10 Cruiserweight Wrestling Champions Who Later Won World Titles

9. Chavo Guerrero Jr.

The Mexican Warrior Chavo Guerrero was once upon a time exclusively seen as a cruiserweight for a long stretch of his career. With his 5 ft ‘10 stature, he was known for being Eddie Guerrero’s nephew and as a ‘good hand’ in the wrestling business. It was hard for him to escape that large shadow.

He would win the WCW and WWE Cruiserweight Championships multiple times. It felt as though it would permanently be his division in WWE. That was until 2006 when he feuded with Rey Mysterio in a classic rivalry that elevated him, especially in their I Quit classic on SmackDown! and put in good performances against Chris Benoit for the United States Championship. So much so that when WWE brought back ECW, Chavo had a run as ECW World Heavyweight Champion. The same title Rob Van Dam, Terry Funk and CM Punk all at one point had around their waists.

He was pushed in the villainous Edge and Vickie Guerrero led La Familia stable too. Regardless of whether he lost the ECW title to Kane in a record-setting eleven seconds at WrestleMania XXIV, Chavo deserves kudos for crawling out of the cruiserweight scene and winning the big silvered belt.