Greg DeMarco’s WWE 205 Live Star Ratings & Analysis (3/5/19)

Greg DeMarco brings you his WWE 205 Live star ratings and overall analysis for the March 5 edition of the show!

I am starting to be more vocal about my support for 205 Live. It’s consistently one of the most well thought out hours of television WWE puts out. I don’t care about the crowds–to me they are like the UFC preliminary match-ups that not everyone attends. From week-to-week, the amazing talents on this brand earn the crowd’s attention and adoration.

If you haven’t been paying attention, this week continued the quarterfinal match-ups in the tournament to name the challenger for Buddy Murphy’s Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania 35.

Oney Lorcan vs. Humberto Carrillo – ***1/2

• Oney Lorcan is getting this opportunity from WWE NXT, and they put together a great video package for him. Humberto Carrillo has been on fire since joining the brand, making this a really hard match to pick.
• Oney Lorcan is my kind of wrestler–he’s a fighter that transcends a face/heel alignment, adapting his style to that of his opponent. He also has some of the best facial expressions in the business today.
• Lorcan’s Fisherman Suplex on the apron was BRUTAL!
• I think Carrillo legit rocked Lorcan during this match–but what Lorcan presents is a fight, and it fit within the framework of a fight.
• Lorcan picks up the big win, happy to see that in his debut.

Mike Kanellis vs. Colby Corino – ***

• Big moment for Steve Corino here, his son making his WWE debut. Good on you guys.
• That said, what’s up with his hair???
• That question was for Colby, but applies to Mike as well.
• Maria Kanellis giving The Kingdom hand gesture?
• Now, this match was declared a no contest, but I still gave it three stars. The story with Kanellis was lacking in my opinion, and they really stepped it up this week. This was effective storytelling as Kanellis had no reason to face Corino. Very well done.
• Colby sells just like his dad, and I love it.

Akira Tozawa vs. Cedric Alexander – ****

• Earlier I mentioned the talent winning fans over on a week-to-week basis. This match got a “205!” chant going.
• Both of these men have challenged WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy, and both came up short in their bid to unseat Main Event Murphy.
• This was a great performance for Tozawa, but the real star of the night was Cedric Alexander. Before we get to that. tip of the cap to Tozawa for coming up with unique ways to avoid and reverse the Lumbar Check time after time.
• Cedric showed range in this match, exhibiting frustration at points, and motivation from overall frustration as he has gone 5+ months without what he views as his championship. This was a more aggressive Cedric Alexander, and I liked it.
• It’ll be interesting as many seem to assume Tony Nese gets the WrestleMania title shot, but I think it goes to the winner of Lorcan vs. Alexander next week. Don’t be shocked if Cedric wins the whole thing, only to lose to Buddy at ‘Mania.

As promised, here is the updated bracket!

The SEMIFINALS kick off next Tuesday on @WWENetwork! #205Live pic.twitter.com/emc5TNX4xX

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) March 6, 2019