NXT Superstar Buddy Murphy seizes the opportunity for a potential WrestleMania moment when he battles Ariya Daivari in the first round of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament.

Training harder than ever, former NXT Tag Team Champion Buddy Murphy officially weighed in at 202 pounds, cutting 20 pounds in order to compete in the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament. However, his opponent, Ariya Daivari, believed that he was entitled to the championship opportunity. As soon as the match got underway, Murphy charged forward, displaying his determination to make a statement in his WWE 205 Live debut.

The Persian Lion struggled to counter Murphy’s advance before managing to grab his opponent’s hair and drop him on the ring apron. After tossing the Australian Superstar into the steel steps, Daivari maintained the advantage with aggressive strikes and fast-paced counters.

However, with the WWE Universe in his corner, Murphy regained his composure and showed off his impressive strength and agility. Despite Daivari targeting his opponent’s lower back earlier in the contest, Murphy showed no signs of slowing down – even taking to the air to continue to build momentum.

A fierce competitor, Daivari swung momentum back in his favor but was unable to secure victory, even after successfully executing a Persian Lion Splash and his patented hammerlock lariat. Shocked, Daivari again advanced, but his Australian opponent was prepared, and Murphy broke out a wicked maneuver to secure a pinfall victory and advance to the quarterfinals.