5 greatest matches of Rey Mysterio's career

Rey Mysterio is probably the most accomplished Mexican wrestler in wrestling history. In his career, he has achieved things that 5-foot-6-inch, 175-pound competitors just shouldn’t be able to do in the over-sized world of sports-entertainment. WWE’s Little Big Man is a 2-time World Champion, 2-time Intercontinental Champion, 8-time Tag Team Champion, a record 8-time Cruiserweight Champion and also a Royal Rumble winner.

Here is an attempt to chronicle the 5 matches that best exemplified Rey’s trip from underdog to top dog.

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#5 Rey Mysterio vs Shawn Michaels: Raw (Nov. 14, 2005)

Rey after winning the bout against Michaels

The night after Eddie Guerrero unexpectedly passed away, Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels squared off for the very first time in a bout that was billed as a tribute to the late Superstar. Both wearing black armbands adorned with a white "EG", they began the match with a respectful handshake and then put the niceties aside for a competitive classic.

Both former WWE Champions managed to outsmart each other at every turn. Mysterio went for a 619, Michaels rolled away. HBK attempted an elbow drop, Rey wasn’t home. Finally, after narrowly avoiding a Sweet Chin Music, Mysterio sent his opponent into the ropes and connected on his third 619 attempt before putting him away with a springboard splash. When the bell rang, Rey helped Michaels to his feet and embraced him in one of Raw’s truly inspiring moments.

#4 2006 Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble (Jan. 29, 2006)

Rey Mysterio taking The Game down

If any bout showed Mysterio’s fighting spirit, it was the 2006 Royal Rumble Match. On a night that he dedicated to his late friend Guerrero, Rey entered the 30-man, over-the-top battle royal in the unfortunate No. 2 position and held on for more than an hour to set the record for the longest time in a Royal Rumble Match and earned himself a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity at WrestleMania 22.

By far the smallest man in this wild fracas, Rey managed to avoid elimination at the hands of monsters like Kane and Big Show while dumping Rob Van Dam, Randy Orton and Triple H on his way to victory.

#3 World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match: WrestleMania 22 (April 2, 2006)

A 619 to Orton

Standing in the ring at WrestleMania with the World Heavyweight Title in his arms was too far-fetched an idea for the Ultimate Underdog to imagine. But it happened on April 2, 2006, when Rey defeated Randy Orton and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat Match to claim the Olympic gold medallist’s World Championship.

Earning this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after amazingly winning the 2006 Royal Rumble Match, Mysterio entered Chicago’s Allstate Arena and fought with that undying spirit. Narrowly avoiding the submission assault of Angle and the brutal RKO of The Viper, Mysterio nailed Orton with a springboard hurricanrana to achieve the impossible.

#2 Rey Mysterio vs. Sabu: ECW One Night Stand (June 11, 2006)

Rey and Sabu go at it in ECW

The ECW’s One Night Stand 2006 is still remembered for the bout in which Rey Mysterio defended his World Heavyweight Championship against the iconic ECW Superstar, Sabu in a hard-hitting classic.

The Ultimate Underdog was ready for everything the unpredictable Arabian threw at him in this Extreme Rules Match. But neither man could have prepared themselves for how the clash ended.

With Mysterio standing on top of a table that was bridged between the ring and the guardrail, Sabu flew from the ring and spiked Rey through the unforgiving pine with a DDT. The impact was so devastating that it led to a doctor calling off the bout before both men were carted out of the ring on stretchers.

#1 Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk: Over the Limit (May 23, 2010)

Rey shaving Punk's hair after winning the match

In 2010, Punk sought to induct Rey Mysterio into his misguided horde, Straight Edge Society. So desperate was he to do so that he put his oily mop on the line against Rey in a bout that was billed as a "Straight Edge Society Pledge versus Hair Match."

Determined to rid the bizarre Superstar from his life, Mysterio accepted the challenge and very nearly fell to the disturbed competitor. Overwhelmed by the outside interference of The Straight Edge Society, Rey received an unlikely assist from Kane, who hit the ring to chase Punk’s buddies back to the locker room. With no distractions, The Master of the 619 dropped his opponent with a seated crucifix for the win and then shaved his greasy hairs.