Cedric Alexander battles Tony Nese in the finals of the 2019 Cruiserweight Championship Tournament to determine who will challenge WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy at WrestleMania.

A heated pre-match exchange between Cedric Alexander, Tony Nese and WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy led to Alexander questioning whether Murphy believed that Nese – his friend and his training partner – could make it to WrestleMania. The champion tried to downplay Alexander’s suggestion, but The Premier Athlete maintained his focus on what was at stake in his match against Alexander in the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Final – a title bout at WrestleMania.

Alexander and Nese have met plenty of times in the past with both Superstars claiming victories against the other. With their rivalry taking on its highest implications thus far, Nese and Alexander wasted little time getting the match underway. Both competitors share similar speed and strength, resulting in an early showcase of technical prowess.

Nese’s unrelenting attack only kicked the legendary resilience of Cedric Alexander into high-gear, and the former champion struck back with relentless force and nearly secured victory following a Neutralizer and Flatliner. Alexander attempted the Lumbar Check, but Nese countered by taking down his opponent with a pump-handle driver. Alexander again got caught in the ropes, and The Premier Athlete executed a jaw-dropping springboard moonsault to nearly secure victory.

Alexander grew frustrated after he countered the Running Nese into a huge Michinoku driver and couldn’t get the three-count. With The Premier Athlete reeling, Alexander ascended the ropes, only to be met with a strike from his opponent. Exchanging blows on the top rope, both Superstars tumbled to the outside and barely made the official’s 10-count.

Back in the ring, Nese and Alexander traded blows, leading to an incredible sequence of back-and-forth strikes, counters and a double superkick, leaving both Superstars leg-locked and bringing the WWE Universe to their feet. Once again knocking Alexander off the top rope, Nese wiped him out with a high-risk move to the outside before executing a perfect 450 splash that still was not enough to put Alexander away.

Alexander countered the Running Nese with an incredible Spanish Fly in the center of the ring, and after Alexander frantically executed the Lumbar Check only for Nese to once again kick out, he was left in a state of shock. As The Soul of WWE 205 Live again attempted the Lumbar Check, Nese countered with a knee strike before finally executing his Running Nese to punch his ticket to WrestleMania.

A stunned Alexander congratulated and embraced Nese as the WWE Universe regaled them with “That was Awesome” chants.

Continuing to celebrate his victory, Nese was greeted by WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy, who congratulated his training partner, raising his hand before viciously dropping him with a boot to the chin and proudly displaying his coveted championship.