10 Smart Ideas Nobody Gives TNA Credit For

3. Made Cruiserweights Exciting Again

WWE haven't really ever embraced Cruiserweight wrestling the way TNA have. Even upon hiring Rey Mysterio in 2002, Vince McMahon had grander plans for him than simply flying around the ring with similarly-sized performers. On the flip side, TNA realised that Cruiserweights had something different to offer, and built an entire division around them. TNA's X-Division may be stripped bare now, but there was a time when it was full of the most dynamic talent out there. When tuning into any TNA broadcast, fans could expect to see some of the most exciting wrestling on the planet. It was a fantastic idea to show case Cruiserweight style wrestling, and the X-Division became hot news in the industry quickly after TNA formed. Longtime announcer Mike Tenay was also the perfect man to call the action. Tenay had shot to prominence due to his work on the 'When Worlds Collide' Pay-Per-View co-promoted by AAA and WCW in the mid-90's, and was synonymous with Cruiserweight wrestling when working for WCW full time. His bank of knowledge was invaluable, and TNA spotlighted a style of wrestling WWE was afraid to.