The Dog Pound - Lost In The Shadows, Issue 1

Hello to everyone from the depths of the Dog Pound. I would first like to thank everyone for their comments and feedback over my last couple articles on the Draft, an Shelton Benjamin. Speaking of Benjamin, ever since I wrote that column I've been doing a lot of thinking; and there is an issue that I have been wanting to address for awhile now. Over the next couple weeks, I will be doing columns dedicated to the champions in the WWE, who seem to get no relevent recognition. Basically, I mean the titles that the WWE don't consider important any longer! Welcome to a series in which I call...Lost In The Shadows!

Seeing how this is the first issue on the topic, I wanted to address a title that was very interesting to me (as well as MANY fans around the world;) and that is of course, the retired WWE Cruiserweight Championship. This is a title that had so much meaning, and so much true potential, that the WWE (I believe) really dropped the ball! Think about it, the Cruiserweight title is what really put WCW on the map; and they nearly put the WWE out of business!!

Going all the way back to the first recorded title holder, the late Brian Pillman, when it was known as the WCW Light Heavyweight Title, it has truly come a long way and served its purpose for the majority of the wrestlers whom have held the gold. Granted Pillman himself was never able to rech his full potential, but that's another story for another time.

Truthfully though, if you look at the list, there are a number of guys that have held the title that have gone on to become World or WWE Champion(s). Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, and Eddie Guerrero are probably the top three. However, other notable names to have held the title include: Matt Hardy, Gregory Helms, Paul London, Tajiri, Billy Kidman, and even Jushin "Thunder" Liger who is a true wrestling icon.

So, where did the importance of the Cruiserweight Title go? many can argue that the importance of the title dropped as soon as it was purchased by the WWE. Why is this? My belief is that the WWE was aware of how popular the Cruiserweight Division was, and since that was the division that nearly put them out of business, why not bury it now that they had the chance to do so. Makes you think doesn't it?

Now, I'm not knocking the talent of some people that have held the title, but in some cases there really was no need for it. In those cases, the Cruiserweight Title (much like the ECW title now) became a mockery of itself; when people like Chavo Classic and Hornswoggle held the title. Again, not really knocking the talent of those wrestlers, but the way the title was booked was a true shame.

In my opinion, from the years 1998-2002 was when the Cruiserweight title was at its height; both on importance and respectability. In 1998, guys like Juventude Guerrera, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, etc all carried the belt with pride. Also, because these guys were truly athletically gifted, fans WANTED to see them! Fans were proud of what they could do, thus, proud that these men were recognized as a champion. Even in the later years when the WWE first bought out WCW, it was still given SOME credibility with guys like Kidman, Helms, Tajiri. Again, fans enjoyed it!

See, what the WWE has failed to realize is the massive respect fans have for thr high-flyers. The thing is too, it doesn't all have to be about high-flying and high-spot after high-spot; these men know how to tell a great story in the ring as well. However, they perfer to tell their story via the air!

The fact that the WWE has ecided to drop the Cruiserweight title full-time is a sad one. With all the respectable history behind it, and the support fans still give it, I hope that someday it makes a return. How could I not mention the fact that the reason TNA Wrestling became so popular is due to its X-Division! This alone proves that high-flying is still in demand!

With guys like Jimmy "Wang" Yang, Shannon Moore, London, Brian Kendrick, Jamie Noble, and even Nunzio, the WWE has more than enough talent to bring the title back. For the time being however, it appears as though the Cruiserweight Championship (and division) will remain...lost in the shadows!

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shadyrvd@hotmail.com

~Guests are always welcome at The Dog Pound~

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