A Division Divided; the Cruiser Paper Weight

WWE Crusierweight Championship, now lies within the WWE Vault
Courtesy of WWE.

Ladies and gentlemen... I am talking about the ill-fated Cruiserweight division, and the lack of a title thereof. As the (now-defunct) titles of the 220 pound limit have long been past, I will be mainly focusing on the "Cruiserweight" division of WCW to WWF/E. Understandably, the Light Heavyweight championship does have some merit within the World Wrestling Federation, but did not happen to originate and become officially recognized in the states until 1997.

So, what exactly happened to the Cruiserweight Division? This gave smaller sized individuals an opportunity to be revered in the spotlight and allowed to be given some relevance to a show's card nearly every night. The Cruiserweight title brought stars such as Chris Jericho (future six time heavyweight champion, first ever Undisputed Champion), Eddie Guerrero (another cruiserweight-turned heavyweight champion), Billy Kidman (seven time Cruiserweight champion), and Rey Misterio Jr. to be household names. And this is a very short list, but the Cruiserweight Division polished stars who had amounts of potential into what we know them of today.

What had happened to the Crusierweight Division went away with the last "relevant" champion; Chavo Guerrero. Guerrero would end up losing the title in a "Cruiserweight Open" at the Great American Bash (2007) to Hornswoggle, by a gross technicality! Granted, technicalities are very well versed and can be amazing when used in a proper sense, and Hornswoggle was in the right place at the right time with such a creative swerve. Now, if he was utilized the right way, Little Bastard could have been a legitimate champion, but the WWE has maintained Hornswoggle as nothing but a comedy act, year after year. He's nothing more than a valet assistant to The Great Khali and Natalya (another amazing potential buried within comedy). The Crusierweight Championship (and the division as a whole) became a mockery, and devalued what many previous champions had done for it over the sixteen years of its inception. It was defended and retained by use of comical usage of fire extinguishers, pies, interference by other superstars, and other lamed attempts to try and keep Hornswoggle as a consistent champion. Vickie Guerrero axed Hornswoggle, the belt, and the division soon after.

Brad Maddox would be a shining example
of what the Cruiserweights of today
could accomplish.

Is it time to retrieve the Cruiserweight Title from the WWE vault? It has been over five years since we've laid eyes on the mid-card gold, and there are more than enough contenders that would fair well within the Cruiserweight lines. As it has been said before countless of times, Evan Bourne would make an ideal Cruiserweight champion with his high-flying abilities, along with the likes of Epico and Primo, Justin Gabriel, and even newcomer Brad Maddox. Maddox could pull away from the Shield and make a shining example of himself as a qualified cruiserweight, face or heel. I'm thinking more along the lines as a "Paul Heyman" cruiser weight possibly for an interesting run. Maddox has proven himself to have charisma, the looks, the ability to cut a decent promo, and that he could have a positive run in the near future.

It is in the opinion of this writer that the Cruiserweight title should be brought back, and defended to give a meaning to these wrestlers who are stuck in kayfabe-limbo without any real purpose from the creative team at the WWE. With such prestige established from great cruiserweights of the past, opportunities cannot and should not be wasted.