WCW Pro 8/10/1996

World Championship Wrestling presents Pro
Date: 8/10/1996
From: Orlando, FL

Matches:
1.) Jim Duggan defeated Kurasawa
2.) Eddie Guerrero defeated Manny Fernandez
3.) Dave Taylor defeated Gambler
4.) WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Dean Malenko to retain the title

Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Duggan backs Kurasawa into a corner, but Kurasawa counters and decks Duggan followed by right hands. Kurasawa works over Duggan with a strike, but Duggan comes back with a series of clotheslines to send Kurasawa to the floor to regroup. Duggan wrenches on the arm and switches to a hammerlock. Duggan rams Kurasawa into the corner shoulder first. Duggan misses a splash hitting the corner and is stomped by Kurasawa. Kurasawa delivers a few kicks and a scoop slam to Duggan. Kurasawa heads to the top, but is punched in midair. Duggan slams Kurasawa and tapes his fist before knocking Kurasawa out for the win. (1/4*. How is that legal finish for Duggan? He can’t tape his fist like that! There was nothing special in this one.)

2.) Malenko works over Mysterio with several strikes and a snap suplex for a two count. Malenko delivers a side suplex for a near fall. Malenko works over Mysterio with forearm strikes in the corner and stomps to the midsection. Mysterio forearms Malenko a few times and hits a springboard moonsault for a one count. Malenko drop toe holds Mysterio to get control on the mat. Malenko slams Mysterio followed by a vicious clothesline for a two count. Malenko controls Mysterio on the mat with an abdominal stretch. Mysterio reaches the ropes to break the hold. Malenko tries for a reverse powerbomb, but Mysterio counters with a rollup for a two count. Malenko goes back down to the mat with an arm bar. Malenko locks in a camel clutch, but Mysterio doesn’t give in. Malenko elbow drops Mysterio over the back. Malenko spikes Mysterio with a brainbuster for a near fall. Malenko takes Mysterio down with a surfboard submission, but Mysterio counters with a near fall. Malenko drops Mysterio throat first over the top rope. Malenko locks in a head scissors on the mat, but Mysterio doesn’t give up and reaches the ropes. Malenko gets a sleeper on Mysterio and drops down to the mat, but Mysterio continues to hang on and not submit. Mysterio breaks free and Malenko tosses Mysterio with a fallaway slam for a near fall. Malenko works over Mysterio in the corner and goes back to a choke with a body scissors in the middle of the ring. Mysterio head scissors Malenko over the top to the floor and Mysterio is hobbling around ringside. Malenko goes to the top, but is dropkicked by Mysterio. Mysterio is shoved off the top and Malenko gets a rollup for a two count. Malenko hits a reverse suplex for a two count. Malenko powerbombs Mysterio for another near fall. Mysterio forearms Malenko and hits a springboard hurricanrana for a near fall. Mysterio nearly wins with a cradle on Malenko. Mysterio ducks a clothesline and gets a crucifix pin managing to get a three count, and retains the title. (***1/2. That may be the best WCW Pro match that I watched thus far in 1996. I mean, that was just great. This may be a candidate for WCW TV match of the year, too. Just fantastic action here by Malenko and Mysterio.)

Final Thoughts:
An easy thumbs up and check out the main event.

Thanks for reading.