Alexander vs. Itami title match set for next week’s WWE 205 Live

Cedric Alexander’s next title defense is set.

WWE announced last night that Hideo Itami would be challenging for Alexander’s Cruiserweight Championship on next Tuesday’s 205 Live. Itami was positioned as the top challenger for the title when he defeated Mustafa Ali and Buddy Murphy in what was unofficially a number one contender’s triple threat match on the June 19 episode of the show.

On last week’s 205 Live, Alexander asked Drake Maverick when his next defense would be and wanted to face Itami. The storyline was that Maverick didn’t want to reward Itami’s bad behavior, like interrupting a match between Ali and Murphy on June 5, but Alexander said Itami has earned the title shot. Itami later shoved Alexander during a backstage interview and they had to be separated.

Alexander has had two televised title defenses since becoming champion, defeating Kalisto at the Greatest Royal Rumble in April and Murphy on 205 Live in May.

SmackDown and 205 Live are taking place at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire next Tuesday. Asuka vs. James Ellsworth in a lumberjack match has been announced for SmackDown, which will be the go-home show for Extreme Rules.