WWE Cruiserweight Classic Finale Results (Live)
September 14, 2016
Winter Park, Florida (Full Sail University)
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Daniel Bryan
Results by: Jason Namako of Wrestleview.com
Show opens with a video package narrated by Triple H showcasing highlights of the tournament thus far and comments from the four semi-finalists. “Four competitors, four countries, one prize, to be called the best in the world.”
Commentary welcomes us to the show and talks about the origins of the tournament and the big moments from the tournament thus far, including Gargano vs. Ciampa, Ibushi vs. Alexander and Brian Kendrick’s exit from the tournament.
We go to a video feature on the four semi-finalists talking about the importance of the tournament and what will it mean when people look back on it many years from now. Ibushi calls it “The World Cup of Wrestling.”
CWC Semi-Final Match #1: “King of Ropes” Gran Metalik (Mexico) vs. “Technical Wizard” Zack Sabre Jr. (UK)
Interesting clash of styles here as its the technical prowess of Sabre vs. the lucha-libre high-flying artistry of Metalik. Metalik instantly dropkicks Sabre to the outside, then wipes him out with a flip dive! Back in, Metalik with a Springboard Senton Bomb for a close 2. Sabre stops another springboard with an uppercut, then kicks him in the arm to send Metalik back in. Sabre twists the neck of Metalik with both legs, then hooks him in a cravate. Sabre switches to a headscissors, then pulls back on the leg of Metalik before he gets to the ropes. Sabre goes back to the cravate, but Metalik gets free and hits a rana and another dropkick. Metalik with forearms, but Sabre with uppercuts. Metalik catches a kick and hooks in a standing unique submission hold before Sabre gets to the ropes. Overhand chop by Metalik, but Sabre avoids a back handspring and hooks Metalik with an Arm-Trap Dragon Sleeper. Metalik gets to the ropes. Sabre stomps on Metalik’s arm, followed by another uppercut. Sabre locks in a Step-Over Seated Surfboard, but Metalik gets out. Sabre with a running boot, then a running corner uppercut. Sabre runs into a superkick by Metalik, followed by Metalik hitting an Inverted Slingblade. Running Shooting Star Press by Metalik gets 2. Dueling chants by the Full Sail crowd. Sabre blocks La Magistral for 2, then Metalik with a crucifix for 2. Sabre with a Leg Clutch pin attempt for 2. Octopus Stretch applied by Metalik, then switches to a roll-up for 2. Sabre tilt-a-whirls into a Guillotine Choke, but Metalik fights his way out into a Boston Crab. Sabre tries to counter out, but Metalik pins him for another 2. Sabre with more uppercuts from his knees, followed by forearms and a headbutt. Metalik comes back with a big clothesline for 2. Sabre gets out of the Metalik Driver and hits another uppercut, but Metalik hits another superkick, followed by a springboard back elbow for a close 2. Metalik walks up the ropes, but Sabre catches him on the way down with another uppercut. PK by Sabre for a real close 2. They trade strikes on their knees, then Sabre uncorks a series of slaps and gets 2. They trade strikes again, then Metalik gets out of a half-nelson backbreaker, but Sabre catches him in his Octopus Stretch variation, but Metalik is able to get to the ropes. Sabre with strikes in the corner, then they head up top. Metalik blocks a superplex and crotches Sabre on the ropes. Metalik then takes him down off the ropes with a Super Rana! Metalik springboards, but Sabre catches him on the way down into an Arm Triangle! Metalik counters by flipping over and pinning Sabre for a close 2.
Sabre charges in, but Metalik catches him with the Metalik Driver for the win and the ticket to the finals! WOW!
Winner and advancing to the Finals of the Cruiserweight Classic: “King of Ropes” Gran Metalik by pinfall (Metalik Driver)
NXT GM William Regal presents Metalik after with a medal. Charly Caruso interviews Metalik in the ring after.
Awesome match from Metalik and Sabre, their styles really meshed well here.
We see Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins getting ready for their semi-final match backstage.
We see a video package about the fact that the Cruiserweight Division starts on RAW next Monday with Brian Kendrick, TJ Perkins, Noam Dar, Cedric Alexander, Jack Gallagher, Gran Metalik, Akira Tozawa, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa and Rich Swann taking part in the division.
Charly Caruso interviews Gargano and Ciampa about their match tonight against Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander. Gargano and Ciampa say that their injuries have healed and the Revival should pay attention to the match because they are coming after them and the NXT Tag Team Titles.
CWC Semi-Final Match #2: “Golden Star” Kota Ibushi (Japan) vs. “Technical Lightning” TJ Perkins (Philippines)
Perkins checks a couple of leg kicks from Ibushi early. More dueling chants from the crowd. Perkins catches a kick and goes for the TJP Clutch, but Ibushi quickly gets free. Hand-Stand Headscissors by Perkins for 2. Series of evasions, then Ibushi catches Perkins with a running chest kick. Perkins does the Spidey Move in the ropes to evade Ibushi, but Ibushi catches him with a springboard dropkick, sending Perkins outside. Ibushi goes for the Golden Triangle, but Perkins hops on the apron and kicks out Ibushi’s legs, sending him crashing hard to the outside. Ibushi tries to roll back in, but falls back outside, then just gets back in before the 10 count. Perkins with a basement dropkick to the back of Ibushi’s head for 2. Chinlock applied. Ibushi gets out and drills Perkins with a chest kick, but Perkins then catches another and hits a Dragon Screw. Toe Hold applied by Perkins, then he switches to a Sugar Hold. Ibushi gets out, then catches Perkins with a dropkick. Ibushi with a rana that sends Perkins outside. Ibushi charges and this times wipes out Perkins with the Golden Triangle Moonsault! Back in, Ibushi heads up top and hits a missile dropkick for 2. Ibushi charges in, but Perkins catches him with a head kick. Ibushi with a powerslam, then rolls through to go for the Second Rope Moonsault, but Perkins gets the knee up! TJP Clutch locked in, but Ibushi gets to the ropes. Perkins with a spin kick, but Ibushi slips out of the Detonation Kick and hits a Dragon for a close 2. Big chest kicks by Ibushi that send Perkins to the apron. More kicks by Ibushi while Perkins is in the ropes. Ibushi goes for the Deadlift Super German, but Perkins blocks it. Perkins with a slingshot dropkick, then heads up top, but Ibushi knocks him off with a Pele! Ibushi goes for the Golden Star Bomb, but Perkins counters it with a Tornado DDT, followed by his version of Dodon for a very close 2. “This is awesome” chants by Full Sail. Ibushi again counters the Detonation Kick, but Perkins catches the Pele Kick into the TJP Clutch! Ibushi gets out, then drills Perkins with slaps and a spinning back kick! Golden Star Bomb! 1-2……PERKINS KICKS OUT!! IBUSHI IS IN SHOCK!!! Another “This is Awesome” chant from Full Sail. Ibushi calls for the end and goes for the Phoenix Splash, but Perkins moves out of the way! They trade strikes once they get back to their feet. Perkins avoids a head kick and this time hits the Detonation Kick, then goes for the wheelbarrow takedown into the TJP Clutch, but Ibushi blocks it and drives Perkins down for a real close 2. Head kick by Ibushi, but Perkins counters the Golden Star Bomb back into the TJP Clutch! Ibushi tries to get free, but Perkins switches it into a STF! IBUSHI TAPS!! UNBELIEVABLE!!
Winner and advancing to the Finals: “Technical Lightning” TJ Perkins by submission (STF)
Out-of-this-world match and a career performance for Perkins in this one. Go out of your way to watch this. Perkins showcased himself as another one who TNA made a blunder decision on, and Kota Ibushi showed why he is one of the best international talents on the planet. Unbelievable.
We see highlights of the match after. Perkins is interviewed about his win as Ibushi breaks down in tears, heartbroken over losing.
We see Gran Metalik being iced backstage, then refusing it as he sees that Perkins will be who he will be facing in the Finals.
Charly Caruso interviews Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander about their match tonight with Gargano and Ciampa. They say that tonight, they show why they are two of the best around.
We see Sasha Banks, Kalisto, Rich Swann, Jack Gallagher and Bayley seated in the crowd.
Noam Dar (Scotland) and Cedric Alexander (USA) vs. #DIY (“Whole Shebang” Johnny Gargano and “Psycho Killer” Tommaso Ciampa) (USA)
Crowd chants for DIY as the bell sounds. Ciampa and Cedric start. Series of evasions early, then Cedric with a backflip headscissors and a dropkick, causing Ciampa to regroup. Gargano and Dar tag in. Gargano with a big chop to Dar, then they exchange on the mat, Gargano with a Crucifix for 2. Gargano with a knee strike, Ciampa tags in. Ciampa works over Dar, but Dar with a Dragon Screw. Cedric tags in and knocks Gargano off the apron. Back Handspring Roundhouse Kick sends Ciampa outside, then Cedric wipes him out with a flip dive! Back in, Cedric with a Spring-In Flatliner for 2. Inverted Bearhug applied, but Ciampa gets free. Cedric goes for another back handspring, but Ciampa catches him with a basement dropkick! Gargano tags in, Overhead Belly-to-Belly to Cedric, then sends Dar outside. Ciampa has Dar in the Electric Chair, while Gargano hits an Apron Superkick! Cedric sends Gargano onto the apron, but Gargano catches him with the Slingshot Spear for 2. Cedric gets out of the Lawndart and hits a Michinoku Driver for a close 2. Cedric sent outside, Gargano tags in Ciampa. Running knee knocks Cedric off the apron, but Dar with a running corner dropkick to Ciampa for 2. Ciampa with knees to Dar, then a flying knee. Ciampa goes for the Discus Clothesline, but Cedric with a springboard clothesline. Everyone hits a big strike on each other, all 4 men are down! “This is awesome” chants from Full Sail. Gargano and Dar tag in. They trade strikes, then Gargano with a Discus Forearm to the back of Dar’s head. Dar locks Gargano in the Ankle Lock, but Ciampa breaks up the submission. Ciampa tags in and heads up top with Dar. Ciampa goes for a Super Air Raid Crash, but Dar gets free, knocks Gargano off the apron and wipes him out with a tope suicida! Cedric with a running dropkick and a brainbuster to Ciampa for 2. Basement Spin Kick by Cedric for a real close 2. Dar tags in, Ciampa sends Cedric outside, Gargano tags in, superkick to Dar, then they drill Cedric off a springboard. Lawndart by Gargano to Dar, Ciampa tags in.
Sharks in the Water by DIY on Dar for the win.
Winners: #DIY by pinfall (Sharks in the Water)
#DIY celebrate their win after.
Fun tag match, good win for #DIY. Have a feeling the ref will get chewed out backstage for that super-close nearfall that for sure looked like a 3 count on Ciampa.
Commentary talks to NXT GM William Regal about his involvement in putting together the Cruiserweight Classic. They then talk to RAW commentator Corey Graves about the Cruiserweight Division coming to RAW.
We see highlights of the semi-final matches from earlier tonight.
Main Event in the Finals of the Cruiserweight Classic: “Technical Lightning” TJ Perkins (Philippines) vs. “King of Ropes” Gran Metalik (Mexico)
Before the bell sounds, WWE COO Triple H comes out and says they are here tonight to make history. “We started with 32 and now we see two of the best in the world. But, we are looking for the one who will be the winner of the first Cruiserweight Classic. “CWC” chants by Full Sail.” Triple H says that even more importantly than that, we are looking for the one that will go to RAW on Monday Night as the new Cruiserweight Champion! Triple H shows off the new Cruiserweight title belt, shakes both men’s hands and leaves as the crowd chants “Thank you Hunter.”
Bell sounds as both men do some chain wrestling early. Dueling chants by the crowd. They continue to exchange on the mat until Perkins hooks in a Reverse Pendulum Stretch! Metalik counters out with a roll-up for 2. They go back to the mat, then they evade each other until Perkins locks in a Octopus Stretch, then takes down Metalik and locks in a Muta Lock. Metalik gets to the ropes. Metalik goes outside, but when Perkins goes to the apron, Metalik dropkicks his knees out, sending Perkins outside. Metalik then wipes out Perkins with a tope suicida headbutt attack! Back in, Metalik hits a Rope-Walk Senton Bomb for a close 2. Metalik locks Perkins in a variation of the Surfboard, but Perkins gets to the ropes. Big overhand chop by Metalik, but Perkins with a handstand on the turnbuckles into a headscissors, then hits a Top Rope Rana that sends them both all the way to the outside! Back in, Perkins with a Senton Atomico for 2. Basement dropkick to the back of Metalik’s head for 2. Armbar by Perkins, but Metalik gets to the ropes. Side slam by Perkins for 2. Arm-Trap Chinlock by Perkins, then hits a suplex. Metalik slips out of a back suplex, but Perkins with an uppercut. Perkins sent onto the apron, then Metalik charges, leaps over the ropes and ranas Perkins all the way down to the outside! Metalik with a head of steam and hits a Spring-Out Flip Dive, wiping out Perkins! “CWC” chants by Full Sail. Back in, Metalik with a Springboard Elbow Drop for a close 2. “Lucha Libre” chants by Full Sail. Perkins avoids a corner charge, but Metalik walks up the ropes and hits a missile dropkick, but Perkins avoids the Running Shooting Star Press and locks in the TJP Clutch, but Metalik reaches the ropes! Leg kicks by Perkins, but Metalik with another big overhand chop. They trade strikes, but Perkins with a spin kick, but then Metalik with a superkick! Metalik charges, but Perkins catches him with a dropkick to the knees. Metalik avoids a charge and hits another superkick, but Perkins slips out of the Metalik Driver. Perkins goes for the Detonation Kick, but Metalik counters it with a DDT for a close 2. Metalik heads up top and goes for a Moonsault, but Perkins gets the feet up. Dodon by Perkins for a close 2, then locks Metalik back in the TJP Clutch! Metalik crawls to the ropes, but Perkins pulls him back to the center! “Do not tap” chants by the crowd. Perkins goes to pull Metalik back again, but Metalik counters with a roll-up for a real close 2. “This is awesome” chants by Full Sail. Metalik hits the Metalik Driver, but he hurt his knee on the way down. Metalik drapes the arm over, but Perkins kicks out as Metalik is clutching his leg in pain. Dueling chants by Full Sail for both men. Metalik with strikes to Perkins, but Perkins counters out of the Metalik Driver and hits a slingshot dropkick. Perkins heads up top, but Metalik stops him with an enziguri. They fight up top, then Metalik goes for a Super Metalik Driver, but Perkins counters out right back into the TJP Clutch in the dead-center of the ring!
Metalik tries to fight it, but cannot and taps! WOW!
Winner of the Cruiserweight Classic and the NEW Cruiserweight Champion: “Technical Lightning” TJ Perkins by submission (TJP Clutch)
Perkins breaks down in tears after celebrating his tournament and title win. Triple H and William Regal come out and they present Perkins with the Cruiserweight Title belt and trophy. Perkins and Metalik embrace and raise each other’s hands. Triple H and Regal raise Perkins’ hands and congratulate him, then give him the ring to continue to celebrate his win. Charly Caruso interviews Perkins about his win, with Perkins saying this win is for all the fans.
Perkins continues to celebrate his win as confetti falls from the ceiling to close the show.
Damn good finals and cool surprise to make this for the new Cruiserweight Title. Perkins winning the title was a statement moment, much like I mentioned earlier, about how big of a blunder it was for TNA to let him go. Metalik looked great in defeat and Perkins will make a fine champion. Great ending to an amazing tournament, while also a nice kickstart to the RAW Cruiserweight Division.
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