Official WWE Cruiserweight tournament press release – which stars are the “favorites” in the tourney?

WWE issued a press release Wednesday morning officially announcing details on the 32-man Cruiserweight tournament.

WWE noted there will be a two-hour live finale on Wednesday, September 14 to conclude the 10-week tournament.

The tournament begins with “Bracketology” on Wednesday, July 6 leading into the first episode on July 13 hosted by Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan.

WWE also highlighted 14 of the 32 stars in the tournament, i.e. the favorites to advance deep into the tournament, which also sets up some “upsets.”

United States

• Rich Swann
• Johnny Gargano
• Cedric Alexander
• Tommaso Ciampa

North America

• Gran Metalik (Máscara Dorada) (Mexico)
• Tyson Dux (Canada)

Asia

• Kota Ibushi (Japan)
• Akira Tozawa (Japan)
• Ho Ho Lun (Hong Kong)
• Jason Lee (Hong Kong)

Europe

• Zack Sabre, Jr. (U.K.)
• Noam Dar (Scotland)
• Da Mack (Germany)

Australia

• Damian Slater