WWE CWC quarterfinal results: Kota Ibushi vs. Brian Kendrick; Gran Metalik vs. Akira Tozawa

After the intros, it’s on to promos and action.

Gran Metallk says it’s a pleasure to represent Mexico in this tournament. He prides in trying to be as different as possible. His message to all of his fans is that he appreciates their support as they are his motivation. Tozawa says his biggest dream is to be in the WWE. He is the best in this tournament, and winning will be his first step in taking WWE by storm.

All quarterfinal matches have a 30 minute time limit.

CWC Quarterfinal: Gran Metalik def. Akira Tozawa

The last few minutes were pretty fun with the rest being good action. Tozawa has the charisma and ability to be here. I didn’t think Metallk looked as dynamic has he had in New Japan or CMLL, but he worked will with Tozawa here.

Metallk got the advantage early, working on Tozawa’s arm before wiping him out with a suicide dive on the outside. Metallik went for a handspring but Tozawa nailed him in the back with a dropkick and gave him a big boot to the floor. He had control for a while until Metallik started making a comeback which led to a back and forth affair. Metallk did a great step over senton dive to the floor, later crotching Tozawa on the ropes and hitting a hurricanrana from the middle rope.

Metalik floated over one German suplex, but Tozawa hit another and then went for a deadlift. It connected…but Metalik still kicked out! Tozawa went for another, but Metallik powered out and countered with the Metalik driver for the win.

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They replayed Brian Kendrick’s video, saying if he doesn’t win his dream is over. Ibushi says wrestling is not a job, it is something more important to him. In the first two rounds, he had showed the audience something he’d never seen before. He is going to win this tournament because he loves pro wrestling more than anyone else.

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CWC Quarterfinal: Kota Ibushi def. Brian Kendrick

Ibushi got the advantage early with a flurry of offense, sending Kendrick to the outside where he hit a giant Asai moonsault to the floor. Kendrick hit a neckbreaker on an exposed turnbuckle which was pretty unique and cool. Kendrick jumped him as he was getting into the ring. Ibushi made a brief comeback, but Kendrick wiped him out with a superkick. Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan kept putting over that Ibushi has a surgically repaired neck.

Kendrick hit the sliced bread, but Ibushi kicked out. An Ibushi kick sent Brian to the apron. He then grabbed him, deadlifted him through the ropes and hit a German suplex in a great move sequence. Kendrick came back and after a few counters, he hit the bully choke but Ibushi escaped, only to walk into a BURNING HAMMER. Ibushi landed right on his neck on impact.

Kendrick hit the ropes but Ibushi cut him off, slamming him on his back. Ibushi went for the phoenix splash but Kendrick dodged and hit the bully choke. Ibushi countered with a roll up, kicked him in the head and hit the press powerbomb for the win.

This was a great match. Ibushi continues to be one of the most outstanding performers pretty much anywhere, and Kendrick didn’t look lost being in there with him. He looked to be in equal footing in some parts of this match with lots of great nearfalls and some pretty cool submissions to boot. The two shook hands and hugged after the match.

Fans chant “Thank you Brian” as he is visibly moved by their reaction. Bryan enters the ring and they both hug to close out the show.

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Next week, we’ll see who faces Ibushi and Metalik in the semifinals as Zack Sabre Jr. takes on Noam Dar and Rich Swann battles TJ Perkins.