When WCW caught fire and was actually beating the WWF in `97-`98 they used to elements: good drawing main events (though they usually sucked) and highend wrestling in the undercard. For me the nWo provided interesting TV, but the Cruiserweights got me hooked. Here I include a handful of matches that were really examples of the solid undercard. We start with the first cruiser import from AAA, Rey Mysterio Jr., challenging Dean Malenko. Then an even better rematch. Then I have a nice look at Eddy Guerraro, who evolved into a great rudo before having a great program with his nephew Chavo Jr. (see how much Chavito steps it up) and Ultimo Dragon in his final active year. Then I toss on Chris Jericho early in his WCW career and busting his ass as a babyface. Then I have a nice match of two of the division's best: Rey Jr. and Billy Kidman. A lot of great action and everything is *** or better.

1. Dean Malenko vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. (Great American Bash `96)
The WCW debut of the super luchador and the first match between him and one of best rivals in WCW. I remember being baffled in seeing Mysterio because of his small stature, but it only takes one match before you realize his greatness. The early work is okay, but nothing like what we'd see in a more pure lucha match. Dean goes to work on the arm, which makes less sense because you expect legs with fliers, but this allows Rey to get in his highflying. I like the psychology here because the fans can get behind the smaller Mysterio whose taking a beating, then love him when he shows his brilliance. The heat is not quite there though, until Rey's flying came in, then things ended abruptly. Very good match and perhaps the best cruiserweight match at this point, but I liked it a lot then.
Rating: ***

2. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko (Clash of the Champions XXXIII)
The third meeting of Malenko nd Mysterio and it's free for to the world. Mysterio has that early technico advantage, but Malenko fights back with nice technique. There's a beautiful exchange mid-way through, which is classic Mysterio improvising with sheer athleticism and reflexes. Mysterio's stuff is so excellent and Malenko is right there hanging with him. They have a false finish and then Rey catches him from behind and "steals" a win. Okay finish, it more perpetuated their feud than anything. Malenko was average for him, getting his stuff in, but mostly working the transitions for Mysterio, whose spots were exceptional.
Rating: ***1/4

3. Chris Jericho vs. Eddy Guerraro (Clash of the Champions XXXV)
The evolution of Guerraro turning into the world class rudo he is and Jericho just playing the baby, which he's good at. Jericho's early offense frustrates Eddy, who cowers and stalls. Finally he gets an ambush on the Cruiserweight champion and so it begins. Guerraro arrogantly displays some good offense and expertly sells Jericho's. They have a nice cradle sequence, which oddly ends the match. Guerraro goes even more rudo on him with a post-match attack, which really gets the fans booing him. Awesome rudo stuff out of Eddy, who's one of the best and Jericho was kind of just along for the ride.
Rating: ***

4. Ultimo Dragon vs. Chavo Guerraro Jr. (Spring Stampede `98)
A weird angle where Eddy used his heel heat to give his nephew Chavo the babyface rub. The match starts with some good matwork and then picks up before slowing back down. Things eventually go to floor and Chavo hits an awesome twisting tope con hilo. The last leg sees some good offense out of Chavo, who accidently hits a low dropkick, but he refuses to take advantage of it. Eddy is furious about it and Ultimo goes on to counter Chavo's Swinging DDT into the Dragon Sleeper for the win. Good match and probably Chavo's best at this point in time. The clean babyface thing doesn't get over like it used to, but the fans hate Eddy's cheating, so it works. Good heat, hard work by the youngster, nice finish.
Rating: ***1/4

5. Eddy Guerraro vs. Ultimo Dragon (Slamboree `98)
The Eddy-Chavo saga continues with Dragon being able to free Chavo if he wins this match. Thw crowd is dead during the opening, which include some lucha-style work, Eddy's heel tactics and Ultimo's kicks all of which regularly get good reactions. Both men use high-impact stuff and slow stuff (Eddy continues his rudo-isms), which is good. Ultimo's usually best received moves: Asai Moonsault, Moonsault and Dragon Sleeper all get poor reactions at best. Eddy uses Chavo's Tornado DDT and Ultimo's own signature sleeper, grabbing the ropes during the latter. Junior tries to stop him, but it backfires and Eddy hits the Brainbuster and Frog Splash for the flat victory. Chavo goes nuts and attacks the Dragon and refuses to hit his uncle, who is begging for it. Post-match stuff got a decent reaction, but that's being generous. This was a sound match with no real flaws and a nice angle to it, but the fans were deader than dead. After all the heat for Jericho-Malenko, it seems really weird, in fact Dean got a bigger pop than Goldberg did later on the card. Good match, but the lack of heat killed things and the preformances weren't elevated as they might be for an exceptional crowd.
Rating: ***

6. Eddy Guerraro vs. Chavo Guerraro Jr. (Great American Bash `98)
The Guerraros finally go head-to-head with Chavo having gone crazy making Uncle Eddy uneasy. A heated brawl early and both guys get backdropped onto the turnbuckle connectors, which is weird because you never see it. They go into a nice style clash with Eddy being slower and more conservative, while Chavo is doing the faster stuff, namely highflying. Finally Eddy frustrates him and draws him into making a mistake and Chavo's knee falls prey. Uncle Eddy starts grinding away with submission, which kills the crowd and even get some "boring" chants. Chavo's comeback features some excellent offense, before he gets an upset win out of nowhere for a surprisingly big pop. A really good match with heat early on, but the crowd were not into science at the least. They were popping some, but I'd say the heat largely hurt this. One of the best Chavo matches with Eddy giving a lot and building him very well and putting him over.
Rating: ***1/2

7. Chris Jericho vs. Syxx (Halloween Havoc `96)
After a horrid promo by the nWo's cruiserweight, we ready to see him take on WCW's best young wrestler at the time in Chris Jericho, whose Lita Ford ripoff theme is cooler than anything Syxx could ever do. The early action is excellent, which I wouldn't expect. Syxx's offense is slow and unimpressive, but Jericho sells it wonderfully. Jericho's however is really good and this offically becomes a slobberknocker. Nick Patrick makes for some heated nearfalls, as in he costs Jericho, but is right there when Syxx gets the win. Screwy finish, but Jericho busted his ass to make Syxx look good and the Kid played things smart.
Rating: ***1/4

8. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Billy Kidman (Spring Stampede `99)
WCW's Cruiserweight Division was strengthened by three young faces in three waves: Rey Mysterio Jr., Billy Kidman and Shane Helms. This is the meeting of the first two after Kidman had basically taken over Rey's spot in `98, but Mysterio is certainly not ready for retirement yet. These guys are so familiar with one another and at this point have similar styles that cross lucha excitement and American innovation. Rey (perhaps unintentionally) bumps around like crazy and it takes a lot out of him. The pace is way to slow for a highflying cruiserweight match, so it comes across as spotty. The crowd slowly dies popping less and quieter as things roll on before the unlikely top rope rana finish. These guys worked hard, but I expect more and surely they could have not looked so disorganized. Fun match though and better than my negative comments may signify.
Rating: ***