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WWE 205 Live still gave us a Dusty Cup match, but this was also the week that brought back cruiserweight action. Jake Atlas, Ariya Daivari, and August Grey kicked the night off with a spectacular Triple Threat match.
With Atlas, Daivari, and Grey all out of the Dusty Cup in the opening round, they've set their sights back on the cruiserweight division, 205 Live, and the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Our main event featured the WWE debut of the recently signed Zoey Stark. Her tag team partner? Marina Shafir. However, they were up for a tough task, as they battled Shotzi Blackheart and former NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon.
Let's get to the opening bout of the night.
Jake Atlas vs August Grey vs Ariya Daivari on 205 Live
205 Live OG Ariya Daivari, of course, wanted to assert his dominance over the newer competitors. August Grey and Jake Atlas, though, were not ones to be trifled with. A big dive from Grey knocked Daivari out on the floor, giving us the one-on-one showoff with Atlas and Grey.
Atlas pelted Grey with a slow, strong striking combination, and rocked him with an enzuigiri, but as they went up, they're both taken down by Daivari Dinero. Atlas was launched to the floor while Daivari focused on Grey. A heavy forearm smashed Grey's face in before Daivari turned his attention on Atlas.
It was a bad decision, as it gave Grey the chance to recover and drive Daivari into the 205 Live mat with a backdrop. Atlas, looked to steal the pin while Grey tried to regain focus, only got a two-count on Daivari.
Still, the 205 Live Veteran was able to get back in the swing of things quickly, controlling both of his opponents. Atlas stunned Daivari with a dropkick but was sent to the floor for his trouble. Grey followed up with a tightrope-walking crossbody on Daivari. Atlas rolled in but was tossed overhead with an inverse exploder suplex.
Atlas managed to give Daivari some of his own medicine, spinning him out for a devastating lariat. However, Daivari quickly recovered and sent Grey careening into Atlas. The Persian Lion Splash landed right on Grey, but Daivari couldn't get the win.
Daivari was knocked to the floor as Atlas spiked Grey with a brainbuster. A suicide dive knocked Daivari off his feet, but as Atlas moved back in Grey rocked him with a superkick. Grey moved up for a dive, but instead of going for the win, dove onto Daivari. Atlas brought Grey inside for another brainbuster and was nearly pinned in the process.
Atlas kicked out and hit the stunner. The Cartwheel DDT spiked Grey, but Atlas couldn't capitalize as he was dragged out by Daivari. A fist wrapped in a chain knocked out Atlas, and the 205 Live OG knocked Grey's block off with the Hammerlock Lariat.
Results: Ariya Daivari defeated August Grey via pinfall on 205 Live.
Grade: B+
Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Zoey Stark and Marina Shafir vs Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart on 205 Live
In her WWE and 205 Live debut, Zoey Stark shoved Shotzi Blackheart into her corner with ease. Blackheart tagged out to former NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon, who was also surprised by the pure strength of Stark.
Marina Shafir tagged in next, with the MMA Four Horsewomen member using her judo background to get the best of Moon. The Shenom didn't back down, though, and went blow for blow with Shafir. Stark ran in, and both she and Shafir fell into the ropes for some tandem strikes by Blackheart and Moon.
Stark and Shafir got the upper hand in the 205 Live main event when the ref's back was turned, leaving Shotzi in an extremely compromising position on the wrong side of the ring. A pump handle toss sent Blackheart overhead, and a pumphandle GTS, dubbed Go To Stark, landed. Stark would've gotten the win if Moon didn't make the save.
Blackheart managed to tag out, and Moon battered Stark with some strong right hands and boots. A double underhook suplex planted Stark, and Moon followed up with a running hip attack. The leaping codebreaker dropped Stark for a two-count. Blackheart and Shafir fought to the floor as Moon trapped Stark in an arching STF Crossface to get the win.
Results: Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart defeated Zoey Stark and Marina Shafir via submission on 205 Live.
Grade: B
In their 205 Live debut, Moon and Blackheart picked up an incredible win against a surprisingly well-oiled machine in Shafir and Stark. This was Stark's first showing for the WWE Universe, and she showed out.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
