Csonka’s WWE Cruiserweight Classic Review 7.27.16

Csonka’s WWE Cruiserweight Classic Review 7.27.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tyson Dux @ 8:45 via submission [***½]
– Drew Gulak defeated Harv Sihra @ 5:25 via submission [**½]
– Tony Nese defeated Anthony Bennett @ 6:38 via pin [**]
– Brian Kendrick defeated Raul Mendoza @ 7:39 via submission [***¼]

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– We get a video package, hyping this week’s competitors.

– We get video packages for Zack Sabre Jr. and Tyson Dux.

– Tonight’s show feels like we’re watching am Evolve event, and that’s a good thing.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tyson Dux: ZSJ quickly took things to the mat, where he usually has the advantage, but Dux is also a technician, and that led to some great counter wrestling early. If you’ve never seen anyone like ZSJ, you’ll notice how quick and smooth his is when it comes to his transitional work, it’s really next level. Daniel Bryan is SO excited to watch ZSJ work, he sounds like he’s having the most fun ever. Dux eventually had enough of this grappling bullshit, so he slammed down ZSJ and started to lay into his with kicks and chops. Dux then hit a fisherman’s buster for a near fall. This is also where ZSJ thrives, as he will change up his gameplan and not be so stubborn, like a Timothy Thatcher can be. Dux got some good run here, ZSJ then it his trademark octopus hold, where he tried to rip off the man’s arm, but Dux made the ropes. ZSJ then hit a soccer kick for a near fall. Dux hit a great DDT (with ZSJ selling awesomely) for the near fall. ZSJ countered the cloverleaf and got a near fall off the bridging pin. Dux looked to take control back, but ZSJ scored with a hanging kimura. Dux dropped and ZSJ got a version of the omoplata, and then almost ripped Dux’s hand for the win. That was a very good opening match for tonight’s show, with Dux doing very well for himself and ZSJ getting the strong win and also showcasing his skills to a new audience. Not everyone will enjoy the style, but the was very well done overall.

– We get our video package for Drew Gulak vs. Harv Sihra.

Drew Gulak vs. Harv Sihra: Gulak is a very no nonsense performer, while Sihra appears to be a fun loving guy as he dances to the ring. They worked the test of strength/knuckle lock into counters, and Sihra surprisingly countered a body scissors, frustrating Gulak. Gulak is a big technique guy, but Sihra was able to use his speed early and did well for a bit. Gulak hit a clothesline off the ropes to put a stop to that. He then slammed Sihra into the ropes, sending him to the floor. Sihra was able to fight back once they hit the floor, and hit a nice springboard cross body. Back in the ring, he took the heat, and hit a neck breaker for 2. Gulak tried to go up top; Sihra cut him off and hit a superplex. Gulak then quickly got the dragon sleeper. I like that they sold the submission out of nowhere, but it felt a bit disjointed coming out of the superplex spot. This was solid, especially for the time given.

– We get our video package for Anthony Bennett vs. Tony Nese.

Anthony Bennett vs. Tony Nese: Bennett is the smaller man, but he did a good job of getting some control early. But he decided to play with his hair, and ate a series of kicks, leading to a neat fall by Nese. They went to then countered the powerbomb on the floor, and hit a cannonball off the apron. Bryan chastised Bennett for tolling Nese back in and not looking for the countout. He was right as Nese quickly fought back and hit the double jump inside out moonsault for a near fall. Nese just bullied Bennett around using his size and strength advantage, and then grounding him with the body scissors. Bennett came back with forearms and some odd looking flying clotheslines. Nese countered the tornado DDT once, but Bennett then hit it for the near fall. They exchanged strikes, Bennett’s look really weak, and then they had an awkward exchange when Nese went for a sweep and Bennett fell and appeared out of position. They recovered and Nese hit a powerslam and Nese went up top. The ref stopped him to check on Bennett, and then when he backed off, Nese hit the 450 for the pin. That felt really rough at points, disjointed mostly due to Bennett, but Nese looked good overall. They also REALLY should have edited that finish, as they had a clear place to do so

– We now get a video package for Raul Mendoza vs. Brian Kendrick.

Raul Mendoza vs. Brian Kendrick: Kendrick went on the attack right away, showing his aggression, which plays into the video where he claims that this may be his last chance in wrestling. The early pacing was a nice change as compared to some of the earlier matches, which is always appreciated. Mendoza then hit this wild swinging version of a cloverleaf, and then dropped down for the submission, but Kendrick got the ropes. That was cool. Mendoza backed off for a bit, and that is where Kendrick took the semi-cheap shot and then took control, clearly working a more aggressive, heel role. Mendoza’s mouth was busted open, the ref checked on him and once he was set to go Kendrick went right back on the attack. Mendoza finally was able to use his speed advantage, hitting a springboard dropkick and then a twisting dive to the floor. Back in the ring Mendoza rolled through a springboard 450, but then hit the enziguri for 2. Bryan rooting for his friend here was actually cool as he said he hoped he would win. Mendoza made a comeback and went up top, but Mendoza cut him off and sent him into the tree of WHOA. Mendoza then went coast to coast with the dropkick, and hit a version of the lumbar check for a near fall as Kendrick got the ropes. Mendoza worked kicks, and then Kendrick dropped to the mat and then suckered in Mendoza for the cheap shot. Kendrick then locked in the bully choke and scored the submission. I enjoyed that, Kendrick playing the desperate veteran looking for his last chance and resorting to anything to do so came off very well. Mendoza looked good, and I hope he gets another chance. That was a good match, both played their roles well and the story worked as Mendoza was easy to love and Kendrick’s story is believable. Also, Daniel Bryan rooting for his friend, but having to show displeasure at HOW he won was a nice addition to the storytelling.

– Week One Winners: Gran Metalik, Ho Ho Lun, Cedric Alexander, Kota Ibushi
– Week Two Winners: Tajiri, TJ Perkins, Lince Dorado, Akira Tozawa
– Week Three Winners: Brian Kendrick, Drew Gulak, Zack Sabre Jr., Tony Nese

– Next week we get…
* Rich Swann vs. Jason Lee
* Noam Dar vs. Gurv Shira
* Jack Gallagher vs. Fabian Aichner
* Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

This was another good and very easy show to watch. The presentation continues to be simple but very effective, and the opener and main event were quality first round matches in completely different ways. Another thumbs up for the Cruiserweight Classic.