The Cruiserweight Classic has come and gone (watch it if you haven’t), and a face from the past has returned to stake his claim on the future. In the debut of Raw’s rebooted Cruiserweight division, a revitalized, crazy-eyed Brian Kendrick stormed past three Superstars — CWC finalist Gran Metalik, fan-favorite Cedric Alexander and charisma incarnate Rich Swann — to become No. 1 contender to T.J. Perkins and the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

Raw's newest Cruiserweights square off in a Fatal 4-Way Match to determine who will challenge TJ Perkins for the title at WWE Clash of Champions.

Credit Kendrick’s veteran instincts for carrying him there, because his opponents certainly pulled out all the stops. Swann nearly knocked Alexander cold with a forearm to the face and executed a jaw-dropping, bouncing 450 Splash, and Alexander and Metalik both took flight with twin over-the-top rope dives. Metalik seemed to have the match when he broke up both Sliced Bread No. 2 and Kendrick’s Captain’s Hook, only Alexander rushed in with the Lumbar Check to take Metalik out, and Kendrick pounced, locking in a second Captain’s Hook on Alexander to force a submission.

As WWE Cruiserweight Champion T.J. Perkins comments on the division's Team Red debut, Brian Kendrick callously disrespects the newly minted titleholder.