WWE 205 Live – December 12, 2017

December 12, 2017

From the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH

Your hosts are Vic Joseph and Nigel McGuinness

We are shown a highlight package from RAW last night where Cedric Alexander won a second-chance Fatal Four Way to face Drew Gulak next week to crown the #1 contender for the Cruiserweight Title.

Tonight, we will see Alexander vs. Ariya Daivari and Kalisto vs. Jack Gallagher.

Daivari & Gulak come out to the ring. Gulak says its his dream to cultivate a better 205 Live and will make one step closer to that goal by defeating Alexander last week. He now tells us that Daivari is not in the mood and will pound Alexander into the dirt. Gulak yells at the crowd to stop chanting then alerts us that Noam Dar has underwent knee surgery and is about to tell us about his 93 point rehabilitation plan via Powerpoint but Alexander interrupts.

Ariya Daivari w/ Drew Gulak vs. Cedric Alexander

Daivari shoves Alexander then yells in Farsi. Gulak then yells at the fans through his megaphone then Alexander hits a dropkick. Alexander works the arm as Gulak continues to yell through the megaphone. Daivari tries to fight back but Alexander ducks a chop and hammers away. Daivari bails then Alexander sets up for a dive but Gulak gets up onto the apron and yells at Gulak to stay off of the top rope. Daivari attacks Alexander from behind and stomps away in the corner. Alexander gets tossed outside where Gulak takes him down with a clothesline. Back inside, Daivari works a chinlock. Alexander tries to escape but Daivari takes him down with a bulldog then goes back to the chinlock. Alexander gets out and hits a running knee smash and a springboard clothesline but fails on a handspring kick and gets taken down with a spinebuster. Daivari heads up top and gets yelled at by Gulak but hits the frog splash, which gets two. Gulak is in disbelief as Daivari clutches his ribs then Alexander starts to make his comeback and hits the Lumbar Check for the win (8:05) **1/4. After the match, a pissed off Gulak stares down Alexander.

Thoughts: Gulak entertained on the outside. The match itself was fine and gives Alexander a win and some momentum heading into next week’s #1 contender match.

Clip from last night on RAW when Enzo was about to make fun of Gulak’s Powerpoint presentations but got distracted by Nia Jax. After that, we see Gulak giving advice to Daivari but Enzo interrupts and is pissed. Gulak tries to calm down Enzo then talks about how its not impossible that he could become the Cruiserweight Champion but Enzo tells him he could not even hold his microphone, yet alone his title. Nese tells Enzo that Gulak is just trying to help but Enzo accuses to Team Powerpoint for trying to team up against him and reminds them all who is the boss. Enzo then stops himself and says sometimes you need to take a step back and lead by example. He wants the ‘Zo Train all to come out and watch his match tonight, against Nese. Enzo then leaves as the others are all confused. They are focusing on the dissension among Enzo and the ‘Zo Train, with Enzo being fed up with his men.

Gallagher & Brian Kendrick come out to the ring. Kendrick said one year ago his Cruiserweight Title was taken away from him and notes that he has not been granted a single title shot. However, Kalisto was gifted a title shot as soon as he showed up on 205 Live and got even more opportunities despite squandering them all. Gallagher said last week they gave Kalisto the option to stay away because he is “springboarding into a spider’s nest.” The premise of the feud is solid (Kendrick & Gallagher pissed over not getting a shot to become the #1 contender and taking out their anger on everyone else) and it gives the show something that does not revolve around the ‘Zo Train.

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

Gallagher grounds Kalisto with a headlock to start. Kalisto comes back with a headscissors takedown after a reversal sequence then takes Gallagher outside with an arm drag. Kalisto starts up the lucha chant then kicks Gallagher off of the apron. He takes Kendrick out but Gallagher blocks a kick and rams it into the ring post. Kalisto just beats the ten count then Gallagher targets the injured leg. Kalisto keeps trying to fight of Gallagher but it does not work. Gallagher hangs Kalisto up in the ropes and attacks the leg then uses a stretch muffler. Kalisto is able to roll through then hits a rolling kick. Kalisto avoids a charge as Gallagher spills outside. Gallagher runs back in and Kalisto does everything he can to fight him off in order to get to his feet. Kalisto hits a moonsault from the middle rope for two then spikes Gallagher with a hurricarana but continues to clutch his knee. Gallagher hits Kalisto with a headbutt after raking the eyes but Kalisto is able to surprise Gallgagher with a rollup for the win (8:54) *** . After the match, Kendrick comes in and sweeps the leg of Kalisto. However, Gran Metalik runs out for the save and takes down both men with a flurry of moves. Kalisto then hits Gallagher with the Salida del Sol.

Thoughts: Kalisto’s selling was fantastic and Metalik looked great in making the save as we appear to be setting up for a tag match between these men in the future. I also approve of Metalik, an extremely talented performer, get to participate in an actual feud.

Backstage, Enzo asks Gulak why does he have a long face. He wants Gulak to stop stressing but Gulak wants to know why he has to fight Nese. Enzo says who said anything about a fight and compares himself to Dean Malenko and promises a scientific match that will be a good learning experience. Enzo leaves as Gulak is not happy.

Another Hideo Itami hype video airs.

Enzo tells us how the ‘Zo Train is doing great and puts over how 205 Live is doing better than ever and he will main event the upcoming 205 Live shows. The rest of the ‘Zo Train are not too pleased with his antics.

Tony Nese vs. Enzo Amore

Nese doesn’t even count his abs as he clearly does not want to be here. Enzo asks Nese if he wants to wrestle then wants to know if the fans want to see a “technical spectacle.” Enzo then wants Nese to try him and to stop looking around and talking behind his back. He slaps Nese and talks about being the best. Enzo wants to know if Nese will show up now then warns him about losing his spot on the ‘Zo Train if he hurts him but Daivari runs in to attack Nese from behind for the DQ (2:44). Daivari chokes out Nese with his foot while Enzo taunts Nese to his face. Gulak is conflicted on the outside while Nese continues to get embarrassed. Enzo tells Nese to now his place then tells Gulak to get inside and prove his worth. Enzo wants to know if he’s on the ‘Zo Train or not then Gulak finally gets on the apron. Enzo tells Gulak to use his head as Gulak gets inside and said its not right but Enzo tells him to man up. By the way, the crowd is crapping all over this with “this is boring” chants. Enzo continues to yell at Gulak to do something so Gulak gets in Enzo’ face about wanting to get hurt then boots Nese in the face. Enzo calls himself the best of all-time then wants Gulak to make sure that Nese is all right. Gulak proceeds to beat the crap out of Nese then Enzo hits the Jordanzo as Gulak is still conflicted.

Thoughts: Oh boy was this a flop. The crowd did not care about Gulak’s conflict. And really, they needed to play up the Enzo & Gulak dynamic longer for fans to become invested but they want to rush into the Enzo/Nia stuff instead. The whole thing was rushed. I do wonder if Nese got his ass kicked here because Dar is getting surgery as Dar had a losing streak.

Final Thoughts: There were not any standout matches and the main event segment bombed, making this a show that you do not need to seek out. The division needs new blood and hopefully Itami and Rockstar Spud (rumored to beginning in the next few weeks) can inject some life into this division.