Cruiserweight Classic LIVE FINALE - The Thread

[Steveweiser]

Tonight sees the final night of the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Classic, where one of four men will claim the title as the best Cruiserweight wrestler on the planet (at least in WWE's eyes). Let's see who's in the running in the two semi finals...

*Gran Metalik (Mexico) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (England)
*Kota Ibushi (Japan) vs. TJ Perkins (Philippines)

The first semi final sees an intriguing clash of styles, as the high flying sensation Gran Metalik, who defeated Alejandro Saez, Tajiri and Akira Tozawa to make this point, takes on the Technical Wizard Zack Sabre Jr., who has got past Tyson Dux, Drew Gulak and Noam Dar. Will Metalik's aerial ability prove too much for Sabre, or will Zack be able to ground him with his many submission holds?

The other semi final pits arguably the most outstanding competitor in this tournament, Japan's Golden Star Kota Ibushi (who has seen off Sean Maluta, Cedric Alexander and The Brian Kendrick), against its most brash in TJ Perkins (he defeated Da Mack, Johnny Gargano and Rich Swann). Will TJP's ground game stop Ibushi from fulfilling many people's predictions?

And of course THE LIVE FINAL between the two winners will be the main event of the evening!

In other action, we know from last week's NXT that Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa will be in tag team action, as they look to impress NXT General Manager William Regal into giving them another shot at The Revival for the NXT Tag Team Championship. Can #DIY get it done, and who will they face?

All this and much more as the Cruiserweight Classic goes LIVE on its final night from 9/8c on WWE Network!

[Ricky Nightshade]

TJP has been killing all the heroes. I wouldn't be surprised if he took out Ibushi and ZSJ, too.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

I think this is Perkins's to lose. Sabre Jr and Ibushi aren't looking to sign right now, and as good as Metalik is, they probably want someone to be able to cut a victory promo in English.

(And once again, Dixie Carter cues up The Sound Of Silence from the top)

[Steveweiser]

Yeah, I think they give TJP the Jericho from Vengeance 2001 push tonight, beating Ibushi and then ZSJ in the final, so it's something he can boast about, and maybe claim to have run them off from entering the RAW Cruiserweight Division.

[Abdullah]

Maybe Kota is loudly proclaiming he doesn't want to sign in an effort to swerve people?

You could make the argument that WWE wanted him and ZSJ in the finals from day one. Funny how that turned out.

[Deleted]

I might watch, might not, I dunno. TJP's the only one of the remaining four I really care about at all. Probably just depends on if I realize this is on and if I have anything else going on at the time.

[FAR5222]

Gargano/Ciampa are most likely facing Davari/Ali or Bollywood Bros.

[canal]

What the hell is Metalik/Sabre going to look like?

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

I can see TJP getting the win for this because he will be on Raw and the word has been Kota hasn't signed yet.

The most obvious match is Kota vs ZSJ but I'm not complaining about that at all. Any combination of the four would be a good match so I'm looking forward too it

[lucas_lee]

I hope the boy from PI wins it

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Sept 14, 2016 7:30:12 GMT -5 EoE: Well There's Your Problem said:

I think this is Perkins's to lose. Sabre Jr and Ibushi aren't looking to sign right now, and as good as Metalik is, they probably want someone to be able to cut a victory promo in English.

(And once again, Dixie Carter cues up The Sound Of Silence from the top)

Crazy to think how much TJP used to go to bat for TNA after all that awful shit with James Storm Horrible group. Credit to TJP for coming out there and making the absolute best of his opportunity. If only DJ Z could of been in this.

[Big Poppa Pumpkin]

I know he's not gonna win because he isn't signing but let's go Kota

[Slanted and Enchanted]

Sept 14, 2016 8:03:03 GMT -5 canal said:

What the hell is Metalik/Sabre going to look like?

That's an interesting question and I can't wait to see how ZSJ meshes with someone with such a contrasting style. I personally think ZSJ VS Metallik followed by ZSJ VS Perkins/Ibushi will make for some great matches. And I personally will be off the message boards since I don't think I can bare reading the backlash again from last week

[häšhtå.gdālėÿ]

I'm so disappointed in the final four... I'm barely even looking forward to it, and I don't feel motivated to watch it live. If I feel like a nap after a hard days work, I'm taking that nap instead of staying awake for some must see action. And that's not something I've felt for a single second of the rest of the CWC.

Such an awesome series of matches, such an awesome tournament, and it's all ending in disappointment for me.

[carp (SPC, Itoh Respect Army)]

It's possible that they're holding out on announcing the winner's signing to make it a surprise.

I still think it's Ibushi's to win, which disappoints me... I just don't get or appreciate his style, all kicking out of finishers and hitting people in the face and it goes whap. I see Metalik upsetting ZSJ, too.

I kind of think I'm not alone when I say that ZSJ is awesome... some people don't like him, but I get the sense it's a loud minority. But I loved both of last week's matches, and he's really important in adding a different style, both in terms of offense and in-ring acting. Dude just needs a gimmick.

[lionheart21]

Perkins/Ibushi is sure to tear the house down, but I'm honestly more interested in seeing Sabre Jr/Metallik, just due to the style contrast. The high-flyer taking on the ground-based specialist.

[lionheart21]

Sept 14, 2016 9:59:27 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Sept 14, 2016 7:30:12 GMT -5 EoE: Well There's Your Problem said:

I think this is Perkins's to lose. Sabre Jr and Ibushi aren't looking to sign right now, and as good as Metalik is, they probably want someone to be able to cut a victory promo in English.

(And once again, Dixie Carter cues up The Sound Of Silence from the top)

Crazy to think how much TJP used to go to bat for TNA after all that awful shit with James Storm Horrible group. Credit to TJP for coming out there and making the absolute best of his opportunity. If only DJ Z could of been in this.

Even after all of the defending that he did for them, they still chose not to renew his contract. Shows what loyalty means to them.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Sept 14, 2016 11:33:33 GMT -5 lionheart21 said:

Sept 14, 2016 9:59:27 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Crazy to think how much TJP used to go to bat for TNA after all that awful shit with James Storm Horrible group. Credit to TJP for coming out there and making the absolute best of his opportunity. If only DJ Z could of been in this.

Even after all of the defending that he did for them, they still chose not to renew his contract. Shows what loyalty means to them.

Speaking of Dixie and loyalty , hasn't Jesse Sorrenson been part of NXT or had a match I should say. Surprised he wasn't part of the prelims before the actual event.

[Psy]

I honestly want Gran Metallik to win. Kota Ibushi would be cool, too. Not interested in seeing ZSJ or TJP win. Both are fine and dandy, I just don't like the idea of either winning the tournament for one reason or another.

[Gecko]

Dixie: "How's TJP doing these days?"
"He's gone to a better place now and at least he's not suffering anymore."
Dixie: "He died?"
"...no?"