Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 122: Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman (Nitro 3/29/99)

Four of my favorite cruiserweights ever lock it up in a tag title match. And the best part? They’re in Canada!

Benoit beats the piss out of Kidman early, and it’s so violent that even I wince. The crowd isn’t as live and in awe of this as I would be. Kidman gets a small comeback and gets out. Malenko then dominates Rey Jr. with holds, and then the Horseman cut off the ring. Rey’s speedy hope spots are wicked on, but Malenko/Benoit get the better of him. The story is the Horseman are too tough, but Kidman/Rey Jr. work from the bottom with flashy moves and quickness. Malenko’s top rope gutbuster is the biggest highspot by mid match, and naturally leads to the heels working over the midsection of Kidman for the heat segment (includes a commercial break). This match has had stiff action and good intensity throughout, but doesn’t have an important or peak feel to it yet.

Small random opinion: Malenko’s float over to a pin is the best I’ve ever seen. Also, the tag moves of Malenko and Benoit ruled. They were very under-rated as a team. Unfortunately, the heat on Kidman wears on and I don’t feel it. Benoit and Malenko are so great, but because they don’t project to the crowd at all, no one cares to react to this beautifully executed match, and even I become bored at home. They are having a match for themselves right here. The heel cheating is great, but it doesn’t get the reaction you’d hope, and the crowd isn’t dead, but they are entertaining themselves.

Malenko and Rey Jr. do big moves at the end to each other, but the finish is Raven coming down with Saturn and DDTing (Great move execution to pop the crowd) Malenko. Rey covers and we’ve got new tag champs in nine minutes shown – so probably 13 minutes. I’m conflicted on this match, because the execution was awesome, and the crowd was there at the end, but it seemed to lack heart, or maybe soul would be a better way of putting it. Still, I’d rather have this type of wrestling style on my TV for ten minutes. 3 and 6/10.