Backstage Segment
Drew Gulak is asked to explain his actions out in the ring. He says that he speaks on behalf of the WWE Universe and dreams of a future where no one on 205 Live employs risky, unnecessary high-flying maneuvers. Gulak says tonight we witnessed the first step in his dream becoming a reality.
TJ Perkins vs. Austin Aries
They lock up and Perkins catches him in a leg scissors, then does a dab just to be cocky. Aries reverses the hold into the Last Chancery, but TJP immediately rolls to the floor and recovers as Aries mockingly takes a rest on the top turnbuckle. Perkins drops him down on the top rope and tries to do his spider move in the ropes, but Aries drops him to the floor and hits him with a few hard chops. He climbs to the top turnbuckle but Perkins hits the ropes and crotches him. Perkins is now in control, slowing down the match with rest holds. He does a cocky pin with a dab, which pisses off Aries who gets caught with a crossbody splash for two. He slowly puts him in the butterfly lock while mocking Aries, throwing some uppercuts for good measure, and is just taunting the veteran to do anything about it.
Austin hits a shoulder tackle out of nowhere, followed by a dropkick and the pendulum elbow drop. He drags him to the corner and hits a neckbreaker off the second rope, then goes up high and tries for the 450 splash, but Perkins rolled out of the way. Aries may have tweaked his knee on the way down, limping across the ring, and TJP puts him in a kneebar to further damage the potential injury. Perkins starts throwing kicks and Aries responds with hard elbow strikes, and they go back and forth. Aries comes back with a huge exploder suplex, climbing the ropes and this time he connects with the 450 splash. 1…2…Perkins had his foot on the bottom rope. He makes the cover a second time, but Perkins kicks out; Aries immediately transitions into the Last Chancery, but Perkins drags his body to the ropes to break the hold. TJP rolls the floor to create some space. Aries goes after him but he’s trying to lift dead weight. He was playing possum and Perkins hits a dropkick with Aries caught up in the ropes. Perkins sets up for the Detonation Kick, but Aries catches him with a disorienting ear clap, and hits the discuss forearm for the win.
Winner: Austin Aries
Neville comes out after the match and drops the Cruiserweight Championship on the ramp and the two go right after each other. Neville goes after his banged up knees, but Aries fights back and locks him in the Last Chancery. TJ Perkins come back out of nowhere and breaks up the hold. The two heels beat down Aries and put the boots to him in the corner. Perkins drops him with the Detonation Kick as Neville looks on in approval. Referees come down to try and break up the action, but Neville puts Aries in the Rings of Saturn submission as Perkins sits down and stares at him.
The heels celebrate their “victory” as a swarm of referees tend to Aries, who has a cut above his nose, to send 205 Live off the air.
