On a recent edition of his “Oh You Didn’t Know” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Brian “Road Dogg” James discussed the now-defunct WWE 205 Live program and the company’s Cruiserweight division.
Road Dogg stated that since 205 Live only aired on the WWE Network, fans had to search for the show to watch it, which ultimately led to the downfall of the brand.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On the goal of 205 Live: “There’s so many people out there that are great that are under 200 pounds. Look at both rosters right now, [they] are just chocka block full of them. So, I think it was an opportunity to get that kind of talent, the smaller than the normal WWE talent on WWE programming, and get them under contract.”
On how 205 Live became like a hidden gem: “We talked about all this. Do we make the third hour of Raw 205 Live? There’s a million conversations, and call it WWE Turbo or something. I don’t know what we were out to get; it was almost a hidden little gem. You had to really go in there and find 205 to watch. I think if you go back on there right now and watch it on the archives, there is great, and I mean great, wrestling matches on there.”
WWE 205 Live ran from November 2016 to February 2022. The Cruiserweight Championship was eventually transferred to NXT and later unified with the NXT North American Championship, effectively dissolving the Cruiserweight division.
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The Rise and Fall of WWE’s 205 Live: A Hidden Gem Lost in the Shuffle
For fans of professional wrestling, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is a household name. With its larger-than-life characters, captivating storylines, and impressive athleticism, WWE has been entertaining audiences for decades. One of the company’s ventures, 205 Live, aimed to showcase a unique group of wrestlers known as the Cruiserweights. However, despite its initial promise, 205 Live ultimately met its demise. In this article, we will explore the rise and fall of WWE’s 205 Live and the factors that contributed to its downfall.
The goal of 205 Live was to provide a platform for wrestlers who weighed under 205 pounds. This division allowed these talented individuals to shine and demonstrate their skills on a grand stage. Brian “Road Dogg” James, a WWE Hall of Famer, discussed the purpose of 205 Live on his podcast, “Oh You Didn’t Know.” He emphasized that there are numerous exceptional wrestlers who fall under the weight limit and deserved a chance to showcase their abilities on WWE programming.
Despite the potential of 205 Live, it struggled to gain traction with fans. Road Dogg acknowledged that one of the main reasons for its downfall was the fact that the show only aired on the WWE Network. Unlike other WWE programs that aired on cable television, fans had to actively search for 205 Live to watch it. This lack of accessibility made it challenging for the brand to attract a wider audience and gain popularity.
Road Dogg also mentioned that there were discussions within WWE about integrating 205 Live into the main roster programming. Ideas such as making it the third hour of Raw or rebranding it as “WWE Turbo” were considered. However, these plans never materialized, and 205 Live remained a hidden gem that only dedicated fans sought out.
Despite its struggles, 205 Live showcased some incredible wrestling matches. Road Dogg praised the quality of the matches and encouraged fans to revisit the archives to witness the greatness that took place on the show. Unfortunately, these exceptional performances were not enough to save 205 Live from its eventual demise.
In February 2022, WWE made the decision to dissolve the Cruiserweight division and transfer the Cruiserweight Championship to NXT. The title was later unified with the NXT North American Championship, effectively ending the era of 205 Live. The reasons behind this decision are multifaceted and likely involve factors such as viewership numbers, creative direction, and the company’s overall strategy.
The story of 205 Live serves as a cautionary tale for WWE and other wrestling promotions. It highlights the importance of accessibility and visibility in attracting and retaining an audience. While the show had its share of great matches and talented performers, its limited exposure hindered its potential for success.
As fans continue to reminisce about the rise and fall of 205 Live, it is essential to appreciate the efforts of the wrestlers who gave their all in the ring. Their dedication and passion for their craft should not be forgotten, even if the show itself has faded into obscurity.
In conclusion, WWE’s 205 Live was a unique venture that aimed to showcase talented wrestlers under 205 pounds. Despite its initial promise, the show struggled to gain traction due to its limited accessibility on the WWE Network. While it featured exceptional matches, 205 Live ultimately met its demise when WWE decided to dissolve the Cruiserweight division. The story of 205 Live serves as a reminder of the importance of accessibility and visibility in the world of professional wrestling.