WWE 205 Live results: Kushida vs. Ari Sterling

205 Live aired this week following another batch of cuts from WWE, leaving 205 Live’s already thin roster even slimmer. Two of the individuals cut (Leon Ruff and Ari Sterling) were featured on tonight’s episode. 

Why this show even exists, I couldn’t tell you. In the past, it was a kind of purgatory pretending to be NXT’s extra half-hour, where people toiled indefinitely, working out the duration of their contract. Now that Titan has moved away from talent hoarding, this is just thirty minutes of random guys who might or might not be under 205 pounds without any semblance of purpose. 

Leon Ruff defeated Grayson Waller 

Leon Ruff’s release was revealed less than an hour before this match aired. 

In his last match, Ruff was dominated for most of its duration. In the end, he powered through and pulled off an unexpected win. 

Waller used his size to gain an early advantage. Waller took his time, dropping Ruff with move after move. After minutes of domination, Waller sent Ruff to the outside, where the command continued. 

Ruff connected with a dive as Waller argued with the referee, but Waller regained momentum moments later. Ruff fought free again, only for Waller to dodge a dive before Ruff could connect with anything significant. 

Waller connected with his cutter for a convincing near fall. He then lifted Ruff for the Argentine backbreaker, but Ruff reversed, connecting with a surprise crucifix driver. Waller failed to kick out of the pin that followed, leaving Ruff with a surprise victory.

Kushida defeated Ari Sterling

Ari Sterling’s release was also revealed less than an hour before this match aired. Sterling is a highly talented athlete who had yet to wet his feet in WWE. 

In his last match, Sterling put on an athletic showcase as he is so prone to do. The match opened with both men on equal footing. Sterling sent Kushida outside, but Kushida dodged the moon sauce. Kushida connected with a dropkick to the knee, opening the limb up for further attack. 

Sterling avoided further punishment by gaining control with knee strikes. A flipping leg drop allowed Sterling to take Kushida to the mat. Kushida escaped the body scissors by reapplying pressure to the injured knee. 

With both men on the top rope, Sterling connected with a rana. Sterling missed a double foot stomp allowing Kushida to dropkick the once more. Kushida maintained his control and locked in the hoverboard lock, forcing Sterling to tap. 

While his time in Titan was short, I’m sure Alex Zayne will make it. He’s too talented not to.