WWE Cruiserweight Division: Power Ranking Newest Members of Raw Roster
Over two months ago, the Cruiserweight Classic began, reintroducing WWE fans to the thrill of true cruiserweight action for the first time since 2007. While there have been cruiserweights wrestling on both Raw and SmackDown since the division was retired, we have lacked the adrenaline-rush excitement of watching the fastest and highest-flying performers in the world clash.
The CWC was an overwhelming success with each round of the tournament bringing stronger performances and higher stakes. WWE promised to bring together the 32 greatest cruiserweights from around the world, and it's hard to argue with the results.
Now, many of those fantastic cruiserweights are headed to NXT and Raw to begin a new era of cruiserweight wrestling. The Raw cruiserweight division will be introduced on Monday Night Raw tonight, with the winner of the CWC and inaugural (WWE has chosen to consider this title separate from the previous WWE incarnation) WWE cruiserweight champion TJ Perkins making his Raw debut.
Before that occurs, it seems only right to break down the division, looking at all the wrestlers who we'll be seeing on Monday nights going forward. This ranking will look at all seven confirmed members of Raw's cruiserweight division, ordered by each wrestler's potential to make an indelible mark in WWE both in the division and perhaps outside of it, factoring in age, ability and successes elsewhere around the world.
This ranking will only include those WWE has confirmed on WWE.com. While there are others with WWE contracts who were shown in vignettes for the division previously, they are not yet confirmed and may be working in NXT instead of on Raw in the near future.
7. Lince Dorado
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Age: 26 Height: 5'7" Weight: 168 lbs Representing: Puerto Rico
Signature Moves: Reverse jumping hurricanrana, variety of kicks, diving crossbody.
Finisher: Shooting star press
Accomplishments: 2008 King of Trio (w/ El Pantera and Incognito), Force One Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship, FIP Florida Heritage Championship
History
Trained in Mexico under CMLL and AAA star El Pantera in 2007, Lince Dorado did not wait long to head to the United States and join Chikara, becoming one of the first original talents developed in the promotion. He continued his training under Mike Quackenbush and Chris Hero.
He made his mark in Chikara, becoming a major performer in the States, finally branching out in 2012. When he left Chikara, Dorado went to work in Florida with NWA while also performing sparingly for DGUSA, EVOLVE and TNA. He made it to the top 16 in the CWC before falling to Rich Swann.
Potential
Of all the competitors, Dorado made the least impact in the CWC. It was surprising to even see him among this group above performers such as Akira Tozawa, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, all of whom were originally highlighted in the video packages for the division. However, this certainly does not mean that Dorado cannot make an impact in the division.
Dorado is a lucha libre-style performer who has gotten over almost exclusively with American audiences. He's fast and athletic with great kicking ability. In a division of many styles, Dorado is a classic cruiserweight who can get over with his impressive speed. Right now, it is just hard to see him standing out among a talented pack.
6. Noam Dar
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Age: 23 Height: 5'9" Weight: 178 lbs Representing: Scotland via Israel
Signature Moves: Fisherman buster, European uppercuts, running corner dropkick.
Finisher: Kneebar
Accomplishments: ICW Zero-G Championship (2x), PCW Heavyweight Championship, PCW Cruiserweight Championship, 2014 PROGRESS World Cup
History
Beginning wrestling at 15, Noam Dar was trained by Preston City Wrestling owners Colin McKay and Lionheart. He wrestled throughout the United Kingdom, helping reinvigorate the UK scene alongside such stars as Zack Sabre Jr., Will Ospreay and Marty Scurll.
Alongside PCW, he was primarily wrestling in Insane Championship Wrestling where he was the premiere cruiserweight in the promotion. He spent time in Zero1 Spain, Dragon Gate UK, PROGRESS Wrestling and TNA's British Bootcamp. He made it to the quarterfinals in the CWC before falling to Sabre.
Potential
Dar is the only European performer confirmed for the division right now, which makes him an interesting prospect. Despite his success in the UK, though, Dar did not impress as much as other European competitors in the tournament. In fact, it is surprising WWE chose Dar for the division over Jack Gallagher, who is also signed with WWE and has more natural charisma.
Dar is a technician with explosive strikes, which is an important niche in the division. At 23 years old, he is the youngest wrestler in the division with a real opportunity to improve and take over in time. He will certainly get the chance until more UK cruiserweights make the move up. However, he has yet to show that potential in WWE.
5. Brian Kendrick
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Age: 37 Height: 5'8" Weight: 157 lbs Representing: United States of America
Signature Moves: Sliced Bread No. 2, neckbreaker, Fujiwara arm bar
Finisher: Bully Choke
Accomplishments: WWE/World Tag Team Championship (with Paul London), TNA X Division Championship, Zero1-Max United States Openweight Championship
History
Brain Kendrick trained in the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy alongside WWE's Daniel Bryan. He developed in Memphis Championship Wrestling and Ring of Honor before being signed by WWE. His first run with WWE in 2002-2004 made very little impact, but the company re-signed him after he had more success in Zero1 and ROH.
Kendrick's WWE Tag Team Championship reign with Paul London was the longest in WWE history until The New Day's recent run. He also got over as a heel as The Brain Kendrick, getting into WWE Championship contention before his release because of frequent marijuana issues.
He won the X Division Championship during a run in TNA and also toured with New Japan Pro Wrestling, competing in the Best of the Super Junior tournaments. While he worked ROH occasionally, he ended up spending more time opening a wrestling school then signing on as a part-time trainer in the WWE Performance Center. He made it to be the quarterfinals in the CWC before falling to Kota Ibushi.
Potential
There was a time where Kendrick was one of the brightest young talents in WWE. He may be better now in the ring than he was then; however, time is not kind to wrestlers, particularly cruiserweights who are often expected to take risks their bodies can't keep up with. Kendrick put on great performances throughout the CWC, but he also almost entirely relied on storytelling and technical skill.
Kendrick should be an absolute focus for the division early, but he'll wear down, particularly if he begins to worry about keeping up with the speed of the rest of the performers. He is around exclusively to play the veteran role in the division, but he should put on quality performances in that role.
4. Rich Swann
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Age: 25 Height: 5'8" Weight: 168 lbs Representing: United States of America
Signature Moves: Hurricanrana, backflip kick, rolling thunder into standing frog splash
Finisher: Standing 450 Splash/Phoenix Splash
Accomplishments: Open the Owarai Gate Championship, Open the United Gate Championship (with Johnny Gargano), FIP World Heavyweight Championship
History
Rich Swann lost both his parents in his teen years and fell in with a bad crowd, becoming badly addicted to cocaine. Two things helped him get over his addiction and graduate high school: his aunt and professional wrestling. He began training in the Combat Zone Wrestling Academy alongside other successful stars in Adam Cole, AR Fox, Drew Gulak and more.
He worked CZW then was picked up by DGUSA where his performances were so exemplary that he was brought over to Dragon Gate in Japan. In 2013, he and Ricochet formed the Inner City Machine Guns, a highly popular tag team, particularly in Europe.
While he never won major singles titles, he often challenged for them in DG and EVOLVE, feuding often with Johnny Gargano. He made it to the quarterfinals of the CWC before falling to eventual winner Perkins.
Potential
WWE had signed Swann before the CWC, and he was putting on quality performances in NXT, particularly a fun clash against Finn Balor. This shows WWE's trust in Swann, who also has quickly gained the adoration of the fans with his easy-going charisma. Throughout the CWC, Swann was the fan favorite, even causing the fans to turn on TJP.
Swann is noticeably small, which could be to his detriment in ever becoming more than just a player in the cruiserweight division, but his charisma could allow him to take over the division with time. He also is the fastest wrestler in the division, which should only raise his stature in a division that will often be defined by speed.
3. Gran Metalik
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Age: 27 Height: 5'9" Weight: 175 lbs Representing: Mexico
Signature Moves: Variety of hurricanranas, suicide dive, sunset flip powerbomb
Finisher: Metalik Driver
Accomplishments: CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship, CMLL World Welterweight Championship (4x), CMLL World Trios Championship (2x) (w/ La Sombra & La Máscara, Mistico & Valiente)
History
Training under El Satanico and Gran Cochisse in CMLL, Gran Metalik began his career at 16 as a mini luchador in Mini-Estrella before becoming the regular version Mascara Dorada to the popular mini Mascarita Dorada (known in WWE as El Torito). He was a fundamental part of a reinvention of the Mexican lightweight division alongside Mistico, Volador Jr. and La Sombra (now Andrade "Cien" Almas in NXT).
He worked with CMLL partner New Japan Pro Wrestling particularly in the Best of the Super Junior tournaments but mostly stayed with CMLL, where he won numerous titles, especially late in the welterweight division. He worked extensively as a trios performer, especially with La Sombra and La Mascara. He made it to the finals of the CWC where he lost to Perkins.
Potential
WWE has shown repeatedly that it desires top-level talent from Mexico on its roster. Since Rey Mysterio's departure, however, no one has been able to make a significant mark. Is Metalik the answer that Alberto Del Rio, Sin Cara and Kalisto have not been so far? It's hard to say, but Metalik has put on quality performances in the CWC so far, especially in the finale.
While there were more popular names in the tournament, WWE showed its trust in Metalik by letting him represent the cruiserweights all the way to the finals. If he can keep putting on strong performances, that trust should only increase with Metalik being a major figure in the division going forward.
2. Cedric Alexander
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Age: 27 Height: 5'10" Weight: 200 lbs Representing: United States of America
Signature Moves: Brainbuster, overhead kick, Michinoku driver
Finisher: Lumbar Check
Accomplishments: CWF Mid-Atlantic Television Championship, PWX Heavyweight Championship.
History
Trained in Charlotte by George South, Cedric Alexander debuted for CWF Mid-Atlantic in 2009 and became a popular performer, representing the company in the NWA before Caprice Coleman began mentoring him. Both signed with Ring of Honor and became the tag team C&C Wrestle Factory. The two feuded with all the top teams in ROH before splitting in 2013.
As a singles competitor, Alexander fought AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens and more, but he rarely ended up winning. Just as he was beginning to grow into a top role, Alexander left for the CWC in which he made it to the top 16 before falling to Ibushi. His match against Ibushi, though, was so impressive that it caused on outcry of support that may have factored into Alexander's quick move to Raw.
Potential
Alexander may be the least accomplished performer on this list. However, he also might just be the most naturally gifted wrestler of the whole lot. WWE caught him at the perfect point in his career as he was preparing to take the next step, which he took with the CWC by dropping 25-plus pounds.
Alexander makes everything look effortless while still being the largest competitor in the division by over 20 pounds. His flow and style absolutely spark on screen, which will make him a quick fan favorite. He could be the future leader of the division, and he has tons of potential to move right into the heavyweight division and put on top matches with WWE's best.
1. TJ Perkins
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Age: 32 Height: 5'10" Weight: 167 lbs Representing: The Philippines
Signature Moves: Inverted lungblower, wrecking ball dropkick, Muta lock
Finisher: Kneebar
Accomplishments: WWE Cruiserweight Championship, TNA X Division Championship, APW Worldwide Internet Championship, NWA Heritage Championship
History
Perkins began training at the age of 13 in a local lucha libre school and was only 14 when he debuted, working independent promotions in southern USA and northern Mexico. During this time, CMLL picked him up, but while he was popular as the masked wrestler Puma, the company did not give him enough booking, and he ran out of money, going homeless in Mexico City.
He began training with New Japan Pro Wrestling in its Los Angeles branch around the same time as stars such as Daniel Bryan and Shinsuke Nakamura. Through the next decade, he worked in NJPW, ROH and TNA with moderate success. His experience was also invaluable to the opening of DGUSA.
He spent significant time working the independent scene without a contract before moving to TNA where he took on the Suicide gimmick, later renamed Manik. He was an integral part of TNA's X Division until he left. He won the CWC to become the inaugural cruiserweight champion.
Potential
There is a reason WWE chose Perkins to lead the new cruiserweight division on Raw. He's almost got two decades' worth of experience yet is only 32 years old. He's been all over the wrestling scene and has helped build up major promotions and divisions over the years. It's rare to have such an experienced and talented young performer.
Perkins is a great high-flyer, though, one who has also proved his technical ability throughout the CWC. He will likely carry the division at least through its opening year. He also has proved over the years to be able to compete against anyone and could be used anywhere on the Raw roster as the division evolves and expands.
Special thanks to Josh Rushinock who gave me breakdowns of each wrestler's history to use as a basis for this article.
