#3 – Dean Malenko
At one point, according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Dean Malenko was the best wrestler in the world. I would tend to agree with them.
Dean ran the table for midcard technical machines in his day, back when holding a non-world title still meant something. He was an ECW World Television Champion. A WCW Cruiserweight Champion. A United States and Light Heavyweight Champion, and a multiple time tag champion in several different companies. He worked for Eric Bischoff, Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon. Everywhere he went, he got in the ring with anyone and everyone, and showed them how it's done.
Malenko remains one of the most smooth guys I've ever seen work. He almost never telegraphed his moves, and was so quick and seamless he made wrestling LOOK real. 15 years ago that wasn't such a shocking thing – by today's standards he could make the Easter Bunny look real.
Matches to Watch:
- vs. Rey Mysterio (WCW Great American Bash 96)
- vs. Chris Benoit (WCW Hog Wild)
- vs. Rey Mysterio (WCW Halloween Havoc 96)
- vs. Ultimo Dragon (WCW Starrcade 96)
- vs. Scotty 2 Hotty (WWE Backlash 2000)
