WWE 205 Live recap for March 19, 2019: Cedric Alexander vs Tony Nese

Cedric Alexander vs Tony Nese

Both Cedric Alexander and Tony Nese look intense coming to the ring for an extremely important match. Nese slows the pace down early with a wrist lock and a few counters on both sides with chain wrestling. Alexander gets back control with an impressive dropkick that gets the crowd fired up. The crowd is 90 percent in favor of Alexander in the early stages of this match.

Nese showed off a combination of moves that ended with a spinning kick to end Alexander’s flurry. The aggression shown by Nese demonstrates just how much the match means to him. Nese continues to slow the pace down as Alexander’s short runs of fast-paced offense gets chopped down on a few occasions.

Alexander’s dropkick gives him some momentum along with hitting both the Neutralizer and Flatliner on Nese. Nese, however, kicks out of each. The match goes back and forth with both men showcasing their resilience due to having such an important title shot on the line. Nese delivers a picture-perfect springboard moonsault before getting a two count. Alexander responds with a tremendous Michinoku Driver. A small “205” chant is heard from the crowd in appreciation of the efforts of both men.

Both wrestlers crash to the floor following a middle rope rope struggle for positioning. Alexander and Nese each get back into the ring at the ninth second of the 10 count. More back and forth moves are exchanged as the crowd applauds. 205 Live crowds are typically hard to win over as the show follows two hours of SmackDown, but they have been won over on this night.

Nese executed a wild Fosbury Flop to the outside before hitting a 450 Splash back in the ring. Alexander kicked out at two, leaving Nese in a state of confusion and frustration. A reversal into a standing Spanish Fly gives Alexander control again. Alexander hits his nearly unbeatable Lumbar Check finisher, but Nese kicks out at two to great shock from the crowd.

The two exchange more counters of pins until Nese obtained full control, hitting a running knee into the corner. Nese pins Alexander and gets the three count to win the match. Commentary points out that this is the biggest win of Nese’s career, as he now gets to have a title shot at WrestleMania 35. Alexander shows respect in defeat by shaking Nese’s hand, with the fans chanting “that was awesome.” The match lived up to the word of the fans; this was one of the best 205 Live main events in recent memory.

Winner: Tony Nese