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Naturally, when WCW invaded the United Center in downtown Chicago in late March, Kidman was psyched to the hill because he had the thrill of meeting Springer that afternoon and sitting in the audience for two shows.

It was a blast; I had a great time there," said the 24-year-old Kidman, always a Cruiserweight title contender. "I'm a high-flying Cruiserweight; I've just toned it down a little to be more aggressive. In other words, more punching and kicking."

Straight from the set of springer. Sans the sex scenes, that is.

The squabbling family members these days for Kidman are Flock Members. Just imagine: Today on Springer, Lodi confronts Saturn about stealing his treasured signs, while Sickboy confronts Hammer and Riggs about self-mutilation.

Think of the incredible sweeps-month ratings.

The Flock is helping my career; it boosted me up a notch. I've got more exposure, more ring-time, more credibility," Kidman said. "If further down the line I see it's time to move along, I'm not against that either. But now, the Flock's front-row seats are the best; you can't beat them."

Kidman is the Flock's Top Cruiserweight, and not just because Lodi is quick to hold a "Kidman, The Real Luchador" sigh. Kidman, in fact, is one of the top Cruiserweights in the company. He can compete against Juventud Guerrera, Chris Jericho, Prince Iaukea, Super Calo, Rey Mysterio, Jr., and others on a nightly basis. And Kidman would do quite well, thank you.
Kidman is a high-risk performer, a revolutionary wrestler who, it seems, has not recieved the same recognition to date that others have. Politics is perhaps the problem here too, specifically, his association with Raven & Co.

Kidman, mind you, is a wrestling die-hard. At age 16, for instance, he asked veteran grappler Afa to train him. Granted Kidman didn't actually start training until he was 18, he has long been motivated to excel inside the squared-circle.

"I don't feel like I've made it in wrestling, and probably won't until I have a title run," he said. Well, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Kidman is only a Shooting-Star press away from championship gold. Regardless of who holds the title at the time. Said former wrestler Terry Taylor, "He could be a Cruiserweight Champion some time."

Now known as The Seven-Year Itch, Kidman's top-rope finisher is one of the most lethal moves in the sport - for the one who does it. Chris Jericho, for instance, once tried the reverse moonsault -- or, gainer, in diving terms -- and broke his hand. Former WCW star Johnny B. Badd used the move so often when he left WCW that he needed knee surgery because he kept landing on his knees. And another mainstream wrestler, while performing the move in Mexico, landed face-first, knocked out his two front teeth and separated his collar bone. "It's a dangerous move, there's no doubt about it," Kidman said.

"Some say I stole the move from Justin 'Thunder' Liger and that is basically true. It has always been in my head to try it, but I never thought I would be able to do it until I saw a tape of him do it."

Kidman also has a revised version that he used off the apron of the mat onto the floor. He first used that version a few moths ago on Monday Nitro onto Eddy Guerrero During the impromptu Cruiserweight Battle Royal. Kidman has executed the running version of late onto Psychosis and Chris Benoit, among others.

I used to do {the running version} into a pool, so I just figured if I can do it with the water and the pool-deck being parallel... with more room from the apron to the floor, I should have not problem doing it," Kidman said. "when I do the Shooting-Star or the running version, I have no fear; none at all. This is what I do; this is my job. The move comes fairly easily to me; the only time I might have fear is if there is a lot of sweat or dirt (on my boots or the ropes), or if fans throw things at the ring and it gets wet out there. Sure, then it kind of worries me a bit, but I do it anyway."

We just had to ask Billy about his incessant itching.

The question of cruiserweight superiority in WCW will be settled at Starrcade when cruiserweight champion Billy Kidman squares off with past titleholders Juventud Guerrera and Rey Mysterio Jr. in a three-way title match.

Not only are these three the best cruiserweights in WCW, they may be the best all-around wrestlers in WCW. Kidman, Juvi and Rey have provided WCW with some of 1998's most exciting matches, with the Kidman-Juvi series standing out in particular.

So, who will win this one?

Let's look a bit closer at the participants.

First, consider Kidman.

Kidman has really come into his own since leaving Raven's flock. He's pretty physical for a cruiserweight, he's adept at mat wrestling, and he has unbelievable agility and aerial ability. His shooting star press may be the most exciting finishing move in wrestling. Mentally, he has an advantage. He has no hidden agendas like LWO members Juvi and Rey. And he comes in as champion, an advantage in itself.

Next up, consider Rey.

Rey is wrestling's biggest little man ever, Mighty Mouse under a hood.

Rey may have WCW's best body this side of Scott Steiner. That may help him here. If Rey can make the match a test of power, he has more power than Kidman and Juvi combined. But Rey's muscular physique hasn't robbed him of any quickness. He can still fly like the proverbial eagle. Rey's problems are his knee, which kept him out several months this year, and his sham membership in the LWO. Rey doesn't want to be in the LWO, but he's been coerced. If the LWO interferes, it will hurt Rey. The LWO doesn't want him to win.

Which brings us to Juventud Guerrera.

I have long touted Juvi as WCW's best-kept secret, its unknown superstar. He's not as good on the mat as Kidman, but he's good enough. He's not as powerful as Rey, but he's powerful enough. Juvi is, however, the best aerial technician of the three right now -- that's some compliment -- and he has two incredible finishers, the 450 splash and the Juvi Driver. He's enjoying his bad-guy turn and seems to derive extra energy from it. And Juvi has the support of the LWO, which could be the difference in this match.

OK, time to pick a winner.

The LWO seems certain to get involved. Advantage Juvi. But that advantage will be negated by Kidman and Rey aligning against the LWO, as they have done in the past.

A three-way match rewards endurance and resilience. Advantage Kidman, who has been resilient his whole career, rising from jobroni to champion.

A three-way match also rewards quickness, because sometimes you have to be in two places almost at once. Advantage Juvi, the quickest of these three.

A three-way match rewards intelligence, as a wrestler who knows when to stay out of the action and let the others beat themselves senseless can seize an edge. Advantage Juvi, who kind of inherited such craftiness with his bad-guy turn.

So I'm picking Rey Mysterio Jr. to win.

Yeah, I know, I didn't give him any advantages in the above breakdown. But Rey is probably the best cruiserweight of all time. He's been out of the spotlight for a while because of his injuries. He's been humiliated by the LWO -- although I wish he'd give me that big shirt when he's done with it, because it would fit me. Rey is hungry. Rey has the heart of a lion. It's Rey's turn to win. He'll become champion at Starrcade.

But the real winners will be those who see this match.

WCW took a bold step three years ago when it started emphasizing cruiserweights a bit. WCW's cruiserweight division has attracted some of the best wrestlers anywhere.

But none better than these three.

This will be a match for the ages.

It will feature drama, great moves on the mat, greater moves in the air. It will feature three guys who can go 60 minutes if necessary.

Nash vs. Goldberg may be the whole show at Starrcade.

But Kidman vs. Juvi vs. Rey will be the showstopper.

I want to take a moment to salute Billy Kidman, Juventud Guerrera and Rey Mysterio Jr. There may be bigger wrestlers, but there are none better. There may be wrestlers who make more money, but there are none I'd rather watch.

There's only one question I have about these three.

Who's best?

After all, the twenty-three year old rookie measures in at a rail-thin 5'10', looking more like an amicable frat brother than a professional athlete.

"A lot of people come up to me and say, 'Do you think I'll ever get an opportunity in wrestling,' or 'Am I too small, too this or too that?' Well, to me it's all about how bad do you wantit," said Kidman supporter and fan Diamond Dallas Page. "Look at a guy like Billy Kidman. He wanted it bad, even if it meant wrestling in his backyard; he would have done so, if that's what was needed."

"Most of all," said Page, "Kidman loves the sport, and that's very important."

Growing up as the typical Allentown, Pennsylvania teenager, Kidman watched wrestling whenever possible. That's all he ever wanted to do. At 16, he inquired at the local Wild Samoan Training Center, but was told he had to be 18 to train. Kidman returned to the Center three years later, began training and,shortly thereafter, began wrestling in small, regional federations throughout the Northeast.

"Of course I knew I wasn't big in comparison (to the other athletes), but I didn't think that would hold me back from following my dream," Kidman said. "As I got older,I saw smaller guys like Rey Mysterio, Jr., excelling in the sport. I really looked up to Rey and guys like him because they were doing so well and they, too, lacked the typical size. I figured if they could do it, I too could do it. I knew I had the talent. I just didn't want the size-factor to hold me back."

It hasn't. Kidman has challenged wrestling's best over the past twelve months, including Dean Malenko, Juventud Guerrera, Glacier, and Chris Benoit.

"So many people want to give (wrestling) a shot, but don't. Well, to them I say: Follow your dreams. Stick with it. Don't let anyone discourage you."

Kidman's progress has been aided by DDP and Terry Taylor, both helping ease and coach Kidman through his first year in WCW.

Kidman's marquee move is the top-rope Shooting Star Press. Kidman stands on the top turnbuckle facing the ring, then does a reverse somersault landing in a splash on his opponent. It's Kidman's version of a reverse moonsault, and based on a move Jushin 'Thunder' Liger did years ago in Japan. "When I first started training, I didn't think (the move)was possible, but when I saw Liger do it, I figured I had to give it a shot," Kidman said It is a difficult move to do. I'm just fortunate in that I am one of the few guys who is able to do it." "I'm working on a couple of new moves that, well, I don't want to reveal right now, but I think the fans will be impressed - and so will other wrestlers. I'm going to lean towards more amateur wrestling and add to my aerial arsenal."

With a year behind him, Kidman now looks ahead. "Up until this point, it's been a real learning experience for me," he said. "I learn something new in each and every match, things that I should have or should not have done which,no doubt, will help me in the future.

"I feel as though I'm here, but still haven't accomplished my dream: winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship belt,"Kidman said. "I know I have a lot of learning to do, but I think I will do just fine in this sport."