Mexico ended up being an excellent resource for WCW when they built up their undercard. While some might say it all started when AAA star Konnan debuted in 1/96, Eddy Guerraro had already been around for a few months. This tape is nice mish-mash of luchadors in some very good matches. We see the evolution of Konnan from his debut to his first match with Eddy to him beating down one of his friends he brought in - Juventud Guerrara. I added one of the first trios matches featuring a few non-luchadors to show the crossover. Then we get the rematch of the legendary Mysterio-Guerraro match, which is quite good. And we also see the downside of the luchador invasion, when Juventud Guerrara puts up and loses his mask in a disgusting display of creative control not understanding the significance of the hood. Finally we get two matches between Ultimo Dragon and Psychosis working a great hybrid style, which is okay the first time and an outstanding match the second time around. This is a fun tape with a broad scope view of most of the wrestlers who worked extensively in Mexico before stepping into the WCW ring.

1. Konnan vs. Psychosis (Clash of the Champions XXXII)
While you'd never see this match in AAA, you get in WCW as the "Mexican Heavyweight Champion" Konnan makes his WCW debut and takes on AAA's best highflying rudo. Konnan does his thing using lucha submissions, which I always thought was his greatest strength. His takedowns are slow and though I enjoyed them then, they look bad now. Psychosis gets a little offense, namely his trademark Tope Suicida, which Konnan doesn't take well. The finish see Konnan use his Spider German Suplex and Ziplock to get the win. This was neat in `96, when I was ignorant to lucha, but it doesn't stand up better than being Konnan's first WCW match.
Rating: **1/2

2. Konnan vs. Eddy Guerraro (Uncensored `96)

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3. Chris Jericho, Super Calo, Chavo Guerraro Jr. vs. Konnan, La Parka, Mr. JL (Clash of the Champions XXXIV)
Weird note, but this match has two future World Heavyweight champions and a past one in Jericho, Mr. JL and Konnan respectively. This is WCW's first attempt lucha-style trios match with only three men who have wrestled significantly in Mexico. Chavo and JL open things up well enough, then Konnan and Calo break out a lil' lucha, then Jericho and Parka add some weird heavyweight stuff. After a little messiness, Parka and Konnan give is some nice double-teaming. Then they transition into the dive part, La Parka hitting a crazy tope suicida and Calo coming out last with a Slingshot Somersault Senton Suicida. During the chaos on the floor, Jericho takes out JL with his Jericho Spike (Top Rope Frankenstiener) for the hot win. Not on par with lucha stuff, but this thing was a tornado of action.
Rating: ***

4. Chris Jericho vs. Juventud Guerrara (SuperBrawl VIII)
One of WCW's best heels, who had heat with the higher ups because he was so good. Juventud here was forced into a mask match and a poorly built up one at that, especially for someone of Juvi's status. The early stuff is pretty good with Jericho playing possum to get counted out. Guerrara gets on the advantage and has a very good offense, even hitting the Juvi Driver and 450 Splash, which gets a three, but Jericho grabs the ropes. Juvi, thinking he won, turns his back and Jericho attacks the knee. Eventually the champ counters a rana into the Liontamer and Juventud has to give up and lose his mask. Inconsistant heat, especially for a match that should have been a huge deal. Good though with sound psychology, nice heat on Jericho and a decent finisher, though it was flat.
Rating: ***1/2

5. Konnan vs. Juventud Guerrara (Uncensored `98)
A rematch of their Fall Brawl `96 match, which was quite good. nWo's hoodie, Konnan, called Juvi a quiter after losing his hood. K-Dawg's gangsta arrogance has fully blossomed here and Guerrara was really comfortable. They use the heavyweight beating down a cruiserweight psychology with Juvi getting ample hope spots. Konnan's offense is vicious and he really shines in the bully role with lots stiff strikes, dangerous moves and vicious submissions (especially a sickly executed Rocking Horse). The finish is a cool upset spot, though it may have been half botched. The "Never Surrender" Juventud was really put over strong with Konnan doing a very good job though Juvi was the star here.
Rating: ***

Eddy Guerraro vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. (World War III)
How do you have a rematch that even compares to one of the greatest matches ever? Misawa has done it with on four different occasions, so it is possible. Can Rey and Eddy do it? Guerraro has regained the title and it is only a month later, so the potential is there. This one is quite different from the first, which is makes it hard to compare, but is decidedly not as good. Eddy drops Rey hard with an early Release German Suplex and the style of match may change because of that one move. Mysterio is good, but not as flawless as he sometimes can be. They use a slower pace with Junior selling a lot, which may be to cover for the injury, but it works regardless. The finish is good for the heel and clean. Good match, interesting rematch, but obviously not as good.
Rating: ***1/2

Ultimo Dragon vs. Psychosis (Uncensored `97)
Kind of two awesome cruisers thrown together for a PPV, but really how can you miss? Ultimo had been becoming one of the most popular cruiserweights, while Psychosis hadn't been totally lost in the shuffle yet. Tenay reminds us they were/are affiliated with different groups in Mexico, so they are not familiar with each other. The early work is pretty basic as they do generic lucha and their own signature spots. Finally they pick it up, Psycosis hit an awesome tope suicida and then a crazy slingshot legdrop suicida, Ultimo not to be outdone does his Asai Moonsault. That got the crowd into it finally and than the last leg is reasonably well heated. It ends up coming across like a Nitro match given more time, so they have a stronger finish. While there were a few flaws in execution, things were largely good and it was a nice effort
Rating: ***

Ultimo Dragon vs. Psychosis (Great American Bash `97)
After the Dragon-Onoo split, Sonny began focusing on luchadors and Psychosis was the first he picked up and sent after Ultimo. After an okay PPV match in March this is rematch with an angle now. The fans are really hot for this, which makes it super-cool. Psych is boo'd when he plays to them and Ultimo's offense is cheered. They really give it to Sonny, especially when he gets his kicks in on the floor. The pacing by Psychosis is really good as he has a well-rounded offense and really lays on the taunting. Ultimo almost gets his hands on Sonny, which has the crowd going crazy. We see a rare La Rueca followed by an Asai Moonsault from the Dragon and an insane tope suicida by Psychosis. The end is back-and-fourth and very heated before Ultimo hooks the Dragon Sleeper for the win. Awesome match with some of the best heat I've ever seen in Cruiserweight match. This had a lot of great offense out of both men, a bit of innovation and no obvious flaws. A hidden gem for sure.
Rating: ****1/4