this is The SMark Shooter's (and definitely accurate) preview for WWE'S Cruiserweight Classic.
So around last year and early this year, it was announced that WWE was going to scour the world (that didn't include TNA, ROH, AAA, CMLL (sort of) and New Japan) for the world's best wrestlers under the Cruiserweight limit.
Similar to another tournament happening over in New Japan, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic is a 32-Man single elimination tournament pitting some of the best known and unknown talent that hasn't been under a WWE Main Roster banner to determine the best wrestler under 205 pounds in the world. (yes normally, Cruiserweight/Light Heavyweight in the WWE and WCW was 225 but it was lowered in order to thread out some highly touted matchups).
Commentating on the tournament will be WWE's best quality play by play man, Smackdown's Mauro Ranallo, and he'll be joined at color commentary by one of my personal favorite Wrestlers (and someone who honestly could have been in the tournament if it hadn't have been for injury), Daniel Bryan.
The winner will be receiving a trophy, according to Ranallo during the introduction parade (that is on YouTube and Facebook).
Here are the 32 Wrestlers who are going to be featured in the tournament. (the colors determine how much of a chance I believe they are going to have in this tournament.) Note: Some of the information was taken from WWE's website, whereas the wrestlers that I was familiar with will have more of a personal touch with the descriptions.
First: A Quick (unfortunate) reference to one of the former competitors of the Tournament, Brazil's Zumbi. I'm not sure how well he could have advanced, however he was eliminated and replaced in the tournament before it started because he could not meet the 205 pound weight limit. Also, he ended up competing in a tournament for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and had committed to that first. Apologies to that guy, but at least he can enjoy the Olympics now if they're not cancelled or screwed over by the Zika Virus.
Category 1: The ones who were lucky enough to be invited and allowed to stay around...but aren't in the tournament because they're ALTERNATES!
(Can come in via injury, or if one of the 32 do not make weight limit. I'm not sure if they get first dibs after the first round, or if the loser of round 1 gets the opportunity first. I'll report on that later on.
37. Kai Katana
Japan or United States
Tech/High Flyer
Moonsault
The first of the 5 alternates, he isn't entirely unknown, being from Maryland Championship Wrestling, but with such a strong Japanese contingent, it would have been difficult to add another Japanese participant. Also, half the field are Americans and (with the exception a dude with Shutter Shades) probably would have outranked him anyway.
36. Vandal Octagon
Turkey
Tech/High Flyer
Uh....not found yet.
I feel bad that I haven't had much of an opportunity to find this dude. Under the name Jonny Vandel, he's wrestling for one of Evolve's sibling companies, Full Impact Pro. Trained by Montel Vontavious Porter, it would have been cool to have a Turkish participant, especially with a Pakistani already in the tournament, but it is what it is. I look forward to seeing what happens if he gets an opportunity.
Category 2:The ones who are LUCKY to be in the tournament outright.
35. Aaron Solow
Philippines or United States
High Flying
Don't entirely know.....
I admittedly only know like 1 or 2 things about this competitor. 1)Dude's a pretty good wrestler considering he's wrestled for Evolve and on NxT in the past. 2) The LUCKIEST competitor, alternate or in the tournament in terms of his current relationship status. He's with Bayley.
34. Jesus Yurnet
Puerto Rico
High Flyer/Lucha Libre
450 Splash
A popular competitor from Puerto Rico, Yurnet is best known as Mr. 450. Also competed in NxT, as well as TNA in the past, Yurnet is most likely the one to replace Lince Dorado in case he is injured. That's just my guess. Most recently, he was the Universal Heavyweight Champion in Puerto Rico's flagship promotion, the World Wrestling Council, run by WWE Hall of Famer Carlos Colon.
33. Jessy Sorensen
United States
High Flyer/Techincal
Shooting Star Press
The Texan is probably the most televised of the alternates here. Formerly a TNA superstar with a bright future before suffering a devastating neck injury, the mere fact that he has any opportunity to get onto a WWE-related stage at all is a downright miracle. Sorensen is one of the best pure athletes in the tournament (alternate or current competitor) and if given a chance, could score the upset at any moment. Personally, I would like to see him go against Anthony Nese, considering both of them were in the X-Division qualifying tournament back in 2012 when Austin Aries (who is now a WWE NxT Star) ended victorious.
Category 2: The ones who are lucky enough to be in the tournament at all.
32. Mustafa Ali
Pakistan
Technical/High Flying
Inverted 450 splash
He's been wrestling for a little while with some indy buzz from the midwest. That being said, (and I hate saying something like this because it fuels the IWC stereotype I tend to radiate), the main reason he's in the tournament is because the wrestler from Brazil, Zumbi, couldn't make the weight limit. It will be interesting to see if he makes the most of his opportunity but unless he's facing any of the guys in this category, I highly doubt he goes past the first round.
31.Damien Slater
Australia
Technical Striker
Inverted Michinoku Driver
Slater has been listed on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 for a few issues, so he's not entirely unfamiliar. Apparently, he's got a cool variation of the famed Michinoku Driver.
Prediction: Eliminated in Round. Unless he gets to pull out that Driver, I highly doubt he lasts. Hopefully he has a good showing though, because his peers like TM-61 (Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) and Buddy Murphy have paved a path for an Aussie Invasion in the future.
30)Anthony Bennett
USA
High Flyer
Sliced Bread No. 2
I would love to say something nice about this competitor....but the last time someone tried that look in wrestling, it resulted in Darren Young getting rid of it because it made him look like a cabbage patch kid. The dude probably can wrestle circles around me, but someone that wears 2 Pairs of Shutter shades and one of them is for his hair? Bye Felicia.
29 and 28) Gurv and Hurv Sihra
India and India
High Flyers and Technicians
Bollywood Drop(I don't know what this entails) and Top Rope Elbow Drop
The Bollywood Brothers are in this grouping not because of lack of a name or recognition, but just due to the stigma of that they're tag team specialists first. Currently the Global Force Wrestling Tag Team Champions, don't expect much out of these guys if they're separated. It's like the Spanish speaking twins from Teen Titans. If there are any extra matchups during the tournament, expect both of them to shine there.
27)Clement Petiot
France
Technical
Coup d'état(Will find out this)
France's representative and a trainee of Lance Storm and Joey Ryan, he seems to be a heelish type of wrestling the way Mauro Ranallo described him during the CWC introductions. I am guessing that his finisher is a type of throw or suplex, if my greatly inadequate French translation is correct. It would be cool if he were to get past round 1, but I highly doubt that one.
France
Technical
Coup d'état(Will find out this)
France's representative and a trainee of Lance Storm and Joey Ryan, he seems to be a heelish type of wrestling the way Mauro Ranallo described him during the CWC introductions. I am guessing that his finisher is a type of throw or suplex, if my greatly inadequate French translation is correct. It would be cool if he were to get past round 1, but I highly doubt that one.
26)Kenneth Johnson
USA
High Flyer
Done Deal (Will find out about this)
I don't remember his appearances in Ring of Honor...nor do I know what the Done Deal is...but he was trained by Funaki! So he can't be all enigmatic right? "INDEED"
25. Da Mack
Germany
Technical/High Flyer
Mack Magic(Don't know what this is)
A staple of WXW, Da Mack is the German representative for the WWE CWC. I personally look forward to this wrestler, mostly because he was trained by Cesaro (and probably Chris Hero in some form as well). I hope he does well, whether he records and upset or bows out. Does anyone know what Mack Magic is?
24)Fabien Aichner
Italy
Tech/Power/High Flyer
Frog Splash
Reading his story on WWE's website, Aichner could truly be a diamond in the rough amongst the first few in this category I've grouped him in. I'm hoping for a great showing, mostly because I'm curious of what happens when you have an actual Italian rather than a Canadian being an Italian (I'm LOOKING AT YOU SANTINO lol)
23. Ariya Daivari.
Minnesota, but representing Iran
Punjabi Wrestling
The younger brother of Shawn (Khosrow) Daivari, Ariya has been working in the midwest territories for quite some time now. It would be interesting if he hits his finisher with an actual carpet, but I highly doubt it.
Magic Carpet Ride (Flying Splash)
Prediction: Eliminated in Round 1. He's a good wrestler, but I can't see him getting out of round 1 unless he goes against someone even less known.
22. Jason Lee
Hong Kong, China
Chinese Martial Arts, Striker
I know absolutely nothing about this guy, and since he wasn't highly touted...I look forward to seeing what he's got.
Prediction: Eliminated in Round 1. You see...he would be someone that Daivari would defeat. That should say enough about my confidence in him.
21)Sean Maluta
American Samoa
High Flying Striker
Savate Kick(Side Kick....could be a Super Kick depending on how it's done)
He's a Samoan. He's related to the Rock. He gives me enough reasons to root against him with those two statements right away. That being said, he looks pretty cool and he uses a variation of the Super Kick as a finisher. I'll just say I hope he doesn't get squashed....too bad.
20)Raul Mendoza
Mexico
Lucha Libre
Suplex Backbreaker
Starting off my top 20 is Mendoza. Dude has a great resume considering he is the lesser known of the two Mexican Representatives. As Jinzo (Like the Yu Gi Oh Card), he wrestled for AAA in Mexico, Los Perros del Mal (I think he was part of the stable at some point), and Pro Wrestling NoAH, he's have a greater chance in the tournament...if it wasn't for his counterparts in the tournament. Hopefully his finisher is similar to Roderick Strong's End of Heartache.
19)Alejandro Saez
Chile
Lucha Libre/High Flying
Spiral Tap(Corkscrew Senton Bomb)
Saez probably had the hardest road to travel. Normally there aren't many hotbeds for wrestling in Chile....or even South America for that matter. Plus the dude lost 30+ pounds to get into the tournament right at the 205 pound cutoff. To be known as the first Chilean representing WWE is a victory in itself. However, if I get to see him hit the Spiral Tap, I'll gladly accept any upset he can possibly obtain.
Category 3: They have a name that is recognizable, but it's the wrong place at the wrong time. \
18. Tyson Dux
Canada
Technical/Power
Northern Lariat (Lariat/Clothesline to the back of the head)
Duo's name has floated around the North American indy scene for quite some time now. A former member of Teams International and Canada in TNA, Dux is a guy who's had opportunities here and there, but they never really unfolded into something more. Sadly, I believe it will be more of the same. The only way he gets out of Round 1 is if he's paired of against any of the first 14 up there. Otherwise he will lose....and he will be spanked because the talent above him is head, shoulders and knees ahead.
17. Tomasso Ciampa
USA
Technical/Striking
Project Ciampa(Powerbomb into Backbreaker)/Rings of Ciampa(Rings of Saturn)
The Sicilian Psychopath could technically be considered the 2nd member of the tournament from Italy if you use his former billed town rather than Milwaukee. Out of the bottom tier, he's tied or at that # 16 seed. The one who gets the home match because he just barely beat out the next person for that spot but would be a road team otherwise. His moveset is great, but he won't be anyone above this classification.
16. Lince Dorado
Puerto Rico
High Flyer/Lucha Libre
Shooting Star Press
Now, we're getting into guys that I'm familiar. Before Tye Dillinger, there was the Perfect Ten and the Golden Lynx, Lince Dorado. Trained by a multitude of great talent(Cesaro, Chris Hero, Skayde, Mike Quackenbush, etc.) the feline was a staple of CHIKARA from 2008-2010 (even clinching the King of Trios in 2008 for Mexico), Dorado is smooth with his flying and has gotten much more consistent since wrestling for Full Impact Pro and Evolve Wrestling.
If he faces any of the 1st 14, he's in. It would be a tougher sell from there.
15. Jack Gallagher
England/United Kingdom
Technical/Catch as Catch
Running Dropkick/Achilles Lock
Oh:He uses a dance version of a song from Bizet's Carmen.
The Extraordinary Gentleman's name has been gaining steam ever since Progress Wrestling started heating up as a British Hotbed. He gained entry into the tournament by defeating fellow countryman and Attack Pro Wrestling Staple, Bruiserweight Pete Dunne. The only thing stopping him from going further? He's got two countrymen amongst other more accomplished names that truly make him look like a dark horse.
14. Tony Nese
USA
Power/High Flyer
450 Splash
Tony Nese is considered and labeled "The Premier Athlete." Training alongside Zack Ryder, the jacked up individual is way too muscular to do fosbury flops and moonsaults....and yet he does them better than the majority of the field while still keeping up his strength. Starting a career renaissance after taking a back seat to former partner Caleb Konley in the Premier Athlete Brand, Nese could surprise a few people. I personally don't think he gets out of the Round of 16 but I can always be wrong.
13. The Brian Kendrick
USA
High Flyer/Technical
Sliced Bread No. 2/The Kendrick
Theme:Man with a Plan/Hey You (one of the themes for Six Flags at one time)
I loved Brian Kendrick when he was Tag Team Champions with Paul London. I thought he was outmatched when he went solo with Ezekiel Jackson. Then he won the TNA X-Division Championship in a wonderful David vs. Goliath match. Kendrick will always impress the new guys and the casual fans....and odds are he's about as high as a normal day for Rob Van Dam. One of the pioneers of Indy Wrestling alongside the CWC's Color Commentator, Daniel Bryan, Kendrick is a WWE and Indy veteran here to give the tournament some notoriety and credibility. He'll get out of the first round most definitely, could even get out of round 2. Quarterfinal loss or Round of 16 loss is a good expectation.
Category 4:The Dark Horses
12)Cedric Alexander
USA
All Around
Lumbar Check(Lifting Backdrop into Lungblower)
Cedric Alexander has been impressing people for the last 5 years or so in PWG, PWX, and ROH. He cut 20 pounds to participate in the tournament shortly after restarting with Evolve. He's an agile dude for his size and a crowd favorite to boot. The only knock on him is that he tends to be the bridesmaid of tournaments and big matches. If he can get a few upsets under his belt, he's truly a huge threat.
He can go as far as the Semi Finals if we went by potential. I expect him to at least make the quarterfinals. But he isn't escaping further.
11)TJ Perkins
Philippines
All Around
450 Splash/Detonation Kick/Figure Four Deathlock/Flying Kneebar
TJ Perkins out of all the wrestlers in the tournament is the most rounded and the most traveled. Perkins defeated fellow Catch Point teammate Fred Yehi to qualify. In terms of his travels, There are very few companies that Haven't used Perkins at one point or another. TNA, New Japan, AAA, Britain, this 30 year old is considered the youngest veteran in the business. From poverty to this spot here as a member of CatchPoint, he's poised to make a big splash. Only Zack Sabre Jr. can match TJ's smoothness in the ring. Expect him to go far, even to the Semi Finals if you're ambitious.
10) Ho Ho Lun
Hong Kong/China
High Flyer
German Suplex
Cracking the Top 10 is someone who can be considered the father of the Hong Kong/Chinese Wrestling Scene. Lun has wrestled around Asia and is the founder of the most successful (and Only) major Wrestling promotion in HK/China. It was tough to figure out whether he should be in or out of the top 10, but considering he was announced as one of the first entrants into the tournament he takes the spot here. I've seen a few vids and the guy is good. The trailblazer should have a great showing. Worst case scenarios is that his fellow HK dude Jason Lee outshines him, best case is a surprise Semi Final Showing. Compared the rest of the top 10 however, he's similar to Chile's Saez. He got his country noticed in WWE. And that's a victory in itself.
9)Yoshihiro Tajiri
Japan
Striker
Buzzsaw Kick/Green Mist/The Tarantula
The oldest member of this tournament and probably the most experienced, Tajiri has been wrestling for 20+ years, enjoying runs in ECW and in WWE/WCW. The most cunning of his Japanese brethren, don't be surprised if there are a few green faces after competitors face him. The kicks and the swiftness of the strikes are straight up lethal. Similar to Kendrick, he's here to bring notoriety and experience. But, he's a more dangerous threat due to his unpredictability. Getting 2 wins at least.
8)Drew Gulak
USA
Catch Wrestling
Flying Dragon Sleeper
Gulak is as old school as they get. He defeated his fellow Tag Team Championship Partner and Catch Point Stablemate Tracy Williams to qualify. You won't see a lot (I didn't say any) high flying, just many opportunities to see souls have bones break left and right. A grounded style complete with an Ankle Lock that makes this Ken Shamrock fan smile from ear to ear, and a Dragon Sleeper that Ultimo Dragon and Tatsumi Fujinami would approve of, The Legal Eagle is as dangerous of a competitor as anyone in this tournament.
7)Rich Swann
USA
High Flyer
Standing 450 Splash/2nd Rope Phoenix Splash(corkscrew 450 splash)/Frog Splash
This is a sense of state pride here. The Baltimore native's story is one of triumph and tribulation as well as a presentation of how awesome entertainment can be when the road there is rough. Gangs and a tough upbringing led the entertaining wrestler into the business. Wrestling in Japan as a part of Dragon Gate, and a mainstay in PWG and Evolve, Swann is known not only for his acrobatics, but his infectious charisma as well. The lone member of the tournament that trains exclusively at the WWE Performance Center, he is one of the 2 remaining members of the Dragon Gate USA stable Ronin who stands a chance. And if he hits the right notes, he'll have the crowd in the palm of his hand...."All Night Long."
Category 5: The Contenders
6)Johnny Gargano
USA
All Around
Hurts Donut(Full Nelson Facebuster)/Gargano Escape(Arm Trapped Shoulder Crossface)
Johnny Wrestling is a proud Clevelander who is (in this writer's opinion) the top American (North or South) prospect in the tournament. Already competing in WWE's NxT brand alongside fellow competitor Tomasso Ciampa, Gargano has an aura that comes with being a great wrestler and a cult favorite who seems to have the crowd in the palm of his hand. Innovative offense makes him different from the rest of the competition, and realistically can make a lot of noise in this tournament. Don't be surprised if he finds himself in the final four.
5)Akira Tozawa
Japan
Technical Entertainer
Snap or Stalling German Suplex
Tozawa is a BEAST. The second member of the Japanese contingent in the tournament, he's been a mainstay and anchor for Dragon Gate for many years now. He's also a cult favorite among the US indy fans, with tremendous matches and appearances in DGUSA, PWG, and CHIKARA. Similar to Gargano, Tozawa radiates a likable charisma that accompanies a frantic wrestling style with big suplexes and fast paced action. Don't be surprised if Tozawa finds his way into the finals.
4)Noam Dar
Israel and Scotland
Entertainer via British Technical wrestling
Kneebar
The first Israeli to compete in WWE, Dar is a spark plug in the indy scene today. He defeated Josh Bodom at Revolution Pro to qualify for the tournament. The second of the UK contingent, Dar has competed against many of the best wrestlers in the world, notably AJ Styles and Zack Sabre Jr. He's competed in TNA's British Boot Camp, almost winning it. I firmly believe that Dar can make the finals if the lineups go in his favor. He could honestly win the whole thing if he can obtain an upset or two.
Category 6:THE FAVORITES
3)Gran Metalik
Mexico
Lucha Libre
Fireman's Carry Fisherman Driver/Corkscrew Somersault Senton Bomb
The former Mascara Dorada is probably not as recognizable with the name change. But the man behind the Golden Mask is one of the most accomplished men in the tournament. A mainstay of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and a constant visitor of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Metalik is capable of defeating anyone and everyone with his crazy moveset of insane flips and smooth pace. He has the notoriety, the skill and the ability to win the tournament (without anyone thinking it would be an upset). Be wary of Metalik. He's one of the few people to have held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, the same one once held by Shinsuke Nakamura.
2)Zack Sabre Jr.
England/United Kingdom
British catch Wrestling
Ode to Breaks.
Where do I begin with my favorite wrestler in the field? The first time I found out about Sabre was when he competed in the 2011 Chikara Rey de Voladores tournament (won by Sami Zayn's mentor El Generico (NUMERO UNO!)). He had a funny wit about him when he talked about how he would defeated everyone with armbars. And Armbars. Since then he's made a niche for himself as the BEST technical wrestler in the WORLD. The man who basically took over the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Bryan Danielson award for best technical wrestler, Sabre will not only wrestling rings and circles around you, but will make you look like an absolute fool doing it as well. Defeating Flash Morgan Webster to qualify for the tournament, Sabre's been on an absolute tear on the indy scene, winning two of the biggest singles tournaments around the world: The 2016 WXW 16-Carat and the 2015 PWG Battle of Los Angeles. If you wonder why I drift towards the escapology style of wrestling, watch what the British sensation does in the tournament. It would be a surprise if he doesn't at least make the semi-finals.
1)Kota Ibushi
Japan
High Flying Striker
Last Ride Lyger Bomb/Phoenix Splash (Corkscrew 450 Splash)
The official favorite to win the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, Kota Ibushi has wowed audiences in every promotion in many ways. Having a legitimately drama filled match with a blow up doll (Yoshihiko) and tag teaming with Bullet Club/Elite Leader Kenny Omega, to absolutely stealing the show in an instant five star classic with Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestle Kingdom 9 for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Along with such, he's also the 2009 Rey de Voladores, defeating the likes of Austin Aries, El Generico, and The Young Bucks. Ibushi is a karate specialist with a flair for the acrobatics. No one in the world makes a top rope moonsault to the outside look any more effortless. Highlighted at NxT Takeover Dallas when spotlighted in the crowd, Ibushi is the most expected wrestler to win the classic.
With this finally finished I can just enjoy the tournament and you should to.
When in DOUBT, WATCH PRO WRESTLING!
Draft preview will be up next!
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