Since the WWE launched the WWE Network-exclusive program and eventually crowned a new Cruiserweight Champion, hardcore wrestling fans have been clamoring for something even more. True, the Cruiserweight Division can be found on WWE’s flagship Monday Night Raw but is it actually doing any of the superstars or rating favors as it hasn’t exactly gotten over with the more mainstream crowd. Well, WWE just announced that the Cruiserweights will be given their own show that will air on, you guessed it, the WWE Network.
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The show, called 205 Live which references the weight limit of 205 pounds, will be a one-hour show on the Network which will air right after SmackDown! Live. So that could mean that Talking Smack will likely be moved after this new show, or be aired sometime in the streaming schedule. That’s slightly unfortunate as it really helps moves SmackDown’s stories along.
However, even given their own show, it’s unclear if the Cruiserweights will be leaving Raw altogether or this is just another hour of programming to spotlight them as well as bring in new talent. Could this be the NXT of NXT?
Here’s the company’s official announcement regarding the new series:
A one-hour, in-ring program called 205 Live, showcasing WWE’s new Cruiserweight division, will premiere Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 10 p.m. ET, exclusively on WWE Network. The live weekly show will be called by Mauro Ranallo, the voice of SmackDown LIVE, and Corey Graves, color commentator for Monday Night Raw.
Coming off the success of WWE Network’s recent Cruiserweight Classic tournament and the formation of the new Cruiserweight division, which airs exclusively on Monday Night Raw, 205 Live will feature Superstars that are 205 pounds and under, including: new WWE Cruiserweight Champion The Brian Kendrick, as well as TJ Perkins, Rich Swann, Noam Dar, HoHo Lun, Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado, Gran Metallik, Tozawa, Jack Gallagher, Gurv Sihra and Harv Sihra.
“205 Live is a natural progression to showcase the depth of our roster,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “With world-class talent such as Brian Kendrick, TJ Perkins, and Rich Swann, 205 Live will be a must-see program on WWE Network.”
“With the addition of 205 Live to an already robust programming schedule, WWE continues to enhance the value of WWE Network for our subscribers,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer. “We take pride in listening to our fans and delivering even more live, premium content that they are asking for.”
The in-ring action will be called by Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves, who worked together on the cruiserweight pre-show tag match before Hell in a Cell. SmackDown’s Ranallo was the play-by-play voice for the CWC, while Graves was the host in backstage/studio segments and is the current color commentator, and easily the best heel one at that, on Raw.
So with three hours for Raw, two for SmackDown!, one hour for NXT, and one hour for this new show, and add in four hours every two weeks for a pay-per-view and you’re looking at 7-11 hours of serialized WWE programming a week. That potentially could be a lot for one fan to take in, but if this helps the Cruiserweight Division and its stars, I’m all in.
