We begin with a video package about the Cruiserweight Classic, showing highlights from the tournament. Gran Metalik talks about dedicating this to Mexico. TJ Perkins says his name will be on the list of who made this tournament important.
We see the trophy in the entrance ramp.
Daniel and Mauro talk about the other great cruiserweight tournaments throughout history. Daniel talks about Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, Cedric Alexander, and Brian Kendrick.
Daniel and Mauro talk about the clash of styles between Gran Metalik and Zack Sabre Junior.
They talk about the other semifinal match between Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins.
TJ Perkins says being part of this tournament is huge. To be part of a generational shift, this will set the tone for future generations.
Zack Sabre says this is a way to showcase his style.
Gran Metalik talks about the importance of the tournament.
Kota Ibushi calls this the World Cup of Wrestling.
Metalik says he is ready to give his all to win. Sabre says he is not going home without winning. Ibushi says he will win. Perkins says it is motivating to get this close to the finals.
Zack Sabre Junior vs. Gran Metalik in aSemi Final Match
Metalik with a drop kick and a flip dive onto Sabre. Metalik with a springboard swanton for a near fall. Sabre sends Metalik to the apron and Sabre with a European uppercut and a kick to the knee. Sabre with a snap mare and he works on the head. Sabre with a European uppercut. Sabre works on the neck and applies a cravate. Sabre with a snap mare into a head scissors and he adds more pressure. Sabre with a modified scorpion while he has Metalik in the head scissors. Sabre with a cravate but Metalik with an escape and head scissors followed by a drop kick. Metalik with forearms. Sabre with European uppercuts and a head butt. Metalik blocks a kick and he has Sabre in a modfied abdominal stretch with the leg trapped between his legs. Sabre gets to the ropes.
Metalik with a chop across the chest. Metalik with a handspring move but Sabre avoids him. Sabre catches Metalik and applies a Dragon Sleeper but he releases the hold. Sabre stands on the back of Metalik’s head. Sabre with a European uppercut. Sabre with an arm bar and then he stretches Metalik and sits on Metalik’s back. Sabre puts his head in Metalik’s back to add more pressure. Metalik with an arm drag but Sabre with a kick and running European uppercut. Sabre runs into a thrust kick and Metalik with a slingblade bulldog and a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Metalik witha drop toe hold and he goes for a La Magistral but Sabre blocks it and gets a near fall. Metalik with a near fall. Sabre with another near fall. Metalik with an Octopus into a sunset flip for a near fall. Sabre with a guillotine choke on Metalik but Metalik with a punch to get out of the hold. Metalik with a Boston Crab but Sabre rolls through and so does Metalik and he gets a near fall. Sabre with a European uppercut and Metalik with a slap. Sabre with a head butt and Metalik with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Sabre with a running European uppercut but Metalik with a super kick and a springboard back elbow for a near fall.
Metalik comes off the ropes and is met wtih a European uppercut and then Sabre with a running kick for a near fall. Sabre with a forearm from his knees and Metalik fires back. Sabre throws in a few European uppercuts while Metalik slaps and head butts Sabre. Sabre with slaps and a European uppercut for a near fall. Sabre with a European uppercut and Metalik with forearms. Sabre goes for a half nelson suplex but Metalik with an arm drag. Sabre goes for the Octopus and he locks it in. Metalik gets to the ropes and Sabre releases the hold. Sabre with a forearm and European uppercut.
Sabre puts Metalik on the turnbuckles and he sets for a superplex but Metalik stops him. Sabre with a cravate on the turnbuckles and then he sets for a superplex. Sabre goes for a superplex but Metalik drops Sabre on the top rope and then hits a hurricanrana. Sabre with a triangle but Metalik is able to escape and get a near fall with a bridge. Sabre charges at Metalik and Metalik hits the Metalik Driver and he gets the three count.
Winner: Gran Metalik (Advances to Finals)
After the match, William Regal presents Gran Metalik with a medal.
Metalik is asked about his mindset going into the finals. He says thank you. He is asked about his strategy not knowing his opponent.
We see TJ Perkins and Kota Ibushi getting ready for their match.
We have a video package for the Raw brand and the Cruiserweights.
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are in the back and they are asked how they are doing. Johnny says they are cleared and ready to go. Tommaso says Brooklyn was a moment and the CWC was a moment. No offense to Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander, but they are preparing for the Revival. Ciampa says The Revival is scared. They are coming for the tag titles.
Kota Ibushi vs. TJ Perkins in a Semi Final Match
They go for a knuckle lock and Perkins with a front face lock. Ibushi backs Perkins into the ropes and Ibushi with a kick but Perkins blocks it. Perkins with a waist lock and Ibushi with a standing switch. Ibushi tries for another kick and Perkins blocks it again. They go to a Greco Roman Knuckle Lock and Perkins with a side head lock and wrist lock. Ibushi with a reversal and they go into the ropes again. Perkins with a break and Ibushi tries for a kick and Perkins blocks it and he goes for the knee bar. They lock up and Perkins with a wrist lock and Ibushi goes for a reversal and succeeds. Perkins with a reversal of his own and he takes Ibushi down with a head scissors and Perkins gets a near fall. Perkins with a side head lock and Perkins flips over Ibushi.
Ibushi with a running kick to the chest. Perkins goes into the ropes and Ibushi charges and goes to the floor. Ibushi with a springboard drop kick and Perkins goes to the floor. Ibushi goes for the double jump moonsault but Perkins gets on the apron and kicks Ibushi to the floor and Ibushi lands awkwardly on the floor. Ibushi tries to get back into the ring and he falls to the floor but Ibushi gets back in before the ten count. Perkins with a drop kick and he gets a near fall.
Perkins with a reverse chin lock. Ibushi with a kick but Perkins with a dragon screw leg whip and then he works on the ankle. Perkins with a guillotine but Ibushi backs Perkins into the corner. Perkins floats over but Ibushi with a drop kick. Ibushi with a rana and Perkins goes to the floor. Ibushi looks around but he is slow to get back to his feet. Ibushi goes for the double jump moonsault and he connects. Ibushi sends Perkins back into the ring and he goes up top and hits a missile drop kick and gets a near fall. Ibushi with a kick but Ibushi with a power slam and a quebrada but Perkins with a knee bar.
Ibushi struggles but he gets to the rope, forcing Perkins to release the hold. Perkins with a jumping spin kick but Ibushi wtih a German suplex for a near fall. Ibushi with round kicks to the chest and Perkins goes to the apron. Ibushi with a kick while Perkins is in the ropes. Ibushi with more kicks and Perkins is down on the apron. Ibushi goes for a German suplex back into the ring and he gets on the middle rope but Perkins with elbows to stop Ibushi. Perkins with a slingshot drop kick but Ibushi with a Pele Kick to Perkins on the turnbuckles and Perkins falls to the mat.
Ibushi goes for a power bomb but Perkins with a DDT and a double knee gut buster to the head for a near fall. Ibushi goes for the Pele Kick but Perkins counters into a knee bar. Ibushi tries to fight through the pain of the hold and he is able to escape. Ibushi goes for a half nelson suplex but Perkins escapes. Ibushi with slaps and kicks and then he hits the Golden Star Power Bomb and Perkins kicks out at the last moment.
Ibushi goes up top for a Phoenix Splash but Perkins moves out of the way. Perkins with a forearm and Ibushi fires back. They go back and forth. Ibushi misses a kick and Perkins with a facebuster but Ibushi with a sit out reverse piledriver for a near fall. Ibushi goes for the Golden Star Power Bomb but Perkins escapes and applies the knee bar. Ibushi gets to his feet but Perkins brings him back down to the mat. Perkins with a chin lock as well into an STF and Ibushi taps out.
Winner: TJ Perkins (Advances to Finals)
After the match, William Regal gives TJ Perkins a medal.
TJ is asked about facing Gran Metalik and his strategy. TJ says before enlightenment chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment chop wood and carry water. He did not expect to only be in one match so he is ready for the finals. He says that he needs to focus a little more and he will win the CWC.
Cedric Alexander and Noam Dar are asked about their strategy. Noam says they are making history and tagging for the first time. They only have to be on the same page for the one, two, three. Cedric says some would think a win over DIY is an upset but they know how good they are.
We see a number of wrestlers in the crowd including Rich Swann and Jack Gallagher.
Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander vs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
Alexander and Ciampa start things off and Alexander with a take down and he flips over Ciampa’s back and Alexander with a head scissors but he tries for a drop kick and Ciampa avoids it. Alexander with a drop kick to send Ciampa to the apron. Gargano tags in and so does Dar. Gargano with a punch and a take down. Gargano wtih a rollup into a crucifix and a near fall. Gargano with a snap mare and he sends Dar into the turnbuckles. Gargano with a drop kick. Ciampa tags in.
Gargano with a snap mare and cravate. Ciampa with a facebuster. Alexander tags in and he kicks Gargano off the apron and connects with forearms. Alexander with a handspring round kick and a plancha onto Ciampa. Alexander sends Ciampa back into the ring and hits a springboard flatliner for a near fall. Alexander with a waist lock. Ciampa with an elbow to escape the hold. Ciampa drop kicks Alexander when he goes for another handspring move. Gargano tags in and he hits a running forearm or two. Gargano with an overhead belly-to-belly throw and then he sends Dar to the apron and Gargano with an enzuigiri. Gargano with a super kick while Dar is on Ciampa’s shoulders. Alexander goes for a dive to the floor but Gargano with a slingshot spear to Alexander.
Gargano with a chop to Alexander and he puts Cedric on the turnbuckles. Alexander with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Dar tags in and Gargano sends Alexander to the floor and Ciampa tags in and he knocks Alexander off the apron. Dar with a running drop kick into the corner for a near fall. Ciampa with knees and a jumping knee but Alexander tags in and hits a springboard clothesline. Dar with a boot to Gargano and Alexander with an enzugirii to Ciampa.
Gargano tags in and so does Dar. Gargano and Dar both go for clotheslines. Gargano and Dar with kicks and forearms. Dar drop kicks Ciampa off the apron. Dar with an ankle lock and he grapevines it and kicks Gargano in the back. Ciampa stomps on Dar to get him to release the hold. Ciampa tags in and chops Dar. Ciampa puts Dar on the turnbuckles and chops him. Ciampa goes for a Schwein off the turnbuckles but Dar escapes and he goes for a sunset flip power bomb but Ciampa stays in the turnbuckles. Dar with a boot to Gargano and a suicide dive but he tags in Alexander who hits a drop kick to the head and then he hits a brainbuster and gets a near fall.
Dar tags in and Ciampa sends Alexander tot he floor. Gargano tags in and he hits a super kick. Alexander comes off the ropes and Gargano with a super kick while Ciampa hits a jumping knee. Gargano with a lawn dart to Dar and then Ciampa tags in and they hit the running knee and super kick combination for the three count.
Winners: Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
We are back and Daniel and Mauro talk about the finals and he wonders how will they improve on what happened so far.
Daniel says the cardio of the wrestlers will be important.
William Regal joins Mauro and Daniel. William is asked about what it took to put it together. Triple H had him and Canyon Ceman pick the top 32 Cruiserweights from around the world. He wanted to find people who could deal with the rigors of the tournament. They wanted people who belonged in the ring.
Daniel asks William about being trained by Marty Jones. Regal says he met Tiger Mask before he was Tiger Mask. Regal says he was jealous of the talent of the cruiserweights. William says the two men in the finals have cemented their legacy as warriors of the mat wars.
Mauro asks about the cruiserweight of the new millennium. Regal says you have to be a well rounded wrestler. Great strikers, grapplers, submission experts, and flyers. When they fly, they hurt people. They don’t waste energy.
Corey Graves joins Daniel and Mauro. Corey says he is happy to be out of the matrix. Corey says Ibushi was the favorite of many. Daniel asks Corey for his favorite moment in the CWC and Corey says it was seeing Brian Kendrick.
We take a look at highlights from the two semi finals matches.
Before the finals begin, Triple H makes his way to the ring. Hunter says tonight we are here to make history right here, right now in this ring. They will make history. They started with 32 of the best. We are now down to the final two. Hunter says they are looking for the one who will be known as the best in the world. They are looking for the one who will win the first Cruiserweight Classic. Hunter says we are looking for the one… that will go to Raw as the Cruiserweight Champion.
Gran Metalik vs. TJ Perkins in theCWC Finals and for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
They lock up and Metalik with a wrist lock and Perkins with a reversal. Metalik with a single leg take down and a snap mare into a rollup but Perkins with a near fall of his own. They go to a Greco Roman Knuckle Lock and Perkins with a bridge as Metalik tries for a cover. Perkins with a head scissors into a head scissors but Metalik gets to his feet. Perkins takes Metalik back to the mat. Metalik with a head scissors of his own and he adds more pressure. Perkins tries to escape and Metalik chops Perkins in the back. Perkins with a Boston Crab into a Rocking Horse and then he applies an arm bar into a rollup for a near fall.
Perkins with a side head lock take down and then they get back to their feet. Perkins with another side head lock take down. Perkins flips over Metalik and Perkins goes for a crucifix into an Octopus. Perkins with a Muta Lock. Metalik gets to the ropes and Perkins releases the hold. Metalik goes to the floor and Perkins teases a springboard move but Metalik with a kick to the knees. Metalik with a suicide dive and both men are down on the floor.
The referee starts his count and Metalik gets back into the ring and he sends in Perkins first. Metalik walks the ropes and hits a springboard swanton for a near fall. Metalik with a surfboard and he has his boot in Perkins’ back. Perkins gets to the ropes and Metalik releases the hold. Metalik with a chop. Metalik with an Irish whip and Perkins with a headstand and head scissors. Perkins with a head scissors and both men go over the top rope to the floor. Perkins with a slingshot senton from the apron and he gets a near fall. Perkins with a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Perkins works on the arms and shoulders but Metalik gets his foot to the ropes. Perkins with a side slam for a near fall.
Perkins with a rear chin lock and he has the arm trapped with his leg. Perkins with a suplex and he holds on and goes for a belly-to-back suplex but Metalik lands on his feet. Perkins with a European uppercut. Metalik leaps at Perkins and hits a head scissors that sends both men over the top rope to the floor. Metalik with a springboard flip onto Perkins. Perkins gets into the ring first but Metalik with a springboard elbow drop for a near fall. Metalik misses a splash into the corner. Perkins with a kick and Irish whip but Metalik hits a missile drop kick. Perkins avoids the shooting star press and applies the knee bar. Metalik gets to the ropes despite Perkins kicking Metalik in the back of the head.
Perkins with a kick to the leg and then he kicks Metalik in the leg one more time. Metalik with a chop and Perkins with another kick. Metalik slaps Perkins and Perkins with a forearm. They go back and forth with strikes. Perkins with a kick and Metalik with a super kick. Perkins with a running drop kick to the knee and both men are down. Perkins misses a splash and Metalik with a super kick and he tries for the Metalik Driver. Perkins escapes and gets Metalik on his shoulders but Metalik counters with a DDT and gets a near fall. Metalik goes up top and goes for a moonsault but Perkins gets his feet up. Perkins with a double overhook gutbuster for a near fall. Perkins with a knee bar and Metalik tries to get to the ropes but Perkins pulls Metalik into the center of the ring. Metalik tries to get to the ropes and Perkins pulls him into the center of the ring and Metalik with a rollup for a near fall.
Metalik with the Metalik Driver but he could not hold on to the cover but he eventually gets a cover but only gets a near fall. Metalik with forearms and then he chops Perkins. Perkins with an arm drag out of a Metalik Driver attempt. Perkins with a springboard drop kick and he goes up top but Metalik with a kick to Perkins. Metalik and Perkins exchange strikes on the turnbuckles. Metalik gets Perkins up for a Super Metalik Driver and Perkins pulls Metalik off the turnbuckles and applies a knee bar and he grapevines the leg. Metalik taps out.
Winner: TJ Perkins
TJ is asked to describe what he is feeling. He says he keeps a key on his necklace and it was the last place he lived before he was homeless. That was a place he could not go to. Now it is a reminder of a place he does not have to go back to. He is asked about being the first Cruiserweight Champion. He says he searched for inspiration and he looked at his heroes for inspiration. This means the world to him to be able to inspire people. He says this is bigger than him. This is not one person. It is 32 people. He started and they were his peers. Tonight, every one of them is his hero.
Perkins celebrates in the ring complete with confetti as Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan thank us for watching the Cruiserweight Classic.
