WWE Light Heavyweight Championship

WWE Light Heavyweight Championship is a former championship competed for by wrestlers beneath the storyline weight of 220 lb (100 kg) in WWF, now WWE.

History

The WWF first began to used the Light Heavyweight Championship, in Japaneese and Mexican promotions they had good connections with, though the title was only recognized as an official WWF/WWE title in 1997 when a tournament was held on American soil to crown a champion.

In 2001, during the Invasion angle, X-Pac unified the Light Heavyweight Title with World Championship Wrestling's Cruiserweight Championship at this point, WWE got rid of the Light Heavyweight Championship and began using the Cruiserweight Title instead.

Facts and trivia

Perro Aguayo defeated Gran Hamada in a tournament final to become the first Light Heavyweight Champion.

Taka Michinoku defeated Brian Christopher in a tournament final to become the first WWE recognized Light Heavyweight Champion.

Goldberg wannabe, Gillberg, held the Light Heavyweight Championship longer than any other WWE Superstar in history - approximately 15 months.

Essa Rios won the title on his debut match, ending Gillberg's reign.

Former World Heavywieght Champion Chris Benoit once captured the title back when he wrestled in Japan as the Pegasus Kid.