205 Live has been struggling to make WWE Network’s list of the top 20 most watched shows of the week, according to Dave Meltzer. This week, it is currently the #6 most popular show on WWE Network, with NXT at #1.
The Cruiserweight Classic tournament beat NXT each week, but 205 Live has not “recaptured the magic” of the tournament.
The problems with 205 Live seemed obvious from the start, imo. It seems like it would easily do much better and be much more well-received if it was just taped at a smaller venue like Full Sail University or even the Hammerstein Ballroom if possible. A smaller, loud crowd that actually appreciates the matches (instead of a bored and tired SmackDown crowd) would make the show about 89209 times better.
The matches have also obviously been a lot safer compared to some of the Cruiserweight Classic matches, with WWE reportedly telling the wrestlers to “tone it down.” It’s obviously better for the well-being of the wrestlers, but also sort of has made the matches indistinguishable from any other “regular” match on Raw. With everything combined, it feels hard to actually care about the cruiserweight division or 205 Live.
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