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Retro Rewind #4 — IWA Mid-South (March 1, 2002): CM Punk vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio

  • Writer: Carlos Astorga
    Carlos Astorga
  • Sep 12
  • 4 min read
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On March 1, 2002, a Knights-of-Columbus-hall super-card dropped into Indianapolis that, in hindsight, reads like a fever dream: reigning IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defending against Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. Three eras, three styles, one tiny ring—and a title change that became indie-wrestling lore.


Why this match happened (and why it mattered)


  • Eddie’s redemption tour: After personal and professional turbulence in late 2001, Guerrero hit the independents to rebuild momentum and rediscover himself between major-league runs. IWA-MS booked him immediately into marquee attractions—this triple threat included. He’d be back in the WWF within weeks.


  • Rey between worlds: WCW had folded the prior year. A still-unmasked Mysterio was barnstorming U.S. indies before signing with WWE and debuting on SmackDown that summer (July 25, 2002).


  • Punk’s proving ground: At just 23, Punk was IWA-MS’s centerpiece champion—cocky, hungry, and learning in real time against world-class talent. IWA-MS specialized in putting blue-chippers with masters, and this was the example.


The stage: IWA Mid-South: Spring Heat — March 1, 2002, Indianapolis, IN. Main event: CM Punk (c) vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio for the IWA-MS Heavyweight Championship.


The match: a move-for-move deep dive

Result: Eddie Guerrero defeated CM Punk and Rey Mysterio to win the IWA-MS Heavyweight Title (pinfall after a Frog Splash). Time: ~15 minutes.

Opening temperature check: Punk and Rey start hot with quick lockups while Eddie baits and stalls—classic Guerrero gamesmanship to get heat in a small room. They ping-pong Eddie with a double spinebuster and a flurry of fast covers before tempers flare between Punk and Rey.


First gear: Eddie mauls both challengers with knife-edge chops, buckle-bomb-style offense, and a back suplex that resets the pace. Punk answers with a springboard crossbody and the trademark high knee in the corner, while Rey puts on a clinic of headscissors and a 619 feint that pops the room.


Center stretch: Guerrero keeps the ring his—snatching momentum with a fallaway slam, STF, and Gory specialsequences, constantly dragging the action back to mat control. Rey and Punk create chaos with layered triples: an STF / Camel Clutch stack, a blockbuster from Punk, and Rey’s springboard legdrop across both.


Closing run: Rey spikes Punk with a proto-619 → Bronco Buster combo, but Eddie shuts it down with a low-bridge counter. The finish is a perfect Guerrero blend of timing and theft: Eddie launches Rey into a rana on Punk, tosses Rey, scrambles up top, and Frog Splash—uno, dos, tres—new champion.


Aftermath: the very next night & beyond


  • Title swings back: On March 2, 2002 in Morris, IL (Morris Mayhem), Punk regained the IWA-MS title from Eddie in a singles match—a tidy 24-hour arc that both elevated Punk and put a bow on Eddie’s indie stopover.


  • Eddie returns to primetime: Guerrero re-entered the WWF on April 1, 2002 (RAW) and within weeks captured the Intercontinental Championship—proof his indie reset worked.


  • Rey’s blue-brand arrival: Mysterio’s SmackDown debut landed on July 25, 2002, re-masked and rocket-strapped—another throughline from this IWA showcase to national TV.


  • Punk’s long climb: Three years later, Punk signed with WWE and reported to OVW (2005), starting the path that eventually led to world titles and modern-era headlining feuds.


Why it’s important (even now)


  1. A crossroads of legends: You almost never get these three sharing a ring outside TV. This was a rare indie inter-era collision: WCW icon (Rey), future WWE Champion (Eddie), and future “Best in the World” (Punk).


  2. Indie scene validation: IWA-MS proved the small-room energy could host world-class, style-clash main events and matter to careers. Bookers across the scene borrowed that template for the next 20+ years.


  3. A catalyst night: Eddie’s win (and quick drop-back) sharpened Punk and rehoned Guerrero; Rey got one more U.S. indie classic before the WWE launch—each man left different than he entered.


Trivia & nuggets


  • Unmasked Rey: He wrestled this match without the mask (mandated back on in WWE later that year). Seeing him work hybrid lucha in this setting is a time capsule.


  • Two-night story: The triple threat title change on 3/1 plus the Punk vs. Eddie rematch on 3/2 effectively formed a mini-program across two states.


  • Documented spots: Contemporary write-ups detail sequences you rarely saw on U.S. indies in 2002—buckle-bomb-style corner offense, stacked submissions, and a sunset-flip/German suplex combo before the finish.


Full results recap (capsule)


  • IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship — Triple ThreatEddie Guerrero def. CM Punk (c) & Rey Mysterio — pin after a Frog Splash; Eddie becomes champion. (Spring Heat, Indianapolis, IN — March 1, 2002).


  • Post-script (24 hours later):CM Punk def. Eddie Guerrero to regain the title (Morris Mayhem, Morris, IL — March 2, 2002). Wikipedia


Legacy scorecard


  • Match quality: High-octane sprint with smart heel control from Eddie and inventive triple-threat sequencing. (Re-watches and contemporary reviews still rate it strongly.)


  • Career impact: Tangible confidence and seasoning for Punk; a final indie gem in Eddie’s comeback arc; Rey’s last indie lap before WWE superstardom.


  • Historical value: A snapshot of the U.S. indie scene right before it exploded—must-see for students of that era.


Watch the match




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What Retro Rewind should we tackle next? Drop a classic you want covered—TNA, ROH, MLW, NWA, GCW, or a hidden indie gem—and we’ll add it to the Friday queue.

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