10 Great Wrestlers WWE Must Sign For The Cruiserweight Revival

4. Akira Tozawa

Ricochet Raw Cruiserweight
WWE.com

The first Cruiserweight Classic participant on the list, Akira Tozawa is one of the most natural babyfaces in modern wrestling. His size, charisma, and playful cockiness make him inherently likeable, and he compounds this with a skillful blend of high-flying, technicality, and Japanese puroresu between the ropes.

While his countryman Kota Ibushi grabs the headlines, Tozawa is just as capable of emerging as the CWC’s MVP. He’ll make his debut against Kenneth Johnson on tomorrow night’s broadcast (July 20th), and while his opponent is a relative unknown, you don’t want to miss Akira in action.

Tozawa is a Dragon Gate original, and has been wrestling for the colourful Japanese promotion since 2005. Initially sent back to the company dojo after a slow start to his DG career, Tozawa struggled with weight gain and initially found himself playing an uncomfortable comedic role, but turned things around with a one-year stint in the USA from 2010 to 2011.

Earning rave reviews for his performances throughout the excursion, Tozawa returned to DG rejuvenated, and soon found success in his home country. With his infectious enthusiasm and high-octane style, Tozawa is universally beloved multi-time title holder in Dragon Gate, and he’s made no secret of his desire to sign for WWE.

The CWC is an ideal opportunity for Tozawa to show them what he can do, and if he impresses, it’d be a bigger surprise to see him not sign a WWE contract.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.