After announcing his plan to invoke his NXT Title rematch clause at TakeOver: Phoenix, Aleister Black laid out champion Tommaso Ciampa with a thunderous Black Mass, a receipt for The Blackheart stirring the pot between Black and Johnny Gargano.
The Brian Kendrick (with Akira Tozawa) vs. Drew Gulak (with Gentleman Jack Gallagher) ended in a No Contest. (205 Live)
There is certainly no love lost between The Brian Kendrick and Drew Gulak, and that was evident as the former allies faced off on WWE 205 Live. In their corners were their respective allies, Akira Tozawa and Gentleman Jack Gallagher, as Gulak landed the first big blow when he clobbered The Man with a Plan with a powerful clothesline.
The submission specialist went to work, focusing on Kendrick’s previously injured left ankle. Fueled by rage, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion fought back with furious resilience, but The Philadelphia Stretcher continued to target Kendrick’s left ankle. Gulak maintained his dominance, striking with relentless power and intense pressure.
Struggling to counter the masterful manipulation of his limbs by Gulak, Kendrick eventually channeled his disdain for The Philadelphia Stretcher and applied his own submission before an impactful suplex and sequence of furious strikes. As the battle spilled to the outside, Tozawa made sure not to get involved, but as soon as Kendrick tossed Gulak back into the ring, the British Superstar tossed The Stamina Monster into the ring post.
However, Kendrick executed Sliced Bread No. 2 and nearly secured the victory before Gallagher entered and attacked The Man With a Plan. With the official forced to call off the match, Gallagher and Gulak continued to assault Kendrick and then Tozawa, leaving them decimated inside the ring. (Via WWE.com)
The submission specialist went to work, focusing on Kendrick’s previously injured left ankle. Fueled by rage, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion fought back with furious resilience, but The Philadelphia Stretcher continued to target Kendrick’s left ankle. Gulak maintained his dominance, striking with relentless power and intense pressure.
Struggling to counter the masterful manipulation of his limbs by Gulak, Kendrick eventually channeled his disdain for The Philadelphia Stretcher and applied his own submission before an impactful suplex and sequence of furious strikes. As the battle spilled to the outside, Tozawa made sure not to get involved, but as soon as Kendrick tossed Gulak back into the ring, the British Superstar tossed The Stamina Monster into the ring post.
However, Kendrick executed Sliced Bread No. 2 and nearly secured the victory before Gallagher entered and attacked The Man With a Plan. With the official forced to call off the match, Gallagher and Gulak continued to assault Kendrick and then Tozawa, leaving them decimated inside the ring. (Via WWE.com)
Ariya Davari defeated Clay Roberts. (205 LIVE)
After making a shocking return to WWE 205 Live last week and declaring his respect for Hideo Itami, Ariya Daivari returned to action against Clay Roberts. Daivari wasted no time driving his opponent into the corner and unloading with furious strikes. Although Roberts attempted to fight back, it only enraged Daivari.
With Hideo Itami looking on from the locker room, The Persian Lion continued to destroy his opponent, devastating him with two clotheslines and feigning a pinfall. Daivari then unleashed a series of three clotheslines that knocked Roberts out, forcing the official to call the match in Daivari’s favor. (Via WWE.com)
With Hideo Itami looking on from the locker room, The Persian Lion continued to destroy his opponent, devastating him with two clotheslines and feigning a pinfall. Daivari then unleashed a series of three clotheslines that knocked Roberts out, forcing the official to call the match in Daivari’s favor. (Via WWE.com)
The Lucha House Party defeated TJP & Mike Kanellis. (205 LIVE)
Looking to put an end to The Lucha House Party once and for all, Maria Kanellis requested that her husband, Mike Kanellis, and TJP battle the luchadores in one of the masked Superstars’ specialties – a Tornado Tag Team Match. With Gran Metalik taking part in a WWE Live Event in Chile, Kalisto and Lince Dorado faced off against The Cruisergreat and Kanellis.
Of course, under Tornado Tag Team Match rules, all four competitors were in the ring at the same time, and chaos immediately ensued. The Lucha House Party immediately showed why they specialize in this match, taking an early advantage by isolating their opponents and driving them from the ring. With the WWE Universe firmly in their corner, Kalisto and Dorado continued to assert dominance against their rivals, much to Maria’s chagrin.
With her team struggling to mount an offense, Maria distracted Kalisto by holding up one of the piñatas, allowing TJP to knock the former Cruiserweight Champion off the top rope. The First Lady destroyed the piñata as Kanellis and TJP took control, further destroying the piñatas and showing off the masks previously stolen from The Lucha House Party.
Kanellis and TJP maintained control for some time, as The Cruisergreat locked Kalisto into a unique submission before transitioning his opponent into his patented Kneebar, but Kalisto refused to quit, even in the face of Maria’s shrieking. After breaking free, Kalisto fended off Kanellis and TJP until Dorado regained his bearings and took down both opponents.
The Golden Lynx executed three moonsaults at Kanellis’ expense, and Dorado then called for Kalisto to grab the bag they brought to ringside. Kalisto opened the bag and dumped a bunch of mini-piñatas into the middle of the ring. Despite suffering a double suplex onto the party favors, TJP recovered and battled back, taking down Kalisto and calling for Penelope the piñata to be used as a weapon. However, Kalisto countered, and when Maria tried to steal the coveted Penelope, Kalisto tossed it into her face, and she fell on top of her husband outside the ring.
The move gave Kalisto the opening to hit Salida del Sol, and Dorado followed up with a magnificent Shooting Star Press for the victory. After the match, The Lucha House Party celebrated the win and recovered their stolen masks. (Via WWE.com)
Of course, under Tornado Tag Team Match rules, all four competitors were in the ring at the same time, and chaos immediately ensued. The Lucha House Party immediately showed why they specialize in this match, taking an early advantage by isolating their opponents and driving them from the ring. With the WWE Universe firmly in their corner, Kalisto and Dorado continued to assert dominance against their rivals, much to Maria’s chagrin.
With her team struggling to mount an offense, Maria distracted Kalisto by holding up one of the piñatas, allowing TJP to knock the former Cruiserweight Champion off the top rope. The First Lady destroyed the piñata as Kanellis and TJP took control, further destroying the piñatas and showing off the masks previously stolen from The Lucha House Party.
Kanellis and TJP maintained control for some time, as The Cruisergreat locked Kalisto into a unique submission before transitioning his opponent into his patented Kneebar, but Kalisto refused to quit, even in the face of Maria’s shrieking. After breaking free, Kalisto fended off Kanellis and TJP until Dorado regained his bearings and took down both opponents.
The Golden Lynx executed three moonsaults at Kanellis’ expense, and Dorado then called for Kalisto to grab the bag they brought to ringside. Kalisto opened the bag and dumped a bunch of mini-piñatas into the middle of the ring. Despite suffering a double suplex onto the party favors, TJP recovered and battled back, taking down Kalisto and calling for Penelope the piñata to be used as a weapon. However, Kalisto countered, and when Maria tried to steal the coveted Penelope, Kalisto tossed it into her face, and she fell on top of her husband outside the ring.
The move gave Kalisto the opening to hit Salida del Sol, and Dorado followed up with a magnificent Shooting Star Press for the victory. After the match, The Lucha House Party celebrated the win and recovered their stolen masks. (Via WWE.com)
Matt Riddle defeated Punishment Martinez by submission.
In a battle of two of NXT’s newest Superstars, Matt Riddle extended his undefeated streak on WWE Network, downing the debuting Punishment Martinez.
The Bronx-born Martinez was ferocious in the face of Riddle’s technical expertise, battering Riddle with a cyclone kick and a clothesline. The King of Bros stayed true to chill form throughout, weathering the storm and keeping a cool head until he found his opportunity to twist on the Bromission. The powerful Martinez initially fought off the hold, but he capitulated after Riddle bludgeoned him with hard forearms and reapplied the hold.
Before Riddle returned to the locker room, however, his celebration was cut short by Kassius Ohno. The Knockout Artist, still fuming over his six-second loss to Riddle at TakeOver: WarGames II, took out his frustrations by waylaying Riddle from behind with a devastating Rolling Elbow. (Via WWE.com)
The Bronx-born Martinez was ferocious in the face of Riddle’s technical expertise, battering Riddle with a cyclone kick and a clothesline. The King of Bros stayed true to chill form throughout, weathering the storm and keeping a cool head until he found his opportunity to twist on the Bromission. The powerful Martinez initially fought off the hold, but he capitulated after Riddle bludgeoned him with hard forearms and reapplied the hold.
Before Riddle returned to the locker room, however, his celebration was cut short by Kassius Ohno. The Knockout Artist, still fuming over his six-second loss to Riddle at TakeOver: WarGames II, took out his frustrations by waylaying Riddle from behind with a devastating Rolling Elbow. (Via WWE.com)
Forgotten Sons (with Jaxson Ryker) defeated Raul Mendoza & Humberto Carrillo.
Against The Forgotten Sons’ fistic fury, Raul Mendoza & Humberto Carrillo executed a galaxy of acrobatic, aerial attacks and innovative double-team maneuvers. Such a high-risk, sky-walking offense, however, carries a dangerously slim margin of error.
Mendoza & Carrillo found that out when a springboard attack went awry and Wesley Blake powerbombed Mendoza onto the back of his own partner. That miscalculation allowed The Forgotten Sons to take control and methodically attack Mendoza’s aching spine. Mendoza & Carrillo mustered a late comeback, but that, too, was derailed by Blake & Steve Cutler’s roughhouse ways. The Forgotten Sons then shut down the resilient luchadores before they’d get another chance to fight back, clobbering Carrillo with a stomp/Scorpion Death Drop combination for the pin. (Via WWE.com)
Mendoza & Carrillo found that out when a springboard attack went awry and Wesley Blake powerbombed Mendoza onto the back of his own partner. That miscalculation allowed The Forgotten Sons to take control and methodically attack Mendoza’s aching spine. Mendoza & Carrillo mustered a late comeback, but that, too, was derailed by Blake & Steve Cutler’s roughhouse ways. The Forgotten Sons then shut down the resilient luchadores before they’d get another chance to fight back, clobbering Carrillo with a stomp/Scorpion Death Drop combination for the pin. (Via WWE.com)
NXT Women's Champion, Shayna Baszler (with Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir) defeated Dakota Kai by submission.
NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler emerged victorious from her non-title match against familiar foe Dakota Kai, but that doesn’t exactly mean everything went according to plan for The Queen of Spades.
For one, the formally doe-eyed Kai demonstrated more grit and aggression than Baszler bargained for. Although the champion reminded Kai of their past showdowns by cruelly wrenching Kai’s arm, The Captain of Team Kick fired back with a bristling assortment of kicks, at one point repeatedly booting Baszler square in the face. Even after Baszler ripped her off the top turnbuckle with a gut-wrench superplex, Kai unleashed one final burst of strikes until Baszler shrewdly tripped her and sank in the Kirifuda Clutch to force the tapout.
Baszler’s second surprise of the night came after the match when she, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke began circling Kai. Before they could inflict further damage on the Kiwi Superstar, Io Shirai rushed the ring to save her friend and send the trio packing, with Duke and Shafir barely pulling The Queen of Spades out of the way of Shirai’s faster-than-a-speeding-bullet Meteora. (Via WWE.com)
For one, the formally doe-eyed Kai demonstrated more grit and aggression than Baszler bargained for. Although the champion reminded Kai of their past showdowns by cruelly wrenching Kai’s arm, The Captain of Team Kick fired back with a bristling assortment of kicks, at one point repeatedly booting Baszler square in the face. Even after Baszler ripped her off the top turnbuckle with a gut-wrench superplex, Kai unleashed one final burst of strikes until Baszler shrewdly tripped her and sank in the Kirifuda Clutch to force the tapout.
Baszler’s second surprise of the night came after the match when she, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke began circling Kai. Before they could inflict further damage on the Kiwi Superstar, Io Shirai rushed the ring to save her friend and send the trio packing, with Duke and Shafir barely pulling The Queen of Spades out of the way of Shirai’s faster-than-a-speeding-bullet Meteora. (Via WWE.com)
Aleister Black knocked out NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa after Ciampa instigated a Steel Cage Match between Black and Johnny Gargano.
Tommaso Ciampa loves to operate from a position of power, pulling the strings like a maniacal Mangiafuoco, but his meddling in Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano’s rivalry left the NXT Champion knocked out cold on this night.
As The Blackheart was busy recounting his recent successes (turning “the Dream into a nightmare”), bemoaning perceived detractors (pointing out Mauro Ranallo in particular) and declaring himself 2018’s “Sports-Entertainer of the Year,” The Dutch Destroyer stomped into Full Sail Live.
Black said he absolved Gargano of his sins at TakeOver: WarGames II and stated his plan to invoke his NXT Title rematch clause at TakeOver: Phoenix, which brought Gargano out to the ring. Johnny Wrestling informed Black that their beef isn’t over until Gargano says so. Seemingly amused at the sight of Black and Gargano going at it, Ciampa fanned the flames from the safety of the ring apron, suggesting they settle their rivalry “the right way, once and for all, inside a steel cage.”
Black and Gargano appeared to agree. Gargano then provoked The Dutch Destroyer into uncorking a Black Mass, but Gargano slipped out of the way and retreated. Ciampa watched on with a smile, perhaps admiring his former teammate’s tactics or his own handiwork, but the grin was quickly wiped off by a thunderous Black Mass from an incensed Dutch Destroyer. (Via WWE.com)
As The Blackheart was busy recounting his recent successes (turning “the Dream into a nightmare”), bemoaning perceived detractors (pointing out Mauro Ranallo in particular) and declaring himself 2018’s “Sports-Entertainer of the Year,” The Dutch Destroyer stomped into Full Sail Live.
Black said he absolved Gargano of his sins at TakeOver: WarGames II and stated his plan to invoke his NXT Title rematch clause at TakeOver: Phoenix, which brought Gargano out to the ring. Johnny Wrestling informed Black that their beef isn’t over until Gargano says so. Seemingly amused at the sight of Black and Gargano going at it, Ciampa fanned the flames from the safety of the ring apron, suggesting they settle their rivalry “the right way, once and for all, inside a steel cage.”
Black and Gargano appeared to agree. Gargano then provoked The Dutch Destroyer into uncorking a Black Mass, but Gargano slipped out of the way and retreated. Ciampa watched on with a smile, perhaps admiring his former teammate’s tactics or his own handiwork, but the grin was quickly wiped off by a thunderous Black Mass from an incensed Dutch Destroyer. (Via WWE.com)