WWE 205 Live: Should Rey Mysterio Join The Cruiserweight Division?

At the Royal Rumble this past January, Rey Mysterio made his long-awaited return to the WWE. Mysterio was in the best shape he has been in since the 90’s, which got the speculation rolling.

In light of the recent turmoil that has shadowed the Cruiserweight Division, the WWE has decided to hit the reset button with another tournament.

Now they haven’t used the Cruiserweight Classic name for the title tournament, but it’s being treated with a similar respect. Some of the best wrestlers on the roster at the 205 weight limit have been called to challenge for the vacant title.

With his recent inclusion in the Royal Rumble, fan speculation began to spike on whether Rey would be back in the fold. Mysterio ran down to the ring looking like he was fresh outta 1996. The last time Rey looked this good a Clinton was in the White House. But all joking aside, the thought of Rey coming back to the WWE and being healthy should make fans excited.

Fans are left with the thought of Rey with knee braces and being able to only do a fraction of his skillset. But with a clear dedication to his health and wellness during his time away from the big stage has worked wonders. Thinking of Mysertio standing across the ring from Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Sin Cara is a lucha libre fans dream.

Can Mysterio reignite the Cruiserweight Division?

With the WWE having some of the world’s best talent under 205 pounds on their payroll, would there be room for Rey Mysterio? The short answer is yes. With his legendary status in the lucha world and what looks to be a renewed dedication to fitness, he could carry the brand. Now, Rey wouldn’t be full-time, but having him at TV and network events would be huge. Just having his experience and mind for the sport in the locker room would be a huge boost for anyone wanting to learn.

The WWE has fully committed to the division. They have given the wrestlers their own show as well as slots on RAW. With this kind of exposure, a talent the level of Mysterio could boost the notoriety instantly. The WWE seems to be learning from their mistakes when they initially had the Cruiserweights back in the early 2000’s. And adding legendary talent as well as younger wrestlers would be perfect.

As much as Vince would hate to admit it, WCW knew what the Cruiserweights were worth. The Cruiserweights put on spectacles that added spice to Nitro. If the WWE wanted to boost both their big men and smaller talent, following the formula laid by WCW would be genius. Put the 205’ers in segments where they can grab the audience and break up the big man monotony.

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The division has new life, and the legend should come home. Carrying the title of greatest Cruiserweight ever and bringing prestige back to the division would be an accolade for Mysterio. 20 years after he put the division on notice in ECW and WCW, Rey could have the opportunity once again. With the Cruiserweight Division looking to find its identity, its best hope may be a star from the past.