Rey Mysterio Jr. took off his mask at SuperBrawl.
There’s no covering up his face anymore.
There’s no covering up his huge heart, either.
I can’t say I’m crazy about the baggy gang wear Rey now sports instead of
his old tights -- the kid is just too baby-faced to be yelling out “Thug
life!” -- but Rey’s fearless attitude seems set to carry him a long way.
First Rey upset Kevin Nash, a man who once threw him into the side of a trailer
like a human dart. Then he upset Bam Bam Bigelow in a mismatch that seemed
like an SAT question: If x = Rey and y = Bam Bam, how many times will x go
into y? It’s not just mere size differential when Rey goes up against these
behemoths -- it’s sheer volume. Rey hardly takes up any space at all. He
wouldn’t even show up on a radar screen.
But he’s been showing up in the win column with astonishing regularity, going
from cruiserweight to giant killer in a matter of days.
Rey has proven me wrong in one respect.
I once derided Rey’s amazing musculature as totally unnecessary. I used to
say that no matter how big Rey got, it wouldn’t be big enough, that he should
stick to flying.
But his muscle enabled him to overpower the other cruiserweights.
And now his muscle allows him to compete with the big boys. Oh, he’s not
going to win many tests of strength. But the strength Rey does have enables
him to put that much more leverage into his moves. Witness when he cradled
Bigelow on Nitro this week. Bigelow would have shrugged off a weaker wrestler.
Rey was able to hold on.
So, what’s next for Rey Mysterio Jr.?
Even though he may be the best cruiserweight champion of all time, it might
be kind of hard for Rey to go back there. No disrespect intended, but is
a cruiserweight really a challenge for Rey now that he’s beaten Nash and
Bigelow?
Then again, can Rey beat heavyweights consistently?
Rey’s best bet would be to pick his spots against heavyweights. He should
split his time between singles matches and tag matches. Konnan has already
partnered with Rey on several occasions and I would think that relationship
will continue. Rey needs someone to watch his back after turning down the
chance to join the Wolfpac -- we all saw what the red and black did to Rey
on Nitro this week, jumping him in the dressing room -- and Konnan certainly
has enough drama with the ‘Pac to be a logical choice to do it.
Rey will have to come up with some new wrinkles, too.
He stunned Nash.
He shocked Bigelow.
But now every big wrestler in WCW is going to see him coming.
He won’t surprise anybody any more.
Rey will face the biggest test of his life at Uncensored when he meets Nash
in a rematch. Like I said, he won’t surprise Nash this time.
I’ve spoken to Nash about his match with Rey at Uncensored. Big Sexy is breathing
fire. He doesn’t just want to beat Rey. He wants to power-bomb him through
the ring.
Nash might do just that. Heck, he might put him through the cement underneath
the ring.
But I wouldn’t count Rey out.
This kid has the heart of a lion. For him to lose his mask was absolute heartbreak.
It’s the pinnacle of humiliation for any Lucha Libre star. But he didn’t
mope, didn’t retreat. He came out and beat Kevin Nash and Bam Bam Bigelow
in back-to-back matches.
If I were Rey, I’d demand a world title shot right now. He might not get
it. But then again, he might. Rey has some connections on the WCW championship
committee.
Rey could never beat Hollywood Hogan consistently.
But one night? One time?
Anything’s possible.
Rey Mysterio Jr. has certainly proven that over the past few weeks.