Previously on 205 Live, Hideo Itami defeated Gentleman Jack Gallagher to a tepid response, Tony Nese returned after being kicked out of the Zo Train, and Cedric Alexander teamed with Mustafa Ali to defeat Zo Train members Drew Gulak and Daivari Dinero.
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And now, the best and worst of WWE 205 Live for January 2, 2018.
Worst: The High-Flying Action Cruiserweights Are Known For
TJP is back! After missing the last three months grinding his Destiny 2 character and fighting against net neutrality, the first Cruiserweight Champion has returned to absolutely zero buildup or fanfare. You can give Hideo a month-plus of vignettes and you can’t throw TJP a “next week” graphic?
This match didn’t work for me. In a vacuum, I liked it. A heel working a methodical, grounded match is Wrestling 101. But the placement on the card just killed it. I harp on the 205 Live crowds a lot, but I’m also watching it fresh, and haven’t been sitting in the arena for three hours already before it gets thrown at me. It has to be disheartening for TJP and Tozawa to know that they’re capable of opening it up and absolutely tearing the house down, but knowing they have to work in chin locks and just generally do “every WWE match; just smaller.”
Also, is it safe to assume that Akira Tozawa is no longer a part of Titus Worldwide? If we’re starting to integrate the rosters more, why not have Titus O’Neil at ringside URRAH URRAH URRAH-ing it up?
Best: Well-Dressed Man Lays Pipe (NSFW)
Alternate title: Getting Hideo over and other pipe dreams.
Gentleman Jack is, as always, fantastic on the mic. Of everyone on the 205 Live roster, I think Gentleman Jack Gallagher might have had the best year. He had a memorable spot in the Royal Rumble, a great feud with Neville, great matches all year on Raw and 205 Live, and transitioned perfectly into his heel role.
This “match” works to further the story, to further expore Jack Gallaher’s cruel nature, and to give Hideo an excuse for being beat down while still being the strongest and most dangerous wrestler on the roster. I think maybe they should have done this last week and had an actual match this week, but we will see where this goes.
Best: What Is This, A Crossover Episode?!
I’ve been begging WWE to start letting the cruiserweights interact more with the main roster. Now that they have, I have a general feeling of ” … okay.” I’m a huge Goldust fan, and seeing him still go as well as he does is pretty damned impressive, but it still seems like a weird fit. I thought on Raw when The Zo Train said Cedric needed to find a partner that we were for sure getting Tony Nese. And it would have made sense! The guy who was kicked out of the crew coming back to get his revenge. Or, Tony Nese returns only to turn on Cedric, proving that the EnzWo is 4 LIFE.
I thought Goldust would bring some goofy element to his, though. Like, he identifies as a 205-pound person, or he is a precious metal and his weight is actually measured in troy — which, when converted to the avoirdupois system he comes in under the weight limit. But no, just Goldust and Cedric are friends. Oh well. As long as Goldust is getting more screen time, it’s alright by me.
The match was better than the Raw version. Loved Goldust needing to catch his breath, and his reluctance to go back up to the top rope. Drew Gulak continues to be amazing on the mic and takes the Lumbar Check better than anyone. Hopefully Enzo bounces back from his illness and we can stop this holding pattern and finally get a cruiserweight title match.
Thanks for reading the first WWE 205 Live recap of 2018!
