4 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE 205 Live (Dec 27)

2. ...And Now For Something Completely Different

Jack Gallagher Umbrella
WWE.com

On Monday’s otherwise dire edition of RAW, Jack Gallagher challenged Ariya Daivari to a duel, slapping him across his beleaguered face with a leather glove.

Said duel took place on this week’s edition of 205 Live, and Gallagher carried the segment like the superstar-in-waiting he is. The most over 205 regular, the Chicago fans chanted “scoundrel!” at Daivari in much the same manner they used to call Vince McMahon an “a**hole”. The volume was very much lower in comparison, but Gallagher’s rise was as audible as it was entertaining.

Gallagher has been rewarded for his ingenuity in the character department; his is so unique, and so suited to the sports entertainment environment, that such a segment could not have been scripted for everybody else.

In it, Gallagher explained the rules he knew Daivari - being of Middle Eastern descent - was DNA-encoded to break. Anticipating the ruse with the wit required by a babyface to get over (take note, Cedric Alexander), Gallagher set upon Daivari with an umbrella (!), maximising his minutes by doing so in a gentlemanly manner, almost delicately trouncing him on the head with one hand stuck to his waist.

This was something entirely removed from the CWC - and, for once, all the better for it.

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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 current Undisputed WWE 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!