TPWW Forums - View Single Post - what does WWE look for in a cruiserweight? Serious CW discussion

**Mr. Nerfect** · 12-20-2005, 11:06 PM

Well, I think the WWE really likes cruiserweights that can wrestle. Nunzio is apparently a favourite of Vince McMahon, and that has been proven even further by him winning the Cruiserweight Title not once, but twice this year. Plus they trust him enough to put him on PPV and SmackDown! as a jobber, which may not seem like an honour, but I think the WWE thinks Nunzio would be grateful just to be doing something on the main card.

The WWE has recently accepted Jamie Noble and Brian Kendrick back. They obviously recognise the talent there. Funaki and Scotty 2 Hotty have kept their jobs for a while, and although it can be argued they are jobbers, they are getting paid and occasionally get their time in the sun (Funaki with the CW Title and Scotty with the WWE Tag Titles).

Paul London, even if reports have said is not on good terms with Vince McMahon, is usually one of the first guys the WWE sends to make another guy look good. He's constantly one of the final two in the Cruiserweight Battle Royals and he's occasionally allowed to put on good-great matches.

What constitutes a Cruiserweight Champion? I honestly think it is just trial and error until the WWE finds the next "Rey Mysterio". Someone who the fans click with and turn into a bonafined babyface, and not just a "we cheer you because you're good and not because we are given a reason in the storylines" face. Or a heel. I think they might find success with Kid Kash, because the fans know him (kinda), and he's talented enough and charismatic enough to make people care what he's doing in the ring. Much like Jamie Noble, Billy Kidman and Chavo Guerrero before him, I can always see the Cruiserweight Title coming back around his waist at some point. The same goes with Juventud Guerra. The Mexicools are honestly gettin great reactions at the moment, so I can see the WWE letting Kid Kash and Juventud be the focal point of the division in coming weeks. I wouldn't be surprised to see the WWE plop Jamie Noble in there, too.

So in short, here is the criteria for a Cruiserweight Champion (in my opinion, of course):

-Charismatic
-Handle themselves on the mic
-Good in the ring
-Has a natural rapport with the crowd

Unfortunately the WWE continually fails to capitalise on these things, and the CW Champion falls into the backdrop only to compete occasionally on Velocity until they drop the title to another guy, and the process repeats itself. Throw a few matches on SmackDown! occasionally, and give us a character the fans can get behind or against on a full-time basis. I honestly don't know why they haven't stuck a Cruiserweight Champion with JBL yet. Kid Kash has the money theme going on, so why not do that with him? Hell, stick MNM with them too seeing as they have the whole connection to Jillian Hall. Or even The Dicks?

I think the last Cruiserweight Champion to ever be a part of a stable outside the CW Division was Spike Dudley, and by that time The Dudleys (as they were being called at that time) were stale, and let's face it, Spike Dudley doesn't make for the most believeable heel Champion.

I say stick Kid Kash, Nunzio, Jamie Noble, Scott Taylor (the fans would be all over this guy if he turned heel) or any other cruiserweight for that matter, with JBL and have them turn heel and win the title. Let them then wrestle good matches, an set up an uber-heel in the division for the others to gang up on. Give the title an actual storyline beyond "I want the title", in other words. See how that works out and then I think you will see more Cruiserweight Champions based on ability and crowd reactions than on trial and error criteria.

12-20-2005, 11:06 PM	#5
Mr. Nerfect Posts: 61,524	Well, I think the WWE really likes cruiserweights that can wrestle. Nunzio is apparently a favourite of Vince McMahon, and that has been proven even further by him winning the Cruiserweight Title not once, but twice this year. Plus they trust him enough to put him on PPV and SmackDown! as a jobber, which may not seem like an honour, but I think the WWE thinks Nunzio would be grateful just to be doing something on the main card. The WWE has recently accepted Jamie Noble and Brian Kendrick back. They obviously recognise the talent there. Funaki and Scotty 2 Hotty have kept their jobs for a while, and although it can be argued they are jobbers, they are getting paid and occasionally get their time in the sun (Funaki with the CW Title and Scotty with the WWE Tag Titles). Paul London, even if reports have said is not on good terms with Vince McMahon, is usually one of the first guys the WWE sends to make another guy look good. He's constantly one of the final two in the Cruiserweight Battle Royals and he's occasionally allowed to put on good-great matches. What constitutes a Cruiserweight Champion? I honestly think it is just trial and error until the WWE finds the next "Rey Mysterio". Someone who the fans click with and turn into a bonafined babyface, and not just a "we cheer you because you're good and not because we are given a reason in the storylines" face. Or a heel. I think they might find success with Kid Kash, because the fans know him (kinda), and he's talented enough and charismatic enough to make people care what he's doing in the ring. Much like Jamie Noble, Billy Kidman and Chavo Guerrero before him, I can always see the Cruiserweight Title coming back around his waist at some point. The same goes with Juventud Guerra. The Mexicools are honestly gettin great reactions at the moment, so I can see the WWE letting Kid Kash and Juventud be the focal point of the division in coming weeks. I wouldn't be surprised to see the WWE plop Jamie Noble in there, too. So in short, here is the criteria for a Cruiserweight Champion (in my opinion, of course): -Charismatic -Handle themselves on the mic -Good in the ring -Has a natural rapport with the crowd Unfortunately the WWE continually fails to capitalise on these things, and the CW Champion falls into the backdrop only to compete occasionally on Velocity until they drop the title to another guy, and the process repeats itself. Throw a few matches on SmackDown! occasionally, and give us a character the fans can get behind or against on a full-time basis. I honestly don't know why they haven't stuck a Cruiserweight Champion with JBL yet. Kid Kash has the money theme going on, so why not do that with him? Hell, stick MNM with them too seeing as they have the whole connection to Jillian Hall. Or even The Dicks? I think the last Cruiserweight Champion to ever be a part of a stable outside the CW Division was Spike Dudley, and by that time The Dudleys (as they were being called at that time) were stale, and let's face it, Spike Dudley doesn't make for the most believeable heel Champion. I say stick Kid Kash, Nunzio, Jamie Noble, Scott Taylor (the fans would be all over this guy if he turned heel) or any other cruiserweight for that matter, with JBL and have them turn heel and win the title. Let them then wrestle good matches, an set up an uber-heel in the division for the others to gang up on. Give the title an actual storyline beyond "I want the title", in other words. See how that works out and then I think you will see more Cruiserweight Champions based on ability and crowd reactions than on trial and error criteria.