Pro Wrestling Chronicle

We get through all the remaining matches on the original top thirty ballot, and hopefully gain some clarity with our top five.

Bret Hart vs. Chris Benoit (Nitro 10/4/99)

Paul had the same problems with this match that I did. It’s inherent in a tribute match for both guys to not give strong heel or face impression. With the fanfare that has accompanied this match over the years, we expected the usual great workrate from this match. What ends up shorting the viability of this match however, is the lack of pure emotion within the context of the match. While pure emotion was undoubtedly felt by the performers and everyone in attendance, it did not translate into the actual match. Good solid match that comes across as an exhibition.

DDP vs. Sting (Nitro 4/26/99)

The match started out with some solid heel work by DDP. In watching this set, Paul and I have come to find a newfound respect for his work that we didn’t have when he had his big run. DDP stalls and works the crowd into a frenzy, playing the heel who won’t be outclassed by the annoying babyface. Sting screws up a couple of spots, but it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the match much. Solid, but somewhat flubbed finish took away from this ppv-quality match. In many ways this was more pleasing and more base emotionally captivating than the more pimped Hart/Benoit match. Who woulda thunk it?

Rey Mysterio vs. Psicosis (Nitro 3/17/97)

Not every great match has to be twenty minutes. This one got across what it needed to in under ten. There are few, if any, flubbed spots. The flow is great, the crowd is hot, and there was a short story in it. Well done.

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera (Nitro 2/24/97)

This wasn’t a sprint like the last match, and we favored the slightly deliberate pace in letting things unfold. These matches are starting to fall into line with the original rankings, and getting better with each one. There are some nasty moves hit in this one, and its vintage Rey (thanks Michael Cole).

DDP vs. Sting (Nitro 3/23/98)

Paul likes this more serious Sting than the Crow sting that slid back into early nineties bleach blond Sting in 1999. One issue of note is that DDP seems very excitable in this match, and some of his big spots suffer for it. You can see a strong maturity in big match situations in the last match (Sting/DDP from ’99) that seems to be lacking in this particular encounter. The finish was exactly the same in the last match we ranked. This match was solid, but suffered from a lack of heat from the babyface vs. babyface dynamic, and DDP’s relative inexperience as a ring general. Sting couldn’t quite pick up the slack.

DDP vs. Bret Hart (Nitro 10/26/98)

The match starts out, like all DDP matches we’ve noticed, with high energy. Guys in the (non-existent) WWE developmental should study the first two minutes of DDP’s matches for intensity and facials. Paul comments how underrated Bret was as a heel, and how unfortunate it is that WCW was so inept with his character. Bret does all the little things in this match to put over both his character and his opponent. DDP wins after a ref bump and a Bret Hart brass knuckles tease. Great match.

Juventud Guerrera vs. Billy Kidman (Nitro 11/16/98)

We’ve said a lot about these two in the three previous matches. There are times when I wonder if the 5/25/98 match isn’t the best, but you can argue this stuff forever. This is the match that we’ve chosen for the top five, and it holds up after a third viewing.

Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit (Nitro 12/23/96)

These two, once again, put on a picture perfect match. The love these two had in working with each other really shone through In the match, with the added interest of wrestling for a title shot. The announcers did a good job of putting this match over as a special contest in the quest for the title, and had DDP on commentary to help push the angle along. Secondary titles just aren’t given this kind of time or treatment these days. The finish saw Eddie pin Benoit after a frog splash, and was highlighted by a massive jump to count the pinfall by “Leapin” Randy Pee Wee Anderson. Not-so-fun-fact: every participant in the match, including the referee, is dead.

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko (Nitro 7/8/96)

Rey Mysterio Jr. is wearing bikini cut panties outside of his wrestling tights, distracting John and making him question his sexuality(Paul Note). Both guys work their styles; Malenko tries to keep Mysterio on the ground, while Mysterio is too quick and slippery to be held down. There is one scary spot where Mysterio spring boards to Malenko on the outside, but Malenko doesn’t catch him. You can’t keep good bikini briefs down however, and Mysterio rebounds for the pin. Great match.