Photo credit: “Cedric Alexander” by Mike Kalasnik is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The Age of Alexander is upon us once again. Quite simply put, it’s about time WWE started pushing Cedric Alexander. From the looks of things, it seems as if the company does have plans for the former Cruiserweight Champion and one-time 24/7 Champion.
Just a few weeks ago on the July 8 episode of Raw, Alexander wrestled in his first Raw main event where he tagged with “The Big Dog” Roman Reigns. The two would take on “The Best in the World” Shane McMahon and “The Scottish Psychopath” Drew McIntyre. The story, McMahon and McIntyre would choose a tag team partner for Reigns. Predictably, they wouldn’t select a WWE superstar; they selected a janitor named Gary “The GOAT” Garbutt. But to their surprise, Alexander would swap places with the janitor to join forces with Reigns. After the match, in true Scobby-Doo fashion, the GOAT was unmasked.
On the July 17 episode of Raw, an embarrassed McIntyre would challenge Alexander to a singles match. Surprisingly, Alexander would score a clean win over McIntyre, which would lead to a rematch on the July 22 episode of Raw. That match never officially happened but McIntyre and Alexander would brawl, leading McIntyre to Alabama Slam Alexander on the ring apron. Alexander was given the main event spotlight once again during this week’s, July 29, episode of Raw. He once again teamed up with Reigns and the Usos to take on Samoa Joe, The OC, and McIntyre in an all-out brawl.
“Please Sign Cedric!”
Teaming Alexander up with fan favorites Reigns and The Usos is smart and is a good way to get fans reintroduced and interested in Alexander. Some fans may not have watched Alexander’s impressive match against New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Kota Ibushi during the Cruiserweight Classic Tournament. Alexander vs Ibushi is a modern five-star classic. It was so good that after the match, the fans in attendance begged WWE to “please sign Cedric!” Their plea would create a memorable and emotional moment. WWE listened to its fans and signed Cedric Alexander, placing him on the 205 Live brand.
The Age of Alexander
At a time when 205 seemed to be pledged with a curse of some sorts (the curse of the Cruiserweight Championship), Alexander stepped up. Neville had just walked out on the company. WWE suspended Rich Swann for violating its domestic violence policy. And Enzo, the champion at that time, would be fired by the company. Even with all of the chaos in the brand, Cedric Alexander and Ali squared off in the main event of the January 23 episode of 205 Live. Both wrestlers gave their all that night, and cemented themselves as the “Heart and Soul of 205 Live” . The two would go on to face each other again at WrestleMania 34, this time for the Cruiserweight Championship.
With one win, the Age of Alexander was underway. Alexander was crowned Cruiserweight Champion at WrestleMania 34. His title reign lasted 180 days (3 days shorter than Buddy Murphy’s reign), making his reign the third-longest Cruiserweight Championship reign. In addition to being champion, Alexander would have a 365 days undefeated streak in singles competition. Alexander’s hard work and dedication to 205 Live and the cruiserweight division always shined through.
It has been exactly 365 days since @CedricAlexander lost a singles match in @WWE.
This weekend, the reigning Cruiserweight Champion defends his title – and his yearlong undefeated singles streak – against @WWE_Murphy in Melbourne at #WWESSD.
— WWE Stats & Info (@WWEStats) October 3, 2018
In the Age of Alexander The Future is Bright
There is so much WWE can do with Alexander right now. Of course, he should finish his feud with McIntyre. A match between the two may happen at SummerSlam. But what about after that’s over? A feud with the likes of Baron Corbin, Samoa Joe, or Sami Zayn, could do wonders for an Alexander push. And after he gets a couple of non-title Raw feuds, WWE should consider AJ Styles (if Styles doesn’t lose to Ricochet at SummerSlam) vs Cedric Alexander for the United States championship.
A feud between Styles and Alexander would be a magical treat for WWE fans because Alexander is truly a hidden gem with tons of potential, and he has a lot of in-ring chemistry with Styles. Alexander is a superstar who possesses a marvelous moveset and a fantastic finisher. (Don’t sleep on the Lumbar Check!) While with the 205 Live brand, he astonished and carried the division, with the likes of Ali and Buddy Murphy. All of these attributes made Alexander a great cruiserweight champion and a great choice to represent the 205 Live brand.
Now, it’s time for another Age of Alexander. WWE make it happen!
