In the 19th of March edition of 205 Live we saw Mike Kanellis battle with Akira Tozawa and the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament came to an end with the finale match of Cedric Alexander vs Tony Nese. Without further ado, let’s get right into the action.
Mike Kanellis vs Akira Tozawa
A pretty decent match, we see former Cruiserweight Champion Tozawa take on Kanellis. In a back-and-forth hard hitting match, Kanellis eventually gains the upper hand with a nice pop-up spinebuster for a near fall. After a brief rally from Tozawa, we find both men perched on the top rope where Kanellis nails Tozawa with an avalanche Samoan Driver. 1, 2… Tozawa manages to get his shoulder up but an enraged Kanellis shows his aggressive side as he lays multiple elbows into the jaw of Tozawa. Kanellis goes for a rolling cutter but Tozawa escapes and connects with an enzuigiri and drops Kanellis. Tozawa then tries to get to the top rope for his signature senton bomb but Maria Kanellis blocks the path and Tozawa is forced to run to the other corner. He takes the leap but Kanellis recovers in time and pops back to his feet to nail Tozawa with a beautiful rolling cutter. 1, 2, 3. It’s over (@9:25). Decent enough match. It wasn’t the best showing for either of these men but I was entertained throughout and Kanellis managed to pick up a much needed victory against an established superstar such as Tozawa. I like the unpredictability of this match and thought it was the right call to keep this match short. 6.75/10.
Cedric Alexander vs Tony Nese
In the finale of the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament (which has made for some brilliant matches) we see former Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander match up against Buddy Murphy’s protégé, Tony Nese. Deep into the match, Alexander finds himself retreating to the outside only to be caught by a picture perfect Fosbury Flop from Tony Nese. Nese rolls a deadweight Alexander back in the ring and climbs to the top rope where he nails Alexander with a sublime 450 splash… 1, 2, no way! Alexander somehow manages to get his shoulder up, wow! Nese positions Alexander in the corner, lays in some stomps and prepares to connect with the Running Nese… only to be caught with a Spanish fly! 1, 2, Nese kicks out of the Spanish Fly! Alexander lifts Nese up and hits the lumbar check for the wi… wait what? NESE KICKS OUT! MAMA MIA! Alexander attempts to get Nese up for yet another lumbar check but Nese locks in a cradle pin for a near fall. Nese rolls through and runs through Alexander’s head with a knee. Nese puts Alexander in the corner and finally hits the Running Nese. 1, 2, 3 (@22:20). JEEZUS! THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Alexander and Nese hug it out and Nese’s friend Buddy Murphy comes out to congratulate Nese but dear god, Murphy books a dentist appointment for Nese as he sends Nese’s teeth down his throat with a brutal knee. This match gave me goosebumps, Murphy’s betrayal gave me goosebumps. I can not praise this match enough and for the first time in my reviewing history… I think this match might have just broken my ratings system! 10.25/10.
