205 Live opens with a recap of last week’s incredible main event.
We cut to Neville backstage with Dasha, who asks why he requested a match tonight against Mustafa Ali. Neville says Ali interrupted him last week, and he needs reminded who the King is. Everyone needs reminded that he demolishes everyone who steps out of their place. He says tonight will serve as a reminder to people exhibiting such idiocy. He says Austin Aries will be forced to bend the knee and pay homage to him at WrestleMania.
TJ Perkins Vs. Tony Nese
Nese shakes off the handshake. Nese tosses Perkins to the corner and TJP regroups. Whip exchange ends with a Perkins drop kick to the Premiere Athlete followed by a deep arm drag. Perkins putting on an offensive display as he dives to the outside. Perkins able to re-counter every Nese counter until he gets caught with a gut buster. Nese in control now and slows the pace.
Nese slings Perkins to the corner, strikes a pose, and goes for a nonchalant cover for a short two. Body scissors locked in, Perkins fights out, but mowed over by Nese to regain control. Variety of chin locks from Nese seemingly waiting on the crowd to get behind Perkins, which unfortunately never happens. Another strong whip to the corner rebounds Perkins back to Nese for a series of kicks.
Perkins catches himself on the ropes to prevent another whip attack, slips out of harm’s way, and hits a neck breaker. Perkins on fire now and gets a near fall for his efforts. Nese smartly rolls out of the ring and slingshots TJP on the top rope and hits quite the moonsault. Nice back and forth going until Nese sets up for the Running Kneese. Perkins blocks, but Nese pulls the middle turnbuckle off.
“Moves like a CRUISERWEIGHT, hits like a HEAVYWEIGHT!” @TonyNese proves just that on @205Live, LIVE on @WWENetwork! @megatjp #205Live pic.twitter.com/i4miIO9yaQ
— 205Live (@WWE205Live) March 22, 2017
Unique gut buster from Perkins and the turnbuckle not in play as of yet. Wrecking ball drop kick from Perkins. He looks for a springboard but gets blocked. Nese catches Perkins and sends him headfirst into the exposed turnbuckle. Running Kneese to the jaw gets the three count.
Winner: Tony Nese
Drew Gulak is interviewed backstage…
According to @DrewGulak, there is a PROBLEM on @WWE205Live and the @WWEUniverse is to BLAME! #205Live @WWENetwork pic.twitter.com/LCPR0AQto5
— WWE (@WWE) March 22, 2017
Akira Tozawa Vs. Local Talent
The jobber runs at Tozawa, who immediately ducks and hits the snap German Suplex for the win!
Winner: Akira Tozawa
After the match Akira Tozawa calls-out Kendrick for a fight. The fans shout at Tozawa. He tells Kendrick to stop hiding but no sign of the man himself. Tozawa decides to go after Kendrick himself but as he leaves the ring he is attacked by a security guard, who turns out to be Brian Kendrick! Kendrick hits Sliced Bread No. 2 off of the apron to the floor. Kendrick grabs a mic and says that with his guidance, Tozawa could have been special. Lesson number 8: Appearances can be deceiving.
Noam Dar interrupts Rich Swann and Jack Gallagher. He asks them if they have anything to do with Alicia Fox getting a red nightgown. Swann laughs and says that whatever Dar wears in his spare time, is his prerogative. Dar says that whoever may be sending these gifts is wasting their time, because his relationship with Foxy is rock solid. Dar says that next week, on 205 Live, he and Swann will settle this like men.
Austin Aries out to air his grievances to the King of the Cruiserweights. He so politely gives his banana peel to a kid on the way down the ramp. He says he is going to get rid of the part that wasn’t working from last night’s Aries/Neville interview, Neville. He proceeds to ask himself questions, including shots at Neville’s level, bodily deficiencies and compensations, and almost some juicy info…until Neville comes out to confront A-Double.
Neville comes out with some strong words. Aries calls Neville a Debbie Downer, which catches on with the crowd for a solid ten seconds. Neville tells Aries to scuttle off, that he’s ran his mouth enough for one night. Aries disagrees, and says he’s joining commentary for Neville’s match.
Neville Vs. Mustafa Ali
Ali goes for the traditional handshake and Neville refuses. Neville slow plays the attack as Ali is rearing to go. Neville with a couple early take downs. We enter flippy territory momentarily until Neville reenters slow destruction. Neville turns his attention to Aries which allows Ali to get back in the match and go on the attack. An oddly placed collar/elbow tie up mid-match in a bit of a reset. Neville gets the best of it and stomps a mud hole in Ali in the corner. Neville throws Ali a solid ten feet in the air and lands with a thundering thud.
Neville whips Ali into the corner and bounces off. Neville sarcastically acknowledging the crowd like a house show and goes back to work. Neville locks in a submission and Ali begs for some space. He finds it and hits a spin kick to send Neville outside. Ali joins him with a springboard cross body to the outside. Ali makes it back in at a nine count. Ali with a rebound drop kick and a kip up. Roll-through neck breaker for the near fall. Neville catches Ali and crotches him on the top rope. Neville joins him but Ali hits a crazy standing Spanish Fly from the top and gets a near fall.
STANDING SPANISH FLY FROM THE TOP ROPE!!!@MustafaAliWWE is pulling out ALL THE STOPS against @WWENeville! #205Live pic.twitter.com/ORCuYVsqVs
— WWE (@WWE) March 22, 2017
Ali shoots over an attacking Neville and hits a spinning DDT buster of sorts. Ali heads up top, but Neville slides under the rope to avoid disaster in the form of the inverted 450. Neville with a huge release German Suplex from the top rope. Neville chooses not to go for a cover, but takes Ali outside instead. He spins Ali into the LED ring post and Ali is out. Neville drags the lifeless body of Ali back in the ring. Neville gloats for a moment then locks in the Rings of Saturn submission for the immediate tap and victory.
Winner: Neville
After the match Neville leaves the ring and has a staredown with Aries before grabbing his title. That’s it for this week’s 205 Live! What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments and I will see you here next Monday for more Raw! Until then, save travels!