As anyone who saw Raw Talk last night can attest, The Brian Kendrick may well be the dastardliest Superstar on WWE’s roster. But with The Wizard of Odd having played his ace to swindle the WWE Cruiserweight Title off TJ Perkins at Hell in a Cell, the only question was whether he’d follow up with a dominant physical performance that defines a long-reigning champion.

The answer is: Yes, but he’ll stick with the strategy that brought him to the dance. Perkins was nowhere near as tentative in attacking his former friend like he was at Hell in a Cell, blasting Kendrick early with unbridled aggression. Kendrick hung tight, even after Perkins let loose with a death-defying hurricanrana off the top rope that sent both Superstars tumbling to the outside, but Kendrick allowed Perkins to beat the count, ensuring he’d keep the title despite the ruling. Even so, Perkins wasn’t done punishing Kendrick, trapping the champion in a hellacious Kneebar on the ramp that caused him to tap for release.

Following his post-match brawl with TJ Perkins, The Brian Kendrick comments on his strategy to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.