WWE is working on a cruiserweights-only show for the company's streaming network, featuring talent weighing 205 pounds or less, according to a report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Initially reported last week, the concept for the show is supposed to be a finite - but multi-week - tournament involving independent talent and unknown wrestlers, possibly with some NXT stars thrown in. This week, Dave Meltzer is reporting that information regarding the show has been sent to WWE's production staff, indicating that the project is likely being green-lighted. Over the past few years, WWE's attitude toward independent talent and smaller workers has changed greatly due to the success of Daniel Bryan and CM Punk, as well as Triple H's broader scouting procedures. The company already has contracted talent who would fit in on the show, including Manny "La Sombra" Andrade (specifically mentioned by Meltzer) and Rich Swann. WWE's close relationship with EVOLVE wrestling also strongly suggests that the independent company will donate some talent to the program - prospects could include Zack Sabre, Jr., TJ Perkins, "Speedball" Mike Bailey, Caleb Konley, and Anthony Nese. Additionally, EVOLVE Tag Team Champion and NXT regular Johnny Gargano would also make an ideal cast member.
Scott Fried is a Slammy Award-winning* writer living and working in New York City. He has been following/writing about professional wrestling for many years and is a graduate of Lance Storm's Storm Wrestling Academy. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/scottfried.
*Best Crowd of the Year, 2013
