'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
On January 23rd, 2018, Enzo Amore was suspended by WWE due to sexual assault allegations and investigations against him. Shortly thereafter, he was fired by WWE altogether, despite being defending Cruiserweight Champion at the time.
Because of these events, ‘VACANT’ has now become the interim WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
In case you didn’t know…
‘VACANT’, also known as ‘IN ABEYANCE’ is one of WWE’s most famous and longest-tenured transitional champions of all time. ‘VACANT’ has been WWE’s go-to figure whenever a champion was injured and a new champion couldn’t be determined right away.
One of ‘VACANT’s biggest moments came during Daniel Bryan’s initial run as WWE Champion. Bryan’s run was mired in scripted controversy, which caused WWE to announce that the title was being held ‘In ABEYANCE’. This term is a synonym for ‘VACANT’, which meant that ‘VACANT’ was the defending WWE Champion for a time during that storyline.
The heart of the matter
At the beginning of the most recent episode of 205 Live, Daniel Bryan announced that Enzo Amore had abdicated the title. This effectively makes ‘VACANT’ the current reigning and defending WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
With this new addition to their collection, ‘VACANT’ has now become one of the most decorated champions in WWE history, albeit unintentionally. Their previous championship accolades includes: 10 reigns as WWE Champion, 6 reigns as World Heavyweight Champion, 10 reigns as WWE Intercontinental Champion, 4 reigns as WWE United States Champion (since the belt was introduced in 2003), 8 reigns as World Tag Team Champion, and even 2 reigns as WWE Women’s Champion (pre-Women’s Revolution version).
What’s next
Stay tuned to WWE’s upcoming programming as the Cruiserweights will continue to fight to determine the next Cruiserweight Champion.
Author’s take
‘VACANT’ for WWE Hall of Fame!
Send us news tips at [email protected]
