The year is almost over, and so is this countdown!

We saw the first four top moments of 2019, now it is time for the TOP FOUR moments of 2019! Will your favorites be among them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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PLAY BY PLAY

Tom Philips and Aiden English welcome you back to the Best of 205 Live in 2019!

The countdown of the most memorable matches from this year continues with “Shorty G,” Chad Gable going against Gentleman Jack Gallagher. This was a rematch from a previous match that ended in a Double Count-Out. Naturally, neither man was satisfied with that finish, so they did battle once again when 205 Live came to Worcester, Massachusetts.

Number 4 – 205 Live 7/16/19, Jack Gallagher VS Chad Gable!

The bell rings and Gallagher offers a handshake. Gable takes it to prove this match will be respectful. They tie up and Gable waistlocks. Gable spins and trips Gallagher to float into the facelock. Gallagher rolls and escapes to wrench the wrist. Gable spins and waistlocks to spin Gallagher to a snapmare and chinlock. Fans like the technical exchange. Gallagher works his way out the back with the handstand. Gable nods respect to that, and they go again. Gable wristlocks but Gallagher rolls and handsprings to cartwheel and wrench. But now Gable rolls, bridges, spins and headlock takeovers. Gallagher headscissors but Gable pops out. Roles reverse but Gallagher jackknifes, TWO as Gable bridges out. Gable lifts Gallagher but Gallagher slips out to arm-drag! The two stand off, and fans cheer the exchange again.

Gable offers the handshake, and Gallagher accepts, but Gable uses it to drag Gallagher into a waistlock and slam! Gable shifts up to a headlock, but Gallagher powers up. Fans rally and Gallagher gets his own headlock. Gable powers out but Gallagher runs him over. Gallagher runs but Gable speeds up, only to run into a fireman’s carry and hotshot! Gallagher sunset flips, TWO, but he goes at Gable’s arm. Gable endures the armlock and powers his way up. Gable whips but Gallagher reverses, only for Gable to dodge and arm-drag back. La Magistrol, TWO! Another arm-drag and now Gable has Gallagher in the armlock. Gallagher endures as Gable pulls on the keylock. They stand and Gallagher reverses to a takedown and short-arm-scissors.

Gable rolls back to make it a cover, TWO, and Gallagher still has the arm scissor. Gable rolls again, TWO, and the arm scissor is still on. Fans rally as Gable works on a solution to the hold. Gable rolls again to deadlift Gallagher for an Electric Chair drop! Gable drags Gallagher up for European Uppercuts, and Gallagher is rocked! Cover, TWO! Gable grows frustrated and goes after a leg with a standing toehold. Gallagher endures the toe ‘n’ ankle twist while avoiding a cover. Gallagher kicks free but Gable whips him hard to a corner! Cover, TWO! Gable keeps his cool as he drags Gallagher back up. He whips Gallagher again but Gallagher goes up, under, but runs into the overhead belly2belly! Cover, TWO!

Gable drags Gallagher around to drop a twisting toehold! He yanks the leg and Gallagher clutches his hamstring. Gable circles like a shark then dragon screws the leg! Gallagher clutches the knee but Gable steps through for another toehold. It is a cover, too, TWO! Gable keeps on the toehold and Gallagher has to keep sitting up. Gallagher endures then kicks with his free leg. But Gable gets the bad leg for another toehold! Then Gable twists to turn Gallagher, but Gallagher fights free. Gallagher walks into a EuroUpper, and another. Gable throws another but into a backslide! TWO, and a BIG dropkick from Gallagher decks Gable! Gallagher counter punches Gable back then whips. Gable reverses but Gallagher ducks to deck him with a right!

Gallagher suplexes Gable and holds him up there with his extraordinary strength! And drops him after roughly 15 counts! Cover, TWO! Gallagher grows frustrated with Gable’s toughness, but he gets himself back up. Gable follows, dodges and waistlocks to roll, Chaos Theory denied to the Double Wristlock! The Kimura Lock is on but Gable moves to relieve pressure. Gable powers to a cover, TWO and he’s freed. Gallagher staggers away but Gable runs in, only to get an elbow. Gallagher hops up, leaps for a missile dropkick! Gable staggers but runs over, only for Gallagher to dump him out. Gallagher runs to blast Gable off the apron, then slides. Gable gets under, only to get thrown into barriers! The Gentleman is getting gritty now!

Gallagher goes into the ring and the ring count begins. Gallagher runs to DIVE! But Gable deflects it! And then throws Gallagher with a German Suplex! Deja vu to their first match a month ago! Gable and Gallagher crawl up as the count begins. Gable stands at 4 but won’t leave Gallagher behind this time. He puts Gallagher in at 7 and hops in at 8, but gets caught in a cradle! TWO, and Gable blocks the punch to full nelson. Gallagher breaks free and wants the wristlock. Gable  slips out, Tiger Driver 97! TWO, to the ANKLE LOCK! Gable shouts out the Olympic Gold Medalist as Gallagher endures! Gallagher reaches but is dragged away! Grapevine!! Gallagher unlocks the legs to hammer away on Gable’s head! Gable lets go and Gallagher is free. Worcester cheers both men’s grit as Gallagher and Gable stand.

Gable throat chops and rolling kicks! But Gallagher uses the ropes to rebound, for the Extraordinary Headbutt!! He falls to the cover, TWO!? Gable survives and Gallagher can’t believe it! Both men slowly stir and head for each other. Gallagher grimaces as he SLAPS Gable. Gable SLAPS back and now it’s a brawl! They throw forearms and elbows, then Gallagher fires off body shots and windmill fists! The ref counts and Gallagher stops. Gallagher whips Gable corner to corner, then runs in, but misses his dropkick! Gable catches Gallagher into the Canadian Rack! Dominator DDT! Cover, TWO!! Gallagher still lives and Gable is in shock!

Fans fire up as Gable drags Gallagher to a drop zone. Gable climbs up and moonsaults, to get boots to the gut! Gallagher hits his Extraordinary Dropkick!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Gallagher is the one in shock now! Gallagher drags Gable up and hoists him to the top rope. He clubs Gable over and over before climbing up top. Gable fights back with elbows, but Gallagher clubs him more. Gallagher still staggers down, but clubs Gable into the post. Gallagher climbs up again, stands up with Gable, SUPER BACK SUPLEX, becomes Gable’s crossbody! Gable glares, rolls Gallagher, CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, Gable wins!!

Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall

Gable and Gallagher pushed each other to their limits, but it was Gable who edges out the Gentleman. But to be a good sport back, he offers Gallagher a hand. Gable helps Gallagher up and gives him a nod. The fans love the respect between Gable and Gallagher, will we get more from these two terrific technicians?

Mike Kanellis had a very up-and-down 2019. The Opportunist of Love had part in the fifth best match of the year against Akira Tozawa, but that wasn’t the only No Disqualification grudge match he had. In his struggles to show his wife, Maria, that he was a man worthy of her love, he and 205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick, would go from having heated arguments, to throwing hands! And it all culminated in a match with Maverick, that was UNSANCTIONED! It was Kanellis’ last chance: win and become a contender; lose and wallow in shame.

Number 3 – 205 Live 7/30/19, Unsanctioned Match: Mike Kanellis VS Drake Maverick!

As Maverick makes his entrance, Mike attacks from behind! Mike stomps Maverick on the ramp, then throws him into the LED wall of the stage! Maverick writhes, but then Mike rains down rights! The referee reprimands Mike, this match hasn’t even started, but Mike just shouts back. Mike drags Maverick up and shouts, “Is this what you wanted?! This is your fault!” He throws Maverick into the lights along the ramp! Then he drags Maverick up and snags a fan’s Maverick 24:7 sign to smear it in Maverick’s face! Mike still shouts, “Is this what you wanted? You want to make a mockery of the brand?!” Mike STOMPS Maverick on the ramp’s steel lip, then rips the sign up! In a way, this does also trace back to Maverick’s obsession with the 24/7 title.

Mike shows no mercy as he throws Maverick into the LED apron! Mike finally goes into the ring as fans rain down boos and jeers. “He can’t do it! He’s not going to come in! I win!” Mike swears this is now a forfeit and he wins his title opportunity. But Maverick forces himself to stand, and flounders into the ring! Referees advise he not to, but Maverick won’t be punked out like this. Mike grits his teeth as Maverick stands, and Maverick has the bell ring. The referee does as told, and the moment the bell rings, Maverick staggers after Mike, only for Mike to BOOT him down! Mike stomps a mudhole into Maverick in the corner, grinding his foot into him! Mike shouts “This is on you!” He drags Maverick up and says he played by the rules for too long. He tosses Maverick out of the ring hard, and then shouts at the fans as they boo and jeer again.

Maria watches backstage as Mike grinds Maverick’s face into the LED apron! Maverick gets away, clutching his eyes, but Mike throws him into the barriers! Mike drags Maverick up to choke him against the barriers, too! Then Mike brings Maverick around to throw into more barriers! Maverick writhes and screams in pain, but Mike just blows a kiss. Mike drags Maverick up and throws him into barriers more, then wants to know where all that fight went. Mike’s SUPERKICK takes Maverick down! He drags Maverick around by his hair and goes to the announce desk. “This is what I fought for! 205!” He slams Maverick’s face into the logo over and over!

Fans boo Mike but he just goes for a spare arm chair. Mike sits Maverick in it, gets some space, and SUPERKICKS Maverick and the chair over! Maverick barely moves as Mike goes to the ring again. Mike is still furious and the fans still boo. But Mike isn’t done with Maverick, as he puts him in the ring. Mike wants Maverick to stand, and Maverick does manage to hobble up to his feet. Only for Mike to ram him into buckles! And again! Maverick still comes back, only to get DECKED by a big right hand! Mike looms over Maverick and tears off the 205 Live T-shirt. Mike wants to torture Maverick, and hauls him up, to then LARIAT down! Then he takes off Maverick’s belt! Fans are thunderously booing as Mike uses that belt to SMACK Maverick’s bare back! Maria watches happily as Mike SMACKS Maverick more!

Mike drags Maverick up for a sleeper hold! Maverick flails and pries at the hold, but after all that’s happened, he fades. But Memphis rallies and Maverick finds new life! Maverick reaches but fades again as Mike leans on him. But then Maverick finds a third gear! Maverick fights up and runs into buckles to scrape Mike off! Mike is gasping now, and Maverick dodges as he runs in! Mike only gets post! Maverick flounders, then baits Mike in to dump him out! Fans are fired up behind Rockstar Spud as he baseball slides, only for Mike to wheelbarrow and THROW Maverick into barriers! The referee checks on Maverick while Mike menacingly grabs those old “wanted posters.” Mike grows furious being reminded of Maverick’s distractions. He puts Maverick in the ring and makes him EAT his printed words. “You made a mockery of me!”

But then seeing his own poster lights a fire in Maverick! Maverick grits his teeth as he takes another buckle to the face. And then another! Maverick is hulking up, brother! Mike punches but Maverick fires off!! Fans are thunderously cheering as Maverick rallies and dropkicks! Maverick stomps a mudhole on Mike now! Then a basement dropkick! Maverick takes his belt back, and Memphis is roaring as he SMACKS Mike back! And again, and again, and again! Mike is running away but Maverick DIVES! He sends Mike onto the announce desk with that tope! Maverick climbs up and Memphis is with him as he gives Mike a DDT to the desk! Maverick slumps off the desk, still taking some damage from the things on the desk. But then Maverick climbs up to the barriers!

Fans cheer as he walks the tightrope, to LEAP! But Mike dodges, and Maverick hits only desk! Maverick may have broken his own arm trying to destroy Mike! Mike crawls and drags Maverick back in. Fans still have faith in Maverick, but Mike drags Maverick up in the dragon sleeper. But then he reconsiders his finisher, and brings Maverick to the corner. Mike hoists Maverick up top and backwards. Mike climbs up and grabs Maverick in a Crucifix! SUPER RAZOR’s- STEINER?! Maverick fights through the pain to fight back! SPIKE DUDLEY BULLDOG! Cover, Maverick wins!!

Winner: Drake Maverick, by pinfall

Maria is even more disappointed than before. Maverick had one arm and a beat up back, but he STILL beat Mike!

Mike Kanellis hasn’t done much of anything in the Cruiserweight Division since. Was this the loss that broke the lover’s heart?

What makes the Cruiserweight Division so great is the unique offensive displays. No two superstars represented that more than Lio Rush and Raul Mendoza. The then Cruiserweight Champion was put to the test by the man riding the Mendoza Line.

Number 2 – 205 Live 11/1/19, Raul Mendoza VS Lio Rush!

The bell rings and Lio circles with Mendoza. Fans cheer as the two tie up, and Mendoza powers Lio back, only for Lio to arm-drag him away. “This is my time, Raul!” Lio and Mendoza go again and Lio waistlocks. Lio shoves but redirects Mendoza, but Mendoza drop toeholds! Mendoza runs but Lio dodges, only for his kick to get turned into a sunset flip! Lio rolls through to jackknife, TWO as Mendoza bridges! Mendoza spins around but Lio slips out of the backslide, only to get caught in a #Raul-Up! TWO, and Mendoza says Lio’s time might be running out. Lio has to nod respect to that move, and the two approach again. They tie up, Lio spins to get a leg, and he grins as he spins and shoves Mendoza. Lio trips Mendoza, hops up and huricanranas! Then he gets in to build speed, LOWPE!

Fans cheer as Lio smiles. Lio drags Mendoza up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Lio keeps his cool as Mendoza clutches his arm. Lio KICKS Mendoza in the back then throws body shots in the corner. Lio stomps Mendoza and shouts, “I’m the Champ of the Hour for a reason!” Lio whips Mendoza corner to corner and RAMS his shoulder into him! Lio brings Mendoza up to suplex up and down, then covers, TWO! Lio grins as Mendoza writhes. Lio goes to a corner as fans duel and climbs to the top. But Mendoza anchors Lio, only for Lio to rain down rights. Lio adjusts but Mendoza handspring PELES! Lio falls, Mendoza has him, twisting suplex! Cover, TWO! Lio survives that sudden attack, but Mendoza has him in a corner. Fans duel as Mendoza CHOPS!

Mendoza has Lio in another corner but Lio CHOPS back! Mendoza stomps then CHOPS Lio down, then whips him corner to corner hard! And hits a hard corner clothesline! Snapmare to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Mendoza grows frustrated but he stomps Lio down. Mendoza swiftly kicks Lio right in the back, and mockingly asks, “Que paso?” Lio kicks back but Mendoza stomps him down. Mendoza headlocks and thrashes Lio around, but Lio endures. Lio fights up as fans rally, and he throws body shots to get free. Lio throws forearms now, but Mendoza whips him to a corner. Lio boots Mendoza back, then runs out, into Mendoza’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Mendoza sits Lio up for a cobra clutch! Lio endures as Mendoza pulls tight. Fans rally again and Lio feeds off the energy.

Lio throws body shots, but Mendoza blocks the whip. Lio goes deep to arm-drag, but Mendoza comes back. Lio jawbreakers then whips, but Mendoza reverses. Lio goes up and over to speed up, slide but turns around into an enziguri! Cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as Mendoza looms over Lio. Mendoza stomps Lio down then clubs him down, but Lio still rises. Mendoza drags Lio up and snap suplexes hard. Fans boo as Mendoza fires himself up. Mendoza goes to a corner and climbs up, but Lio gets out to the apron. Mendoza hops down to join him, and gets an idea. “Que paso, cabron?” Mendoza brings Lio up, but Lio hits Mendoza back! The two brawl with forearms, Buffalo behind Lio. The forearm fly fast and furious, and Lio gets the edge. Mendoza shoves and SUPERKICKS Lio back! Then suplexes, but Lio saves himself! Handspring kick sends Mendoza down! Lio goes out to the apron, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit but both men wipe out!

The referee checks but they’re okay to continue, so a ring count begins. The count climbs as Mendoza and Lio stand. They brawl more as the count passes 5. Lio is sent into the apron and then the ring at 7, Mendoza takes his time getting back in at 9. Mendoza runs, Lio dodges and rallies! Mendoza reverses a whip but gets a handspring back elbow! Fans fire up with Lio as he bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off! Mule kick to HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO!! Mendoza still lives and Lio can’t believe it! Lio and Mendoza both get up, and Lio takes off the wrist tape. Mendoza slaps some sense into himself, and dares Lio to bring it. Lio kicks but is blocked! Mendoza flips Lio, enziguri in the corner! Mendoza goes up, walks the ropes, missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! But Mendoza doesn’t let up, he scoops and swings to swing Lio all the way around! Cover, TWO!?! Lio lives and fans are loving this!

But Mendoza vows to end this, and he has Lio up again. Mendoza hooks a leg but Lio fights with elbows. Mendoza knees and clubs Lio down, then tries again. Lio slips out, rolls Mendoza and turns him over into a Half Crab! Mendoza endures even as Lio sits deep, and crawls around. Mendoza reaches, drags Lio along but Lio drags him back. Mendoza kicks Lio off, gets up, and runs in, but his kick is blocked! Lio kicks back, then chicken wings to turn Mendoza. Mendoza shoves Lio, Lio rebounds to the Come Up! Lio sweeps the legs, climbs up top, and aims a long way away, FINAL HOUR!! Cover, Lio wins!!

Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall

The Man of the Hour got a lot more out of Mendoza than he expected, but still comes out on top! And as such, Lio shows Mendoza respect with a fist bump.

Mendoza came so close, will he be able to come back for another try? And now that Angel Garza is our Cruiserweight Champion, where does Lio Rush go in his career?

Finally, we reach THE BEST match of 205 Live in 2019! No better way to close out than with Lio Rush and Angel Garza for the now NXT Cruiserweight Championship, and from Full Sail!

Number 1 – NXT 12/11/19, NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Lio Rush VS Angel Garza!

This is going to be a fast and furious grudge match to say the least! The Man of the Hour has had enough of El Latino’s ego, and it’s time to put things to rest! Will the Living Piece of Gold still have his gold? Or will Garza have an even bigger grin on his face after tonight?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the fans are already dueling before the bell. And speaking of before the bell, Lio rushes Garza immediately! The ref pulls Lio off but Garza just laughs it off. The bell rings and now things are a brawl! Roll up, ONE, Lio gets Garza down and throws hands! Garza gets free and goes after Lio, but Lio rolls up again. ONE and Lio ends up on the apron. Garza runs at him but Lio drags him out and they tumble to the floor! They won’t let up, either, as Lio rams Garza into the steel steps! Fans duel as Lio refreshes the count. Lio climbs up to the apron but Garza anchors his feet and YANKS him off! Lio crashes and burns and Full Sail is thunderous!

Garza puts Lio in the ring, covers, ONE. Garza keeps his cool, because he’s about to heat things up with the pants removal. But Lio tackles him down first! Lio rains down rights but Garza pushes him away. Lio runs, redirects, Garza keeps with him but Lio gets under and kangaroo kicks from the mat! Garza runs, Lio dodges, but Garza avoids the Come Up to hit a basement dropkick! Fans are fired up as Garza covers, TWO! Garza drags Lio up and rolls him into position on the second rope, and fans duel. Garza SLAPS away on Lio, but the ref backs him off. Garza runs in and SUPERKICKS Lio down! Cover, TWO! Lio lives and Garza grows frustrated. Garza drags Lio up and clubs away on him, then toys with him. Garza and Lio brawl with haymakers and a SLAP! Lio fires off more forearms but Garza just keeps slapping!

Lio knees Garza and hooks the arms, but Garza powers out. Garza alley-oops Lio up and Lio ends up hotshot’d on the ropes! The ref checks on Lio but Lio bails out of the ring. Garza smirks as he dares Lio to return. NXT goes picture in picture as Lio drags himself back to the ring. But Garza dropkicks him back down! Garza goes out to fetch Lio and basement dropkick him again! Garza drags Lio up and into the ring, then covers, ONE! Lio kicks from the mat again, and gets himself to the ropes. Garza and Lio stand, Garza has Lio on the ropes but Lio holds on. Lio elbows Garza away then walks into a LARIAT! Both men are down but Garza crawls over to cover, TWO! Garza keeps on Lio with a grounded cobra twist and he pulls Lio back hard!

Lio endures as Garza really cranks on his neck. Lio gets an arm free and starts throwing hands on Garza! And then kicks as he’s let loose. Garza CHOPS and SLAPS Lio around, then kicks Lio while he’s down. Garza grabs the legs and turns Lio over for the modified Half Crab, pulling an arm back, too! Lio endures, slips out and kicks Garza away. Garza comes back, to get a jawbreaker! Lio throws haymakers as Garza leans on the ropes. Lio CHOPS and SLAPS Garza back! Lio whips corner to corner, Garza reverses but Garza runs into a boot! Lio runs, but into the spinning powerslam! Cover, TWO! Garza grows further frustrated but also further exhausted. Garza drags Lio up in a full nelson as NXT returns to single picture.

Lio endures and gets to ropes as fans duel again. Garza waistlocks but Lio still holds on. Garza yanks Lio off the ropes but Lio uses the momentum to swing around and roll Garza up! TWO, and Garza swings. Lio dodges, tilt-o-whirls and again, flying headscissors! Fans fire up as Lio mule kicks and PELES! Garza wobbles, Lio runs in, springboard but no huricanrana! Garza brings Lio up, but Lio headscissors Garza out of the ring! Lio then slingshots for a MOONSAULT! It was a close call but he hits his target! Lio puts Garza back in, then aims from the corner. Spinning BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Garza lives and Lio is growing frustrated.

Fans rally up, Lio runs, but Garza reels him in. Lio throws clubbing hands and big body shots. Lio runs again, Garza follows, and STEALS the Come Up! Cover, TWO!! Garza copied the move but didn’t hit as hard, so now he dragon sleepers Lio to lift. Rebound suplex, but Lio makes it a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Lio drags Garza to the drop zone and heads up top. Fans rally as Lio takes aim, but Garza anchors his feet. Lio clubs Garza but Garza enziguris back! Garza climbs up top and brings Lio up, but Lio shoves! Garza flips to land on his feet, get back up fast, and hits a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Garza can’t believe it, and Full Sail loses its mind! “This is Awesome!” and it’s just the opening match.

Garza and Lio brawl on their knees back and forth. Fans are divided, Lio SLAPS but Garza SLAPS. It’s a SLAP FIGHT!! They pull hair, Garza headbutts over and over! But walks into a back heel kick! But SUPERKICKS on the return! Both men head for each other, but they both fall flat on their faces first! Full Sail reaches a fever pitch for “NXT! NXT!” Garza and Lio slowly rise as fans duel hard as ever. Garza kicks, underhooks, but Lio resists! Lio slips out, chicken wing underhooks Garza and turns him, but Garza pins through. Lio butterfly underhooks, and STEALS THE WING CLIPPER!! Cover, TWO!?! Lio is furious but he says it is time! Garza anchors a foot but Lio just hammers away! Lio slaps, but Garza avoids the buzzsaw to get the Electric Chair! Garza throws Lio down, but Lio rebounds to COME UP!! Cover, TWO?!?!

But Lio goes up top, leaps, FINAL HOUR!! But he can’t make the cover! Lio grabs for Garza, but Garza’s pants come off! Garza gets away thanks to the tearaways! But Lio doesn’t care, he goes up top and aims at Garza on the ground! SUPER FINAL HOUR gets knees!! Garza drags Lio in, WING CLIPPER! Cover, TWO!?!? Garza has the butterfly again for a thrashing hold! Lio TAPS, Garza wins!!

Winner: Angel Garza, by submission; NEW NXT Cruiserweight Champion

Historic! Christmas comes early for the Garza familia as Garza is bringing home the gold! But with such a powerful performance just to get the title, what more will he have to do to keep the title?

The title changed hands and it defined the year for the Cruiserweight Division! Aiden is excited to see where Garza goes next with that title, and Tom thanks us all for joining them on this countdown. See you again soon, in the New Year!

My Thoughts:

Another hour of programming done in 20 minutes, but I must call shenanigans! While I understand that Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander stopped being part of 205 Live when they were drafted to SmackDown and Raw, respectively, this countdown had plenty of other superstars not on 205 Live anymore, either. Akira Tozawa is officially full-time Raw, but he was in the first half of the countdown, with Mike Kanellis, who is not even doing anything on air anymore. Plus, Buddy Murphy, another Raw draftee, was on the list multiple times for his dominant reign earlier this year. And hell, even the Fatal 4 Way that has Hideo Itami in it, even though he’s not in NJPW, made the list! Why were Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander basically snubbed from this countdown? They had matches with Murphy, those two matches should’ve been on here somewhere.

As for the choices they made, I really did enjoy all these matches the first time watching them. None of these are weak matches, and I feel like Lio VS Garza is definitely worthy of being Top 4. I just don’t know if Lio VS Mendoza, as good as it was, is Top 8 material when 2019 had a lot to choose from that consisted of Alexander and Ali. It’s like putting an asterisk on this list. “The Best of 205 Live in 2019* *(that doesn’t involve the totally awesome Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander).” If they found a way to do a Top Ten instead, maybe we could’ve gotten an entry for Alexander and/or Ali so that each episode had five matches to share. Just seems a shame that two of the guys that legitimately carried this brand on their back, right up until they were drafted away, weren’t even acknowledged.

My Score: 8/10