Episode 343: Creating The Cruiserweight Division

Update: 2024-10-11

Digest

This podcast episode features a conversation between Ray Thompson and Eric Bischoff, the former President of WCW, about the creation and impact of the Cruiserweight Division. The episode begins with Ray's plans for a road trip and a humorous discussion about "glizzies" on the grill. They then acknowledge the recent hurricane in South Florida and express their thoughts and prayers for those affected. The conversation shifts to the Cruiserweight Division, with Ray and Eric discussing its significance in Nitro's success and its influence on the rise of smaller talent. Eric explains his inspiration for creating the division, drawing from his observations of New Japan Pro Wrestling's Light Heavyweight division. He emphasizes the importance of creating a distinct identity for the division, opting for "Cruiserweight" over "Light Heavyweight" to avoid connotations of being "less than." Eric details his strategic decision to launch the Cruiserweight division during the "crossover hour" (9 pm), a time when viewers often switch channels. He believed the division's fast-paced, dynamic style would capture the attention of viewers and encourage them to stay tuned. Ray and Eric discuss the historical stigma associated with the "Light Heavyweight" and "Junior Heavyweight" titles in wrestling, suggesting that they were often seen as consolation prizes or a sign of being "less than." They explore the potential influence of Jim Crockett Promotions in creating this perception. The conversation examines early reports about the planned Cruiserweight tournament, including rumors that it would be built around Brian Pillman and feature wrestlers from Japan and Mexico. They discuss the evolution of the tournament's concept and the role of Japanese talent in its development. Ray and Eric address a rumor that Eric was not interested in Eddie Guerrero for the Cruiserweight division. Eric vehemently denies this, explaining that it was New Japan Pro Wrestling who approached him about signing Eddie, Chris Benoit, and Dean Malenko as full-time WCW talent. The conversation shifts to the impact of WCW Nitro on the cruiserweight division, discussing how the introduction of Nitro led to a shift in focus from a cruiserweight division to a more general focus on talent that could draw in a wider audience. Eric Bischoff discusses his vision for the cruiserweight division, emphasizing its importance in providing a unique and exciting visual presentation to hold onto the existing audience and attract new viewers. He explains that he wanted to present action that was substantively different from the rest of the show, eliminating the sameness quality. The conversation focuses on the importance of credibility in the cruiserweight division. Eric Bischoff explains that bringing in champions from New Japan, like Otani, gave credibility to the WCW title and showcased WCW's commitment to international talent. The conversation concludes with a discussion about WCW's success with the cruiserweight division. Eric Bischoff attributes the success to his clear vision, commitment, and execution, as well as the contributions of Brad Regans, Sonny Onoo, and Conan. He also emphasizes the importance of having a compelling "why" for the division, which he believes was lacking in other promotions. The episode ends with Eric Bischoff reflecting on the missed opportunity to fully develop the Cruiserweight Division in WCW. He believes it could have been a major success, even having its own show, but the NWO's dominance overshadowed it. He acknowledges that the NWO's success, while overshadowing other storylines, ultimately led to the Cruiserweight Division's long-term success. He discusses what might have happened if Hogan hadn't turned heel, speculating that the Cruiserweights could have become the A-storyline. The episode concludes with an advertisement for SaveWithEric.com, a service that helps people refinance their mortgages and save money. Eric Bischoff, now a licensed mortgage advisor, shares his personal experience and encourages listeners to check out the website. The advertisement continues, focusing on how SaveWithEric.com can help people turn their houses into their dream homes. Eric Bischoff emphasizes the service's ability to help people with credit challenges and achieve financial peace of mind. Eric Bischoff shares his personal experience with SaveWithEric.com, highlighting the satisfaction he gets from helping people save money. He emphasizes the importance of financial stability and how the service helped him and his wife during a difficult time. Eric Bischoff promotes SaveWithEric.com's positive reviews and testimonials, emphasizing the company's commitment to customer satisfaction and competitive rates. He contrasts their approach with traditional banks and credit unions, highlighting their personalized service. Eric Bischoff is asked about the difference in success between WCW's Cruiserweight Division and WWE's 205 Live. He admits he didn't watch 205 Live enough to provide a detailed analysis but suggests it might have lacked the "special" factor that made WCW's division stand out. The episode concludes with a discussion about the upcoming AEW Wrestle Dream pay-per-view, focusing on the main event between Brian Danielson and Jon Moxley. They speculate that this might be Danielson's last match for a while and express their hopes for his future.

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