TJ Perkins rounded out the field for the final eight competitors in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).

The Fil-American technician reversed a Full Nelson suplex attempt and rolled it into a kneebar, clamping down on tournament favorite Johnny Gargano’s left leg to win via submission in their round two clash.

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Gargano earlier injured his leg after it fell at the bell table as he went for a rolling senton at ringside, but he still fought on and finished the match.

“(The win) stunned a lot of people out there, it stunned a lot of people back here. One person that didn’t stun is me, it didn’t stun me because I’m a counter-wrestler, a reactive wrestler,” Perkins said of his victory in a WWE.com exclusive interview. “I know when someone gives me something, I turn it to something else. That’s what I do.”

Perkins advances to the quarterfinals of the 32-man tournament, with the energetic Rich Swann next in his bracket.

“Rich Swann is unreal. He’s an amazing athlete and he’s got a lot more tools on his toolbox than I do and I certainly admit that,” he said. “Rich makes it flashy, but I make it look easy.”

Other competitors who made it to the elite eight are Akira Tozawa, Gran Metalik, Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, Brian Kendrick, and Kota Ibushi.

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