10 Cruiserweight Wrestling Champions Who Later Won World Titles

1. Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio is "widely regarded as the greatest cruiserweight in pro wrestling history.” Reason being that, with his little height/size, he exceeded every expectation and overcame every obstacle that was put in front of him.

First in various promotions throughout Mexico he picked up light heavyweight and cruiserweight championships. Then in WCW he was featured in their breathtaking cruiserweight division, winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship multiple times. And when he got to WWE he thrived. In June 2003, less than a year after signing with WWE, he won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

In a storyline that revolved around him paying tribute to his friend Eddie Guerrero who had recently passed away, he won the 2006 Royal Rumble, going onto win the World Championship at WrestleMania 22 - the same title Eddie was supposed to win the prior year in his feud with Batista. It wasn’t a one-time deal either, with him winning the World title again as well as the WWE Championship later in his career.

He’s the ‘Biggest Little Man’ in pro wrestling. What many would have seen as a weakness, Mysterio used his stature to every advantage he could. For as long as he’s been doing it, he’s one of the greatest pro wrestlers that ever laced up a pair of boots.