One of the difference-makers in WCW was the relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The two groups exchanged talent and while few of the Japanese stars got over in the US, they still gave us some great light heavyweight/junior/cruiserweight matches. I start with perhaps the most well-known junior match in the US of the first half of the 90s. From there, I add two matches from the WCW-New Japan World Cup, the best two. Then we have three classics with Rey Mysterio Jr. and two of the greatest wrestlers Japan ever produced: Ultimo/Ultimate Dragon (x2) and Jushin Lyger. The final two matches see two WAR's best two juniors: Gedo and Yuji Yasuraoka as they take on two of WAR's best gaijins: "Lionheart" Chris Jericho and Rey Jr. respectively. Eight excellent matches featuring some of Japan's best juniors against WCW wrestlers representing the other three meccas of wrestling: America/Canada, Europe and Mexico.

1. Brian Pillman vs. Jushin Lyger (SuperBrawl II)
A really great match in its day with all the highflying, though WCW edited out all the early matwork for pay-per-view and that's the only version I saw. Both are in their primes here and the highflying and counters were just spectacular. I hate to say much negative about this match, but it doesn't stand up in some departments. I won't rate this with respect to it and since I only saw a castrated version (damn editing butchers), but I'd probably give it something around the ****+ area.

2. Alex Wright vs. Koji Kanemoto (Starrcade `95)
This was my first opportunity to see Koji, who I loved instantly. His arrogance could have really made him a big hit in the latter cruiserweight division. Wright plays the pretty boy babyface well and delivers some of the best offense I've ever seen out of him. Kanemoto makes "Das Wunderkind" look much better and shows off some good moves in his own. A lot of nice nearfalls before Kanemoto gets the quick win. The crowd got into the highspots and you've got to dig the effort here as this was the surprising match of the World Cup.
Rating: ***1/2

3. Eddy Guerraro vs. Shinjiri Otani (Starrcade `95)
Two of the best junior heels you'll ever see and the only Otani match I ever remember seeing in WCW. Guerraro was the young babyface, which he was good enough at, while Otani's going to play up his heel role that much more in the States. The work is great with Otani trying to rough up Eddy, who comes back with his lucha skill. Eddy is unable to get the job done and Otani explodes with a great flurry, then transitions into grinding Guerraro down. Things begin see-sawing with big moves and really hot nearfalls. Finally a bloodied Otani kills Guerraro with a Springboard Dropkick to the back of the head and wins a cradle exchange for a great win. Classic pre-cruiserweight match and it lets you see why WCW chose Otani as the first champion.
Rating: ****

4. Ultimate Dragon vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. (World War III)
When Ultimo/Ultimate Dragon came into WCW in late August, who knew he'd become one of the division's best wrestlers before his career's untimely death. Now with the J Crown on the line, we see the rubber match. The Dragon's worldly style overwhelms Rey early on, but Mysterio gets the hope spots in to keep the heat level high. This has a similar psychology to the Malenko/Mysterio matches, but the heat is excellent and Ultimo's offense is a little better for that approach. Jr's comeback sees some flawless highflying and more great heat before going into the see-saw battling with lots of hot nearfalls. Mysterio goes for his Springboard Huracanrana, but Ultimo counters it with a Slingshot Lyger Bomb for the win. Creative finish, awesome heat, flawless everything (moves, flying, matwork, counters, cradles, etc.) I recall watching this one match before going to a hockey practice and was pissed I couldn't see more of what ended up being a letdown PPV.
Rating: *****

5. Jushin Lyger vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. (Starrcade `96)
The sometimes-heavyweight Lyger plays the bigger veteran to Mysterio's small underdog youngster role. Lyger uses a lot of power moves to draw babyface heat for Rey, who makes his comeback with his flying. The crowd get into only the top highspots and really dead for what is a superb match. The finish is really good, but the crowd's unfamiliarity with Lyger's moveset doesn't make the Lyger Bomb finale heated at all.
Rating: ***1/2

6. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Ultimo Dragon (Spring Stampede `97)
The third PPV match between these two with two a piece. The matwork early on is very good from Mysterio and excellent from Ultimo. Then Dragon starts his usual overpowering offense, which is executed by him as well as it sold by Rey. After a Mysterio comeback tease, Ultimo comesback with stiff kicks and lucha science. Rey's comebacks elevate in content as he progresses into his awesome highflying, but Dragon cuts him off time and time again. The end is filled with hot nearfalls and a nice springing huracanrana finish. The crowd was really hot for this throughout and totally got into the nearfalls. Excellent match, definitely one of the best.
Rating: ****1/4

7. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Yuji Yasuraoka (Slamboree `97)
The only trip over from WAR, which was too bad for this talented, but early retired wrestler. The early work is pretty basic and even, until Junior starts with his stuff. He and referee Mark Curtis do cool spot, where Rey tope con hilos over him. Mysterio looks really crispy and Yuji is a good seller. His offense is kind of different with nice strikes, a solid attack on Rey's arm and a cool springing plancha. After Yasuraoka's Double-Arm DDT doesn't get him the win, the communication breaks down and the finish is kind of flat. Good lil' match, which displayed Yuji's skills fairly well.
Rating: **3/4

8. Chris Jericho vs. Gedo (Halloween Havoc `97)
Former partners and rivals in WAR and now Gedo and his yellow pajamas come to WCW. How fitting that Dusty Rhodes does commentary on at least 1 Gedo match, unfortunately he doesn't mark out for him. This has a lot of brawling in as Gedo tries to use it to play the heel, but the fans don't really dig his schtick. There is a scary botch of a top rope frakenstiener, which sees Jericho land right on his forehead. They seem to cut things short with Jericho going over in short, but fairly good match.
Rating: **3/4