Here is my Chapter by Chapter, in depth analysis of Rey Mysterio, the Biggest Little Man, much overdue.
Disc 1.
Overview. Here is the real meat and bones of Rey Mysterio. This is the young kid that came from mexico and shook the foundation of American Wrestling. The cruiserweights were getting over, thanks to guys like Brian Pillman and Jushin Liger, but with Rey Mysterio, he was simply eye candy. The moves he pulled off, he didn't botch. The guy was a daredevil and a risk taker before his times, and you have to remember, he was a very very young man when he started to get into some big time situations. This first disc is very good with highlighting his early career. Plus an added bonus, Vintage Mike Tenay on commentary in a lot of these matches. Tenay was so damn good when he wanted to be, so hopefully newer fans will listen to this and appreciate how damn good he was.
Chapter 1: When Worlds Collide: Latin Lover, Heavy Metal, & Rey Mysterio vs. Madonna's Boyfriend (Louie Spicolli), Fuerza Guerrera, and Psicosis.
An Interesting Match to say the least. A very young Mysterio and Psicosis kind of take a back seat to the others in the match. Rey hits some big moves, but isn't the focal point of the match. I think it's hilarious with Louie Spicolli under the name of Madonna's Boyfriend. A good six man tag match, worth getting, especially since Its been years since I've seen a Latin Lover or Heavy Metal match.
2. Lucha Libre Becomes Extreme:
Pretty much a quick mentioning of Paul Heyman being in attendance at the World's Collide show. Paul decides to offer Rey Rey and Psicosis an opportunity to perform in ECW, and the rest is history.
3. ECW Hardcore TV: Rey Mysterio vs. Psicosis.
Meh, this match was good, but not their best. The other two matches they've released on the ECW DVD's are better. I believe that this was the only one not released yet by the WWE, so now you will have all three.
4. Hardcore TV: Rey Mysterio vs. Juventud Guerrera.
A damn good match. Some nice moves althroughout. I never knew that Guerrera was in ECW, good to be proven wrong. The Juice's ego is so damn big, it's a shame, because the guys talent level is ridiculous.
5. Small Fish in a Big Pond.
Rey talks about how it was time to take the next big step in his career. He wanted to bring Lucha Libre to the states, and he knew it was going to be a big challenge. He felt comfortable with the other cruiserweights though, but knew he still needed to prove himself.
6. Great American Bash 96: Rey Mysterio vs. Dean Malenko
Dean Malenko retains his WCW Cruiserweight championship in one helluva 17 minute match. The contrasting styles is what makes this match so enjoyable to watch. Once you think Mysterio gets a good advantage, Malenko grounds and pounds him. Malenko gets the cheating victory, but the crowd unmistakably has made Mysterio a star.
7. WCW Nitro
Rey Mysterio defeats Dean Malenko for the WCW Cruiserweight title. Not their best matchup, but easily an enjoyable one. People call Malenko a vanilla midget, shit, there is no one in the WWE locker room that could lace Dean Malenkos boots, and that is a FACT.
8. Hog Wild: Mysterio vs. Ultimo Dragon
I believe that this was Dragon's first big match in WCW, could be wrong. I hated Hog Wild, the set up was so god awful. The ring and surrounding area was set about 10 feet above the ground, so no moves to the outside of the ring without risking serious injury. Not a bad match, with Mysterio retaining.
9. Fall Brawl: vs. Super Calo
Woah, talk about a hidden fucking gem, this right here maybe the match of the DVD, and that's not an exageration. Super Calo flat out can go, I forgot how good he was. Rey Mysterio and Calo do some crazy maneuvers in this match. The highlight is the ending. Misterio utilizes the double ring of Fall Brawl, Springs off one set of ropes, to another, and then hits a Hurricanrana to win the match. Holy shit what a move.
10. Halloween Havoc: vs. Dean Malenko
Wrestling purist, there still is a wrestling god. Dean Malenko in three matches on one disc, wrestling is still worth watching. Probably their best matchup, at least on this set. Mysterios initial run in WCW begins to whine down, and WCW begins to book him as a tough as nails kid, but certainly beatable. Here Malenko makes him tap in a very good match.
11. Big Fish in a Small Pond. Mysterio pretty much goes on about being a goal to steal the show every night, nothing too great.
12. Starrcade: vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
Liger is amazing. I think he was coming back off of some form of back surgery, and this was his first big match. He was more heavy then what we were used to, but still able to steal the show that night. Him and Mysterio go back and forth, with Liger winning with the Liger bomb. Also, this was my first WCW pay per view that I bought, and this was easily the best match of the night.
13. Spring Stampede 97 vs. Ultimo Dragon
Mysterio takes a couple month hiatus from pay per view, and returns with an opening bout would be show stealer. I say that, because DDP and Savage saved the night later on with their main event. A very good matchup here with Mysterio walking away the victor.
more to come...