WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for July 17
By Bryan Heaton
The Brian Kendrick & Drew Gulak vs. Mustafa Ali & Gentleman Jack Gallagher
Result: Mustafa Ali & Gentleman Jack Gallagher defeated The Brian Kendrick & Drew Gulak via pinfall
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
Big news for the cruiserweight division: NO PURPLE ROPES! It’s like they’re actually part of the same show instead of second class citizens.
Other news: Drew Gulak is the best, and I fully support his No Fly Zone campaign. Seeing him sort of regress into his CZW days with the “Gulak for a Better 205 Live” political-style buttons (and now T-shirt, which better be on WWE Shop) is a pleasant surprise. One of the knocks on Gulak has been a lack of charisma, but the dude is great. Just because it isn’t “flashy” doesn’t mean it’s not charismatic.
Two of #205Live's most HEATED rivalries are front and center as @GentlemanJackG & @MustafaAliWWE take on @mrbriankendrick & @DrewGulak! #RAW pic.twitter.com/MNpqP9SdWI
— WWE (@WWE) July 18, 2017
The problem is, the majority of the time this match got was devoted to multiple entrances and a commercial break between the entrances. The actual in-ring action was mostly non-existent. Considering these are the two biggest feuds on 205 Live (outside of Neville/Tozawa), it’s borderline criminal to give so little time here.
The standard stuff was here, though. Gallagher broke out the cringiest headbutt this side of the Pacific. Ali hit his inverted 450 splash for a win. He didn’t pin Gulak, saving the action for the 2 out of 3 falls match tomorrow on 205 Live.
Breathtaking...@MustafaAliWWE picks up the win for himself and @GentlemanJackG as only HE can! #RAW #205Live pic.twitter.com/bKrG1oL9Zc
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 18, 2017
Side note: I love Corey Graves, but please have a better name for Ali’s inverted 450 than “The 054.” I’d rather it be the 312 (one of Chicago’s area codes) or something like that.