7 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (July 28)

1. 205 Live's Nickname

Kenny Omega Toru Yano II
Twitter (@voiceswrestling)

Is there a more pointless TV show than 205 Live?

It is marketed as "the most exciting hour on television". Ostensibly, it's meant to be WWE's workrate show, a haven for those who prefer dynamic, aerial in-ring action over the flagship's soap opera-style storylines and lame comedy skits. So WWE decided to make soap opera-style storylines and lame comedy skits the primary focus of 205 Live. Things haven't improved much since the mercy killing of the Noam Dar/Alicia Fox business; this week, The Brian Kendrick did the old photoshop montage bit in an attempt to humiliate Gentleman Jack Gallagher. It died a death in the arena, at least for those few left in attendance.

WWE production staffers, according to the Voices Of Wrestling Twitter page, are so amused by this phenomenon that they have started calling it '205 Leave'. More than 205 people leave after SmackDown, surely. It is a morgue in there. Everybody - even WWE - knows that 205 Live is a spectacular misfire. That didn't stop the company bragging about it in their recent quarterly reports.

While it's easy to criticise, the show has actually improved over the last month or so, insofar as main events go. A match like TJP Vs. Rich Swann from July 4, with its excellent acknowledgement of their shared history, would have rocked Full Sail, or even the Hammerstein Ballroom. Broadcast live after SmackDown, it will continue to be the most pointless hour on television.

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!