The conclusion of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic was expected to be epic, but it was ultimately monumental. Ending with the crowning of TJ Perkins as not only the winner of the tournament, but the first winner of the newest version of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, it was a memorable moment that cements Perkins’ new role in the WWE. With the division slated to be a part of RAW next week, Perkins and the rest of the Cruiserweights have changed the WWE in a huge way- one that weighs far more than 200 pounds.
Matches:
Semifinals: Gran Metalik vs. Zack Sabre Jr.: An interesting encounter as Sabre Jr. was vicious with kicks and strikes early on. Metalik stepped up his game however and was just as nasty. Sabre nearly beat Metalik with a Penalty Kick and the strikes back and forth definitely sent the message across that these two would do anything to win. Sabre then latched on the Octopus Stretch, but Metalik escaped. Once the action got to the top rope, Metalik hit a beautiful Hurricanrana, but Sabre Jr. again almost won with the Triangle. After the escape, Sabre Jr. ran at Metalik, but the luchador countered with the Metalik Driver for the win.
Semifinals: TJ Perkins vs. Kota Ibushi: Perkins was on the defense early on, blocking Ibushi’s kicks and trying to stay away from any of his big time maneuvers. Although there was plenty of jockeying for position, Perkins was the smart one, blocking, countering and trying to lock on his Knee Bar every opportunity he had. Ibushi had strikes and high-flying offense with ease throughout the match though and had the crowd in the palm of his hand after a Triangle Moonsault on Perkins on the outside. After a Missile Dropkick, Ibushi continued to pummel Perkins. After a Powerslam, Ibushi went for another Moonsault, but Perkins countered and latched on the Knee Bar. Although Ibushi escaped, the damage was done. Ibushi hit a Bridging German Suplex to even things up, but he was beginning to favor his knee. Ibushi then went on a tear, but Perkins refused to back down after 10 nasty kicks to Perkins’ chest. After Perkins hit a Wrecking Ball Dropkick, Ibushi nailed a Moonsault Kick, but Perkins countered the Golden Star Powerbomb with a DDT and then an Inverted Lungblower. Ibushi then went for the Pele Kick, but Perkins latched on the Knee Bar again. After Ibushi escaped, Ibushi hit the Golden Star Powerbomb, but Perkins kicked out. Ibushi went to the top rope, but he missed the Phoenix Splash. Perkins then kicked out again after Ibushi countered his Fireman’s Pele Kick into a pinning combination. After a few more strikes from Ibushi, Perkins countered the Golden Star Powerbomb into his Knee Bar with a Crossface for the submission victory.
Noah Dar vs. DIY Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Chiampa: DIY put on a tag team clinic using quick tags throughout. Although Alexander and Dar had their moments and hit plenty of maneuvers, Gargano and Chiampa hit their Super Kick/Knee Lift finisher for the win.
Finals: TJ Perkins vs. Gran Metalik for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship: If one was forced to write about all of the action in this match, their hands would explode. Going through phases of strikes, submissions, spots, counters, this encounter had it all. These guys broke their own hearts in this encounter.Even though the fans were behind Perkins heavily, Metalik grew on them and they couldn’t help chanting “Lucha Libre.†Make no mistake Metalik was amazing. But after he missed the Standing Shooting Star Press, Perkins latched in the Knee Bar before Metalik escaped. With welts on his chest and exhausted, Perkins continued to strike Metalik, who could barely stand but continued to fight. Although Metalik hit thr Metalik Driver, his knee was too weak to make a cover. Perkins continued to try for the Knee Bar, but it wasn’t until Metalik got the Metalik Driver countered from the top rope that Perkins was able latch it on and get the win.
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