WWE Cruiserweight Classic 2016 Review: Results, Analysis, and Grades for August 31

Brian Kendrick vs Kota Ibushi

Result: Kota Ibushi defeats Brian Kendrick by pinfall.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

I love the handshakes in this tournament, such a throwback.  Kendrick and Ibushi have theirs and here we go.  Kendrick immediately goes outside and invites Ibushi out with him to which Kota doesn’t bite.  Kendrick is back in and Ibushi is all over him delivering a series of strikes that send Brian back outside.  This time, Ibushi meets him there with a Golden Triangle Moonsault.

Kendrick is in trouble so he digs into his bag of tricks and hooks Ibushi’s leg into the guard rail outside and hopes for a count out.  Kendrick is glorious.  Kota gets out and delivers a springboard dropkick to the American.  Ibushi delivers a series of heavy kicks to Kendrick’s chest that echoes through the arena.  But Kendrick is never out of a match and he comes back with yet another original move, a neck breaker on the back of the turnbuckle.  That’s the only way to describe it.

Kendrick is back after Ibushi’s surgically repaired neck with a tight neck lock.  Ibushi is just too good, though.  He delivers a combo power slam and the middle rope moonsault for 2.  He tries a standing moonsault and Kendrick gets the knees up and gets a close two up with a small package.  After back and forth strike, Kendrick lands Sliced Bread for 2.

Kendrick is after the neck again and Ibushi maneuvers his opponent to the top rope, breaks free and lands a gorgeous Pele kick.  It’s hard to explain the next spot but I’ll try.  Kendrick is on the apron and Ibushi locks him in a German suplex hold but can’t quite get the leverage.  Ibushi scales to the middle rope and drags Brian over the top for a highlight reel suplex.  Insane.

The crowd chants pretty evenly for both men, deservedly so.  It takes two tries but Kendrick locks Ibushi in a modified Bully Choke but Kota breaks free.  After another exchange, Kendrick lands the Burning Hammer right on Ibushi’s neck which gets a shocking 2 count.  Ibushi regains the upper hand and goes up top for the Phoenix Splash.  He misses and Kendrick now has him in the Bully Choke.  Ibushi counters with a roll up for 2, an enzugiri, and then his patented sit out powerbomb for the victory.

After the show ended, Daniel Bryan embraced his good friend, Kendrick.

Tim’s Note:  What a ridiculously good match.  Ibushi is so good.  He has this crazy blend of power, striking, and high-flying ability that is almost incomparable.   He’s been a heavy favorite in this tournament since the beginning for good reason and his performance tonight proves that the hype is very real.

But let’s talk about Kendrick for a minute.  Of every competitor in this tournament, no one has done more to raise their stock than him.  His new found heel character is not only working for him, but how innovative he is with it is a breath of fresh air.  The WWE would be insane not to bring Kendrick back full time and if the crowd had any say in the matter, it would happen.

These guys played their character’s so perfectly tonight.  Kendrick, the dirty heel playing at a physical disadvantage and Ibushi, nailed the high prospect ceiling in spades.  It’s matches like this that are slowly but surely making the CWC one of the best tournaments in the company’s history.