5 Ways WWE Can Save 205 Live

Enzo Am
Enzo Amore

205 Live is WWE’s program specifically dedicated to the recently revived Cruiserweight Division. The Cruiserweight Division was an integral part of WCW’s rating success against WWE during the beginning of the Monday Night Wars.

These lightweight stars were showcased by WCW as a contrast against the heavyweight players.

The fast paced, high-flying and acrobatic style added something fresh and new to wrestling fans every week, quickly elevating the Cruiserweights into one of the most popular weekly programs on Nitro and bringing attention to the likes of Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Dean Malenko, Jushin Thunder Liger as well as the legendary Eddie Guerrero.

The Cruiserweight Division was deactivated in 2007 but revived in 2016 for the Cruiserweight Classic tournament, which was won by TJP, crowning him the first Cruiserweight Champion in nearly 10 years.

Many of the tournament’s participants were signed by WWE and thereafter, the company created the 205 Live roster. Despite their undeniable talent, the show has so-far received criticism for not catching the interest of the WWE Universe.

We don’t think this is a case of the talent, as a few of these Cruiserweights are connecting to audiences, but the show as a whole seems to lack some lustre.

Here are top 5 things that WWE can do to save 205 live...


#5. Let it take place before SmackDown Live

SmackDown Live
SmackDown Live

Given that SmackDown Live is only a two hour show, it makes sense that 205 Live has been tacked on after it to match the duration of Raw, giving all audiences for both shows a consistent three-hour show-length.

The only issue with this is that audiences can get drained once Smackdown is over, leaving little energy to truly get into 205 Live. Many Cruiserweights have yet to find that “thing” or characteristic that connects to the audience, therefore making them relatively unknown to a lot of the WWE Universe.

Thus, if you’re a casual fan who only came for Smackdown Live, you might not find much interest in sticking around for 205 Live, possibly leaving, thereby lowering the audiences volume.

It would be much more beneficial to the show if 205 Live was performed before SmackDown Live, not after. Nothing would get an audience warmed up like seeing some high-flying action, elevating excitement early-on before SmackDown takes place.

#4 Blending with the UK roster

WWE
WWE UK Championship Arena

The Cruiserweight Classic hasn’t been the only tournament held since the launch of the WWE Network. The WWE United Kingdom Championship Special featured some of the U.K.’s grittiest and heaviest hitters in the scene.

WWE fans were immediately drawn to the U.K. wrestling style, and are always excited to see the likes of Moustache Mountain, Wolfgang and current WWE U.K. Champ, “The Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne.

U.K. talents, despite their overwhelming popularity, are not often on WWE TV, usually only making sporadic appearances on NXT. It was only recently that Pete Dunne made an appearance on RAW to face the Cruiserweight Champion: Enzo Amore in a winning effort.

Bringing the U.K.’s grittiness to the acrobatic Cruiserweight style could not only make for some really cool matchups, but also add interesting dynamics to each title and the contrasted rivalries that could ensue.

#3 Adding some female talent

A
Alicia Fox with Noam Dar& Rich Swan

With the only title on the show being the Cruiserweight Championship, a men’s title, I guess WWE hasn’t seen much reason to put any women on the show as the Women’s titles are on display on RAW, SmackDown Live and NXT.

With the elevation of women in wrestling as well as the quality of their matches, it should still make sense for WWE to display them in all of their programming, including 205 Live.

I guess at one point Alicia Fox was in a romantic storyline on 205 Live with Cedric Alexander, Noam Dar and Rich Swann, but most of us try to forget that ever happened.

205 Live could perhaps feature the women who aren’t performing as regularly on RAW or SmackDown Live. It could be a great platform for superstars who are a little lost in the shuffle at the moment, giving them an opportunity to get some reps in when they aren’t featured on the main show.

It would be great not only for female superstars, but for fans. Adding women to the mix will give us a little bit of a break from all that in-ring testosterone.

#2 Adding some new talent

Rey My
Rey Mysterio

Don’t get me wrong, many of the Cruiserweight Division stars are great and fun to watch. The only problem is, as mentioned earlier, many have not yet developed their character to a point of audience connection.

If WWE looked elsewhere for some more-established light-weight stars, or brought some familiar faces back, it would not only add locker-room veterans the young-roster can learn from, but they will also bring attention to the show.

Could you imagine the likes of Low Ki, the Young Bucks or even the return of Rey Mysterio in 205 Live?

#1 Changing the name of the show

205 Live logo
205 Live logo

The reason the show is called 205 Live is because you must be 205 pounds or lower to be considered a Cruiserweight. It makes sense but, to be honest, it’s kind of boring.

RAW and SmackDown Live have such statements behind them but 205 is just a number. It doesn’t really tell you anything about the product or garner any interest. Cool titles for things can go a long way.

But what could the new name be? The show’s concept does seem like it could be kind of difficult to give a proper name to. I would almost say that WWE should take a relic from the vault and bring back the Velocity namesake.

For those who don’t know, Velocity was a B-card show for the SmackDown Live brand from 2002-2006, which is actually kind of perfect considering 205 Live currently records directly after Smackdown Live.


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