WWE News and Updates 2016: T.J. Perkins Wins Cruiserweight Classic, Gets New Belt
It has been said time and again that Vince McMahon does not enjoy wrestlers who do not fit his body type preference. His blueprint of the ideal WWE superstar is proven by his decisions over the years.
McMahon's babyfaces usually have something in common; they are big, muscular guys who must learn how to gain the fans' approval, usually through skills on the microphone. This role had been perfected by The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena and, more recently, Roman Reigns. Reigns may have the brawn and may be Vince's favorite, but he has yet to feel the crowd's love.
What the crowds enjoyed of late, however, are the smaller dudes--the likes of Daniel Bryan, Cesaro and the fierce competitors of WWE's Cruiserweight Classic Tournament. The tourney had recently concluded with Filipino-American T.J. Perkins coming out on top.
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Unexpected victories
The Cruiserweight Classic finale was the result of 10 weeks-worth of matches, culminating with four competitors locked in the semifinal matches. The show kicked off with a bout of Gran Metalik vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Sabre had been the fans' best bet to win the tournament. He had entered the event with a huge following, while his opponent, Metalik, only solidified his claim to fame during his brilliant performance in the past weeks. The highly-technical match ended with Metalik getting the unprecedented win.
The Kota Ibushi vs. T.J. Perkins match kept the same theme, sticking to well-thought-out maneuvers from both men, mostly Ibushi. The latter was also a favorite of the crowd and the ending was as unexpected as Sabre's loss. Perkins picked up the win by making Ibushi tap out.
New title
After a tag team match between some of CWC's best competitors, it was time for Perkins and Metalik to battle for the finish. However, Triple H dropped a bomb prior; he added that aside from tournament bragging rights, the winner would also get the new Cruiserweight Championship.
Both fighters felt the damage of their semifinal bouts, with Perkins already full of bruises and welts. However, as the two earlier matches expressed, the underdog comes out the victor. Perkins got the win in another technical match against Metalik, becoming the new Cruiserweight Champion. The belt was previously held by legends Rey Mysterio, Dean Malenko, Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero.
The new Cruiserweight division is set to debut next Monday on Raw, featuring top-tier names from the CWC tourney.
