Written by: Bob Colling
World Championship Wrestling presents Pro
Date: 1/26/1997
From: Orlando, FL
Matches:
1.) High Voltage defeated Ciclope & Galaxy
2.) Jeff Jarrett defeated Casey Thompson
3.) Chris Jericho defeated Billy Kidman
4.) Disco Inferno defeated Jim Powers
5.) Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated La Parka & Juventud Guerrera
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Chris Cruise and Larry Zbyszko talk about Sting’s recent actions on Nitro. Zbyszko calls Sting a traitor and is convinced that Sting is part of the New World Order. Zbyszko thinks it is obvious because of the colors that Sting wears and his black baseball bat.
2.) Galaxy and Ciclope attack before the bell and hit a dropkick/clothesline combo on Rage for a two count. Rage continues to be double teamed for a moment until Kaos enters to hit a double clothesline and High Voltage hit dropkicks. Rage beats on Ciclope with strikes and tags in Kaos to keep control of the contest. Galaxy pulls Kaos to the floor and Ciclope accidentally hits a suicide dive on Galaxy outside the ring. Rage hooks Ciclope to hit a double underhook slam. Kaos has Ciclope on his shoulders and Rage completely messes up a springboard finisher. Rage press slams Kaos onto Ciclope to win the match. (1/2*. Well, the finish was messed up and that’s too bad, really. Ciclope and Galaxy did an okay job, but even in front of a crowd that they control the finish fell flat.)
3.) Lee Marshall interviews Lex Luger. Luger says that it is time for WCW to start getting rid of the NWO. Luger says that payback is a “you know what.” Luger tells us that he’s wrestling for all the previous wrestlers and says they need to band together. Luger isn’t sure if Sting is WCW or NWO and they need him back. Luger hasn’t had a conversation with Sting and all he has had is a baseball bat to his chest.
4.) Kidman and Jericho shake hands to start the match. Jericho shoulder blocks Kidman and follows up with an arm drag. Kidman arm drags Jericho and they have a standoff after a dropkick. Jericho keeps control on Kidman’s left arm. Kidman is lifted into the air and driven gut first down to the mat. Jericho lifts Kidman up to hit a front suplex for a near fall. Jericho controls Kidman with a knee to the upper back and pulls Kidman’s arms back. Kidman counters a slam with an inside cradle. Jericho decks Kidman over the head. Jericho drives Kidman down with a backbreaker. Kidman doesn’t give in and Jericho lets go of the hold. Kidman ducks a clothesline and dropkicks Jericho. Kidman hits a middle rope bulldog for a two count. Kidman nearly wins with a rollup. Jericho stops Kidman with a Samoa Drop and connects with a springboard moonsault. Jericho leaps off the top to finish Kidman off with a missile dropkick. (*1/2. A competitive match as Kidman got a few moments to shine, but Jericho looks good here in victory.)
5.) Teddy Long is managing Jim Powers and entered the ring while Inferno had a leg submission on Powers. Powers didn’t submit, but Long told the referee to ring the bell. Long essentially tossed the towel in for Powers, who was selling a leg injury.
6.) Lee Marshall interviews Chris Jericho. Jericho says he’s all business when he’s in the ring. Jericho has only been in WCW for five months and he’s learned a lot in WCW. He’s looking to continue his growth in WCW. Jericho isn’t worried about the year and is focused on what’s going on right now. Jericho says every match has taken him to a next level. Jericho suggests people look out for him in WCW.
7.) La Parka and Eddie Guerrero kickoff the tag main event. Eddie gets wrist control for a moment and they have a standoff. Eddie takes Parka over with a back suplex and its Parka on the top turnbuckle. Parka puncahes Eddie off the ropes and slips off the ropes on a springboard attempt. Parka slams Eddie and tags in Guerrera. Eddie avoids a dropkick and tag sin Chavo. Guerrera is worked over for a moment as Chavo hits a standing dropkick for a two count. Chavo head scissors Guerrera followed by a dropkick for a two count. Parka kicks Chavo from the apron allowing Guerrera to hit a dropkick. Guerrera hits the Juvi Driver and connects with a springboard leg drop for a near fall. Guerrera beats on Chavo in the corner with stomps and strikes. Guerrera sits Chavo on the top turnbuckle and hits a hurricanrana for a two count. Parka returns to the match and drop toe holds Chavo followed by a kick to the head. Parka tosses Chavo with a belly to belly suplex and Guerrera returns to the match. Guerrera splashes Chavo in the corner for a near fall. Guerrera takes Chavo over with a German suplex for a two count. Guerrera plants Chavo with a powerbomb for a two count. Parka and Eddie get involved with Parka decking Eddie to the apron. Guerrera hits a springboard somersault leg drop on Chavo for a two count. Parka chops Eddie to the floor. Guerrera spikes Chavo with a brainbuster, but Eddie breaks the cover. Parka clotheslines Eddie to the floor. Chavo counters a powerbomb with a sunset flip and pins Guerrera for the win! (**1/2. A fine tag match with Guerrera standing out with some impressive offensive moves. Parka didn’t really do much after his slip on the ropes. They were give a good amount of time and made the best out of it.)
Final Thoughts:
Another good episode of Pro this week as the main event was solid enough and Jericho/Kidman had some quality action. Plus, I like there is a few promos added to the program.
Thanks for reading.