Ranking Every WWE Cruiserweight Champion Since 2016
3. Buddy Murphy
Buddy Murphy was the 205 Live success story fans didn't know they wanted until it happened.
The Best Kept Secret stayed true to his nickname by flying under the radar once his tag team with Wesley Blake and disappeared from NXT TV all together in 2017. He reemerged as a member of the Cruiserweight division in early 2018 and wasted no time in showing the world what he was made of in matches with Ariya Daivari, Kalisto and Ali.
After being put on the map in his fantastic feud with Cedric Alexander, he continued to build momentum in the remainder of the year before winning the Cruiserweight Championship in his hometown of Melbourne at Super Showdown. The reaction he received for capturing the title that night was nothing short of spectacular and set the stage for the remarkable reign he had from that point forward.
His matches with Ali and Alexander that year got fans talking about 205 Live again and enticed them to tune in to see what all the buzz was about. He went on to successfully defend his title in entertaining matchups at the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber before passing the torch to Tony Nese at WrestleMania 35.
Had it not been for his time on top in the Cruiserweight division, it's highly unlikely Murphy would be wrestling against elite athletes on Raw and SmackDown today.