Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 112: Juventud Guerrera vs. Billy Kidman (Nitro 11/16/98)

This is maybe the fourth time these two have had a match on Nitro, and I’ll be damned if they aren’t all great. Probably the best cruiserweight pairing that goes forgotten in the wake of Malenko-Rey, Rey-Juvy, or more likely Rey-Psicosis. I’m excited for this one since the last one rated high (Match # 111) and the one before that (Match # 107) might have been one of the best on the set. They even have one from 5/25/98 that is currently in the top 25 of my ballot.

Juvy must be on uppers, because he’s all over the place, Ult. Warrior-like, as he comes out. Kidman is pretty over as your cruiserweight champ.

Very fast paced stuff, as you’d expect, early. A little loose at points, but nothing terribly sloppy. Great exchanges, and Juvy has decided to sell big for Kidman, which is nice of him. The pace slowly well enough with Kidman on offense. Kidman is stiff as hell, and Juvy’s head scissors are on tonight (Kidman takes those bumps really well). My only complaint so far is small: Juvy at times doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing next, and feels a bit all over the place, but perhaps you like that as a realistic aesthetic. For a babyface vs babyface match, the people are way into this. Juvy has a real over nearfall at the five minute mark. Kidman’s drop kick comeback sending Juvy off the apron is another notable sequence. He slows it down and lets the crowd breeze, and they heat up big at the right moment. Good presence of mind from both guys.

Each guy is getting decent control time and ruling it. The high spots are good and not over done, and the chops and punches aren’t over done either. Cool spot alert: Juvy does a springboard leg drop and then sells his tailbone for 5-7 seconds before making a cover. Real nice touch. I’ve find next to nothing wrong with this match.

Back and forth down the home stretch, with Kidman pulling of some truly impactful moves. Juvy back with the Juvy Driver for a great nearfall. He’s frustrated. This was the upside to three hour Nitros – they gave tons of time for early to mid card matches like this. Juvy hits the 450 for the win in just over 13 minutes. A wonderful match. 3 ¾ and 7.5/10.