Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 49: Dean Malenko vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. (Nitro 12/30/96)

I’m still in love with the earlier match these men had at a Disney MGM Nitro back in July (Match # 39). It will take a lot to top that, but if given time I’m sure they can. This was a great mix of style between the two.

This is much more the style I like to begin with then the last match on the same night (Jericho vs Benoit). Quick movement with slick but simple submission attempts. Lots of little short stuff to show skill and feel each other out, without going to the big strikes (which these guys don’t really do) or big high spots (which is what Mysterio can do when the time is right). When they turn it up for some Rey Jr. Lucha, Malenko plays a base for the flyer better than some luchadores. He keeps gaining the advantage with submission holds, while Rey uses his Lucha escapes and ‘ranas.

On the negative side there isn’t a lot of crowd reaction for this match, and neither guy does much to draw it. Dean plays ice cold well, but his stares don’t get at the audience waiting for the NOW to arrive. This isn’t one of Rey’s better babyface in peril matches, as he garners no response. The work itself is good to very good though, and everything is in the right place, so to speak. The match is just a bit to slow.

About 5 minutes in Malenko starts throwing in high impact moves and pin attempts. Subtle, but I liked the movement to the next phase in the match. Rey’s comeback and flash pins are exciting and stunning to watch, but I really love how hard Malenko cuts them off. Rey lands a big dive to the floor, then they trade awesome pin attempts. Good final stretch. This is really good. And then they ring the bell for a time limit draw at 9:23. Was really going somewhere before it got stopped. 3 and 6.3/10.