Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 101: Chris Benoit vs. Booker T (Nitro 6/1/98)

Instant rematch, which is to be expected given this was part of the great seven match series between the two men. Given that this was was put on either Benoit’s WWE DVD or a Booker release, the expectation is this is high end stuff.

I love the way Booker starts out with the shoulder movement and stutter step before lock ups. He could really go as a singles wrestler during the Nitro era. I even liked him when he came in to WWE in 2001 with some good matches with Kurt Angle and The Rock. Boy it went downhill from 2002 on.

Same basic pattern of a match as the last time, with Booker the quick starter and Benoit getting a little dirty to take control. Booker could throw a running elbow off the ropes about as well as Benoit at times, and these two have excellent timing together. Benoit again works the mid section front to back. Finlay out again to scout. Maybe he’s the TV champ here (I said Cruiserweight last time). Booker with a long chin lock that didn’t quite have any life to it. One of the few small marks against it. They haven’t gone past second gear yet. Benoit back with a German suplex and they both sell great.

We hit what I expect to be the final third of the match almost eight minutes in. Nope, Benoit reverses unbelievably well into a sick Crippler Cross face for the tap in 8:23. This was eerily similar to their last match, with a rest hold in the middle that took about a minute out of the flow for me. Bad use of a submission, and I could have used a counter out of the crossface just one at the end. Really pedestrian considering the talent, though a terribly solid bout that’s worth a view. 3 and 6/10.