NXT Cruiserweight Championship#Interim championship tournament (2020)
{{Short description|Former WWE professional wrestling championship}}
{{For|the historical championship|WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1996–2007)}}
{{Infobox pro wrestling championship
|championshipname = NXT Cruiserweight Championship
|image = NXT CW Title.png
|caption = The final NXT Cruiserweight Championship belt with default side plates
(2020–2022)
|promotion = WWE
|created = September 14, 2016
|retired = January 4, 2022
(unified with the NXT North American Championship)
|mostreigns = 2 reigns:
|firstchamp = T. J. Perkins
|finalchamp = Carmelo Hayes
|longestreign = Jordan Devlin
(439 days{{efn|WWE officially recognizes 438 days}})
|shortestreign = Carmelo Hayes
(<1 minute{{efn|Unified with the NXT North American Championship}})
|oldest = Roderick Strong
({{age in years and days|1983|07|26|2021|09|21}})
|youngest = Lio Rush
({{age in years and days|1994|11|11|2019|10|09}})
|heaviest = Buddy Murphy{{efn|In kayfabe, Buddy Murphy had to take a weight cut to 205lbs, in order to compete for the WWE Cruiserweight championship{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwxXXa2-nM8 |title=Buddy Murphy has his final weigh-in before his Cruiserweight debut: Exclusive, Feb. 20, 2018 |date=2018-02-20 |last=WWE |access-date=2025-05-06 |via=YouTube}}}}
({{convert|225|lb|kg|abbr=on}})
|lightest = Akira Tozawa
({{convert|156|lb|kg|abbr=on}})
|pastnames = * WWE Cruiserweight Championship
(2016–2019)
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship
(2019–2022)
}}
The NXT Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship that was created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. Before its retirement, it was defended across the NXT, NXT UK, and 205 Live brand divisions, which were developmental territories for WWE. During its short tenure, it was the promotion's only championship with a weight limit, wherein only wrestlers 205 lb (93 kg) and under—designated as cruiserweights—could compete for the title.
Originally established as the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, it was first unveiled on September 14, 2016, as the award for the Cruiserweight Classic, which was won by T. J. Perkins. It was originally defended on Monday Night Raw as part of the Raw brand's cruiserweight division before the premiere of the cruiserweight-exclusive 205 Live in November 2016, after which, it was defended on both shows. Following WrestleMania 34 in 2018, the title became exclusively defended on the 205 Live brand.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/VinceMcMahon/status/804111713738125316|title=Vince McMahon on Twitter|date=November 30, 2016|author=McMahon, Vince|work=Twitter|access-date=December 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2018/06/29/why-the-205-live-roster-no-longer-on-monday-night-raw-cruiserweight/|title=Here's Why the 205 Live Roster Is No Longer on Monday Night Raw|date=June 29, 2018|last=Casey|first=Connor|work=ComicBook.com|access-date=October 22, 2018}} In October 2019, 205 Live merged under NXT and the title was renamed NXT Cruiserweight Championship, and the title's contendership was extended to NXT UK in January 2020. On January 4, 2022, at NXT 2.0: New Year's Evil, the title was unified into the NXT North American Championship, officially retiring the title in the process, with Carmelo Hayes recognized as the final champion.
The title was distinct from the previous WWE Cruiserweight Championship that originated in World Championship Wrestling and was retired in 2007. The two titles had shared the same name, but did not share the same title history or weight limit.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-cruiserweight-championship|title=WWE Cruiserweight Championship|publisher=WWE.com}}
History
File:TJ Perkins at Alpha-1.jpg]]
In mid-2016, WWE held the Cruiserweight Classic, a tournament for wrestlers 205 lb (93 kg) and under, billed as cruiserweights, that aired on the WWE Network.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-network-adds-global-cruiserweight-series-robust-2016-programming-slate|title=WWE Network adds Global Cruiserweight Series to robust 2016 programming slate|website=wwe.com|access-date=May 8, 2016}} Tournament qualifying matches took place in various promotions of the independent circuit, including well known promotions such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, and Evolve. Many cruiserweight wrestlers from around the world were given the chance to qualify for the 32-man single-elimination tournament, which took place over four dates: June 23, July 13, August 26, and September 14.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-tickets-full-sail|title=WWE Cruiserweight Classic tickets available starting Friday, May 20|work=WWE|access-date=2016-05-17}}
The final of the Cruiserweight Classic came down to T. J. Perkins and Gran Metalik. Before the final match, WWE executive Triple H revealed that the winner would not only receive a trophy but would also become the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champion for the revived cruiserweight division for the promotion's Raw brand. Perkins defeated Metalik to become the inaugural champion.{{cite web|title=WWE Cruiserweight Classic: TJ Perkins becomes Raw's first WWE Cruiserweight Champion|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/2016-09-14-live-finale|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 14, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=9/14 WWE Cruiserweight Tourney Finals – Caldwell's Complete Live Report|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/14/914-wwe-cruiserweight-tourney-finals-caldwells-live-report/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=September 14, 2016}}
Originally, the championship was defended exclusively on Monday Night Raw. On November 29, 2016, a cruiserweight-exclusive show entitled 205 Live premiered on the WWE Network.{{Cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/triple-h-conference-call-report-discusses-205-live-nxt-takeover-toronto-says-hbk-working-at-the-performance-center-and-more/|title=411MANIA | Triple H Conference Call Report: Discusses 205 Live, NXT Takeover: Toronto, Says HBK Working at the Performance Center and More|website=Triple H Conference Call Report: Discusses 205 Live, NXT Takeover: Toronto, Says HBK Working at the Performance Center and More}} On the premiere episode, Rich Swann defeated The Brian Kendrick to win the championship.{{cite web|last=Namako|first=Jason|title=WWE 205 Live Results – 11/29/16 (Rich Swann wins the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on the premiere episode)|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-205-live-results/70124-wwe-205-live-results-112916-live-columbia-kendrick-vs-swann-wwe-cruiserweight-championship/|work=WrestleView|access-date=November 29, 2016}} The title then became defended on both Raw and 205 Live. In early 2018, Triple H was given creative control over 205 Live, as he had with the NXT brand, and began restructuring the show. Following WrestleMania 34, 205 Live became its own brand where the title became exclusively defended. Although the title became exclusive to 205 Live, it was still defended on WWE's main pay-per-views alongside Raw and SmackDown.
After then-champion Enzo Amore was released from WWE on January 23, 2018, and the title was vacated,{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/enzo-amore-suspended?sf179957020=1|title=Enzo Amore suspended|author=WWE.com Staff|work=WWE|access-date=January 22, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/enzo-amore-released|title=Enzo Amore released|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 23, 2018}} it was announced that a general manager would be appointed for 205 Live and would address the championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-205-live/2018-01-23/article/daniel-bryan-addresses-the-state-of-wwe-205-live|title=Daniel Bryan addresses the state of WWE 205 Live|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 2, 2018}} On the January 30 episode of 205 Live, Drake Maverick (formerly known as Rockstar Spud in Impact Wrestling) was appointed as the 205 Live General Manager. Maverick announced that there would be a 16-man single-elimination tournament to crown a new WWE Cruiserweight Champion, with the finals to occur on the WrestleMania 34 Kickoff pre-show. The tournament came down to Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali, where Alexander defeated Ali to win the vacant championship.{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=Powell's WrestleMania 34 Kickoff Show live review: WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal, Cedric Alexander vs. Mustfa Ali for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/08/powells-wrestlemania-34-kickoff-show-live-review-wrestlemania-womens-battle-royal-cedric-alexander-vs-mustfa-ali-for-the-wwe-cruiserweight-championship-andre-the-giant-memorial-battle-royal/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=8 April 2018 |access-date=April 8, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409013225/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/08/powells-wrestlemania-34-kickoff-show-live-review-wrestlemania-womens-battle-royal-cedric-alexander-vs-mustfa-ali-for-the-wwe-cruiserweight-championship-andre-the-giant-memorial-battle-royal/|archive-date=April 9, 2018}}
Prior to NXT moving to the USA Network in September 2019, NXT head Triple H spoke with Newsweek and said that "You'll start to see 205 [Live] begin to become part of NXT". He said that 205 Live's talent would start moving towards NXT, that 205 Live had "become lost in [the] limbo", and that the Cruiserweight Championship would have more meaning on NXT where it could create more opportunities for the cruiserweight wrestlers.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/triple-h-interview-nxt-usa-move-live-takeover-1458604|title=TRIPLE H DISCUSSES NXT'S MOVE TO USA AND THE BRAND'S CONTINUED EVOLUTION|date=September 10, 2019|last=Martinez|first=Phillip|work=Newsweek|access-date=September 12, 2019}} It was then reported that the NXT Creative Team would be in charge of 205 Live.{{Cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/129829/the-future-of-205-live-revealed.html?p=1|title=THE FUTURE OF 205 LIVE REVEALED | PWInsider.com|website=pwinsider.com}} The following month, the title was renamed to the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, becoming part of the NXT brand, and started being defended on the NXT show.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/130118/change-to-wwe-cruiserweight-title-more-nxt-news.html?p=1|title=CHANGE TO WWE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE & MORE NXT NEWS|date=October 3, 2019|last=Johnson|first=Mike|work=PWInsider|access-date=October 4, 2019}}
On October 18, 2019, Drake Maverick—who himself was drafted to SmackDown but remained as the General Manager of 205 Live—announced that following the 2019 WWE Draft, he had made a talent exchange agreement with NXT General Manager William Regal, whereby NXT's cruiserweight wrestlers could also wrestle on 205 Live.{{Cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/csonkas-wwe-205-live-review-10-18-19/|title=411MANIA|website=Csonka's WWE 205 Live Review 10.18.19}}{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/10/19/10-18-wwe-205-live-results-anish-vs-review-of-tony-nese-vs-oney-lorcan-vs-ariya-daivari-in-a-triple-threat-jack-gallagher-vs-brian-kendrick-the-singh-brothers-vs-justin-alexander-and-justin-m/|title=10/18 WWE 205 Live results: Anish V's review of Tony Nese vs. Oney Lorcan vs. Ariya Daivari in a Triple Threat, Jack Gallagher vs. Brian Kendrick, The Singh Brothers vs. Justin Alexander and Justin Morris|date=October 18, 2019|last=Vishwakoti|first=Anish|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=October 22, 2019}} With Jordan Devlin's win at Worlds Collide on January 25, 2020, the title also became shared with the NXT UK brand.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Worlds Collide results: Powell's live review of Undisputed Era vs. Imperium, Rhea Ripley vs. Toni Storm for the NXT Championship, Angel Garza vs. Isaiah Scott vs. Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, Finn Balor vs. Ilja Dragunov, DIY vs. Moustache Mountain|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/01/25/wwe-worlds-collide-results-powells-live-review-of-undisputed-era-vs-imperium-rhea-ripley-vs-toni-storm-for-the-nxt-championship-angel-garza-vs-isaiah-scott-vs-travis-banks-vs-jordan-devlin-f/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=25 January 2020 |access-date=January 25, 2020}}
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Ireland, reigning champion Jordan Devlin was unable to travel outside of his home country and defend the title. On April 8, 2020, NXT General Manager William Regal announced a tournament to crown an interim champion in the United States which would begin on the April 15 episode of NXT. Devlin responded by stating that whoever won was a fraud, and that he would prove that he was the only true NXT Cruiserweight Champion upon his return.{{Cite web|title=Tournament to crown Interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion to begin next week|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-interim-cruiserweight-championship-tournament-announced|work=WWE|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=April 8, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE to crown an interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Jordan Devlin responds|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/04/08/wwe-to-crown-an-interim-nxt-cruiserweight-champion-jordan-devlin-responds/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=April 8, 2020}} The interim championship tournament was won by Santos Escobar, who used his prior persona El Hijo del Fantasma during the tournament. After the travel ban was lifted, Devlin made his return to the U.S. on the March 17, 2021, episode of NXT and confronted Escobar over who the real champion was. Escobar then challenged Devlin to a match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver to determine the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/03/17/3-17-nxt-tv-results-powells-review-of-dexter-lumis-vs-austin-theory-leon-ruff-vs-isaiah-scott-la-knights-in-ring-debut-jordan-devlin-returns-dakota-kai-vs-zoey-stark-tyler-breeze-and-fand/|title=3/17 NXT TV results: Powell's review of Dexter Lumis vs. Austin Theory, Leon Ruff vs. Isaiah Scott, LA Knight's in-ring debut, Jordan Devlin returns, Dakota Kai vs. Zoey Stark, Tyler Breeze and Fandango vs. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza|date=March 17, 2021|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|accessdate=March 19, 2021}} The match was subsequently scheduled as a ladder match on Night 2 of the event on April 8.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/03/24/3-24-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-nxt-uk-champion-walter-vs-drake-maverick-nxt-uk-cruiserweight-champion-jordan-devlin-vs-kushida-ember-moon-and-shotzi-blackheart-vs-aliyah-and-mercedes-mar/|title=3/24 NXT TV results: Moore's review of NXT UK Champion Walter vs. Drake Maverick, NXT UK Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida, Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart vs. Aliyah and Mercedes Martinez for the NXT Women's Tag Titles, Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan, LA Knight vs. Bronson Reed|date=March 24, 2021|last=Moore|first=John|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|accessdate=March 25, 2021}} At the event, Escobar defeated Devlin to become the undisputed champion, ending Devlin's reign at 439 days while continuing Escobar's.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/04/08/nxt-takeover-stand-deliver-results-moores-live-review-of-night-two-with-finn-balor-vs-karrion-kross-for-the-nxt-championship-adam-cole-vs-kyle-oreilly-in-an-unsanctioned-match-santos-escoba/|title=NXT Takeover Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of night two with Finn Balor vs. Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship, Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly in an unsanctioned match, Santos Escobar vs. Jordan Devlin in a ladder match to unify the NXT Cruiserweight Title|date=April 8, 2021|last=Moore|first=John|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|accessdate=April 8, 2021}}
Although the championship was established exclusively for cruiserweight wrestlers, this ruling was lifted once for a match at NXT WarGames on December 5, 2021. Joe Gacy, who weighed 245 lbs, felt that the championship weight shamed wrestlers who were above the weight limit. Reigning NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong allowed Gacy to challenge for the title at WarGames, with Gacy proclaiming that if he won the title, he would make it an all-inclusive championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/nxt-news/gacy-challenge-cruiserweight-title-wwe-nxt-wargames-360566|title=GACY TO CHALLENGE FOR CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE AT WWE NXT WARGAMES|date=November 23, 2021|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=December 29, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxttakeover/article/roderick-strong-opens-cruiserweight-championship-opportunity-to-joe-gacy|title=Roderick Strong opens Cruiserweight Championship opportunity to Joe Gacy|date=November 24, 2021|last=Bryant|first=Nathan|work=WWE|access-date=December 29, 2021}} At the event, however, Strong retained.{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=NXT WarGames results: Moore's live review of two WarGames matches, Roderick Strong vs. Joe Gacy for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs. Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner for the NXT Tag Titles, Cameron Grimes vs. Duke Hudson in a hair vs. hair match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/12/05/nxt-wargames-results-moores-live-review-of-two-wargames-matches-roderick-strong-vs-joe-gacy-for-the-nxt-cruiserweight-championship-fabian-aichner-and-marcel-barthel-vs-kyle-oreilly-and-von-wa/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=December 5, 2021|access-date=December 5, 2021}}
In January 2022, the championship was unified into the NXT North American Championship. At the special New Year's Evil episode of NXT 2.0 on January 4, 2022, North American Champion Carmelo Hayes defeated reigning Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong to unify the titles with Hayes recognized as the final champion and going forward as North American Champion.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/nxt-news/title-unification-match-added-nxt-new-years-evil-363361|title=TITLE UNIFICATION MATCH ADDED TO NXT NEW YEAR'S EVIL|date=December 21, 2021|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=December 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/nxt-cruiserweight-championship-retired/|title=NXT Cruiserweight Championship Set To Be Retired|date=December 29, 2021|last=Holder|first=James|work=Inside the Ropes|access-date=December 30, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/nxt-news/wwe-unifies-nxt-north-american-and-cruiserweight-titles-364626|title=WWE UNIFIES NXT NORTH AMERICAN AND CRUISERWEIGHT TITLES|date=January 4, 2022|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=January 5, 2022}}
=Inaugural tournament (2016)=
{{#invoke:RoundN|N32
|3rdplace=no|bold_winner=|widescore=yes
|RD1=Round of 32
Taped June 23
|July 20 – |Kenneth Johnson|Pin|Akira Tozawa|09:46
|August 3 –|Jack Gallagher|Pin|Fabian Aichner|06:45
|July 20 – |Tajiri|Pin|Damian Slater|05:28{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/20/720-wwe-cruiserweight-series-week-2-akira-tozawa-debuts-main-event/|title=7/20 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 2 Report on Akira Tozawa, Tajiri, TJP, excellent Dorado vs. Ali match|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-07-20|access-date=2016-07-21|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|July 13 – |Alejandro Saez|Pin|Gran Metalik|04:04{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/13/713-wwe-cruiserweight-results-week-1-report/|title=7/13 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 1 Report on Ibushi, Cedric Alexander, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-07-13|access-date=2016-07-14|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|July 27 – |Harv Sihra|Sub|Drew Gulak|05:18
|July 27 – |Zack Sabre Jr.|Sub|Tyson Dux|08:28{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/27/727-wwe-cruiserweight-results-caldwells-week-3-report/|title=7/27 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Week 3 Report on Zack Sabre, Brian Kendrick, more in action|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-07-27|access-date=2016-07-28|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|August 3 –|Noam Dar|Sub|Gurv Sihra|05:26
|July 13 – |Ariya Daivari|Pin|Ho Ho Lun|05:03
|July 27 – |Raul Mendoza|Sub|The Brian Kendrick|07:35
|July 27 – |Anthony Bennett|Pin|Tony Nese|06:34
|July 13 – |Kota Ibushi|Pin|Sean Maluta|09:40
|July 13 – |Cedric Alexander|Pin|Clement Petiot|05:58
|July 20 – |T. J. Perkins|Sub|Da Mack|06:32
|August 3 –|Johnny Gargano|Pin|Tommaso Ciampa|10:47
|July 20 – |Mustafa Ali |Pin|Lince Dorado|05:55
|August 3 –|Rich Swann |Pin|Jason Lee|03:47{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/03/83-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-results-caldwells-report-week-4-conclude-first-round-including-gargano-vs-ciampa/|title=8/3 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Results – Caldwell's Report on Week 4 to conclude First Round, including Gargano vs. Ciampa|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-03|access-date=2016-08-04|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|RD2=Round of 16
Taped July 14
|August 17 – |Akira Tozawa|Pin|Jack Gallagher|11:38{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/17/817-wwe-cruiserweight-results-caldwells-report-stellar-kendrick-vs-nese-gallagher-vs-tozawa-sweet-16-matches/|title=8/17 WWE Cruiserweight Results – Caldwell's Report on stellar Kendrick vs. Nese and Gallagher vs. Tozawa Sweet 16 matches|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-17|access-date=2016-08-18|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|August 24 – |Drew Gulak|Pin|Zack Sabre Jr.|08:27{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/24/824-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-week-7-results-caldwells-report-gargano-vs-tjp-sabre-vs-gulak-swann-vs-dorado-finish-sweet-16/|title=8/24 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Week 7 – Caldwell's Report on Gargano vs. TJP, Sabre vs. Gulak, Swann vs. Dorado to finish Sweet 16|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-24|access-date=2016-08-24|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|August 17 – |Noam Dar|Sub|Ho Ho Lun|07:02
|August 17 – |The Brian Kendrick|Sub|Tony Nese|13:42
|August 10 – |Kota Ibushi|Pin|Cedric Alexander|15:00
|August 24 – |T. J. Perkins|Sub|Johnny Gargano|12:18
|August 24 – |Lince Dorado|Pin|Rich Swann|08:14
|RD3=Quarterfinals
Taped August 26
|August 31 - |Akira Tozawa|Pin|Gran Metalik|15:49{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/31/831-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-week-8-caldwells-report-ibushi-vs-kendrick-tozawa-vs-metalik-elite-8-matches/|title=8/31 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament Week 8 – Caldwell's Report on Ibushi vs. Kendrick, Tozawa vs. Metalik Elite 8 matches|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-08-31|access-date=2016-08-31|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|September 7 - |Zack Sabre Jr.|Sub|Noam Dar|15:46{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/07/97-wwe-cruiserweight-tournament-caldwells-report-sabre-vs-dar-swann-vs-perkins-conclude-elite-8-round/|title=9/7 WWE Cruiserweight Tournament – Caldwell's Report on Sabre vs. Dar, Swann vs. Perkins to conclude Elite 8 Round|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2016-09-07|access-date=2016-09-08|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
|August 31 - |The Brian Kendrick|Pin|Kota Ibushi|13:58
|September 7 - |T. J. Perkins|Sub|Rich Swann|17:03
|RD4=Semifinals
Live on September 14
|September 14 – |Gran Metalik|Pin|Zack Sabre Jr.|13:13
|September 14 – |Kota Ibushi|Sub|T. J. Perkins|14:52
|RD5=Final
Live on September 14
|September 14 – |Gran Metalik|Sub|T. J. Perkins |17:47
}}
=Interim championship tournament (2020)=
File:El Hijo de Fantasma BFG 17 crop.jpg defeated Drake Maverick to become Interim Champion. During his reign he would unmask and change his name to Santos Escobar.]]
A round-robin tournament began on April 15, 2020, to determine the interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion after Jordan Devlin was deemed unable to defend the title due to COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. Eight wrestlers were split into two groups of four, where each wrestler competed against the other three members of their respective group. The wrestlers with the best record in each group then competed to determine the interim champion. Any ties were broken by head-to-head results.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/interim-nxt-cruiserweight-title-tournament-format|title=Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament format revealed|date=April 11, 2020|author=WWE.com Staff|work=WWE|access-date=April 13, 2020}}
Group A consisted of Kushida, Tony Nese, Jake Atlas, and former 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick, while Group B consisted of Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, El Hijo del Fantasma, Akira Tozawa, and Gentleman Jack Gallagher.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/complete-field-for-interim-nxt-cruiserweight-championship-tournament-unveiled|title=Complete field for Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament unveiled|date=April 12, 2020|author=WWE.com Staff|work=WWE|access-date=April 13, 2020}} Although Maverick was released from WWE on April 15,{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-talent-releases-kurt-angle-drake-maverick-karl-anderson|title=Kurt Angle, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows and other Superstars released|date=April 15, 2020|author=WWE.com Staff|work=WWE|access-date=April 15, 2020}} he confirmed via Twitter that he would still be competing in the tournament; at the time, he had stated they would be his last matches in the company.{{cite tweet|user=WWEMaverick|author=Drake Maverick|number=1250493936185102339|date=April 15, 2020|title=My immediate thoughts.}} As a result of a tie in Group A, Maverick, Kushida, and Atlas faced each other in a triple threat match on the May 27 episode of NXT to determine the winner of the group; Maverick won to advance to the final against Group B's winner, Fantasma.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/05/27/5-27-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-timothy-thatcher-vs-matt-riddle-in-a-cage-fight-with-kurt-angle-as-special-referee-kushida-vs-drake-maverick-vs-jake-atlas-to-advance-to-the-finals-of-the-i/|title=5/27 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Timothy Thatcher vs. Matt Riddle in a cage fight with Kurt Angle as special referee, Kushida vs. Drake Maverick vs. Jake Atlas to advance to the finals of the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Title tournament, Charlotte Flair and a partner vs. Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai|date=May 27, 2020|last=Moore|first=John|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=June 4, 2020}} The final occurred during the May 27 tapings of NXT (aired June 3) where Fantasma defeated Maverick to become the interim champion; following the match, Triple H offered Maverick a new NXT contract, which he accepted.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/06/03/6-3-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-el-hijo-del-fantasma-vs-drake-maverick-in-the-finals-of-the-interim-nxt-cruiserweight-title-tournament-mia-yim-vs-candice-lerae-final-hype-for-takeover-in-y/|title=6/3 NXT TV results: Moore's review of El Hijo Del Fantasma vs. Drake Maverick in the finals of the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Title tournament, Mia Yim vs. Candice LeRae, final hype for Takeover: In Your House|date=June 3, 2020|last=Moore|first=John|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=June 4, 2020}} The following week, Fantasma turned heel on Maverick, unmasked himself, and changed his ring name to Santos Escobar.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/06/10/6-10-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-nxt-champion-adam-cole-vs-dexter-lumis-in-a-non-title-match-finn-balor-vs-cameron-grimes-the-fallout-from-nxt-takeover-in-your-house/|title=6/10 NXT TV results: Moore's review of NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. Dexter Lumis in a non-title match, Finn Balor vs. Cameron Grimes, the fallout from NXT Takeover: In Your House|date=June 10, 2020|last=Moore|first=John|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=June 11, 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|+ | |
| colspan="2" style="width:50%" | Group A | colspan="2" style="width:50%" | Group B |
|---|---|
| style="background: gold" | Drake Maverick
| style="width:35px" | 3–1 ! style="background: gold" | El Hijo del Fantasma | 2–1 | |
| Kushida
| 2–2 | 2–1 | |
| Jake Atlas
| 2–2 | style="width:35px" | 1–2 | |
| Tony Nese
| 0–3 | 1–2 |
{{#invoke:Build bracket|main|align=center
| rounds = 2
| RD1-teams-per-match = 3
| col1-matches = 3
| col2-matches = 3
| col1-col2-paths = (3) -3
| RD1 = Group A Decision
NXT, May 27
| RD2 = Final
NXT, June 3
| RD1-seed1 = A1
| RD1-team1 = Kushida
| RD1-score1 = Pin
| RD1-seed2 = A2
| RD1-team2 = Jake Atlas
| RD1-score2 =
| RD1-seed3 = A3
| RD1-team3 = Drake Maverick
| RD1-score3 = 7:53
| RD2-seed1 = A1
| RD2-team1 = Drake Maverick
| RD2-score1 = Pin
| RD2-seed2 = B1
| RD2-team2 = El Hijo Del Fantasma
| RD2-score2 = 11:32
}}
Brand designation history
The following is a list of dates indicating the transitions of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship between WWE's brands.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center; width:75%;" |
| Date of transition || Brand || Notes |
|---|
| September 14, 2016
|style="background:#fbb;"|Raw |The championship was established for Raw as the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. T. J. Perkins became the inaugural champion by winning the Cruiserweight Classic. |
| April 9, 2018
|style="background:#E0CEF2;"|205 Live |The WWE Cruiserweight Championship became exclusive to 205 Live after the establishment of that brand following WrestleMania 34 on April 8, 2018. |
| October 9, 2019
|style="background:#FFA"|205 Live, | When 205 Live was integrated with NXT in October 2019, the WWE Cruiserweight Championship was renamed to NXT Cruiserweight Championship and became shared between both brands. Beginning January 25, 2020, the NXT Cruiserweight Championship also became shared with NXT UK. |
| January 4, 2022
|N/A |The NXT Cruiserweight Championship was retired after it was unified with the NXT North American Championship. |
Belt design
{{Multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Neville Cruiserweight championship 2017.jpg
| caption1 = Adrian Neville with the first design of the title as the plates are silver only.
| image2 = 205 Live Cedric Alexander (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = Cedric Alexander with the second design of the title with the orange line under the WWE Logo.
}}
When the championship was introduced, the irregularly shaped center plate of the belt largely featured a globe with the WWE logo over the top of it. Above the globe was a banner that read "Cruiserweight" and below the globe was one that read "Champion". Ornamentation filled out the rest of the plate. In what became a prominent feature of WWE's championship belts, the side plates featured removable center sections, allowing the holder's personal logo to be added to the championship belt; the default side plates showed silver and purple world maps with the WWE logo over them. The plates were on a purple strap.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/786663-rich-swann-gets-custom-plates-on-cruiserweight-title-video-bubba-ray-hosting-raw-party-in-freehold-nj|title=Rich Swann Gets Custom Plates On Cruiserweight Title (Video), Bubba Ray Hosting RAW Party In Freehold, NJ|date=December 21, 2016|last=Hausman|first=Nick|work=Wrestle Zone|access-date=December 24, 2016}} During Neville's first reign, the color of the slash under the WWE logo on the center plate and default side plates was changed from purple to orange.{{Cite web |last=AyobWWE |first=Nuruddin |title=Neville WWE Cruiserweight Champion |url=https://www.deviantart.com/nuruddinayobwwe/art/Neville-WWE-Cruiserweight-Champion-721719759 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |website=Www.Deviantart.com}}
After the title was renamed to NXT Cruiserweight Championship, Triple H and NXT General Manager William Regal presented an updated version of the Cruiserweight Championship belt to reigning champion Angel Garza on January 25, 2020. The design was largely the same, except the WWE logo on the center plate was replaced with a vertical NXT logo and the purple strap was changed to a dark purple, almost black colored strap. The color of the slash under the WWE logo on the side plates was also changed to silver.{{cite web|url= https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2020/1/25/21081907/new-nxt-cruiserweight-championship-belt-drop-womens-title|title= NXT replaces one title, implements changes to two others|date= 25 January 2020|publisher=SBNation|access-date=January 25, 2020}}
Reigns
{{Main|List of NXT Cruiserweight Champions}}
Throughout the championship's 5 year, 3 month, and 22 day history, there were 20 reigns between 18 champions and one vacancy. The inaugural champion was T. J. Perkins. The oldest champion was Roderick Strong, winning the title at 38 years old, while the youngest champion was Lio Rush when he won it at 24. Neville and Enzo Amore were tied for the most reigns at two. Jordan Devlin's sole reign was the longest reign at 439 days, while final champion Carmelo Hayes' singular reign was the shortest at less than a minute as the title was immediately retired after he won it in a title unification match.
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/nxt-cruiserweight-championship Official NXT Cruiserweight Title History]
- {{commonscatinline}}
{{WWE Championships}}
{{WWE Cruiserweight Championship}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:NXT Cruiserweight Championship}}
Category:WWE NXT championships