‘WWE 205 Live’ Review (April 2nd 2019)
Welcome to this week’s 205 Live review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have the final card before Wrestlemania, so let’s see if Vince phones it home or actually lets the good $#!@ happen.
Match #1: Oney Lorcan def. Kalisto
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Last week, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick announced that NXT Superstar Oney Lorcan would now be competing as part of the Cruiserweight division. Following an impressive showing in the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Lorcan made his presence felt last week, watching and eventually attacking Cedric Alexander during The Soul of WWE 205 Live’s match with Ariya Daivari. Looking to continue setting the tone for his arrival, Lorcan faced former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto. As soon as the opening bell rang, Lorcan charged forward and leveled Kalisto. WWE 205 Live’s newest Superstar brought the fight to the outside and slammed the announce table, asking if Cedric Alexander was watching. The evidence of Lorcan’s hard-hitting offense was clear in the red handprints across Kalisto’s chest.
Putting his fighting spirit on display, Kalisto fed off the energy of the WWE Universe and turned up the pace by striking with quick kicks and soaring through the air to knock Lorcan off balance. The Lucha Dragan countered the Half and Half and prepared the Salida del Sol. However, Lorcan countered with a huge uppercut before a battle that ended with Kalisto executing the Salida del Sol on the ring apron. With both Superstars reeling, Kalisto ascended the ropes but was stopped by Lorcan, who attempted a Half and Half off the top rope. Fending off Lorcan’s advances, Kalisto attempted a 450 Splash but was met by his opponent’s knees to the gut. Wasting no time, Lorcan successfully executed the Half and Half to secure an impressive victory.
My Take: 3.5 out of 5 – This was quite the opener, as it was strong, relentless action from bell to bell. Before we go any further, what kind of a name is Oney? I have no ill-will for the Oney-named people, but why would you have a name like that? Hey, that’s what bigotry looks like! I feel like Cecily Strong when she plays that obnoxious woman on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update”. Welcome to ‘Merica, Seth. This was a fine match that had a lot of variety in the moves and plenty of surprises along the way.
Match #2: (Main Event) Akira Tozawa w/The Brian Kendrick def. Mike Kanellis w/Maria Kanellis
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite Mike Kanellis earning a victory against Akira Tozawa thanks to an assist from his wife Maria, WWE 205 Live General Manager was far from impressed and made a rematch between the two Cruiserweights. However, in an effort the even the odds and counter Maria’s influence, Tozawa would have his friend and mentor The Brian Kendrick in his corner. Kanellis took control in the early goings with three masterful suplexes, and he countered Tozawa’s attempt at a head scissors takedown into a brutal powerbomb. With the WWE Universe chanting for Tozawa, he charged forward but was caught in a huge spinebuster. After Tozawa locked Kanellis in the octopus stretch, The Opportunist dumped himself and his opponent over the ropes to the outside in a desperate attempt to break the hold.
The gamble paid off after an exchange on the outside, as Kanellis hoisted Tozawa on the barricade and delivered a crushing neckbreaker. After pushing his opponent back in the ring, Kanellis leveled Kendrick with a right hook. Back inside the ring, Kanellis and Tozawa battled on the top rope, and The Stamina Monster countered a potentially devastating maneuver with a hurricanrana. After countering a strike from Kanellis, Tozawa attempted a pin but was reversed by The Opportunist, who reached for his wife to give him leverage on the pinfall. However, The Brian Kendrick entered the ring, causing the official to break the count and allowing The Stamina Monster to reverse the pinfall for the win.
My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – This was a good match that was starting to find its footing before it ended too quickly. Tozawa worked hard to give Mike his best shot at a strong match, but Mike is having such a hard time getting Vince to see him as more than just a physique. I wish this match could have been booked to be more than just a surprise, but at least it was a fun result.
News Of The Night:
- Buddy Murphy and Tony Nese had a brawl to push their Cruiserweight Title Match at Wrestlemania.
- Cedric Alexander will get a fight with Oney Lorcan at a later date.
Final Verdict: 3/5
This was a standard sort of show that was fairly boring, but served a function that got the title match sold for Wrestlemania as important.
