Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 51: Ultimo Dragon vs. Dean Malenko (Nitro 2/24/97)

Ultimo Dragon is this hugely influential wrestler, and yet he’s sent out there with Sonny Ono to click photos for a disposable camera because “that’s what Asian people do, right?” Wrestling is so embarrassing sometimes. Maybe if the punch line was at least funnier, or he was a comedy heel. Oh, nevermind.

What a disappointment this one was. I got the impression the short amount of time given to the match and the language barrier somewhat hindered this one, but not much story to it otherwise. It starts well enough with some good lock up and mat hold stuff. Ultimo won’t back down, but as it goes on it seems he won’t sell in the American style either. He got thrown to the floor and popped right up, so Malenko slowly goes to the outside and there’s an awkward moment. Ultimo also has a patch of missing one or two big spots, again it looked like miscommunication. It got better as the match progressed, as Malenko got frustrated and threw a huge suplex, but a lot before that seemed telegraphed stuff you could see coming terribly slowly.

Crappy finish in 8 minutes and Malenko simply chokes him with both hands (no real hold here) for a DQ, and Ultimo actually sells that. Boy where they not concerned with this match on this night. Toney S. on commentary mentions when Dragon kicks Malenko: “that’s one of his moves.” Heenan adds to the conversation by constantly calling Ultimo “The Ultimate Dragon” in a way like he could give a crap about what he’s expected to call. A disappointment for me here. 2 ¼ and 4/10.