[-Destiny-]

Do I detect sarcasm there? It was annoying me.

[HeAT]

Kinda'. But Randy Orton is annoying. I can understand where you're coming from.

[-Destiny-]

I meant the size and colour of it was annoying me. Too bright.

Anyway can we get back to talking about matches from 2 decades ago please.

[The Clique87]

Originally Posted by Wes_FR

Nowhere did I state he had a lack of exposure during the 90's, did I? I'm just stating that he was a mega star during the 80's. And no, I'm not saying "everyone" should know him like Hogan.

No but you insinuated he didn't have much after the 80's when in fact he did.

[Word]

Clique, this Mysterio DVD review best be good.

Read a lot of pages about this Savage discussion. Although I haven't watched a lot of wrestling back then I certainly knew he was and how much he meant to the company. I wouldn't mind a DVD but I ouldn't be pissed if they never brought one out. Same I missed the debate.

[INVINCIBLE]

^ Oh, you can start one again...

[blazegod99]

Did someone say Shawn Michaels is repetitive?? Somebody show me a wrestler who isn't repetitive and I will show you three flying pigs

[Taroostyles]

This Savage thing is still going? I know this much, if your from the US and were born before like 1994 then you will probably know who Randy Savage is.

[kennedy=god]

WARNING: The following post maybe seen as a 'bit spammish, but i'm going to post it anyway 'cos i'm such a bad ass rebel like that:

After watching a LOT of his matches recently, i'm going to say that The Dynamite Kid is the greatest wrestler EVER, if i'm basing it purely on in-ring skills, INCLUDING the puro wrestlers, and i'm not just saying that because i'm English, he was fucking stupidly phenonomal. I must've seen every single match he had in his prime that's available to me, and honestly, i haven't seen anybody keep up with him hold-for-hold, even Misawa couldn't keep up with him.

That's it.

BTW Flair > Savage

[The Clique87]

Rey Mysterio: “The Biggest Little Man” Three Disc Set


“Rey Mysterio Jr. is truly the smallest man but if you measure the heart, he has the biggest heart in this sport - bar none. It’s not even close.”

Since the age of 14 years old when he first became a professional wrestler in Tijuana, Mexico, Rey Mysterio has thrilled audiences world-wide with his innovative, death defying and completely miraculous performances ever to be seen in a wrestling ring. His uncle was the original Rey Misterio but he felt his nephew was special enough to honor the famed luchador persona.

It is no ‘mystery’ why the “King of Mystery” may be considered pound for pound the greatest wrestler of all time. “The Biggest Little Man” is one of the largest set of matches for an individual wrestler ever. In this three disc set, you will experience some of the fastest and most exciting wrestling action in over two dozen matches!

Rey Mysterio narrates the entire compilation himself from his hometown in the 6-1-9 San Diego, California at Pacific Beach. Mysterio tells his personal feelings during the various time periods in his career and the respect he holds for every gifted man he ever step in the ring with. Rey’s career has literally been a roller coaster ride and now we can take a seat in that ride with “The Biggest Little Man.”


Disc 1

AAA When Worlds Collide, 11.6.94
Latin Lover, Heavy Metal & Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Madonna’s Boyfriend, Fuerza Guerrera & Psicosis

The pay-per-view debut of Rey Misterio Jr. and boy did he take advantage of this great national exposure provided by AAA and WCW. Actually, this was a great opportunity for all six men to showcase their talents to the biggest audience of their careers at this point. The Latin Lover, Misterio and Psicosis stand out more than anyone is this match as far as performance goes. Although I warn you there is some terrible dance moves performed too.

Misterio is described as “not thinking on his feet but in the air” because he is so fast and almost always spring-boarding off the ropes or diving off the top turnbuckle. Move of the night unsurprisingly goes to Misterio’s top turnbuckle, senton bomb on Madonna’s Boyfriend on the floor.

** 3/4

ECW Hardcore TV, 9.26.95
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Psicosis

The ECW and United States television debut of two men that were both trained by Rey’s uncle and grew up together in this business. Misterio Jr. and Psicosis know each other’s moves and counter moves like the back of their hands. The ECW crowd is very respectful and enthusiastic about this Luchador style that is completely new to U.S. audiences.

Misterio and Psicosis start off with chain wrestling but they soon adapt to the setting and these two Luchadors take it to the extreme. Psicosis attempted a suicide dive on Rey on the outside but Misterio caught him with a steel chair to the skull. Rey also gets hardcore by placing a chair around Psicosis’ neck and ramming him into a turnbuckle trying to break his neck. Psicosis gets some extreme offense in as well with a tilt-a-whirl side slam, cartwheel leg lariat into the turnbuckle, and a corkscrew senton but he is a little too cocky many times.

You can’t take Misterio lightly and Psicosis paid for it when Rey executed a springboard plancha into the second row! “Oh ¡Dios Mío!,” Joey Styles screamed. The action continued to go back and forth and the crowd jumped to their feet many times in sheer awe. The end saw Psicosis on the top turnbuckle with Misterio jumping a vertical leap into a Super Hurricanrana for the win!

*** 3/4

ECW Hardcore TV, 2.6.96
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera

Misterio once again gets extreme in the ring with a wrestler he grew up with in this business. Juventud and Rey are both only 20 years old but because they crafted their profession at such an early age, they looked like 10+ year pros. Misterio ‘move of the match’ is an awesome Hurricanrana from the top rope to Juventud standing on the apron all the way to the floor! Juventud’s best move delivered was a summersault leg drop to Rey’s head.

Juventud was ready to put Misterio away with a top rope splash mountain bomb but Rey reversed that move into a Hurricanrana! And it was all said and done there. Rey’s time in ECW would shortly be done as well.

*** 1/2

WCW Great American Bash ‘96
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Dean Malenko(c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

Rey Mysterio has finally made it to “where the big boys play” in World Championship Wrestling and this would be his first championship opportunity in the United States. WCW was taking wrestling in a different direction at this time because they had to be different and better than the competition. WCW’s answer was the creation of the Cruiserweight Division. The constant staple and champion of this innovative division is “The Man of 1000 Holds” Dean Malenko. The story of the match is the young kid coming in filled with fire has to prove that he can perform on the big stage and possibly not down this ever so dominant champion.

I will say it right now, Dean Malenko is one of the greatest technical wrestlers ever and he is one hell of a psychologist when delivering offense in a match. The man is so underrated and unappreciated, quite frankly. The 1st meeting between the high flyer and the mat specialist makes for a very intriguing match.

Malenko’s work of Mysterio’s left arm started when the two were chain wrestling and Malenko kicked his shoulder damn near out of socket. Next, Malenko works like a doctor executing a very methodical dissection of Mysterio’s arm and shoulder with various submission stretches. Submissions such as a cross arm-breaker with Malenko scissoring his entire body around the arm stretching it as far as possible, short-arm scissors and a Northern Lights suplex with a hammerlock. Dean even applied the Crossface for a few moments. When think about wrestling psychology 101, watch every attack Malenko makes on Rey is centered on the arm and Dean never let’s up. It makes perfect sense, if you are in a wrestling match and breaking down a body part you stick to your game plan.

Mysterio showed for the first time his heart and determination to win the match as he fought back with everything he had. Rey had survived the vicious onslaught and stunned the champion and the audience with a great combination of aerial defense.

It seemed the momentum was shifting Mysterio’s way and he can actually overcome this overwhelming obstacle but it was Malenko who caught the challenger with a quick and stiff powerbomb from the corner of the ring. Malenko quickly places his feet on the ropes as he covers Mysterio to retain his Cruiserweight Championship! The crowd applauds both men with a standing ovation.

Mysterio said he received a standing ovation from his peers when he got backstage and he in fact proved that he is worthy of performing on the big stage.

****

WCW Nitro, 7.8.96
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Dean Malenko(c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

WCW Nitro comes live from Las Vegas for this outdoors episode. We kick things off with the rematch between Malenko and Mysterio. This match is at a much quicker tempo than the previous bout. Since Malenko has beaten Mysterio before, he takes a couple of liberties here which would ultimately backfire. There are two things opponents of Rey Mysterio need to learn: 1) Stay on this man and hit him with everything you have because he will not go down unless he is almost knocked out. 2) Remember #1.

This match saw a lot of high impact big moves delivered from both men. Malenko drives Mysterio in the canvas with a powerful Tigerbomb, Brainbuster on the floor outside of the ring and. Mysterio was thought to have crashed and burned when he missed the Springboard Moonsault and hit the concrete floor. Surprisingly Mysterio bounced right back, exposing his heart and inexplicable determination!

But again, the wrestling machine Malenko doesn’t stay on defensive for too long and takes control of the match. Dean eventually gets Rey on the top rope and gives him a very cool Gut buster from the top rope. It seems to be the end for Rey’s dreams until Malenko stops the three count and picks him up for more punishment.

Malenko didn’t remember the rules I stated and Mysterio caught him with a tilt-a-whirl Hurricanrana that drives Dean’s head into the canvas for the 1-2-3! We got a NEW CHAMPION!!! Mysterio has won the Cruiserweight Championship for the first time! Rey deserved this win very much.

*** 3/4

WCW Hog Wild ‘96
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio Jr.(c) vs. Ultimate Dragon

This is one of the first meetings between two revolutionaries in cruiserweight wrestling and both men wanting to show the other up with their athleticism. There were a couple of things I did not like about the psychology in the match from Dragon. He hit a running powerbomb and then put Rey into a Figure Four leg lock out of nowhere. Dragon also stalled and taunted a little too much for my liking.

Still both men put on a great show with Rey’s springboard plancha on Dragon outside of the ring. The thing that is so special about this dive was the ring was elevated 15 feet off the ground. Dragon also showcased his highflying talent but it was Mysterio that got the best of the Japanese superstar. Mysterio retains.

*** 1/2

WCW Fall Brawl ‘96
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio Jr.(c) vs. Super Calo

Note - The main event in Fall Brawl was a War Games match so there are two rings set next to each other.

To my understanding, Super Calo is relatively new at this point in time and he wanted to make a name for himself by dethroning the new ‘king of the cruisers’ - Mysterio. For a large majority of the contest, Calo was very dominating over the champion with a plethora of moves and take downs. Calo hits an extremely impressive Missile Dropkick from the top rope on Rey to the floor outside of the ring.

Mysterio took another good beating in this one but he keeps on ticking. The theme of the PPV is “Never give up” and that is actually the theme of Rey’s entire career. I jumped out of my freakin seat when Rey grabbed Calo in a wristlock to the ring apron, spring boarded on the middle section of the tope rope (tremendous balance) into a Hurricanrana off the apron!

Even more amazing than that was the finish where Mysterio flipped from one ring to the next, and he spring boarded back one ring to the next and hit the West Coast Pop!!! Mysterio retains the gold again and he says that finish is one of the sickest things he has ever done. I have no argument that was awesome!

****

WCW Halloween Havoc ‘96
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio Jr.(c) vs. Dean Malenko

Dean Malenko walks to the ring with a stoic look on his face and the cold vibe he presents makes him look as if he has ice water running through his veins. This man means serious business and he wants his Cruiserweight Championship back. Rey Mysterio Jr. walks to the ring with a cool confidence and is prepared to compete with the biggest threat to his championship. This match is the rubber match in a series of five encounters between these two.

Malenko has learned from his mistakes of past matches with Mysterio and before the bell rings the match is underway because Dean jumps Rey from behind. Mysterio fights back and knocks the former champion out of the ring. Mysterio soon takes back the mask Malenko stole from him and that is something you just don’t do to a Luchador. Mysterio switched masks and put on the Mexican flag colored mask he had regained.

Malenko then re-enters the ring and gets caught in a quick tilt-a-whirl roll up with always costs him the match. The intensity in this match is infectious and the spurts of fast action to mat work fluctuate very well which makes the perfect pacing. This is so exciting to watch!

Malenko’s strategy was to pick Mysterio apart from head to toe and the master of mat technique brought the pain. Malenko held Rey in the suplex position and with no remorse, dropped him knee first on the ring ropes. Malenko soon after hits a Super Backdrop suplex but Rey continues to kick out. Then Malenko unleashes the submission holds which Rey again finds ways to fight out or grab the bottom rope.

Mysterio uses Malenko’s overzealous momentum to get him outside of the ring followed by a Corkscrew Moonsault. Back in the ring Mysterio connects with his patent Hurricanrana that drives Malenko’s head into the canvas. This match is assumed to be over but Malenko barely kicks out at two and seven-eighths! The crowd, announcers and Mysterio cannot believe it was not over.

Mysterio tries to finish the challenger off with the West Coast Pop but he jumps straight into a sit-down powerbomb! Mysterio shows his guts and kicks out at the last second! Damn this match is incredible! Both men fight to the top rope and Mysterio attempts the Super Hurricanrana but Malenko counters with a Super Gut-wrench powerbomb!!! Malenko becomes the New Cruiserweight Champion!

**** 1/4

WCW Starrcade ‘96
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger

Rey Mysterio stated he and Liger had “one goal on this night and that was to steal the show.” I have not seen the rest of the card but I can tell you these two great innovators put on a great match. Mike Tenay explained how both men have revolutionized in their own way professional wrestling in the 90’s. That is a well deserved compliment for both men in my opinion because never before have we seen such gifted talents showcased on American television. Mysterio and Liger exchange a handshake before they begin the feel out process.

Liger was surprisingly very deliberate in his attacks against Rey and really controlled the match at slower but steady pace. I think this was great in the psychology of the match because maybe Liger knew he could not match Mysterio in the speed department or at least not try to so he broke him down with powerful maneuvers. Rey receives a couple of stiff powerbombs – one in the ring and the next on the floor at ringside. Liger also executes a suplex from the ring apron to the floor outside. Liger’s next set of offense consists of a surfboard into a pinning predicament. But of course Mysterio will not give up.

Tony Schiavone so accurately described Mysterio, “You think he is near dead and he bounces up.” Mysterio came back and caught Liger with a beautiful springboard Moonsault that had a whole lot of hang time. Rey wanted to end the competitive bout with the Super Hurricanrana bout Liger rolled out of it and rolled into Mysterio with a kick to the head. Liger then wins with the Ligerbomb. Mysterio explains even though he lost his championship and on the biggest PPV of the year, he is content with giving the fans a great show.

*** 3/4


WCW Spring Stampede ’97
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Ultimate Dragon

This is another rubber match that must have a decisive winner in the series and Mysterio and Dragon pulled of all the stops. Much like their Hog Wild match, both men wanted to prove they had the better set of innovative moves and they were the most athletically gifted.

I must say Dragon really made his case to be the better man with moves such as an amazing spinning backbreaker from the torture rack position, running powerbomb and a Tombstone Piledriver. But Dragon makes the same mistake he did in their other match and that was not putting away Rey when he has the opportunity.

In the closing moments of the match, the sense of urgency to get the pin fall raised and we see extremely quick pinning exchanges. Dragon tried twice with two different suplexes to put Rey away but he escaped every time and did a spring board on the middle rope straight into a victory roll up for the win!

****


Disc 2

WCW Halloween Havoc ’97
WCW Cruiserweight Championship vs. Rey Mysterio’s Mask
Eddie Guerrero(c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

“When it’s all said and done in this World, this will go down as one of the greatest title matches in history!”

That statement made by Tony Schiavone couldn’t have been any truer. The two greatest luchadors in the history of professional wrestling put on an absolute clinic in what many fans call a perfect match. You could very well go as far as to say this match is possibly the greatest match in World Championship Wrestling history.

Everything was on the line and up for grabs in this historic encounter – Eddie’s title, Mysterio’s mask and both men’s pride. For Eddie Guerrero, he needs to maintain his status the best wrestler pound-for-pound in the business today. Although Rey wants the status Eddie currently holds, he must also fight to preserve his identity. Tenay explains the devastating effects of unmasking a luchador and it would almost certainly be the down fall of Rey’s growing career.

To further delve into the brilliant storytelling within the match, Rey wore a full body suit into the match because he knows how dirty Eddie is and Eddie did in fact attempt to rip the mask off. Rey’s mask actually gets ripped in half.

It is pure magic from the moment the bell rings the clinic begins. The pace is as quick as you will ever see between to wrestlers and the chemistry is out of this world. Every move is executed with sharp crispness. My favorite spot of the match (and there are a few) is when Eddie and Rey have wristlocks on each other and Rey transitions that into a spring board on the middle of the top rope, straight into a flipping DDT!

Another one of my favorites is Mysterio’s summersault flip over the top rope to the outside of the ring, into a flying head scissors on Eddie! You have to actually see it to believe what your eyes are witnessing. It’s almost inhuman the moves they pull off especially Rey Mysterio. Until the very finish of the match, you will be jump out of your seat a few times, I know I did. Mysterio comes out on top with a breathtaking victory which earns him the Cruiserweight Championship!

Bottom line, this is a must see match for every wrestling fan. This is greatest singles performances from both legendary wrestlers.

**** 3/4

WCW World War 3
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero(c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

Eddie regained the title in a rematch with Rey on an episode of Nitro so now they will face off once again for the prestigious Cruiserweight belt. This match isn’t a classic like Halloween Havoc nor should anyone expect them to duplicate that special occasion. But it was greatness in its own right.

When you have chemistry together like these two have, you are pretty much always bound to have a good-great match. Eddie and Rey once again cut a high-speed tempo match filled with moves that look very painful. Pretty much in the beginning, Eddie gave Rey a vicious release German suplex that hit the top of his head on the canvas as his neck snapped back.
Rey later returns the favor by dropping Eddie’s head on the concrete floor with a head scissors. It’s so dangerous watching these men perform yet so exciting! I know how great both men are and I’m sure they would do everything in their power to protect each other. There were a couple of botches but they recover quickly.

Mysterio hits Eddie with the West Coast pop and everyone thought the match was over but Eddie got his foot on the bottom rope at the very last second. Soon after this Eddie counters Rey’s attack and hits the Frog Splash to retain the championship.

****

WCW Thunder, 1.15.98
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Juventud Guerrera(c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

These two meet up once again but this time they are in the big leagues and gold is on the line. My initial reaction to this match was “holy fucking shit!” Rey has recently been suffering from a bad left knee and he is sporting a knee brace for support. The crazy part about all of this is he is running around the ring spring boarding off ropes and diving from the top turnbuckle.

‘The Juice’ certainly brought it and did everything he could to hold on to his title. Juventud countered almost everything Mysterio threw at him. But Juventud could not escape Mysterio’s devastating Hurricanrana which spikes his head for the pin. Mysterio does it again! Mysterio's the New Cruiserweight Champion injury and all.

****

WCW Souled Out ‘98
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio Jr.(c) vs. Chris Jericho

‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho plays the cocky, arrogant bastard to a tee. The man oozes charisma and it shows just off the amount of “Jericho Sucks” chants and boos he gets from the audience. Mysterio came until the match injured and that factor ultimately led to him getting caught in the torturing Lion Tamer. Rey had no choice but to tap out or suffer further damage to his left knee. Jericho is now champion.

*** 1/4

WCW Road Wild ‘98
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Psicosis

Once again, Mysterio faces a man that knows him all too well. This is what anyone familiar with the chemistry these two shares with each other would be. This is a pure Lucha Libre style match that contains a ton of counter moves and reversals.

The basic story of the match was whoever could pull out the unknown element that is a move the other man has never seen before. The man who could do that would be victorious. Mysterio pulled out that unknown element in the form of a crazy West Coast Pop that is sure to leave Psicosis with a splitting headache.

*** 1/4

WCW Nitro, 2.9.99
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Blitzkreig

Blitzkreig made the perfect challenge to Mysterio’s skills and legitimacy as the ‘king of the cruisers’. The match is not that long but there more moves performed in these few short minutes than a lot of 15-20 minute matches. Blitzkreig showcased a lot of combination back flips, front flips and twisting attacks. Mysterio had to change up his offense a little because Blitzkreig is faster than him. Mysterio grounded his opponent with clotheslines and the sleeper hold. But he also did his thing in the air as well with a guillotine leg drop.

But as Rey would soon find out how his opponents must feel, this guy just keeps