I am going to give this one a shot, even though I am not really sure I can compare them. I have started and stopped this one so many times though and I just need to get it over with.
Ultimately, this is sort of similar to the Chicana/Kandori comparison. If we had more footage of Bockwinkel a lot of these might be a different story.
Top MatchesThe list of great matches from Mysterio is probably longer, but as far as the truly elite matches, Bockwinkel has the best match between the two of them (against Hennig) and I think his top 10 or so matches would probably average a little higher for me than Mysterio’s top 10. I gotta give it to Bock.
Winner: Bock
VersatilityReally tough one. I think both are quite versatile. Bock can work both heel or face. We know he could be a true ace and chase a title. He is a great technical worker and a pretty strong brawler. Rey could work lots of different types of matches and get just about anything over. He also evolved over time as he put on more mass and added more strength without losing his in ring identity. This one feels like another category I have to give to Bock though.
Winner: Bock
ConsistencyUGH… what to do here. These are two of the more solid, consistent wrestlers I can think of. Few people are more sure money on a night-in-night-out basis than Rey. At the same time I can’t think of many (any) actually bad matches from Bockwinkel or at least not ones where he was the one pulling the match down. I’ll give this one to Rey for longevity and for doing it in so many different contexts.
Winner: Rey
Charisma/”It” FactorBockwinkel has a undeniable classic charisma. I think he was perfect for the AWA and especially for the 70s and 80s. I sort of think of him in the same way I think of Harley Race. However, that charisma isn’t really timeless or universal. There are people out there with bad takes about everything, but I can at least “get” when people say they find Bock boring as a character. Again, they are wrong, but I get it. The interesting thing here is that I don’t think Rey is particularly good at promos (at least not nearly on the same level Bock is (see next category), but Rey is more charismatic to me. Part of it is his style and his athleticism, but he jumps off the page. He commands a room. Rey is a little man who stands out in a world of giants. His “it” factor is undeniable.
Winner: Rey
PromosAs I said above, I don’t really think Rey is a great promo. He isn’t bad… but that isn’t his strength. However, Bockwinkel is a GREAT promo. He is articulate and calculated. I wish more people really studied his mic work.
Winner: Bock
Elevating OthersThis is a strength of both men. Very few wrestlers were ever WORSE off for getting in the ring with Bockwinkel or Rey. I would argue that Bockwinkel is one of the more important people in the elevation of Hogan to super stardom. He is somewhat unsung int hat regard because his contribution came before Hogan was in the WWE, but it was really important. He also made Hennig a star in the AWA and helped set him up for a fruitful career. Rey has helped endless wrestlers look good, especially a lot of cruisers. Bock helps elevate just about anyone he is in the ring with because he is a ring general who knows how to highlight strengths. Rey bounces around like a pinball and can work around almost anyone to make them shine. Both were/are really giving wrestlers too. I’m giving in and calling this a draw.
Winner: Draw
OffenseBock is a wonderful technical wrestler….. but let’s be real here. Rey wasn’t the first to do what he did really, but he revolutionized American wrestling in a lot of ways. Gotta give this to Rey.
Winner: Rey
Selling Another really tough one. Both these guys are really good sellers within their respective styles/eras. I am not really sure how to even start to break this one down honestly. I have to make this one a draw. I know it’s boring, but I have gone back and forth like 10 times on it… no need to torture myself.
Winner: Draw
Rewatch Value If we had everything from Bock I might choose him. I also might choose him if I could include everything we don’t have from him. However, if I am going with just what we know, Rey wins this one. I am just far more likely to back and revisit a Rey match. I think his variety of promotions and context help him here.
Winner: Rey
Elliott’s Bonus Question (Brody/Nigel… or best work associated with a bad wrestler)
This may come off as tired Hogan battering, but it really isn’t. I think Hogan was quite good at what he did and it was before he became an icon that I think he did some of his best work. However, Bockwinkel got a real quality match out of a relatively limited Hogan in 82 that I think pretty highly of. Hogan was physically gifted but didn’t yet have his big match chops honed quite like he would later. If I gave full points for this category I might call it a draw. Rey has some 6 mans that include some stinkers, but I think what Bock did with Hogan reflects something larger about Bockwinkel.
Winner: Bock
Final CountRey – 4
Bock – 3.5
Draw 2
I think if I did a GWE Rey would rate a bit higher than Bockwinkel, but Bock would do quite well I think. It could be close if I got down to an in depth analysis, but my gut says Rey is a touch better (morose than this tight score indicates.
