Cedric Alexander looks to make a statement against Tony Nese and brawls with WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy just days before their title match at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.

In the immediate aftermath of losing the WWE Cruiserweight Championship at WWE Super Show-Down, Cedric Alexander returned to action against Buddy Murphy’s training partner, Tony Nese. Alexander was still feeling the effects of his first loss of 2018, and The Premier Athlete took advantage, scoring a huge win against the former champion. Nese would again create strife for Alexander by pinning him in a Fatal 5-Way Match, resulting in Alexander returning to the WWE Performance Center to regain his bearings.

Alexander’s training paid off, and he served Lio Rush his first loss since The Man of the Hour debuted in the Cruiserweight division, then pinned Murphy in a tag team match. With that, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick decided that Alexander would finally have his championship rematch at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.

Accepting the champion’s challenge to compete in the days before their match at WWE TLC, Alexander set his sights on the Superstar who served him two consecutive defeats after he lost the title.

The animosity was clear, as Nese showed off his biceps, only for Alexander to back him into a corner and mock him. With the WWE Universe firmly in his corner, Alexander locked up with Nese in the center of the ring, countering The Premier Athlete’s strength and refusing to be intimidated by Nese’s constant taunts.

Nese dismantled his opponent with a combination of technical holds and intensely powerful strikes in the early goings, and The Premier Athlete continued to assert his power and test Alexander’s resilience, all the while making sure to talk trash.

Channeling the energy of the WWE Universe, Alexander broke free from a rear-chin lock and took down Nese with a flatliner. Alexander mounted heavy offensive pressure, keeping his opponent from striking back and scoring a near-fall.

Unable to secure the victory, Alexander grew visibly distraught, perhaps fearing another loss to Nese that would set him on the wrong path headed into WWE TLC.

Alexander’s fears nearly came to fruition a handful of times, including when Nese countered the Lumbar Check into a near-fall. Alexander quickly recovered, however, and stunned Nese with the Neutralizer before successfully executing the Lumbar Check for the win.

After the match, Buddy Murphy charged the ring looking to pounce on his WWE TLC challenger, but Alexander was ready, and the two brawled inside the ring before Alexander flattened him with a dive to the outside.