First Look at 205 Live

The first episode of the WWE’s newest cruiserweight show 205 Live aired on the WWE Network this week and after watching its premiere, I have to say it looks amazing!

Keeping the signature purple colour and paying respect to each member of the roster by giving them a proper introduction was a great way to give the show identity. Something I didn’t see coming but welcomed eagerly was Austin Aries on commentary. I always find that wrestlers bring different type of storytelling than announcers do. Then again, I won’t be surprised to see Austin Aries join a feud sooner rather than later.

The opening match gave the fans some tag team action between the Bollywood Boyz and the team of Tony Nese and Drew Gulak. The Bollywoods Boyz have definitely improved their gear since the CWC. However, their taunt of “making their opponent dance” during the match is still juvenile and annoying. In fact, it’s so annoying that I can hardly bring myself to support them. Then again, all dancing acts in the WWE (except Fandango) seem to pass as face.

Tony Nese and Drew Gulak seemed to have gelled well together over the last few weeks. Their chemistry in the ring and in promo segments is good. They are the most straightforward heels on the roster. It’s understandable that they gave the victory to the debuting team. After all, Nese and Gulak are already established superstars. They are two of the few cruiserweights who managed to get some character development going while on RAW.

The crowd was a bit off in the first half of the match. There were AUSTIN ARIES chants and chants aimed at the commentators never say anything good about the performers in the ring. However, this was by no means due to lack of quality wrestling. The action between the ropes was intense. I think the problem might have come from the fact that the tag teams yet mean nothing on 205 Live. There’s no tag team championship, so there’s no goal to chase. The WWE might want to consider adding one in the near future, although that would require more superstars. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself here. The match was enjoyable and that’s all there is to it.

I found it particularly strange that the losers of a match had to be interviewed on the ramp, while the music of the winner is still playing in the background. This is terribly distracting for the speakers. The only one who seemed to ignore the whole awkwardness of the setup was Brian Kendrick but he is a veteran. Would it have been that difficult to find a corner somewhere backstage to do the Q&As?

On a more positive note, 205 Live is paying attention to character introductions – something that the Cruiserweight Division never had on RAW. Not only superstars who were about to wrestle, but also some that were off that night got their promotional packages aired. I think this is very important. Getting to know the superstars is the only way to get the fans to become emotionally invested.

The backstage exchange between TJ Perkins and Brian Kendrick was also a good inclusion to the show. It used an already ongoing story arc to build up the tension for the title match and with the way it all ended, this one little segment set up a second stage of the Kendrick/Perkins rivalry, potentially allowing Swann to engage with other contenders.

Jack Gallagher vs. Ariya Daivari was a brilliant introduction to Gallagher’s character. When you first look at him you might dismiss him easily but his in-ring style is nothing short of extraordinary. Gallagher creates many WTF moments in the ring. I’ve honestly never watched anyone like him. Although, I have to say, I was a bit surprised to see him introduced as a face.

The main event was out of this world. Watching the intense action in the ring makes one wonder where all of that was hidden in the RAW matches these two had. Rich Swann made some girl in the audience scream in terror with his sudden jump off the barrier onto Brian Kendrick and the moment when Kendrick hit Swann’s neck on the top turnbuckle got the viewers live and at home to give a collective gasp. Kendrick might have lost but the Sliced Bread from the top rope left the WWE Universe lost for words. Overall, it was an outstanding performance on both sides.

I personally find Swann’s character irritating and that tear-jerker of a promo after the victory came completely out of the blue, having in mind his playful gimmick. Yet, it can’t be denied that he delivered in the ring and worked hard for those YOU DESERVE IT chants. Hopefully, Swann will keep the title for longer than TJP or Brian Kendrick because those short reigns are slowly diminishing the value of the title.

In conclusion, I need to say that I was delighted by 205 Live. It reminded me of the quality that made the Cruiserweight Classic Tournament so special. This show gives the cruiserweights something they’ll never have on RAW, and even on SmackDown – time; time to have great wrestling matches, to develop their characters and to create a bond with the fans. 205 Live is a show with identity. If you haven’t seen it yet, give it a try. It deserves it!

 

What do you think? Comment below with your thoughts, opinions, feedback and anything else that was raised