Powered by wonderful performances by Kota Ibushi and Cedric Alexander, the first four matches in the first episode of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic was a fantastic first impression. If you want to want ROH-styled in-ring action
Matches:
Alejandro Saez vs. Gran Metalik: Although Metalik got the win with the Pinning Fireman’s Carry Michinoku Driver and wowed the crowd with unbelievable balance on the top rope, Saez marveled with a Shooting Star Press on the outside and fierce strikes.
Hoho Lun vs. Aria Daivari: A pretty standard heel vs. face encounter as Daivari slapped Lun around and nailed him with some pretty kicks. But after Daivari, who is the brother of former WWE manager and TNA performer Daivari, missed a Frog Splash, Lun hit a Bridging German Suplex for the win.
Cedric Alexander vs. Clement Petiot: Alexander was his usual ROH self, performing a wide variety of duplexes and flash. Petite, on the other hand, was an awesome heel, using Duplexes and strikes and slowed down the action thanks to submissions, much like his mentor, Lance Storm. With plenty of counters and near-falls, this was the best match of the night up until that point. Someone had to lose this one though and Alexander, who recovered after a Discus Lariat, got a monster win with the Lumber Jack Backbreaker.
Kota Ibushi vs. Sean Maluta: Ibushi was near perfect, hitting strikes from the top rope and exhibiting the types of kicks he’s known all around the world for. Maluta was no slouch though, hitting a second rope Codebreaker that kept him in the match. Following it up with a wild Somersault Plancha (that he almost missed) on the outside, Maluta more than held his own. But following a Pele Kick from Ibushi on Maluta, who was on the top rope and a Moonsault to the outside, Ibushi took control. However, Maluka fought back one more time and nearly won with a beautiful Super Kick. Continuing to kick, Maluta went to the well too many times and Ibushi got the win with the Sit-Out Last Ride Powerbomb.
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