MOTW 162: Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio Jr

"M.O.T.W. #162: Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio Jr." - ink & digital illustration

Today brings us to the 162nd of our Chris Things Art 'Match of the Week' illustration series. And this week we travel back to the world of 1997 WCW for one of the greatest matches of all time!

This absolute classic Championship vs Mask apuestas bout took place on October 26th, 1997 at WCW's Halloween Havoc '97 PPV from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada - with the WCW Worlds Cruiserweight Championship AND Rey Jr.'s mask on the line!

So this is a match that clearly needs no added hype on my end. I wound up showing it this past Sunday night at The Scratch, as the 'main event' of Wrestling Club with Chris Things "Halloween Hangover" Edition. And my gosh, I think this went down a treat! There's good reason why this is widely accepted as one of the best matches ever!

A surprising thing on rewatch is how short it is (especially as an apuestas match!) but dang it, they sure make the most of their minutes! The furious intensity of this thing just leaps off of the screen.

I have a lot of love for both of these guys. Two absolute generational talents, both with many fascinatingly varied parts of their careers. Eddy (or 'Eddie', both acceptable) is just at his absolute peak here. Everything that makes him so special is on full display. It's so rare to see someone who has such a perfect trifecta of absolute intensity, crisp precision & total charisma. The overall chemistry between the two is so great. This may also be the perfect Rey Jr. match. Eddy has got to be on the top list of his greatest opponents ever.

Overall the biggest thing for me on this rewatch was just how perfect of a rudo vs tecnico match this was. So pure! We had some wild feats of athleticism but all the way through, the feeling of a fight between a good guy & a bad guy is what shines through at all times. The way the crowd gets behind Rey Rey is just so perfect! The WCW Vegas crowd & terrific commentary also adds so much. THIS is professional wrestling!

ENJOY!!

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