10 Major Career-Making Wrestling Matches

10. REY MYSTERIO Vs. Kurt Angle - SummerSlam 2002

Rey Mysterio entered WWE as a dreaded cruiserweight, the likes of which were marginalised in both competition and perception. Consigned to wrestle one another in meaningless undercard matches, that was the fate most feared for Rey. He was already a star. But WWE had a particular way of ruining heavyweight stars imported, almost begrudgingly, from WCW.

A "vanilla midget" from the "wrasslin'" league, Rey stared both barrels in the face.

He passed his litmus test with high-flying colours in an explosive opener opposite Kurt Angle at SummerSlam 2002, in which he beautifully conflated the philosophies of bumping and selling. Rey showcased his incandescent, witty, emotive in-ring game in a total barnstormer boasting immaculate chemistry. Rey, physically outgunned, attacked Angle from behind at the jump in a manner that resonated as plucky, not cowardly, instigating a gorgeous game of tactical oneupmanship manifesting as fluid mat wrestling and breathless counters. Angle was punishing on offence, Rey savvy and spectacular fighting from underneath. He wrestled with such inspiring drive that he controlled the crowd throughout, convincing them to get behind him by selling hellish moments - Angle's German suplex counter from a wheelbarrow position was pure concussion territory - and orchestrating a cacophony as the match reached an awesome crescendo.

On the night, Rey's star power was undeniable - undeniable even to a man predisposed to pushing his diametric opposite.