Rich Swann vs. Brian Kendrick: WWE 205 Live Cruiserweight Match Winner, Reaction

One week after beating Brian Kendrick for the Cruiserweight Championship on the debut episode of 205 Live, Rich Swann successfully defended his title against Kendrick Tuesday night. 

Right after the loss, Kendrick proceeded to attack TJ Perkins, who was at the announcing table, via 205Live on Twitter: 

As the show ended, there were Superstars laid out all over the place, via 205Live:

Swann entered 205 Live on a massive roll with a number of huge victories under his belt as part of WWE's cruiserweight division.

In the weeks leading up to his title shot against Kendrick, Swann defeated the veteran on two occasions. After Kendrick retained the cruiserweight strap against Kalisto at Survivor Series due to interference from Baron Corbin, it set the stage for Swann's opportunity.

The so-called outlandish Superstar and Kendrick main-evented 205 Live in a match that hearkened back to the excitement and intensity of the Cruiserweight Classic.

It was a back-and-forth affair that featured several near falls, but Swann managed to prevail, which made for an emotional scene due to the culmination of what was a long and arduous journey for Swann.

While that was a huge win, Swann proved on Raw that he wasn't simply a flash in the pan by beating CWC winner and former cruiserweight champion Perkins in an entertaining bout.

That triumph gave Swann a ton of momentum going into his first title defense, but it was far from enough for him to feel totally comfortable going up against a competitor as crafty as Kendrick.

The 37-year-old Man With a Plan has nearly two decades of experience to his credit, and that has been on full display throughout his return to WWE.

Not only did Kendrick pull out all the stops in a strong CWC showing, but he continued to do so as part of the cruiserweight division, and it is a big reason why he was able to beat TJP for the cruiserweight title.

Kendrick feigned an injury and suckered Perkins in to take the belt, and although he dropped it to Swann, there was little doubt that Kendrick would go to almost any length to win it back.

That put the risk-taking Swann on high alert, and it made for an interesting dichotomy that helped tell a great story throughout.

Although Kendrick nearly recaptured the title on several occasions, the red-hot Swann managed to retain, which creates some question marks for what comes next for him, Kendrick and the Cruiserweight Championship.

A new No. 1 contender is needed with Roadblock: End of the Line on the horizon, and while that has yet to be determined, there is little doubt that Swann has what it takes to put on a great show with whoever emerges.

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