This match on WCW Monday Nitro on January 13, 1997 was a technical, hard-fought TV bout between two of WCW’s most respected grapplers, Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko, booked as a non-title contest ahead of Guerrero’s upcoming U.S. Title defense and his program with Syxx. The bout opened with classic mat wrestling and counters, quickly turning into a back-and-forth exchange of suplexes, reversals, and submissions, with both men showcasing their crisp technical skills and chemistry. Guerrero gained early momentum with back suplexes and a huracanrana, but Malenko worked intelligently with knees, an abdominal stretch, and methodical offense to keep Guerrero off balance. A notable moment came when Guerrero climbed the ropes mid-match to jaw at Syxx at ringside, allowing Malenko to capitalize and hit a powerbomb for the pinfall victory. Although the crowd’s attention drifted at times due to the prolonged build to the main event, the match itself delivered strong in-ring storytelling and highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the two competitors.
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