Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 114: Eddie Guerrero/Juventud Guerrera vs. Billy Kidman/Rey Mysterio Jr. (Nitro 12/28/98)

This is, on paper, is a great match. Kidman works awesomely with Juvy, and Rey works well with both Juvy and Eddie. So all that has to fall into place is Kidman matching up with Eddie, which I can’t imagine would be a bad. Let’s do this.

This match was during the horrible, yet forgettable, LWO (Latino World Oder) gimmick. Eddie is barking orders and generally being mean to Juvy; playing the evil leader. Eddie totally makes this match work early, from his control to his selling, he gets everything over and plays a great whiny somewhat fearful heel. You’d think it would be Rey that would shine, but Eddie makes it go.

Then they pair Kidman and Juvy, which is smart match layout. The story is Juvy trying to gain the favor of his unaccepting boss, Eddie G. While doing this well, he falters to both Rey Jr. and Kidman, and everything here is sold good impactful stuff, right down to the high spots and chops. The little that Kidman interacts with Eddie is fine stuff, though this match loses steam with all four men in the ring (Eddie fighting with Juvy at times). The babyfaces are in control when we go to commercial, and when it’s back we’re in the middle of the heat. It switches from Kidman to Rey, with Eddie visibly working the hardest to make this work.

The match was surprisingly lacking much heat, though the effort was there much of the time. Eddie pulled out an awesome Gori Special that ended with a spinning neck breaker. A lot of nearfalls that involve the face on the apron breaking up a pin. They heel control does get a little monotonous, but the crowd comes more alive from it, so I can’t really call it bad. Kidman actually saves Rey from the turnbuckle by using his own body, which is odd logic, but it allows Kidman to get the hot tag. Crazy Mid South sized back body drops! The faces hit some big spots for near falls. Phenomenal spots where Eddie tosses Rey into Kidman, perched on the top rope, and Juvy seconds later hits a crazy dive on Rey (on the floor). Eddie wins for his team with the Frog Splash in over 14 minutes. This one had some really good moments, and Eddie was at the heart of it. Nothing mind blowing as it wandered at times, but it hit it’s mark by the end. 3 and 6/10.