From Inside Wrestling
Winter 1999
CAREER OVERVIEW
With or without a mask, high-flying Rey Misterio Jr. is one of the most
magnificent performers in wrestling ... and he's only 5'3", 140 pounds. Beat
Dean Malenko for his first WCW cruiserweight title on July 8, 1996. Has since
won the belt four more times, beating Eddy Guerrero, Juventud Guerrera, Billy
Kidman, and Psicosis. Won his first world title in 1999 when he and Kidman
teamed to beat Malenko and Chris Benoit for the WCW World tag team belts
on March 29 in Toronto. Was forced to take off his when he and Konnan lost
to Kevin Nash and Scott Hall at SuperBrawl '99, but he kept on winning.
STRONGEST PART OF HIS MATCHES
10 to 15 minutes. Although Misterio always comes out flying, he isn't strong
enough to wear down opponents in the opening five minutes. So he keeps up
his relentless acrobatic attack by moving and countermoving until finally
putting his opponent in a position in which he can't keep up.
WEAKEST PART OF HIS MATCHES
Three to seven minutes. This is when Misterio is especially vulnerable to
big, brawling strong men who still have all their strength and power. Misterio
is great when he can make quick strikes, but when he gets caught in a bigger
man's grasp, he's in big trouble.
WHO HE WANTS TO FACE
Other Luchadores. Misterio is convinced that he can match moves and skill
with any high-flying wrestler in the world. He is even comfortable wrestling
on the mat, as long as the match doesn't turn into a brawl.
WHO HE DOESN'T WANT TO FACE
Kevin Nash. He pinned him once, but Nash has more strength in one hand than
Misterio has in his entire body. Misterio's high-flying maneuvers at times
bounce right off Nash, who only has to get a hold of Misterio once to end
the match.
MOVE HE'S MOST VULNERABLE TO
The power bomb. Misterio's ability to adsorb punishment is low, and brutal
maneuvers like the powerslam or power bomb usually mean the end for him.
IF THIS WAS ADDED TO HIS REPERTOIRE IT WOULD BE
A HUGE PLUS
A little more bulk. He is simply too small to go up against the true heavyweights,
and even a little too small to deal with wrestlers in the 225-to-250-pound
class. Misterio should have no trouble bulking up to 160 pounds without sacrificing
much of his mobility.
WATCH OUT FOR THAT
Huracanrana. Misterio's signature high-flying maneuver is just one of several
finishers opponents have to look out for.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Billy Kidman: "He's one of the greatest wrestlers in the world, maybe
the greatest of all. Look what he's done against Nash and Bam Bam Bigelow,
men twice his size. He's just amazing."
Publisher Stu Saks: "Nobody has done more to prove that size isn't everything
than Rey Misterio Jr. You take one look at him and say, 'He's too small,'
but it really doesn't matter when he's flying around the ring. He's so great
to watch."
Kevin Nash: "You don't really realize just how tough the guy is until
you get in there and try to beat him. Misterio's got a lot of guts. He definitely
earned my respect."