World Championship Wrestling presents Pro
Date: 6/15/1996
From: Orlando, FL
Matches:
1.) Eddie Guerrero defeated Jushin Liger
2.) Steiner Brothers defeated Masahiro Chono & Kensuke Sasaki
3.) Public Enemy defeated Armstrong Brothers (Steve & Scott)
4.) Ric Flair defeated Scotty Riggs
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Guerrero gets a full nelson on Liger before switching to a wrist lock. Liger counters, but Guerrero leg sweeps Liger leading to a standoff. Guerrero shoulder blocks Luger, but Liger avoids a springboard moonsault to deliver a somersault kick. Liger hits a running somersault splash. Liger connects with a handspring back elbow tor a two count. Liger crotches Guerrero on the top rope and goes for a superplex driving Guerrero down to the mat for a two count. Liger chops Guerrero in the corner a few times. Guerrero clotheslines Liger and is fired up. Guerrero hammers away on Liger, but Liger connects with a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Liger plants Guerrero with a powerbomb for a two count. Liger sits Guerrero on the top rope and is shoved off the middle rope. Guerrero hits the top rope frog splash to win the match. (**. As expected, it’s a really short match, but the action was solid throughout and Liger displayed some unique action. I enjoyed the match for the limited amount of time it was given.)
2.) Chono and Sasaki attack the Steiner Brothers with clotheslines to send them to the floor. Scott is double teamed in the ring as Rick recovered on the floor. Scott delivers a double clothesline and the Steiner’s hit belly to belly suplexs. Rick and Scott play to the crowd. Chono and Rick do a test of strength until Sasaki decks Rick from behind. Sasaki legally enters and match and Rick punches Sasaki a few times followed by a clothesline. Chono knee lifts Rick from the apron and Chono hits a vertical suplex to the mat. Sasaki keeps a sleeper on Rick for a moment. Chono returns to the match and stomps on Rick before wrenching the neck. Rick continues to be double teamed as Sasaki goes for a suplex, but Rick elbows free and tosses Chono off the top with a suplex. Scott enters hitting clotheslines and a slam. Chono low blows Scott, but the referee only warns him. Sasaki accidentally clotheslines Chono and Scott hits a double under hook powerbomb on Sasaki. Scott hits a standing hurricanrana for the clean win. (**. Another solid match despite limited TV time. They kept a decent pace and it kept my interest. I’m liking the clean finishes on the show this week so far.)
3.) Scott and Rock kickoff the tag match with Scott getting a headlock on Rock. Grunge tags in quickly and Steve dropkicks Scott onto Public Enemy leading to double dropkicks to both men. Scott goes back to a headlock Rock, though Grunge is the legal man since he did tag in. They run the ropes until Rock delivers a powerbomb. Rock dumps Scott through the ropes to the floor. Grunge works over Steve in the corner as Rock brings Scott to the table on the floor. Grunge runs into a boot in the corner and Steve decks Grunge to the mat with a forearm. Rock plays to the crowd and fakes a dive as Scott gets off the table. Rock rams Scott onto the legs of the table. Grunge scoop slams Scott to the mat and tags in Rock. Rock hits the Drive By off the apron for the win. (1/2*. Well, that was a bit disappointing as I was hoping the Armstrong Brothers would get a more competitive match.)
4.) Riggs takes Flair down to the mat with a headlock, but Flair gets to his feet quickly. Flair gets out of the hold with a top wrist lock. Riggs fights out of the hold and takes Flair down to the mat. Flair gets to his feet and taunts the fans. Riggs puts a head scissors on Flair to maintain the advantage. Flair complains of a hair pull, but the referee doesn’t buy it. Riggs shoulder blocks Flair and gets a backslide for a two count. Flair eye rakes Riggs to gain the advantage. Flair chops Riggs in the corner. Flair cheap shots Riggs in the corner and delivers a stomp to the knee. Riggs backdrops Flair out of the corner followed by a few dropkicks. Flair flips out on the floor and regroups with Woman. Flair works over Riggs with a chop, but Riggs battles back with right hands. Riggs shoulder blocks Flair and dumps Riggs to the floor. Flair struts around while Riggs struggles on the floor. Flair chokes Riggs on the apron. Flair knocks Riggs to the mat and delivers a knee drop off the ropes. Flair covers Riggs, but only gets a two count. Flair chops Riggs in the corner and delivers right hands. Flair jabs Riggs a few times. Riggs fires back with right hands to back Flair into a corner. Riggs tries for a dropkick, but Flair avoids it and tries for the figure four, but Riggs almost wins with an inside cradle. Riggs knocks Flair to the mat with right hands. Riggs backdrops Flair coming off the ropes for a two count. Flair goes to the top rope and Riggs press slams Flair to the mat. Riggs backdrops Flair followed by a dropkick. Riggs misses a leaping forearm attempt. Flair misses a chop and is knocked to the mat. Riggs tries for a cover, but Flair reaches the ropes. Riggs goes to the top, but is crotched off by Flair. Flair takes advantage and locks in the figure four to win the match by submission as Flair uses the ropes for leverage and Woman helps with leverage, as well. (*1/4, I’d rather they cut a few minutes off of this and give it to Guerrero/Liger. It’s a fine main event, but Flair really needs to win these matches outright without assistance. Why are we protecting Riggs? Flair is a main event act and struggles with lesser opponents way too often.)
Final Thoughts:
This gets a thumbs up as I enjoyed the NJPW wrestlers and they highlighted a few top guys.
Thanks for reading.