WWE 205 Live – November 28th, 2017

November 28, 2017

From the Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY

Your hosts are Vic Joseph & Nigel McGuinness

We are shown a video package from last night’s RAW where GM Kurt Angle made two Fatal Four Way Matches, with the winner’s facing off to determine the #1 Contender to the Cruiserweight Title.

Tonight, we will see Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak & Tony Nese, the four men in next week’s Fatal Four Way match, and Kalisto vs. “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher.

Enzo Amore comes out to the ring with Noam Dar. We see a clip from last week where the ‘Zo Train laid everyone out. He then blames Dar for losing the Four Way last night and says Nese & Gulak will right the ship tonight. Enzo wants Dar to redeem himself by beating Rich Swann, the winner of last night’s four way.

Noam Dar w/ Enzo Amore vs. Rich Swann

We are shown an interview from last night where Swann tells us he is extremely close to becoming a two-time Cruiserweight Champion. Dar slides out to regroup with Enzo, who wants to make Swann aware that he is a two-time champion. Dar heads back inside as the two trade arm wringers. Dar rolls back outside as Enzo says he needs to get a win. Swann takes down Dar with a baseball slide then a senton from the apron. Swann rolls Dar back inside after mocking Enzo and starts kicking his knee. Swann gets two with a rolling frog splash then heads up top for the Phoenix Splash but Enzo taunts him with the belt and that allows Dar to pull Swann down. Dar works the arm as Enzo continues to taunt Swann, who fights back. Swann misses a flipping leg drop and gets hit from behind with a clothesline as Dar covers for two. Enzo yells at Dar to finish the job but Swann fights back and puts him away with the Phoenix Splash (4:42) *1/2. After the match, Enzo yells at Dar and tells him that winners are on the ‘Zo Train and that he needs to get it together.

Thoughts: The match was dull but the story here is Enzo being fed up with Dar’s losing ways and threatening to take away his spot on the ‘Zo Train. Swann gets a win here to give him some momentum heading into the #1 contender’s match.

Dasha Fuentes is backstage with Kalisto. She asks him about his first match since Survivor Series. Kalisto says tonight he starts his climb back to the Cruiserweight Championship.

“Gentleman” Jack Gallagher w/ The Brian Kendrick vs. Kalisto

Kalisto is weary of Kendrick on the outside then Gallagher takes him down. They trade off working the arm then Kalisto starts kicking the leg. He climbs the middle rope but Gallagher yanks him down and fires away. Gallagher grounds Kalisto and uses a strangle hold. Kalisto eventually breaks free and hits a rolling kick. Kalisto lands an upkick then hits a springboard seated senton. He spikes Gallagher with a hurricarana and starts a lucha chant but Kendrick runs in for the DQ (6:24) **. Kendrick then uses his jacket as a straight-jacket as Gallagher knocks Kalisto down. Kendrick & Gallagher leave together as the announcers believe they are bitter due to not being given a title opportunity.

Thoughts: The action was technically sound but not too exciting. I do like the story of Kendrick & Gallagher being pissed off over not getting an opportunity to become the #1 contender.

We get another Hideo Itami hype video.

Backstage, Swann, Alexander, and Ali talk about Itami, putting over the power of his strikes. Alexander and Ali then have some playful back-and-forth over who will win next week’s fatal four way and face Swann before deciding to get on the same page tonight against Nese & Gulak.

Before the tag match, Nese & Gulak come out. Gulak tells us Enzo has called them “Team Powerpoint” and will explain as to why this is the case, which is that Nese is all power while Gulak likes to make “salient” points. Gulak says their skills perfectly compliment each other and that they are like the “Justice League.” Nese is unhappy with being referred to the Aquaman to Gulak’s Batman as Gulak will dedicate the win to their Superman, Enzo Amore. Then, Gulak introduces us to his Powerpoint Presentation but is cut off by Alexander’s entrance music as Gulak screams. Hell of a job here by Gulak, who seemed to be channeling Vince McMahon when describing Nese’s physique. There are few people in the WWE who commit to their character more than Gulak. He has all of the nuances down pat.

Tony Nese & Drew Gulak vs. Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali

Enzo is shown watching backstage on a monitor. A mild “Powerpoint” chant breaks out as Gulak yells at the fans to shut up. Alexander and Gulak start things off on the mat. Nese tags in but Alexander grabs an armbar then tags out to Ali as the two work over the arm for a bit. Nese fights back and beats on Ali in the corner but Ali floats over and hits an arm drag. Gulak distracts Alexander, preventing Ali from being able to make the tag. Ali hits a dropkick and has an argument with Alexander, who takes Gulak down with a dropkick. Nese breaks up a handspring by Alexander by yanking down his arms as Team Powerpoint takes control. Nese runs over Alexander on the floor then stomps away before taking the action back inside. Nese puts Alexander in the tree-of-woe then lets us know its ab day and does his ab crunch kicks. Gulak tags in and gets a nearfall with a powerbomb then puts Alexander in a modified STF. Alexander fights off Gulak but Nese yanks Ali off of the apron so Alexander cannot make the tag. Gulak beats on Alexander then uses a chinlock. Nese tags in and Alexander eventually fights him off and makes the tag. Ali runs wild and hits a rolling facebuster for a two count. Alexander is not in the corner for a tag then Ali heads up but Nese cuts him off. Alexander then makes a blind tag and puts Nese on his shoulders for a Doomsday Crossbody but Gulak breaks up the pin. Ali takes Gulak outside then officially tags in but Nese shoves Ali into his partner as the two knock heads then Nese rolls up Ali for the win (9:35) ***1/4. After the match, Nese & Gulak celebrate with Enzo on the stage as Alexander and Ali argue until Ali leaves.

Thoughts: Good psychology in this one. I liked the story of Ali and Alexander being unable to get on the same page while Gulak & Nese function well as a team. It also built some intrigue heading into Monday’s four way match.

Final Thoughts: We had a good main event and some logical storyline progression, making this a solid show. The focus now is naming the new #1 contender and they added some other stuff in their too like having Kendrick & Gallagher on the warpath and Dar close to getting booted from the ‘Zo Train. This was one of the better installments of 205 Live over the past few weeks.