Csonka’s WWE Cruiserweight Classic Review 7.20.16

Csonka’s WWE Cruiserweight Classic Review 7.20.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Tajiri defeated Damian Slater @ 5:30 via [**½]
– TJ Perkins defeated Da Mack @ 6:40 via submission [***]
– Lince Dorado defeated Mustafa Ali @ 6:05 via pin [***½]
– Akira Tozawa defeated Kenneth Johnson @ 9:45 via pin [**]

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– We get a video recap from last week.

– They then hype tonight’s matches and we get video packages for Tajiri and Damian Slater.

Tajiri vs. Damian Slater: They worked a basic back and forth early, Slater used his speed and size advantage to take control and get a near fall. Tajiri then had enough of that bullshit, laid in some kicks on Slater, and then targeted the arm. Tajiri avoided a dropkick and then worked the kicks and into a kimura, Slater got the ropes. Slater came back with a jumping kick, which appeared to miss. He followed with a corkscrew high cross to the floor, bouncing off of Tajiri’s head as he almost overshot. They traded kicks, and Slater got near falls off of a tornado DDT and the running knee strike. Slater tried to work the legs of Tajiri, they went back and froth and then Tajiri got the tarantula in the corner. The back handspring elbow followed, and then the buzz saw kick ended Slater’s night. That was a rock solid opener, nothing great, but an enjoyable little match with the veteran scoring the victory.

– We then get video packages for our next match, which is TJ Perkins vs. Da Mack.

TJ Perkins vs. Da Mack: Perkins has been great in Evolve; this is my first time seeing the Mack. They worked a really nice, and fast paced opening, with Perkins getting the early advantage. Perkins worked some head scissors, played to the crowd with a dab but then ran into a dropkick. Mack tried to fight back, but Perkins worked a pendulum crab hold, and went for a Muta lock, but Mack made the ropes. Perkins was pulled to the floor, allowing Mack to hit a nice dive and then scoring a near fall. Mack did a little Kid ‘N Play while kicking Perkins, but Perkins again worked his grappling and then got the Muta lock. This feels rushed as Mack escaped in the ropes and hit a senton to wipe out Perkins. They traded strikes, and then some counters and Mack for a near fall on a cradle. He followed with a kick off the ropes, and that also got a near fall. Mack then got tripped up and ate a dropkick, but Perkins missed the 450 splash. Perkins was able to score with a facebuster, into the kick and then the knee bar and Mack tapped. This was certainly a rushed match, but it was a lot of fun and Perkins looked great as expected.

– We then get video packages for our next match, which is Lince Dorado vs. Mustafa Ali.

Lince Dorado vs. Mustafa Ali: Ali showed some attitude right away, not really shaking hands and then attacking at the bell. Dorado fought back, misses the slingshot and fell to the floor. Ali scored with the knee off the apron, and then back in for a cover for 2. Dorado missed the corner dropkick and Ali hit a kick and neck breaker, for another near fall. Ali kept cutting off Dorado, went up top and missed the moonsault. Dorado made a comeback, connecting with the springboard RANA and then the springboard dropkick and a head scissors off the apron and to the floor. Dorado followed with the moonsault to the floor, and this has escalated quickly. Back in and the high cross scored for Dorado, and he got a near fall. Kicks and elbows by Dorado, he then mostly got a reverse RANA and covered for 2. They worked to the corner and battled up top, where Ali got a great looking Spanish fly for the near fall. Ali went up top and missed the inverted 450, allowing Dorado to ht the shooting star press for the win. That was a great sprint there, they kept a great pace and judging by the reaction they got, delivered exactly what the crowd was looking for.

– We get our videos for the main event, which is Akira Tozawa vs. Kenneth Johnson.

Akira Tozawa vs. Kenneth Johnson: Akira Tozawa, filed under things I thought I’d never see. Tozawa looked to take the action to the mat right away, they went back and forth and then had a stand off. Tozawa tried to go for the legs, which again led to back and forth on the mat. The back and forth has been fine, but nothing special so far. As we go on, Johnson is really coming off as slower and out of synch at times. They were trying to tell that Johnson cold hang with Tozawa, but he really couldn’t, and they made the mistake of giving this match the most time. I wish the Perkins match could have gotten some of this time. This felt like a star giving too much to a local enhancement guy the longer we went. They did a fire up spot and Johnson got a near fall off of a code breaker. He feels slow and awkward in his transitions and covers, just not natural at all. Johnson missed something off the ropes, it was ugly. Tozawa laid him out with a German and then hit the dead lift German for the win. I am sure that Mr. Johnson is a very nice guy, but despite commentary doing their best to sell him as a viable challenger to Tozawa, he was completely out of his league. This never clicked for me, and was very bland and average overall. Tozawa did his best to make this interesting.

– Week One Winners: Gran Metalik, Ho Ho Lun, Cedric Alexander, Kota Ibushi
– Week Two Winners: Tajiri, TJ Perkins, Lince Dorado, Akira Tozawa

– Next week we get…
* Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tyson Dux
* Drew Gulak vs. Harv Sihra
* Anthony Bennett vs. Tony Nese
* Raul Mendoza vs. Brian Kendrick

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

We had two matches that were good and fun, the rest was ok. It’s an easy hour to watch and the presentation still shines, but I felt this was a step down from last week, even though it was a good show overall.