History Wrestling / WWECruiserweightClassic

* TheAce: Wrestling/KotaIbushi. While there are a lot of favorites in the tournament with their own impressive resumes, Ibushi is arguably the biggest star out of the bunch and the overall favorite to win and even proved it in his match against Brian Kendrick, despite Kendrick unleasing a '''BURNING HAMMER''' in an attempt to stop him. [[spoiler: He was upset in the semifinal round, however, by T.J. Perkins, who would go on to win the tournament.]]
* TheBusCameBack: [[Wrestling/YoshihiroTajiri Tajiri]] and [[Wrestling/LondonAndKendrick Brian Kendrick]], both of whom achieved some level of notoriety in WWE but hadn't been seen in a handful of years. Tajiri, in fact, hasn't competed regularly in WWE in about ''a decade.''

* TheAce: Wrestling/KotaIbushi. While there are a lot of favorites in the tournament with their own impressive resumes, Ibushi is arguably the biggest star out of the bunch and the overall favorite to win. [[spoiler: He was upset in the semifinal round, however, by T.J. Perkins, who would go on to win the tournament.]]

The ''WWE Cruiserweight Classic'', formerly the ''Global Cruiserweight Series'', is a professional wrestling web television series and tournament produced by Wrestling/{{WWE}} with all participants billed at a weight of 205 lbs. or less. Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, the first three rounds were taped on June 23, July 13 and August 26, 2016. The semi-finals and final aired live on September 14, 2016, with Filipino-American T.J. Perkins emerging as the victor and the holder of the revived WWE Cruiserweight Title.

* TheBusCameBack: Tajiri and Brian Kendrick, both of whom achieved some level of notoriety in WWE but hadn't been seen in a handful of years. Tajiri, in fact, hasn't competed regularly in WWE in about ''a decade.''

* FaceHeelDoubleTurn: [[Wrestling/LondonAndKendrick Brian Kendrick]] and Raul Mendoza gradually turned over the course of their match. Kendrick was initially presented as the veteran who didn't make the most out of his chances and was looking to redeem himself by winning the tournament, whereas Raul was presented as the cocky hotshot who was looking to make a name for himself at the expense of his opponent's dreams. But over the course of the match, it became clear Kendrick was willing to do anything to win and "redeem" himself, using increasingly underhanded and brutal tactics while Mendoza tried to fight through it all to win, making him look more and more like a sympathetic underdog. By the end, Kendrick was the heel and Mendoza was the face.

** Wrestle-1 by Wrestling/YoshihiroTajiri
** [[Wrestling/{{WWENXT}} NXT]] by Wrestling/JohnnyGargano, Wrestling/TommasoCiampa and Rich Swann.

* ProxyWar: For UK fans, Wrestling/ZackSabreJr vs Noam Dar was the closest we're ever going to get to a direct Wrestling/ProgressWrestling vs Insane Championship Wrestling event. It was also of course representative of the traditional England/Scotland rivalry.
* PurpleIsPowerful: The primary color motif for the CWC was purple, and both the new Cruiserweight Title belt and Raw's cruiserweight division followed suit with the motif.

* SnarkKnight: Corey Graves, as per usual.

* WeakButSkilled: Wrestling/ZackSabreJr. A self-proclaimed "technical wizard," what he lacks in strength, he makes up with his nearly unrivaled skill in submission-based technical wrestling.

* WorthyOpponent: The second round match between Wrestling/ZackSabreJr and Drew Gulak started with Gulak slapping Sabre's hand away when the man offered a handshake. What followed was a technical showcase where Sabre and Gulak tried their damn hardest to out-wrestle one another. [[spoiler:After a grueling match for both men, Sabre won. Afterwards, when Sabre offered his hand once again, Gulak, after a long hesitation, briefly and begrudgingly shook his hand in respect]].

* HotBlooded: Akira Tozawa. His constant screaming and intensity shows how fired up he always is.

* AscendedFanboy: Commentators Mauro Ranallo and [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]].

** The last match of the the first round was between tag team partners Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, with this trope fully acknowledged. [[spoiler:Ciampa had the match all but won, but couldn't find it in himself to truly hurt Gargano, allowing the latter to steal the win with a crucifix pinning combination]].

** [[Wrestling/{{WWENXT}} NXT]] by Johnny Gargano, Tomasso Ciampa and Rich Swann.

-->'''Corey Graves:''' ''(on NXT regulars Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)'' I personally hope they both lose.

* TheAce: [[Characters/NewJapanProWrestling Kota Ibushi]]. While there are a lot of favorites in the tournament with their own impressive resumes, Ibushi is arguably the biggest star out of the bunch and the overall favorite to win. [[spoiler: He was upset in the semifinal round, however, by T.J. Perkins, who would go on to win the tournament.]]

* RingOldies: At 45 (will be 46 by the Tournament's end), Tajiri barely clears the threshold. Although, for this tournament, he's a definite outlier, as the ''next'' oldest competitor in the 32-man field is the 37-year-old Brian Kendrick. Both men have wrestled for the WWE several years previously (and in Tajiri's case, he is a former Cruiserweight Champion) and this has been touted as their "last shot" with the company.

* RingOldies: At 45 (will be 46 by the Tournament's end), Tajiri barely clears the threshold. Although, for this tournament, he's a definite outlier, as the ''next'' oldest competitor in the 32-man field is the 37-year-old Brian Kendrick. Both men have wrestled for the WWE everal years previously (and in Tajiri's case, he is a former Cruiserweight Champion) and this has been touted as their "last shot" with the company.

** Wrestling/ProgressWrestling by Zack Sabre Jr and Jack Gallagher.

* ProxyWar: For UK fans, Zack Sabre Jr vs Noam Dar was the closest we're ever going to get to a direct Wrestling/ProgressWrestling vs Insane Championship Wrestling event. It was also of course representative of the traditional England/Scotland rivalry.

* WeakButSkilled: Zack Sabre Jr. A self-proclaimed "technical wizard," what he lacks in strength, he makes up with his nearly unrivaled skill in submission-based technical wrestling.

* WorthyOpponent: The second round match between Zack Sabre Jr. and Drew Gulak started with Gulak slapping Sabre's hand away when the man offered a handshake. What followed was a technical showcase where Sabre and Gulak tried their damn hardest to out-wrestle one another. [[spoiler:After a grueling match for both men, Sabre won. Afterwards, when Sabre offered his hand once again, Gulak, after a long hesitation, briefly and begrudgingly shook his hand in respect]].

* GenreSavvy: The Brian Kendrick is the oldest competitor in the tournament after Tajiri, and at his age, lacks the energy the other competitors have. He compensates for this with underhanded tricks and veteran tactics he's picked up over the years.

* DastardlyWhiplash: Subverted with Jack Gallagher--he's got the requisite swirl, but he's actually quite the gentleman.

The ''WWE Cruiserweight Classic'', formerly the ''Global Cruiserweight Series'', is a professional wrestling web television series and tournament produced by Wrestling/{{WWE}} with all participants billed at a weight of 205 lbs. or less. Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, the first three rounds were taped on June 23, July 13 and August 26, 2016. The semi-finals and final aired live on September 14, 2016, [[spoiler: with Filipino-American T.J. Perkins emerging as the victor and the holder of the revived WWE Cruiserweight Title]].

* DanceBattler:
** TJ Perkins, full stop.
** TJ's first round opponent Da Mack and Rich Swann certainly count as well.
* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: During his quarterfinals match against Kota Ibushi, Brian Kendrick pulls out [[spoiler: the '''Burning Hammer''']], famed for being one of the most dangerous[[note]]it carries a high risk of injury[[/note]] and protected[[note]]most likely to decisively win a match[[/note]] {{Finishing Move}}s in wrestling lore. This would be one of the rare occasions the move is ''ever'' seen in WWE. [[spoiler: And Ibushi ''still'' kicked out of it]].

* FaceHeelDoubleTurn: [[Wrestling/LondonAndKendrick Brian Kendrick]] and Raul Mendoza gradually turned over the course of their match. [[spoiler:Kendrick was initially presented as the veteran who didn't make the most out of his chances and was looking to redeem himself by winning the tournament. Raul was presented as the cocky hotshot who was looking to make a name for himself at the expense of his opponent's dreams. But over the course of the match, it became clear Kendrick was willing to do anything to win and "redeem" himself, using increasingly underhanded and brutal tactics while Mendoza tried to fight through it all to win, making him look more and more like a sympathetic underdog. By the end, Kendrick was the heel and Mendoza was the face]].

* PurpleIsPowerful: The primary color motif for the CWC is purple. [[spoiler: The new title belt awarded to the champion, and Raw's cruiserweight division color motif, followed suit.]]

* PurpleIsPowerful: The primary color motif for the CWC is purple. [[spoiler: The new title belt awarded to the champion followed suit.]]

The ''WWE Cruiserweight Classic'', formerly the ''Global Cruiserweight Series'', is a professional wrestling web television series and tournament produced by WWE with all participants billed at a weight of 205 lbs. or less. Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, the first three rounds were taped on June 23, July 13 and August 26, 2016. The semi-finals and final aired live on September 14, 2016, [[spoiler: with Filipino-American T.J. Perkins emerging as the victor and the holder of the revived WWE Cruiserweight Title]].

* DastardlyWhiplash: Subverted with Jack Gallagher. He's got the requisite swirl, but he's actually quite the gentleman.

* FightingYourFriend: The last match of the the first round was between tag team partners Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, with this trope fully acknowledged. [[spoiler:Ciampa had the match all but won, but couldn't find it in himself to truly hurt Gargano, allowing the latter to steal the win with a crucifix pinning combination]].

* ProxyWar: For UK fans, Zack Sabre Jr vs Noam Dar was the closest we're ever going to get to a direct Wrestling/ProgressWrestling vs Insane Championship Wrestling event.

* TheAce: [[Characters/NewJapanProWrestling Kota Ibushi]]. While there are a lot of favorites in the tournament with their own impressive resumes, Ibushi is arguably the biggest star out of the bunch and the overall favorite to win. [[note]] The fact that it's reported he signed a development deal with WWE should only add to this. [[/note]]

The ''WWE Cruiserweight Classic'', formerly the ''Global Cruiserweight Series'', is a professional wrestling web television series and tournament produced by WWE with all participants billed at a weight of 205 lbs. or less. Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, the first three rounds were taped on June 23, July 13 and August 26, 2016. The semi-finals and final aired live on September 14, 2016.

* ProxyWar: For UK fans, Zack Sabre Jr vs Noam Dar was the closest we're ever going to get to a direct [[Wrestling\ProgressWrestling Progress]] vs Insane Championship Wrestling event.

The ''WWE Cruiserweight Classic'', formerly the ''Global Cruiserweight Series'', is a professional wrestling web television series and tournament produced by WWE with all participants billed at a weight of 205 lbs. or less. Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, which will be taped over the course of four dates: June 23, July 13, August 26, and September 14, 2016.

* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: During his quarterfinals match against Kota Ibushi, Brian Kendrick pulls out [[spoiler: the '''Burning Hammer''']], famed for being one of the most dangerous[[note]]it carries a high risk of injury[[/note]] and protected[[note]]most likely to decisively win a match[[/note]] [[FinishingMove Finishing Moves]] in wrestling lore. This would be one of the rare occasions the move is ''ever'' seen in WWE. [[spoiler: And Ibushi ''still'' kicked out of it]].

* MaskedLuchador: Two in the 2016 Tournament - Gran Metalik (Mexico) and Lince Dorado (Puerto Rico).

* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: During his quarterfinals match against Kota Ibushi, Brian Kendrick pulls out [[spoiler: the '''Burning Hammer''']], famed for being one of the most dangerous[[note]]high risk of injury[[/note]] and protected[[note]]most likely to decisively win a match[[/note]] [[FinishingMove Finishing Moves]] in wrestling lore. This would be one of the rare occasions the move is ''ever'' seen in WWE. [[spoiler: And Ibushi ''still'' kicked out of it]].

* FaceHeelDoubleTurn: [[spoiler:[[Wrestling/LondonAndKendrick Brian Kendrick]] and Raul Mendoza gradually turned over the course of their match. Kendrick was initially presented as the veteran who didn't make the most out of his chances and was looking to redeem himself by winning the tournament. Raul was presented as the cocky hotshot who was looking to make a name for himself at the expense of his opponent's dreams. But over the course of the match, it became clear Kendrick was willing to do anything to win and "redeem" himself, using increasingly underhanded and brutal tactics while Mendoza tried to fight through it all to win, making him look more and more like a sympathetic underdog. By the end, Kendrick was the heel and Mendoza was the face]].

* MightyGlacier: In the context of this tournament (where the two speeds are "quick" and "''really'' quick"), Tajiri. At 45, he's probably not the athlete he was in his (close to) prime with WWE in the 2000s. But God help you if one of his kicks finds a home on your chest or head.

* PublicDomainSoundtrack: Jack Gallagher's entrance theme, the Prelude from ''Theatre/{{Carmen}}''.