3 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE 205 Live (January 24, 2017)
Downs...
2. Another Chapter In A Predictable Story...
...one which might not even happen.
Prior to the second match, The Brian Kendrick sounded off on his opponent - Tripp Bradshaw - whose conspicuous lack of internet presence marks his moniker as quite the coincidence. It’s a little suspicious that the infamously petty company managed to source a hometown jobber with a name that just happened to double as a rib at JBL’s expense.
Squash matches work because the talent doing the squashing is a newly-introduced and intriguing face. Booking the most overfamiliar member of the roster to lay waste to some nonentity was a waste of five minutes, really. “Here’s the cold, harsh reality, kid: you’re neither cold enough or harsh enough to make it here,” Kendrick said. His promo was another waste of time. The outcome was nailed on - but the match, at least, was heated enough by 205 Live’s cold, harsh standards.
The map is easy to read - Kendrick is underscoring his seniority to set-up a veteran rivalry with Tajiri - but there is no timescale for the Japanese Buzzsaw’s return. What if he’s out for months?!