WWE: Global Cruiserweight Series coming to Network on July 13

[GKJ]

Isn't Ricocet like mortally against ever joining WWE?

Of course, things do change.

 

[Fa Ci La]

Nah you must be thinking of someone else. He'd be there already if they didn't reject him the first time

The WWE has said they're going to have qualifiers for this tournament. These matches are going to take place in various indy shows, so that's some nice promoting going on (both for the WWE and the indies). EVOLVE is getting some (who WWE already work with), and PROGRESS (UK promotion) announced today that they're going to have a couple of them too. I'd expect that more will be announced as we go.




EVOLVE already works with the WWE, so that's not surprising they'll be involved, but for PROGRESS to get some really is awesome. HHH has name dropped them a few times, so I'm gonna assume he's a fan, or at least Regal is and feeds him lines.

Yeah Rev Pro just announced they'll be a part of it too. I think those were the 3 companies HHH mentioned in the press stuff he did at the time.

 

[Kimi]

Isn't Ricocet like mortally against ever joining WWE?

Of course, things do change.

Nah.

Ricochet was almost signed, but he was rejected as they already had Neville and Kalisto under contract filling the roll he'd have. It was a bad move retrospectively, but there you go.

The only thing with him and this tournament is going to be his contract with Lucha Underground. That contract locks him out of TV in america for the duration of the show, so he just can't work with WWE right now.

 

[Kimi]

Some names have been confirmed:

Rich Swann, Zack Sabre Jr., Ciampa, Noam Dar, Gargano, Ho Ho Lun, Akira Tozawa.

I hoped Noam Dar would get a spot, so great to see him get one. Sabre was a given to be there, and is my pick to win it all.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I hope they let these guys really show what they can do.

 

[Kimi]

We've gotten some details on the qualifying matches now. These will take play in PROGRESS (April 24th show) and EVOLVE (May 7th show). Link and Link.

EVOLVE:
Dew Gulak or Tracy Williams
Fred Yehi vs TJ Perkins

PROGRESS:
Zack Sabre Jr. or Flash Morgan Webster
Jack Gallagher or Pete Dunne



In the articles they give a list of guys already in the tournament:
Rich Swann
Johnny Gargano
Tommaso Ciampa
Noam Dar
Akira Tozawa
Ho Ho Lun
Lince Dorado

This is a bit different from the list we had before. We've added Lince Dorado, and Sabre Jr. is now in a qualifier match (which I'm sure he'll win). So that's 11 of the 32 spots filled.


I'm surprised Matt Riddle didn't get a spot in the EVOLVE matches. I like him, and WWE would have signed him to NXT already if he didn't have the two MMA drug test failures for marijuana. WWE actually got him his spot in EVOVLE after he had a try out with them, with what I assume is a "stay clean and be good, then we'll sign you" kind of thing.

 

[nameless1]

I am impressed that WWE found Ho Ho Lum.
He is as obscure as it gets...
As he wrestles in Hong Kong.

WWE is not letting any stone left unturned for this one.
Well done.

 

[Account Terminated]

----N/A----

 

[Kimi]

And another UK qualifier, this time with RevPro.



Noam Dar vs Josh Bodom.

Dar was announced before as a qualified guy, so they've gone back on him just like Sabre. So I guess the winners of those two matches are already known lol.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Would love to see Tommy End involved.

 

[Kimi]

Would love to see Tommy End involved.

He won't be, he's too big.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

He won't be, he's too big.

Yeah, I know.

Tommy End v. Chris Hero in combobreaker fashion

 

[TheMistyStranger]

How about Joe Hendry, just for an epic entrance?

 

[Kimi]

The qualifier matches as PROGRESS happened today, Zack Sabre Jr. and Jack Gallagher are the winners.

The list:
Rich Swann
Johnny Gargano
Tommaso Ciampa
Akira Tozawa
Ho Ho Lun
Lince Dorado
Zack Sabre Jr.
Jack Gallagher

Qualifying matches:
Noam Dar vs Josh Bodom - RevPro, May 1st
Drew Gulak vs Tracy Williams - EVOLVE, May 7th
Fred Yehi vs TJ Perkins - EVOLVE, May 7th

 

[Kimi]

And to the surprise of none, Noam Dar has qualified for the tournament:

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Gulak / Williams should be fun. I expect Drew to advance.

 

[jbell886]

All 32 names released

* 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 (brother of former WWE star)
* Jason Lee

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Cedric Alexander wrestled in Quebec City a few weeks ago, he jobbed to a young local guy. Very good match.

 

[GKJ]

Brian Kendrick? Huh?

 

[nameless1]

I am also surprised to see Tajiri's name there...
But there are some interesting names.

 

[Kimi]

I think the interesting bit is that Almas/La Sombra isn't taking part.

Originally this tournament was going to be used to debut him and give him a launching pad, but they've just debuted him on NXT TV early. This makes predicting the winner much more interesting... Actually it doesn't, Sabre Jr. is gonna win it all \o/.

 

[littleD]

Ibushi/ZSJ is too obvious for the final right?

 

[Kimi]

If I'm booking it then yeah.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

I am also surprised to see Tajiri's name there...
But there are some interesting names.

They stole two of my tournament card guys. You're welcome WWE.

 

[Fa Ci La]

Ibushi/ZSJ is too obvious for the final right?

depends on if they want to do the best tournament possible or if they want to use the tournament to push someone. if it's the later, I'd argue Swann vs Gargano is probably more likely...