WWE 205 Live Results: January 29th, 2019
At Royal Rumble, Buddy Murphy managed to, not only survive, but absolutely demolished his competition. While Akira Tozawa, Kalisto, and Hideo Itami all gave the Juggernaut a run for his money, he was clearly operating at a higher level than the rest of the competitors, and successfully defended the Cruiserweight Championship in his toughest challenge yet.
Tonight's episode of 205 Live would feature two matchups that could decide Murphy's next challenger. First, Mike Kanellis would finally get his shot at a top 205 Live star, as he faced off against Kalisto. A win over the former champion would surely reward him a title shot in the future.
Finally, in the main event, Akira Tozawa and Hideo Itami competed in a hard-hitting fight, hoping to also get one more shot at the Cruiserweight Championship. The last time these two men met in a one-on-one match, Itami defeated his former tag team partner. Tonight would give Tozawa a shot at redemption.
Kalisto w/Lucha House Party vs Mike Kanellis w/Maria Kanellis
Kanellis started off quick, driving Kalisto into the corner with repeated shoulder thrusts. Kalisto then traded shots with Kanellis, eventually being sent outside by a tilt-a-whirl headscissors, followed by a slingshot plancha to the outside.
Kanellis managed to get back into the bout after a hard toss into the turnbuckle, then took Kalisto down with multiple clotheslines, followed by a dropkick that sent Kalisto crashing to the outside. Kanellis whipped the former champion into the barricade.
Kanellis managed to use the environment to his advantage, really dishing out some serious damage. Kalisto even attempted a springboard off the barricade, but his legs were cut out from under him, landing him face first across the wall.
Back in the ring, Kalisto made it to his feet after a kick to Kanellis' face. He made his way to the apron, sending his opponent away with an enziguri, following up with a springboard senton. Kalisto rolled him into the middle with the schoolboy roll-up enziguri kick and drove him head first into the mat with the running spike hurricanrana.
Kalisto went for the Salida del Sol but was countered by Kanellis. Kalisto escaped and hit Kanellis on the outside with a rope assisted dropkick. However, Kanellis avoided a suicide dive and guided Kalisto head first into the barricade. Back inside the ring, an inside cradle nearly stole the victory for Kalisto.
Kanellis broke out but was stunned by a superkick followed by a tilt-a-whirl DDT. Kanellis kicked out again, but could not get away from the former champion. He climbed up top, only to be met by an enziguri. Kalisto went for the top rope Spanish Fly, only for Kanellis to stop him, driving him down to the mat with a uranage side slam.
After Kalisto kicked out, Kanellis dropped him with two suplexes and took him down with a backpack stunner. He would've won, had Kalisto not put his leg on the ropes. Furious, Kanellis stomped Kalisto repeatedly. He picked him up over his shoulder, but Kalisto rolled out, pinning Kanellis.
Results: Kalisto defeated Mike Kanellis via pinfall.
Maria Kanellis, who had been working commentary throughout the match, seemed furious as she went to comfort her husband. What does this latest loss in Mike Kanellis's WWE career mean for the couple?
A pre-taped promo played of Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher, who looked to mentor 205 Live's latest acquisition, Humberto Carrillo. Gulak and Gallagher wanted to help keep him grounded and offered to be in his corner in his next match.
Ariya Daivari and Hideo Itami also cut a promo, with Daivari claiming that multi-man matches are all luck. Daivari said that Itami planned on sending a message to WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy through a brutal beatdown of Akira Tozawa.