Cruiserweight Classic Thread

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

I really like Sabre and thought his match with Dar was great, a little choppy in areas but overall really good stuff, especially the finish!

Sabre's problem is that anything he does that isn't technical looks horrible, his striking, his slams, and his selling to both are iffy. So if he were to say debut on Raw or even NXT everyone would have to adjust to his style for matches to work. Kinda like YTR in New Japan. Still I would be happy if Sabre won, because itnwould be such an odd and unconventional choice haha

Dar does bother me with his stupid poses, making out with his hand, and crouching with his arms behind his back, both are just completely unnecessary and out of place.

Perkins and Dar both use the kneebar which kinda bothered me... I'm not really sure the kneebar suits the rest of Perkins offense (but it was obviously reasonable in the Gargano match). Hopefully he can take advantage of those bullshit chants and heel it up a bit. I wonder how he will beat Ibushi, since I can't envision Ibushi tapping (I don't think I ever saw him tap in New Japan).

 

[Papa Pillman]

I wonder how he will beat Ibushi, since I can't envision Ibushi tapping (I don't think I ever saw him tap in New Japan).

I too cannot remember a specific instance of Ibushi tapping in a NJPW ring. I do however remember a couple of occasions where he tapped out against Davey Richards- once at an ROH show, I think it was in Boston, way back in Davey's No Remorse Corps days; the other was in the main event of the very first EVOLVE show.

 

[Good Golly It's Ollie]

I love Swann and was sad to see him lose. He is the total freaking package. Audience participation entrance, fun in the ring, exciting to watch, totally impossible to dislike, oozes charisma. If I was a Raw exec/producer I'd be diamonds for this clearly solid act that would easily get over.

Good matches all around though and everyone involved is so great. The final should be awesome!

 

[Uncle Sam]

My support for ZSJ is now an open act of rebellion. Also, I saw him on a train once and so we're close personal friends.

 

[Blade]

You absolute madman.

 

[Good Golly It's Ollie]

Spoiler

Pretty sexy belt design.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

TJ Perkins is a flog. Would pay good money to watch him cop chair shot after chair shot to the head. ZSJ is a 14 year old that never hit puberty, i wouldnt be suprised if he lost to a paper bag in a shoot

That is all

Man, this is all gonna work out great on RAW

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

That Perkins v Ibushi match was phenomenal

 

[Navi]

I loved the whole tournament. Great matches throughout, and the commentary was absolutely top notch, especially in the two hour finale.

This is the why a tournament should be done, enjoyable to watch and listen too, and a worthwhile prize at the end of it.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Who was the tournament's MVP in your opinion?

I'm still going with Kota Ibushi. He was probably, overall, the best wrestler in the tournament with more big stage experience and that's something you just can't teach. His matches with Cedric Alexander, Brian Kendrick and Perkins were easily on the top 5, with the first still being my favorite match of the entire tournament and one of the best of the year.

I'll give the second place to probably Perkins though. I still think he's very generic and his underdog booking didn't really make me care for him, but no denying the great matches he had either. I gotta say though I've always cared a lot more for his opponents than him. Maybe he's that good at putting people over, I don't know.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Brian Kendrick was the standout and it wasn't even close.

 

[Blade]

TBK and TJP made the tournament. Ibushi was good and everything, but his lack of personality means I don't feel invested in him, and I don't want to continue following his career.

 

[Good Golly It's Ollie]

Ibushi was good, but as a "target". We all knew he was a hot-shot from Japan and that was all he needed to be. He was something to be overcome. Sort of like Lesnar or Taker in a way, in that the other person's journey is what is being watched.

But characters like Kendrick and Alexander were where the magic of this tournament was for me. Perkins was great too, I think he's a solid choice to start with for the belt.

You need the strong supporting characters like Gallagher as well. Gallagher is just so much fun. I believe he will be well-received on Raw, since he's got the "funny Brit man" thing down pat in a way that seems to greatly amuse the average American, while also being very likeable.

 

[Wally Dangerously]

This was the best tournament WWE has ever had.

TJ was the MVP for me as well. I was kind of annoyed by some of the fans booing him in the match with Ibushi. I think some of them are still ********* by him going over Gargano. Regardless, he's the best choice to be champ out of the guys who signed. I'd love to see TJ and Kendrick have a solid 12-minute match this Monday.

I'm excited about this division right now, but I'm just wondering when Vince is going to have one of these guys job to Strowman.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

Ibushi was good, but as a "target". We all knew he was a hot-shot from Japan and that was all he needed to be. He was something to be overcome. Sort of like Lesnar or Taker in a way, in that the other person's journey is what is being watched.

The fact that he was in possibly the three best matches of the tournament (vs. Alexander, Kendrick and Perkins) was largely due that story. Alexander being unable to put this shit hot guy away, Kendrick failing to to measure up and Perkins being the one to finally bring him down, all the while using that neck injury narrative that had cropped up throughout the tourney.

I actually really enjoyed Sabre Jr. vs. Metalik with the story they told and really liked Metalik throughout the whole thing. I personally wanted him to win, but Perkins is a grand choice too, having beaten everyone with that damned leg bar. Here's to them doing another one of these bad boys next and every year henceforth.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

So who is signing with WWE permanently after this tournament?

So far I have seen people saying these guys have/will be signing..

Perkins
Tajiri
Dar
Gran Metalik
Tozawa
Gallagher
Cedric
Kendrick

Is that right?

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

Perkins
Tajiri
Dar
Gran Metalik
Tozawa
Gallagher
Cedric
Kendrick

Perkins, Metalik, Dar, Alexander and Gallagher appear to be certainties though whether they all end up on the main roster immediately remains to be seen.

Not sure on either Tozawa or Tajiri, while Kendrick's already signed though I think he's now on a performer's contract as opposed to a trainer's one, and Swann obviously was already signed while Gargano and Ciampa are finally on exclusive deals.

Ibushi may pop in from time to time, either in NXT or the main roster as he's apparently said he's open to working with WWE, just not exclusively, while Sabre Jr. will possibly be coming along in a year or so once he's had his fill of the indies and finalised all his commitments and there's also the prospect of Ricochet/Prince Puma too given that the Lucha Underground deal that was apparently preventing him from joining will end after Season 3 concludes.

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

I really loved the whole thing! Although I think some of the tournament matches were a bit too long in later rounds, here they were perfect length for the semis and final. Perkins conquering Ibushi, what a moment. Obviously lots of people knew of Perkins but I really think a "star" was made here! The level of his talent, and of those he faced really cemented him. Especially the Ibushi match, what a finish! Although I don't think Ibushi ever reached the level of some of his Japan matches.

And I really liked the final. a "showcase" of the evolution of cruiserweight wrestling, starting out very technical and gradually evolving.

I rolled my eyes when HHH came out, initially thought it was completely unnecessary, but revealing the belt was a nice surprise. Although I am still against a cruiserweight division and belt (but not against the wrestlers being on the roster) I'll admit it was still a cool moment!

 

[Hyorinmaru]

Perkins, Metalik, Dar, Alexander and Gallagher appear to be certainties though whether they all end up on the main roster immediately remains to be seen.

Not sure on either Tozawa or Tajiri, while Kendrick's already signed though I think he's now on a performer's contract as opposed to a trainer's one, and Swann obviously was already signed while Gargano and Ciampa are finally on exclusive deals.

Ibushi may pop in from time to time, either in NXT or the main roster as he's apparently said he's open to working with WWE, just not exclusively, while Sabre Jr. will possibly be coming along in a year or so once he's had his fill of the indies and finalised all his commitments and there's also the prospect of Ricochet/Prince Puma too given that the Lucha Underground deal that was apparently preventing him from joining will end after Season 3 concludes.

I'm reading a bunch of placed Tozawa signed a contract as well.

 

[Baller]

Lince Dorado is in as well

 

[nightmare]

Is it too late to sign El Dandy?

 

[FlexAmerican Dynamite]

Out of those who have appeared on the main roster thus far Cedric is the one that has the most promise. I hope to god they pick up on his momentum soon.