Following a second episode that has achieved rave reviews from the wrestling community a number of the competitors that took part in the match ups speak out regarding their performances.

Lince Dorado, TJ Perkins, Akira Tozawa, Kenneth Johnson and Tajiri were invited following their match ups and offered some interesting words.

TJ Perkins

Perkins had one of the standout matches against Da Mack (image: Joel Lampkin)

The young performer was one of the stand out stars of the second episode of The Cruiserweight Classic with his unique style that quickly resonated with the crowd at Full Sail University.

Perkins has been performing for nearly 20 years and has worked with a number of high profile promotions including Pro Wrestling Guerilla, Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action where he has become something of a wise, old soul.

He said following his victory over Da Mack "[It has been] A long 18 years, I am a class of 1998 and you know I have a lot of knowledge up here, a lot of knowledge in a young man's body."

At age just 31-years-old, he has a lifetime ahead of him, but performer who featured in a 'squash' match against Sheamus in 2009 in ECW feels he is entering his prime just now.

He continued "I feel like I am in my prime, it has been a long hard road for me but now for all of my generation[al] fans and for the Filipino fans, I will make it look easy."

Akira Tozawa

Akira Tozawa struggled at first but eventually defeated the resilient Johnson (Image: Joel Lampkin)

The Japanese performer looked like one of the favorites to win the entire tournament before his match against the resilient American Kenneth Johnson, but after struggling he was have to up his game.

Tozawa is friends with current WWE performer Apollo Crews after they become close during their time in the Dragon Gate promotion but how close does the Asian believe he is to making that leap to the main roster of the world's largest wrestling company.

He said (with the help of a translator) "I do not think [I am close] well maybe I am closer, just a little bit" 

Modesty prevented the 31-year-old from speaking his subtle intentions, but a terrific victory over Johnson will have only continued his relentless momentum to becoming one of the best performers in the world.

Kenneth Johnson

Johnson fought hard but could not keep down Tozawa (image: Joel Lampkin)

Despite losing his hard fought match up against Tozawa, the American had little to be ashamed of as he took the fight directly to one of the favorites in the competition.

Johnson demonstrated his resilient and underdog offense and caused many problems that forced his opponent to change their game plan and has only raise his profile to even greater heights.

He said "This is very tough, it is very tough, but this loss will not keep me down, I have been down before and been down my entire life so this right here is just a little setback."

The former Ring of Honor performer is keeping a positive mind following his loss but says that it is only a matter of time before he is back on the comeback trail.

He continued "Every setback is the start of a major comeback so this will be my major comeback."

Rather than shirk from his opponent, Johnson says he is relishing the prospect of ever competing against Tozawa in the future as he finished with "Akira Tozawa my hat is off to you man, you really brought it and I will bring it even more the next time we face each other once again, and like I said, this will not be the last of Kenneth Johnson."

Lince Dorado

Lince Dorado established himself on the biggest stage of his career (image: Joel Lampkin)

If you had never heard the name of Lince Dorado before, you will have now as the Mexican truly announced himself on the biggest stage of his career in a big way.

The Luchador commanded the first "This is awesome" chant of the competition and set himself up onto the path for victory following his win over Mustafa Ali.

He said "It is a dream come true, I have been watching WWE since I was little and finally I made it here on the biggest stage of my career, The Cruiserweight Classic, you know the people of Puerto Rico and myself, I am very proud of myself and I think they are going to be very proud of me to."

On his crowd reaction following a head scissors off the apron and onto the floor surrounding the ring he said "I have had a lot of these chants in my lifetime not nothing beats this crowd here in The Cruiserweight Classic it is electrifying and I will never forget this moment in my life."

Following such a strong performance from the 29-year-old that ignited the Full Sail crowd, it may be that a WWE contract is in his future especially since Gran Metalik and Kota Ibushi also put pen to paper following their standout matches.

Tajiri

Tajiri showed his veteran instincts to defeat Damien Slater (image: Joel Lampkin)

The veteran and one of the most well known faces to be competing in the tournament kicked off the show in a very big way as he defeated the young Damien Slater to advance into the next round.

Tajiri used his wily instincts to counter everything that the Australian threw at him and eventually saw his opportunity and took it as he delivered a vicious Buzzsaw Kick to his opponents skull.

He said (with the help of a translator) of his victory and future in the competition "The opponent (Damien Slater) was someone that Tajiri did not know much about so it just shows that whoever he wrestles he believes he will win."

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About the author
Joel Lampkin
Sports Journalist from Chester University, Professional wrestling writer. Contact [email protected]