WWE have announced 205 Live is to hit the road with three brand-exclusive live events in January 2018.
The weekly Cruiserweight showcase hits Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York in the strongest sign yet that WWE is ready to see if 205 Live can sink or swim.
205 Live house shows will be taking place at the following venues:
* Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 – Kingston, RI – The Ryan Center
* Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Auditorium
* Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 – Poughkeepsie, NY – Mid Hudson Civic Center
Tickets for each event go on sale Friday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. EST.
The show – broadcast live on WWE Network on Tuesday nights – has endured its fair share of problems since its debut broadcast in November 2016.
A lack of focus from head office has left 205 Live as the D-show in WWE’s oeuvre behind RAW, SmackDown Live and NXT.
The recent sort-of-departure from WWE of Neville, who had single-handedly kept the entire division afloat over the past few months, seemed an ominous sign for the ailing high flyers. The loss of Austin Aries earlier in 2017 also proved damaging. Aries’ work in the ring and behind the commentary desk had given 205 Live some much-needed personality and experience.
But a turnaround has looked more and more likely of late, and the recent focus on Enzo Amore as a snivelling, cowardly champion, as well as granting the likes of Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann to unclip their wings, has allowed the brand to begin carving its own niche.
A survey sent out to Network subscribers at the end of November asking for their opinions on 205 Live offered some encouragement that the company was prepared to put some work into reviving the brand.
With the show taking place immediately after SmackDown Live airs, 205 Live crowds can be tired, sparse or both. Catering to an exclusive audience could well be the shot in the arm that WWE’s Cruiserweight division needs.
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