January 22, 2007 Observer Newsletter: 2006 Observer Awards issue

This year’s race promised to be historical. And in the end, it was. Mistico was not only the first Luchador to win the award, but the first non-heavyweight in a year where eight of the top 12 finishers weren’t heavyweights.

What this year shows is a major trend change for the business, which started in boxing, when the lighter weights began carrying a sport where, historically, the heavyweights were the top draws. For pro wrestling, Mexico was the only major wrestling culture where that had been the case because of the early success of people like El Santo. But by the 70s and 80s, it had changed to where most of your bigger draws were the heavier guys there. Ultimately this trend in MMA started with Royce Gracie, as if a muscular or large wrestler or heavyweight kickboxer had dominated the early UFC’s, things would have been different. In fact, it may have never gotten past the first few shows. In U.S. pro wrestling, the real trend-setter was Rey Mysterio, because when he got over at his size in 1996, the size barrier was out the window for entrance into the profession.

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