By Jon
COMMENTATORS: Vic Joseph & Nigel McGuinness
This week’s 205 Live features a preview of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic as Curt Stallion & August Grey take on The Bollywood Boyz in the main event.
CHAMPION
- NXT CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION: Santos Escobar
LINEUP
- Ashante Thee Adonis vs. Ariya Daivari (**)
- Curt Stallion & August Grey vs. The Bollywood Boyz (**1/4)
*****
-McGuinness opened the show throwing shade at Joseph for wearing the same suit he wore at New Year’s Evil on Wednesday, SUPER SUBTLE jab at the shows being taped on the same day. I love it.
Ashante Thee Adonis defeated Ariya Daivari via pinfall (8:48)
Daivari got the first few shots in but Adonis quickly bounced back, absorbing a series of chops and connecting with a spinebuster. Adonis missed a corner splash, going shoulder-first into the middle buckle, but knowing that his opponent’s finisher requires the use of both legs he opted to instead focus his attack on the left knee instead. Adonis mounted a comeback with a string of offense and went for Long Kiss Goodnight but Daivari ducked and that caused Adonis to put too much weight on his bad leg. Daivari attempted to seize the opportunity with a Figure Four but Adonis fought through and reversed the pressure, forcing a break. Daivari connected with a urinage and went for the Hammerlock Lariat, but Adonis ducked and rolled him up; Daivari kicked out and instinctively charged but unfortunately it was right into the Long Kiss Goodnight and that was that.
- Perfectly Acceptable Wrestling. I appreciate Daivari not taking the easy way out focusing on the shoulder, instead opting for the legs because it made more sense tactic-wise. Didn’t work out for him but that’s besides the point, stop badgering me. Commentary made mention of possible issues brewing between Daivari and Tony Nese, we’ll see if anything comes from it. (**)
-VIDEO: NXT GM William Regal announced that the 1st round of The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, starting next week, will be on both NXT and 205 Live.
-NEW YEAR’S EVIL: Santos Escobar retained his NXT Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Gran Metalik of Lucha House Party.
Curt Stallion & August Grey defeated The Bollywood Boyz (Samir & Sunil Singh) via pinfall (9:32)
Samir got some early offense on Grey with a crucifix roll-up and the ol’ reliable armdrag/armbar combo, but Grey wrestled control back after a roll-up attempt. Stallion tagged in, rolling through a sunset flip attempt to connect with a double stomp. Stallion and Grey cleared the ring with a pair of dropkicks, Grey went to the outside to fight Sunil but was blindsided with a clothesline with Samir, giving the Boyz the offensive advantage. Samir & Sunil quick tagged as they wore Grey down and eventually hit their finisher, the Bollywood Blast, but Stallion made it in the nick of time to break up the pinfall attempt. Grey escaped both men and made the tag to Stallion, who hit a rapid-fire string of corner offense. Grey tagged in and sent Sunil to the floor, who was then flattened by a tope suicida from Stallion. Grey connected with a suplex on Samir, Stallion attempted a follow-up splash but got nothing but boots to the face and covered as Sunil held onto Grey but couldn’t get the three. Stallion rocked both Boyz with headbutts and Grey finished Samir off with his Acid Drop version of an Unprettier to get the win.
- A fun tag team match as Stallion/Grey pick up some momentum heading into the tournament next week. Bollywood Boyz continue to be entertaining both in and out of the ring and I hope they get their due eventually. Given they were on the very first episode of 205 Live damn near half a decade ago I’m not liking their chances but fingers crossed. Stallion is the top dog in 205 Live, making Grey top dog by association as well, and I give them a better chance of at least making the 2nd round. I just hope that Stallion gets to actually cash in his title shot before everyone forgets he has it and they go on living their lives. It seemed like the Escobar match was gonna happen but then that just sorta…stopped being a build. (**1/4)
Stallion & Grey celebrated to end the show.
*****
FINAL THOUGHTS: Breezy watch, couple of good matches, you know the drill. 205 Live getting some of that Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic action is pretty cool though, yet ANOTHER reason why being integrated more with NXT is a positive and should continue to happen even after the world “goes back to normal”.
