The new reboot of the WWE cruiserweight division hasn't exactly set the world on fire on Raw, so I was pleased to learn of the new cruisers-specific show on the Network. There's a number of guys I've liked for a while in the division, and the chance to see weekly Drew Gulak/Noam Dar/Brian Kendrick matches, which are actually given some time, really appealed. So, for as long as I'm motivated to do so, I'm going to try and do a weekly look at this show. The first episode set a good tone for the coming weeks.
The Bollywood Boyz vs Drew Gulak & Tony Nese
Absolutely baffling that they would choose to put the
Bollywood Boyz over here. They come across as the most bush-league act in the
division – generic gear, generic moveset, generic act. It’s really noticeable against
someone like Tony Nese. Nese is naturally more athletic than either Bollywood
Boy, but he really tones it down here to avoid overshadowing the face team.
Still, it’s him and Gulak who really shine here. Gulak takes control for his
team with a massive dropkick, followed by a big slam where he drops his
opponent in the ropes. It’s just obvious when watching that Gulak and Nese have
better execution. One Boy does hit a decent springboard crossbody to the floor,
but when they hit a dodgy double-superkick on Gulak to pick up the win, it
feels like the wrong team has won.
Jack Gallagher vs Ariya Daivari
Gallagher’s style is so unique, it pretty much serves to get
him over right away, as he ties up Daivari on the mat. The crowd seems
fascinated by his abilities, with his fluid movement and innate charisma being
summed up by him tying Daivari into a ball, miming kicking him in the arse,
then doing so to a big pop. Daivari doesn’t get chance to show much, but I did
like his big kneedrop to the back to briefly gain control. Gallagher counters a
rolling elbow with an absolutely sick headbutt, before hitting a corner
dropkick for the win. A star is born.
Rich Swann vs Brian Kendrick
Really dug this. Both guys drop big bombs early, Kendrick
taking Swann down with a big back suplex and Swann hitting a nice tigerbomb.
Really liked Swann getting to show off his athleticism by leaping to the
ringside barriers and hitting a flip clothesline. Because they gave this match
plenty of time, especially in comparison to the cruiserweight matches on Raw,
they were able to tell a story, with Kendrick deciding to work over Swann’s
neck, after opportunistically finding himself in position to hit a neckbreaker
over the metal turnbuckles. Swann beats the count, but a dragon suplex and an
attempt at the Captain’s Hook further weaken the neck. A second Captain’s Hook
really sees the crowd onside with Swann, and there’s a big pop when he reaches
the ropes. Swann kicking out of a top rope Sliced Bread did feel slightly too
much – a superpowered version of Kendrick’s finisher on top of an already
injured neck should have been enough to win. It does lead to the end, as
frustration on Kendrick’s part causes him to rush in, and Swann is able to nail
three big head kicks to win and gain the title. Really good main event for the
first show.
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