Vince McMahon said last February during a quarterly earnings conference call that there are plans to turn 205 Live into a viable revenue source. There have been whispers of 205 Live running their own house shows independent of the WWE main roster’s schedule but nothing has really been mentioned about it in an official sense.
In the last few months, Enzo Amore’s addition to 205 Live has meant a ratings boost for the cruiserweight showcase. With more people watching and the exciting addition of Hideo Itami on the way, it looks like WWE is preparing to put the wheels in motion for something pretty cool.
PW Insider has confirmed WWE will move forward with their first planned events for the 205 Live roster in January. Although it is thought of in an experimental phase right now the plan is to run a weekend’s worth of 205 Live shows in smaller arenas like NXT once a month. The first shows will tentatively be January 18th-20th and they will be gearing for smaller buildings in the Northeast.
It looks like January’s dates are pretty solid and potential February dates aren’t set in stone just yet. But if things go well, who knows how far this will go in cementing a new passionate fanbase for these hardworking 205 Live stars?
After all, 205 Live could become a sanctuary for wrestling fans who might feel displaced in the current fan climate of the main roster. The 205 Live stars are unique enough to distinguish themselves as an individual brand and it would be pretty cool to see an entire live show based on the 205 Live experience.
It’s just too bad Neville won’t be around to enjoy this, but with him reportedly still under WWE contract, there’s always a possibility the King Of The Cruiserweights might rejoin the 205 Live locker room as they take on this new venture of making towns with a full live show.
