While the aforementioned Neville might be considered the greatest aerial specialist in WWE, the distinction for greatest Cruiserweight in general in WWE history goes to Rey Mysterio. Rey was the shortest World Champion, at 56, though its believed that his real height is only 53. Nevertheless, Rey has a staple in WWE for over a decade, wowing audiences with his vast array of luchadore maneuvers. Over the course of his ten-year stint in WWE, Rey has been both one of the most popular and impressive wrestlers on the WWE roster. His frequent use of head scissor-based moves and his unique 619 finisher have been staples of the luchadore wrestling style. His unbelievable skill has not gone unnoticed; he has won numerous cruiserweight and tag team titles over his career, has won WWEs World Heavyweight Championship twice, and was considered the best flying wrestler by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter from 1995 to 1997, and again from 2002-2004. He was also considered the Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1996. So which Japanese star is most similar to Rey Mysterio? Japanese Equivalent: Dragon Kid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbCARY0vBvM Dragon Kid is quite possibly the greatest flying wrestler in contemporary times. He is almost a mirror image of Rey Mysterio before he signed with WWE. Dragon Kids move-set is a collection of high-speed luchadore moves that are truly gravity-defying. From his own take on Reys 619 (Tiger Feint Kick) to his innovative Dragonrana finisher, Dragon Kid is truly one wrestler that every fan of the cruiserweight style needs to watch at some point. The reason that Dragon Kid off all Japanese light heavyweights is closest to Rey Mysterio is because their styles are virtually identical. Other famous Japanese junior heavyweights, like Jushin Thunder Liger and Ultimo Dragon combined their luchadore styles with power moves such as Powerbombs and Suplexes. Rey, on the other hand, has a psychology that focuses almost exclusively on kicks, hurricanranas and springboard-based moves. As such, the wrestler who most resembles Rey in Japan is Dragon Kid, who follows the same psychology in the ring.
Alexander Podgorski is a writer for WhatCulture that has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was 8 years old. He loves all kinds of wrestling, from WWE and sports entertainment, to puroresu in Japan.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen's University in Political Studies and French, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He speaks English, French, Polish, a bit of German, and knows some odd words and phrases in half a dozen other languages.
