That "Bracketology" show was amazing.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Gran Metalik vs. Alejandro Saez- 5/10
Cool dives and other cool stuff. Gran Metalik picks up the win. His mask fell off in the process so he had to hide his face, which I assume looks exactly like a Mascara Dorada mask, in order to protect his identity.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Hoho Lun vs. Ariya Daivari- 4.75/10

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Cedric Alexander vs. Clement Petiot- 6/10
Really good babyface showing by Cedric. Cedric will probably go pretty far in this tournament, considering that Mauro noted that he to give up his spot in ROH just to enter this tournament.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Kota Ibushi vs. Sean Maluta- 7/10
Maluta worked over Ibushi’s neck, and also did a dive that wound up looking very, very scary, to the point that it seemed certain he would land right on his head.


I’m also really liking the effort they’re putting into the “this is a sport” feel, and Bryan and Mauro are great on commentary together (although most of that is Mauro, but once Bryan has some time to adjust to commentary, he’ll be pretty great as well).

I'm wondering, because I haven't seen anything of it yet... Are the outcomes of these matches scripted too? I'm just not sure what to think here haha

Serujuunin wrote:I'm wondering, because I haven't seen anything of it yet... Are the outcomes of these matches scripted too? I'm just not sure what to think here haha

It's definitely a work. It's just the kind of work that doesn't have all of this corny background bullsh*t rubbing it in your face that it's a work.

Big Red Machine wrote:

Serujuunin wrote:I'm wondering, because I haven't seen anything of it yet... Are the outcomes of these matches scripted too? I'm just not sure what to think here haha

It's definitely a work. It's just the kind of work that doesn't have all of this corny background bullsh*t rubbing it in your face that it's a work.

Gotcha. Thanks

Serujuunin wrote:

Big Red Machine wrote:

Serujuunin wrote:I'm wondering, because I haven't seen anything of it yet... Are the outcomes of these matches scripted too? I'm just not sure what to think here haha

It's definitely a work. It's just the kind of work that doesn't have all of this corny background bullsh*t rubbing it in your face that it's a work.

Gotcha. Thanks

Just being helpful.

Da Mack and Lince are future stars, enough said

NWK2000 wrote:Da Mack and Lince are future stars, enough said

Yes. And as I type this, I'm only about three minutes into the TJP vs. Da Mack match.

DAMIEN SLATER vs. TAJIRI- 5/10

TJ PERKINS vs. DA MACK- 6.5/10
When they kept hyping up Da Mack as being “full of charisma” I thought it was just that: hype. Guys… it’s NOT just hype.

LINCE DORADO vs. MUSTAFA ALI- 7.25/10
Ali has a good personality. He’s a little cocky, but manages to do so without being unlikable.
We now have our first really fun spotfest of the tournament. This was an awesome athletic showcase, and I want to see more of both of these men.

AKIRA TOZAWA vs. KENNETH JOHNSON- 7.75/10
Match of the tournament so far. Everyone knows Tozawa is great. Johnson came cross like the kind of guy who can be a great undercard babyface who you can occasionally give the “hard working underdog” push to in order to build him up for a big title shot.

Don't call him Johnson!

I was high on Tony Nese, until Kendrick showed up looking positively evil and perfect. Wasn't high on Gulak before last night either, Gulak vs Sabre should be a classic. Anthony Bennett was cringeworthy, like so bad.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tyson Dux- 6.75/10
Good video packages for both guys.
GRAPPLING!

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Drew Gulak vs. Harv Sihra- 6/10
More fun grappling. Bryan’s commentary was great.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Tony Nese vs. Anthony Bennett- 4.75/10
Weird finish. Both guys looked fine.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Raul Mendoza vs. Brian Kendrick- 7/10
The Kendrick video package was GREAT! So was the match. Kendrick’s story here will be interesting. Mendoza came out of this looking like one tough dude. I’d like to see him more often.

I think they're honestly setting Kendrick up to be a crazy heel. He's cutting babyface promos, but occassionally his voice will quiver, or he'll get a terrifyingly intense look in his eyes, or he'll do something like throw a guy mouth first into the turnbuckle. Particularly, when he pinned Mendoza, the most evil smirk spread across his face. I rewatched Kendrick vs Mendoza at least three times because I was so intrigued.

NWK2000 wrote:I think they're honestly setting Kendrick up to be a crazy heel. He's cutting babyface promos, but occassionally his voice will quiver, or he'll get a terrifyingly intense look in his eyes, or he'll do something like throw a guy mouth first into the turnbuckle. Particularly, when he pinned Mendoza, the most evil smirk spread across his face. I rewatched Kendrick vs Mendoza at least three times because I was so intrigued.

I don't know it's intended to be a "crazy" thing, but he's definitely doing the "this is my last chance, therefore I will win at all costs" (and thus turn heel) story. All of his promos have set it up, but you'll only notice it if you're looking for it..

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Rich Swann vs. Jason Lee- 5.25/10
Swann was super over. He won… and HOLY CRAP NEXT WEEK HAS SWANN VS. DORADO!

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Girv Sihra vs. Naom Dar- 5.25/10
Dar’s video package was pretty terrible. All he was able to get out was “I’m from Scotland and also from Israel and I’m proud to represent them both.” That appears to be the total extent of his personality. Bryan and Mauro did a much better job of giving him some personality with the “youngest guy in the tournament” thing and talking about him needing to “maintain his composure.”
The match was fine. You got a decent sense of what these two can do in the ring. Dar won, but I don’t see him getting past the second round. He’s facing Hoho Lun so it’s not impossible, but between Lun getting so over in the first round and WWE trying to open up a market in China, I highly doubt it will happen.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Fabian Aichner vs. Jack Gallagher- 6.25/10
Good videos for both guys. The match was GREAT for the time it got. I want to see more of both guys, but especially Gallagher. Also, listening to Bryan and Mauro just completely mark out for everything was so much fun.

ANDREA INTERVIEWS CIAMPA AND GARGANO- good stuff, until Ciampa’s “I’m gonna be the guy that hurt you” line. That felt like it came out of nowhere and seems like it is going WAY too far. I believe this was also the first time they have done an interview like this so far in the Cruiserweight Classic.

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCH: Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa-8/10
Bryan’s commentary managed to make chinlock seem like a big deal. They hit each other REALLY f*cking hard. Ciampa worked he head and jaw, and Gargano’s selling was excellent. It will be very interesting to see where they go with that “moment of hesitation” spot and the post-match bit (read as: they’re not winning the tag titles, and Ciampa will turn on Gargano before the year is out).

Gallagher and Fabien should be signed immediately, Jason Lee at least had a cool look and should team with Ho Ho

NWK2000 wrote:Gallagher and Fabien should be signed immediately

I'd be shocked if they weren't. I'm just certain that the main roster won't know what to do with Gallagher and they'll make him a Vaudevillain.

Big Red Machine wrote:

NWK2000 wrote:Gallagher and Fabien should be signed immediately

I'd be shocked if they weren't. I'm just certain that the main roster won't know what to do with Gallagher and they'll make him a Vaudevillain.

Or at least a Regal-esque heel. His promo came across as heelish to me.

NWK2000 wrote:

Big Red Machine wrote:

NWK2000 wrote:Gallagher and Fabien should be signed immediately

I'd be shocked if they weren't. I'm just certain that the main roster won't know what to do with Gallagher and they'll make him a Vaudevillain.

Or at least a Regal-esque heel. His promo came across as heelish to me.

Really? I got "total babyface" from it.

hey Red, did you listen to the Lance show today? what did you think?