Hello there. I'm Alex Pawlowski and welcome to the Cruiserweight Classic Live Coverage for August 3rd.
Previously on The Cruiserweight Classic:
We found out that Zack Sabre Jr is the Houdini of Wrestling,
and Brian Kendrick is a total a-hole.
If you missed it last week, read my CWC Reaction column here.
And if you still haven't read my HUGE Bracketology Breakdown Bonanza,
(I'm really proud of this, you guys.)
You can check it out HERE.
This Week on The Cruiserweight Classic:
Rich Swann vs Jason Lee
Jason Lee says he likes to mix-in a little Kung Fu with his wrestling. True to form, he comes out with ACTUAL NUNCHUKS.
Rich Swann dances out, the crowd singing along with his theme.
He dances during the introductions too, which seems to get Lee a little peeved. The action is fast paced to start, with dual kip ups and Swann hitting a dropkick, then mugging for the camera. Lee fires back with lightining quick strikes in the corner and an enzuigiri to the back of the head. A stiff forearm from Lee sends Swann back into the ropes. He comes roaring out with Vader forearms to Lee's ear, then a spinning backfist. He puts Lee on the top rope and then nails a JUMPING HURRICANRANA followed by rolling thunder frog splash.
Wow.
A La Majistral cradle from Lee gets only a two count, followed by a roundhouse back heel kick to the temple from Swann, which lays Lee OUT.
Swann then nails a standing (well, more like hopping) 450 splash for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Rich Swann by Pinfall.
Daniel Bryan just said "You'd think he was on one of those Gymnastic Bouncing Things." He meant "Trampoline."
Noam Dar vs Gurv Sihra
Noam Dar might be the best wrestler under 25, pound for pound, in the world.
Gurv Sihra is one half of the Bollywood Boyz. His brother Harv got murked last week by Drew Gulak.
Let’s hope Gurv fares better than Harv.
The action is back and forth, will both men taunting each other.
It’s kind of botchy; Gurv messes up a pendulum backbreaker, and Dar is all over the map. Nerves?
Dar keeps targeting Gurv's knee and Gurv keeps leaving himself open. He takes too long on the top turnbuckle and misses an elbow drop.
This is a short match.
Dar connects with an Enzuigiri then a Fisherman's Buster, followed by a knee bar.
Gurv taps out.
I'm really disappointed with this match. From everything I've seen when researching Dar, this might have been the worst match of his career
WINNER: Noam Dar by Submission.
Jack Gallagher vs Fabian Aichner
Aichner has 5 inches and 40 pounds on Gallagher, and I don't think it matters.
Gallagher reverses a wristlock by just spinning around, and gets out of a toe hold by doing the same.
Mauro calls him "Exquisite," and Daniel Bryan says he's "in love" with him.
Aichner just starts beating on Gallagher, with bruising chops, but Gallagher hits a sunset flip, which is reversed, which is reversed, which is reversed, like ten times.
Aichner is equal parts power and athleticism: First a wicked tilt-a-whirl, then a double springboard moonsault. Two count.
Gallagher counters another tilt-a-whirl into a Guillotine Choke, but can't lock it in, so Aichner powers it into a sit-out powerbomb.
Aichner goes up for a top rope frog splash but misses. Gallagher headbutts him into the corner, and follows up with a corner dropkick to the face that could kill a guy.
1-2-3.
WINNER: Jack Gallagher via Pinfall.
Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa
These two have a dual promo backstage and talk a lot of trash.
This is gonna be so good, y'all.
The match is even to start, with arm drags being traded and Gargano locking in a hammerlock. Ciampa gets out of it with a BRUTAL back elbow.
Ciampa firmly in control now, with running knees and elbows.
Gargano able to connect with an enzuigiri and a hotshot DDT. Two count.
Stalemate.
Ciampa gets Gargano up on his shoulders, climbs to the top rope for an avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Johnny slips out, goes for a sunset flip powerbomb, it's blocked by Ciampa holding onto the ropes.
Gargano traps Ciampa's head under the top turnbuckle and does Tyler Breeze's Superkick finisher thing, followed immediately by a sitout powerbomb. Ciampa rolls to the outsiide and Gargano follows with a suicide dive.
Ciampa back inside first, Gargano tries a flying shoulderblock through the middle ropes from the apron, but gets met by a flying Ciampa knee. Two count.
More strikes and knees from Ciampa, countered by a Gargano Enzuigiri.
Bot men on the apron now.
Trading chest chops. Big boot from Gargano. Air Raid Crash on the apron from Ciampa. TWO-COUNT.
Gargano looks like he doesn't know what day it is, and no matter how many fingers you hold up, he's gonna say "Eleven."
Ciampa rolls down the kneepad, realizes he might kill his best friend, and rolls the kneepad back up.
Gargano takes advantage with a superkick, Ciampa doesn't go down, and LEVELS Johnny with clothesline.
Ciampa picks up Johnny, and does something nuts. It's a powerbomb into a lung blower. It's INSANE.
TWO-COUNT.
I think Gargano might be legally dead, but he's still kicking out of stuff. It's incredible.
Ciampa chops him in the face. IN THE FACE. Then the chest.
Gargano slaps him. Ciampa with open hand palm slaps to Gargano, then pulls off the elbow pad, goes for the rolling elbow, it's reversed into a back slide attempt, reversed into an attempt at Ciampa's bridging Fujiwara armbar, can't lock it in, reversed by Gargano into a crucifix pin.
1-2-3.
WINNER: Johnny Gargano by Pinfall.
Tommaso Ciampa is by far the better man on this night, but Gargano gets the victory.
Gargano offers Ciampa a handshake, but Ciampa just can't do it. He exits the ring, then stops on the apron.
Gargano is on his knees, looking at his best friend.
Ciampa comes back into the ring, sits beside Gargano and puts an arm around him. Gargano, exhausted and probably concussed, lays his head on Ciampa's shoulder.
This is honestly one of the coolest moments I have ever seen in a wrestling ring.
I love the Cruiserweight Classic.
On Next Week's Episode:
Round 2 Begins
Tajiri vs Gran Metalik
Cedric Alexander vs Kota Ibushi
Just letting you all know. From what we've heard here at Fightful, that Alexander/Ibushi tilt is the best match to ever have taken place at Full Sail.
Start getting your popcorn ready now.
I've been Alex Pawlowski. Don't forget to come back and read my CWC Reaction column tomorrow.
Thanks, and I'll see you next week for more Cruiserweight action.
