’m gonna remember exactly how I feel in this moment, and that, that is what’s gonna make me rise back up.” So Ali should actually be thanking Murphy for the pain. “Because now, I am gonna work even harder, I am gonna dig even deeper.” This pain will become power because now, Ali really will have what it takes to become Cruiserweight Champion. Does the Heart of 205 Live have the fire he needs to break through?

Drake Maverick speaks with his head referee.

Maria Kanellis’ threat needs to be taken serious, which means something could happen during the main event. The referee understands, and will be ready for anything. He leaves and Cedric Alexander walks in. Maverick assures Alexander doesn’t need to worry about that. But congrats on winning again. Yes, it feels good, and getting back on track at Lio Rush’s expense puts a smile on his face. Maverick must admit he has a 205 Live dream match. Next week, Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali VS Tony Nese & Buddy Murphy! A major tag team main event. Alexander loves that idea, too! Can the Heart & Soul conquer the Body Guys?

Akira Tozawa & THE Brian Kendrick VS Fidel Bravo & ???

The unlikeliest duo tries another go as the Stamina Monster and the Man with a Plan look to get on the same page after miscommunications and misunderstandings cost them a match against Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher. Speaking of, the Ungentle Men’s Club are backstage giving “insight” to this odd couple. Gallagher used to look up to Kendrick, but now “he’s aligned himself with a wailing scoundrel”. Gulak says Tozawa & Kendrick will never be a real team, because they have nothing in common aside from their “misguided sense of vengeance.” Not like G & G, the #SubmissionCommission of 205 Live. If Tozawa & Kendrick have the gall to step up again, “They will tap out.” Maybe or maybe not, but can Kendrick & Tozawa first get through their opponents tonight?

Kendrick starts with ??? and they tie up. Kendrick gets the wristlock then the cravat. ??? powers out but Kendrick arm-drags him down. Tozawa tags in together with Kendrick, he whips ??? for double back elbows. Tozawa then hits his screaming senton and covers, TWO! Fans “AH! AH!” with Tozawa as he keeps on ??? with chops. And chop, and then the feint to jab! ??? sits down, and Tozawa stomps him down. Tozawa brings ??? up and tags in Kendrick. They double whip again, and double boot ??? down! Kendrick covers, TWO! Kendrick drags ??? up, tag to Tozawa. Tozawa kicks ?? low, but ?? knees back! Tag to Fidel Bravo! But Bravo runs into a hip toss! Tozawa hits the shining wizard, cover, TWO! Tozawa puts Bravo in the corner, tag to Kendrick, and they combine to give Bravo an enziguri complete shot! Cover, TWO!

Kendrick drags Bravo up but Bravo gives body shots. Bravo shoves and dodges, ?? tags in. Kendrick back drops Bravo and sees ?? coming. He rocks ?? with a back elbow, then kicks Bravo out, but ?? attacks with a big forearm. ?? throws haymakers and whips, but Kendrick reverses to a calf kick! Fans rally up and Kendrick tags Tozawa! Bravo is in, too, but Tozawa rallies with kicks. He swings, slides under and hits the spin kick again. Tozawa keeps moving, climbing up top. Missile dropkick hits! Cover, but ??? breaks. Kendrick drags ?? up and out, then goes after Bravo. Sliced Bread hits, then Tozawa adds the SUPER Senton! Cover, Tozawa & Kendrick win!

Winners: THE Brian Kendrick & Akira Tozawa, Tozawa pinning

A much much better showing for these former Cruiserweight Champions. Kendrick even joins in on the “AH! AH!” and rather likes it. But will they be able to maintain this friendship when going against a much more simpatico and sinister duo like Gallagher & Gulak?

Backstage interview with The Body Guys.

Next week’s main event is already considered “the biggest tag team match in 205 Live history.” Wait is it for those tag team titles everyone keeps talking about? No, it’s against Alexander & Ali. He was joking, Dasha, obviously. Because this is so ridiculous. Murphy has beaten Alexander and he has beaten Ali. Just imagine what he and Nese can do to both of them at the same time. Nese hangs back to tell Dasha she’s better than that. That’s a bit harsh. But are Alexander & Ali better than the Body Guys are making out?

TJP w/ Mike & Maria Kanellis VS Gran Metalik w/ the Lucha House Party!

The King of the Ropes and his amigos are feeling pretty great all things considered, such as their “lucha house rules” victory of The Revival on Raw. But here on 205 Live, things are still rough going as they haven’t gotten even with the mask stealing “Cruiser-Great”, or with Mr. & Mrs. Kanellis who have aligned with him. The First Lady issued a warning before Survivor Series that the final phase of her plan would happen once all three luchadores were back, and now all three luchadores are here. Will Kalisto and Lince Dorado be able to help Metalik avoid another loss of both match and mask? Or are they walking right into Maria’s trap?

To add insult to injury, Mike and TJP wear the stolen masks! This disrespectful trio mock the “Lucha! Lucha!” dance, and that riles up LHP to no end. Kalisto leads the charge as the luchadores storm up the ramp, but Maverick rushes out to stop this from happening. Things are heated as it takes extra referees to keep LHP from attacking TJP and Mike. Maverick says TJP gets in the ring, but everyone else is banned from ringside! Now it’s just the FilAmFlash and Gran Metalik as things begin.

Metalik and TJP rush each other, but Metalik dodges to dropkick TJP! TJP bails out but Metalik keeps moving, to FLY out onto TJP! Direct hit! Metalik puts TJP in the ring, and springboard splashes! Cover, TWO! TJP bails out again, but Metalik pursues. Metalik puts TJP in and runs at TJP in a corner. TJP dodges but runs into a roundhouse! Metalik hits the Sling-dog! Metalik walks the ropes and leaps, but into a takedown! TJP gets the legs for the modified Scorpion Deathlock! Metalik crawls and gets to the ropes! TJP lets go and fans tell him “You suck! You suck!” Metalik rolls out, TJP slingshots to plancha! Direct hit, but TJP is still sore from the landing. TJP drags Metalik up and puts him in. TJP rains down right hands, then scrapes his shoe on Metalik’s face! Er, mask.

TJP drags Metalik up, snapmares him down, then slingshot sentons on top! Cover, TWO! TJP keeps his cool as he grabs Metalik for a clutch. He hooks at the nose and mask, but the referee reprimands him. He lets up, but then suplexes Metalik. TJP rolls through to then back suplex Metalik down. Cover, TWO! TJP keeps on Metalik with a chinlock. Fans rally as Metalik endures. Metalik gets up and fights back, but TJP knees low. TJP gut wrenches but Metalik arm-drags out! Metalik runs and handsprings to arm-drag TJP again! Metalik CHOPS TJP, then whips him. TJP goes Spider-Man, then gets Metalik with a springboard switch into a waistlock. TJP chicken wings Metalik into a Dodon Buster! Cover, TWO! Metalik survives and TJP grows frustrated. Fans rally up as TJP looms over Metalik. TJP drags Metalik up and whips, drop toehold into a deathlock. And Muda Lock!

Metalik endures as fans rally up again. They chant “Lucha! Lucha!” as Metalik fights his way out. Metalik is free of the bridging facelock, but TJP has the legs. Metalik drags himself over and gets a ropebreak! TJP claims he, the technical master, needs help undoing the lock. The ref helps out, giving him extra seconds to have Metalik enduring the pain. Metalik is finally free, but TJP is back on him. TJP throws forearms in the corner, then whips. Metalik reverses but TJP goes up and headscissors Metalik away. TJP hops up but Metalik swing kicks him! Metalik climbs up while TJP is dazed. Metalik brings TJP up, but TJP fights back. TJP tosses Metalik down, but Metalik rolls through! TJP is stuck in a backwards Tree of Woe, Metalik dropkicks him out! Cover, TWO! Metalik grows frustrated but fans are rallying behind him.

Metalik stomps TJP in the drop zone, then climbs up. Moonsault, gets boots! TJP drags Metalik up, sit-out powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Metalik lives and TJP is shocked! TJP drags Metalik into a drop zone and heads up top. TJP aims, but Metalik gets out of the way of the senton so TJP rolls through. Metalik runs, handsprings, but TJP evades. Metalik chops, walks the ropes and hits the missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! TJP lives and Metalik is again frustrated. Fans rally up as Metalik fireman’s carry. TJP slips out and pushes Metalik onto ropes. TJP triangle jump dropkicks Metalik back! Metalik staggers while TJP catches his breath. Metalik runs over to huricanrana TJP off the apron!! Both men crash and burn to the floor! Fans chant “Lucha! Lucha!” as Metalik puts TJP up and in.

Metalik drags TJP up, fireman’s carry, and spin into the Metalik Driver! But Metalik keeps going, top rope for the tight rope walking springboard elbow! But he’s caught into an armbar! Metalik makes it a cover, TJP pops out to the Kneebar! Metalik endures and drags himself to ropes, ropebreak! Fans are fired up as Metalik survives again. TJP grabs the pinata, but Metalik CHOPS him! Metalik keeps the pinata safe, but turns around into a huricanrana! But Metalik sunset flips through, Metalik wins!!

Winner: Gran Metalik, by pinfall

Victory for lucha libre! The Cruiserweight Classic finals rematch goes the other way now! Kalisto and Lince join Metalik in the ring to celebrate, but then Maria comes out screaming “How could you!? How could you?!” Maverick tries to calm Maria, but Maria is furiously desperate. She goes on about having a family to support, but what is going on? It’s a distraction so that Mike can SMACK the Lucha House Party with a chair! It was all part of the plan. Mike knocks Lince and Kalisto down and TJP gets Metalik with the Kneebar! And then Mike SMACKS Metalik on the back with the steel! TJP and the Kanellises get away with it all, but is this just the beginning of Maria’s master plan?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of 205 Live, with so much good stuff going for it. It’s great to see Noam Dar is back, he really should get more crossover play as both a WWE United Kingdom and Cruiserweight Division superstar. Dar’s match with Nese was good, but of course Murphy helps Nese win. It’s a bit of a shame that Kendrick and Tozawa get along in a match with jobbers, this is why a team like the Daivari Brothers or the Singh Brothers need to be part of 205 Live so they can be the jobber team and not random local talent. I only knew Fidel Bravo because he was on today’s NXT, and I don’t think even commentary knew his tag partner’s name. The rematch of Kendrick & Tozawa VS “The Submission Commission” (great name actually) is going to be fun since it likely won’t be a miscommunication finish this time.

And tag teams seemed to be a subtle theme of the night. I really like that we’re getting that dream tag match, Body Guys VS The Heart & Soul, and I loved that Murphy made a comment about the Cruiserweight Tag Team Championships rumor! That has been floating around for the better part of this year and still nothing, and these four guys would definitely be good choices for such a thing. But Murphy & Nese VS Ali & Alexander is going to be great, and could go either way both in result and in story. If Body Guys win, Maverick might make some kind of Body Guys Civil War for winter. If Ali and Alexander win, it might lead to Alexander getting that rematch he’s owed. Either way, it’ll be a lot of fun, and maybe Cruiserweights can be on two PPV main shows in a row with TLC coming up.

The LHP segment was great, from getting the others kicked out to the match itself, which was on par with said Cruiserweight Classic finals, and then the attack after. These guys are making strong cases for those would-be tag titles, but I’m thinking now that “lucha house rules” was introduced on Raw, it might be used here on 205 Live in the blow-off match. TJP & Mike VS LHP in full, aka a handicap match. Though, I actually don’t want it, unless it’s lucha house rules of Metalik and Lince, Kalisto ringside to keep an eye on Maria. Though in a perfect booking, I’d have The Revival come over and team with TJP for a lucha house rules Six Man Tag to have full integration of Raw with 205 Live.

My Score: 8.6/10