Rey Mysterio has wrestled all over the world for 30 years in several different promotions. He has competed in the ring against many of the best wrestlers to ever step inside the squared circle and that includes Eddie Guerrero.
Mysterio was a guest on this week’s episode of WWE’s The Bump. He and the panel went on to discuss a few of his most important rivalries during his time as a Cruiserweight in WCW 20 years ago.
A few days ago Mysterio celebrated his and Eddie Guerrero’s scintillating match at WCW Halloween Havoc in 1997. They competed in a “Mask vs. Title” match for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. Prior to the match, they had only squared off against each other three or four times. Mysterio said that the chemistry on display during the match was an impromptu classic between them.
“It’s very special! On Monday, we celebrated 23 years [since] that match; it brought back a lot of memories,” he said joyfully. “I knew Eddie very well. I had the opportunity to share the ring with him three or four times. The connection was already there without a doubt because I had the opportunity to work Eddie in Mexico. We already knew our styles, but the meaning of that match and the tension going into the ring that night was on another level.
“I had the weight of having my mask taken off. The decision was changed, [but] I was nervous as hell. I asked Eddie, ‘What are we going to do?’ He said, ‘Aw Rey, just open your ears and listen to me.’ A lot of things that happened that night and the magic we created was on the fly. That’s what makes it even more special.”
He also believes that if he never faced Eddie at Halloween Havoc, he would never have won the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 22, 9 years later.
“Every time they ask me what’s my favorite match, I like to use the world title match at WrestleMania 22 because that was a historical moment for me. But, without this match at Halloween Havoc, there probably wouldn’t have been a WrestleMania 22 for me,” he implied. “So, this is the one that definitely gives me more pride and honor. I feel truly blessed to have been part of that event and to present this match to fans around the world. We tried to recreate that magic several times, but it just didn’t happen. I think that’s why this match is even more special.”
h/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.
