WWE News: Rich Swann Retains Cruiserweight Championship On ‘205 Live’
WWE Crusierweight Champion Rich Swann retained his title in his first defense against former champion Brian Kendrick in the main event of 205 Live. It was another hard-hitting, fast-paced match between the pair, with Swann employing his sharp strikes and flashy athleticism against Kendrick’s wily, underhanded tactics.
In the closing stages of Kendrick’s rematch after losing the championship on the first episode of 205 Live last week, he nailed Swann with a flatliner into the ring post from the apron. He then looked to apply a dragon sleeper on Swann on the outside of the ring. However, Swann shoved Kendrick into TJ Perkins, who was a guest commentator for the main event.
Perkins and Kendrick stared each other down for a few seconds before Kendrick returned to the ring and ate the Swann Song spin kick for the loss.
Following the match, Kendrick and Perkins got into a brawl. Kendrick got the upper hand and Rich Swann returned to pull him away from his friend TJP. But as the pair fought, Perkins aimed a superkick at Kendrick that missed and hit Swann instead. Kendrick then took out Perkins as well, as ProWrestling.net noted. Given WWE’s track record of miscommunication between friends, that could point to a future triple threat match between the three.
The title match wasn’t the only battle worth tuning in for. Earlier in the show, Cruiserweight Classic alumni Cedric Alexander and Noam Dar made their respective 205 Live debuts when they faced each other in the opening match.
Alexander, who famously dropped 20 pounds to make weight for the Cruiserweight Classic, impressed the crowd with his dynamic athleticism and intense striking while the Scottish Supernova Dar employed his technical skills in an attempt to keep Alexander grounded.
Dar, who had worn down Alexander through work on his arm, eventually sent Alexander shoulder-first into the ring post and hit his running flying kick for what’s likely his biggest win in WWE to date.
After the match, Dar boasted about his big-money WWE contract and dedicated his victory to Alexander’s girlfriend, Alicia Fox, who was seen giving Alexander a kiss for luck before his losing effort. That suggests an imminent bad guy run for Dar as a potential future challenger to Rich Swann in a division that is sorely lacking strong heel competitors other than Kendrick.
Meanwhile, in a rematch from both last week’s 205 Live episode and Monday’s Raw, Jack Gallagher battled Ariya Daivari. Gallagher had won both previous matches, but Daivari made a statement after Monday’s bout when he attacked Gallagher’s knee as the Extraordinary Gentleman offered a sporting handshake. Daivari condescendingly extended his hand before the latest encounter, with Gallagher accepting the handshake.
Their latest encounter strayed from the blueprint of their earlier encounters, with Daivari effectively working on Gallagher’s knee. Gallagher was unable to put to full use his impressive skills to gain the upper hand, save for a huge headbutt that granted him a nearfall. After a big kick to Gallagher’s knee, Daivari picked up his first WWE win with a frog splash.
WWE also took the opportunity during 205 Live to highlight Mustafa Ali in a promo video. He said that even before he says anything, as soon as crowds hear his name, they boo him. However, he claimed he would change all of that and is capable of working in a variety of styles. Ali impressed during the Cruiserweight Classic and will debut soon. The announcers also said Lince Dorado would make his first in-ring appearance in the near future.
It was Rich Swann’s night again, though, with the new champion ending 205 Live still holding his title. The issues between Swann and Kendrick do not seem over, while a new one appears to be bubbling between him and TJ Perkins.
[Featured Image by WWE]
