Cruiserweight Classic

Cruiserweight Classic
Cruiserweight Classic
	Promotional poster for the live finale featuring the Cruiserweight Classic trophy
Promotion	WWE
Date	June 23, 2016; July 14, 2016; August 26, 2016; September 14, 2016;
City	Winter Park, Florida
Venue	Full Sail University
WWE Network event chronology
← Previous; Backlash	Next →; Clash of Champions

All participants were billed at a weight of 205 lbs or less to determine the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion for WWE's revived cruiserweight division. The tournament consisted of various matches that had predetermined results. Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well-known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, which took place over four dates: June 23, July 13, August 26, and September 14, 2016. The winner was T. J. Perkins.

Background

In 2016, WWE announced that they would be holding a 32-man professional wrestling tournament and WWE Network event wherein all participants were billed at a weight of 205 lbs or less, referred to as cruiserweights. The event was originally titled the Global Cruiserweight Series before being renamed as the Cruiserweight Classic. Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man single-elimination tournament, which took place over four dates: June 23, July 13, August 26, and September 14. During the finale, it was announced that the winner of the tournament would become the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion for WWE's revived cruiserweight division, which would compete on the Raw brand. The tournament consisted of various matches that had predetermined results.

Announced competitors

NXT competitors Rich Swann, Tommaso Ciampa, and Johnny Gargano along with international standouts Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, Ho Ho Lun, and Akira Tozawa were announced for the Cruiserweight Classic. At an independent show in Orlando, Florida on April 2, Lince Dorado joined the series. On April 24 at Progress Wrestling Chapter 29, Sabre Jr., Jack Gallagher also won a qualifying match, while on May 7 at Evolve 61, T. J. Perkins and Drew Gulak also joined the series. On June 11 at Evolve 63, Tony Nese defeated Johnny Gargano, Drew Gulak, T. J. Perkins and Lince Dorado and qualified for the tournament. Two days later, WWE officially revealed all 32 wrestlers taking part in the tournament. Originally, Brazilian wrestler Zumbi was scheduled to compete in the Cruiserweight Classic. However, he had issues with his visa that WWE could not clear in time, and was replaced by Mustafa Ali.

Qualifying matches

Progress Wrestling Chapter 29 - April 24 (Electric Ballroom - Camden Town, London)

No.	Results	Stipulations
1	Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Flash Morgan Webster	Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match
2	Jack Gallagher defeated Pete Dunne	Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match

Revolution Pro Wrestling Live at the Cockpit 8 - May 1 (Cockpit Theatre - Marylebone, London)

No.	Results	Stipulations
1	Noam Dar defeated Josh Bodom	Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match

Evolve 61 - May 7 (La Boom - Woodside, Queens, New York)

No.	Results	Stipulations
1	T. J. Perkins (with Stokely Hathaway) defeated Fred Yehi	Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match
2	Drew Gulak defeated Tracy Williams	Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match

American Combat Wrestling The Tradition Continues! - May 28 (All Sports Arena - New Port Richey, Florida)

No.	Results	Stipulations
1	Lince Dorado defeated Romeo Quevedo	Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match

Evolve 63 - June 11 (Downtown Recreation Complex - Orlando, Florida)

No.	Results	Stipulations
1	Tony Nese defeated Drew Gulak, Johnny Gargano, Lince Dorado and T. J. Perkins (with Stokely Hathaway)	WWE Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint Elimination Match Since Nese won, he qualified for the Cruiserweight Classic

Participants

Wrestler	Weight (in pounds)
Akira Tozawa	156
Alejandro Saez	205
Anthony Bennett	147
Ariya Daivari	180
The Brian Kendrick	157
Cedric Alexander	200
Clément Petiot	199
Da Mack	160
Damian Slater	193
Drew Gulak	193
Fabian Aichner	203
Gran Metalik	175
Gurv Sihra	159
Harv Sihra	144
Ho Ho Lun	155
Jack Gallagher	167
Jason Lee	154
Johnny Gargano	170
Kenneth Johnson	156
Kota Ibushi	189
Lince Dorado	168
Mustafa Ali	182
Noam Dar	178
Raul Mendoza	178
Rich Swann	165
Sean Maluta	191
T. J. Perkins	167
Tajiri	189
Tommaso Ciampa	195
Tony Nese	196
Tyson Dux	193
Zack Sabre Jr.	181

Alternates

In the event an official participant had suffered an injury or did not make the 205 lbs weight limit, they would have been replaced by one of the following participants:

Wrestler	Weight (in pounds)
Aaron Solow	182
Jesse Sorensen	184
Jesus Yurnet	182
Kai Katana	197
Vandal Ortagun	155

Replaced

These participants were taken out of the tournament for a specific reason and therefore were replaced by another competitor.

Wrestler	Weight (in pounds) (max. 205)	Progression in the tournament	Reason	Replacing wrestler
Zumbi	167	Replaced before the official start of the tournament	Visa issues	Mustafa Ali

Broadcast team

Ring name	Real name	Notes
Mike Rome	Austin Romero	Ring announcer
Mauro Ranallo	Mauro Ranallo	Lead commentator
Daniel Bryan	Bryan Danielson	Color commentator

Results

Tournament bracket

The following time limits were in place:

Round one: 20 minutes
Round two: 20 minutes
Quarterfinals: 30 minutes
Semifinals: 30 minutes
Final: Unlimited

Round of 32
Taped June 23

Round of 16
Taped July 14

Quarterfinals
Taped August 26

Semifinals
Live on September 14

Final
Live on September 14

July 20 –

Kenneth Johnson