Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 151: Elix Skipper vs. Billy Kidman (Nitro 2/12/01)

One last go around with Kidman getting a solid cruiserweight opponent. Kidman wasn’t always phenomenal, but his best stuff on Nitro and even Thunder is a lot more impressive than people remember. Meltzer, Keller, and Alverez don’t keep the Kidman love alive, if they ever did, and that’s probably because of his lame WWE run. I’ll make no claims of remembering Skipper so highly.

Apparently Skipper was the MVP character well before the WWE guy was around. I had no idea. He looks indyrific, and I’m an indy geek, and he cuts an over the top wrestling g promo before we get Kidman. Kidman has definitely lost some luster by this point. His standing drop kick is still a thing of beauty. Lots of quick planned Kidman spots to start. They don’t go as well as the old days (like a year or two before), but it works because it’s quick. Skipper uses a harsh German suplex as a transitional move to gain the advantage. At least Kidman sells it. One of the positives of the match is the movement both men create (obvious for my tastes), but the downside is this one might be a bit to fast and loose at times. It gets slower as Skipper beats down Kidman with some brawling. This match is devoid of holds. Kidman’s come backs are fun. Skipper actually pulls out a dragon suplex, and a second later Kidman pulls out a cyclone suplex. The crowd isn’t buying it. It’s a thin line for me. Can’t say I’m sucked in by all the big moves and throws without a slightly slower pace. Kidman reverses what seems like a Skipper signature finish into a “Kid Crusher” (Christian’s Unprettier) for the win in about seven minutes. A lot of spots. 2 ½ and 5/10.