10 Best WWE 205 Live Matches
The Cruiserweight division hasn't been a complete bust.
A little over one year ago, 205 Live debuted as the all-new WWE Network show airing after SmackDown Live on Tuesday nights, exclusive to the Cruiserweight division. After an uninspiring launch to the division in September 2016, fans were hopeful that this program would serve as a platform for the talent to finally showcase their skills and be given an opportunity to tell more stories.
The Cruiserweights have certainly had more storylines thanks to the inception of 205 Live, but the show hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire the way everyone hoped it would. A recent survey distributed by the company to Network subscribers asking them why they aren't watching 205 Live essentially sums up that viewership isn't where it should be and that the division has failed to generate excitement on the whole.
While 205 Live often feels like a fourth hour of Raw featuring forgettable outings, the show has hosted a handful of exceptional matches on occasion that haven't received the respect and attention they deserve. Whether the Cruiserweight Championship was on the line, a new contender was crowned, or two rivals settled a score, these are the top ten matches that deserve to be called the best in the show's history (so far).
10. The Brian Kendrick Vs. Rich Swann (Nov. 29, 2016)
205 Live had to have a hot start, or it would risk being labeled a failure from its inception. A majority of the show's premiere featured nothing newsworthy whatsoever, so it was up to The Brian Kendrick and Rich Swann to deliver an exciting main event and kick off the new era of the Cruiserweight division on a high note.
Swann had been wisely protected leading up to the bout and gradually got himself over with the audience, so Kendrick was a fantastic foil for him in his first-ever shot at the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Kendrick had proven in his short-lived reign as champ that he was willing to do whatever it took to retain his title, so it was unknown whether he would escape with the championship intact or not.
Despite Kendrick's best efforts, all it took was a swift kick from Swann for him to score the three count and his first taste of WWE gold in what was an emotional moment. Austin Aries making his commentary debut that night was merely the icing on the cake.