Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)
Encyclopedia
In professional wrestling
, a cruiserweight is a wrestler weighing 220 lb (100 kg) and less, sometimes 215. The older term junior heavyweight, which was used to describe the division, is more favored in Japan
, where many titles for lighter-weight competitors are called junior heavyweight titles. Prominent titles include New Japan Pro Wrestling
's IWGP, Pro Wrestling Noah
's GHC, and All Japan Pro Wrestling
's World/PWF titles. The weight limit utilized by World Championship Wrestling
(WCW) and Japanese promotions is "up to 220 lbs" (100 kg). New Japan and Noah also have junior heavyweight tag team
titles, for teams composed of junior heavyweights. WCW tested such a format with their own title
shortly before the company was purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment
.
wrestling style. While there are many cruiserweights who specialize in alternate wrestling styles, cruiserweights are strongly associated with moves performed from the top rope and moves requiring a degree of speed, agility, balance and torque. Cruiserweight wrestling is often associated with lucha libre
, where similar moves and match pacing are used, but Mexico uses a different weight class system and the actual term "cruiserweight" (crucero, in Spanish
) is rarely used in favor of Light-Heavyweight (peso semicompleto in Spanish). Cruiserweight wrestlers tend to be wrestlers of average human height and weight.
The high spots performed by cruiserweights are normally visually impressive but carry a varying degree of risk. A cruiserweight match with no transition holds and little psychology is known as a spotfest (heavyweight spotfests do exist, however).
Championships contested by cruiserweights cannot be held by wrestlers who are not cruiserweights, but cruiserweights are normally eligible to compete for heavyweight championships.
, when WCW President Eric Bischoff
in 1996 re-established the light-heavyweight division as the cruiserweight division and reactivated the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship as the WCW Cruiserweight Championship
. Bischoff renamed the division because he felt that "light-heavyweight" was a pejorative
term. During Bischoff's stay in the company, the smaller wrestlers gradually became less important. As a result, in the declining years of WCW, the cruiserweights were seen more as comic relief
to the heavyweight wrestlers. As one of the top wrestlers in the division, Rey Mysterio would go on to voice his disdain
in regards to Eric's business sentiment:
After the World Wrestling Federation
acquired the intellectual property of WCW in 2001, the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship was abandoned in favor of the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, and the title was renamed the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
. However it is no longer contested, Hornswoggle being the last champion before being stripped of the title for his own safety, when the title was also discontinued.
created the X Division Championship
, a title with no upper or lower weight limits but which is epitomized as "wrestling reinvented" and views its contenders as those who compete on the innovative side of professional wrestling. To help market this emphasis, the phrase "It's not about weight limits; it's about no limits" was used. Almost all of the X Division champions have been high-flyers, with Kurt Angle
, Samoa Joe
and Abyss being notable exceptions. In August 2011, the division was given a 225 lb (102.1 kg) weight limit.
Due to their initial affiliation with the National Wrestling Alliance
, many NWA territories have started sanctioning their own X Division championships, while some of them even replaced the territories' cruiserweight belts.
, and junior heavyweight in their name. It is worth noting that each of these class listings are separate in boxing and amateur wrestling, but are almost interchangeable in professional wrestling.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, a cruiserweight is a wrestler weighing 220 lb (100 kg) and less, sometimes 215. The older term junior heavyweight, which was used to describe the division, is more favored in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where many titles for lighter-weight competitors are called junior heavyweight titles. Prominent titles include New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
's IWGP, Pro Wrestling Noah
Pro Wrestling Noah
is a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
's GHC, and All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
's World/PWF titles. The weight limit utilized by World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
(WCW) and Japanese promotions is "up to 220 lbs" (100 kg). New Japan and Noah also have junior heavyweight tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
titles, for teams composed of junior heavyweights. WCW tested such a format with their own title
WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship was a short-lived title created in 2001 just prior to World Championship Wrestling being sold to the World Wrestling Federation.-History:...
shortly before the company was purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
.
Wrestlers
Cruiserweight wrestlers are generally shorter and possess less muscle bulk than heavyweights, a build which lends itself to a high-flyingProfessional wrestling aerial techniques
Aerial techniques are maneuvers, using the ring and its posts and ropes as aids, used in professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler. These moves are mainly done by smaller, quicker wrestlers who are unable to do most of the power moves. There is a wide variety of aerial...
wrestling style. While there are many cruiserweights who specialize in alternate wrestling styles, cruiserweights are strongly associated with moves performed from the top rope and moves requiring a degree of speed, agility, balance and torque. Cruiserweight wrestling is often associated with lucha libre
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
, where similar moves and match pacing are used, but Mexico uses a different weight class system and the actual term "cruiserweight" (crucero, in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
) is rarely used in favor of Light-Heavyweight (peso semicompleto in Spanish). Cruiserweight wrestlers tend to be wrestlers of average human height and weight.
The high spots performed by cruiserweights are normally visually impressive but carry a varying degree of risk. A cruiserweight match with no transition holds and little psychology is known as a spotfest (heavyweight spotfests do exist, however).
Championships contested by cruiserweights cannot be held by wrestlers who are not cruiserweights, but cruiserweights are normally eligible to compete for heavyweight championships.
World Championship Wrestling
The term was popularized in World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
, when WCW President Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
in 1996 re-established the light-heavyweight division as the cruiserweight division and reactivated the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship as the WCW Cruiserweight Championship
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
The World Wrestling Entertainment Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was originally a World Championship Wrestling title. It was challenged by cruiserweights at a maximum weight of 215 lbs...
. Bischoff renamed the division because he felt that "light-heavyweight" was a pejorative
Pejorative
Pejoratives , including name slurs, are words or grammatical forms that connote negativity and express contempt or distaste. A term can be regarded as pejorative in some social groups but not in others, e.g., hacker is a term used for computer criminals as well as quick and clever computer experts...
term. During Bischoff's stay in the company, the smaller wrestlers gradually became less important. As a result, in the declining years of WCW, the cruiserweights were seen more as comic relief
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
to the heavyweight wrestlers. As one of the top wrestlers in the division, Rey Mysterio would go on to voice his disdain
Disdain
Disdain is a feeling of contempt or scorn.Disdain may also refer to:* So Disdained 1928 novel by Nevil Shute* Disdain , an EP by Alien Huang...
in regards to Eric's business sentiment:
After the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
acquired the intellectual property of WCW in 2001, the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship was abandoned in favor of the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, and the title was renamed the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
The World Wrestling Entertainment Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was originally a World Championship Wrestling title. It was challenged by cruiserweights at a maximum weight of 215 lbs...
. However it is no longer contested, Hornswoggle being the last champion before being stripped of the title for his own safety, when the title was also discontinued.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
In 2002, Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
created the X Division Championship
TNA X Division Championship
The TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
, a title with no upper or lower weight limits but which is epitomized as "wrestling reinvented" and views its contenders as those who compete on the innovative side of professional wrestling. To help market this emphasis, the phrase "It's not about weight limits; it's about no limits" was used. Almost all of the X Division champions have been high-flyers, with Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
, Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe
Nuufolau Joel "Joe" Seanoa is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Samoa Joe. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
and Abyss being notable exceptions. In August 2011, the division was given a 225 lb (102.1 kg) weight limit.
Due to their initial affiliation with the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
, many NWA territories have started sanctioning their own X Division championships, while some of them even replaced the territories' cruiserweight belts.
Major championships
The following is a list of all titles equivalent to a cruiser weight championship. Title names vary, but include cruiserweight, lightweight, midweight, middleweight, flyweight, welterweight, featherweight, X DivisionX Division
The X Division is a high-flying, high-risk, fast-paced style of professional wrestling seen originally in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and since then in various NWA member promotions...
, and junior heavyweight in their name. It is worth noting that each of these class listings are separate in boxing and amateur wrestling, but are almost interchangeable in professional wrestling.
North America
- NWA World Light Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA World Light Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship is a currently inactive professional wrestling championship promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance . For the majority of its existence it has been promoted by Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where it was known as the Campeonato...
- NWA World Middleweight ChampionshipNWA World Middleweight ChampionshipThe NWA World Middleweight Championship is a currently inactive professional wrestling championship, promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance . For the majority of its existence it has been promoted by Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where it was known as the Campeonato...
- NWA World Welterweight ChampionshipNWA World Welterweight ChampionshipThe NWA World Welterweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship governed by the National Wrestling Alliance . For the majority of its existence, the title has been promoted by Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where it was known as the Campeonato Mundial Welter de...
- NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship is the present-day, National Wrestling Alliance Board-controlled version of the Canadian Junior Heavyweight title. Previous non-NWA versions of the title also existed in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba...
- CZW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipCZW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in the Philadelphia-based promotion Combat Zone Wrestling , designed for junior heavyweights; wrestlers under . It was established in 1999 at CZW's first show, Opening Night with The Sensational One as the first champion...
- JAPW Light Heavyweight Championship
- UWA Light Heavyweight Championship
- CMLL World Light Heavyweight ChampionshipCMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship-External links:* at Wrestling-titles.com...
- CMLL World Super Lightweight ChampionshipCMLL World Super Lightweight ChampionshipThe CMLL World Lightweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship promoted by the Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling-based promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre...
- CMLL World Middleweight ChampionshipCMLL World Middleweight ChampionshipThe CMLL World Middleweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship promoted by the Mexican wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre...
- CMLL World Welterweight ChampionshipCMLL World Welterweight ChampionshipThe CMLL World Welterweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in the Mexican wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . The official definition of a Welterweight in Mexico is a person between and but is not strictly adhered to these days...
- Mexican National Middleweight ChampionshipMexican National Middleweight ChampionshipThe Mexican National Middleweight Championship is a national Mexican professional wrestling championship controlled by a "National title" controlled by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." , which regulates all matches where the title is defended...
(AAAAsistencia Asesoría y AdministraciónAsistencia Asesoría y Administración is a lucha libre professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico...
) - Mexican National Welterweight ChampionshipMexican National Welterweight ChampionshipThe Mexican National Welterweight Championship is a Mexican professional wrestling championship created and sanctioned by Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. . While the commission sanctions the title, it does not promote the events at which the title is defended...
(CMLL) - NWA Virginia Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Virginia Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Virginia Junior Heavyweight Championship was formed in the World Wrestling Coalition promotion in 1994 when Erik Idol won a tournament...
- TNA X Division ChampionshipTNA X Division ChampionshipThe TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
Asia
- NWA World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship and secondary title in the National Wrestling Alliance that was for the lighter wrestlers. It started in 1945 and still exists today. The title was unified with the National Boxing/Wrestling Association's...
- AWA World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipAWA World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe Zero1 International Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Zero1 and sanctioned by the Wrestling Superstars Live promotion, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight The Zero1 International Junior Heavyweight Championship is a...
(defended inZero1) - Dragon Gate I-J Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
- Dragon Gate Open the Brave Gate ChampionshipDragon Gate Open the Brave Gate ChampionshipThe Open the Brave Gate Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Dragon Gate; it has a weight limit of , though it has been defended against heavier wrestlers in the past. It can be considered the secondary singles title in Dragon Gate and is more of a light heavyweight...
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipIWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling junior heavweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on February 6, 1986 at a NJPW show....
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipThe IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on August 8, 1998 at a NJPW live event...
- AJPW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipAJPW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight The All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling...
- GHC Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipGHC Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, specifically for junior heavyweight The Global Honored Crown (GHC) Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro...
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipGHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipThe Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight wrestlers. It was created on July 16, 2003 when Kenta and Naomichi Marufuji defeated Jushin Liger...
Europe
- FWA Flyweight ChampionshipFWA Flyweight ChampionshipThe British Flyweight Championship is a British flyweight professional wrestling championship currently defended in XWA. It was created in the Frontier Wrestling Alliance , a promotion that was closed in 2007...
(United Kingdom) - NWA United Kingdom Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA United Kingdom Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA United Kingdom Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship in the NWA UK Hammerlock promotion.-Title History:...
North America
- WWE Cruiserweight ChampionshipWWE Cruiserweight ChampionshipThe World Wrestling Entertainment Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was originally a World Championship Wrestling title. It was challenged by cruiserweights at a maximum weight of 215 lbs...
- WCW Light Heavyweight Championship
- WCW World Cruiserweight Championship
- WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team ChampionshipWCW Cruiserweight Tag Team ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship was a short-lived title created in 2001 just prior to World Championship Wrestling being sold to the World Wrestling Federation.-History:...
- WCW Women's Cruiserweight ChampionshipWCW Women's Cruiserweight ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Women's Cruiserweight Championship was a short-lived singles championship in World Championship Wrestling for the smaller women. It was created as a joint venture between WCW and GAEA Japan. The weight limit for the women's cruiserweight division was 130 lb...
- WCWA Light Heavyweight ChampionshipWCWA Light Heavyweight ChampionshipThe WCWA Light Heavyweight Championship was a title in World Class Championship Wrestling after it became the "World Class Wrestling Association" for the lighter wrestlers...
- WWF Light Heavyweight ChampionshipWWF Light Heavyweight ChampionshipThe World Wrestling Federation Light Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship. The title was challenged by light heavyweights at a maximum weight of 220 lbs.- History :...
- XWF Cruiserweight Championship
- OVW Light Heavyweight Championship
- AWA Light Heavyweight ChampionshipAWA Light Heavyweight ChampionshipThe AWA World Light Heavyweight Championship was a title in the American Wrestling Association from 1981 until it closed in 1991. It was also a title in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling from 1989 to 1993.-AWA branch:...
- GWF Light Heavyweight ChampionshipGWF Light Heavyweight ChampionshipThe GWF Light Heavyweight Championship was the secondary title in the Global Wrestling Federation in Texas. The title existed from 1991 until 1994, when GWF closed. The title was defended on the promotion's show that aired nationally on ESPN.-Title History:...
- NWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship defended in the Amarillo, Texas territory of the National Wrestling Alliance.-Title history:...
- NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (New Jersey version)NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (New Jersey version)The New Jersey version of the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship was a short-lived National Wrestling Alliance title recognized in the U.S...
Asia
- WAR International Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipWAR International Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship was a title contested for in the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Wrestle Association R , which closed in 2000. It was part of New Japan Pro Wrestling's short-lived J-Crown Championship in 1996 and 1997. The title was revived in April...
- WWF Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipWWF Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship is a former championship recognized by the World Wrestling Federation and New Japan Pro Wrestling for wrestlers of smaller size. The title existed from 1967 through 1985.-Title history:-External links:*...
- NWA International Light Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA International Light Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA International Light Heavyweight Championship was a Professional Wrestling Championship that was promoted by Último Dragón's Toryumon 2000 Project promotion. Although having the "NWA" initials, it was not officially sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance. T2P closed a month after...
- NWA International Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA International Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship started in 1979. It was formed by a split in lineage from the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship caused by the first retirement of champion Nelson Royal the same year. The first champion, Steve Keirn, was recognized as World champion only...
- FMW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
- BJW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipBJW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe BJW World Junior Heavyweight Championship was a title defended in the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling. It was in use from 1998 through at least November 2002.-Title history:...