I think all of these are going to be really tough. As I look down I think I feel like I need to do a deep dive or at least some refresher research… but I am not going to. I am going to skim through this one, probably regret half my choices, and try not to go with too many draws.
Top MatchesMan… I think Rey has the top match between the two for me in his Havoc match with Eddie. Vader probably has more in the top 10-20 between the two and its sort of a style thing for me. I love Rey, but I prefer big bruising matches on the whole. I think if I had done this before I dove into shoot a bit, I would have picked Rey, now I gotta pick Vader
Winner: Vader
VersatilityYikes. I think both are probably generally associated with a sort of narrow slice of wrestling, but both are probably fairly deceptive in their versatility. Maybe not in overt ways, but in the nuances of what they can do. Neither man feels out of place in much of their career. Ugh… Draw…
Winner: Draw
ConsistencyThis one I think goes to Rey. Vader almost always showd that he could fit into a given setting, but didn’t always shine in that setting. The WWE run is an obvious hit and miss run. I feel the same way about some of his work in Japan. Lots of hits and lots of great stuff. He weirdly underperforms for a guy with so much presence (more to come).
Winner: Rey
Charisma/”It” FactorI could totally see this going the other way, but I going to give this to Vader. There just aren’t a lot of guys with his pure presence and natural charisma. I think Rey developed an undeniable charisma eventually, but it was mostly cultivated and earned through hard work and years of being a super worker. Vader, even in those early years when he is unsure of himself and clearly not VADER yet… was a force.
Winner: Vader
PromosI’ll say Vader. I don’t feel strongly about it. I have more good memories of him cutting crazy mastodon promos and doing ridiculous vignettes in wcw. I really don’t think of anything when I think of Rey promos.
Winner: Vader
Elevating OthersGive me Rey here. Rey bounced around so much and I think he is – as much or moreso than anyone – responsible for the rising tide of the WCW cruisers. There was a lot of talent on that roster, but for me at least I always think of Rey as the face of it. I also think Rey, even today, is someone the WWE trusted to put with people to make sure they got over, looked good, and had good matches with.
Winner: Rey
OffenseUgh… how do you compare apples and oranges. Both are so good.
Winner: Draw
Selling Vader was really good at progressive selling, but I’m going to give this to Rey. The list of people better at getting sympathy is pretty short.
Winner: Rey
Rewatch Value Its tough, but I gotta say vader. The shoot stuff is a big thing here. Even if you just took the Takada and the Tamura match it would put him over the top I think. Its still razor close, but I probably just prefer Vader matches
Winner: Vader
Elliott’s Bonus Question (Brody/Nigel or Best Work Associated With a Bad Wrestler)Not sure… Nothing jumps out as a real feather in either man’s cap here. Vader has the work with Sid. Rey has misc trios matches with stinkers. I’ll call it a draw.
Winner: Draw
Final Count
Vader - 4
Rey - 3
Draw - 2.5
This could very easily be a draw if I made promos a draw (which maybe it should be). I am not really sure if I think Vader is a better wrestler than Rey, if I ever made a GWE list they would likely end up close to each other and I would have to dive in to have any confidence about where they landed.
