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Backstage, Buddy Murphy was seen giving Tony Nese a pep talk, telling him to look towards the future. As Nese left, Murphy was interviewed and said that he looks to erase the one blemish on his 205 Live record: Mustafa Ali.
Tony Nese vs Keith Clayball
Tony Nese came out, starting up his "8 Reasons why I'm better than you" schtick. The Premier Athlete's opponent was already in the ring.
Nese tossed Clayball into the corner, showing off his muscle to the crowd. Nese then hit Clayball with a combination of kicks. Clayball crawled to another corner, but Nese put him in the Tree of Woe, stomping him while he was upside down. Nese then hit Clayball with unique exercise kicks.
As Nese went for a running boot, Clayball dodged. However, Nese ran him over with two running forearms. Nese threw his opponent outside, then followed him out for another stiff spinning forearm. Nese threw him into the corner and hit the Running Nese for the win.
Results: Tony Nese defeated Keith Clayball
A video package played after the match, highlighting Hideo Itami's career in the WWE thus far, from NXT all the way to 205 Live. Itami stated that he didn't like teaming with Akira Tozawa, saying that he never needed a partner.
Itami said Tozawa didn't deserve him as a partner, blaming Tozawa for their losses in recent weeks. If it wasn't clear last week, it seems that the team is officially broken up.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
