WCW Pro 2/23/1997

Written by: Bob Colling

World Championship Wrestling presents Pro
Date: 2/23/1997
From: Orlando, FL

Matches:
1.) Chris Benoit defeated Billy Kidman
2.) High Voltage defeated Eddie Jackie & LeRoy Howard
3.) Jim Duggan defeated Rex King
4.) La Parka defeated Juventud Guerrera
5.) Ultimo Dragon defeated Steve Armstrong
6.) Scott Norton defeated Johnny Swinger
7.) Hugh Morrus defeated The Renegade

Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Benoit strikes Kidman against the ropes, but Kidman hits a head scissors. Benoit stops Kidman with a spinebuster. Benoit chokes Kidman over the middle rope and taunts Kidman. Benoit drives Kidman down with a back suplex. Benoit continues to stomp on Kidman. Benoit chops Kidman in the corner. Kidman takes Benoit down with a hurricanrana. Benoit stops Kidman with a snap suplex and hits a dragon suplex. Benoit proceeds to lock in the Crossface and wins the match. (**. An obviously quick match, but Kidman got a couple of fun moves in and Benoit looked like a beast. Well done overall.)

2.) Last time High Voltage was on Pro they were presented as a face team. This time around they are getting booed. They won with a springboard crossbody, which they didn’t mess up like they had done las time.

3.) Guerrera chops Parka in the corner, but Parka counters being sent into the corner with chops of his own. Parka kicks Guerrera to the mat. Guerrera comes back with a clothesline for a two count. Parka arm drags Guerrera and kicks Guerrera into the ropes followed by a tilt a whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Juventud spin kicks Parka in the corner and hits a running elbow strike. Guerrera misses an elbow in the corner and Parka hits a corkscrew dive off the top to win the match. (*1/2. Yet another quick match and Guerrera didn’t really sell the finish. It’s still good and surprising to see Parka win a match and doing so against someone like Juventud.)

4.) Dragon shoulder blocks Armstrong, but Armstrong hits a dropkick only to miss an elbow drop. Dragon kicks Armstrong several times to knock Armstrong to the mat. Sonny Ono kicks Armstrong on the floor. Dragon sends Armstrong back into the ring and delivers a leg drop for a two count. Armstrong plants Dragon with a front suplex and hits a missile dropkick for a two count. Dragon nails Armstrong with a spinning heel kick. Dragon slams Armstrong to the mat. Dragon misses a top rope moonsault and Armstrong decks Dragon with a clothesline. Armstrong knees Dragon in the corner, but Dragon stops Armstrong on the top to hit a hurricanrana. Dragon hits the Dragon suplex to win the match. (**. That was another solid match between these two and the finish was nicely done. Armstrong held his own in there with Dragon and produced a fun match.,)

5.) Morrus beats on Renegade with right hands in the middle of the ring. Morrus slams Renegade, but Renegade quickly gets to his feet. Renegade hits a leaping crossbody off the ropes for a two count. Morrus clotheslines Renegade to regain control of the match. Morrus delivers a throat thrust to keep Renegade down on the mat. Morrus misses a splash in the corner and Renegade hits a hip toss and scoop slam. Renegade clotheslines Morrus in the corner. Renegade tries for a handspring back elbow, but Morrus hits a back suplex and hits the No Laughing Matter for the win. (*1/4. Renegade is decent in matches that last less than four minutes. I’m really digging Morrus and feel like he could get a good run in WCW at some point.)

Final Thoughts:
While there wasn’t anything that stood out as being must see or great, there was some quality matches on the show. The enhancement matches made guys like Benoit, Dragon and Morrus look better and that is nothing but good.

Thanks for reading.