Welcome to another edition of UnWrest Focus REWIND as we go back to the very end of 1996. The Cruiserweight Division in WCW was one of the greatest collections of talent that professional wrestling has ever seen. The way that Eric Bischoff showcased these wrestlers from 1995 to 1998 added the adrenaline and excitement that fueled many WCW Nitros and PPV events. Perhaps no other talent in the division personified its heart and soul and enthralled the masses the way that Rey Mysterio Jr. did. Rey was only in his early 20s at this point in his career and providing many highlights on WCW TV. This is a sample of Rey's work in WCW:
However, Mysterio was facing another legend on this night...
Another talent in the wrestling world was capturing the hearts and minds of wrestling fans in Japan. Jushin Thunder Liger, in his early 30s around this time, had become a household name in Japan with his in-ring persona paying homage to an Anime TV show of the same name. Liger was a multi-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. But for American fans, Liger was known for his several appearances on WCW, including a classic series of matches with Brian Pillman. (Fun Fact: Liger and Pillman had the first match ever on WCW Monday Nitro.) However, in August 1996, Liger had to undergo brain surgery to remove a brain tumor. So, the fact that he is wrestling back in WCW in December of that year should be considered a miracle.
And thanks to WCW, we got this rare meeting between two of the greatest Cruiserweights to ever lace up a pair of boots. (Unfortunately, their 2018 match in New Japan was cancelled. And with Rey going back to WWE, it appears this match may never happen.)
Let's Do This!
Want to follow along? Here's a video of the match:
WCW Starrcade 1996
December 29, 1996
Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Rey Mysterio, Jr.
Liger comes out to the generic Japan theme WCW had for NJPW talent. Rey Mysterio Jr. comes out saying he's going to beat Japan right here in the United States.
The bell rings. USA chant from the crowd. Handshake to start the match. Tie up. Liger powering Mysterio here. Rare that Liger has that type of advantage over a wrestler. Rey gets Liger on the ground, but Liger uses his size to reverse out and get Rey in an arm stretch. Mysterio dropkicks out. Liger using his height and size advantage early on here, but he still does his typical dropkicks. Big vertical suplex by Liger. Again, Liger uses his speed to throw Mysterio into the corner. This again is a unique style for a Liger match. He's rarely undersized in matches I've seen, but I've never seen Liger just be able to manhandle someone like he with Mysterio either. Then again, Rey is the kind of person most people should have a height or size advantage on (at least at this stage of his career).
LIGER THROWS REY UP IN THE AIR AND LETS HIM CRASH TO THE MAT. Wow! Powerbomb by Liger. Liger heels it up for the American crowd by motioning he's going to break him. Rey starts getting some offense in, hitting his trademark hurricanranas and sending Liger over the top to the floor. Mysterio goes for a 619 in the ropes, but Liger moves out of the way. Shoulder to the stomach of Liger on the apron now by Mysterio. LIGER SUPLEXES MYSTERIO OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR! Dang! Liger goes out after him! Apron Bomb by Liger now. This is an aggressive style of match from Liger. Rey rolls back in.
Liger puts Rey on the top of the corner. Rey pushes Liger off, but he misses a missile dropkick as Liger just brushes him off. Liger hits a trademark Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker! Surfboard by Liger to Mysterio. Again, another Liger trademark. Mysterio gets out. German suplex by Mysterio. Standing Moonsault for a 2 by Mysterio. DDT by Rey now. Arabian Moonsault off the top rope by Mysterio for a 2 count. Springboard Dropkick now. (The crowd is very quiet right now, but this is a really good match up to this point.) Camel Clutch by Mysterio. Springboard by Mysterio is met by a dropkick by Liger! German suplex by Liger for a 2 count. Liger again uses his size to the advantage this time through the use of a half crab. Dragon Screw to Mysterio. Dusty starts talking about Dick Murdoch now.
Chop by Liger. Spinning kick into the other corner by Liger. The announce team are having a blast at mocking Tenay's knowledge of all these moves. Tenay seems to be having fun with it as well. Rey catches Liger in the corner and flips him over. Spinwheel kick. Liger goes for Shotei, but Mysterio hits a modified leg-scissors takedown on Liger instead off the corner. Liger is on the floor now. TOP ROPE MOONSAULT BY MYSTERIO!!!! WOW! The count is on.
Mysterio makes it back in the ring to break the count. Liger is slow to get into the ring. Guillotine Legdrop off the top on Liger. Liger got the foot on the ropes at 2. Wow. Mysterio has Liger down on the mat. He misses a big splash off the corner. Liger is now climbing up. Diving headbutt by Liger. 1-2-kickout! Mysterio goes for the West Coast Pop, but Liger catches him and sends him crashing to the floor off the ropes. Liger climbs the corner. Mysterio goes to flip Liger off the corner, but Liger lands on his feet and spinwheel kicks Mysterio. LIGER BOMB! 1-2-3!
Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger
Match Grade: B. Again, considering that Liger is 4 months removed from brain tumor surgery, this was a really good match. Liger was working a more physical style of wrestling in this match, using his size and height advantage against Mysterio. He wasn't doing nearly as many dives to the floor or even in the ring as he was before this (or even in the years following this). Mysterio brought a lot of great high-flying action to this match, including some crazy dives and fast-paced maneuvers. It's a shame that this was basically a one-time-only match, but it was really good (not great) while it lasted.
Of course, both men would continue to do awesome things after this. Liger continued to be an NJPW legend with appearances in the States, including many in Ring of Honor. Today, Liger is still wrestling at the age of 53 at a really great workrate given what his body has been through. As for Mysterio, he has similarly become a legend for his work in WCW and WWE. Mysterio also did some work for Lucha Underground. Recently, Mysterio did some work for NJPW including a match with Liger as his partner. Now, Mysterio looks to further cement his already Hall of Fame-worthy career with a return to WWE. Thankfully, we were able to at least get this one match between Liger and Mysterio and while both were near the primes of their career.
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That does it for this edition of UnWrest Focus Rewind. Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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