WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for February 6

Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak

Result: Akira Tozawa defeated Drew Gulak via pinfall

Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars

Man, I don’t know exactly what the holdup was in getting Tozawa in the ring after the CWC, but it’s criminal that it took so long.

That noise you all may have heard during his match tonight? It’s called a “crowd reaction.” It’s exceedingly rare for those to exist when the ropes are purple, so you may not have realized that’s what was going on. But Tozawa has the kind of skills and intangibles that connects with a crowd.

The best thing that could happen with the Cruiserweight Division is for actual personalities to develop. We have Jack Gallagher, Mustafa Ali, and kinda Tony Nese right now as characters. Maybe Ariya Daivari? Not to mention the Cedric Alexander-Noam Dar thing with Alicia Fox. But Tozawa has the potential to be a unique personality, as well. (So does Drew Gulak, but that sadly seems to be very low on the to-do list.)

Even if we go just on in-ring stuff, you don’t need to look further than Tozawa’s German suplex. If you blink, you might miss it. And, judging by the way the crowd responded, it’s the kind of move that can pop a disinterested audience. And since the 205 Live crowds are always DOA, it’s a much-needed jolt in the arm.

We’re going to ignore The Brian Kendrick trying to ingratiate himself with every Japanese wrestler on 205 Live, though. It’s… weird.