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Csonka’s Top 10 WWE Cruiserweight Classic Matches

September 15, 2016 | Posted by Larry Csonka

WELCOME back, back to the column that makes lists and hopes that you enjoy them. This week’s top 10 will look back at the WWE Cruiserweight Classic and the top 10 matches from that tournament. The only qualifications for the list are that the matches had to be from the WWE Cruiserweight Classic tournament and that they have to be awesome. This was 10-weeks of great TV, so lets break down the best matches…

10. The Brian Kendrick vs. Tony Nese [***¾]: I love frustrated and grizzled veteran Kendrick. Kendrick made the mistake of charging Nese, and ate a kick to the face. Nese was in control, and Kendrick bailed to the floor to try and recover. Nese refused to let that happen, followed and worked over Kendrick on the floor, connecting with a superkick. The opening there was really good, showing Kendrick making a rare mistake and then the younger, stronger and faster man taking control. Kendrick then dug into the bag of tricks, fish hooking Nese and also trapping his arm in the buckle pad to make a comeback. Nese’s speed again was a determining factor in taking control back and frustrating Kendrick. Kendrick actually pulled on Nese’s beard at one point, tied Nese in the ropes and taking control back. Kendrick went back to the arm work, tying it up in the ropes and then working an arm bar. Nese would escape, but then miss a lionsault, and Kendrick went back to the arm bar. Really smart stuff from Kendrick here, transitioning to a fujiwara arm bar to try and keep Nese down. Nese managed to fight back and sweep the legs, sending Kendrick to the floor. Nese then ht the Fosbury flop to wipe out Kendrick, and then back in put together a series of kicks to take Kendrick down. Kendrick tried to counter out of a suplex, but Nese hit a deadlift falcon arrow (HE DID THE DEAL) for a near fall. I wasn’t a big fan of that because Kendrick had been torturing the arm and Nese just did his move and didn’t sell there, when he had been selling it well previously. Kendrick knocked Nese off the ropes, went back to the arm bar but Nese rolled to his feet and then transitioned to the other arm and destroyed Kendrick with a sick one armed buckle bomb for a near fall. Kendrick then rolled into the Saka Otoshi, but Nese survived and countered into a Michinoku driver for a near fall. They traded strikes; head butts by Kendrick ad then a superkick and a leg lariat connected. Kendrick went up top, Nese cut him off and sent Kendrick to the mat. 450 MISSES by Nese, Kendrick then applies the Saka Otoshi again and Nese has to tap. The Brian Kendrick once again is able to survive, using his bag of tricks and outlasting the younger competitor. They are telling a great story with Kendrick, and he is more than holding his own, and is really surprising me with his performances. Nese looked great here, even though he lost.

9. TJ Perkins vs. Johnny Gargano [****]: Nice back and forth, with Perkins getting a Muta lock early and playing into the taped up knee of Gargano. They set up the leg work with the video package that tied Gargano’s injury to the Takeover show, which was some excellent planning and gave the story an immediate story. Gargano was able to send Perkins to the floor and hit a suicide dive, but was favoring the leg after the landing. Gargano tried to work some submissions, but some great counter work from Perkins led to a Romero special. After the escape they went into some back and forth, until Perkins hit the head scissors and grounded Gargano, even dabbing. A kick from Gargano stopped that, and then hit the apron spear, but was slow to follow up, as he started to favor the knee again. Perkins countered the law dart, they traded kicks and Perkins hit a sitout powerbomb. Perkins went for a springboard dropkick to the apron, but ate a superkick. Gargano then hit a cannonball, but his legs ht the timekeeper’s table, again playing into the established knee injury. Back in Perkins hit the pop up kick and a lung blower for a near fall. They traded strikes center ring, Perkins then hit the springboard dropkick but when he went up top he got cut off. Gargano went for the lawn dart, but his leg gave out on him as he collapsed to the mat. Perkins went for the knee bar, they traded submissions and Gargano scored with a cradle for a near fall. Gargano is doing a great job of selling the knee, but Perkins hasn’t invested in working it. Gargano countered Perkins off the top, sending him to the buckle and hit the lawn dart for the near fall. Gargano had trouble hitting the superkick, Perkins hit a dropkick to the knee by Gargano hit a desperation superkicks. Gargano was again slow to follow up, Perkins then rolled and scored with the knee bar and Gargano fought, but had to tap. They did a really good job here, with Gargano playing the resilient face that just couldn’t overcome. The only real downfall was that while Gargano was selling the knee issue, Perkins never really invested the time to take full advantage of the story they were given. The story was good, but would have hit the next level if Gargano had to fight thought more than the established injury, as Perkins cutting him off and trying to break him down (doing anything he could to advance) would have greatly added to what they did. But to their credit, they did a great job of working a match that was different from the previous two on this show, which highlights the styles and makes the show even better. Gargano is going to be such a great and sympathetic face for NXT/WWE.

8. Gran Metalik vs. Akira Tozawa [****]: They worked some back and forth grappling to begin, with neither man able to get a clear advantage. Tozawa teased a clean break, but attacked and after both men hit arm drags, they both went for a dropkick and did the standoff. Dead even so far as they challenged each other to hit the ropes but they stalemated on the shoulder blocks. Metalik finally hit a dropkick, and then the missile dropkick to send Tozawa to the floor. The suicide dive followed, back in and Metalik with the high cross for the near fall. Metalik then worked an inverted figure four, keeping control and forcing Tozawa to struggle for the ropes. Metalik was rolling until he went for a back handspring elbow, and Tozawa cut him off and sent him to the floor. Tozawa hit a suicide dive and fired up and then hit another suicide dive. Back in, Tozawa took control with a slam and standing senton for the near fall. They then traded chops until Tozawa caught Metalik with a short right and covered for 2. Tozawa missed a corner charge and ran into a superkick, Metalik then hit the running shooting star press for a near fall. the back handspring elbow connected this time for Metalik and he covered for 2 again. Tozawa countered the Metalik driver, and then rolled into a shining wizard for a near fall. Tozawa hit the running bicycle kick and then the belly to back suplex for another good near fall. Tozawa was frustrated, charged and ate a superkick. Metalik then hit a run up the ropes dropkick and then the step up dive to the floor, and it was smooth as hell. Back in, Metalik slammed Tozawa down but ate boots on the moonsault attempt, allowing Tozawa to cover for 2. They fought up top; Metalik sent Tozawa to the apron and caught him with a kick, crutching Tozawa on the ropes. The RANA connected from Metalik and that got 2. They worked back and forth as Metalik countered a German, but then Tozawa caught him with the snap German into the deadlift German, but Metalik kicked out, great near fall as that finished both of Tozawa’s opponents so far. Metalik then countered the straightjacket German, and hit the Metalik driver to pick up the hard fought victory. That was an excellent match, constantly building the action and intensity through out and going home at just the right time. What I love about tournaments is that you see a guy like Tozawa use a move to win two straight matches, and then Metalik kicked out here, it meant something because the crowd bought it as the finish.

7. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Drew Gulak [****]: Gulak didn’t want to shake hands, setting him as the here here. They worked some fast paced grappling to begin, with Gulak showing great aggression. We got some really nice counter work with both men working the straightjacket. Nice and smooth work so far, which is no surprise since they have worked together before. Gulak then worked a grounded abdominal stretch, slapping the piss out of ZSJ. Gulak headed up top but ZSJ caught his clothesline attempt into an arm bar, which was slick. Gulak seamlessly escaped and worked into a Gory special, and trying to rip off ZSJ’s arms. Gulak is one step ahead so far; taking ZSJ to the mat and working a neck crank, but ZSJ escaped right into an octopus hold. The transition work here is flawless as they are continually escaping. ZSJ escaped the electric chair and worked a hanging kimura, but Gulak powered out and slammed ZSJ into the ropes. ZSJ started to find more success with his counter game and hit the PK for a near fall. They then slapped the shit out of each other with no remorse. Gulak countered the leapfrog into the sunset flip for a near fall. Gulak then went for the dragon sleeper, but ZSJ countered into the bridging pin for the win. This was a tremendous technical display with the crowd reacting very well to everything they did, and resulting in an excellent effort that shows that the grappling style doesn’t have to be slow or boring. Both men showed great aggression and also provided a completely different match than the opener on the same show, while also showing how to make the absolute best of their time.

6. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Gran Metalik [****]: Metalik attacks right way, sending ZSJ to the floor and hitting a dive. Back in he hit a slingshot senton, which got a near fall. That was an awesome open from Metalik. ZSJ cut him off with an uppercut, landed a few more and grounded Metalik, working a head scissors. Metalik would make the ropes, but picked up the pace again hitting a RANA and dropkick. Commentary is doing a good job of explaining that Metalik needs to stay away and use his speed to avoid the strikes and grappling of ZSJ. ZSJ avoided a back handspring and worked a dragon sleeper, but Metalik again got the ropes. They are working their respective styles well here, similar to ZSJ vs. ricochet from last weekend. ZSJ again grounded Metalik for a bit, he escaped, ate some for arms but Metalik hit a sling blade variation and then the running shooting star press for the near fall. This crowd loves Metalik as he and ZSJ trade cradles, and then Metalik worked an octopus variation, which led to a roll up for 2. ZSJ scored with the hanging guillotine, Metalik took him to the mat and countered it into the crab. They then traded strikes and slaps from their knees, with ZSJ working with great aggression here, that was until Metalik leveled him with a lariat for a near fall. Superkick by Metalik and then the back handspring elbow followed for another near fall. Metalik went back to the ropes but jumped into an uppercut and ZSJ hit the PK for a great near fall. They again traded strikes from their knees, slaps and head butts were also used as ZSJ got the advantage and covered for 2. Metalik countered the half nelson slam, ZSJ scored with the octopus but Metalik powered to his feet and got the ropes. ZSJ worked uppercuts and set Metalik on the ropes and followed. Metalik tried to fight him off, and then crotched ZSJ on the ropes and then hit the RANA off the ropes! Metalik did a springboard but landed in triangle position! He battles and stacks ZSJ and managed a near fall. Metalik then caught a charging ZSJ and hit the Metalik driver to score the win and a spot in the finals. This was an excellent way to kick off the show, as they worked a similar match to the Evolve contest between ZSJ and Ricochet, which allowed both styles to succeed. Both guys came off very well here, but I feel that Metalik really came across like a star in this match.

5. Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa [****¼]: These two have been great on the independent scene, and I am really looking forward to this. Gargano used his speed early, looking to outwrestle Ciampa and keep the more powerful man grounded. Ciampa was having none of that and lit up Gargano with a vicious elbow strike and then sent him to the floor with a knee strike. Ciampa lit up Gargano with another knee strike, which led to our first near fall. Ciampa was staying a step ahead, Gargano had to use several strikes to slow Ciampa, but Ciampa was able to cut him off with just one. Gargano would score with his slingshot DDT for a near fall, and then follow up with chops. Ciampa escaped the lawn dart and climbed the roes with Gargano on his back, but Gargano slipper out and hit the trapped superkick and then hit a Liger bomb and a suicide dive! Ciampa again was able to cut off Gargano, utilizing knee strikes, but Gargano escaped the project Ciampa attempt, leading to a double down. They worked to the apron, trading strikes and then Ciampa hit an air raid crash on the apron, which got a near fall. Ciampa then dropped the kneepad, hesitated, and pulled it back up. They went back and forth, project Ciampa connected for a great near fall. The crowd got into it big time here. Ciampa again went on the attack, with Gargano selling the beating very well here; he thrives from battling from the bottom as the resilient face. They started to beat the hell out of each other, and after a series of counters, Gargano scored with the crucifix to get the win. That was an excellent match, with the layers of them knowing each other and both fighting for the spot, but while Ciampa was willing to beat on Gargano, his hesitation with the kneepad spot may be what cost him. They let them work their style of match, and they easily delivered what I feel is the best match of the tournament so far. The style felt similar to a G1 sprint; no filler or bullshit, just great work that constantly escalated to the finish, but also had the great back story that should eventually set up the Ciampa turn on Gargano. It was even better on the rewatch.

4. TJ Perkins vs. Gran Metalik [****¼]: Nice back and forth to begin, with both guys looking to gain the early advantage. Perkins would score with his head scissors, Metalik fought to the feet and was pulled back to the mat. Perkins then worked a pendulum, and then into a cradle for 2. Perkins looked to ground Metalik, but he would have none of that and they worked through a few lucha passes, and Perkins then scored with the Muta lock. Metalik made the ropes, and then sent Perkins to the floor and hit the suicide dive. Back in the ring, Metalik hit a senton bomb for 2. Metalik then grounded Perkins, working a surfboard variation. Perkins managed to make the ropes, leading to Metalik laying in chops. Metalik then hit a head scissors out of the corner, and then scored with the RANA, sending both men to the floor. Back in and Perkins hit the slingshot senton for a near fall. Perkins took things back to the ground, wrapping up Metalik and targeting the shoulder, which Metalik was icing after his first match. Metalik managed to counter a suplex, sent Perkins to the apron and then Metalik jumped over the ropes with a RANA to the floor! Metalik then followed with a step up dive as things have picked up. They slowly got back into the ring as Metalik hit a springboard elbow drop for the near fall. Perkins then countered the running shooting star press into the knee bar, but Metalik did a great fight to make the ropes. Perkins laid in kicks to the leg of Metalik, but Metalik fired back with sick chops. They trades strikes center ring and then Metalik hit the superkick. Metalik off the ropes and Perkins dropkicked his knee for a double down. Metalik countered a charge, Metalik driver countered but then Metalik spiked Perkins with a DDT for a near fall. Metalik then went up top, ate boots on the moonsault, and then Perkins rolls into the knee bar! Metalik struggles to make the ropes, but Perkins pulls him back center and applies it again! He tries to pull him back again but Metalik with a cradle gets 2. Metalik driver connects, but Metalik’s knee gave out and he was too slow to cover, only getting the near fall. This crowd is going wild for these guys as Metalik attacks from his knees with vicious chops and slaps. Metalik goes for the drover again, countered and Perkins hits the slingshot dropkick. Metalik cuts off Perkins as he goes up top, he follows and they trade strikes. Metalik goes for the super Metalik driver and Perkins counters into the knee bar again! He grapevines the leg and Metalik fights for all he’s worth but Metalik had to tap! This was an excellent finals match, both guys came off as big stars and simply delivered as they had been throughout the tournament.

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3. Kota Ibushi vs. Cedric Alexander [****½]: There was a ton of hype when this match was set and then after the tapings. The crowd was hyped early as they worked some quick and really slick counter wrestling. Both guys looked to target the arm early, they traded arm drags and did some great counters as they started going for pinning combos. Alexander then slowed the pace, working the side headlock takedown. Ibushi escaped, and then ate elbows and uppercuts; this did not please him so he caved in Alexander’s chest with a kick. Ibushi then hit the springboard missile dropkick, sending Alexander to the floor. Ibushi then missed the moonsault t the floor, and Alexander hit a great dive. Alexander folded Ibushi in half with a lariat off the top for a near fall. Alexander took control, working chops and repeatedly going for the pin. Ibushi tried to battle back with kicks, but Alexander’s chops kept him in control, hitting Ibushi into the throat and face. Ibushi fought off the lumbar check and then hit a stiff looking dropkick for the double down. They traded strikes center ring, Ibushi then went high speed with strikes and hit a standing corkscrew moonsault for a good near fall. Ibushi hit an XPLODER, sending Alexander to the floor and then hit the top rope asai moonsault to the floor! The crowd is really into this as Ibushi rolled Alexander back in for a near fall. Alexander fought off the powerbomb and the hit a Michinoku driver, which got a near fall. Alexander looked devastated that he didn’t get the pin, they battled in the corner and Ibushi went for the top rope RANA, but Alexander landed on hid feet, but Ibushi landed the PELE. Alexander countered the powerbomb, enziguri in the corner and then a brainbuster for a GREAT near fall. Kick to the head by Alexander for another GREAT near fall as the crowd is going nuts. Alexander then went up top, missed the double stomp and Ibushi planted him with a German and then a kick to the head. Golden star powerbomb by Ibushi and that is all. Yeah, that was pretty amazing. They worked so well together; they got the crowd early and never lost them as they got more and more into the match with some amazing near falls. Gargano and Ciampa set the stage the previous week with the first great match of the classic, and then these guys outdid them. Ibushi may have won, but the performance by Alexander is a star making one under the WWE umbrella, and the crowd knew it. This was up there with some of the best G1 matches this year.

2. TJ Perkins vs. Kota Ibushi [****½]: Perkins beat Swann and Gargano, two Full Sail favorites, so he wasn’t very popular at first. These two worked a more methodical open, with Ibushi trying to wok leg kicks and Perkins checking them. Perkins countered another kick and tried to roll for the knee bar, but Ibushi managed to escape. Commentary made sure to mention that Perkins won all three of his matches with that knee bar. Perkins picked up the pace, locking into his head scissors and then getting a near fall. Ibushi fired back and hit a kick to the chest of Perkins, and then hit a springboard missile dropkick, sending Perkins to the floor. Perkins cut off the golden triangle moonsault, sending Ibushi crashing to the floor. Bryan immediately mentioned that he landed on his head and brought up his past neck issues and the fact that Kendrick worked it extensively in their match. Ibushi beat the count, Perkins tried to slow the pace, Ibushi looked to fire back but Perkins hit a dragons crew leg whip and then started to work the knee. It didn’t last as Ibushi hit a RANA and sent Perkins to the floor, and that allowed him to hit the golden triangle to the floor. Back in Ibushi hit a missile dropkick and got a near fall. Ibushi then hit a snap slam, then a lionsault but Perkins caught him and worked the knee bar; Ibushi got the ropes but is slow to get back to his feet. Spin kick by Perkins, but Ibushi then caught him with a German and a bridge for the near fall. Ibushi laid in a series of kicks, Perkins to the apron and more kicks from Ibushi and he lights up Perkins. Ibushi went for the dead lift German from the apron; Perkins fought him off and then hit a springboard dropkick. As Perkins went up top, Ibushi hit a PELE. He went to finish Perkins with the powerbomb, but Perkins countered into the tornado DDT and the dondon for the near fall. Ibushi went for another PELE, but Perkins countered into the knee bar center ring! Ibushi managed to roll out, they traded strikes and kicks and then Ibushi hit the golden star bomb, but Perkins kicked out! Ibushi is absolutely shocked here as that has finished everyone. The crowd has really gotten into this. Ibushi up top, MISSES the Phoenix splash and they again trade strikes center ring. Perkins counters, lands the toss up kick, but Ibushi then catches him for a jig’n tonic, but Perkins again kicks out! SICK head kick by Ibushi, but Perkins counters the powerbomb into the knee bar! Ibushi fights, and then Perkins locks in a sick looking STF and Ibushi has to tap! This was an amazing overall effort, with the story of Ibushi’s neck coming into play and Perkins working the match of his life (both in terms of the stature of the tournament and in real life) and showed an amazing never say die attitude. In the end, he survived Ibushi’s best, but had to dig deep and use more than just the knee bar to score the win. Ibushi has been money in this tournament, and Perkins came out of this looking absolutely amazing, they have made he and Metalik look like stars, and that is a vital thing that they needed to do in this tournament.

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1. Kota Ibushi vs. Brian Kendrick [****½]: Kendrick went to the floor right away and challenged Ibushi to follow him out, Ibushi refused. Kendrick back in the ring, where Ibushi worked him over with strikes and a kick and sent Kendrick to the floor. He then hit the big springboard moonsault to the floor. Kendrick tried to trap Ibushi’s foot in the barricade, it failed and as Kendrick was trying to recover in the ring Ibushi scored with a missile dropkick. Ibushi then laid in a series of kicks to the chest of Kendrick, which led then to the apron, where Kendrick hit a neck breaker over the buckle to send Ibushi to the floor. As Ibushi made his way back in, Kendrick kicked the ropes into his groin and then covered for two. Kendrick smartly worked the neck here, playing off of Ibushi’s injury history and also setting up for the Saka Otoshi, which has brought him two wins so far. Kendrick actually looked for the Saka Otoshi, but Ibushi floated over and hit the dropkick. He followed with the snap slam and lionsualt for a near fall. Kendrick countered the standing moonsault with the knees into a rollup got a near fall. Both men struggled to their feet; trading strikes center ring and Kendrick then scoring with sliced bread for a strong near fall. Kendrick pulled Ibushi to the corner and climbed up and worked a sleeper, trying to hang Ibushi, but Ibushi slid out and hit the desperation PELE kick to stop that. With Kendrick on the apron, Ibushi scored with the dead lift German suplex into the ring. Ibushi was too slow on the cover, and only got 2. Ibushi looked for the powerbomb, Kendrick then scored with the Saka Otoshi, but Ibushi got to his feet and escaped with elbows. Kendrick pulled Ibushi to the topes and KILLED Ibushi with a burning hammer for a great near fall! Kendrick then just clubbed away with strikes to the neck of Ibushi, Ibushi ten fought back and hit the jig n’tonic for the near fall. Ibushi then went up top, MISSED the phoenix splash and Kendrick got the Saka Otoshi one more time. Ibushi managed to escape, followed with the high kick and the sitout powerbomb to score the win. I have praised him previously, but I think one of the most under-appreciated things in this tournament has been the story and work of Kendrick. The veteran that had fallen out of the spotlight, getting one last chance and doing everything he can to move on against the stronger, faster and younger competitors. His work here on the neck was fantastic, they delivered excellent near falls and when you add in the commentary of Daniel Bryan (willing his friend to continue on and win), who was in tears as he praised his friend’s effort at the end of the match as he lived through him, made it all the better. The only thing better than excellent wrestling is excellent wrestling with an equally as good a story, and that was this. And that is the reason that this match tops my overall list.

– Kota Ibushi was my Cruiserweight Classic MVP

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

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