The over-the-hill, past-their-primes stars of WWF's past that had settled into WCW and were populating the main event scene may have grabbed the headlines but it was the smaller, more dynamic and exciting luchadores from Mexico that helped revolutionize wrestling and give WCW that one element that separated it from the World Wrestling Federation. The high-flying style and the breathtaking action made for must-see matches. Rey Mysterio, Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis, Silver King, El Dandy, Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko provided workrate on shows that were otherwise focused heavily on the egomaniacs that made up the New World Order. The wrestlers, never having experienced the level of exposure they did from competing in front of a national audience on TNT, made the most of their opportunities and oftentimes had the best match on the card. While the Kevin Nashes, Scott Halls, Hulk Hogans and Randy Savages were getting the credit for fueling business, it was the cruiserweights that were keeping wrestling enthusiasts interested in the product. They single-handedly saved some major pay-per-view events from ranking among the worst of all-time and were far more integral to the success of the company than they were given credit for. At Halloween Havoc 1997, World Championship Wrestling's cruiserweight division had its defining moment when Mysterio and Guerrero wrestled a five-star classic for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. Never before have two wrestlers hit every one of their marks with such precision and perfection as they did on that night. The story was impeccable, the wrestling phenomenal and the result was one of the greatest matches of any promotion in any corner of the world. The cruiserweight title would be devalued tremendously when Vince Russo entered the company and used it as a prop for low-tier comedy programs featuring Madusa, Oklahoma and Daffney but during the height of the Monday Night Wars, it is incredibly difficult to devalue the importance of the smaller competitors on WCW's product.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
