Ranking every WWE Cruiserweight Champion from worst to best
5. T.J. Perkins
The inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion’s meteoric rise in popularity and subsequent decline is kind of indicative of the mistakes the company made with 205 Live.
Following an amazing run in the Cruiserweight Classic, T.J. Perkins should’ve been minted as the top protagonist in the division. Instead, WWE saddled him with a lame gamer gimmick, that didn’t play up any of the fire that he showcased to win the tournament. As a result, he never really connected with the fans.
Honestly, the only reason he ranks so high is that the Cruiserweight Classic was so good. If you didn’t see it, it’s still worth a watch. His matches with Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann, and Gran Metalik were excellent, but the semifinals match with Kota Ibushi was incredible. It was easily one of the best bouts of the event.
4. Drew Gulak
Since we’re gushing about the Cruiserweight Classic, Drew Gulak vs. Zack Sabre Jr was another standout performance in the tournament.
At any rate, Gulak went on to become the most consistent and versatile heel character on 205 Live. His “No Fly Zone” gimmick was brilliant, and it was instrumental in the growth of characters like Akira Tozawa and Mustafa Ali. He was also a highlight every week during Enzo Amore’s tenure on the show.
When he finally became champion this year at Stomping Ground, it felt long overdue. He did a lot of heavy lifting to get his peers cheered and he excelled every time he debuted a new persona. In addition, his mat-based style made him a perfect foil for most of the flashy faces on the show.
One could argue his reign would’ve meant more if it happened sooner. Nonetheless, he still delivered some great matches in his 108 days as champion.
3. Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander made a star-making appearance in the second round Cruiserweight Classic against Ibushi. The Charlotte native lost but afterward, the crowd in attendance famously chanted, “Please sign Cedric.”
From then on, Alexander seemed destined to succeed in WWE. He finally received his opportunity to shine again, when he and Ali competed for the vacant WWE Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania 34. Their friendly rivalry made the title prestigious again in a fast-paced match on the kickoff show.
Cedric went on to become the first champion with Drake Maverick as the division’s general manager. Even more, he was a strong flagbearer for the brand when the title became exclusive to 205 Live for the first time.