Overhaul of WWE Cruiserweight Division Continues with Addition of Kalisto

The WWE cruiserweight division renovation project rolled on at the close of Monday's Raw by way of welcoming a high-energy aerialist in Kalisto.

The process has been a slow one. But progress is being made. WWE continues to tweak and tinker as it looks to improve the cruiserweight subsection of its product.

In Denver on Monday night, the division introduced a fresh face and a former United States champion in a move that should have been made months ago.

Cruiserweight champ Enzo Amore belittled the entire cruiserweight roster. He mocked Cedric Alexander's attire, called Jack Gallagher "Teacup" and said he was unsure if TJP was a minor. None of them could retaliate with fists or feet, though, thanks to a no-contact clause.

Raw general manager Kurt Angle then introduced someone to whom the clause didn't apply, as he only recently became a cruiserweight—Kalisto.

The King of Flight charged into the ring and made his presence felt right away. He laid out Amore and celebrated over the heel's unconscious body.

And with that, the talent pool for the division just got higher. A number of intriguing new matches are now on the table. The division is deeper and better off with a bit of added star power.

Miami Herald columnist Scott Fishman is among those thrilled about the move:

There's reason to be optimistic here. Kalisto is a perfect fit for the division as a gravity-defying dynamo who was spinning his wheels in the midcard. He's an exciting performer who will benefit from the move to a new home.

He's bound to produce some memorable showings against the likes of Gallagher, Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari.

Former NXT creative assistant Rob Naylor foresees in-ring success for Kalisto:

The addition of The King of Flight isn't going to save the struggling cruiserweight division. He alone is not going to transform the viewership numbers for 205 Live. He's not the answer, but he doesn't have to be.

The addition of the two-time U.S. champ is part of an ongoing process.

WWE has taken to interweaving the cruiserweight world with the rest of the roster. A crossover cameo from Breezango, Titus O'Neil's involvement and Sasha Banks' handful of appearances on 205 Live have given the show added energy.

Bringing in and crowning Amore has given the whole division a hateable target to hunt down.

The increased spotlight has made the division feel more important of late, too. For two straight weeks, the cruiserweights have closed Raw. Braun Strowman, one of the red brand's most popular acts, stormed into the scene last week to tear into Amore. This time around, it was Kalisto who jumped into the fray.

The King of Flight will provide an immediate boost and is the latest smart move the company has made to better the cruiserweight division.

The process isn't over, however. The commitment WWE has shown to Amore has to be spread around to other talents. More overlap with the non-cruiserweight world will keep WWE Creative's options open.

Adding Kalisto is only one phase of many in the reconstruction of the cruiserweights.