WWE Cruiserweight Classic Brackets Revealed

The photo below is the official bracket for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic tournament, revealed on WWE Network’s WWE CWC: Bracketology special. The tournament will kick off next week on July 13th on WWE Network.

Stephanie McMahon On Having Shane Back In WWE, If Shane Had Impact On WWE - China, HHH - NXT, CWC

Recently on The Wrestling Compadres Slamcast, Stephanie McMahon addressed a number of topics including Shane McMahon's WWE return, WWE's expansion in China, NXT's success, and WWE's Cruiserweight Classic.

With respect to her brother Shane, Stephanie said it is nice having him around once again, as him being away from WWE for seven years was "unusual".

"It [has] been pretty cool, I have to say. Shane and I grew up in WWE and not having him around for seven years was unusual, so it's awesome having him back. We're having a lot of fun together."

Stephanie said that her brother Shane had no involvement with WWE's recent inroads into the Chinese market other than laying some of the groundwork before his departure from WWE seven years ago.

"China [has] been on our map for, on our radar, rather, for a really long time. Certainly given its scale and culture, it's seems a natural fit for WWE. And as a part of the Eisenhower Fellowship, last year, I partook on a trip to China and then our executive leadership team has really been invested for quite some time working with multiple partners and so the timing was right. And it's very exciting and again just to be able to do this."

The former WWE Women's Champion seemed pleased to share that WWE held tryouts in China recently. Notably, WWE Performance Center head trainer Matt Bloom studied Mandarin for a year to be able to conduct the tryouts.

"We had a whole talent recruitment effort there. Yes, and that took place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena for four days. And I believe we're vetting a number of different talent who came out of that tryout and it's the first of it's kind. It's really cool because Matt Bloom, the head trainer, actually took some Mandarin for about a year so that he could be able to coach up these talent as they came through and it was all different athletes from all different backgrounds and they did really, really well, so it's an exciting opportunity from a talent development standpoint as well."

On the topic of NXT, WWE's Chief Brand Officer said that she could not take any credit for it, as it was Triple H's idea.

"I can take no credit whatsoever for NXT. That was all my husband's vision and his team. And he has really created the [WWE] Performance Center, he [has] fostered the partnership along with the executive leadership with Full Sail University, but the brand itself, the storylines, the characters, I mean, really, I could not be more proud of my husband and the team he has built and what they are doing with that brand, it is absolutely remarkable. I think it has surprised a number of executives here. It doesn't surprise me because I have so much faith and I know what my husband can do. I know that he was surprised when we were doing the first live event outside of Florida, around WrestleMania 31, and I know he was surprised that we sold out that venue, and then, a few months later, he had scaled the tickets so that it went to Barclays Center before SummerSlam fully expecting to only sell part of the bowl. And when he sold out Barclays [Center], that was the first stake in the ground of our audience saying, 'we love this brand and we're here to stay and it's going to be bigger than any of you ever imagined because we are NXT' and I think that's such a huge part of the NXT brand is that the audience is a part of it. They are a part of NXT's success. They are a part of why these stars are making it to the main roster and they know it."

Stephanie McMahon Talks Wardrobe Malfunction On WWE RAW, Advice From Vince, Favorite TV Moment
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During the interview, the Boston University graduate acknowledged that the upcoming Cruiserweight Classic series was the brainchild of Triple H. Also, Stephanie teased another project involving female performers.

"Yep, I mean, that's how I certainly heard about it. [Triple H] sort of started pitching ideas, 'what do you think about this?' He percolates ideas and you can tell he's thinking about something, but he doesn't necessarily come out with it right away. He likes to formulate it a little bit more. He did actually pitch another idea that has to do with the women that I'm not going to get into. So definitely, there are different things in progress and the Cruiserweight Classic is one that made sense on all different levels and we're doing it!"

WWE CWC 'Bracketology' Details

The WWE Cruiserweight Classic "Bracketology" special will premiere on the WWE Network this coming Wednesday at 9pm EST after WWE NXT goes off the air. The description for the one-hour special, hosted by Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo, reads like this:

"Mauro Ranallo, Daniel Bryan and special guests including Triple H analyze the bracket of 32 men competing in the Cruiserweight Classic!"

EVOLVE To Host WWE Cruiserweight Classic Showcase This Summer

EVOLVE / WWN Live’s Gabe Sapolsky posted the following announcement, revealing EVOLVE will host WWE Cruiserweight Classic Showcase matches next month:

Breaking News: EVOLVE to host WWE Cruiserweight Classic Showcase Matches on 7/16 in Queens, NY, 7/17 in Melrose, MA, 8/19 in Joppa, MD and 8/20 in Brooklyn, NY. More info in the next WWN Alerts. Tix & info on all events at DGUSA.tv.

Video: Meet the competitors of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic

Triple H Says CWC Is WWE's Newest Brand

Today, I saw talent seize opportunity, knock down doors, and exceed expectations in and out of the ring.
Today, we launched a brand. #CWC

— Triple H (@TripleH) June 24, 2016

Notes on Tonight’s WWE Cruiserweight Classic Taping; Accident Causes Delay, Seating Chaos, Top Names Backstage, More

-The show was delayed from its original start time as, according to officials in the arena, there was a traffic accident that delayed some fans getting to the arena and they didn’t want to start the taping with a half-empty house. While there are conflicting statements going around about this, with some suggesting that WWE was covering for a low turnout, local news reports confirm that there was a serious two-lane blocking accident in the Orlando area slowing down traffic considerably.

-Because of the delay and fans arriving late, there was a bit of an issue with seating in the building. Apparently close to the original start time, arena workers had started to tarp off areas and move people into hard camera seats to fill in gaps. However when people began to arrive late, it caused a problem with many of their seats already being taken, and workers having to rearrange reserved seating sections to accommodate for the chaos.

-Both Smackdown announcer Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan, who will be co-hosting the tournament together, received huge reactions from the crowd when introduced.

-WWE did a live stream introducing all of the CWC competitors on their Facebook account, which you can check out at this link.

-There were several WWE and NXT names backstage for the taping, including Finn Balor, Corey Graves and Becky Lynch, Hideo Itami and Funaki (who is still with the company doing Japanese commentary for the PPV’s). Obviously Triple H was also backstage in production as well.

-They will be taping four episodes at tonight’s taping event which will include all 16 of the first round tournament matches. We are hoping to have a bracket for what the second round will look like later tonight.

-Possibly killing the rumor of a WWE Cruiserweight Championship return that has been floating around since the announcement of the tournament several months ago, Mauro Ranallo noted during the Facebook-exclusive talent parade earlier tonight that the winner would receive a Cruiserweight Trophy. No mention of a championship of any kind.

Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo to host WWE Cruiserweight Classic

It was five months ago when Daniel Bryan said his goodbyes to the WWE Universe, but now, the leader of the “Yes!” Movement is making his return to WWE television. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion will be joining Mauro Ranallo to host the Cruiserweight Classic this summer on WWE Network.

Ranallo brings a wealth of combat sports experience to the announcers’ table. In addition to serving as the voice of SmackDown, the Canadian has been one of the top play-by-play men in mixed martial arts, boxing and sports-entertainment.

Joining him as the color commentator is Bryan. As a Superstar who neared the 205 lbs. weight limit of the CWC throughout his career, Bryan made it his goal to defy those who deemed him too small to succeed on sports-entertainment’s biggest platform. The leader of the “Yes!” Movement did just that by capturing the hearts of the WWE Universe on his way to winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30.

Bryan also brings a unique perspective to the announcers’ table, just months removed from his retirement as an active in-ring competitor. Not only does he know what it takes to make it with the WWE Universe watching, but Bryan is a contemporary of several CWC competitors. During his illustrious 16-year career, he trained with and competed against the likes of Brian Kendrick, Zack Sabre Jr., TJ Perkins, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.

Don’t miss Daniel Bryan’s return to WWE television when the Cruiserweight Classic kicks off on Wednesday, July 13 at 9/8 C, only on WWE Network. And be sure to tune into WWE Network on Wednesday, July 6 at 9/8 C for Cruiserweight Classic: Bracketology, a special look at the 32-man, 10-week tournament.

Backstage Notes On The WWE CWC

Most of the 32 WWE Cruiserweight Classic participants are in Orlando for the tapings that begin this Thursday. Some are also undergoing blood tests and physicals this week, according to PWInsider. WWE has reportedly brought in some extra talents in case they are needed as replacements fore the tournament. PWInsider adds that the 205 lb. weight limit for the tournament is being enforced and a very sport-like presentation for the tournament is expected.

WWE Announces All 32 Cruiserweight Classic Names

As seen below, WWE has announced all 32 competitors for The Cruiserweight Classic that starts taping from Full Sail University later this month on June 23rd:

* Kota Ibushi
* Tajiri
* Gran Metalik
* Zack Sabre Jr.
* Noam Dar
* Da Mack
* Zumbi
* Clement Petiot
* Harv Sihra
* Gurv Sihra
* Fabian Aichner
* Brian Kendrick
* Rich Swann
* Cedric Alexander
* Akira Tozawa
* Jack Gallagher
* Tony Nese
* Johnny Gargano
* Tommaso Ciampa
* Ho Ho Lun
* TJ Perkins
* Drew Gulak
* Anthony Bennett
* Tyson Dux
* Lince Dorado
* Sean Malura
* Raul Mendoza
* Kenneth Johnson
* Alejandro Saez
* Damien Slater
* Ariya Daivari
* Jason Lee

Another Name Qualifies For WWE Cruiserweight Classic at Evolve 63

You can officially add Tony Nese to the list of wrestlers qualified for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic.

After making his case at Friday’s Evolve 62 event, Nese was added to an elimination match at Saturday’s Evolve 63 featuring TJP, Lince Dorado, Drew Gulak and Johnny Gargano – the other members of the Evolve roster qualified for the upcoming WWE tournament – with the stipulation that if Nese won the match, he would earn his spot.

Nese has been wrestling for nearly 11 years, with stints in TNA and championships in Dragon Gate USA, FWE and PWS. He will join Rich Swann, Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, Ho Ho Lun, Akira Towaza, Lince Dorado, Jack Gallagher, TJ Perkins and many, many names still unnanounced when the WWE Cruiserweight Classic kicks off on June 23rd.

Triple H Media Call: Bobby Roode And Eric Young, WWE Brand Split, 'The End,' Nakamura, Muhammad Ali

Triple H joined the call and thanked everyone for joining and noted that there will probably be some questions about the Cruiserweight Classic. Triple H ran down the card for Wednesday's Takeover event. Triple H said that Nakamura will be a key player in the company. He added that he's excited for the debut of Andrade Almas and that he will be "big player."

Triple H said "The End" title for the event has a lot of meanings, which we'll see tomorrow. He said that you can expect it to be the end of the Finn Balor - Samoe Joe series.

NXT will be taping TV on Thursday, and he will be heading to the UK with the NXT crew for the UK tour after the tapings.

The Cruiserweight Classic starts up at the end of the month. Triple H thinks it will be the premier cruiserweight tournament, and he thinks it will be an unbelievable ten weeks. He says that it will be something unlike you've seen from WWE or NXT.

He thinks the NXT roster will look a lot different after the brand split, but he doesn't know for sure. He thinks that one of the strengths of NXT is that their talent rises to the occasion whenever talent leaves for the main roster.

He doesn't think the talent is any more aggressive than they were before, and they're always looking for the best talent around the world. He's always been aggressive in acquiring great talent.

About the brand split, Triple H noted that they've always had two tours and he's not sure how much everything will change.

He was asked about how much they focus on the UK. Triple H said there is a ton of talent in the UK, but they don't focus on any one area for talent, they look everywhere.

On Bobby Roode and Eric Young, Triple H is working on contracts for both men and said to stay tuned. He said they're both talented, and he looks forward to working with both of them.

When asked about NXT touring in Canada, he said that they're looking at everywhere. He said that NXT will be doing 180-190 events this year alone, and with RAW and SmackDown, you're at around 500 events a year. With all the events, there's a lot of factors that go into where they tour.

When asked for an update on Hideo Itami, Triple H said that he can't go too much into his medical information, but everyone heals differently, and Itami had some issues with mobility and scar tissue, and wants him to take his time and return at 100%. Nothing has changed regarding his thoughts on Hideo as a performer, and he looks forward to him returning.

Triple H was asked about doing a women's tournament, similar to the Cruiserweight Classic. Triple H said he had been throwing out ideas about it, and said that he would like to do it if the timing is right. He said it's on the table, but there are a lot of things on the table. He said that it's just an idea that spread quickly on the internet, and when they know what they'll want to do, they'll put out a statement or contact talents.

He said that the process for the Cruiserweight series has been very exciting, and he's enjoyed working with outside promotions to secure talent for the series.

Triple H thanked everyone for calling in. He mentioned the passing of Muhammad Ali, and called him a personal hero of his. He said that Ali's personality and charisma, which admittedly was influenced by pro wrestling, was amazing and and he was able to pass it on to others. Triple H said Ali was integral to what they do, and even though Ali wasn't a part of WWE on a day-to-day basis, that his impact isn't forgotten in the sports entertainment world.

WWE Announces Dates For Cruiserweight Classic

Tickets for #CruiserweightClassic on:
6/23, 7/14, 8/26, & 9/14
Go on sale FRIDAY at 10am at https://t.co/pcQU3cALRh. pic.twitter.com/8VjnRiOoGI

— Triple H (@TripleH) May 17, 2016

WWE Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint Event Announced

WWN Live announced today that EVOLVE will host a WWE Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint, a prelude to the tournament, on June 11th in Orlando, Florida. The event is designed to prepare fans for the CWC, which tapes the week of June 20th and starts airing July 13th on the WWE Network. Names already confirmed for the Flashpoint event include Johnny Gargano, TJ Perkins, Drew Gulak and Lince Dorado, who will be making his return to EVOLVE. More details on the Flashpoint will be released soon.

Former TNA & CZW Champions Advance to WWE Cruiserweight Classic at Evolve 61

You can officially add TJ Perkins and Drew Gulak to the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, as both men won their qualifying round matches at tonight’s Evolve 61 IPPV event.

TJ Perkins is 31-years-old and a long-time TNA talent, wrestling under the names Suicide and Manik, and is a former X-Division Champion.

Drew Gulak is a 29-year-old long-time Combat Zone Wrestling talent, winning the promotions World Heavyweight Championship, tag team championship, and television title.

WWE Cruiserweight Classic Update

The WWE Global Cruiserweight Series has been re-named to The Cruiserweight Classic. Apparently other changes are being discussed for the 32-man tournament that kicks off this summer. F4Wonline.com reports that there may be changes to come for the tapings schedule. The tapings have been announced for the week of June 20th at Full Sail University, apparently over a few days. This past week that there was talk of having some of the matches take place with WWE NXT TV matches.

Christopher Daniels Talks AJ Styles And Samoa Joe Joining WWE, WWE's Global Cruiserweight Series

"The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels has seen it all and been a little bit of everywhere after two decades in wrestling. From appearances in WWF and WCW to stints in TNA, ROH and NJPW, Daniels is a true veteran of sports entertainment.

Daniels was crucial in the prime of TNA's X-Division, and once actually got a shot at the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. When I spoke to him recently about WWE's upcoming Global Cruiserweight series, he seemed optimistic about the idea.

"I guess I'll have to wait and see," Daniels explained. "I feel like the last couple of months for NXT have shown they're willing to think outside the box and get rid of the constraints they put on their programming back in the day in terms of their attitude towards cruiserweights. You look at some of the hirings over the past couple of months, picking up Austin Aries, giving guys Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann an opportunity to excel. I look forward to the matches, knowing that a guy I hold in high regard like Zack Sabre Jr. is going to be a part of it. I'll see what they do with it. I feel like they're giving it an honest chance to get over. I think NXT is the right platform to do that."

While Daniels is under an exclusive contract with Ring of Honor and won't be participating the tournament, or in the WWE any time soon, a few of his friends that he's made history with will be. Daniels was a part of one of the greatest matches in the last 20 years when he took on AJ Styles and Samoa Joe in the main event of TNA Unbreakable 2005. Fast forward 11 years, the WWE has signed both Styles and Joe to contracts.

"I try to keep in touch with them as much as possible," Daniels told me. "I'm thrilled to see them doing well and knew they would if they were given the opportunity. I kept in contact with Joe as he was going through the process of signing with them and finding out the opportunities he was being given, it's exciting. It shows you there's a change of perception in the office there. If there's anyone that deserves it that opportunity, it was Joe. He did so much at TNA and ROH, he deserved to be seen on a grand scale. Now he's showing his worth in NXT, and he's the first guy to hold the TNA, NXT and ROH title. History is his."

Two Stars Qualify For WWE Global Cruiserweight Series

WWE announced the following:

Zack Sabre Jr. and Jack Gallagher qualify for WWE Global Cruiserweight Series at PROGRESS Wrestling

LONDON – Zack Sabre Jr. and Jack Gallagher, two of the United Kingdom's brightest stars, earned their way into the WWE Global Cruiserweight Series by winning qualifying matches at a PROGRESS Wrestling event, WWE.com has confirmed.

Sabre, often described as one of the best unsigned wrestlers in the world, defeated up-and-comer Flash Morgan Webster to cement his place in this summer's highly anticipated tournament.

Gallagher, a technician with experience in mixed martial arts, bested hard-hitting "Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne in the second qualifying match to earn a coveted spot in the GCS.

The Global Cruiserweight Series, featuring 32 of the world's best competitors under 205 pounds battling for supremacy, begins Wednesday, July 13, at 9/8 C, only on WWE Network.

WWE Announces Global Cruiserweight Series Qualifying Match For Revolution Pro Wrestling

WWE announced the following today:

Revolution Pro Wrestling to host WWE Global Cruiserweight Series qualifying match on May 1

The race to earn a spot in this summer's hottest tournament just got a little more exciting, as Revolution Pro Wrestling in the United Kingdom has announced the participants in its qualifying match for the WWE Global Cruiserweight Series. The bout is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 1, at The Cockpit in London.

Previously confirmed participant Noam Dar of Scotland enters the GCS in the qualifying round. The Israeli-Scottish competitor has made a name for himself as one of the most adaptable wrestlers in the world. Among the U.K.'s premier technical wrestlers, the 22-year-old Dar has shown he can hang with the world's best in the squared circle, having taken on the likes of AJ Styles, former NXT Champion Finn Bálor, and Austin Aries.

Dar's opponent in the qualifying match is Josh Bodom. Regarded as one of the hottest prospects in British wrestling, Bodom has made a name for himself against Superstars like Bálor and another GCS competitor, Tommaso Ciampa. He'll certainly look to ruin Dar's summer and put himself on the biggest stage possible by earning a spot in the Global Cruiserweight Series.

The all-important qualifying match takes place at Revolution Pro Wrestling's Live at The Cockpit 8 event on Sunday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m. GMT at The Cockpit in London. For complete information on how you can see this Global Cruiserweight Series qualifier live and in-person, visit RevolutionProWrestling.com. For more information on Revolution Pro Wrestling, follow them on Twitter @RevProUK and like their Facebook page.

Evolve’s Gabe Sapolsky discusses Paul Heyman, Daniel Bryan, WWE