Brian Kendrick's quest for redemption begins, as he takes on Mexico's Raul Mendoza in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. Video courtesy of the award winning WWE Network.

The Brian Kendrick tugged at the heartstrings of the WWE Universe during CWC: Bracketology, when he revealed that he saw this tournament as his last shot at redemption after letting his previous opportunity in WWE slip through his fingers. However, what “The Post-Apocalyptic Scavenger” didn’t reveal in that interview was that he was willing to do anything to make sure he didn’t waste this opportunity.

But while Kendrick was in search of one last chance, his opponent, Raul Mendoza of Mexico, was looking for his first big break in the CWC. The high-flyer dazzled the WWE Universe with his aerial ability early on before locking on a unique submission, wrapping up Kendrick’s legs before picking up the former WWE Tag Team Champion and swinging him around the ring.

Unfortunately for Mendoza, he was in there with a 17-year veteran who knows all the tricks of the trade. Kendrick used the rope break to his advantage, creating enough space to clobber Mendoza with a superkick. “The Post-Apocalyptic Scavenger” then showed just how far he was willing to go to advance in the CWC, forcing Mendoza (who has braces on his teeth) to bite the middle rope, then kicked the rope back, busting the Mexican’s mouth open.

The laceration would not slow Mendoza down, as he fought back, catching Kendrick on the arena floor with a twisting dive over the ropes. Kendrick took a little too long going to the top rope himself, where Mendoza tripped him up. With the WWE Alumni hanging upside down, Mendoza climbed the opposite set of ropes and took a leap of faith across the ring, connecting with a huge dropkick that brought Full Sail University to its feet. In the end, though, Mendoza fell victim to Kendrick’s tricks. The former tag team champion feigned an injury, suckering Mendoza in. Kendrick flipped Mendoza to the mat and locked on the Bully Choke to win by submission.

Kendrick’s victory sees him move on to face Tony Nese in the second round. Now that he’s shown the lengths he’s willing to go in order to win, The Brian Kendrick may very well be the most dangerous man in the Cruiserweight Classic.