Wrestling fans, it's finally here—the WWE's version of New Japan Pro Wrestling's the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, the Cruiserweight Classic, has finally begun.
Promising around 12 weeks of solid lightweight wrestling action, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic brings together 32 of the best cruiserweight wrestlers around the world and pits them against each other in a single-elimination playoff tournament. In the premiere episode, four wrestlers have advanced to the Sweet 16 while four have been sent packing home. Let's check it out:
WWE Cruiserweight Classic Round 1 — Gran Metallik (Puerto Rico) def. Alejandro Saez (Chile)
Gran Metallik, also known as NJPW/Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre's Mascara Dorada, came into this match with quite the pedigree, while Chile's Alejandro Saez is pretty impressive as the guy who started pro wrestling in his home country. It was the perfect opener for the entire WWE Cruiserweight Classic as both men, especially the relatively inexperienced Saez, managed to put together a solid high-flying match, setting the pace of the whole thing. In the end, it was Gran Metallik who pulled out the win with a fireman carry to fisherman driver, advancing to the second round.
WWE Cruiserweight Classic Round 1 — HoHo Lun (Hong Kong) def. Ariya Daivari (Iran)
If Ariya Daivari's name rings a bell, that's because he's the younger brother of former WWE Superstar Khosrow Daivari, who was controversial wrestler Muhammad Hassan's manager. Meanwhile, HoHo Lun is obscure, but he's the founder of Hong Kong Wrestling Federation and pro wrestling in Hong Kong, as Saez was in Chile. The agile Lun pulled out the somewhat surprising upset against Daivari, who wrestled a slower, more methodical and deliberate style—something that would have made for more interesting matchups in the later rounds. It looks like WWE will be building up Lun as one of the underdogs to root for in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic.
WWE Cruiserweight Classic Round 1 - Cedric Alexander (USA) def. Clement Petiot (France)
This one was rather quick; it was pretty clear that Clement Petiot from France was brought in to make Cedric Alexander, formerly from Ring of Honor, look great—which he does. Alexander, who looked really, really good—made short work of Petiot with his devastating Lumbar Check backbreaker, advancing to the second round of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. It was a showcase, nothing more, nothing less, and I'm okay with that.
WWE Cruiserweight Classic Round 1 - Kota Ibushi (Japan) def. Sean Maluta (American Samoa)
This is what you all came here for: to see Kota Ibushi wrestle. The former DDT and NJPW standout brings it all even in this first round match, going all the way and even exceeding it to make his opponent Sean Maluta (a member of the famous Anoa'i wrestling family) look better than he has any business to.
There was no question as to who was advancing in this round, but the fact that Ibushi committed to such a good match in the first round—at the risk of his wellbeing, which had already been put in danger so many times—might very well give away the fact that he's winning the whole WWE Cruiserweight Classic.
All in all, if tonight's episode sets the template for what we can expect from the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, then we're in for a wild ride. I can't wait to see the next one!