HIDDEN GEMS: WCW’s Very Own Lucha Libre Show
Call this a little preview.Chris Jericho/Johnny Swinger/Lenny Lane/Norman Smiley vs. Konnan/Hector Garza/Rey Mysterio Jr./Silver King
Date: January 27, 1999
Location: Heart O’Texas Fair Complex, Waco, Texas
Attendance: 2,423
So this is from a special that was taped called Fesitval de Lucha Libre, which was a lucha themed show that never aired in America. The idea was to have a show to counteract WWF Super Astros show (which did last for a bit) but this was never picked up so off to the Hidden Gems section it goes. For some reason Fit Finlay is here with Jericho’s team as well, as we go full international with the villainy. Jericho wants the various women at ringside gone because he is the star around here you see.
Konnan and Jericho (who is getting A LOT of cheers) start things off but Jericho hands it off to Lane instead. Mysterio comes in to hammer away after a minute of stalling. Rey sends Lenny into the corner for a Bronco Buster and a double tag brings in Swinger and Garza. Swinger takes over with a clothesline and sends him to the apron but Garza is right back with a clothesline of his own.
Smiley comes in with an elbow to the face and we get what sounds like a negative chant about someone. The crowd volume goes WAY down in a hurry and it’s Jericho suplexing Garza down for the arrogant two. King breaks up Swinger’s cover and comes in, only to get beaten up by Smiley. There’s the Swinging Slam into the Big Wiggle, which should get a lot more praise. Two referees have to hold Konnan back, allowing a quadruple stomping and a posting to keep King in trouble.
Finlay gets in a shot as well and it’s a powerslam from Lane for two back inside. A faceplant out of the corner has King down again but he scores with a spinwheel kick. There’s a dive over the top onto Lane and that’s as good as a tag around here, meaning Rey can come in to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and Jericho gets the Liontamer on Garza for the tap at 8:00.
Rating: C. I’m not sure how many people were expecting a pretty formula based match here and it didn’t exactly fit the theme. You have Mysterio and Garza on the tecnico team and you do a pretty run of the mill American style tag match? I’m not sure what the thinking was here but it didn’t exactly work out that well.
Post match a brawl seems to break out but the camera is looking at the crowd.
Recent Comments