Former WCW President Eric Bischoff has credited Dean Malenko with playing a crucial role in establishing Rey Mysterio as a major star early in his career in the United States.
Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Eric Bischoff reflected on Rey Mysterio’s arrival in WCW in 1996 and the impact of his rivalry with Dean Malenko over the Cruiserweight Championship.
Although Mysterio would eventually become one of professional wrestling’s most recognisable performers, he was still relatively unknown to mainstream American audiences when he joined WCW.
His rivalry with Malenko began at The Great American Bash in June 1996 and continued through Halloween Havoc that October, producing a series of matches that helped introduce Mysterio’s high-flying wrestling style to a wider audience.
Bischoff believes Malenko’s experience and technical ability were instrumental in allowing the young luchador to make an immediate impression.
“Dean [Malenko] helped Rey be the best Rey [he] could be, and make the biggest impression Rey could make,” Bischoff explained. “Rey couldn’t have done that without somebody as good as Dean.”
The former WCW executive suggested that Malenko’s contribution to Mysterio’s early success deserves greater recognition, particularly given the lasting influence of their matches.
Eric Bischoff Praises WCW’s Cruiserweight Division For Changing Wrestling
Eric Bischoff also highlighted the wider impact of WCW’s Cruiserweight division, which featured performers such as Rey Mysterio, Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero.
He argued that the wrestlers involved in the division’s early development helped create opportunities for a style of professional wrestling that had previously received limited exposure on mainstream American television.
“I think Dean, and Eddie — everybody involved in that early Cruiserweight initiative — deserves so much credit for so many of the matches and the talent that we see in the industry today,” Bischoff said.
“They created a market in a way that had never been created before because of their unique ability and skills. Those guys all just deserve a s*** ton of credit.”
Bischoff’s comments reflect his belief that the division’s influence extended far beyond WCW, helping shape the presentation of smaller, more athletic wrestlers in the years that followed.
The former WCW President has previously discussed the differences between Mysterio and Malenko, admitting that he personally preferred Malenko because he found his in-ring presentation more believable.
However, his latest remarks emphasised the importance of their partnership rather than comparing their individual abilities.
Mysterio has also spoken positively about Malenko’s influence on his career, acknowledging the respect he holds for his former rival.
Their series of matches in 1996 remains an important chapter in Mysterio’s career, helping establish him with American wrestling audiences before he went on to achieve worldwide success.
For Bischoff, Malenko’s role in that breakthrough, along with the contributions of Guerrero and other early Cruiserweight stars, deserves greater recognition for its lasting impact on professional wrestling.
