Csonka’s WWE 205 Live Review 12.13.16

Csonka’s WWE 205 Live Review 12.1316

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Jack Gallagher defeated Drew Gulak @ 5:55 via pin [**¾]
– Lince Dorado vs. Mustafa Ali went to a double countout @ 3:50 [***]
– Non-Title Match: TJ Perkins defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann @ 9:50 via submission [***½]

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Jack Gallagher vs. Drew Gulak: Gulak took Gallagher down right away, they worked standing switches, with Gulak working side headlocks. We see a slick escape by Gallagher, who then looked to work the ground game, grounding Gulak. Gallagher used his speed and then worked a rolling crucifix. Gallagher then ties up Gulak in a knot, and then kicks Gulak in the ass. Gulak hits a kick to the face and then gets aggressive with strikes, Gallagher works counters but Gulak slams him to the mat. The neck breaker followed, focused on the neck and applied the cravat. Gallagher escapes, hits uppercuts and then covers for a near fall. Nice sunset flip counter by Gulak, slaps the shit out of Gallagher, but Gallagher hits the head butt and shotgun dropkick for the win. Jack Gallagher defeated Drew Gulak @ 5:55 via pin [**¾] This was pretty good overall, with Gallagher’s playfulness working well against the aggressiveness of Gulak.

– Perkins and Swann have a meeting. Perkins reminds Swann that he eliminated him from the CWC.

– We get a video package for Tajiri, who will be returning in the spring.

– Gallagher is being interviewed and Daivari arrived to interrupt. Gallagher offers to bury the hatchet, but Daivari is upset he was humiliated. This feud must continue.

– Ali cuts a promo and promises to show us what he’s all about.

Lince Dorado vs. Mustafa Ali: They worked a fun and quick opening; Dorado hit the RANA and leg lariat. Ali fought back with a kick and neck breaker, and grounded Dorado. Dorado used his speed to escape, hit a dropkick to the back. Dorado sets Ali up top, hits the RANA and that gets a near fall. They traded strikes, back handspring cutter by Dorado connects, and he then hits a head scissors to the floor. The moonsault follows, wiping out Ali. They did the countout tease, and we got the double countout. Ali attacked Dorado post match, and then Dorado sent him to the floor. Lince Dorado vs. Mustafa Ali went to a double countout @ 3:50 [***] That was good and more importantly fun; this feud will continue. I have no issues with draws if followed up on properly.

– Noam Dar meets with Alicia Fox, hitting on her. Fox wasn’t all that interested, because she is dating Cedric.

Non-Title Match: Champion Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins: Kendrick is out to do commentary. They worked a basic, but well-done opening stretch. Lots of back and forth, leading to a stalemate. They picked up the pace, doing some nice counters before Swann connected with the dropkick. Perkins avoided a charge by Swann, who flew to the floor. Perkins followed with the dropkick, and then grounded Swann. Swann quickly got back to the feet and fired up with kicks to Perkins. Rolling thunder by Swann scored for the near fall. Swann missed a moonsault to the floor, and started to favor the knee. Perkins followed with a dive, rolled Swann back in and covered for 2. Perkins hit the rolling suplexes, leading to another near fall. Perkins kept attacking the knee, following up on the possible injury and looking to set up the knee bar. Perkins showed good aggression and focus here. Swann kept trying to fight back, but was slowed due to the knee. They traded strikes and chops, Swann countered into a victory roll but Perkins escaped. Tiger bomb by Swann connects for the near fall. Swamm couldn’t hit the standing 450, due to the knee, and Perkins locked in the knee bar and Swann had to tap. TJ Perkins defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann @ 9:50 via submission [***½] The issue here is the same one I had with the Perkins vs. Kendrick match from Raw. I was not a fan of Swann losing ahead of the title match here; there are approximately 15 cruiserweights doing jack and shit so why not book two matches so both guys get wins and gain momentum and screen time ahead of the PPV. That being said, this was a very good effort, with Perkins playing it more serious and laying out a great plan of attack to take out the champion by working the knee.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

We’re still in the introductory phase, and I get that; they are doing some solid things, but I feel the matches need some more sizzle to make them feel more special and different. This week’s show had a bit more energy to it, and I felt was more enjoyable than the last couple shows.