April 23, 1999
by Ross Forman
Maybe Rey Mysterio, Jr., shouldn't have signed for last Monday Nitro's four-way
Cruiserweight Championship match against Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis and
Blitzkrieg. Or maybe he just shouldn't have put the title on the line. After
all, Mysterio had the most to lose.
In reality, it was three title-shots for each of the others in one night.
Anyone could have pinned anyone ... and Mysterio would have lost the Cruiserweight
Championship.
No big deal, he says.
It's that high-energy excitement that drives the 24-year sensation.
"Unfortunately my luck ran out Monday; however, I must say that I was not
pinned. Blitzkrieg was pinned. So, the way I look at it is, Psychosis defeated
Blitzkrieg for the Cruiserweight Title," Mysterio said. "I like competition;
I like excitement; I like risks. That match definitely filled all of them.
I'm not upset. This isn't my last night in the company; this isn't my last
match. I hope Psychosis is a fighting champion, like I am."
But is Mysterio the No.1 contender?
What about Blitzkrieg? Or Guerrera? Or Kidman? Or Super Calo? Or Prince Iaukea?
Or Chris Jericho? Or Kaz Hayashi?
So many contenders, so many possibilities.
That's why the Cruiserweight Division is the best in the business.
"Psychosis and I have a lot of history. We go back, way back, to the day
in Mexico," he said. "I must say, Psychosis is very smart; he took advantage
of the opportunity. Psychosis and I have had many battles in the past, including
Championship bouts in Mexico City. We even had a Championship bout about
a month ago in Tijuana. We go way back, to our days in Japan and ECW."
Mysterio's favorite match against Psychosis was in 1995, during their first
trip to Japan, for the Super-J Cup. "We tore the house down." And after the
match, fans actually threw money in the ring to show their appreciation.
To the tune of about $300.
Despite dropping the Cruiserweight Championship, Mysterio still owns half
of the Tag Team Championship (with Kidman). But for how much longer? The
Horsemen (Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko) are breathing down their neck. Not
to mention Raven and Saturn. And no doubt Curt Hennig and Barry Windham would
like another title shot.
"That's what competition is all about. Once you become a champion, everyone
wants a shot at you," Mysterio said. "I'm not gonna drop my half of the weight.
Hopefully Kidman won't either. Is there tension between the two of us? Nah,
just mis-communication at times. But I think we're back on the same page.
The problem is, we grew up different, (in) different lifestyles. I've got
the Mexican heritage; he's from Pennsylvania. My blood is Mexico; his is
not. So, sometimes we think different; that's when we bump heads."
MYSTERIO FACTS
First match: Against Shamu in Tijuana in 1989. Mysterio won.
Bet ya didn't know ... Mysterio used to bleach his hair blonde. But never
again, he said.
Best friend in wrestling: K-Dogg.
It's a Fact: "I want to wrestle against Hogan; I want to show him what Rey
Mysterio, Jr., is all about."