Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 43: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Ciclope (Nitro 11/11/96)

Ultimo Dragon is at ringside for this one. This match is better than the Psicosis-Eddie stuff (Matches # 39-41) as far as opening it up early. A great mix of high spot dives and arm-oriented mat wrestling. Rey does a missile dive outside, and a minute later gets power bombed to the floor. The down side is fitting a bit too much into a short match that won’t have a heaping helping of selling moves, but it’s a trade off for the flow and action you do get.

Malenko and then Psicosis ares out halfway through to scout the match. I like that they did have some cruiserweight development at the time. Ciclope was bigger than Rey Jr., and could definitely go. He’s in control for the bulk of the match, and does well. He bumps well for Rey too. He delivers a pile driver off a come back that perfects cuts off the momentum. It’s barely sold before the next spot though. That spot is a crazy high spot rana to the outside. Crazy but the logic escapes me. Rey hits the frankensteiner roll up pin in 6 minutes. 2 ½ and 4.8/10.