The Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4 Way is all but complete! All that is left is for Cedric Alexander and Hideo Itami to see who is worthy of RESPECT!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Noam Dar VS Tony Nese; Dar wins.
• Cedric Alexander VS Hideo Itami w/ Ariya Daivari; Itami wins and joins the Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4 Way at the Royal Rumble.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drake Maverick hypes up tonight’s 205 Live!

2019 is off to a hot start, after seeing four superstars fight for the right to challenge Buddy Murphy for the Cruiserweight Championship. Kalisto overcame Lio Rush in a truly high-speed encounter, while Akira Tozawa settled a score with long-time nemesis, Drew Gulak. Two former champions advance, will the third make the cut when the Age of Alexander faces off against the Innovator of the GTS? Alexander and Itami meet again after a stellar title match over the summer of 2018. Will 2019 be the Year of Respect now that Itami has an ally he can trust in Ariya Daivari? Or will the Soul of 205 Live resurrect himself with tonight’s match?

Noam Dar VS Tony Nese!

The Scottish Supernova looks to get back on track and make 2019 the Year of 11! However, he’ll have to get past the Premier Athlete to do it. Nese says in a video that he’s sick and tired of Dar already. Dar’s complaints about that loss irritate Nese to no end. Dar didn’t lose because Buddy Murphy interfered, Dar lost because he’s just not good enough. Will Nese play gatekeeper to his fellow Body Guy’s title? Or will 11 prove greater than the 8 Pack tonight?

The bell rings and Dar circles with Nese. The two tie up and Nese gets a waistlock slam. Dar gets up and gets a wristlock to bring Nese down in a hammerlock. Dar makes it a cover, ONE, and Nese powers Dar to a corner. Nese backs off at the ref’s count of 4 and flexes on Dar, but Dar grabs that arm for another hammerlock! Dar shifts to a headlock, then a takeover. Nese moves around and headscissors, but Dar bridges and rolls to pop out. Dar has Nese’s legs in the butterfly, then shifts to a headlock. Nese stands up and pulls hair to power out. Nese runs Dar over with the shoulder, then flexes on him again. Fans boo but Nese just soaks up the heat. Nese runs but Dar trips him up into a deathlock. Dark mocks the flex to then kick the legs.

Dar brings Nese around with a wristlock, but Nese pushes Dar to a corner. Nese backs off only to ram his shoulder in. Nese whips Dar corner to corner but Dar reverses. Dar runs into Nese’s elbow, but dodges Nese’s moonsault. Nese gets a waistlock but Dar standing switches. Nese elbows out and runs, but Dar sweeps the leg! Fans fire up with Dar as he drags Nese over to a corner. Dar bumps Nese on buckles, then whips him to ropes. Nese reverses but Dar grabs ropes. Dar dodges to table top Nese, then tells him to calm down. Nese doesn’t, but he runs into Dar’s headbutt. Dar spins Nese around and around, and finally stops for a backslide. Cover, TWO! Nese rolls away but dizzy Dar takes aim. Dar runs but Nese retreats.

Dar pursues and throws haymakers. He puts Nese back in the ring, but Nese knees Dar on the return! Nese knees away on Dar between the ropes, then whips Dar to ropes. Nese runs Dar over with a back elbow! Cover, TWO! Nese keeps his cool as he stomps Dar down. Nese kicks Dar in the ribs, then splashes down. Cover, TWO! Nese puts Dar in a body scissor and squeezes tight. Dar endures while working on a way out of the hold. Fans rally up as Dar turns around to throw forearms. NEse grabs Dar’s hair and brings him up. Dar throws body shots, but Nese’s abs are too tough for those. Nese grabs hair again, but Dar gives him a shoulder breaker! Nese mule kicks and knee lifts in return, then kicks and sweeps to cover! TWO, and Nese grows frustrated.

Nese gives clubbing crossfaces, then covers again, TWO! Nese puts the bearhug on to squeeze Dar again. Dar fights out with haymakers, but Nese whips him to a corner. Nese runs Dar over on the rebound with a big lariat! Cover, TWO! Frustration builds but Nese keeps on Dar with a neck wrench. Dar fights out but Nese knees low again. Nese flexes then whips Dar corner to corner. Dar hits buckles hard, but ducks the leaping elbow! Dar laughs as Nese hits the mat. Nese gets to a corner and Dar takes aim. Dar runs but into a boot. Nese hops up but Dar sweeps the leg! Both men are down, but fans build to another rally. Dar chops, headbutts and uppercuts Nese down! Nese flounders back to the corner, and Dar runs in for a forearm smash. Dar Northern Lights Suplex, cover, TWO!

Now Dar grows frustrated, but also keeps his focus. Dar drags Nese up but Nese blocks the suplex. Nese wrenches and reels Dar in but Dar counters. Dar wants the arm but hops on for a guillotine instead! Nese stays standing, and powers Dar to the corner. Dar lets go and backs off, but Nese swiftly jabs Dar in the face! Nese runs with Dar for the hotshot bulldog! Then triangle moonsault! Cover, TWO!! Nese grows furious as Dar survives. Dar stands and Nese runs in, but Dar boots him away. Dar hops up but Nese SHORYUKENS! Nese drags Dar out for a fireman’s carry but Dar slips out. Standing switch and Nese wants the German Suplex. Dar drops down to kick away on Nese’s face! Nese falls and Dar gets moving. But Nese rocks Dar with a left forearm!

Nese drags Dar up but Dar wrenches and sweeps the leg. Nese goes Matrix but misses, and the guillotine returns! Dar has the body scissors, but Nese powers out. Dar blocks the move to the corner with a foot, and keeps the guillotine on. Nese powers up to Northern Lights! Bridging cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Nese slaps Dar. They stand, Dar wrenches and sweeps Nese’s legs again. Dar throws haymakers at the ropes but the ref backs him off. Dar comes back and whips, but Nese slides under to pumphandle an dscoop! Michinoku Driver! Nese practically throws Dar, but he chooses not to cover? Nese wants his favorite finish, and he drags Dar into the corner. Dar spins to roll Nese! Dar wins!!

Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall

That victory was as sudden as a hiccup, and it favors the savvy Scottish Supernova! Dar smiles as he gets the better of the Premier Athlete, but will Dar be first in line to challenge the champion after the Royal Rumble?

THE Brian Kendrick speaks.

“Akira Tozawa couldn’t be here tonight, so he asked me to read a letter.” Kendrick reads Tozawa’s message to the WWE Universe. “This week, I took an opportunity to compete in Japan to hone my skills before the biggest match in my career at the Royal Rumble.” Tozawa vows to fight for those who believed in him, train harder than ever before, and defeat Buddy Murphy. Sincerely, Akira Tozawa, “AH! AH!” and so on. Kendrick admits that he messed with Tozawa every which way he could think of, and yet they’re now allies. Kendrick owes Tozawa, and vows to help Tozawa become the next Cruiserweight Champion. What plans will the Man with a Plan think up to help the Stamina Monster achieve victory?

Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher talk with Drake Maverick.

No one understands change more than these two. And Maverick’s reputation rides on the quality of choices in Cruiserweight competitors. Luckily for Maverick, Gulak and Gallagher compiled a pair of lists of potential recruits. Wow, thanks, guys. Gulak assures Maverick that “these men won’t climb to the top rope, even if the floor was lava.” And Gallagher has found some proud Englishmen Maverick can trust. Yes, thank you. Maverick tells them he’ll read their submissions, and excuses them. To then throw their lists in the trash.

Mr. & Mrs. Kanellis walk in and Maverick apologizes for the delay. Mike says it’s been five weeks! Does he know how long that is? 35 days? But to be serious, what is Mike’s point? Maria says the point is that five weeks is the amount of time Mike hasn’t wrestled on 205 Live! Five weeks that they have flown out and been away from their baby girl, and can’t get back. Maverick apologizes for that. He would love to have something for everyone every week, there’s just not time. No time for Mike & Maria Kanellis?!

Maria keeps Mike calm. Maria’s been in this business 15 years, and knows that you have to fight for opportunities. Maybe they haven’t been fighting the right way. Maria knows Maverick wants to bring in more Cruiserweight superstars, yet doesn’t have time for what he has. Hopefully these newcomers are willing to fight as much as the Kanellises are for opportunities. Who will Mike & Maria bring the fight to in the coming days of the Cruiserweight Division?

Lio Rush speaks.

“Kalisto didn’t win the match last week. The Lucha House Party won the match last week.” Because they all know Kalisto winning 1v1 is impossible. It’s why he had his entourage and then cheat. Lio Rush wants to be in that Fatal 4 in Kalisto’s place. But the 24 Year Old Piece of Gold will also make sure Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik #FeelTheRush. Will the Man of the Hour make this the fiesta’s final hour?

Cedric Alexander VS Hideo Itami w/ Ariya Daivari!

The Soul of 205 Live is on the road to resurrecting the Age of Alexander, but he has a hard-hitting and merciless opponent in his path. Will Itami earn respect and a shot at the Juggernaut’s title? Or will Alexander begin his return to the top here tonight?

The bell rings and Itami circles with Alexander. Daivari is the only one on Itami’s side as Jacksonville is behind Alexander. Itami tells the fans to shut up, but they boo and jeer him instead. Alexander encourages the fans to cheer, then lunges at Itami. Itami uses the ropes as defense, then comes back to circle with Alexander again. They tie up, and Alexander gets a leg. Alexander shifts to a waistlock but Itami slips out to facelock. Alexander slips out and backs off, and fans applaud the exchange. Itami and Alexander tie up again, and Alexander gets an arm. Buddy Murphy watches backstage as Alexander wrenches the wrist. Alexander stands on the arm, but doesn’t stomp it. He instead puts it back in an armlock, then wrenches to a shoulder breaker.

Alexander wrenches the wrist again, but Itami kicks back and reverses the hold. Alexander handsprings through to CHOP Itami off his feet! Cover, ONE, and Itami gets to a corner. Alexander goes after him but Itami again uses the ropes. Alexander backs off but Itami sucker punches him. Itami stalks Alexander to a corner and throws kicks. Alexander falls and fans boo as Daivari and Itami talk trash. Itami stomps Alexander and Alexander gets to another corner. Alexander chops Itami then throws forearms. Itami hits back with stiff body shots and clubbing forearms. He also gives European Uppercuts and swift kicks against the ropes! Itami whips but Alexander rolls to handspring and headscissor! Alexander dropkicks and kips up and fans fire up with him! Cover, TWO! Alexander catches his breath while checking his chest. Alexander stomps Itami, then snapmares Itami for a swift calf kick. Cover, TWO!

Itami crawls away while Alexander again catches his breath. Alexander drags Itaim up but Itami blocks the lift. Itami gets away, but Alexander leaps for the dropkick. Itami dodges but Alexander counter punches. Alexander puts Itami in but Daivari distracts. The Persian Lion eggs Alexander on but Itami grabs at Alexander’s hair. The ref backs Itami off, but this leaves Alexander open to Daivari’s clothesline! Fans boo but Daivari gets away with it. Itami goes out and drops stomps onto Alexander’s back! Itami kicks Alexander while he’s down, then drags him up to throw him into barriers. Fans boo and jeer as Itami drags Alexander back into the ring. Cover, ONE, and fans rally up for Alexander. Itami kicks Alexander swiftly in the back and Daivari hypes Itami up. Itami kicks Alexander again, covers, ONE!

Alexander gets to a corner but Itami kicks him in the chest again. Itami drags Alexander up and throws EuroUppers. Alexander boots back and starts rallying with lariats! Alexander runs but Itami puts him on the apron. Itami kicks Alexander between the ropes, then hops up, for the guillotine leg drop! Cover, TWO! Itami and Daivari grow frustrated with Alexander. Itami stalks Alexander to the ropes and stomps him into a corner. Fans rally up for Alexander as Itami stomps him more. Itami drags Alexander up and whips to ropes, to ram the kitchen sink knee in! Cover, TWO! Itami is on Alexander right away with a chinlock. Itami squeezes the air from Alexander but fans build to another rally. Alexander feeds off the energy and jawbreakers free!

Alexander throws forearms on Itami then CHOPS away! Itami swings, misses, and Alexander dropkicks the legs out to then dropkick Itami down! Fans fire up with Alexander as he runs corner to corner. Itami puts him on the apron but Alexander boots back. Alexander hits Itami with the springboard complete shot! Cover, TWO! Alexander keeps his cool as he gets to his feet. He goes over to Itami and drags him up. Itami resists the lift again and rams in elbows. Itami whips but Alexander reverses to an uppercut! Alexander stands Itami up again, runs and handsprings, but Itami basement dropkicks Alexander down! Daivari coaches Itami up and Itami runs to the corner for the big knee! Fisherman suplex and cover, TWO!! Daivari keeps Itami’s head in the game, and Itami drags Alexander up again.

Fans still rally for Alexander, but Itami dragon sleepers. Itami spins but Alexander shoves out, only to run into boots! Itami hops up, grabs Alexander, and tornado hotshots Alexander! Alexander staggers, Itami leaps, flying clothesline! Cover, TWO!! Itami grits his teeth as he looms over Alexander. He drags Alexander up, but Alexander resists the chicken wings. Alexander elbows but Itami elbows back. Alexander returns with another, but so does Itami! Itami kicks Alexander again and again, but then Alexander kicks back! And elbows! Buddy Murphy still watches as Alexander swings but Itami lifts. Alexander slips out, handsprings, Neuralizer enziguri! Cover, TWO! Alexander’s face says it all as Itami shocks him with survival.

Both Itami and Alexander are slow to standing up, but Alexander is in pursuit. Alexander grabs Itami but Itami holds ropes. Alexander pries Itami from the ropes, but Itami grabs them again. The ref backs Alexander off and Daivari helps Itami get out of the ring. So Alexander FLIES onto them both! Alexander gets Itami up and into the ring, and fans know “This is Awesome!” Daivari barks at Alexander but gets a kick for it! Alexander slingshots but Itami hits him out of the air with a palm strike! Itami joins Alexander on the apron, and he hits a Falcon Arrow to the floor!! Both men crash and burn, but they’re both so far from the ring! Itami crawls in first, but Alexander barely stirs by the time the count reaches 5. The count passes 8, but Alexander gets in at 9.5! Only to get the hesitation dropkick!

Itami drags Alexander up, only for Alexander to roll him! TWO, and Itami back hands Alexander! ANother hesitation dropkick, then another try at the dragon sleeper. GTS Mk. II hits!! Cover, Itami wins!!

Winner: Hideo Itami, by pinfall; joins the Cruiserweight CHampionship Fatal 4 Way

The biggest win of Itami’s WWE career, and it leads to an even bigger match! Daivari celebrates this victory with Itami, but will they be celebrating in Phoenix?

Backstage interview with Buddy Murphy.

The Juggernaut now knows who exactly he is facing at the Royal Rumble. Who does he think is his biggest threat in that Fatal 4 Way? Before that, Murphy wants to congratulate Itami. He applauds, and gets Kayla to join in. Because after what Itami did to Alexander, he really might just be one of the most dangerous strikers in the WWE.

But if we’re talking which of those three is the most talented, what we’re really talking about which is the most talented lamb to the slaughter. Murphy is the wolf, and he is very hungry. His competition isn’t with 205 Live, it’s with history, as he becomes THE greatest Cruiserweight of all time. Therefore, Murphy issues an open challenge to any Cruiserweight superstar. It’s not for the title, but for a chance to see if they can stop the unstoppable. Who will answer Murphy’s call? Will they stand a chance against the champ?

My Thoughts:

Wow, what a great episode right here! And again, 205 Live proves to do a lot with very little. Dar VS Nese was great, as both a match and a revisit of the story that was building a few months ago. Dar wins but in a way where Nese doesn’t look so bad, and Dar keeps himself alive in the title hunt. If Dar were to become #1 Contender, and stay the Face that he’s become, perhaps it would be Buddy Murphy retaining at the Royal Rumble to bridge the story’s gap. I also like all the hyping up of the incoming Cruiserweight Division talent, from the goofy backstage segment with Gulak and Gallagher giving suggestions to Mike and Maria Kanellis warning those new stars about coming here. Even Buddy Murphy’s open challenge could be a great opportunity for someone brand new to debut and get a great showing.

And speaking of great showings, the main event was incredible. Of course, 205 Live has been on a string of great main events, but this was something special even for that. The story was all there given Itami’s and Alexander’s past match-up. Daivari did good character work as Itami’s new sidekick. And the action itself was again great as always. I knew that with two Faces already in the match, things would have to even out. Itami wins because he’s the Heel, and now the math is 50-50 for a contender like Dar to move up.

With Kendrick’s promo about helping Tozawa, I now want to see Kendrick and Daivari fight it out on the outside to make the championship match feel like an unofficial Six Pack Challenge. Fatal 4 Ways also have No Disqualifications, so it’d be perfectly legal if Kendrick and Daivari tried to interfere on Tozawa’s and Itami’s behalf. That could even lead to Itami & Daivari VS Kendrick & Tozawa for the next tag team feud.

My Score: 8.6/10