WWE Cruiserweight Classic 2016

The Cruiserweight Classic, formerly Global Cruiserweight Series, was a professional wrestling tournament held by World Wrestling Entertainment (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 had the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, which took place over four dates: June 23, July 14, August 26, and September 14, 2016.
== Announced competitors ==
NXT competitors Rich Swann, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano along with international standouts Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, Ho Ho Lun and Akira Tozawa were announced for the Cruiserweight Classic, which begins with qualifying matches. Another athlete indicated his participation on April 2 when Lince Dorado announced at an independent show in Orlando, Florida, that he will compete in the series. On April 24 at Progress Wrestling Chapter 29, after Sabre Jr., Jack Gallagher also won his qualifying match, while on May 7 at Evolve 61, TJ Perkins and Drew Gulak also joined the series. On June 11 at Evolve 63, Tony Nese defeated Johnny Gargano, Drew Gulak, T.J. Perkins and Lince Dorado and qualified for the tournament. Two days later, WWE officially announced all 32 wrestlers taking part in the tournament. Originally, Brazilian wrestler Zumbi was scheduled to compete in the Cruiserweight Classic, however, he had issues with his visa that WWE could not clear in time, leading to him being replaced by Mustafa Ali.
== Qualifying matches ==
; Progress Wrestling Chapter 29 - April 24 (Electric Ballroom - Camden Town, London)
*Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Flash Morgan Webster in a Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match
*Jack Gallagher defeated Pete Dunne in a Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match
; Revolution Pro Wrestling's Live at the Cockpit 8 - May 1 (Cockpit Theatre - Marylebone, London)
*Noam Dar defeated Josh Bodom in a Cruiserweight Classic British Qualifying Match
; Evolve 61 - May 7 (La Boom - Woodside, Queens, New York)
*T.J. Perkins (w/Stokely Hathaway) defeated Fred Yehi in a Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match
*Drew Gulak defeated Tracy Williams in a Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match
; American Combat Wrestling The Tradition Continues! - May 28 (All Sports Arena - New Port Richey, Florida)
*Lince Dorado defeated Romeo Quevedo in a Cruiserweight Classic US Qualifying Match
== Event ==
=== Cruiserweight Flashpoint === 
Evolve presented the WWE Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint, a prelude to the tournament, on June 11th in Orlando, Florida at the Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex, where Johnny Gargano, Drew Gulak, T.J. Perkins, Lince Dorado, and Tony Nese, competed in an elimination match. 
; Evolve 63, WWE Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint - June 11 (Downtown Recreation Complex - Orlando, Florida)
*Tony Nese defeated Johnny Gargano, Drew Gulak, T.J. Perkins (with Stokely Hathaway) and Lince Dorado in a Elimination Match; since Nese won, he qualified for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic
==Participants==
== Broadcast team ==
Ring name	Real name	Notes
 	 	Ring announcer
 	 	Lead commentator
 	 	Color commentator
== Results ==
=== Tournament bracket ===
==See also==
*List of WWE pay-per-view events
*WWE Cruiserweight Championship
==External links==
*wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic
* on WWE Network
Category:WWE Network
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment tournaments