WWE and TNA Need Middleweight Divisions to Thrive for Their Success

Eric Bischoff stood in the ring two weeks ago and announced he was abolishing the X-Division of IMPACT. Maybe he does not understand how important the X-Division is to IMPACT and wrestling as a whole.

While a premium has been placed on stronger, bigger wrestlers, the smaller cruiserweights work to keep the fans heavily involved and may do more for the business than one might think.

Today’s biggest stars in the squared circle include Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara and Jay Lethal. All three have or will challenge for gold.

IMPACT, over a nine-year stretch, has worked to incorporate the X-Division as an important part of its brand. While the WWE has used its muscle to promote larger champions like The Rock, Kane and The Undertaker, Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero and Chris Jericho have all held a world championship.

Mick Foley’s announcement on IMPACT Thursday night that a more comprehensive X-Division will be formed in the coming months proved to be a signal that he and others are listening to the fans and understand the smaller champions’ importance in the business.

Currently, Mysterio is a major player and top draw on RAW, and his battles with R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio have been supported by fans. Sin Cara, a luchador who has made his impact on RAW, will undoubtedly be in the fix for a title at some point.

WCW dedicated time to making the cruiserweights vital and brought in Mexican and international superstars to show skill and dynamics that caught the crowd’s attention and helped with ratings. The WWE has used smaller superstars, but not in the same capacity. A match between Dean Malenko and Chris Jericho would pack the house for WCW. Jericho moved on to face larger opponents like The Rock and Triple H in WWE, which proved beneficial for Jericho’s success.

But it also helped diminish the value of smaller and very talented wrestlers.

IMPACT is getting it right and will make sure to have the X-Division carries on as a great source of entertainment and competition. Hopefully at some point the WWE will catch on and use this angle as another way to continue to change the face of the business.