The Cruiserweight Classic, formerly the Global Cruiserweight Series, was a tournament and WWE Network event produced by WWE wherein all participants were billed at a weight of 205 pounds or less to determine the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion for WWE's revived cruiserweight division. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man tournament, which took place over four dates: June 23, July 13, August 26, and September 14, 2016.
Round 1[]
- Akira Tozawa defeated Kenneth Johnson.
- Jack Gallagher defeated Fabian Aichner.
- Tajiri defeated Damian Slater.
- Gran Metalik defeated Alejandro Saez.
- Drew Gulak defeated Harv Sihra.
- Zack Sabre, Jr. defeated Tyson Dux.
- Noam Dar defeated Gurv Sihra.
- Ho Ho Lun defeated Ariya Daivari.
- Brian Kendrick defeated Raul Mendoza.
- Tony Nese defeated Anthony Bennett.
- Kota Ibushi defeated Sean Maluta.
- Cedric Alexander defeated Clement Petiot.
- TJ Perkins defeated Da Mack.
- Johnny Gargano defeated Tommaso Ciampa.
- Lince Dorado defeated Mustafa Ali.
- Rich Swann defeated Jason Lee.
Round 2[]
- Akira Tozawa defeated Jack Gallagher.
- Gran Metalik defeated Tajiri.
- Zack Sabre, Jr. defeated Drew Gulak.
- Noam Dar defeated Ho Ho Lun.
- Brian Kendrick defeated Tony Nese.
- Kota Ibushi defeated Cedric Alexander.
- TJ Perkins defeated Johnny Gargano.
- Rich Swann defeated Lince Dorado.
Quarterfinals[]
- Gran Metalik defeated Akira Tozawa.
- Zack Sabre, Jr. defeated Noam Dar.
- Kota Ibushi defeated Brian Kendrick.
- TJ Perkins defeated Rich Swann.
Semifinals[]
- Gran Metalik defeated Zack Sabre, Jr.
- TJ Perkins defeated Kota Ibushi.
Final[]
- TJ Perkins defeated Gran Metalik to win the Cruiserweight Classic and become the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion.