Royal Rumble 2019 Buddy Murphy v Akira Tozawa v Kalisto v Hideo Itami

Buddy Murphy will defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship at WWE Royal Rumble in a Fatal 4-Way Match against Kalisto, Akira Tozawa and Hideo Itami.

Following his victory against Cedric Alexander at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Murphy told WWE 205 Live General Manager he was ready for the next challenge. In the interest of providing the highest level of competition for the WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Maverick decided to kick off 2019 with a bang, announcing three Qualifying Matches to determine who would challenge Murphy in a Fatal 4-Way Match at WWE Royal Rumble on Sunday, Jan. 27.

The first two contests came on the first WWE 205 Live of 2019, as former Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto bested Lio Rush and former Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa emerged victorious against his longtime rival Drew Gulak.

Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander – who lost the title to Murphy at WWE Super Show-Down last October – faced off against a laser-focused Hideo Itami. Following a hard-hitting and relentless battle, Itami pinned the former champion to earn the final spot in the Fatal 4-Way Match.

With Hideo Itami entering a field of former champions in Tozawa and Kalisto, can he prove he is worthy of the respect he demands, or will Buddy Murphy emerge victorious in his most daunting task to date?