Every once in a while, 205 Live goes nuts. Acrobatics are impressive, aerial assaults spectacular and thigh slaps admirable but at root, this is rasslin pal. We need viciousness, we need vengeance and most importantly, we need violence. Well, these almost bi-monthly ?No Disqualification? matches provide the Cruiserweight division exactly that, the blow-offs to 205?s most contentious feuds. Tonight, Tony Nese and Noam Dar continue that proud tradition, adding another chapter to one of our greatest tales.
All hail.
DISCLAIMER: this show is in many ways, designed for my distaste. Take all critiques with a grain of salt as frankly, they are almost all misplaced and many even come with a disgusting bias. On the bright side, if I enjoy this programme, it bodes very well for your own enjoyment. In that sense, it?s ideal.
We mixed it up this week, opening with a traditional video package all about the Tony Nese/Noam Dar feud thus far.
Lince Dorado vs. Gentleman Jack Gallagher
Opening match time pal but first, the Lucha House Party have microphones in hand. They got the crowd fired up here, next transitioning to last night?s debacle with Elias. This resulted in the conclusion that Metalik would sing but The Submission Commission cut him off instead. Ha. Jack went right to work, grappling Dorado to the mat until Lince used some lucha stuff to fire back. Gallagher then grounded him again though, applying a headlock but soon running into a tilt a whirl backbreaker for 2.
Even still, Jack quickly cut him off once more, using the ropes to his advantage while on commentary, Gulak explained his interest in Humberto Carrillo. In-ring, Gallagher continued to thwart Dorado?s offense throughout, landing a backbreaker of his own for 2. An abdominal stretch came next but Dorado countered, following Jack to the floor with a frankly terrifying dive. A pair of quick pin attempts almost closed the show for Lince too, soon landing a crossbody for another near-fall. Dorado?s three moonsaults followed but Gallagher blocked the third, next landing a big powerbomb for 2.
He then applied the single leg Boston crab but Lince flipped free, creating space and landing a superkick only for Jack to rebound with a headbutt for 2. Golden Rewind turned the tide in an instant regardless, with a strike exchange commencing as both men fought to their feet. Lince came out on top, next thinking hurricanrana but instead getting caught in a roll-up as Gallagher scored the win. For the Submission Commission, this meant jubilant celebrations all round and rightly so too!
As for the match, I really liked it. Gallagher always brings a unique package and Dorado was sharp here as well, gelling nicely for a rather exciting opening match. As is almost always the case with this spot though, this match was a few minutes short of reaching that next level. No one?s fault, just the reality of their situation.
Grade: B
Off backstage now as we are told that thankfully, Noam and Nese have been granted separate locker rooms. Humberto Carrillo then interrupted this announcement though, rudely walking through while trying to dodge an interview too. He eventually answered a question nonetheless, respecting Gulak and Gallagher by saying that if two of the best wrestlers want to help, he at least has to listen. AGREE.
Following this, we headed to a promo from Ariya Daivari. He questioned his prior role as helper of failures before describing Enzo as a ?wannabe wrestler.? AGREE. Either way, Ariya concluded by assuring that while he already has the miles and the money, it?s now about becoming champion. I must say, this presentation was rather neat.
Another promo came next, with Mike Kanellis talking about his journey to WWE and more importantly, the fact that he didn?t work 16 years to be seen as a joke. In response, Maria told Mike to prioritize the process as every loss is a step closer to success. It?s not A match that creates a legend but instead, it?s all about THE match. Sounds good to me pal.
Street Fight
Noam Dar vs. Tony Nese
Main event time now as Dar jumped Nese before the first bell, sending him off the apron and immediately flurrying at ringside. This included an early northern lights suplex and Noam then continued his attack on the outside, launching Nese into the steps and then positioning them as a ramp too. That allowed Dar to clothesline Nese off the barricade before Noam next used the turnbuckle to attack his foe?s fingers. Nese was writhing in agony but then fired back, launching Dar into the ring-post and cutting him off.
Now in control, Nese began to throw Dar around at ringside, next retrieving a steel chair and going to work. That included using the chair as a bridge for his springboard moonsault but Dar stayed in it, kicking out at 2. A chair-assisted body slam followed, with Nese dominating proceedings until Dar evaded him to turn the tide. A dragon screw leg whip continued the comeback and the leg briefly became Dar?s new focus. Noam didn?t discriminate though, next suplexing Nese into the corner for yet another near-fall.
With the action back at ringside, Dar brought out a table as well as 9841 chairs. Nese soon used these chairs as a crash mat, finding himself back body dropped directly onto them. In response, ?Nigel? chants emerged while in-ring, a welt formed on Dar?s arm. Even still, he returned his focus to Nese?s leg, slamming it into a steel chair and then applying a single leg Boston crab as well. Nese attacked Dar?s fingers in seek of an escape though, next hitting a chair-assisted pump-handle driver for 2.
Both men were now floored, with Dar somehow fighting upright first. A brawl commenced from there, trading strikes until Dar employed the chair as a shield before then using it to trap Nese?s arm. The Fujiwara armbar followed but Nese rolled free while almost scoring a roll-up win too. In agony, Nese next rolled to the floor but quickly fired back regardless, using the steps again after opting against the table. Dar countered though, sweeping Nese?s leg but then being floored on the apron himself.
With the action back at ringside, Dar brought out a table as well as 9841 chairs. Nese soon used these chairs as a crash mat, finding himself back body dropped directly onto them. In response, ?Nigel? chants emerged while in-ring, a welt formed on Dar?s arm. Even still, he returned his focus to Nese?s leg, slamming it into a steel chair and then applying a single leg Boston crab as well. Nese attacked Dar?s fingers in seek of an escape though, next hitting a chair-assisted pump-handle driver for 2.
Both men were now floored, with Dar somehow fighting upright first. A brawl commenced from there, trading strikes until Dar employed the chair as a shield before then using it to trap Nese?s arm. The Fujiwara armbar followed but Nese rolled free while almost scoring a roll-up win too. In agony, Nese next rolled to the floor but quickly fired back regardless, using the steps again after opting against the table. Dar countered though, sweeping Nese?s leg but then being floored on the apron himself.
Tony then powered out of an armbar attempt as well, slamming Dar onto the steps and then repeating the feat, launching Dar onto the announce table and shattering it in the process. Somehow, Dar still kicked out though, next attempting another quick roll-up before avoiding The Running Kneese and continuing his attack on Tony?s leg. The ankle lock followed and without a rope break available, Nese used the chair to break free, then using it to take out Dar?s knee too.
With Dar rocked, Nese seized, kneeing Noam?s head straight through the barricade and then dragging his lifeless body back into the ring. Mercifully, that was all she wrote and after 20 minutes of violence, this one had finally met its finish.
I honestly don?t know where to start with this match. In a world filled with feuds and rivalries, the in-ring action far too rarely reflects the conflict?s gravity. That wasn?t the case here, as Dar came out firing and the physicality steadily escalated before reaching a stunning fever pitch at its climax. This may seem bizarre considering the environment but in truth, this match was actually a throwback in approach. The content certainly featured flashes of the spectacular but at its core, this was a main event built on hate and aggression.
Nese and Dar wrestled like men genuinely desperate to destroy each other and they did a beautiful job of it too. I felt every minute of this and in a landscape loaded with great wrestling, this match stands out in a category of its own. The grudge match remains one of wrestling?s great tools and thankfully, this match was perfect proof of exactly that.
Grade: A*
Following that, we went off the air with a contract signing between Buddy Murphy and Akira Tozawa. This was very brief, with Buddy offering a selfie before claiming that this?ll be easy work as he looks to become the Cruiserweight GOAT. Tozawa scoffed at this arrogance, reminding Buddy of a certain ?king? that he once dethroned. I KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!
Final Thoughts
Look pal, I?m not overcomplicating this matter. The first match was very good and the main event is an absolute 205 all-timer in my mind. This was a delightful 50 minutes of pro wrestling, a show mostly built around a match that I simply can?t recommend enough. Loved it, nothing else to say.
Grade: A*