Cruiserweight Classic

{{Infobox Wrestling event

|name = Cruiserweight Classic

|image = WWE_Cruiserweight_Classic_Finale_Poster.jpg

|caption = Promotional poster for the live finale featuring the Cruiserweight Classic trophy

|promotion = WWE

|date = {{Plainlist|

June 23, 2016
July 14, 2016
August 26, 2016
September 14, 2016

}}

|attendance =

|venue = NXT Arena at Full Sail University

|city = Winter Park, Florida

|wwenlast = Backlash

|wwennext = Clash of Champions

}}

The Cruiserweight Classic, formerly the Global Cruiserweight Series, was a professional wrestling tournament and WWE Network event produced by WWE. All participants were billed at a weight of 205 lbs or less to determine the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion{{efn|Despite having the same name, this is a new championship with its own separate lineage from the previous WWE Cruiserweight Championship that was originally established in World Championship Wrestling and acquired by the WWE (at the time WWF) in 2001 and retired in 2007.}} for WWE's revived cruiserweight division. The tournament consisted of various matches that had predetermined results. 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 T. J. Perkins.

Background

In 2016, WWE announced that they would be holding a 32-man professional wrestling tournament and WWE Network event wherein all participants were billed at a weight of 205 lbs or less, referred to as cruiserweights. The event was originally titled the Global Cruiserweight Series before being renamed as the Cruiserweight Classic. 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 single-elimination tournament, which took place over four dates: June 23, July 13, August 26, and September 14.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-network-adds-global-cruiserweight-series-robust-2016-programming-slate|title=WWE Network adds Global Cruiserweight Series to robust 2016 programming slate|website=wwe.com|access-date=May 8, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-tickets-full-sail|title=WWE Cruiserweight Classic tickets available starting Friday, May 20|website=www.wwe.com|access-date=2016-05-17}} During the finale, it was announced that the winner of the tournament would become the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion for WWE's revived cruiserweight division, which would compete on the Raw brand. The tournament consisted of various matches that had predetermined results.{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|work=HowStuffWorks|publisher=Discovery Communications|access-date=March 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp |title=Live & Televised Entertainment |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122113353/http://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp |archive-date=November 22, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

= 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/06/13/32-wrestlers-announced-wwes-cruiserweight-tournament/ | title = All 32 wrestlers announced for WWE's cruiserweight tournament | last=Caldwell | first=James | date=2016-06-13 | access-date=2016-06-13 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}} 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.{{cite web|title=Triple H – WWE to hold future editions of Cruiserweight tournament, why did one wrestler miss inaugural tourney?|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/06/25/triple-h-wwe-hold-future-editions-cruiserweight-tournament-one-wrestler-miss-inaugural-tourney/|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=2016-06-25|access-date=2016-06-27}}

Qualifying matches

; Progress Wrestling Chapter 29 - April 24 (Electric Ballroom - Camden Town, London){{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-progress-wrestling-qualifying-match-results|title=Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at PROGRESS?|website=www.wwe.com|access-date=2016-05-08}}

{{Pro Wrestling results table

|match1 = Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Flash Morgan Webster

|stip1 = Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match

|time1 =

|match2 = Jack Gallagher defeated Pete Dunne

|stip2 = Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match

|time2 =

}}

; Revolution Pro Wrestling Live at the Cockpit 8 - May 1 (Cockpit Theatre - Marylebone, London) {{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-qualifying-results-rev-pro|title=Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at RevPro?|website=www.wwe.com|access-date=2016-05-08}}

{{Pro Wrestling results table

|match1 = Noam Dar defeated Josh Bodom

|stip1 = Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match

|time1 =

}}

; Evolve 61 - May 7 (La Boom - Woodside, Queens, New York){{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-qualifying-evolve-results|title=Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at EVOLVE?|website=www.wwe.com|access-date=2016-05-08}}

{{Pro Wrestling results table

|match1 = T. J. Perkins (with Stokely Hathaway) defeated Fred Yehi

|stip1 = Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match

|time1 =

|match2 = Drew Gulak defeated Tracy Williams{{cite web|title=Drew Gulak vs. Tracy Williams - Cruiserweight Classic qualifying match|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Cmhu6UTHU|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 14, 2016}}

|stip2 = Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match

|time2 =

}}

; American Combat Wrestling The Tradition Continues! - May 28 (All Sports Arena - New Port Richey, Florida){{Cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-new-cruiserweight-classic-qualifying-match/|title=WWE Announces New Cruiserweight Classic Qualifying Match|website=www.411mania.com|access-date=2016-05-18}}

{{Pro Wrestling results table

|match1 = Lince Dorado defeated Romeo Quevedo

|stip1 = Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match

|time1 =

}}

; Evolve 63 - June 11 (Downtown Recreation Complex - Orlando, Florida){{Cite web|url=http://www.dgusa.tv/events/evolve-63|title=WWE Cruiserweight Flashpoint - A Prelude To The Tournament|website=www.dgusa.tv|access-date=2016-05-20}}

{{Pro Wrestling results table

|match1 = Tony Nese defeated Drew Gulak, Johnny Gargano, Lince Dorado and T. J. Perkins (with Stokely Hathaway)

|stip1 = WWE Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint Elimination Match
{{small|Since Nese won, he qualified for the Cruiserweight Classic}}

|time1 =

}}

Participants

class="wikitable sortable"

!Wrestler

!Weight (in pounds)

Akira Tozawa

|156

Alejandro Saez

|205

|147

Ariya Daivari

|180

{{sortname

The Brian Kendrick|Brian Kendrick}}

|157

Cedric Alexander

|200

Clément Petiot

|199

Da Mack

|160

|193

Drew Gulak

|193

Fabian Aichner

|203

Gran Metalik

|175

|159

|144

Ho Ho Lun

|155

|167

Jason Lee

|154

Johnny Gargano

|170

|156

Kota Ibushi

|189

Lince Dorado

|168

{{sortname|Mustafa|Ali}}This competitor is a replacement for another participant who was taken out of the tournament

|182

|178

|178

|165

|191

|167

{{sortname

Yoshihiro Tajiri}}

|189

|195

|196

|193

|181

=Alternates=

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

class="wikitable sortable"

!Wrestler

!Weight (in pounds)

{{sort

Aaron Solow}}

|182

{{sortname

Jesse Sorensen|Jesse Sorensen}}

|184

{{sortname

Jesus Yurnet|Mr. 450}}

|182

|197

|155

=Replaced=

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

class="wikitable sortable"

!Wrestler

!Weight (in pounds)
(max. 205)

!Progression in the tournament

!Reason

!Replacing wrestler

|167

|Replaced before the official start of the tournament

|Visa issues

|Mustafa Ali

Broadcast team

class="wikitable sortable" align="left center" width="65%"

! width="20%" |Ring name

! width="20%" |Real name

! width="30%" |Notes

|{{sort|Romero, Austin|Austin Romero}}

|Ring announcer

|{{sort|Ranallo, Mauro|Mauro Ranallo}}

|Lead commentator{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-hosts-revealed |title=Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo to host WWE Cruiserweight Classic|last=Melok|first=Bobby|access-date=2016-06-23|work=WWE}}

|{{sort|Danielson, Bryan|Bryan Danielson}}

|Color commentator

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

{{#invoke:RoundN|N32

|3rdplace=no|bold_winner=|widescore=yes

|RD1=Round of 32
Taped June 23

|July 20 – |Yoshihiro Tajiri|Pin|Damian Slater|05:28{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/20/720-wwe-cruiserweight-series-week-2-akira-tozawa-debuts-main-event/|title=7/20 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 2 Report on Akira Tozawa, Tajiri, TJP, excellent Dorado vs. Ali match|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-07-20|access-date=2016-07-21|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|July 13 – |Alejandro Saez|Pin|Gran Metalik|04:04{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/13/713-wwe-cruiserweight-results-week-1-report/|title=7/13 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 1 Report on Ibushi, Cedric Alexander, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-07-13|access-date=2016-07-14|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|July 27 – |Zack Sabre Jr.|Sub|Tyson Dux|08:28{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/27/727-wwe-cruiserweight-results-caldwells-week-3-report/|title=7/27 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 3 Report on Zack Sabre, Brian Kendrick, more in action|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-07-27|access-date=2016-07-28|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|August 3 – |Rich Swann |Pin|Jason Lee|03:47{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/03/83-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-results-caldwells-report-week-4-conclude-first-round-including-gargano-vs-ciampa/|title=8/3 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Results – Caldwell's Report on Week 4 to conclude First Round, including Gargano vs. Ciampa|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-03|access-date=2016-08-04|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|RD2=Round of 16
Taped July 14

|August 17 – |Akira Tozawa|Pin|Jack Gallagher|11:38{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/17/817-wwe-cruiserweight-results-caldwells-report-stellar-kendrick-vs-nese-gallagher-vs-tozawa-sweet-16-matches/|title=8/17 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Report on stellar Kendrick vs. Nese and Gallagher vs. Tozawa Sweet 16 matches|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-17|access-date=2016-08-18|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|August 10 – |Yoshihiro Tajiri|Pin|Gran Metalik|10:53{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/10/810-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-results-caldwells-report-ibushi-vs-alexander-classic-tajiri-vs-metalik-sweet-16/|title=8/10 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Results – Caldwell's Report on Ibushi vs. Alexander classic, Tajiri vs. Metalik in Sweet 16|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-10|access-date=2016-08-11|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|August 24 – |Drew Gulak|Pin|Zack Sabre Jr.|08:27{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/24/824-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-week-7-results-caldwells-report-gargano-vs-tjp-sabre-vs-gulak-swann-vs-dorado-finish-sweet-16/|title=8/24 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Week 7 – Caldwell's Report on Gargano vs. TJP, Sabre vs. Gulak, Swann vs. Dorado to finish Sweet 16|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-24|access-date=2016-08-24|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|RD3=Quarterfinals
Taped August 26

|August 31 - |Akira Tozawa|Pin|Gran Metalik|15:49{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/31/831-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-week-8-caldwells-report-ibushi-vs-kendrick-tozawa-vs-metalik-elite-8-matches/|title=8/31 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Week 8 – Caldwell's Report on Ibushi vs. Kendrick, Tozawa vs. Metalik Elite 8 matches|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-31|access-date=2016-08-31|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|September 7 - |Zack Sabre Jr.|Sub|Noam Dar|15:46{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/07/97-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-caldwells-report-sabre-vs-dar-swann-vs-perkins-conclude-elite-8-round/|title=9/7 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament – Caldwell's Report on Sabre vs. Dar, Swann vs. Perkins to conclude Elite 8 Round|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-09-07|access-date=2016-09-08|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|RD4=Semifinals
Live on September 14

|RD5=Final
Live on September 14

}}

= Finale =

{{Pro Wrestling results table

|times = {{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/14/914-wwe-cruiserweight-tourney-finals-caldwells-live-report/|title=9/14 WWE Cruiserweight Tourney Finals – CALDWELL'S Live Report|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-09-14|access-date=2016-09-14|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

|note1 = dark

|match1 = The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv and Harv Sihra) defeated Ariya Daivari and Sean Maluta

|stip1 = Tag team match

|time1 = 05:15

|match2 = Gran Metalik defeated Zack Sabre Jr.

|stip2 = Cruiserweight Classic tournament semi-final match

|time2 = 13:13

|match3 = T. J. Perkins defeated Kota Ibushi by submission

|stip3 = Cruiserweight Classic tournament semi-final match

|time3 = 14:52

|match4 = #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) defeated Cedric Alexander and Noam Dar

|stip4 = Tag team match

|time4 = 09:49

|match5 = T. J. Perkins defeated Gran Metalik by submission

|stip5 = Cruiserweight Classic tournament final match for the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Championship

|time5 = 17:47

}}

Aftermath

Before the final match between T. J. Perkins and Gran Metalik started, Triple H revealed that the winner of the tournament would be crowned the first WWE Cruiserweight Champion. Also, T. J. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/15/pwtorch-report-ibushi-metalik-sign-deals-wwe-several-cruiserweight-tourney-stars-wwes-radar/|title=PWTorch Report – Ibushi & Metalik agree to deals with WWE, several other Cruiserweight tourney stars on WWE's radar|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|last2=Radican|first2=Sean|date=2016-07-15|access-date=2016-07-16|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}} In an interview published July 25, Ibushi admitted he had been offered a contract, but denied having signed it.{{cite web|url=http://ddnavi.com/news/312866/a/|script-title=ja: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】|date=2016-07-25|access-date=2016-08-01|work=DDNavi|language=ja}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/15/inside-wwe-cruiserweight-finals-match-results-occurred-final-four-championship-match/|title=Inside the WWE Cruiserweight Finals – why the match results occurred in the Final Four & Championship match|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|last2=Radican|first2=Sean|date=2016-09-15|access-date=2016-09-15|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}