Report: WWE Adding Increased Focus To NXT Cruiserweight Division
Good news for Kushida, Santos Escobar, and the rest of NXT's cruiserweight scene.
WWE will give NXT's cruiserweight division increased focus and attention going forward, reports Fightful Select.
The writeup states that a long-standing plan to add focus NXT's 205-pound scene is in place, which will be music to the ears of fans of the lighter weight class.
Kushida has earned many a fan amongst WWE officials and his fellow roster members. Last night's match between the reigning champion and Kyle O'Reilly was part of the new plan, and WWE intends on booking more cruiserweight storylines and angles through summer, while also integrating big names.
O'Reilly defeated Kushida last night, though it was a brisk, competitive non-title encounter, with the Cruiserweight Champion felled via cradle rather than something more decisive.
The Cruiserweight Championship had a rough time in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic's onset left champion Jordan Devlin stranded in Europe, forcing WWE to crown an interim champion in Santos Escobar. Escobar wasn't able to unify the straps until this April, when he defeated Devlin at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, before Kushida took the belt from him the following week.
Kushida has since mounted four successful defences over the likes of Oney Lorcan and newcomers Carmelo Hayes and Trey Baxter.