So 205Live is lacking talent. The current roster doesn’t inspire much in terms of must-see talent. So if the WWE is hellbent on making the Cruiserweight Division a thing, they should stop dicking around and go all in. Not only are we bringing in 10 new wrestling acts (more than ten, cus tag teams), but we’re introducing a new belt; the Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles.
So before we get into the new ten, let’s separate and order them without the new editions, and then after we go through the top ten, with.
Top Contenders: Enzo Amaore, Hideo Itami, Neville (if he comes back), Akira Tozawa
Upper Mid Cards: Jack Gallagher, Drew Gulak, The Brian Kendrick, Noam Dar
Mid Card and Lower: Kalisto, Ariya Daivar, Mustafa Ali, Tony Nese, Rich Swann
Tag Team Division: Cedric Alexander and TJP, Gran Metallik and Lince Dorado,
So that’s how I’d lay it out with the introduction of the new tag titles. Obviously I’m including Neville and Rich Swann despite their status being up in the air. Now the additions are all going to be added for a specific reason, and will all serve a purpose. Some will be counted as one, as they’re a tag team. Also, some will “lose weight” to compete, but I won’t do something ludicrous like having Braun Strowman in the division. Anyone I’ll consider has to be within 15 pounds or so. So let’s hop in to the list.
10) Heath Slater
– Heath Slater has oodles of charisma, and can come down to the Cruiserweight division and add to the new tag division. I’d pair him with Brian Kendrick, due to the fact that these wrestlers have very distinct personalities that really pop, and the humor that could develop between these two would be worthwhile for sure.
9) Sin Cara
– Much like Slater, Sin Cara is coming for the tag team division, only this time it’ll be to reunite with Kalisto and reform the Lucha Dragons. The duo were tag team champions in NXT, and with Kalisto winning the U.S. and Cruiserweight titles already, the duo could really elevate the tag team division with their high flying ways.
8) The Colons
– With SmackDown getting crowded, moving The Colons to 205Live is just a no brainer. They’re established winners, and adding them to the inaugural 205Live Tag Team division would give it a distinct since of importance. I was debating between them and the Fashion Police, but their skits are needed on SmackDown. If the SmackDown writers or Vince McMahon is done with the Fashion Police, I’ll gladly add them to the roster. We have an hour to kill each week, and we need unique talents.
7) Johnny Gargano
– I’d do this now. No reason not to. He’s really not getting any opportunities in NXT and at least on 205Live, he’d have the opportunity to work with some of the better talents in the company. Plus, when Ciampa is back, that’s an instant big feud to add to the program. Be honest, you know if Garagno and Ciampa fight on the main roster, it’ll be buried on the pre-show of some B-Level pay per view event. So why bother? Garagno could get over with his in ring skills and we don’t have to worry about his bland as hell personality.
6) The Singh Brothers
– The Singh Brothers have ran their course with Jinder Mahal, and moving them to 205Live where they wouldn’t look so out of place just makes sense. You’d have a viable heel tag team that could work with anyone on the roster, they’re not terrible on the mics, and they add depth with some credibility. Plus it keeps people employed and Jinder can see what he can do on his own. Win, win, win.
5) Martin Stone
– Martin Stone is a natural fit. He’d be perfect as a style-clash of sorts. The brawler is known for his tough nose attitude and could really get over with the more naturally heelish tactics that he can possess. With the forthcoming mention of a new title, he brings a style similar to the champion and can help elevate those mid card matches.
4) Mike Kanellis
– This would only be during Maria’s pregnancy and recovery. I’m not sure how the WWE feels about Kanellis’ rehab being so public, but if they’re on board with using him, Kanellis would be the perfect “I’m too good for this” type of heel. He could dismiss and slander the division, and even win the belt. It’d be reminiscent of the Team 3D/X-Division feud of 2007-2008
3) The New Day
– Big E would not be eligable, but he’ll be “Big E Dangerously, the advocate for the New Day” and would talk in a cadence similar to Paul Heyman. The duo of Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston would be able to help the trio do something no other team could or would do and that’s win tag team gold in different weight classes at different times. Kofi and Big E could hold the SmackDown titles while Kofi and Xavier would hold the Cruiserweight tag titles. That would be a pretty special thing for this group. Plus their antics would be something to watch on 205Live, and the interactions with the 205Live talent would freshen them up some. To avoid over exposure, you’d have Kofi go on “sabbatical” with Woods every other week, keeping them on one show per week but alternating. They wouldn’t be a long term addition. Year tops.
2) Pete Dunne
– Not only is Pete Dunne coming in, but his UK title is too. The UK Division isn’t going to happen. It’s been over a year, and we haven’t had any news. So rename the title the Bruiserweight Championship, after it’s owner Pete Dunne, and have Dunne feud with other wrestlers for the title as 205Live’s midcard title. That way when you do tours, and maybe even two-three hour specials on the Network, you can have some more major match up’s to advertise. Title matches always up the ante of a show. Dunne on his own would fit in well, as really only Martin Stone, Gallagher, and Enzo have a brawling style. So he’d pop very well.
1) Finn Balor
– This one to me is a no brainer. They’re not going to get him over on RAW, and he’ll never get back to the heights he was at when he first won the WWE Universal Championship. He brings instant credibility, familiarity with the type of wrestling needed for the show, major feud with the likes Neville (if he stays), Itami, Dunne, Enzo and Kanellis and a big time name on the roster; something they’ve never had for the Cruiserweights. I know fans are all excited for the possible Bullet Club on RAW, but be real here folks; do you really expect them to do anything big? They didn’t with AJ Styles, and the Good Brothers have been so misused since joining the WWE, that there’s really nothing more they can do to get over beyond this. So move salvage Balor’s run by moving him to 205Live and let them make some classic matches and moments.
Following these additions, here’s what the roster would like like.
Cruiserweight Champion – Enzo Amore
Bruiserweight Champion – Pete Dunne
Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions – The New Day
Top Contenders: Enzo Amore, Hideo Itami, Neville (if he comes back), Finn Balor
Tag Team Division: Cedric Alexander and TJP, Gran Metallik and Lince Dorado, Heath Slater and Brian Kendrick, The Colons, The Singhs, The New Day (Woods and Kofi only), The Lucha Dragons
Upper Mid Cards: Jack Gallagher, Noam Dar, Akira Tozawa, Mike Kanellis, Pete Dunne
Mid Card: Martin Stone, Ariya Daivar, Johnny Garagno,
Opener/Jobber: Mustafa Ali, Tony Nese, Rich Swann