Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 133: Sting vs. Chris Benoit (Nitro 9/20/99)

Okay, we have officially entered the era where I was giving up and barely watching, but still following online. I don’t remember this match or it’s context in the slightest. Sting had apparently turned heel, which you’d think was a big deal, but there were almost playing it like he was a tweener coming to the ring. He’s still doing his face shtick. Benoit is wearing a shirt that has to do with some group called Revolution, but I don’t remember what it was, and he’d be gone to the WWE within months. Honestly, this was during some weird holding pattern if I remember correctly, as Bish was fired and Vince Russo and Ed Fererra had been hired, but weren’t starting until October.

One thing this set teaches me is how frustrating Sting was a wrestler for the time he did bother to wrestle (exclude Fall ’96 almost to Jan. ’98). Essentially he rules Benoit here in the early part of the match, causing Benoit to bump like crazy for him and roll out several times. When he does get hit with a big move he simply no sells it. Thanks bud. Benoit’s working hard. Sting is being Sting.

Benoit works on the legs of Sting, and Sting sure doesn’t make it easy with his selling and movement. A moment of Zen arrives in the form of a perfect Muta Lock by Benoit. This is like pulling teeth for Benoit, who isn’t seen by the fans as being in Sting’s league, while trying to pull a logical match out of the guy. Maybe it’s a style point I just don’t get. Sting comes back and is perfectly fine. You better believe Benoit sells the balls to the post, etc. On the positive side it looks like sting worked light on guys, so no one is getting injured.

Sting’s control segment is ostensibly the heat segment, but that confuses me as Benoit was acting like the heel earlier. Benoit’s hope spots rule, but Sting won’t really sell much of anything to lend credibility. He’s never in danger, this guy! He’s firmly the heel now though, and he gets some react for it. Benoit makes his offense look like a million bucks. This has really picked up as far as the structure and psychology is concerned. Benoit’s comebacks and fails are fun, and the fans are behind it. Oddly enough, they don’t care as much about Sting’s offense. The real comeback is quick, Benoit nails the diving head butt, and we’re into the near falls 13 minutes in. It’s been well paced.

Two suplexes into the Crossface. Sting grabs the ropes. Lots of reversals and moment, but we got a ref bump. Benoit hits a sick pile driver. Sting is actually letting Benoit hit his stuff here, though I can’t say he’s committed to selling it. Lex Luger in to kill this match with a baseball bat shot. Sting wins. Lots of famous wrestlers come in. This is all to set up next week’s six man tag. That doesn’t help me. Got good for a while, but nothing that’s gonna shoot it to the moon with that finish. 3 ¼ and 6/10.