They've uploaded a non-tournament CWC match between Cedric Alexander and Oney Lorcan.

 

And with a struggle over moves, avoiding each other's strikes, a standing surfboard sequence, neck work, and half-nelson suplexes, they pay homage to the two greatest.

 

Worth a watch.

Metalik is awesome glad he's in the Final.

That was a spectacle. And it was a lot of what Sabre specifically WASN'T bringing to the table in the first two rounds.

ZSJ-Metalik was damn good. ZSJ's best match of the tournament, I think? He showed more of what I've enjoyed from him in Evolve, anyway.

 

I like Mauro, but he needs to chill with the puroresu references. Just cut them in half or so, they feel really forced.

I liked when he tried to reference Liger about the shooting star press and Bryan just shouted over him "LOOK AT THAT KICK!" or whatever.

I would be all for JBL or Otunga's gimmick being interrupting Mauro in the middle of his insanely long "will you get to the point" similes

 

Man that one NXT announcer will never get a job doing UFC Fight Night with that kind of translator work. Can she only say it but not understand it?

I liked the opening match too, but Sabre had to stop selling immediately after the finish, just to remind me that I hate him.

So I guess Ibushi didn't sign

 

Oh well love seeing Perkins in the finals of this. He has done so much in his career and deserves to be on this level

There's a part of me that thinks WWE simply didn't want two non-native speakers in the finals.

Somebody needs to tell Izzy to keep it kayfabe, and not look so happy about being next to Sasha.

DEAR LORD, TJP-Ibushi was goddamn great. I never thought much of Ibushi before, but I'm pretty sure he's had the best three matches in the CWC (Cedric Alexander, Kendrick, and tonight). MOTYC for sure.

Super pumped to see TJP made it to the finals.

 

I thought he looked much better in the match than Ibushi.

There's a part of me that thinks WWE simply didn't want two non-native speakers in the finals.

Nah. TJP and Metallik signed. ZSJ and Ibushi didn't. I don't think it's any more complicated than that. ZSJ and Ibushi gave the tournament credibility by having legitimate international stars involved with the tournament, and they lose in the semis to the two guys who are under contract and who will be the focal points of the cruiserweight division initially.

I know I am vast minority but I think Noam Dar is pretty damn good. Yes he is definitely not on the level of the other 7 quarter finalists this year but he was got better every match, has good submissions, and I like his personality as a heel character.

The ref screwed up the finish and they keep on replaying it.

 

Cedric Alexander's brainbuster is a thing of beauty. I wish more guys would start using this regularly.

 

I also hope they tell the fat guy in the front row with the Paul Heyman Guy to sit still. He's been extremely annoying and distracting.

Bryan is losing his voice halfway through this show I like his untutored enthusiasm, it's great for this series. That was a fun little tag match, promising stuff if the cruiserweights are given similar time on Raw.

Please tell me that Regal is also commentating the final

 

BOOOOOO he left <_>

Sabre/Metalik was easily Sabre's best match so far, but he really needs to stop the annoying setting and looking around after every big move. Also if you're going to throw 50 uppercuts per match then learn how to not make them suck. Metalik is awesome, and they cut a really fast pace.

 

Ibushi/Perkins had some flaws, but it was a ton of fun. I can't buy Perkins kicking out of all that and beating Ibushi.

Cedric Alexander's brainbuster is a thing of beauty. I wish more guys would start using this regularly.

I cosign this with one caveat, and that is no one is allowed to kick out of it again.

Well this ground to a halt.

That's a pretty fucking belt.

Hunter is gonna Hunter That probably could have waited but oh well.

Man when was the last time someone in a WWE ring had their chest that shredded and bloody. Metalik and Ibushi just crushed him with chops and kicks

 

Good for TJ Perkins. A guy who has been in the business longer than the company didn't think much about him

Final was a fun match, not as good as the semis, but had its moments. Really happy for TJP (Jesus, his chest is all fucked up), and Metalik too. Not sure how New Japan didn't push him to the moon when they had him, but I think he can be big.

 

Just a great, great series. Well done, WWE.

New Japan never seems to do much with the guys CMLL sends them. They end up being used as tournament filler and second match guys.