50 Best WCW Moments Ever
38. Cruiserweights Smash It
The best wrestling pay-per-views offer variety and quality across the board. WCW's Great American Bash 1996 was headlined by a big man match in The Giant vs. Lex Luger, but it was a showcase between two much smaller workers that stole attention. Rey Mysterio vs. Dean Malenko was and is essential viewing.
Rey's fluid movements and crisp sequences dazzled paying punters. Meanwhile, Malenko (who was no slouch himself) provided a solid, reliable and ever-present base for Mysterio to springboard from. They went almost 18 minutes, but not one second was wasted. That says everything, because 18 mins could be considered a little long for something so flashy in the midcard.
Both men knew when to slow the pace and rest up. They were taking fans on a journey through technical expertise, lucha greatness and more. An entire generation of future pro wrestlers watched in awe; this is the kind of match that laid down a template for things to come. It's one of the finest Cruiserweight Title displays ever aired.
Bet you didn't expect to see so much Malenko on this list, eh? There's a little more to come.