WIth the biggest weekend of the year's return to the Theme Park Capital of the World just days away, it's time to reflect back on the city's prior wrestling history. There are certainly to be some classic matches and moments added over the next week.
While there wasn't enough time to fully chronicle WCW and TNA (others are welcome to do that, which would be awesome), there will be looks at both WWE and ROH. There will be deep looks at both NXT and WWE's main roster. But for now, we focus on arguably the greatest tournament in the entire history of pro wrestling, with one classic after another like there was no tomorrow.
It was the Cruiserweight Classic, a perfect 10-week showcase for purists and hardcore fans that wanted something truly different from WWE's typical vision on pro wrestling. It cemented the long-awaited debuts of such special talents as Kota Ibushi, Akira Tozawa, Gran Metallik, and Zack Sabre, Jr. It also marked the returns of long-gone talents such as Tajiri and Brian Kendrick, who proved the doubters wrong with their performances.
We may never get this type of production from WWE again. So take the time to reflect on this special piece of Orlando's wrestling history, and we'll find out if there's anything spanning from Saturday to Tuesday that'll be able to measure up to this absurd plethora of excellence.
Other Cruiserweight Classic matches to consider:
• Tyson Dux vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. – 1st Round
• Tajiri vs. Gran Metallik – 2nd Round
• Jack Gallagher vs. Akira Tozawa – 2nd Round
• Tony Nese vs. Brian Kendrick – 2nd Round
• Rich Swann vs. Lince Dorado – 2nd Round
• Oney Lorcan vs. Cedric Alexander – Non-Tournament
• Noam Dar vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. – Quarterfinal
• Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins – Quarterfinal
• DIY vs. Noam Dar & Cedric Alexander – Non-Tournament
While there wasn't enough time to fully chronicle WCW and TNA (others are welcome to do that, which would be awesome), there will be looks at both WWE and ROH. There will be deep looks at both NXT and WWE's main roster. But for now, we focus on arguably the greatest tournament in the entire history of pro wrestling, with one classic after another like there was no tomorrow.
It was the Cruiserweight Classic, a perfect 10-week showcase for purists and hardcore fans that wanted something truly different from WWE's typical vision on pro wrestling. It cemented the long-awaited debuts of such special talents as Kota Ibushi, Akira Tozawa, Gran Metallik, and Zack Sabre, Jr. It also marked the returns of long-gone talents such as Tajiri and Brian Kendrick, who proved the doubters wrong with their performances.
We may never get this type of production from WWE again. So take the time to reflect on this special piece of Orlando's wrestling history, and we'll find out if there's anything spanning from Saturday to Tuesday that'll be able to measure up to this absurd plethora of excellence.
Other Cruiserweight Classic matches to consider:
• Tyson Dux vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. – 1st Round
• Tajiri vs. Gran Metallik – 2nd Round
• Jack Gallagher vs. Akira Tozawa – 2nd Round
• Tony Nese vs. Brian Kendrick – 2nd Round
• Rich Swann vs. Lince Dorado – 2nd Round
• Oney Lorcan vs. Cedric Alexander – Non-Tournament
• Noam Dar vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. – Quarterfinal
• Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins – Quarterfinal
• DIY vs. Noam Dar & Cedric Alexander – Non-Tournament