Lucha high spot action, here we come. Juvy was clearly on some stuff during his Nitro run. Watch his shaking entrances. Thug Life Rey Jr, complete with title belt. I’m game.

Psicosis and Juvy double team both men and heel it up. Rey has his moments, even more than Blitz, and your supposed to come away with the idea that Blitz gets the rub from being with Rey – who is the most over guy here. Other than that everyone gets a showcase. It’s basically stand around, someone gets there stuff in, someone sells for a few seconds, and then another guy goes from standing around to getting their stuff in. A fun high spot match that does get better as time goes on, but nothing that really kept my attention overall (slight lie). A small story in there somewhere, and the highlights include Rey and Blitz doing a comeback together. Otherwise Blitz just twists like an idiot. The Rey vs Juvy stuff was awesome and it deserves mention.

This match just kept going. It had moments, but I wasn’t sure when the spots were gonna end. What could the finish be? They had to sell after a while, because they probably ran out of energy. They definitely lost the crowd. They also had enough guys in there that pins were broken up instead of tons of kick outs. In some ways this is the Ultimate Lucha match on Nitro was everything these guys can do – like a video game – was done in this match. For what it’s worth, Psicosis wins in around 20 minutes with a top rope leg drop (Alabama Jam). He’s the new Cruiserweight champion. 3 and 6/10.

No hype is needed for this match up. They had masks, and now they don’t. Let’s begin.

There’s a new mat logo and a new set for Nitro (the lights as stars in the background of the entrance), so we are officially into the death years of the company. Still, matches like this were happening from time to time. The layout of this match is much different than these two would have done a year or two before. A definite progression of style and a willingness to use other moves/psychology. They trade the advantage and some strikes/holds early, and Juvy is actively working the crowd for heel heat. This crowd is live, so it should really add to the whole. Everything is working early, and the pace is great. Huge “Juvy sucks” chant as Rey bails to the outside. Juvy does a crossbody over the top rope – the first big spot of the match – almost four minutes in. The reaction for Rey’s comebacks, and the pace picking up, is huge, and Juvy’s cut offs are definite and awesome. This match really has some flare to it.

The 450 is teased, but Rey stops him and hits a top rope rana. Crap, never mind. Malenko and Benoit are out to attack Rey Jr. at roughly the six minute mark. This was a good match spoiled. Raven and Saturn come out to clear the ring. 2 ¾ and 5.7/10.

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.

This is maybe the fourth time these two have had a match on Nitro, and I’ll be damned if they aren’t all great. Probably the best cruiserweight pairing that goes forgotten in the wake of Malenko-Rey, Rey-Juvy, or more likely Rey-Psicosis. I’m excited for this one since the last one rated high (Match # 111) and the one before that (Match # 107) might have been one of the best on the set. They even have one from 5/25/98 that is currently in the top 25 of my ballot.

Juvy must be on uppers, because he’s all over the place, Ult. Warrior-like, as he comes out. Kidman is pretty over as your cruiserweight champ.

Very fast paced stuff, as you’d expect, early. A little loose at points, but nothing terribly sloppy. Great exchanges, and Juvy has decided to sell big for Kidman, which is nice of him. The pace slowly well enough with Kidman on offense. Kidman is stiff as hell, and Juvy’s head scissors are on tonight (Kidman takes those bumps really well). My only complaint so far is small: Juvy at times doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing next, and feels a bit all over the place, but perhaps you like that as a realistic aesthetic. For a babyface vs babyface match, the people are way into this. Juvy has a real over nearfall at the five minute mark. Kidman’s drop kick comeback sending Juvy off the apron is another notable sequence. He slows it down and lets the crowd breeze, and they heat up big at the right moment. Good presence of mind from both guys.

Each guy is getting decent control time and ruling it. The high spots are good and not over done, and the chops and punches aren’t over done either. Cool spot alert: Juvy does a springboard leg drop and then sells his tailbone for 5-7 seconds before making a cover. Real nice touch. I’ve find next to nothing wrong with this match.

Back and forth down the home stretch, with Kidman pulling of some truly impactful moves. Juvy back with the Juvy Driver for a great nearfall. He’s frustrated. This was the upside to three hour Nitros – they gave tons of time for early to mid card matches like this. Juvy hits the 450 for the win in just over 13 minutes. A wonderful match. 3 ¾ and 7.5/10.

This match really worked earlier in the set on two occasions (look up tags for either guy on the site), so I’m pumped about a rematch of these men.

The quickness and crisp work between these two is the first thing you really notice that sets this match up apart. This is tighter than a lot of Lucha, but just as quick. You’ve got a top rope move in the first minute that’s impressive, Juvy with a suplex/driver type move, and the chops are really laid in. Every comeback move and momentum switch is punctuated with a good bigger move. The near falls are hot only three minutes in. Kidman blocks a head scissors and adjusts into a cyclone suplex. Next set of moves Juvy blocks the suplex and comes back with a bulldog. Even the top rope body blocks look great, and the second time Juvy goes for one Kidman hits a great drop kick. They tease Kidman’s Shooting Star Press. Juvy with a rana from the top. A minute later Kidman gains control and wins with the shooting star in six minutes. What an awesome sprint. 3 ½ and 7/10.

Juvy is the Cruiserweight champ coming in. Kidman had left Raven’s Flock earlier in the night. The give him a decent reception, and I think he was supposed to be a tweener looking for fan approval through his efforts here. Juvy is such an egotistical goof that the fans don’t quite connect with him.

The first half of this match is really fast paced and tight. Kidman especially looks good and when he’s on to the level he was on this night it makes you wonder what he could have done with a bigger personality. The match is pretty much back and forth, with Kidman showing some frustration early, then slowly gaining control and more comfort within the match.

Match picks up after some reversals and a Kidman nearfall after a great spinebuster-like move. Fans booed him not winning there. Then again a second later with another nearfall. The guy had such an intensity and purpose for this one night. Nearfalls build and build until Juvy gains the advantage long enough to try a top rope move. Kidman catches and crushes him. He goes up top, hits the shooting star press, and wins in roughly ten minutes. I bounce between 3 ¼ and 3 ¾, but I also think 3 ½ being compromise doesn’t quite do it justice. Oh hell, I’ll be as even-steven as WWE mid card booking. 3 ½ and 7/10.

Had Kidman come up in this decade he may well have been Matt (Sydal) Bourne. As it happened he was languishing in WCW until he got put into Raven’s Flock. From there I thought his career picked up at the level of his talents. Juvy is just Juvy. Straight up solid Lucha worker who translates almost as well as Rey Jr. into American wrestling. He’s also lost his mask since we last saw him, as I recall to Chris Jericho.

Juvy keeps staying one step ahead of Kidman early, like a good guy should. He rips off Kindman’s shirt and chops him, but more impressive to me is the fact the two pulled off a pretty seamless head scissors, a move a rarely pop for. Great suicide dive too, and well placed for their time limits.

Lodi (at ringside) helps Kidman get the advantage. I forgot Kidman actually used the X-Pac X-Factor move. Kidman has more presence than I remember him having. He was okay with a crowd. His timing is sick, and he hits a beautiful drop kick to cut off Juvy a few minutes in. He has a great clothesline cut off soon after. This match pretty much rules. Crowd actually gets up for the Juvy comeback at the right time, after giving him polite applause coming out. Juvy’s eventual come back isn’t as inspiring as I’d hoped, but that’s no fault of Kidman, and Juvy is selling still. Juvy wins in 9:30 with the Juvi Driver followed by the 450. They gave time between the moves and it meant so much more than ripping through a hundred spots in under ten minutes. 3 ½ and 7/10.

El Dandy was apparently this great worker I just didn’t know about, so says an internet message board talking point. We’ll check him out here as he takes on the Juice, also known as the” youth warrior”, Guerrera.

The first few minutes is actually some stiffer and tighter work with less emphasis on dives, although they have a plancha or two here. Lots of good kicks, palm strikes, and kicks. They lose me momentarily towards the end, but the finish is pretty good. Juvy wins in only 4 minutes with the 450 splash. Jericho attacks post match and they do post-match mic work. Juvy speaks Spanish but they’re in El Paso, so most of the fans know what he’s saying. I don’t, but Jericho is funny. They set up a mask vs title match. 2 ½ and 5/10.

I’m beginning to feel as though these WCW luchadore matches are like candy bars. They are good single serving sweets, but they don’t really add anything to your diet. They exist to impress you for that moment, and there’s nothing that evolves further from it. I don’t blame the workers themselves. All the matches are better than average affairs ranging from 2 ¾ to 3 ¾ stars. But even on 3 hour Nitros these guys got less than ten minutes to do the same frequent match ups. They are great for what they are, but you start to feel like you’re watching the same match with a glass – no, concrete – ceiling overhead.

Raven’s Flock comes through the crowd for your trademark “take the attention off these luchadores” WCW moment. I think may perhaps my problem with some of these Lucha matches is the style is a demonstration of spots to me many times, and if every spot doesn’t land clean it distracts from the overall dance (match). Where as a typical American or Japanese match can be much more guttural and not as tight, but yet still look very cool with the mistakes. There’s more room for error, at least to me.

Solid if unspectacular stuff before the first commercial break. We come back to Psicosis in control and Juvy selling. Juvy come back has some good high spots he hits rather cleanly. The crowd “ohs” at all the moves as they hit. A crazy moment as Juvy drop kicks Psicosis as he flyings from the top to the floor with a dive. Juvy wins with the 450 in about 5:30 minutes. 2 ¾ and 5/10.

Just like match # 80, which was awesome, only we get Garza and Silver King added to the mix for a good old fashion Lucha trios match. There was a time when people were really giving a look at Silver King and El Dandy as being great forgotten Lucha workers who made it to America, but I haven’t seen anything to say since reading that talking point a few years back. Here’s an isolated incident to view Silver King by.

La Parka is great with his goofy chair gimmick and dancing. It always seems like he’s doing it at inappropriate times, but I guess that’s part of the charm. King and Garza start off running through some fine point/counterpoint stuff. Raven’s Flock comes out through the crowd for some ADD TV, so the crowd is hot but unfocused. WCW liked doing that a lot and screwing their lower card matches, which were often the best of the night. Juvy/Psicosis have a go and hit most of what they are trying for. Parka plays bumping stooge for the smaller guys well.

Crowd goes electric when Rey Jr. comes in. He runs through the heels hitting his air attack. Everyone tries a top rope move and misses. Then everyone gets to one by one come in and hit a big dive to the outside. It works. They’ve built up the crowd and not overdone everything, though this wouldn’t be as popular with today’s hardcore fans (it was clean enough though that I could be wrong). They don’t overstay their welcome as Rey, while selling the knee, hits a backwards rana on King and then the Springboard rana perfectly for the win in 5 minutes flat. 3 and 6/10.