205 Live
Gran Metalik vs. TJP
Winner: Gran Metalik
Metalik hits a couple flip moves right at the beginning and then we get a shot of his good friend Kalisto watching from backstage because they both wear masks and they’re besties. The self-proclaimed “CruiserGreat” takes control of the match, determined to prove that Metalik’s win last week was just a fluke.
The match offers good back and forth, with Gran Metalik getting a “lucha libre” chant from the fans. Metallic gets the roll-up pin and TJP stomps off like a child. Backstage, TJP throws everything off a table and then when he’s asked if he’s crying, he simply says “No!” and storms off.
Jack Gallagher’s plan for Hideo Itami
In another attempt to avenge his partner and teacher, The Brian Kendrick, last week, Gallagher says he was “tortured”. However, the gentleman vows that he is the new “man with a plan”, and his Kendrick has taught him well. The way he speaks is weird and creepy, and he says Itami will “rue” the day he came to 205 live. I’m not sure if WWE thinks that just because he’s British he has to talk weird, but he really puts an emphasis on his strange voice.
Goldust vs. The Zo Train
Alexander comes out to the ring and introduces his new buddy Goldust and Goldust says that Alexander is the next big thing. While this is believable as Alexander is the most talented guy on 205 Live and possibly better than half the Raw roster, I’m not sure that being paired up with Goldust is the way to get there.
Enzo Amore and his Zo Train come out to the ring and criticize the two, and Goldust calls Enzo out. However, he must go through Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese, and Drew Gulak, who’s dressed in workout clothes, a cowboy hat, and a bolo tie. He works it.
Unsurprisingly, Goldust pulled off the victory. The Zo Train had difficulty working as a team throughout the match, with Tony Nese especially as he tagged himself in and violated the “No Fly Zone” that Gulak lives by. It seems that the cracks in the Zo Train could cause more problems at the Royal Rumble.
NXT
Heavy Machinery (Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic) vs. Riddick Moss and Tino Sabatelli
Winner: Riddick Moss and Tino Sabatelli
This match seemed like a perfect NXT match—well put together, but not without mistakes. All four of these men had little to no wrestling experience before coming to the WWE, making them creations of the Performance Center.
They all seem to have their characters in check (save for Dozovic’s weird Scotty 2 Hotty worm in the middle of the match) and show a lot of personality, but their in-ring technique could use a little work. These two teams are thriving in the NXT system, but aren’t near ready for the main roster yet. Moss and Sabatelli have potential to be a great heel tag team in WWE with more preparation.
The Undisputed Era cut a backstage promo about how they’re going to dominate at TakeOver. This isn’t unusual for a promo, but with these three guys, charisma just oozes out of them. I hope these guys stay in NXT for a little while longer, because with enough NXT domination under their belt, they could go to the main roster and be unstoppable.
Roderick Strong vs. Fabian Aichner
Winner: Roderick Strong
Just as Mauro Ranallo put it “color me impressed” by this match. While this match was likely intended to make Strong look better, both men performed fantastically. Once Aichner finds his character, he has potential to be a star in NXT. In his last few matches on the brand, he’s proven himself and hung with some of the top guys on the roster (Johnny Gargano, Andrade Almas, Kassius Ohno). He seems to be the way to go if WWE is looking to make a strong guy look stronger.
NXT showed part one of a clip called “Who Are TM61?”, chronicling the team’s path to WWE. It showed footage of them beginning their careers in Australia, their WWE tryout in 2015, and even them as young boys (wrestlers in training that assist veterans) in Japan. With this promo (and the one showing next week), it looks like TM61 will be hardworking babyfaces with an emphasis on their motivation and journey to WWE.
Lacey Evans vs. Aliyah
Winner: Lacey Evans
The match goes back and forth early on. These women both have potential but need to work on their technique. Lacey Evans lays out Aliyah with a strong punch, something you don’t see very often, especially women. She cuts a heel promo and calls the women of NXT trash, catching fans by surprise. She calls out Nikki Cross and Ember Moon when Shayna Baszler scares her away.
Baszler submits Aliyah with the Kirifuda Clutch and Ember Moon comes out to save her. Ember Moon calls Baszler out and Baszler challenges her for the title, a match finalized for TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Johnny Gargano comes to the ring and says that he’s not a loser and this isn’t a fluke and he’s sick of peopled doubting him. He gives Velveteen Dream an opportunity to take his number one contendership. He’s Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling, and he lets the whole world know it.
Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) vs. Authors of Pain
The Authors of Pain controlled most of the matchup. Dawkins and Ford, however, showed incredible teamwork and it was impressive that they were able to get any offense in at all. The Street Profits may have lost, but it’s okay because they have “swag”. AOP goes on to face Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.