Arriba La Raza

by Mark Madden

Konnan is currently prevented from wrestling by a biceps injury. He will be back in the ring soon. Rey Mysterio Jr. and Juventud Guerrera are just now getting over physical problems that prevented them from wrestling all-out. They, too, will be at 100 percent soon.

To that, I can only say one thing: Arriba La Raza.

Konnan has been under utilized more than any WCW talent over the past five years. He was one of the all-time top drawing cards in Mexican wrestling history. That doesn't happen by accident. Wrestling is wrestling. Charisma is charisma. Konnan knows how to get with the people. He knows how to make the people hate him, too. He's not phony. Konnan used to hang out in the streets. He still does. Konnan is one of the world's very few sports entertainers that is totally Y2K compliant. He's no nostalgia trip. He's today.

Konnan isn't a classic in-ring performer, but he knows how to make a match ebb and flow. He knows how to time a big move.

Rey and Juvi, however, are classic in-ring performers.

Rey has the body, agility and power of Mighty Mouse. His physique is definitely one of the very best in WCW, and he's always been one of the promotion's best in-ring performers. The Juice is, well, The Juice. He's unique. I can't understand a word he's saying, but I know he sounds funny saying it. Like Rey, Juvi is also one of the company's best in-ring performers. He can go with anyone.

Neither Rey nor Juvi is a polished interview, but they have charisma. Charisma is what makes the wrestling world go round. Like Konnan, Rey and Juvi are Y2K compliant. They're right here, right now.

Konnan, Rey and Juvi form the heart of the Filthy Animals. They're joined by token dork Disco Inferno and occasionally by Billy Kidman. The Filthy Animals have a lot of potential, potential that extends far beyond their impressive ring entrance.

Besides Konnan, Rey and Juvi, WCW's other luchadors have been phased out. They're all great in-ring performers, but wrestling has, for better or worse, gotten away from that. Wrestlers have to be complete entertainment packages, not just daredevils. The other luchadors couldn't pass that test.

But Konnan, Rey and Juvi could. And did.

I still don't see the point of having Disco Inferno in the Filthy Animals, however. That man is a jackass. Scott Hudson calls him Dim Shady, the Hip-Hop Inferno. That's pretty funny. But I prefer calling him a jackass, because that's what he is, a jackass. I think he'd be better off doing a Dukes of Hazzard gimmick with, say, Chris Candido. Maybe Major Gunns could quit MIA and play Daisy Duke.