8 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 2006
1. Rey Did Everything He Could To Elevate Chavo
Chavo Guerrero had been Rey Mysterio's first WWE opponent when the dazzling masked man debuted back in 2002, and the pair had worked countless matches against one another since. Something felt different about their 2006 series though. It was like Chavo had levelled up. Both men had, in truth. Rey was coming off a run as World Heavyweight Champion.
Guerrero cost Rey that belt at the Great American Bash in July. His treachery led to a series of matches between both men. They worked together at SummerSlam, then in a short ‘Street Fight’ on the 22 September SmackDown, and again in a ‘Falls Count Anywhere’ match at No Mercy. The blow off came in a ‘Loser Leaves SmackDown’ match that was also held under ‘I Quit’ rules on the 20 October ’06 show.
It's memorable for some simply outstanding work from these guys, and it probably should’ve led to bigger and better things for Chavo. To think, he’d been under the dire Kerwin White gimmick before Eddie’s passing in 2005. WWE were happy to let someone this talented play a racist character no-one wanted to see when he could've been having some of the best bouts in town opposite real-life pals like Mysterio.
Rey did everything in his power to make WWE take Chavo seriously. It was an uphill battle, but he really tried. Meanwhile, Guerrero had fire in his belly due to the Eddie pain, and he used his strong performances as therapy for that and the miserable Kerwin White creative.
His matches with Rey were so good that it's astonishing he didn't level up some more heading into 2007.
What else did you learn from watching every episode of WWE SmackDown from 2006? For more wrestling, check out 12 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 2003 and 9 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 2004!