Professional wrestling weight classes

In professional wrestling, a weight class is a standardized weight range for the wrestlers. The top class in almost every promotion is heavyweight, but super heavyweights exist. Weight class matches in modern-day American professional wrestling are rare, but weight class championships still exist. However, Japanese professional wrestling, Mexican wrestling and British wrestling use the weight classes more seriously.

WWE, the largest professional wrestling promotion both nationally and internationally, has a reserved championship exclusively for wrestlers under the "Cruiserweight" category. Historically, WWE has had a number of championships that were only competed by lighter wrestlers such as the WWE Light Heavyweight Championship which became defunct in 2001. Conversely, WWE's so-called "Heavyweight" championships aren't exclusive to heavyweight performers (240lbs and above) as it has been won by light wrestlers such as Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles.

While some of the smaller, independent wrestling promotions use weight classes, most of the larger promotions do not. Even if weight classes are used, they are usually not enforced due to the scripted nature of professional wrestling. In March 2013, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) imposed a 230 pounds (100 kg) weight limit for wrestlers competing in the X Division for the TNA X Division Championship. In October 2013, however, TNA wrestler Samoa Joe, billed at 280 pounds (130 kg), competed in an X Division Championship bout at TNA's Bound for Glory pay-per-view. Rather, it's more common for wrestling promotions to create a secondary championship to be competed for by smaller wrestlers. This championship, depending upon the promotion, is usually named Cruiserweight, Light Heavyweight or Junior Heavyweight. In some sports, most notably boxing since it has a large number of weight classes, these three names represent different separate weight classes. In professional wrestling the upper weight limit of these championships varied and are often not strictly enforced, depending upon the desires of company management, but usually ranged from a maximum of 215 pounds to 230 pounds depending upon the promotion. Throughout the years, practically all of such championships have been retired due to the wrestling promotion closing down or losing interest. The oldest of these championships still active in the United States is the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. Created in 1945, the title is also recognized and frequently defended in other promotions outside of the United States.

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