Ultimo Dragon vs Rey Mysterio Jr. (WCW - 11/24/1996)

An explosive offensive spectacle from Ultimo Dragon. Too much of a spotfest, exhibition that lacks struggle to be considered a classic. I think I was a little harsh when I first rated it but this is not something that would make my list.

This is an absolutely amazing offensive exhibition from Ultimo Dragon. In fact, it may be the best single man offensive runs in a single match. At the end of the day, it felt just like that an exhibition. I could not suspend my disbelief when Rey finally made his comeback because he just got his shit kicked in and now he is flying all around. If Rey peppered in more hope spots than I think this would be a different story, but as is it just came off as an Ultimo Dragon fireworks show. It was an incredible fireworks show, but I wouldn't call it a great match. All the stars for commentary, I have not laughed so hard in so long. This is a "draws down, mama hitting you with a switch" whupping from Dusty slayed me and then when they were outside, Dusty asking who is that guy in the red jacket and Hey Bob, turn around they are right behind you, I was dying.



J-Crown Champion Ultimo Dragon vs Rey Mysterio Jr.

World War III 1996





Rey Mysterio had become the centerpiece of WCW’s cruiserweight division, but had dropped the title back to Malenko at Halloween Havoc, the previous month. In this match, it is Rey’s job to cement Ultimo Dragon as the top heel of the cruiserweight division. This is the match where people rightfully so complain of Rey getting gobbled up by Dragon’s offense. Whereas, the Malenko match felt like a struggle where two men were trying to win a match with natural strategies, this match felt like an exhibition of Dragon’s spots. Don’t get me wrong, Dragon has some pretty nifty spots (he busts out the Giant Swing!!!), but never feels like he is trying to win. Instead, he is just trying to show-off all his cool moves. Here is a list of the cool moves:



Spinning Argentine Backbreaker
Giant Swing
Slingshot Powerbomb
His Intricate Outside the ring sequence
Spinning Tombstone Piledriver
Running Ligerbomb
Brainbuster
Surprisingly did not do the Asai Moonsault, but the splash from the ring to a prone Mysterio was beyond awesome.


This is the type of story that always falls flat with me. It is simply because there is no story. There is not a struggle. It is just an exhibition. It is fun visually, but not emotionally. In addition, Dragon did really use anything to set up his moves. Usually, he uses a ground game to weaken his opponents before he works his shit in. Instead, it just felt like pick up Rey and do his spots.



Rey be assertive. Where were your hope spots? The match was dying because of the babyface was getting totaled out there. It looked like match I had against my stuffed bear yesterday erm I mean 15 years ago. I totally mean 15 years ago.



Dusty was cracking me up throughout the match, but this quote not only makes me laugh, but is accurate portrayal of the match “This is pants-down momma spankin you whuppin!” Of course at the finish, Rey does make his comeback and hits his visually impressive spots like his somersault plancha. The finish was hot, but the how fuck would the finish not be hot when you have Dragon with his ZILLION moves and Rey flying around at a mile a minute. They had a perfect ending: Dragon is able to catch Rey Rey off the springboard and hit a fuckin Slingshot Powerbomb (BITCHIN~!) for the win.



I have watched this match a lot because I happen to love watching Ultimo Dragon’s offense, but it is not a very dramatic match and thus loses a lot of points in my book. ***1/2