How Triple H Can Save WWE 205 Live
Salvaging a broken brand.
For WWE fans of a certain ilk, 2016's Cruiserweight Classic was a godsend.
In a refreshing break from the company's usual soap opera dramatics, the workrate-centric competition appeased hardcores by pushing match quality back to the forefront, with a cast of simple, relatable characters working bouts on-par with anything found on the independents. Regardless of whether or not it was intended as such, it felt like pure, unbridled fan service, generating immense buzz for future tournaments and the Cruiserweight division's impending revival.
Sadly, this enthusiasm was dashed within the first few weeks. Champion TJ Perkins was quickly ostracised, matches were but listless affairs on Raw's undercard, and the ring style eschewed everything that made the tournament so exciting. Fast, fluid, dramatic action was out, resthold-heavy stall-fests took over, with the cruisers' inability to offer anything the heavyweights weren't already delivering rendering them moot.
By the time 205 Live was born in November 2016, the idea of a CWC-style show was fanciful. Filmed before a tired, disinterested crowd, it immediately became WWE's most skippable brand, languishing in the lower depths of the Network's weekly top 10.
It took over a year for Vince McMahon to acknowledge the malaise, but his solution failed. The Chairman felt 205 needed stronger personalities, and thus, Enzo Amore was in, and 2017 standout Neville was out. Though an entertaining heel, the new champion couldn't prompt a turnaround, and he was released amid sexual assault allegations four months after his ascent.
The beleaguered brand lost its figurehead and McMahon's interest. Where could it possibly head next?
Back to September 2016, and the Cruiserweight Classic.
Amore's departure provoked an immediate upturn. Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander wrestled an awesome main event harking back to the tourney's style on the January 23rd episode. The changes were permanent, and days later, the reason behind them became apparent.
Triple H, the man who'd brought five-star matches back to WWE by transforming NXT into workrate heaven, had taken the reins. Vince was gone. In washing his hands of 205 and handing it to his son-in-law, the Chairman made the best possible decision. The sharp, uncomplicated focus that made the CWC so special is back, and four weeks into its reinvention, Triple H's new pet project has already become one of WWE's most exciting shows.
The action is outstanding, Drake Maverick has been a revelation as a relatively hands-off general manager, and the roster are no longer hampered by one-note gimmicks and heavy stylistic restrictions. Hardcore fans, rejoice, for WWE have finally answered your prayers.
But with over a year's worth of damage still to repair, 'The Game's' work is far from done. Fortunately, he has plenty of options on the table...
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