WCW Pro 7/27/1996

World Championship Wrestling presents Pro
Date: 7/27/1996
From: Orlando, FL

Matches:
1.) Bobby Walker defeated Chip Minton
2.) WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Psychosis
3.) Nasty Boys defeated Butch Long & Bill Payne
4.) Public Enemy defeated WCW Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat by disqualification

Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Minton was previously getting entrances and promotion for being a former Olympian. This week, Minton doesn’t get an entrance or a mention as a former Olympian. Walker wins following a top rope flying headbutt strike.

2.) Psychosis controls Mysterio early on with a wrist lock and a hammerlock on the mat. Psychosis keeps Mysterio on the mat, but Mysterio arm drags free and kicks Psychosis into the ropes. Mysterio hits a springboard head scissors and a springboard somersault dive to the floor. Mysterio nails Psychosis with a springboard dropkick and a moonsault for a two count. Psychosis blocks a second moonsault by getting his knees up. Psychosis plants Mysterio with a slingshot spinebuster. Psychosis clubs Mysterio over the back and delivers a powerbomb for a two count. Psychosis drops Mysterio to the mat gut first. Psychosis comes off the ropes with a leg drop leading to a near fall. Psychosis uppercuts Mysterio to the mat. Mysterio stops Psychosis with a facebuster and a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Mysterio misses a splash in the corner, but crotches Psychosis on the top. Mysterio hits a top rope hurricanrana for the win. (***. Of course, that was a good match, why would that surprise anyone?)

3.) Booker and Rock kickoff the main event. Booker chops Rock against the ropes and they have a standoff. Booker controls Rock with a wrist lock and Rock rolls through. Rock hammers away on Booker and sends Booker into the ropes, but misses a clothesline. Booker nails Rock with a savant kick and a standing heel kick. Ray tags in and works over Rock with several right hands. Ray chokes Rock over the middle rope. Sherri chokes Rock over the bottom rope while the referee is distracted. Rock clotheslines Ray coming off the ropes. Rock delivers a forearm drop off the ropes for a two count. Grunge tags into the match and works over Ray with strikes over the back. Grunge slams Ray and Rock hits the Drive By, but Booker makes the save. Rock works over Ray against the ropes ad Grunge returns to the match to elbow Ray to the mat. Ray knee lifts Grunge and Booker drops Grunge throat first over the top rope. Rock tags in and clotheslines Booker followed by a strike on Ray. Booker misses a leaping side kick and lands on the ropes. Ray shakes the ropes, which hurts Booker and knocks Rock off the top rope. Ray atomic drops Rock followed by a headbutt to the lower midsection.

Grunge is trying to kick Sherri on the apron. Ray covers Rock managing a two count. Rock runs off the ropes and is met with a big boot by Ray. Booker hits a twisting forearm smash off the top rope for a two count as Grunge made the save. Booker sends Rock to the floor. Booker brings Rock into the ring from the apron with a suplex. Ray enters the match and double teams Rock with a double suplex. Grunge saves Rock in a pin attempt by Ray. Rock elbows Ray to the mat and tags in Grunge. Grunge nails Ray with a short arm clothesline and decks Booker with several right hands. All four men are in the ring with Rock working over Ray. Ray accidentally big boots Booker! Grunge and Rock clothesline Ray coming off the ropes. Parker trips Rock with his cane. Sherri gets on Grunge’s back and is knocked down. Ray savant kicks Grunge to the floor. The referee has thrown the match out and given Public Enemy the win by disqualification. (**. They got plenty of time and I thought the match was decent enough. The finish was lackluster, but I could see myself getting behind Public Enemy as challengers to Harlem Heat. I’m sure the main focus will eventually be Steiner’s and Heat before the Steiner’s win and have an Outsiders feud. Regardless, for a non-hardcore match, Public Enemy did well here.)

Final Thoughts:
A good episode of WCW Pro this week with both of the main attractions delivering quality action.

Thanks for reading.