WWE Cruiserweight Classic 2016: Live Stream, WWE Network Start Time, Match Card

The premiere of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic 2016 is set to deliver the first dose of its stirring, fresh brand of pro wrestling.

WWE has welcomed 32 wrestlers under 205 pounds to collide in a single-elimination tournament that will play out over the next few months. High-flyers and technicians will do battle. Japanese dynamos and unknowns from Latin America will clash.

It all begins on Wednesday, July 13 at 9 p.m. ET on the WWE Network immediately following the latest edition of NXT.

Credit: WWE.com

The first-round matches, as listed on PWInsider.com and WWE.com, will feature a diverse collection of wrestlers in terms of styles, origin and fame. Brian Kendrick, a WWE alum and former tag team champ, will be a part of the Cruiserweight Classic's opening act. Indy standout Cedric Alexander and Kota Ibushi, one of the best flying wrestlers over the past five years, will join the fray, as well.

Live Stream Info

There is no traditional pay-per-view option for the Cruiserweight Classic; the WWE Network is the only way to catch the action.

The tourney will stream live (subscription required) via WWE's "over-the-top" service on gaming consoles, Roku, Apple TV and a number of other gadgets. For a full list of devices, visit WWE.com.

After the first run of the show on Wednesday night, a replay will air at 12:00 a.m. ET on Thursday morning. It will then be available on-demand.

Match Card

• Kota Ibushi vs. Sean Maluta 
• Gran Metalik vs. Alejandro Saez
• HoHo Lun vs. Ariya Daivari
• Cedric Alexander vs. Clement Petiot 
• Brian Kendrick vs. Raul Mendoza

Match Previews

Ibushi vs. Maluta

Maluta is the latest in the long line of Samoan wrestlers. He is one of the tournament's lesser-known entrants, having competed primarily for the Florida-based World Xtreme Wrestling promotion.

The WWE.com preview for the bout described The Samoan Dragon as "a speedy grappler with an arsenal of devastating strikes, capped off by a savate kick that can knock anyone out on the spot."

Ibushi is the far bigger name of the two and is one of the favorites to be the last man standing. The Golden Star began his career with Japan's Dramatic Dream Team and later moved on to New Japan Pro Wrestling where he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship three times.

While most famous for battling a blonde blow-up doll, Ibushi has put on a long list of stellar matches. He is sure to make his showdown with Maluta an entertaining one.

Metalik vs. Saez

This clash of styles promises to make this one of the night's most interesting matches. Metalik's high-energy, free-flowing Lucha Libre style is an intriguing contrast to Saez's more hard-hitting approach.

Metalik, better known as Mascara Dorada, made his name in wrestling in both his native Mexico and Japan for NJPW. The luchador is one of the quicker, more electric wrestlers in the field.

Saez hails from Chile and is one of the Cruiserweight Classic's larger competitors at 6'1'' and 205 pounds (the tournament's maximum weight). His career has seen him wrestle all over South America, where he employed a smashmouth offense vaguely reminiscent of Shinsuke Nakamura's.

Lun vs. Daivari

The founder of Hong Kong Pro Wrestling Federation, Lun will soon get a shot to prove that he belongs on a bigger stage. He will rely on his signature moves, the Shining Wizard and the bridging German suplex, to craft memorable matches that keep fans talking.

At 5'7'' and 155 pounds, he was almost certain never to get a look from WWE. With this tournament, though, he will get a shot at connecting with crowds outside of his native Hong Kong. 

WWE fans may recognize Daivari's last name. His older brother Shawn was previously a WWE Superstar.

The Iranian-American hasn't achieved the notoriety his brother has, but he has showed potential during his stints with Ring Ka King and Ring of Honor. 

Alexander vs. Petiot

Alexander, one of the more well-known grapplers in this tourney, is certainly one to watch moving forward. His offense is thrilling, composed of a blend of high-flying and innovative power moves.

He is one of the performers who is bound to do something eye-catching within moments of the opening bell.

During his tenure at Ring of Honor, Alexander took on Jay Lethal, Moose and Tommaso Ciampa, who is a fellow entrant in the Cruiserweight Classic. His experience and athleticism are likely to inspire WWE to push him into the late rounds of the event.

Petiot, the lone Frenchman of the Cruiserweight Classic, has wrestled mostly for European promotions. 

Former WWE tag team champ Lance Storm helped train Petiot. The young grappler has little name power beyond that connection. He will combat Alexander by leaning on his mat skills; Petiot is one of the better technicians in the field.

Kendrick vs. Mendoza

From Veracruz, Mexico, Mendoza (also known as Jinzo), has wowed crowds in his home country as well as Japan with the Pro Wrestling Noah promotion.

The gravity-defying luchador should make for an entertaining opponent for Kendrick.

The former WWE Superstar is one of the tournament's most recognizable faces. He and Paul London held the WWE Tag Team Championship for a record 334 days, per WWE.com.

Kendrick, a skilled showman and high-flyer, wrestled for WWE from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2009. After helping to train Eva Marie and appearing on the Total Divas reality show as a result, he has been exposed to a whole new set of fans more recently.

It will be a major upset if Mendoza can knock off Kendrick. But fans should expect upsets, along with career-making performances from wrestlers few watching have seen before.

And there is guaranteed to be some damn good wrestling along the way.