2 Ups And 4 Downs From WWE 205 Live (December 13 2016)

In which the Cruiserweights receive Titan Training.

by Michael Sidgwick
Swann Perkins
WWE.com

This past summer’s Cruiserweight Classic tournament was so well received because it differed massively from the WWE norm - and yet, it was presented under the WWE banner.

A celebration of diversity, the tournament was presented in a rewarding real sports framework and commentated upon by the enthusiastic and knowledgable Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan. There were no clusterf*ck opening segments, no romantic sub-plots, no authority angles. It was antithetical to the company which presented it. Brian Kendrick even whipped out a move so kayfabe deadly that it was only deployed seven times in the legendarily brutal All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH.

When WWE announced 205 Live, that wave of optimism receded into suspicion. The ECW revival of 2006, for one, confirmed that Vince McMahon was only interested in promoting one style of wrestling. Most expected 205 Live to blend into the background, acting as a glorified Superstars with only 10% more aerial manoeuvres. McMahon famously equates small with weak, and mandates a safer and slower style for what Kevin Nash loves to call vanilla midgets.

Has he reverted to type?

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!