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It was announced that Lio Rush would return to 205 Live next week. The Man of the Hour hasn't been seen on the Purple Brand since suffering his first loss at the hands of Cedric Alexander a month ago.
Backstage, Ariya Daivari said that he's tired of 205 Live not being as hard hitting as it should be. Hideo Itami congratulated him on his squash match from the week prior, and Daivari called him one of the last real men in professional wrestling.
Tony Nese vs Cedric Alexander
Nese has been in Alexander's head recently, and the former champion needed to get past him to move on to the title match on Sunday.
A "Let's go Cedric" chant rained down upon the ring as the two men attempted to feel each other out. A hair pull from Nese allowed him to get the early advantage, but Alexander's speed got him back in the game.
Alexander sent Nese flying with his handspring headscissors, but Nese landed on his feet. The two men traded shots and spots, but a dropkick from Alexander stopped Nese dead in his tracks. Alexander chased Nese around with stiff chops to the chest, then sent Nese over the ropes with a fireman's carry. Alexander went for a dive, but Nese rolled back inside.
Alexander caught himself and went for the springboard clothesline. However, Nese caught him with a running uppercut, stunning the former champion. The Soul of 205 Live was tested by Nese, as he was repeatedly slung into the turnbuckle. Nese then caught his opponent with a punch to the throat, followed by slingshotting him onto the top rope, finishing up with the springboard moonsault.
Alexander kicked out at two, and Nese quickly locked in the body scissors. A rough clothesline from Nese kept Alexander from picking up momentum after escaping, and the Premier Athlete locked him back into a rear chin lock. Alexander escaped again and baited Nese into trying to counter the springboard clothesline.
Alexander then planted Nese with the springboard flatliner. With the momentum finally back on his side, Alexander caught Nese with multiple clotheslines, a dropkick to the knees that sent Nese into the turnbuckle, and a kick to the jaw.
Alexander finally connected with the springboard clothesline, but Nese kicked out. Alexander picked up Nese and prevented him from mounting some offense, catching him in the back of the head with a kick.
Alexander went for the Lumbar Check, but Nese held onto the ropes. Nese then dropped Alexander with the fireman's carry gutbuster, followed by an elbow and a running forearm smash. Alexander kicked out at two.
Alexander fought back and went for the Neuralizer, but Nese countered into a Samoan Drop. Nese then sent Alexander outside, connecting with the Fosbury Flop to the floor.
Back inside, Nese nearly pinned Alexander, who kicked out and drove Nese down with the Michinoku Driver. Nese kicked out, and Alexander went for the Lumbar Check again. Nese blocked it but was caught by a kick from Alexander. Nese blocked it again but was met by a Neuralizer, followed by a Lumbar Check.
Results: Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese via pinfall.
Less than a week to go before his championship rematch, Cedric Alexander finally redeemed one of his two losses of 2018. Alexander looked to knock off the other on Sunday. Murphy stood at the top of the ramp and dropped the title before rushing the ring.
Alexander got the best of the Juggernaut, who went to the outside. Murphy was met by a flying Alexander, who sent Murphy reeling to the back.
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