WWE Cruiserweight Classic results and observations (08/31/16)

Kota Ibushi and Gran Metalik punched their respective tickets to the semifinals of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic after two amazing bouts that aired on the WWE Network Wednesday night.

Japan's Ibushi earned his spot in the semis by virtue of a hard-fought victory over American Cinderella story Brian Kendrick, who pulled out all of the stops yet again in an attempt to keep his comeback story alive.

Kendrick spent the majority of the contest trying to damage Ibushi's surgically repaired neck. Early on the in the match, Kendrick delivered a neck breaker to Ibushi on an exposed turnbuckle.

But he upped the ante quite a bit later on when he pulled out the very dangerous burning hammer, which sent Ibushi crashing to the mat on the top of his head.

The burning hammer is a move rarely seen in WWE mostly because of the level of danger involved, but has been used on consistent basis in Ibushi's native Japan for years.

Despite all of that, Ibushi managed to fend off the veteran Kendrick. At one point, Ibushi landed a German suplex from the middle rope.

With the win, Ibushi will face either Rich Swann or T.J. Perkins in the next round.

With the loss, Kendrick's dream of winning the Cruiserweight Classic is no more. He expressed that emotion with tears streaming down his face after the match.

Then Kendrick's longtime friend Daniel Bryan, who was openly cheering for him from the announcer's table, got into the ring and the pair shared a tearful embrace as the program went off the air.

In the night's opening contest, Mexico's Gran Metalik fought off Japan's Akira Tozawa to move on. Metalik will face either Noam Dar or Zack Sabre Jr. in the semis.

Metalik's quarterfinal match with Tozawa was enthralled the fans at Full Sail with its quick pace and aerial exploits.

Here the full match results:

- Gran Metalik def. Akira Tozawa

- Kota Ibushi def. Brian Kendrick