Tonight’s episode of 205 Live opens up with Vic Joseph, Percy Watson & Nigel McGuinness welcoming us to a special “Best Of 2018” edition of 205 Live. The commentary team addresses the big events that took place in 2018 starting with former SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan appointing the new 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick.

We then get highlights of Maverick’s first big announcement for 205 Live, which was The 16-Man Tournament To Determine The New WWE Cruiserweight Champion culminating at WrestleMania 34. The final two competitors of that tournament were Mustafa Ali & Cedric Alexander.

We then get footage of Alexander & Ali’s promos leading up to their tournament final. Ali talks about how WrestleMania was his first PPV ever. Meanwhile, Alexander talks about his epic journey just to be in the division and that unfortunately for Ali, he will be the one that becomes champion.

We then cut to the match itself. (Already in progress.)

Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali (WWE Cruiserweight Title Match From WrestleMania 34): Alexander is targeting the mid-section, but Ali mounts a comeback using his speed. Signature roll-through x-factor from Ali. Alexander responds with an uppercut before catching Ali in a standing Spanish-Fly. Back on his feet, Ali goes for a tornado DDT, but Alexander doesn’t bite and drops Ali onto the turnbuckle. Alexander attempts a top rope Lumbar Check but Ali blocks it. Both men trade strikes on the top rope. Spanish Fly from the top by Ali. Ali drags Alexander over for the 054, but Alexander pushes Ali to ringside. Alexander waits for the count, but instead decides to throw Ali in the ring for a pin attempt. Ali escapes. Alexander yells at Ali to stay down. He stomps Ali repeatedly. Lumbar Check attempt, but Ali shifts his weight and lands on his feet. Poison Frankensteiner. Pop up tornado DDT. Ali climbs and hits the 054. Alexander gets his foot on the ropes. Now Ali is mad. He starts stomping Alexander in the gut. He goes for the 054 again, but Alexander moves. Both men are down. They meet in the middle. Alexander lands a series of reverse elbows. Lumbar Check and that will do it. Winner & The New WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Cedric Alexander

We then cut to an interview from Cedric Alexander, who calls his triumph at WrestleMania a magical moment in his life. He says that no matter what else happens in his career, he will always have that night. Alexander then states that losing the title was a much harder moment for him, but promises that one day he will be a 2-time champion.

We then get a video package of The 205 Live roster making their resolutions for 2019. TJP & Akira Tozawa plan on getting Drake Maverick fired. Hideo Itami promises to break some faces. Noam Dar hopes to find love. Mike & Maria Kanellis plan on taking over the division.

We then get a video package of The Lucha House Party highlighting each man’s unique skill. Kalisto calls the trio the three amigos.

Back to the commentary team, where McGuinness calls The Lucha House Party the Loser House Party. Vic Joseph redirects to the next highlight match, which is Cedric Alexander’s WWE Cruiserweight Title defense against Buddy Murphy at Super Showdown in Murphy’s hometown of Melbourne, Australia.

We then get a promo video of Alexander & Murphy’s intense rivalry, which included Alexander defeating Murphy on an episode of 205 Live. Murphy claimed that Alexander only won because he got lucky. Alexander believes that this defense will define his legacy.

They go to the matchup. (Once again already in progress.)

Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy (WWE Cruiserweight Title Match At WWE Super Showdown): Murphy is in control at this point of the bout. He wears Alexander down with chinlocks and tosses Alexander into the turnbuckle head first. Murphy charges Alexander, but Alexander rebounds with a superkick. Murphy fires back with a stiff elbow to Alexander’s face and sets Alexander up for a superplex. Alexander turns it into a Michinoku Driver from the top. Cover but Murphy kicks out. Alexander starts stringing together attacks, hitting a head kick, roll-through flatliner and a Tope Con Hilo in succession. Alexander goes for a springboard clothesline but Murphy dodges. Handspring enziguiri from Alexander lands flush. Alexander sets Murphy up for the Lumbar Check but Murphy lands on his feet and lands a big boot. Alexander nails Murphy back and sets him up for a superplex. This time Murphy counters. Sunset flip powerbomb, but it’s blocked. Murphy tucks Alexander under and hits a superkick. Sit-out powerbomb from Murphy. Alexander escapes at the last second. Back on their feet, both men trade strikes. Thrust knee from Murphy. He goes for Murphy’s Law but Cedric escapes. Standing Spanish-Fly followed by the Lumbar Check. Murphy kicks out. Alexander can’t believe it. Alexander goes for the Lumbar Check again, but Murphy escapes. Springboard clothesline attempt from Alexander. Murphy catches him with a knee. Murphy’s Law and that will do it. Winner & The New WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Buddy Murphy

We then cut to an interview from Buddy Murphy, who claims that he knew he was always going to win the title. He says that Cedric Alexander was living on borrowed time and puts the rest of the division on notice by saying that this is his time.

Back to the commentary team, who give us the top 10 moments of 205 Live in 2018:

10: Tony Nese powerbombing Lio Rush over the top rope.

9: Roderick Strong defeating Hideo Itami.

8: Mike & Maria Kanellis making their 205 Live debut.

7: Alexander suplexing Drew Gulak over the top rope. Both men land on their feet and Alexander continues with the suplex.

6: Noam Dar makes his return from injury, defeating TJP.

5: Lio Rush’s 205 Live debut.

4: Akira Tozawa landing his top rope Senton on three opponents at once.

3: TJP taking the mask of Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik & Kalisto.

2: Drew Gulak & Gentleman Jack Gallagher kicking The Brian Kendrick out of their faction.

1: Mustafa Ali defeating Hideo Itami in a Falls Count Anywhere Match with a 450 through a table.

We then get a house ad for tonight’s NXT, which features an NXT Tag Team Title Match between The Undisputed Era & Heavy Machinery.

Back to the commentary team, whose feed gets interrupted by Drew Gulak. Gulak says that this show doesn’t represent the best of 205 Live in 2018. Gulak then narrates a video of his fight to elevate The Cruiserweight Division, which includes footage of superstars taking high-risks. Gulak then calls himself the most feared submission specialists in the division and promises that 2019 will be his best year yet.

The commentary team returns. McGuinness says that if they were to be interrupted by anyone, he is happy it was Drew Gulak.

We then get a video package of Murphy’s first title challenger after he won. Tony Nese & Mustafa Ali battled it out in a brutal affair. Ali would emerge victorious and challenge Buddy Murphy at WWE Survivor Series.

Cut to the match. (Already in progress.)

Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Mustafa Ali (WWE Cruiserweight Title Match At Survivor Series 2018): Murphy wears Ali down with a back-body drop and a series of rest holds. Ali mounts a comeback, landing a dropkick which sends Murphy to the corner. Irish-whip attempt reversed by Murphy. Ali baits him in and lands a head kick. Roll-through X-factor from Ali but Murphy catches him and tosses him to the arena floor. Tope con hilo from Murphy. He tosses Ali back in the ring and climbs to the top. Ali dodges his attack and lands a superkick. Another superkick. A third one. Poison Frankensteiner. Both men are down. Murphy lands a combination of strikes but Ali surprises him with a spinning wheel kick that ties Murphy up in the ropes. Pop up tornado DDT. Cover but Murphy kicks out at two. Ali drags Murphy in position for the 054. Murphy gets to his feet and pushes Ali onto the apron face first. At ringside, Murphy sets up Ali for an attack on the announce table. Ali lands a strike. Spanish-Fly onto the arena floor. Ali throws Murphy back in and climbs again for the 054 but Murphy grabs Ali’s hair. He tucks him in and hits a superkick. Powerbomb from Murphy. Deadlift sit-out powerbomb. Ali kicks out. Fans chant this is awesome. Murphy goes for his finisher but Ali rolls him up. Murphy escapes. Ali with a springboard attempt. Murphy catches him with a thrust knee. Picks him up and his the Murphy’s Law. That’s all she wrote. Winner & Still The WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Buddy Murphy

We then get an interview from Mustafa Ali, who says that he will always be The Heart Of 205 Live, but that his journey has taken him to SmackDown Live. And who knows…”one day the heart of 205 Live may beat again.”

We then cut to 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick, who thanks The WWE Universe for their support in 2018. Maverick then says that Buddy Murphy is demanding a high-stakes matchup at Royal Rumble. Maverick announces that there will be a series of matches that will lead to a Fatal Four-Way Title Matchup. Qualifying matchups are:

Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak

Lio Rush vs. Kalisto

Cedric Alexander vs. Hideo Itami

Maverick wishes us well and says that he will see us next year. 205 Live goes off the air.