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WP's Top 30 Favourite Benoit Matches in WCW


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Edit -- This is in the wrong folder, isn't it? Can someone please move it if it is?

 

I was working on this in my blog but never ending up putting it here. Since I'm one of the top Benoit fanatics on the web, I thought I'd do this to celebrate my favorite wrestler. I also hope people will find it interesting in seeing some insight into what type of matches I like as Benoit's stint in WCW covered a lot of ground. I'm already second guessing myself on lot of these matches. The first 2 are absolute locks though and will be definite frontrunners for an overall list someday. Next up, will probably be New Japan.

 

 

 

As some may remember, I once did a top 30 favourite WWF/E Benoit matchlist. At that time, I said I'd do a bunch of other lists as well. Well, WCW is proving to be insanely tougher to figure out than the WWF so I've been struggling to do this. There are tons of matches where I can't really say I liked one over the other. Although Benoit may have had some better high end matches in the WWF/E I think he had more awesome moments and consistant matches in WCW as every match there is one you want to keep on videotape. The WWF style has proven to be both an advantage and a disadvantage to his work. I wasn't able to get this accurate as I want because I can't watch everything again but I'm going to try to do my best.

 

Feel free to leave comments

 

 

WP's TOP 30 FAVOURITE BENOIT MATCHES IN WCW.

 

 

1)BENOIT vs BRAD ARMSTRONG 1/13/93 -- Clash of the Champions

 

 

In first place comes one of the few matches that I deem perfect. Everything is beautifully executed. Armstrong is looking great as always. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue on what this mysterious Canadian can do in the ring. Pieces of this are seen throughout the match until we get to the end of the end of the match where in one fall swoop we are blown away by a 2 hit combo which is Benoit's irish counter followed by the dragon suplex. Mouths are wide open in the audience as they have never seen anything like that. They can't believe it.

 

Beautiful flow in this one which has to be mentioned as well but perhaps the lasting memory in this is Benoit's middle rope clothesline from the middle rope to the ring apron on Armstrong to the concrete floor. Watching this live, I could not believe how tough, original and insane Benoit was for doing this. The awesomeness of this was perhaps only exceeded by the sheer beauty of the move. It has never looked as good since but I wouldn't want it to be since it'd taint my memories of this bout. My favourite Benoit WCW match.

 

 

2)BENOIT/WELLINGTON vs PILLMAN/LYGER WCW Clash of the Champions 6/22/92

 

The battle of the Stampede kids in WCW. The flow of this is a good part of why it is up so high. However, I want to talk about why this match struck a cord with me. At this point I knew about Lyger and how awesome he was. Than there was this Canadian kid (I had actually seen him once before and was very impressed) who apparantly was his biggest rival and had routes similar to the Hit man. You better believe that grabbed my attention. My intrigue was up. This guy had to be good if he was fighting against Lyger. Than Benoit starts bringing out these cool manuevers I loved. An enzuguri and a clothesline which I had to rewind a million times. An attempt of a suplex off the top rope.

Even better than the moves though was the intensity. At that time I knew Benoit was suffering from jet lag and after this he'd probably have to go right back to Japan. There was no taking it easy here though. I hadn't ever seen intensity like that and when Benoit took one of the worst neck bumps I ever saw I was than sold. Benoit was wrestling with more passion than I'd ever seen anyone do so before. A sick bump on the concrete, an insane neck bump, originality (to me), extra force in everything he did and than even at the end of it he was still going all out with an intense chop war with Pillman. All while under the influence of jet lag. This was just one day of his life. This struck me as very inspirational still does to this very day.

 

 

 

3)BENOIT vs EDDIE GUERRERO WCWSN 11/18/95

 

The finish is one of the most believable I've seen in wrestling and capped off what was a super match. There could be no winner here because each man was just too good that night.

 

 

 

4)BENOIT vs BRET HART 10/4/99

 

This is the tribute match for Owen Hart. I was glad to be able to see it in full and thought it came off as a very hard fought battle. There is some really smart work built into this one.

 

 

5)BENOIT vs BRET HART 6/22/98 Nitro

 

This is their first match together and one I stayed up to about 2 in the morning to watch. I loved how the whole match told a strong story.

However, it is the ending stretch that puts this match up so high as it is supremely terrific. Intensity doesn't give it justice as Benoit just blasts Hart with germans, a dragon suplex, short arm clothesines and an insane superplex off of the top rope. Benoit struggling to his feet after the superplex is an amazing visual.

 

 

 

6)BENOIT vs MALENKO 9/13/99 Nitro

 

Intensity. Oh, how I cherish my intensity.

 

 

 

7)BENOIT vs EDDIE GUERRERO 10/20/97 Nitro

 

Speaking of intensity. Wow! From the match and the crowd. The best 10 and under minute match ever?? Possibly. This is as good or better than anything they've done in Japan. The only thing is that it's shorter. A commercial break is inbetween the middle of this but it still rules.

 

People are jumping out of their seat for an armdrag. An armdrag! Everything is put together well and it would take a lot time to explain the little things on why everything they do makes it come across so well. I especially like the ending in this because it was different, protected Benoit and brought out of a lot of emotion in me. "If only Eddie hadn't gotten so lucky(but yet it wasn't all luck as he suckered Benoit in)" His cocky persona even amplies those feelings. I can't say enough about this match. This was I feel when Eddie was at his absolute best.

 

 

 

8)BENOIT/MALENKO vs HORACE HOGAN/BRIAN ADAMS Steel Cage 2/18/99

 

This is a very good bout that is commonly forgotten about. It's strong throughout and than flourishes at the end. Shiavone on commentary does a good job on picking up on this. This of course marks the first headbutt of the top of the cage by Benoit. It is by far the most meaningful headbut he ever did as it was setup very nicely. I was standing up watching Benoit scale the cage live. This is imo Benoit's most emotional climax he had in a WCW match.

 

 

 

9)BENOIT vs BRET HART 3/1/99 Nitro

 

This is a really cool bout. It features some extremely intense moments such as Benoit kicking to transistion (you HAVE to see this) and just chopping Hart with some of his best chops ever. Strong work throughout.

 

 

10)BENOIT vs MALENKO 8/10/96

 

I am a fan of endurance so this match makes it up here. It's a lot of fun to watch and it's mesmorising to see how well conditioned Benoit is in here.

 

 

 

11)BENOIT VS MALENKO 1/12/98 Nitro

 

This was during the Raven feud. Yet another example of an intense match filled with cool reservals. I mark like mad for the short arm scissors reversal every time. Also the inverted suplex.

 

 

 

12)BENOIT vs EDDIE GUERRERO WCW Nitro 10/16/95 WCW Redebut match

 

 

Out of this world stuff with Benoit and Eddie shocking everyone watching. Great execution, speed, limb work and reversals. It is perhaps best know for the powerbomb though as Eddie's head bounces twice of the mat while his body doesn't. In retrospect, it's even more dangerous because we now know how dangerous that is.

 

 

13)BENOIT/FLAIR vs HALL/NASH 7/21/97 Nitro

 

A match like this can demonstrate why it is a good idea to have card placements for wrestlers and not have every match contain 15 finishers.

Benoit was obviously talented back in the day and despite not being on the top of the card you knew that the fans knew it too. You can sense them wanting him to break away from the pack. I knew I did. This is why this match because so interesting, exciting and emotional.

Hall and Nash are two of the big guys who pretty much don't lose. What can a small little wrestler down further in the card like Benoit do against two big guys? We're going to find out! as the anticipation grows while Benoit is on the outside of the ring waiting for the hopeful hot tag. Well, Flair eventually manages to tag Benoit in who than not only finds ways to take the big guys down but believable awesome ways at that. Benoit is taking it to the man and the crowd knows it too as they go insane at the awesome visual of Benoit countering Nash's powerbomb at the very last second.

The match leaves you frustrated as Nash ANNIHILATES Benoit who loses but it also leaves you hope as we can say it was only because Flair couldn't save Benoit. You also have the outs of saying Benoit may have had his foot underneath the rope, the Outsiders got lucky and it was 2 on 1. So the match at the end of it swings your emotions around wildly coupled with feelings of frustration afterwards. For that, this match gets up really high.

 

 

 

 

14)BENOIT vs DDP SUPERBRAWL VII

 

I think this is a little underrated. It was a strong match and wrestled exactly the way it should've been at the time

 

 

 

15)BENOIT vs EDDIE GUERRERO -- 12/23/96 Tourney For US Belt

 

 

Benoit shows a lot of personality here which is fun to see. Him talking and pointing to the camera after hitting a powerbomb is professional wrestling at its best. It's nice to see the crowd very much into this one.

 

 

 

16)BENOIT vs MENG -- 5/18/97 Slamboree Death Match #1

 

This is an overlooked fight which features a nice story being told. I marked hard as usual for Benoit's intensity.

 

 

17)BENOIT vs FIT FINLAY 10/27/97 Nitro

 

What a fight to the end type feel this one had. The most vicious flying headbutt Benoit has ever done just leaves you going "wow".

 

 

 

18)BENOIT vs FINLAY 6/15/98 Nitro

 

I couldn't decide between this and their 97 Nitro bout.

 

 

 

19)BENOIT vs BOOKER T 6/11/98 Thunder

 

This finished off very heated and was followed by a respect angle that I loved. The one move that I wish Benoit would still do is his repeated kicks in the corner bit. Here it's done at the very end of the match where it appears Benoit is just getting serious/frustrated/warmed up. I love the work ethic.

 

 

 

20)BENOIT/SATURN vs DDP/BIGELOW/KANYON Bash at the Bash 99

 

A very well done 3 on 2 match that shows how unfair an advantage like that is.

 

 

21)BENOIT/SATURN vs DDP/KANYON 6/10/99 Thunder

 

I thought the ending of this was exciting so here it is. I like the surprise elements of this bout.

 

 

 

22)BENOIT vs HENNING 10/6/97 Nitro

 

Benoit the underdog is now on his own fighting for the honor of his comrades. This gets up on my fav lists for seeing Benoit fight like only he can and subsequently seeing Henning get motivated by this who ups his game to take down Benoit.

 

 

23)BENOIT vs KIDMAN 12/1/97 Nitro

 

Everyone take note on how an inverted suplex should be done. That's one of my fondest memories of Benoit in WCW. Very fun bout here with Kidman hitting a mini shooting star press on the outside and Benoit being the machine he is.

 

 

 

24)BENOIT/FLAIR/SATURN vs DDP/BIGELOW 6/7/99 Nitro

 

I think this was the match where Flair leaves Benoit in the ring and a retired Arn Anderson decides to take action into his own hands before Saturn decides to come down. If you can't get worked up when Double A gets up on the apron than you have no heart.

 

 

25)BENOIT vs KEVIN SULLIVAN Bash at the Beach PPV 6/16/96

 

Terrific bout that has proven to more than hold up over the years. They manage to bring the aura of hatred, freshness and realism.

 

 

26)BENOIT vs JERICHO FALL BRAWL 96

 

This is a very strong bout that makes a lot of sense while watching it. Jericho challenges Benoit and gets over by doing so but they don't upset the card hierarchy.

 

 

27)BENOIT vs 2 COLD SCORPIO 1/23/93 HH

 

I think this is probably rated too low. A drooling and maybe the best example of what these two were capable of. It would've been better with "5 more minutes"

 

 

28)BENOIT vs BOOKER T 6/14/98 Great American Bash

 

For the dragon suplex!!

 

 

 

29)BENOIT vs 2 COLD SCORPIO Superbrawl III

 

Strong bout between the 2 high flyers

 

 

30)BENOIT vs EDDIE GUERRERO 1/14/96 Worldwide

 

Seamless wrestling from the two masters. There's a point in here where Benoit just says "I've had enough of this" and does one of his awesome clotheslines to Eddie.

 

 

 

 

 

Remember. Feel free to leave comments. This was an extremely hard task to do.

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An awesome read, wp. I haven't even finished it yet, but I feel the need to comment.

 

Your #1 is a match that's been flying beneath my radar. I am going to seek it out just based on my respect for your knowledge of Benoit's matches. Your #2 is a match that I remember very well. It blew me away seeing Stampede guys doing crazy stuff in the NWA.

 

Your #4 match is one that, on a certain day, I might rank as my favourite match of all time.

 

I'm going to print this up to read at leisure.

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An awesome read, wp. I haven't even finished it yet, but I feel the need to comment.

 

Your #1 is a match that's been flying beneath my radar. I am going to seek it out just based on my respect for your knowledge of Benoit's matches. Your #2 is a match that I remember very well. It blew me away seeing Stampede guys doing crazy stuff in the NWA.

 

Your #4 match is one that, on a certain day, I might rank as my favourite match of all time.

 

I'm going to print this up to read at leisure.

 

Thanks Gordi. This is just my list of favorites though. Lots of others would have a couple of the Benoit/Malenko vs Raven/Saturn matches as well as the "famous" cut away match of Benoit vs Regal.

 

Remember the first match is one that has to be watched in context. WCW was having lots of great matches at the time but none that looked like this so this sticks out. The ending with a dragon suplex had not been seen in North America since I don't know when. Maybe since Fujinami in the early 80s but there aren't going to be too many fans remembering that.

But it's the way the ending is done. Armstrong is on a comeback and it really looks it's the start of trouble for Benoit. However, Benoit does the irish whip counter which makes one subtly think "what other cool new tricks does this guy have?" only for that feeling to be upped in a major way when he nails the devestating dragon suplex. Head bumps and athletic bridges weren't common than so it's a big shock when it happens. Most of it all, it leaves you with the feeling that this new guy is so dangerous that he can beat you at any given time. Imo, there's no better way that that to debut a new wrestler.

 

Also check out the headbut Benoit hits on Armstrong before he hit the inside to the outside clothesline. Armstrong I believe blocks two of Benoit's punches (one left and one right which was cool since you start to think Armstrong's safe now) in typical face fashion only for Benoit to do something new and hit him with a headbut. Again, it gives you the feeling of Benoit being special.

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The main difference was that Benoit didn't really have a clear finishing move, and instead had a ton of signature spots where any of them could really get the win. As a result, there was a lot more suspense in his matches because you could buy the finish coming at any time. Because of some pretty haphazard booking, there is a period from September-December 1996 that really stands out for me for Benoit, because he's basically alternating from face to heel and back again within a week, and all of his matches are different from each other. Fun stuff.

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Anything that Benoit did differently in WCW that he didn't do else where?

 

Hmm, I'm not quite sure what you're asking here. For signature spots he added on the chop/forearm/repeated kicks to his turnbuckled (new word!) opponent bit which the crowd really took to. I wish he'd bring that back. I'm pretty sure that's not what you're asking about though.

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The main advantage of the WWF/WWE style for Benoit is that it forced him to become "more selfish". A lot of the times I found that Benoit can be very unselfish and can often go down for the pinfall pretty easily. It doesn't look right when you have someone who's obviously trying harder than their opponent go down in that manner.

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Guest TheShawshankRudotion

I'm just asking if there were any stylistic differences; you and Loss hit on it somethin good.

 

At the time, I remember liking Benoit because he ended a match so many different ways. One day it would be the dragon suplex, the next a german, the next a powerbomb. It's something of a "video game factor" where you could play something like WCW world tour and not feel obliged to end it with a finisher. However, with that said, there is something lost in not being somewhat predictable. The Rock had great success in being predictable. Hogan as well.

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Guest TheShawshankRudotion

Also, who got over Benoit best on commentary? I found that WCW announcers were better at getting over a guy simply by being impressed by his work in the ring.

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I'm just asking if there were any stylistic differences; you and Loss hit on it somethin good.

 

However, with that said, there is something lost in not being somewhat predictable.

 

That is true and it seems like the WWE believes in this pretty strongly. Remember when some information leaked on how the commentators were supposed to describe a match.? However, I think they've gone too far.

 

I think Benoit has improved overall on his selling with the best example being the Ironman match he had against HHH so that's a style difference right there. There are little things here and there too with his style.

 

 

Also, who got over Benoit best on commentary? I found that WCW announcers were better at getting over a guy simply by being impressed by his work in the ring.

 

Ed Whalen -- You either loved him or not but for me personally he was the best at getting Benoit over. Ed would kind of shoot sometimes and with those comments I think he helped Benoit out. Ed would always put over Benoit to the max and it came off as very genuine. He was thrilled to see a new star come up and do so well as he enjoyed the journey of seeing a wrestler do very well and improve his craft. It was to the point where if Benoit had ever turned heel I would've been legit disgusted at him for breaking Ed Whalen's heart. Any other time it "didn't" really matter me if Benoit turned heel or face in NJPW, WCW, ECW, WWF, Mexico, CWA and so forth. But if it happened in Stampede, I wouldn't even be able to watch another Benoit match.

 

Tony Schiavone -- Even though he talked about the big stars when the "lesser" stars were wrestling he always seemed to be a fan of Benoit. He always put him over big.

 

Jesse Ventura

 

Makahn Singh -- He only commentated a few Benoit matches but I thought he did a terrific job. He was very similar to Jesse Ventura and almost at the same level. They say it's not what you say but how you say it. Makahn like Jessse was great at both.

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I really need to rewatch the Owen Tribute match, because it didn't do anything for me when I saw it live. I think it was either the fact that it was on TV and thus had a commerical break that ruined the flow for me that did it, or the fact that it kind of creeped me out to see Owen being "honored" by his brother and his dad's most famous non-family student wrestling in the arena he died in.

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