#138: Rey Misterio, Jr. vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, WCW Starrcade (12/29/1996).
This is the one and only singles meeting between two of wrestling's greatest high flyers.
In the mid 1990s, WCW could do no wrong. Their relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling led to some incredible dream match scenarios, including this one. Rey Mysterio - or Misterio here - is one of the greatest wrestlers to ever come from Mexico, while Jushin Thunder Liger is one of the greatest to come from Japan. They're both innovative high flyers, and trailblazers in the Cruiserweight & Junior Heavyweight scene. So, how would things go when they collided at WCW's biggest show of their breakout year?
They shake hands to start things out. They lock up, and Liger forces Misterio against the turnbuckle. Another lock up, and Misterio tries to take Liger down, and he succeeds. Misterio ends up with his arms stretched behind his back, and he’s able to flip himself around to dropkick Liger in the chest. Liger with a shoulder tackle off the ropes, and a dropkick. He hits a hard powerslam. Liger hits a suplex, as Mike Tenay talks about Liger had a brain tumor removed just four months before this. Holy shit.
Liger sends Misterio head first into the turnbuckle, and it had some stank on it. He sends Misterio off the ropes, and throws him in the air, sending him crashing to the mat chest first. He lifts Misterio up and destroys him with a hard powerbomb. Liger chops Misterio against the ropes. He lifts him in the air again, but Misterio is able to fight back with a hurricanrana, followed by another that sends Liger to the floor. Liger avoids a 619 in the ropes by Misterio, as the crowd pops.
Misterio punches Liger on the apron, and Liger counters by suplexing him out of the ring straight to the floor. Liger goes to the floor, and powerbombs Misterio on the floor, and let me tell you, those pads on the floor look pretty fucking thin. Back in the ring, Misterio knocks Liger off the turnbuckle, and he dives off towards Liger, who avoids it and lets Misterio crash back first. Tilt a whirl backbreaker by Liger follows. He locks Misterio in the surfboard lock.
Misterio blocks a suplex from the apron, and counters with a release German Suplex. A standing moonsault follows, and Liger is able to kick out. Misterio with a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. He goes to the apron, and dives off with a springboard dropkick. He follows through with the Camel Clutch. Misterio tries for a springboard attack, and Liger counters with a nice dropkick for another nearfall. Liger with a release German Suplex, and that gets a 2 count.
Liger goes into the Half Crab submission, and he cranks on that thing. Liger then hits a nice Dragon Screw Legwhip, Tanahashi style. Dusty Rhodes on commentary implies that he will call his penis that move later tonight. Awesome. Misterio whips Liger into the corner, and flips him out of it. He does it again, but Liger counters and places him on the top rope. Misterio hits a leg scissors, and blocks a kick from Liger. Misterio dives off the top rope with a moonsault to Liger on the floor.
Misterio attacks Liger as he comes back to the ring. He hits a top rope guillotine leg drop to Liger on the back of his head, and Liger gets his foot on the bottom rope. Misterio misses a top rope senton from the apron, and Liger goes to the top rope. Diving headbutt, and Misterio kicks out. Misterio forearms Liger and goes to the top, but Liger pushes him back to the floor. Liger goes to the top, and Misterio cuts him off. Misterio goes for a hurricanrana from the apron, but they kind of botch it. Liger hits a wheel kick, followed by the Liger Bomb for the win.
This was pretty decent, though it felt a little rough around the edges. It didn't feel completely gelled together for most of it, but it did have some bright spots that make you think if these two wrestled again, it would be a lot smoother. Liger in particular was vicious here, and he gave Misterio some of the most brutal bumps I've ever seen him take.
For a one off, this wasn't bad, but considering the parties involved, I do think they can do better. Maybe the communication was off? I don't know. Liger's brain issues from earlier in the year likely affected his in ring game, that I have zero doubt about. This could've been a great classic, but for what it is, it's not bad.