WWE Cruiserweight Division Thread - Includes Raw & 205 Live *Spoilers*

DM_7

During his conference call Triple H revealed the first participants

NXT competitors Rich Swann, Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano along with international standouts Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, Ho Ho Lun and Akira Tozawa were announced for the Global Cruiserweight Series, which begins July 13 on WWE Network.

http://www.wwe.com/shows/globalcruiserweightseries/article/global-cruiserweight-series-names-announced


This news is not long after the announcement of where some qualifiers will take place:

EVOLVE, PROGRESS and Revolution Pro Wrestling will host qualifying matches for WWE’s inaugural cruiserweight series.

http://www.wwe.com/shows/globalcruiserweightseries/article/evolve-progress-revolution-pro-host-global-cruiserweight


This is all great news. They really are more clued in than we think, this is the type of thing that makes me want to keep the Network regardless of what going on with the main roster.

Lord TSC

Running the matches on the Indy shows is both awesome, and incredibly un-WWE like...

gerrybbadd

This is incredibly exciting. I can't remember anything like this happening, ever. I wonder will this see the return of a Cruiserweight division?

I reckon an amalgamation of the US and IC titles would leave a perfect "gap in the market" for the return of the Cruiserweight title.

And imagine if it's not a WWE guy that wins it. Although, maybe they'll use it as a vehicle to push somebody coming in, like La Sombra

LeeJM

It will be a Zach Sabre Jnr vs Manny Andrade (La Sombra) final and I fully expect ZSJ will sign a contract before the tournament ends. Tozawa is a name I didnt expect so thats brilliant. I wonder will he be the only Dragon Gate name in the mix? Congrats to Noam Dar getting in too

Angron

Fecking delighted that Zack Sabre Jnr. is taking part. Part of me was hoping they'd come to some sort of deal to get Ospreay in as well.

DM_7

Tozawa, with Apollo in NXT had a good contact.

Hopefully they can get Ibushi in as well.

Reportedly Triple H said something like he didn't understand why the light heavyweight championship fell away. I think copying new japans light heavy and heavyweight rosters would be a good idea.

johnnyryan89

DM_7 wrote: »

Tozawa, with Apollo in NXT had a good contact.

Hopefully they can get Ibushi in as well.

Reportedly Triple H said something like he didn't understand why the light heavyweight championship fell away. I think copying new japans light heavy and heavyweight rosters would be a good idea.

Would love to see WWE do a Heavyweight/ Light Heavyweight roster like New Japan. Combine the US title/Intercontinental title and promote the Light Heavyweight division instead, they've signed a lot of good smaller guys and instead of having them stuck in the mid card with the likes of Ryback let them compete amongst each other

The Cruiserweight Series has the potential to be an unreal tournament, think they'll bring in a couple of veteran cruiserweights in Jushin Thunder Liger and possibly Rey Mysterio if there isn't any bad blood between them to add a bit of star appeal to it plus would be big boast for some of the younger guys to knock off a legend like Liger and a veteran like Rey.

Lights On

Angron wrote: »

Fecking delighted that Zack Sabre Jnr. is taking part. Part of me was hoping they'd come to some sort of deal to get Ospreay in as well.

In a way I'm glad Ospreay has nothing to do with it, he's still only 22 at the end of the day so I think the experience he's going to get in New Japan for a few years will be a lot better for his development than going into this. He's going to end up there anyway more than likely but going the long way about it is the right route I think.

LeeJM

Just seen it mentioned elsewhere but apparently The Meltz said on his show that if Ricochet&Sydal drop the IWGP Jr belts at Invasion Attack he expects Ricochet will be in the Cruiserweight Series. Also I think we can confirm NXT TakeOver Spoiler

Kota Ibushi

DM_7

Ricochet would be a huge surprise

DM_7

http://www.wwe.com/shows/globalcruiserweightseries/article/global-cruiserweight-series-qualifying-matches-progress

On Sunday, April 24 in Camden Town, London, PROGRESS will present two matches with the incredible opportunity to compete in the GCS on the line. In the first qualifier, international star and technical wizard Zack Sabre Jr. will begin his journey in the GCS when he takes on up-and-coming highflier Flash Morgan Webster, who will surely be out to play spoiler and catapult himself into the spotlight. The second bout sees world-traveled grappler Jack Gallagher square off against the hard-hitting “Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne.

Surprised they are getting Zack to qualify.


http://www.wwe.com/shows/globalcruiserweightseries/article/global-cruiserweight-series-qualifying-matches-evolve

On Saturday, May 7, in Queens, N.Y., EVOLVE Wrestling plays host to two qualifying matches, giving four competitors the opportunity of a lifetime. Two of EVOLVE’s most prominent mat technicians, reigning EVOLVE Tag Team Champions Drew Gulak and Tracy Williams, will square off against each other in the first qualifier. The second match is a battle to determine whether a rookie’s pure determination can overcome experience, as up-and-comer Fred Yehi battles 15-year veteran TJ Perkins.

Pentecost

It's not like he won't win the qualifier! Just doing PROGRESS a favour I suppose.

LeeJM

I expect the 4 to qualify will be ZSJr, Pete Dunne, Gulak and TJP. Zack is being positioned I think to be the "shock" qualifier that makes it all the way to the final. TJP is somebody with a bit of a rep that they can use to put over somebody else in the opening round, maybe Manny Andrade as I think TJP has Lucha experience. Im gonna avoid spoilers as best I can for this. Should be brilliant

Angron

Perkins was one of the numerous people to play the Suicide/Manik character, wasn't he?

LeeJM

Yea he played the relaunched Suicide that then morphed into Manik. Think he also wore the suit whenever Daniels or Kaz werent available for it earlier on too

Stereomaniac

Is there going to be a King Of The Ring-style finals for this, where we get a few rounds at once?

DM_7

http://www.wwe.com/shows/globalcruiserweightseries/article/global-cruiserweight-series-progress-qualifying-results

LONDON – Zack Sabre Jr. and Jack Gallagher, two of the United Kingdom’s brightest stars, earned their way into the WWE Global Cruiserweight Series by winning qualifying matches at a PROGRESS Wrestling event, WWE.com has confirmed.

Sabre, often described as one of the best unsigned wrestlers in the world, defeated up-and-comer Flash Morgan Webster to cement his place in this summer’s highly anticipated tournament.

Gallagher, a technician with experience in mixed martial arts, bested hard-hitting “Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne in the second qualifying match to earn a coveted spot in the GCS.

Check back with WWE.com soon for photos and exclusive video of PROGRESS’ qualifying matches.

The Global Cruiserweight Series, featuring 32 of the world’s best competitors under 205 pounds battling for supremacy, begins Wednesday, July 13, at 9/8 C, only on WWE Network

PTH2009

Is this a legit tournament or are matches pre determined ???

Triple h and a few others prob knw the winner already

WinnyThePoo

PTH2009 wrote:

Is this a legit tournament or are matches pre determined ???

?

johnnyryan89

PTH2009 wrote: »

Is this a legit tournament or are matches pre determined ???

Triple h and a few others prob knw the winner already

Isn't it all pre determined

Think the tournament is only to give fans on the network something to watch and scout talent more closely, possibly be a few lads signed up after being involved in the tournament.

beakerjoe

PTH2009 wrote: »

Is this a legit tournament or are matches pre determined ???

Triple h and a few others prob knw the winner already

I should hope so, hes booking it

CastorTroy

Maybe just mean is it a tournament where the earlier matches are all planned then the rest will be based on those matches. So while they could plan for one guy to win it, they change their minds after seeing someone performing better than him on a consistent basis, really over with fans, etc.

Stereomaniac

What I took PTH2009 to mean was is it up to the likes of Progress to decide who they want to win the matches or have WWE sought out certain people. I'm sure it's the latter scenario.

gerrybbadd

WWE have some of their qualifying matches up on their YouTube channel, from a recent progress show.

I've never seen Zach Saber Jnr in action before - he looks to be the business.

Palo Alto

He's my fave wrestler in the world, he has it all.

Angron

I'll be surprised if Sabre doesn't wind up getting signed by WWE at some point.

sky88

I think sabre jnr will be in the final of this vs manny andrade.

I think the whole thing is being designed for manny to be a big star coming out of it then launch him into NXT.

DM_7

http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic

No Andrade, so this is not going to be his crowning introduction after all.
The .com home page for the renamed Cruiserweight Classic has some interesting names listed.

Some must be NXT bound with the brand split, maybe in Gargano, Ciampa type deals. Ibushi for example could fly in for Tapings/Takeovers.

Cedric Alexander looks great these days and must fancy a WWE contract now he is done with ROH.

Tajiri is in.

http://www.wwe.com/section/cruiserweight-classic-competitors

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0613/612618/wwe-announces-all-32-names-for-cruiserweight-classic/

* Kota Ibushi
* Tajiri
* Gran Metalik
* Zack Sabre Jr.
* Noam Dar
* Da Mack
* Zumbi
* Clement Petiot
* Harv Sihra
* Gurv Sihra
* Fabian Aichner
* Brian Kendrick
* Rich Swann
* Cedric Alexander
* Akira Tozawa
* Jack Gallagher
* Tony Nese
* Johnny Gargano
* Tommaso Ciampa
* Ho Ho Lun
* TJ Perkins
* Drew Gulak
* Anthony Bennett
* Tyson Dux
* Lince Dorado
* Sean Malura
* Raul Mendoza
* Kenneth Johnson
* Alejandro Saez
* Damien Slater
* Ariya Daivari
* Jason Lee

Honestly have no clue about a lot of them, Zumbi looks like good fun.


EDIT:Gran Metalik is reportedly Mascara Dorada

LeeJM

That is actually a hell of a line up! Love Tajiri, Kendrick and young Daivari being in it. If Gran Metalik is Mascara Dorada then that is a f*cking HUGE coup. ZSJ Ibushi final now I think. Though Gargano is a good outside bet and Dorada if he has a deal is massive!

sky88

very suprised there isn't more signed wwe guys.

only really rich swann. gargano and ciampa as well with whatever there deals are.

well unless there are more guys signed we dont know of.

Agent Coulson

I was someway expecting them to throw in there former 3 time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion & 2 time winner of Best of the Super Juniors Tournament into it as there star man.

Agent Coulson

I see there is talk now that Finn was asked to contact Ibushi and ask him to take part.


That will do his backstage rep the power of good if he is seen as a go to guy.

Lord TSC

It was five months ago when Daniel Bryan said his goodbyes to the WWE Universe, but now, the leader of the “Yes!” Movement is making his return to WWE television. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion will be joining Mauro Ranallo to host the Cruiserweight Classic this summer on WWE Network.

https://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-hosts-revealed

Great news.

LeeJM

Its definitely good news to see Bryan back involved in the business he loves so much. But Bryan has never been the greatest at putting his point across. I hope he will be a brilliant commentator and that he embraces this and that he is the best thing to happen to commentary since Lance Russell, but I personally wont be holding my breath. Mauro is a great choice for this tho. He genuinely loves his graps so he will thrive in this position. Cant wait for the first show. Still think its ZSJ who will win beating Rich Swann or Kota Ibushi in the final.

CastorTroy

Yeah that's actually gonna be a really professional team who knows their stuff. Might start off tricky enough until they get a flow.

Depp

really looking forward to this, be worth the wwe network price for this on its own! have they announced when the finals and that will be? and does this mean we're going to see the cruiserweight belt back?

DM_7

Cruiser title would be a good idea for NXT as it grows.

LightsStillOn

Have avoided spoilers as I want to watch it fresh, but going by the few things I've seen on Twitter it sounds like it was brilliant

Virtanen

LightsStillOn wrote: »

Have avoided spoilers as I want to watch it fresh, but going by the few things I've seen on Twitter it sounds like it was brilliant

Also avoiding spoilers, but has it all been recorded? Or are there more recordings or live specials to be done?

LeeJM

I have read the spoilers. Im delighted by what I have read. First round matches were recorded last night, thats all I will say. And just to say before ppl see the matches remember the CWC isnt just about the tournament it was basically a 27 man try out camp (minus Gargano, Ciampa, Swann, Tajiri and Kendrick) to get these guys in and evaluate them. Watch them over the few days, see how they interact in a locker room, how they take instruction, criticism etc.

Depp

I'd love to see Dar doing well out of it, his charisma in ring is something else!

Lord TSC

I know it was all scripted, but Bryan does well in that intro video.

DM_7

Watched the preview to see Zumbi but he wasn't there.

A google search says he is in a tournament in Mexico so had to be replaced.

brianregan09

When is this actually airing ?

Loughc

brianregan09 wrote: »

When is this actually airing ?

The first episode is airing July 13th. There's a special preview show airing on the 6th.

Lord TSC

The Bracketology episode is really good IMO. Love how serious they position it, with weigh ins and with who is talking. Focused on a few guys and gave me reasons to care bout them. Really excited for this now.

DM_7

Lord TSC wrote: »

The Bracketology episode is really good IMO. Love how serious they position it, with weigh ins and with who is talking. Focused on a few guys and gave me reasons to care bout them. Really excited for this now.

Really well done and exactly what I want to see on the network.

gerrybbadd

Ya, bracketology was brilliant. Right move having Mauro there. Was surprised at how much Daniel Bryan brings to the table too. Great to see he seems to be in a good place again.

I'd like to see Rich Swann do well in this, his back story is intriguing

LeeJM

Bracketology was a great hype to really amp up the hype for this. ZSJ, Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik and Swann being prominently featured is no surprise. Interesting to note that Jack Gallagher was featured and yet nothing was mentioned of Noam Dar who they are supposedly very high on. I expect a ZSJ Swann final. Give that match 30 mins and it will be a MOTYC

A Rogue Hobo

To be honest I'll be shocked if we don't see a Ibushi/Zack Sabre Jr. Final. Can feel it in my bones.

Lord TSC

I know he won't go too far but I hope Kendrick gets a good run. His story about "this is my last chance" and the teary eyes hit me hard. Maybe cause I loved him years ago, but it's a genuine story and I hope they use it a bit.