Which Ex-WWE Star Wanted To Rename The Cruiserweight Title?
AEW's new TNT Title was almost a copycat idea...
Shane Helms revealed on his Twitter account that he once tried to sell Vince McMahon on renaming the WWE Cruiserweight Title.
The former Hurricane, who was working as Gregory Helms at the time, wanted to rebrand the belt as 'The CW Title' in honour of SmackDown's new TV home The CW Network in 2006. Hilariously, McMahon looked Helms up and down and asked, "Why would you want to do that?".
Realising he was already fighting a losing battle, Gregory replied, "I guess I wouldn't". That was the end of his hopes to turn the high-flying belt into something SmackDown's network home could be proud of, and he never brought the idea up again.
This story is particularly timely given AEW's recent announcement; they're creating the TNT Title, and will hold an eight-man tournament to crown the first champion. TNT, of course, is the station Dynamite airs on, but Helms almost beat them to the punch with his own TV tribute 14 years ago.
Vince McMahon wasn't interested in the slightest though. Helms admitted to fans that he didn't put up much of a fight once he realised his boss didn't get it.