205 Live Results: July 17, 2018

Akira Tozawa can play mind games too, Lio

Main event time, as Lio Rush and Akira Tozawa, looked to outshine one another. Drake Maverick had kept an eye on the ring during the entirety of 205 Live, so it's possible that the winner of this match could get a shot at the Cruiserweight Championship in the future.

Lio Rush vs Akira Tozawa

Lio Rush faced his first real challenge tonight as he took on the former champion Akira Tozawa. The M.O.T.H. toyed with Akira Tozawa, teasing a lock-up at the beginning of the match, successfully getting under his skin. Rush then used his speed to get around Tozawa's offense before flooring him with a rope assisted hurricanrana.

Rush sat atop the ropes to tease Tozawa, who then chased Rush around the ring. Rush attempted to catch him as he got back in the ring, but Tozawa countered a roll-up into a stiff kick to the chest followed by a senton. Tozawa then sat atop the ropes, mocking Rush. Rush's anger got the better of him, and he ran into the corner, allowing the veteran to catch the 23-year old with a handful of knife-edge chops.

.@ItsLioRush loves bein' in the driver's seat... #205Live pic.twitter.com/fFl6c1F4h6

— 205Live (@WWE205Live) July 18, 2018

Rush fought Tozawa off, forcing him to the apron before hitting a handspring kick, knocking him to the floor. Tozawa barely made it back into the ring, stumbling at the 7-count. Rush stomped Tozawa in the corner, taunting him all the while. He then put him down in the middle of the mat with a suplex, followed by a kick to the back.

Tozawa fought back to his feet, and both men traded elbows. Tozawa tried to get momentum off the ropes for a running elbow, but Rush cut him off with an elbow of his own. The M.O.T.H. kept him on the ground with a headlock, but Tozawa forced himself out of the hold, leading to the two men trading shots once again. This time, Tozawa got the upper hand, with multiple chops followed by a vicious uppercut, finished with a deadly spinning kick.

Rush was forced to the outside, but Tozawa wouldn't let up. The former champion hit a suicide dive and threw him back into the ring, followed by a dropkick from the top rope, getting a two-count. Rush slapped Tozawa, forcing him to spit his mouthpiece out. He then caught Rush running in, slamming him on his head with a devastating German suplex.

Rush rolled out of the ring before Tozawa could connect with the Senton Bomb. Tozawa chased him to the outside, fighting off an assault from Rush. However, when he attempted the Senton Bomb again, Rush knocked him off the ropes, with Tozawa's head and neck slamming on top of the turnbuckle. Rush then connected with the high angle frog splash for the victory.

Results: Lio Rush defeated Akira Tozawa via pinfall

What do you think, @WWEMaverick? Impressed? #205Live pic.twitter.com/PLrQg6VSSj

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 18, 2018

After the match, Cedric Alexander asked Drake Maverick who he would face for his Cruiserweight Championship. Maverick said that Drew Gulak, Hideo Itami, TJP, and Mustafa Ali would face off in a Fatal-4-Way match. The winner will be Cedric's next challenger.