Ever since the inception of 205 Live, it’s been recorded after Smackdown Live would end, giving the live crowd a third hour of wrestling to enjoy. This in theory is fine, but it would usually leave the Cruiserweights with a tired and deflated crowd, with a lot of people leaving after Smackdown ended. A common solution echoed by fans was the simply move the show to where NXT was taped, as the NXT audience is perfectly tuned for the fast paced action. This week, that becomes reality.
Back To Their Roots
The Crusierweight Revival started in 2016 with the Crusierweight Classic, which was taped in Full Sail University, to great acclaim. The crowds were loud and excited for every single matchup, and many of the competeors from that tournament still occupy the roster of 205 Live, including former Crusierweight Champions like Drew Gulak, Tony Nese and Akira Tozawa.
Performance Center Advantage
It hasn’t been uncommon for 205 Live to use enhancement talent in matches to make their roster members look strong, and with Full Sail University being close to the WWE Performance Center, this will give them a steady supply of talent for both that, and to add to their roster. Most Cruiserweights were drafted recently to RAW & Smackdown, and especially with those on Smackdown it could be hard for them to continue on 205 Live as it’s on the same night in a different location. Pulling young talent from the Performance Center could help build the roster back up.
Keeping Full Sail Filled
It seems like only a matter of time before NXT goes on the road for their weekly outings, which would mean leaving it’s home of Full Sail behind. 205 Live could easily fill that void for the local fans who have been frequenting the venue for years now. Full Sail University is a fantastic venue, and it’d be a shame to see it left in the dust as NXT out grows it. Another potential way to keep wrestling at Full Sail would be a weekly show focused on the womens division, there are plenty of women who can’t get time on NXT, RAW or Smackdown who would love their own hour to shine.
Who knows if this is a long term move or simply a test, but this will almost certainly fix the only issue with 205 Live, that being the dead crowds. 205 Live will air directly after Smackdown on Friday, only on the WWE Network.
Source: https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/1191496311700434950?s=19
