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General Manager Drake Maverick introduced the WWE Universe to the 101st episode of 205 Live by highlighting the fantastic Falls Count Anywhere match which main evented last week's episode.
Tonight, Brian Kendrick faced Jack Gallagher in an effort to get some revenge. The Gentleman, along with Drew Gulak, threw Kendrick to the curb last month. Now, the Man with the Plan looks to tear apart Gallagher before moving on to Gulak.
After his impressive performance last week, Mustafa Ali earned a shot to become the new #1 Contender to the Cruiserweight Championship. Ali had to get through the champion's best friend, Tony Nese, to claim that position, though. Would The Heart of 205 Live become the next challenger for Buddy Murphy, or would the Premier Athlete put Ali away?
#1 Jack Gallagher w/Drew Gulak vs Brian Kendrick
Though Gallagher and Gulak had smiles on their faces while they awaited their former friend, the intensity of The Brian Kendrick seemed to get to the duo. Gulak joined the commentary table as Gallagher and Kendrick began.
Kendrick started off the fight with multiple elbow strikes to Gallagher's face. The Gentleman attempted to force him off, but Kendrick chased him outside with a baseball slide. A distraction from Gulak allowed Gallagher to take over. The British Bully slung Kendrick repeatedly into the ring post, then began working over Kendrick with some dirty looking strikes.
Kendrick begged Gallagher to bring it, then began picking up some momentum, catching Gallagher with a brutal forearm followed by a back body drop.
Kendrick continued to maintain control and would attempt the Captain's Hook. However, Gallagher held onto the ropes. Kendrick swapped into a Tiger Suplex, and as Gallagher kicked out, Kendrick transitioned into the Captain's Hook.
Gallagher fought to the ropes and took to the outside to catch his breath. Kendrick was goaded into the ropes, where Gallagher took his chance to strike.
Kendrick escaped a rear naked choke and managed to avoid the corner dropkick from Gallagher.
As Gulak went to interfere in the match, Akira Tozawa made the save, laying Gulak out with a spinning roundhouse kick. Kendrick defeated Gallagher with the Sliced Bread No.2.
Results: Brian Kendrick defeated Jack Gallagher via pinfall.
Kendrick and Tozawa stood tall in the ring as Gulak and Gallagher backed away.
Backstage, Drake Maverick told Cedric Alexander that he would eventually get a shot at the Cruiserweight Championship. However, after suffering a 3-match losing streak, the GM said that the best option was to put someone else in the match that is on a hot streak, being Tony Nese or Mustafa Ali.
Alexander said he understood, and after he picked up some wins, would come back and demand his rematch.
#2 Gran Metalik vs Local Talent
Gran Metalik looked to continue building Lucha House Party's momentum after the group picked up a surprise win over the Revival on Monday Night Raw. Metalik called the CruiserGreat a coward, and challenged him "as a man". TJP denied his request, claiming that he's already proven he's better than Metalik.
Metalik was too fast for his opponent tonight, using his skill with the ropes to avoid any serious damage. The King of the Ropes dropped him with a facebuster before finishing the bout with a rope walking springboard elbow drop.
Results:
TJP attacked Metalik from behind as Lucha House Party was celebrating on the stage. TJP took his opportunity to strike, unmasking the third and final member of the group, Gran Metalik.
Backstage, Buddy Murphy revealed that he would face off against one of the UK's best, Mark Andrews, when 205 Live takes place in Manchester next week. When asked what happens if Nese won, Murphy replied coldly with, "None of your business."
After the commercial break, Mike and Maria Kanellis were met by TJP backstage, still holding the mask of Gran Metalik. TJP said he'd show the couple around the place. While the couple seemed upset at him for interrupting the interview, they took his offer into consideration.
#3 Number One Contender's Match: Mustafa Ali vs Tony Nese
Two of 205 Live's best competitors looked to earn a shot at Buddy Murphy and the Cruiserweight Championship. A wounded Mustafa Ali had an incredible mountain to climb, facing off against a fresh Premier Athlete.
Tony Nese quickly went for Ali's ribs, driving him straight into the ring post. Nese then delivered a stiff kick to Ali's abdomen. Ali escaped another attack from Nese, flipping over him before sending him outside with a hurricanrana.
He went for a crossbody over the top, but Nese caught him, sending him flying with a fallaway slam to the ramp. Nese continued to show his power, gorilla pressing Ali before dropping him across the barricade.
Back inside, Nese continued to work the ribs, delivering a handful of knees to the Heart of 205 Live's gut. Ali kicked out at two but had a hard time catching his breath.
Nese continued to kick Ali's ribs, cutting off Ali's momentum every time he picked up speed with a kick to his abdomen. Ali went for the springboard tornado DDT but was caught by Nese, who turned it into a Northern Lights Suplex. Ali kicked out and was again punished by Nese with more kicks to the midsection.
Nese locked Ali in the body scissors, repeatedly slapping him while wearing him down. Ali turned the hold into a pinning attempt, but Nese kicked out, taking him down with two spinning heel kicks to the ribs.
Mustafa Ali finally got some space between he and Nese, driving him into the corner. However, Nese avoided a body attack, hanging him up on the ropes. Nese went for the springboard moonsault, but Ali avoided, turning a sunset flip into a sit out powerbomb.
Ali goaded Nese into the corner, avoiding an assault from the Premier Athlete and connecting with the rolling X-Factor facebuster. Nese rolled outside, but Ali didn't give him a chance to rest, flying over the top rope and dishing out some serious damage. Back in the ring, Nese kicked out at two.
Nese picked Ali up in the fireman's carry position, but Ali escaped, connecting with a superkick to Nese's jaw and a superkick to the back of his head. Nese kicked out at two.
Nese took out Ali before he could go for the 054. However, Ali escaped another power move attempted by Nese, finally planting him with the Tornado DDT. Nese, yet again, kicked out at two.
Ali took to the top again, but a rolling palm strike from Nese would leave him almost unconscious. Nese dropped him from up top to the ground with a gutbuster, but the Heart of 205 Live continued to beat, kicking out at two.
Nese, frustrated, wildly attacked Ali. The Premier Athlete tore apart the tape around his ribs. However, Ali was able to flip Nese on his back, picking up the win with a surprising pin.
Results: Mustafa Ali defeated Toni Nese via pinfall
Buddy Murphy's first challenger for the Cruiserweight Championship is none other than his longtime rival, and the man he put on multiple matches of the year contenders against, Mustafa Ali.
Nese looked to beat down Ali but was cut off by Cedric Alexander. Alexander, seemingly, was about to drop Ali with the Lumbar Check, but instead congratulated his friend on his accomplishment. Buddy Murphy, accompanying Tony Nese, stood at the top of the ramp, with the title raised above his head to end the show.
