Projecting Raw's 7 New Cruiserweights' Long-Term WWE Career Prospects
2. TJ Perkins
TJ Perkins might be the most adaptable professional wrestler on the planet. From complex mat wrestling to all-out brawling, there’s not a style he can’t work to, and his CWC showdown with Kota Ibushi was one of WWE’s best matches of 2016. In Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann, and Ibushi, TJP fought some of the best in the world throughout the CWC, and never once looked out of his depth.
The guy is smoother than silk between the ropes, and while Ibushi and Zack Sabre Jr.’s lack of commitment undoubtedly contributed to him winning the tournament, he’s a great first champion. Perkins compliments his sublime wrestling ability with real skill on the microphone, and his backstory is incredible.
Aged 32, Perkins has already been wrestling for an astonishing 18 years. He trained at NJPW’s legendary dojo will still a teenager, and was competing as a luchador in Mexico still technically still a child. Perkins found himself homeless after a failed WWE tryout earlier in his career, but he fought his way back, and now stands among the wrestling elite after years of lacklustre booking in TNA.
For as long as the Cruiserweight Division exists, it’s hard to imagine Perkins not being near the top. He’s the total package as a professional wrestler, and all WWE need to do to make the man succeed is allow him to be himself: something he was never allowed to do in TNA.