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Lio Rush petitioned for his right to be in the Fatal-4-Way at the Royal Rumble after he was "cheated" out of his opportunity by the Lucha House Party. Rush said that he's not going to sulk, but LHP will definitely feel the Rush.
Cedric Alexander vs Hideo Itami w/Ariya Daivari
Will John Cena beat Ric Flair's record? A former WCW Champion thinks so HERE
Cedric Alexander was extremely confident as this match began, forcing Itami into the ropes early. Back in the middle, they locked up, with Alexander and Itami attempting to lock each other down.
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Backstage, Buddy Murphy was looking on, scouting out the competition. Alexander locked in a hammerlock on Itami, then hit an arm breaker. Itami attempted to bring Alexander down with an armbar, but Alexander fought out and delivered a nasty chop.
A trade of strikes between almost anyone and Itami usually spells doom for the opponent, but Alexander has been known to go toe-to-toe with the punishing striker.
A few kicks seemed to leave Alexander hurt, but he sent Itami to the mat with head scissors followed by a dropkick. Alexander stumbled a bit, as the kicks he took earlier seemed to really affect him. The Soul of 205 stayed on top of Itami, though, continuing to catch him with some impressive kicks.
Itami distracted the referee, though, allowing Ariya Daivari to take him out with a clothesline. From here, Itami took over, sending Alexander into the barricade. Back inside, Itami pelted Alexander's lower back with some brutal kicks. Itami then forced him into the corner, where he punished Alexander with more kicks to the chest.
On the ropes, Alexander stunned Itami with a boot and fought back with a pair of clotheslines. Itami countered another attempt, setting him up in the middle ropes and crashing into him with a diving leg drop.
Itami picked up his opponent and doubled him over with a knee to the gut. Alexander would get back to his feet, though, attacking the legs of Itami with a dropkick to his knees. Alexander connected with the springboard flatliner, but Itami kicked out.
Alexander attempted the Lumbar Check, but Itami escaped. He wasn't safe for long, as an uppercut rocked him. Alexander went for the Neuralizer, only for Itami to connect with a dropkick to his chest as he was moving off of the ropes. Dropped by a fisherman suplex, Alexander kicked out.
Itami went for the GTS'18 but Alexander fought out. A flying fist off the top rope again nearly put Alexander away, but he kicked out at two. Itami picked up Alexander, attempting to lock in his arms for a maneuver. Alexander fought out, and the two men traded blows. This time around, Alexander won the trade, but as he went for the Neuralizer again, he was caught. He fought away from Itami and finally hit the Neuralizer for a two-count.
As they stood up, Itami held onto the ropes, preventing a Lumbar Check. The veteran managed to escape as Daivari pulled him out of the ring, only for Alexander to take them both out with a flying rolling senton. Alexander rolled Itami back inside. However, Daivari distracted him, allowing Itami to counter the springboard Clothesline with a tough right hand.
A Falcon Arrow from the apron to the outside seemed to put Alexander away. All Itami had to do was make it back inside the ring, and he'd be added to the Fatal-4-Way. As he rolled back inside, he waited for Alexander to roll in, then connected with the basement dropkick. Alexander avoided another GTS'18, only to be hit with another basement dropkick.
Itami finally connected with the GTS'18 for the victory.
Results: Hideo Itami defeated Cedric Alexander via pinfall.
Itami has been locked into the Fatal-4-Way match. Along with Akira Tozawa and Kalisto, Itami will attempt to tear that Cruiserweight Championship away from the Juggernaut Buddy Murphy.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton asked who Murphy considered his biggest threat. Murphy said that Itami might be the deadliest striker on 205 Live, but he's hungry for competition. Murphy said he's the greatest cruiserweight of all time, and issued an open challenge to anyone who meets the 205 weight limit.
