WWE Cruiserweight Champions: Ranked From Worst To Best

The Redneck Messiah's contract was acquired by WWE when they bought WCW in March 2001 but Noble spent the next fifteen months not partaking in the Invasion, but rather wrestling in WWE developmental territory Heartland Wrestling Association, where he won the HWA Cruiserweight Championship.

By June 2002 he was deemed ready to join the main roster proper, adopting a trailer trash gimmick and aligning himself with on-screen girlfriend Nidia. The two were a great double act and had natural chemistry together. Just a few weeks after making his debut, Noble won the Cruiserweight Title at King of the Ring by beating The Hurricane.

Successful defences at Vengeance (Kidman) and No Mercy (Tajiri) followed, but he was upended by Kidman at Survivor Series. The PPV matches were good, but Noble really shined on Smackdown, where he was often wrestling the likes of Rey Mysterio or tagging with Nidia.

Noble only had the one 147-day reign, but it was certainly one of the more memorable WWE Cruiserweight Title runs. His work was tight and he was producing good matches regularly. He really should have had one or two more runs after he changed up his gimmick and look from 2004 onwards, but he was fired in November of that year when his doctor provided WWE with written proof that he was using anabolic steroids after he suffered a staph infection.

Yes, even cruiserweights hit the gas! Regardless, Noble's reign was sweet, if not a little too short.