Cruiserweight Classic

Cruiserweight Classic
Promotion WWE
Date
  • June 23, 2016
  • July 14, 2016
  • August 26, 2016
  • September 14, 2016
City Winter Park, Florida
Venue Full Sail University
Theme
song(s)		 "Take a Stand" by CFO$[1]
WWE Network event chronology
← Previous
Backlash (2016)		 Next →
Clash of Champions (2016)

The Cruiserweight Classic,[2] formerly the Global Cruiserweight Series, was a professional wrestling WWE Network series and tournament produced by WWE wherein all participants were billed at a weight of 205 lbs or less to determine the first Cruiserweight Champion. The tournament comprises various matches, that result from scripted storylines and have predetermined results.[3][4] Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, which took place over four dates: June 23, July 13, August 26, and September 14, 2016. The winner was TJ Perkins.[5]

Announced competitors

NXT competitors Rich Swann, Tommaso Ciampa, and Johnny Gargano along with international standouts Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, Ho Ho Lun, and Akira Tozawa were announced for the Cruiserweight Classic. At an independent show in Orlando, Florida on April 2, Lince Dorado joined the series. On April 24 at Progress Wrestling Chapter 29, Sabre Jr., Jack Gallagher also won a qualifying match, while on May 7 at Evolve 61, T.J. Perkins and Drew Gulak also joined the series. On June 11 at Evolve 63, Tony Nese defeated Johnny Gargano, Drew Gulak, T.J. Perkins and Lince Dorado and qualified for the tournament. Two days later, WWE officially revealed all 32 wrestlers taking part in the tournament.[6] Originally, Brazilian wrestler Zumbi was scheduled to compete in the Cruiserweight Classic. However, he had issues with his visa that WWE could not clear in time, and was replaced by Mustafa Ali.[7]

Qualifying matches

Progress Wrestling Chapter 29 - April 24 (Electric Ballroom - Camden Town, London)[8]
No. Results Stipulations
1 Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Flash Morgan Webster Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match
2 Jack Gallagher defeated Pete Dunne Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match
Revolution Pro Wrestling Live at the Cockpit 8 - May 1 (Cockpit Theatre - Marylebone, London) [9]
No. Results Stipulations
1 Noam Dar defeated Josh Bodom Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match
Evolve 61 - May 7 (La Boom - Woodside, Queens, New York)[10]
No. Results Stipulations
1 T.J. Perkins (with Stokely Hathaway) defeated Fred Yehi Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match
2 Drew Gulak defeated Tracy Williams[11] Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match
American Combat Wrestling The Tradition Continues! - May 28 (All Sports Arena - New Port Richey, Florida)[12]
No. Results Stipulations
1 Lince Dorado defeated Romeo Quevedo Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match
Evolve 63 - June 11 (Downtown Recreation Complex - Orlando, Florida)[13]
No. Results Stipulations
1 Tony Nese defeated Drew Gulak, Johnny Gargano, Lince Dorado and T.J. Perkins (with Stokely Hathaway) WWE Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint Elimination Match; since Nese won, he qualified for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic

Participants

Wrestler Country (Territory) representing Weight (in pounds)
Akira Tozawa Japan Japan 156
Alejandro Saez Chile Chile 205
Anthony Bennett United States United States 147
Ariya Daivari Iran Iran 180
The Brian Kendrick United States United States 157
Cedric Alexander United States United States 200
Clément Petiot France France 199
Da Mack Germany Germany 160
Damian Slater Australia Australia 193
Drew Gulak United States United States 193
Fabian Aichner Italy Italy 203
Gran Metalik Mexico Mexico 175
Gurv Sihra India India 159
Harv Sihra India India 144
Ho Ho Lun Hong Kong Hong Kong 155
Jack Gallagher England England 167
Jason Lee Hong Kong Hong Kong 154
Johnny Gargano United States United States 170
Kenneth Johnson United States United States 156
Kota Ibushi Japan Japan 189
Lince Dorado Puerto Rico Puerto Rico 168
Mustafa Ali[Note 1] Pakistan Pakistan 182
Noam Dar Scotland Scotland 178
Raul Mendoza Mexico Mexico 178
Rich Swann United States United States 165
Sean Maluta American Samoa American Samoa 191
T.J. Perkins Philippines Philippines 167
Tajiri Japan Japan 189
Tommaso Ciampa United States United States 195
Tony Nese United States United States 196
Tyson Dux Canada Canada 193
Zack Sabre Jr. England England 181
  1. ↑ This competitor is a replacement for another participant who was taken out of the tournament

Alternates

In the event an official participant suffered an injury or did not make the 205 lbs weight limit, they would be replaced by one of the following participants:

Wrestler Country representing Weight (in pounds)
Aaron Solow United States United States 182
Jessy Sorensen United States United States 184
Jesus Yurnet Puerto Rico Puerto Rico 182
Kai Katana United States United States 197
Vandal Ortagun Turkey Turkey 155

Replaced

These participants were taken out of the tournament for a specific reason and therefore were replaced by another competitor.

Wrestler Country representing Weight (in pounds)
(max. 205)		 Progression in the tournament Reason Replacing wrestler
Zumbi Brazil Brazil 167 Replaced before the official start of the tournament Visa issues[7] Pakistan Mustafa Ali

Broadcast team

Ring name Real name Notes
Mike Rome Austin Romero Ring announcer[14]
Mauro Ranallo Mauro Ranallo Lead commentator[15]
Daniel Bryan Bryan Danielson Color commentator[15]

Results

Tournament bracket

The following time limits were in place:

  • Round one: 20 minutes
  • Round two: 20 minutes
  • Quarterfinals: 30 minutes
  • Semifinals: 30 minutes
  • Final: Unlimited
 
Round of 32
Taped June 23		Round of 16
Taped July 14		Quarterfinals
Taped August 26		Semifinals
Live on September 14		Final
Live on September 14
 
                  
 
July 20 –
 
 
United States Kenneth Johnson09:46[16]
 
August 17 –
 
Japan Akira TozawaPin
 
Japan Akira TozawaPin
 
August 3 –
 
England Jack Gallagher11:38[17]
 
England Jack GallagherPin
 
August 31 -
 
Italy Fabian Aichner06:45[18]
 
Japan Akira TozawaPin
 
July 20 –
 
Mexico Gran Metalik15:49[19]
 
Japan TajiriPin
 
August 10 –
 
Australia Damian Slater05:28[16]
 
Japan TajiriPin
 
July 13 –
 
Mexico Gran Metalik10:53[20]
 
Chile Alejandro SaezPin
 
September 14 –
 
Mexico Gran Metalik04:04[21]
 
Mexico Gran MetalikPin
 
July 27 –
 
England Zack Sabre, Jr.13:13[22]
 
India Harv SihraSub
 
August 24 –
 
United States Drew Gulak05:18[23]
 
United States Drew GulakPin
 
July 27 –
 
England Zack Sabre, Jr.08:27[24]
 
England Zack Sabre, Jr.Sub
 
September 7 -
 
Canada Tyson Dux08:28[23]
 
England Zack Sabre, Jr.Sub
 
August 3 –
 
Scotland Noam Dar15:46[25]
 
Scotland Noam DarSub
 
August 17 –
 
India Gurv Sihra05:26[18]
 
Scotland Noam DarSub
 
July 13 –
 
Hong Kong Ho Ho Lun07:02[17]
 
Iran Ariya DaivariPin
 
September 14 –
 
Hong Kong Ho Ho Lun05:03[21]
 
Mexico Gran MetalikSub
 
July 27 –
 
Philippines T.J. Perkins 17:47[22]
 
Mexico Raul MendozaSub
 
August 17 –
 
United States Brian Kendrick07:35[23]
 
United States Brian KendrickSub
 
July 27 –
 
United States Tony Nese13:42[17]
 
United States Anthony BennettPin
 
August 31 -
 
United States Tony Nese06:34[23]
 
Japan Kota IbushiPin
 
July 13 –
 
United States Brian Kendrick13:58[19]
 
Japan Kota IbushiPin
 
August 10 –
 
American Samoa Sean Maluta09:40[21]
 
Japan Kota IbushiPin
 
July 13 –
 
United States Cedric Alexander15:00[20]
 
United States Cedric AlexanderPin
 
September 14 –
 
France Clement Petiot05:58[21]
 
Japan Kota Ibushi Sub
 
July 20 –
 
Philippines T.J. Perkins14:52[22]
 
Philippines T.J. PerkinsSub
 
August 24 –
 
Germany Da Mack06:32[16]
 
Philippines T.J. PerkinsSub
 
August 3 -
 
United States Johnny Gargano12:18[24]
 
United States Johnny GarganoPin
 
September 7 -
 
United States Tommaso Ciampa10:47[18]
 
Philippines T.J. PerkinsSub
 
- July 20
 
United States Rich Swann17:03[25]
 
Pakistan Mustafa Ali Pin
 
August 24 –
 
Puerto Rico Lince Dorado05:55[16]
 
Puerto Rico Lince DoradoPin
 
August 3 –
 
United States Rich Swann08:14[24]
 
United States Rich Swann Pin
 
 
Hong Kong Jason Lee03:47[18]
 

Finale

No. Results Stipulations Times[22]
1D The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv and Harv Sihra) defeated Ariya Daivari and Sean Maluta Tag team match 05:15
2 Gran Metalik defeated Zack Sabre Jr. Cruiserweight Classic tournament semi-final match 13:13
3 TJ Perkins defeated Kota Ibushi by submission Cruiserweight Classic tournament semi-final match 14:52
4 DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) defeated Cedric Alexander and Noam Dar Tag team match 09:49
5 TJ Perkins defeated Gran Metalik by submission Cruiserweight Classic tournament final match for the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Championship 17:47

Aftermath

Before the final match between TJ Perkins and Gran Metalik started, Triple H revealed that the winner of the tournament would be crowned the first WWE Cruiserweight Champion. Also, TJ Perkins, Gran Metalik, Akira Tozawa, Jack Gallagher, Brian Kendrick, Cedric Alexander, Noam Dar, Lince Dorado, Tony Nese, Mustafa Ali, Drew Gulak, Tajiri, Ariya Daivari, Rich Swann and The Bollywood Boyz signed contracts with WWE. On July 15, Pro Wrestling Torch reported that Kota Ibushi had signed an NXT contract with WWE.[26] In an interview published July 25, Ibushi admitted he had been offered a contract, but denied having signed it.[27] After the tournament, Pro Wrestling Torch went back on their earlier report and stated that Ibushi had not agreed to a WWE contract beyond the tournament, which was a factor in him losing the semifinal match.[28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "WWE Cruiserweight Classic - Take A Stand (Official Theme)". youtube.com. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  2. ↑ "WWE Network adds Global Cruiserweight Series to robust 2016 programming slate". wwe.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  3. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed. "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  5. ↑ "WWE Cruiserweight Classic tickets available starting Friday, May 20". www.wwe.com. Retrieved 2016-05-17.
  6. ↑ Caldwell, James (2016-06-13). "All 32 wrestlers announced for WWE's cruiserweight tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  7. 1 2 Caldwell, James (2016-06-25). "Triple H – WWE to hold future editions of Cruiserweight tournament, why did one wrestler miss inaugural tourney?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  8. ↑ "Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at PROGRESS?". www.wwe.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  9. ↑ "Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at RevPro?". www.wwe.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  10. ↑ "Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at EVOLVE?". www.wwe.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  11. ↑ "Drew Gulak vs. Tracy Williams - Cruiserweight Classic qualifying match". WWE. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  12. ↑ "WWE Announces New Cruiserweight Classic Qualifying Match". www.411mania.com. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  13. ↑ "WWE Cruiserweight Flashpoint - A Prelude To The Tournament". www.dgusa.tv. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  14. ↑ "**SPOILERS** WWE CWC Tapings Airing In July And August". www.wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  15. 1 2 Melok, Bobby. "Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo to host WWE Cruiserweight Classic". WWE. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Caldwell, James (2016-07-20). "7/20 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 2 Report on Akira Tozawa, Tajiri, TJP, excellent Dorado vs. Ali match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  17. 1 2 3 Caldwell, James (2016-08-17). "8/17 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Report on stellar Kendrick vs. Nese and Gallagher vs. Tozawa Sweet 16 matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Caldwell, James (2016-08-03). "8/3 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Results – Caldwell's Report on Week 4 to conclude First Round, including Gargano vs. Ciampa". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  19. 1 2 Caldwell, James (2016-08-31). "8/31 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Week 8 – Caldwell's Report on Ibushi vs. Kendrick, Tozawa vs. Metalik Elite 8 matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  20. 1 2 Caldwell, James (2016-08-10). "8/10 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Results – Caldwell's Report on Ibushi vs. Alexander classic, Tajiri vs. Metalik in Sweet 16". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Caldwell, James (2016-07-13). "7/13 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 1 Report on Ibushi, Cedric Alexander, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Caldwell, James (2016-09-14). "9/14 WWE Cruiserweight Tourney Finals – CALDWELL'S Live Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-09-14.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Caldwell, James (2016-07-27). "7/27 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 3 Report on Zack Sabre, Brian Kendrick, more in action". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
  24. 1 2 3 Caldwell, James (2016-08-24). "8/24 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Week 7 – Caldwell's Report on Gargano vs. TJP, Sabre vs. Gulak, Swann vs. Dorado to finish Sweet 16". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  25. 1 2 Caldwell, James (2016-09-07). "9/7 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament – Caldwell's Report on Sabre vs. Dar, Swann vs. Perkins to conclude Elite 8 Round". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  26. ↑ Caldwell, James; Radican, Sean (2016-07-15). "PWTorch Report – Ibushi & Metalik agree to deals with WWE, several other Cruiserweight tourney stars on WWE's radar". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  27. ↑ プロレスの原点は3歳で犯した万引き？WWE入団の噂は本当？女性ファンがショックを受けた、飯伏幸太の“トンデモ”半生【インタビュー】. DDNavi (in Japanese). 2016-07-25. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
  28. ↑ Caldwell, James; Radican, Sean (2016-09-15). "Inside the WWE Cruiserweight Finals – why the match results occurred in the Final Four & Championship match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-09-15.
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