Cruiserweights: WCW Unsung Heroes

25 years ago WCW was beginning to set the wrestling world on fire. With the heel turn of superstar and household name Hulk Hogan, and the invasion angle of his faction the nWo. 

While the nWo was getting the spotlight and main event matches, the cruiserweight divison was setting the ring on fire with lighting fast, agile, acrobatic moves and superb matches.

The cruiserweight division was mostly comprised of young, high flying wrestlers who cut their teeth in Mexico learning the Lucha Libre style. The fast paced high flying style is very popular in Mexico and Japan. 

However, back then the internet was still in its infancy, and while some of the talents wrestled in ECW for a bit that organization hadn't hit it stride yet. Which led to WCW being the first time many fans saw these guys wrestle that particular style often leaving them in awe at how they buzzed around the ring.

A roster that initially featured primary players like Eddie Guerrero, Juventud Guerra, Ultimo Dragon Dean Malenko, Chris Jericho, and the greatest cruiserweight ever imo Rey Mysterio Jr. Bolstered by a supporting staff  like Psychosis,  La Parka, Super Calo, Lenny Lane, and Silver King to name a few. Later guys like Kidman and Shane Helms stars shined wrestling primarily in the cruiserweight division.

The moves were crisp, fast paced, exciting, and at times seemed dangerous even when perfectly executed. Mix in guys with different styles that were much more technical like Dean Malenko. The matches often left fans with dropped jaws at what they just witnessed. Many fans also wished they could leap in the air with such ease as those guys, I know I did. 

My brother's, my cousins and I spent many days in our grandparents basement jumping off their old couch onto blankets we set up, like we were cruiserweights. Ah to be a kid again!

The cruiserweight division was responsible for holding fans attention until the main angles played out. They did that and more often stealing the show with their matches. Inspiring a generation to learn more about Lucha Libre, becoming the precursor to Impact then TNA's X-Division and even WWE's CWC (Cruiserweight Classic) tournament and 205 live.

Sadly due to the short sightness of WCW's management, many of the wrestlers were often pigeon-holed and not allowed to move up the card.The most popular feud of that division was Dean Malenko vs Chris Jericho which is a classic feud. Other than that most of the division didnt engage in feuds where the wrestlers were able to develop personalities. The cruiserweight championship was often the focus which isnt a bad thing as it should have been, but the also prevented the wrestlers from gaining a deeper connection with the audience.

 That doesnt negate what they bought to the table for WCW and the legacy that division has curated. 25 years later those matches are still some of the greatest ever, and that entire division deserves credit for propelling WCW and being that companys unsung heroes.