Arn Anderson Claims AEW Figure Never Gets Enough Credit

Arn Anderson has shared his thoughts on a WCW classic.

While becoming a legend in his own right, Arn Anderson has spent decades surrounded by some of the biggest stars the wrestling industry has to offer. As well as being a Hall of Fame talent in the ring, Anderson has coached and produced some of the all-time greats since retiring.

In short, the former Horseman has an eye for talent.

On the latest episode of his ARN podcast, Anderson looked back at Rey Mysterio’s WCW debut in June 1996. At the Great American Bash, Mysterio challenged Dean Malenko for the Cruiserweight Championship and made an immediate impression despite tasting defeat.

Mysterio’s high-flying, all-action style was on full display, leaving the audience stunned. For audiences in the United States, Mysterio’s Lucha style was very much still a novelty at this stage.

When analysing the match, Anderson was quick to praise Mysterio’s opponent, Malenko, suggesting that he never gets enough credit.

“As soon as the bell rang. Look, it was the first time I saw him. He’s walking around backstage. He looked 12 years old.

Tony Young, you know, talking about how excellent his work was. Somebody was on the other end of that. And Dean Malenko will never get the due that he should, because, God, some of the stuff that Dean could do, some of the catches that he did with Rey, just old Lucha style.

I’d never seen it, and to see it firsthand and by two of the best that ever lived, and I was just sitting there with my jaw on the ground.”

Arn Anderson Thinks Rey Mysterio Is The Best Ever

When asked whether Mysterio is the greatest luchador in history, Anderson had no doubts. He explained that, despite being a high-flyer and usually the smallest person in any given match, Mysterio’s ability to work logically makes him stand out.

“No doubt. [When asked if he’s the greatest luchador] But you know what the art form that made him so believable and credible, he didn’t mow anybody down, he didn’t knock anybody down. Chopped him down.

So he made up for the fact that Rey was five feet tall, maybe 140 pounds, but he did everything he did to get a guy off his feet. Made perfect spin, made perfect sense, and it wasn’t he was steamrolling anybody which were the audience, sort of dumped all over that. He just chipped down, chipped down, finally did enough that he got him on one leg, and that’s when he knocked him on their ass.”

Another standout of that period was Mysterio’s close friend, the late, great Eddie Guerrero. On the recent 20th anniversary of Guerrero’s passing, Rey Mysterio penned an emotional letter reminiscing about their careers and pro wrestling journey.

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H/t to WrestlingNews.Co