Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 70: Chris Benoit vs. Curt Hennig (Nitro 10/6/97)

Benoit is definitely getting over as a Horseman and babyface by this point. He comes out to a pop. Hennig’s NWO entrance definitely has more noise, one way or the other. Benoit meets him in the aisle and it’s a brawl. Hennig pulls off an awesome flip bump the Bret Hart did whenever he held the rope, and follows that up with a crazy bump where he actually flies back and hits his head on the ring steps. The man was definitely earning his pay check those first few months back.

Benoit with an onslaught of offense early, with Hennig bumping for the stiff work like a total pro. I owe Hennig an apology for how I viewed him in WCW after this match and the Gaint match. Perfect (can’t resist) goes to work on the leg of Benoit, and he was a hell of a well paced general at one time. He is here. He posts Benoit’s knee a few times, and Benoit can take the selling from there.

This was a Nitro main event so it got more time to develop and have pacing. They take a commercial and Benoit comes back strong, but the way Hennig cuts him off and shows fire to the audience almost scares them to the point of shutting up. Hennig bumps like crazy for Benoit’s great chops. Just when it looks like they’re about to take this to another level it ends. Hennig exposes the turnbuckle. He takes a bump or two off it, but Benoit hits his ribs on them, and Hennig nails him with the Perfect-plex for the semi-clean pin. Fans cheered Hennig on this one and I don’t blame them. He stepped up and looked like a babyface at the end of this one. Good, but not great, Nitro match with goofy NWO is better booking. 3 ¼ and 6.5/10.