The WWE Cruiserweight Classic is a brand new program on the WWE Network! It features 32 men 205 pounds and under as they compete to win the tournament. The ten-week tournament is set to run until September 14th. So in the meantime, it only makes sense for it to be reviewed weekly here on WWE Network News, much like NXT and Superstars already are.
This week’s edition of the Cruiserweight Classic breaks the trend of having four matches on an episode, instead only two will be on this week’s show. But how will they be? Let’s just say, they deliver big time. Once again, this review is late due to personal issues preventing me from giving adequate time and attention, and even now this review will likely be a bit more brief than usual. Let’s see if the show stacks up to recent weeks with only two matches:
Gran Metalik vs. Tajiri
Well, this was great. While it will be understandably overshadowed by the match that follows it, this needs a lot more credit than it is getting. Both guys worked extremely hard, the match told a good story, and the action was crisp and great. Tajiri hasn’t lost a single step, at least in the big matches, as he has delivered twice now.
The fans were behind Tajiri, they wanted him to win, but this is a great example of a match being so good, the fans weren’t upset over their favorite losing. Gran Metalik won them over more and more as the match progressed and I personally would love to see him make the finals, or maybe even win the entire thing. Excellent talent, both guys delivered big time, and the Metalik Screwdriver sealed Tajiri’s face.
Winner: Gran Metalik
Cedric Alexander vs. Kota Ibushi
What can you even say about this? Ciampa and Gargano tore it up the week before, but somehow they were outdone by Kota and Cedric. Both guys went in here and put on a classic. I do wonder how people who haven’t seen either one prior to the tournament feels about this match. I’m sure they’re impressed, but everything is made better and more interesting by both guys taking chances on themselves. In particular, Cedric Alexander leaving Ring of Honor and arguably being treated poorly on his way out, and here he is with a star making performance and WWE even gives him the post match reaction?
I could talk about everything that happened in this match, but it wouldn’t be doing it justice. It has drama, Cedric has fire and excellent selling, and the crowd were electric for it. Kota ibushi wins clean with the sit-out Last Ride, but Cedric Alexander was as much of a winner here as Kota was. Watch this now. Re-watch this now.
Winner: Kota Ibushi
After Corey Graves goes over what we can expect next week, we get the “curtain call” of Cedric Alexander coming out and getting a huge reaction from the crowd, only for Triple H to come out and give a thumbs up as the fans chant “Please sign Cedric”. Magic.
Match List
Gran Metalik vs. Tajiri
Cedric Alexander vs. Kota Ibushi
Closing Thoughts
Well, this was the best show with only two matches, but two matches that delivered huge. Tajiri can still go, Gran Metalik obviously worked well with him, and then the main was just insane quality. A lot of Full Sail matches don’t live up to the hype by the time you watch them (Balor/Nakamura, for example), but this lived up to every bit of it. Great show.
What did you think of the show? Make sure to leave your thoughts and feedback. As always, stick to WWE Network News for the latest WWE Network news, polls, reviews, and rumors! Bookmark us, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter: @WWENetworkChron!