Will to Win: The Grand Finale of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic

Last time, we discussed how the first episode of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic (CWC) set the tone for the entire series. After 10 weeks of grueling showdowns between 32 of the best wrestlers in the world who weigh less than 205 lbs, it all came down to the Final Four in the season finale of the CWC: Mexico’s Gran Metalik, the UK’s Zack Sabre Jr., Japan’s Kota Ibushi, and our very own TJ Perkins.

CWC Semifinal Match: Gran Metalik vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Kicking off the night was the semifinals match between Gran Metalik and Zack Sabre Jr. The crowd chants echoing inside Full Sail summed up what this match had in store — lucha libre vs. technical wrestling. While both men excelled in one-upping each other throughout the match, it came as quite a shock when Gran Metalik pulled off a win over Sabre after taking out the Technical Wizard with the Metalik Driver.
Rating: 4/5

CWC Semifinal Match: Kota Ibushi vs. TJ Perkins
Clearly, the Match of the Night was the semifinal showdown between the Fil-Am Flash and the Golden Star of Japan. The only thing that would make this match better is if it were in the finals. To describe TJP kicking out after a Golden Star Powerbomb as “shocking” is an understatement. In the end, it was a kneebar-crossface submission combo that would seal the deal and give Perkins the victory. Plus, his “Olympic” Air Jordan XXXIs helped too.
Rating: 5/5

Noam Dar & Cedric Alexander vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
While everyone geared up for the main event (which was needed after that hell of a match between Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins), fans were treated to a tag team match between #DIY and the team of Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander. All four participants were impressive but it was the experience of #DIY as a tag team that led to their win. One can only hope this hinted at the possibility of a tag team version of the Cruiserweight Classic because this could be a hell of an introduction.
Rating: 4.5/5

CWC Final Match: TJ Perkins vs. Gran Metalik

Before the opening bell, Triple H came out and unveiled the new WWE Cruiserweight Championship, adding that it will also be on the line in the CWC Finals.

It wasn’t as amazing as the earlier match between TJP and Ibushi but it was a great way to cap off the CWC. After a grueling battle between two of the greatest from the Philippines and Mexico respectively (Does this scenario sound familiar?), the Fil-Am Flash walked away with some new hardware as the winner of the first Cruiserweight Classic tournament and the new Cruiserweight Champion.
Rating: 4.5/5

The final episode of the first Cruiserweight Classic still managed to catch fans off-guard in a good way. The clearest examples were when CWC favorites Kota Ibushi and Zack Sabre Jr. were knocked off the tournament earlier than what fans expected and when the Cruiserweight Title was re-introduced to the WWE Universe.

The biggest winner tonight was none other than TJ Perkins. If you’re looking for an appropriate situation to show your Pinoy Pride, then look no further. His experiences and heritage were his driving force to succeed. The stars aligned for him throughout the series and everything paid off for him tonight. Not only is he a standard-bearer for the revamped cruiserweight division; he is also a role model for those overcoming all forms of adversity to achieve their goals, most especially his fellow countrymen in the Pearl of the Orient. All the pressure is on him but he thrives on it. He has during the CWC and he will every Monday night on Raw.

Check out our interview before the New Cruiserweight Champion got crowned: TJ Perkins: Donning The Three Stars In A Classy Way

As a whole, the Cruiserweight Classic was able to give a taste of what cruiserweights all over the world have to offer. It was also a nice touch that the winner of the series came from arguably the unlikeliest of places, adding emphasis to the international flavor the series exhibited. The next crop of CWC participants have some pretty big shoes to fill in the series’ next go-around. But the good news is fans don’t have to wait for another year to see some cruiserweight action. As Triple H said to TJP after their post-match photo op, “I hope you didn’t make any plans for Monday night.”

Rating: 4.5/5

All pictures are from WWE.com