2 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE 205 Live (Jan 10)

1. Addition By Subtraction

It’s probably no coincidence that an episode of 205 Live on which Neville made only a fleeting appearance was the weakest since his return - but his in-ring absence prolonged the intrigue of his budding feud with Rich Swann. The booking was clever - even if the stakes were treated frivolously when Swann referred to Neville during the closing segment as a “gargoyle” and “Dumbo”. Don’t be a bully, be a star, etc. etc.

Tony Nese entered a very good performance in his main event opposite Swann; preening in the early going, he very quickly adapted his approach to cover Swann like a rash, conveying the serious threat he was confronted with.

That sense of pacing soon diminished. The match sagged at the halfway point - Nese isn’t over enough to generate heat during those WWE-mandated rest hold spots, though he did furnish them with some killer, laser-focused facial expressions - but it recovered to assemble a stiff finishing sequence.

Austin Aries continued his rapid rate of improvement at the commentary desk. Corey Graves praised Nese for clearing three quarters of the ring with an ill-fated springboard moonsault. Barely missing a beat, Aries responded “I get four fifths across the ring, Corey, but it was impressive. He is slowly mastering the careful balancing act of the heel commentator.

It’s a shame the show itself, in contrast, was a regression of past form.