Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for Billy Kidman

Billy Kidman is one of the most underrated talents of his time and to me was a strong representation of the positive WCW can always be remembered for.

Kidman was a young kid out of Pennsylvania just barely old enough to drink when he debuted on WCW television. He got to hop on the cruiserweight train WCW was pushing down the tracks to beat WWE in the ratings war.

He came to WCW with no distinct look that stood out from the rest other than he didn't wear a mask. I can never recall a bad match involving him, especially in his earlier days where he had guys of similar styles to work with.

Kidman even proved he could adapt with the times, the roster and styles. As WCW entered its final year of business, Kidman had moved himself to the top end of the roster and worked with some big names in the business who weren't high-flying cruiserweights.

Kidman's WCW Television Debut

In 1996, Kidman made his WCW television debut against Rey Mysterio. It was an entertaining cruiserweight match. By the standards of this division and style, it would be considered a squash match.

Mysterio put on an offensive display while the commentators spent half the time continuing to sell the New World Order's takeover of the company.

It wasn't a memorable first match for Kidman's career, but hey, at least he got an entrance on television. That was a start.

Kidman Joins The Flock

After months of being a standard babyface in the exciting division, Kidman took his biggest step thus far in creating an identity.

With a dirty look and scratching himself constantly, he joined Raven's Flock in 1997. It was a stable led by the hardcore superstar and comprised of misfits.

For much of his time in the stable, Kidman was just a henchman. However, stables are meant to create stars, and Kidman was arguably the biggest star created out of the group in terms of longevity and relevance.

 Kidman's First Cruiserweight Title Win

Fresh out of The Flock, Kidman returned to a clean look in 1998 and added some gold to his waist. He won his first-ever WCW Cruiserweight Championship when he beat Juventud Guerrera.

This was significant as it was his first title win, and it would guarantee him prominent television time every week.

This division was still one of the most stable and secure aspects of WCW programming. It wasn't polluted with the politics or confusion that often damaged the main event picture in WCW. The cruiserweights were typically featured in the first hour of WCW programming and always delivered a fast-paced match full of energy.

Kidman didn't have a particularly long first title run, but it put him in the title picture and made him more relevant in WCW.

Kidman Pins Hogan

His relevancy would once again climb in 2000 when Kidman found himself cutting a series of good promos on the veterans of the business, most notably Hulk Hogan.

Kidman had now gotten out of being labeled just a cruiserweight guy and was being utilized on the top of the card as part of Vince Russo's New Blood stable.

Kidman would get to work Hulk Hogan on several pay-per-view matches and would win.

These weren't WCW's best all-around days, but I don't put any of that negativity toward what Kidman was doing. We discovered he had a voice and could cut a passionate promo in the right storyline. The whining, cocky and brash attitude he displayed with the New Blood stable fit his image and style perfectly.

Unfortunately, his heel run wouldn't last forever as he switched around between heel and face in the final months of WCW.

Kidman Debuts in WWE

WCW would get bought by WWE, and Kidman would soon make his WWE debut. I believe he was part of the first WCW title switch on WWE television when he beat Gregory Helms to once again be the WCW Cruiserweight champion.

Kidman would continue working for WWE over the next few years in cruiserweight or tag team action and win more gold.

Kidman as a WWE Producer

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Kidman would end up leaving WWE and working the independent scene for a few years. Finally, after retiring from in-ring action, he would acquire a role many would like to have for the job security and future potential it provides.

He got a job working alongside Vince McMahon and other WWE producers to help run the weekly television shows.

As featured on WWE.com a few years ago, Kidman was hired back by WWE and currently holds the position of helping time WWE's television shows and monitoring what segments are in competition with other shows airing at the same time (such as Monday Night Football).

Rarely seen by the audience in any capacity, Kidman is working with some of the best minds ever in wrestling.

At 39, I think there is great potential for Kidman still.  There are many paths Kidman's career can take with WWE in the future.

Justin LaBar is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the creator of the "Chair Shot Reality" video talk show and "Wrestling Reality" radio show. 

Follow @JustinLaBar