G’day lads and welcome to a bit of a melancholy version of the 205 Live recap. This week through online news sources we were alerted to the fact that Hideo Itami has been granted his release from the WWE after around 4 years of service in order to head back to Japan. This hit home to me in particular, not just because I have been a huge fan of this man for over a decade, but; as an Aussie Ex-pat living in the United Kingdom, I completely empathised with the mixed feelings Itami outlined in making his decision.
On the one hand he has this fantastic opportunity to see the World and be challenged professionally in the biggest company on it. However, you never quite forget the culture, the history and the people you left behind back home.
Do yourself a favour and go have a look at this video of Hideo finishing up. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Previously on 205 Live:
Last Sunday at the Royal Rumble ‘The Juggernaut’ Buddy Murphy defeated 3 challengers to overcome the odds and continue his claim at being the “Greatest cruiserweight champion of all time.” We are now on the road to Wrestlemania and it is still unclear whom the Ranga ‘Rassler will defend against (if anyone) at the (pre-show) of the showcase of the immortals.
On a completely different note; Mike and Maria Kanellis have taken issue with the new signees for the 205 Live Roster in recent weeks. They claim that they are tired of rookies receiving opportunities (1) ahead of the former Kingdom members. Tonight, Mike Kanellis nee Bennett receives his best opportunity (2) to date.
Mike Kanellis vs. Kalisto:
The commentary team remind us, dear viewer, that Kalisto cannot possibly be firing at 100% after the damage he endured in his title opportunity on Sunday. This is nice, subtle work from the boys in the suits behind the desk to (I would suggest) foreshadow a loss for the luchador. His opponent is out now with new gear which has “The Opportunist,” (3) printed on the back. It seems they are really building this narrative for the Kanellis’.
Maria is on commentary and is accusing 205 Live management of favouritism and says all Mike needs is (you guessed it) “an opportunity”(4) because “you can’t win if you don’t have an opportunity.” (5) Just in case you missed the learning objective for our opening contest, Maria then drives it home one more time with “Every day we have to tell our daughter we haven’t had an opportunity.”
(6) Remember earlier what I said about subtlety, yeah, disregard that. There’s a really cool spot in this thing where Kalisto goes for the tope con hilo, Nee Bennett sidesteps him and launches him, with his momentum, head over heels in to the barricade. Maria says her husband is “Taking out frustration,” on Kalisto. Perhaps she hasn’t given him the “opportunity” (7) as much since the birth of “their daughter?”
The narrative in this one sees Nee Bennett, who’s frullet and recent weight cut have him looking a little too much like an extra from Trainspotting, seemingly letting his “frustrations” get the better of him and opting not to take the “opportunity” (8) to pin Kalisto when he gets the chance. As such, Mike gets caught with a sunset flip variation to somehow snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and Bennett gets his pants pulled down.
Promo Pourri:
Team Alliteration are volunteering their services to be in new comer Humberto Carillo’s corner in his next match. Gulak claims that there is “no right way to win a match but there are plenty of wrong ones.” “Just because you can fly around doesn’t mean you should,” says the former CZW World Champion.
Hideo Itami (now Kenta again) is gearing up to go out with a bang in our main event against Akira Tozawa and does his badass Japanese legend bit again here.
We then get some footage from a carpark melee between Tony Nese and Noam Dar which is torn apart primarily by the champion himself, Air Bud. This leads to a Murphy promo backstage saying he doesn’t condone his training partner’s (how would we know if he doesn’t carry a protein shaker cup everywhere) actions. Murph finishes with the most obvious catchphrase of all time. “You can’t stop the unstoppable.” No shit Sherlock, that is literally the definition of the word.
Unstoppable /ʌnˈstɒpəb(ə)l/[Control]
adjective
impossible to stop or prevent.
I guess he is from a country that renamed the TV show Countdown to “Letters and Numbers.”
Hideo Itami vs. Akira Tozawa
Itami sees the shiny side of most of the action throughout this contest but Tozawa refuses to quit. Every time Kenta gets himself in to trouble or Tozawa looks like threatening some offense Daivari saves him with a distraction and Itami maintains the ascendency.
Eventually though Brian Kendrick has had enough of the distractions, gets involved to cause a miscommunication between the villains and Tozawa gets the dupe with the top rope senton.
There was a cavalcade of compliments from the announcers for Itami throughout this match and also after the final bell. The Japanese legend truly has everyone’s respect.
Daivari picks his charge up and is met with warm applause from the crowd before DRILLING Kenta with a lariat! A double-cross and a beauty. Hideo Itami goes out as the consummate professional, putting over both his opponent and his corner man. All the best back at home Kenta.
This is Dom Van Dam going out reminding you all to; follow our insta @wrestlingshouldbefun and to drink lots of water; look after your mates.
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