Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 95: DDP vs. Sting (Nitro 3/23/98)

A world title match with two babyfaces facing each other. Only on NITRO will you find the greatest night in our sport – every night!

As a random note they are at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, which I believe was the site of the May 2000 WWE Judgment Day PPV with the great HHH-The Rock Iron man match which I loved at the time. I need to dig that up and review it. This will hopefully be half as good, which is still great.

DDP has taken to wearing a furniture movers back supporter around his waist for support. They do a fun lock up spot where they take it outside and then get back in for a second go around. Then Sting goes for his finisher submission, the Scorpion Death Lock, twice, which pops the crowd and pisses off Page. He’s bothered. Diggin’ the layout so far. Page comes back with a swinging neck breaker and goes for the Diamond Cutter, but Sting shoves him off. Awesome stare down as both men now know the other can end it at any time. I like the idea of doing one big move and then going for a pin, submission, or a rest hold. It’s a simplistic formula that only main eventers can get away with where the match gets better with the less you do.

Sting gains the advantage off a move or two (everything cleanly and well executed), and they go to another sleeper. Page hulks up a minute later and makes a comeback, but it’s basically back and forth. This is really good stuff from two heavyweights. These guys move well, and Page was always big on planning out matches. You can goof on the guy, but that’s what all WWE matches have been for the most part this decade.

Sting goes for a splash and Page gets the knees up, so they do the double ten count. Fans build with anticipation, as is the plan. Page tries to take Sting out of the corner twice while having him hooked in the Diamond Cutter, but Sting blocks it and transitions into the Scorpion Death Drop for the clean win in about 12 minutes. Awesome finish. Sting looked very good here and DDP doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his late WCW run, like I’ve said before. Oh, and Schiavone says “what a moment in time”. Well, I wouldn’t go that far. 3 ½ and 7/10.