How to Book T.J. Perkins on WWE Raw After Winning Cruiserweight Classic

Purple confetti rained on T.J. Perkins' battered body at the close of the Cruiserweight Classic tournament, a well-earned championship wrapped around his waist. This was the coronation of a potential star on WWE Raw. If done right, this will be a genesis, not a climax.

Perkins claimed the Cruiserweight Championship on Wednesday night by defeating Gran Metalik in the finals of a 32-man tournament.

The speedy, fun-loving showboat is one of several wrestlers poised to comprise a new cruiserweight division on Raw. On Sept. 19, WWE's marquee show will welcome the high-flyers and international sensations from the tournament that thrilled throughout the summer.

Perkins will sit atop that division.

To turn his CWC win into a star-making moment and make his title reign a memorable one, WWE must use his past to shape his on-screen character, test him repeatedly and let him take on fellow cruiserweights who will bring out his best.

Tell His Story 

There's no need to craft a fictional backstory for Perkins; in this case, reality is compelling enough.

Perkins has been wrestling since he was 13. The teenager learned the lucha libre style and began to work shows while still in school. He told Blaine Van Der Griend of SLAM! Wrestling, "I would often have to ditch school on Fridays to be able to make the weekend loop of shows."

Perkins was also homeless for a time, a fact he talked about in his CWC promo: 

WWE must retell that tale, allowing the audience to know how difficult of a trek he took to get to where he is now. Video packages and in-ring promos have to paint him as a lifelong underdog who has earned a place in the spotlight.

Philly.com writer Vaughn Johnson called the welts on Perkins' shoulder after the wrestler's win on Wednesday "a symbol of not only the grueling journey Perkins endured to reach the final round of the 32-man tournament, but also the roller coaster ride his entire career has been."

That aspect of Perkins' life makes it easy to sell him as a babyface. There's a ready-made story to present as WWE showcases Perkins in the squared circle.

Challenge After Challenge

Right out of the gate, Perkins should have to fight like hell to keep the Cruiserweight Championship in his grasp. WWE should book several title matches for the speedster on both TV and at pay-per-view events.

Fans need to get to know him. Watching his move set help him overcome challengers several times over is one sure way to do that.

Plus, if he is a fighting champion willing to take on anyone, his stock will shoot up quickly. 

Perkins should look gutsy and fearless. Issuing open challenges and demanding regular title matches will help do that.

This would also make it easy for WWE to consistently showcase the cruiserweight division. In the early going, each week should feature either a championship match, No. 1 Contender's match or bouts that have a direct impact on the grapplers' places in the title picture.

During the Cruiserweight Classic, Perkins had a number of outstanding matches, including those against Metalik and Kota Ibushi. Putting the title up for grabs early and often will allow him to produce more memorable action and win over fans in the process.

Potential Rivals

The masked man who fell just short of knocking off Perkins needs to demand another crack at the cruiserweight titleholder. Metalik is a no-brainer early rival for Perkins.

WWE has a built-in narrative awaiting that feud. Metalik can claim that Perkins got lucky on Wednesday night and that he's actually the better man. Perkins, who wants to leave no doubt about his worthiness as the champion, can welcome a rematch or two.

And WWE already knows that Metalik and Perkins are excellent together. The two flourished against each other in the tourney finals.

Sean Radican of PWTorch wrote the following of their meeting:

"

I didn't think Metalik and Perkins could top Ibushi vs Perkins but they came darn close what a match!

— SeanRadican (@SeanRadican) September 15, 2016"

Brian Kendrick, the returning vet who impressed with his run in the CWC, is a smart choice to oppose Perkins, too. Perhaps Kendrick has unraveled some from coming so close to rejuvenating his career in the tournament, only to fail.

Kendrick vs. Perkins would not only produce high-quality matches, but the rivalry would also be a chance to bolster the latter's resume.

Casual fans know little of Perkins' accomplishments, especially his pre-WWE ones. Kendrick, on the other hand, is a former tag team champion with the company. He would make quite the trophy on Perkins' wall.

Neville is another fine option.

The Man That Gravity Forgot has been running in place of late with no clear storyline. Neville could feel cheated that he wasn't in the CWC and that WWE crowned a cruiserweight champ without him. 

That story combined with the electric stuff these two would deliver between the ropes would make for quite the ride.

To sell Perkins as an underdog warrior, WWE must allow him to fend off fellow high-flyers time and again. To maximize what Perkins brings to the product, it needs to make room for the momentum he churned up at the CWC to continue on a new stage.