A grudge match between Candice LeRae and Nikki Cross brought out a scary intensity in Candice Wrestling, while Lars Sullivan’s warpath was rerouted by a Limitless avenger.
Tony Nese defeated Noam Dar. (205 Live)
Following his triumphant title defense at Survivor Series, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy returned to WWE 205 Live to address the WWE Universe, celebrating his victory and saying he can’t be stopped. With that, his training partner Tony Nese made his way to the ring to face Noam Dar. Splitting his time between WWE 205 Live and NXT UK, The Scottish Supernova was more than eager to accept the opportunity to face The Premier Athlete and make a statement.
Both Superstars beamed with confidence as the match got underway, but Nese’s power gave him an early advantage. The Premier Athlete’s taunting backfired when Dar grabbed his opponent’s arm mid-flex and began to unleash his technical wizardry and fast-paced style. Dar’s agility and precision strikes drove Nese from the ring where he sought moral support from Buddy Murphy.
Dar’s verbal sparring with the champion gave Nese the opening he needed to recover, and he drove The Scottish Supernova into the ring apron. Dar struck back with a swift kick to the shin that knocked Nese off the middle rope.
Refusing to quit, The Scottish Supernova unleashed a flurry of strikes that left Nese dazed and gave Dar the perfect opportunity to prepare the NovaRolla. With the official distracted, Murphy grabbed Dar’s leg, forcing him to divert his attention long enough for Nese to strike. Following a high knee to the back and a German suplex into the turnbuckle, The Premier Athlete executed his patented Running Nese for the win.
After the match, Murphy added insult to injury by kicking a defeated Dar off the ring apron before continuing to celebrate with Nese. (Via WWE.com)
Both Superstars beamed with confidence as the match got underway, but Nese’s power gave him an early advantage. The Premier Athlete’s taunting backfired when Dar grabbed his opponent’s arm mid-flex and began to unleash his technical wizardry and fast-paced style. Dar’s agility and precision strikes drove Nese from the ring where he sought moral support from Buddy Murphy.
Dar’s verbal sparring with the champion gave Nese the opening he needed to recover, and he drove The Scottish Supernova into the ring apron. Dar struck back with a swift kick to the shin that knocked Nese off the middle rope.
Refusing to quit, The Scottish Supernova unleashed a flurry of strikes that left Nese dazed and gave Dar the perfect opportunity to prepare the NovaRolla. With the official distracted, Murphy grabbed Dar’s leg, forcing him to divert his attention long enough for Nese to strike. Following a high knee to the back and a German suplex into the turnbuckle, The Premier Athlete executed his patented Running Nese for the win.
After the match, Murphy added insult to injury by kicking a defeated Dar off the ring apron before continuing to celebrate with Nese. (Via WWE.com)
Akira Tozawa & The Brian Kendrick defeated Local Competition. (205 Live)
Akira Tozawa and The Brian Kendrick have one of the most storied rivalries in WWE 205 Live’s history, making them the unlikeliest of allies against Drew Gulak and Gentleman Jack Gallagher, their mutual enemies. As a result, it’s understandable that their first outing as a tag team against their nemeses last week on WWE 205 Live didn’t go as planned, and they suffered a defeat after a miscue.
Looking to get on the same page, Tozawa and Kendrick teamed up one again, despite Gulak and Gallagher – watching from the locker room – expressing their confidence that Tozawa and Kendrick don’t have what it takes to be a proper tag team like them.
As they squared off against a pair of local competitors, The Stamina Monster and The Man with a Plan dominated most of the contest by displaying excellent teamwork. The former WWE Cruiserweight Champions sealed the victory when Kendrick executed Sliced Bread No. 2 and Tozawa took to the skies to hit a flying Senton. Reveling in their victory, the former rivals congratulated each other and did a Tozawa chant together, proving they may be on the same page after all. (Via WWE.com)
Looking to get on the same page, Tozawa and Kendrick teamed up one again, despite Gulak and Gallagher – watching from the locker room – expressing their confidence that Tozawa and Kendrick don’t have what it takes to be a proper tag team like them.
As they squared off against a pair of local competitors, The Stamina Monster and The Man with a Plan dominated most of the contest by displaying excellent teamwork. The former WWE Cruiserweight Champions sealed the victory when Kendrick executed Sliced Bread No. 2 and Tozawa took to the skies to hit a flying Senton. Reveling in their victory, the former rivals congratulated each other and did a Tozawa chant together, proving they may be on the same page after all. (Via WWE.com)
Gran Metalik defeated TJP. (205 Live)
Returning to action after celebrating the birth of his child, Gran Metalik finally had his long-awaited opportunity to defend the honor of The Lucha House Party and battle TJP. The Cruisergreat didn’t want to face The King of the Ropes in recent weeks, citing his victory in the finals of the Cruiserweight Classic as evidence that he’s already proven he’s better than Metalik. However, after forming an alliance with Maria and Mike Kanellis, TJP reconsidered and decided to lock up with The King of the Ropes after all.
As Metalik and The Lucha House Party awaited TJP, they were instead greeted by Maria Kanellis, who heralded the arrival of her husband and The Cruisergreat, both wearing masks stolen from The Lucha House Party. Seeing the ultimate sign of disrespect, The Lucha House Party charged up the entrance ramp ready for a fight. WWE 205 Live General Drake Maverick raced out to cut them off and barely stopped what would have been a wild brawl. Maverick removed Maria, Mike, Kalisto and Lince Dorado to ensure the match between TJP and Metalik would take place.
Fired up, Metalik immediately dropkicked his opponent out of the ring and flattened him with a high-flying maneuver. The King of the Ropes remained relentless, not allowing his opponent a moment to catch his breath. However, the first-ever WWE Cruiserweight Champion countered Metalik’s offense and began to soften him up with his unique technical ability.
Seizing an opportunity to finally apply the kneebar, TJP grew frustrated after Metalik made his way to the ropes, breaking the hold. Grabbing one of The Lucha House Party’s pinata’s, The Cruisergreat was stopped in his tracks, but his opponent quickly capitalized by reversing a hurricanrana and scoring the pinfall.
After the match, Kalisto and Lince Dorado made their way into the ring to celebrate with Metalik. However, their attention was diverted to the entranceway, where Maria Kanellis was in the midst of a meltdown as Drake Maverick was trying to calm her down. The commotion allowed Mike Kanellis to sneak into the ring with a steel chair and attack The Lucha House Party. As Kanellis leveled Kalisto and Dorado, TJP applied the kneebar to Metalik. Revealing her ruse, Maria made her way into the ring as her husband attacked Metalik with the steel chair. As officials came to the aid of The Lucha House Party, TJP and the Kanellis couple left the arena, happily surveying the carnage. (Via WWE.com)
As Metalik and The Lucha House Party awaited TJP, they were instead greeted by Maria Kanellis, who heralded the arrival of her husband and The Cruisergreat, both wearing masks stolen from The Lucha House Party. Seeing the ultimate sign of disrespect, The Lucha House Party charged up the entrance ramp ready for a fight. WWE 205 Live General Drake Maverick raced out to cut them off and barely stopped what would have been a wild brawl. Maverick removed Maria, Mike, Kalisto and Lince Dorado to ensure the match between TJP and Metalik would take place.
Fired up, Metalik immediately dropkicked his opponent out of the ring and flattened him with a high-flying maneuver. The King of the Ropes remained relentless, not allowing his opponent a moment to catch his breath. However, the first-ever WWE Cruiserweight Champion countered Metalik’s offense and began to soften him up with his unique technical ability.
Seizing an opportunity to finally apply the kneebar, TJP grew frustrated after Metalik made his way to the ropes, breaking the hold. Grabbing one of The Lucha House Party’s pinata’s, The Cruisergreat was stopped in his tracks, but his opponent quickly capitalized by reversing a hurricanrana and scoring the pinfall.
After the match, Kalisto and Lince Dorado made their way into the ring to celebrate with Metalik. However, their attention was diverted to the entranceway, where Maria Kanellis was in the midst of a meltdown as Drake Maverick was trying to calm her down. The commotion allowed Mike Kanellis to sneak into the ring with a steel chair and attack The Lucha House Party. As Kanellis leveled Kalisto and Dorado, TJP applied the kneebar to Metalik. Revealing her ruse, Maria made her way into the ring as her husband attacked Metalik with the steel chair. As officials came to the aid of The Lucha House Party, TJP and the Kanellis couple left the arena, happily surveying the carnage. (Via WWE.com)
Keith Lee defeated Fidel Bravo.
Keith Lee once again showcased his Limitless potential as he demolished Fidel Bravo with ease under the bright lights of the STAPLES Center.
Despite Lee’s gigantic size advantage, Bravo brashly shoved him in the face to start the bout. Lee made him pay dearly, slugging him to the mat and chopping his chest in a burst heard throughout the arena. He cut down Bravo with a devastating cross body block before putting him out of his misery with the Supernova for the decisive win. (Via WWE.com)
Despite Lee’s gigantic size advantage, Bravo brashly shoved him in the face to start the bout. Lee made him pay dearly, slugging him to the mat and chopping his chest in a burst heard throughout the arena. He cut down Bravo with a devastating cross body block before putting him out of his misery with the Supernova for the decisive win. (Via WWE.com)
Lars Sullivan defeated Keita Murray.
It took Lars Sullivan four moves and roughly 30 seconds to dispose of the completely overwhelmed Keita Murray. The Rocky Mountain Monster secured the three-count after trouncing Murray with the Freak Accident.
Although The Freak appears set to expand his warpath outside of the black-and-gold brand, he declared after the match that beatings like the one he gave Murray will continue until Sullivan gets an NXT Championship Match. To underscore that point, he ravaged Murray after the bell with brutal crossfaces, but before he could smash Murray with another Freak Accident, Keith Lee intervened to save the day. As one of the few Superstars in the world who can match Sullivan’s size and strength, Lee sent The Freak flying from the ring with a pounce.
Sullivan and Lee almost came to blows again later in the night in the locker room, prompting NXT General Manager William Regal to announce that the two giants will face off next Wednesday on WWE Network. (Via WWE.com)
Although The Freak appears set to expand his warpath outside of the black-and-gold brand, he declared after the match that beatings like the one he gave Murray will continue until Sullivan gets an NXT Championship Match. To underscore that point, he ravaged Murray after the bell with brutal crossfaces, but before he could smash Murray with another Freak Accident, Keith Lee intervened to save the day. As one of the few Superstars in the world who can match Sullivan’s size and strength, Lee sent The Freak flying from the ring with a pounce.
Sullivan and Lee almost came to blows again later in the night in the locker room, prompting NXT General Manager William Regal to announce that the two giants will face off next Wednesday on WWE Network. (Via WWE.com)
Nikki Cross defeated Candice LeRae.
Following her intense battle with Nikki Cross, it’s plain to see that something has snapped inside Candice LeRae. Whether it was the head games waged by NXT’s Twisted Sister during the months-long Aleister Black investigation that are to blame, or Johnny Gargano’s own change of heart that inspired his wife’s rough new demeanor, LeRae showed a previously unseen level of aggression as she fought Cross.
LeRae also displayed tremendous resilience, kicking out after being clobbered by Cross’ Purge. Later, she threw the Scottish Superstar off the turnbuckles with an elevated German suplex that brought LeRae’s home-state fans to their feet. Cross, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy the "playtime" brutality, and broke out in laughter.
By that point, LeRae was seeing red. She unloaded her pent-up rage via forearm and knee strikes, and then locked in her husband’s signature hold, the Gargano Escape, but Cross forced a rope break. LeRae stayed on the prowl, and Cross exploited her angered state. She snapped LeRae throat-first onto the ropes and then surprised her with a spinning neckbreaker that spelled the end. (Via WWE.com)
LeRae also displayed tremendous resilience, kicking out after being clobbered by Cross’ Purge. Later, she threw the Scottish Superstar off the turnbuckles with an elevated German suplex that brought LeRae’s home-state fans to their feet. Cross, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy the "playtime" brutality, and broke out in laughter.
By that point, LeRae was seeing red. She unloaded her pent-up rage via forearm and knee strikes, and then locked in her husband’s signature hold, the Gargano Escape, but Cross forced a rope break. LeRae stayed on the prowl, and Cross exploited her angered state. She snapped LeRae throat-first onto the ropes and then surprised her with a spinning neckbreaker that spelled the end. (Via WWE.com)