The cruiserweight division stands the test of time when looking back at WCW today. Fans of the product were lucky enough to witness many international stars having superb matches lower in the card. WCW was dominated by big names like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Sting and Kevin Nash at the top. However, none of them could touch the cruiserweight division when it came to the entertaining matches.

We will look at the best matches to come from the cruiserweights in WCW’s history. All these matches helped the young talents showcase their talent as they looked to break out. Each bout would showcase the smaller wrestlers that worked with as much heart as anyone in the industry. Find out where your favorites rank with the top ten best WCW cruiserweight matches ever.

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10 Rey Mysterio vs Jushin Thunder Liger (Starrcade 1996)

The dream match between Rey Mysterio and Jushin Thunder Liger took place in WCW at Starrcade 1996. Both masked wrestlers were highly respected among the best cruiserweights in the world. Liger was one of many Japanese talents represented on this card.

The match was quite exciting with Mysterio having one of his classic WCW performances. Liger pulled off the win to represent New Japan strong. Mysterio and Liger almost worked together again in NJPW back in 2018, but an injury to Rey canceled those plans.

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9 3 Count vs Jung Dragons vs Evan Karagias and Jamie Noble (Starrcade 2000)

The later years of WCW would see the cruiserweight division lose many of their stars. 2000 featured a few new names trying their luck in various duos. Starrcade featured a three-team match involving ladders for the young stars to steal the show.

Shannon Moore and Shane Helms won the match for 3-Count by defeating the Jung Dragons and the duo of dumped partners Evan Karagin and Jamie Noble. The matches between these six wrestlers were by far the best things in 2000 for WCW as the company was at the end of the road.

8 Dean Malenko vs Rey Mysterio (Halloween Havoc 1996)

The rivalry between Dean Malenko and Rey Mysterio gave WCW some of their best matches in 1996. Mysterio entered Halloween Havoc 1996 as the Cruiserweight Champion looking to defend it against Malenko in an important match.

Malenko pulled off the win to take back the title. Both guys always had superb chemistry thanks to their clash in styles. Despite being in the same division, they were opposite talents. Mysterio flew all over the ring while Malenko kept it grounded with the technical style.

7 Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio vs Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper (Greed)

WCW’s final PPV featured them trying to introduce new titles. Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio faced off with newcomers Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo in the finals to crown the first Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions at the Greed event.

The match was full of nonstop action from start to finish. Romeo and Skipper pulled off the upset scoring the victory over the cruiserweight veterans. Unfortunately, we never got to see how good the division could have been as WCW went out of business weeks later.

6 Chris Jericho vs Ultimo Dragon (Bash At The Beach 1997)

Bash at the Beach 1997 was among the most anticipated WCW shows of the 90s due to the star power on the card from top to bottom. The cruiserweights had strong representation with two matches on the card. Chris Jericho defending the Cruiserweight Championship against Ultimo Dragon was the main one.

Both guys were known for outstanding technical wrestling skills. It was put on display here as they went from the mat to the top rope to the submissions. Jericho retained the title in an instant classic to add more credibility to his title reign.

5 Rey Mysterio vs. Billy Kidman vs. Juventud Guerrera (Starrcade 1998)

Billy Kidman emerged into one of the top cruiserweights in 1998 joining the likes of Rey Mysterio and Juventud Guerrera. Eddie Guerrero formed the Latino World Order meant to take over the cruiserweight division even though Mysterio was forced to join against his will.

Both LWO representatives fell just short of beating Kidman in this tremendous opener for Starrcade 1998. Guerrero challenged Kidman to another match right after with Kidman once again coming out victorious. The triple threat between Kidman, Rey and Juvie stole the show on the biggest WCW event of the year.

RELATED: 10 Best Matches Of Rey Mysterio's Career

4 Juventud Guerrera vs. Blitzkrieg (Spring Stampede 1999)

A surprising breakout match between two less celebrated cruiserweights took place at Spring Stampede 1999. Blitzkrieg had a rare PPV singles match against Juventud Guerrera in the opening match of the event.

Fans expected Rey Mysterio vs Billy Kidman to have the best cruiserweight match of the show, but Blitzkrieg and Juventud stole the night. Both guys treated it like a main event by delivering all their most impressive moves. Guerrera scored the win in a match that everyone on their feet in the venue.

3 Dean Malenko vs Chris Jericho (Slamboree 1998)

The emotion involved in the Slamboree 1998 match between Chris Jericho and Dean Malenko made it one of the most memorable bouts in WCW history. Malenko left WCW for months after Jericho defeated him and humiliated the Malenko family.

Slamboree featured a battle royal for all members of the cruiserweight division to face Jericho for th Cruiserweight Championship. Luchador Ciclope apparently won before unmasking to reveal it was Malenko under the mask all along. Dean destroyed Jericho in front of a red-hot crowd to finally get his revenge.

2 Rey Mysterio vs Psychosis (Bash at the Beach 1996)

Bash at the Beach 1996 is an iconic night in WCW history for Hulk Hogan joining the New World Order, but that wasn’t even the best match of the night. Rey Mysterio and Psychosis stole the show with an outstanding bout showcasing the greatness of the cruiserweight division.

Both wrestlers had a long rivalry from their time in Mexico to ECW and now in WCW. This was arguably their best match with the fifteen minutes of exciting action setting the tone for the important night. Mysterio pulled off the victory like most of his bouts against Psychosis.

1 Rey Mysterio vs Eddie Guerrero (Halloween Havoc 1997)

The iconic Halloween Havoc 1997 match between Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero is often discussed among the all-time great WCW bouts. Mysterio put his mask on the line against Guerrero’s Cruiserweight Championship in the important match.

Magic was made on this night as Mysterio and Guerrero put on a classic. The excitement for the match would end in grand fashion with Rey delivered a shocking reverse to score the pin fall and become the Cruiserweight Champion. Both guys had many more great matches, but this was their best one together.

NEXT: 10 Best Mid-Carders In WCW History