Event: WCW Power Hour
Location: Unknown
Announced Attendance: Unknown

They circle each other to start, waistlock by Muta, reversed by Gilbert but Muta applies a hammerlock. Gilbert reverses it into his own hammerlock but Muta grabs the ropes to break the hold. Muta flips Gilbert to the mat but Gilbert knocks Muta off his feet. Back up, tie-up, side headlock takedown by Muta but Gilbert reverses it with a headscissors. Muta manages to get out of it, tie-up, kick by Muta and he chops Gilbert to the mat. Elbow to the back of the head by Muta, Irish whip by Muta to the corner, reversed, and Gilbert hits a back bodydrop. Armdrag by Gilbert and he applies a wristlock, arm wringer by Gilbert and he yanks on Muta's arm. Muta punches Gilbert to get out of it, side headlock by Muta, Gilbert Irish whips out of it but Muta shoulderblocks him down. Armdrag by Gilbert and he applies an armbar. Muta backs Gilbert into the corner, and Muta does a flip kick. Muta picks up Gilbert, snapmare, and he delivers the Flashing Elbow. Muta picks up Gilbert, snapmare, and he applies a headscissors. Muta tosses Gilbert out of the ring, back in the ring, Irish whip by Muta, Gilbert goes for a sunset flop but Muta punches him in the throat. Muta twists on Gilbert's leg and then kicks him in the back of the knee. Muta twists on Gilbert's ankle and kicks him in the leg some more. Muta applies a leg lock and he kicks Gilbert in the leg again. Muta continues working over the leg as he props it onto the second rope and jumps down onto it. Muta goes outside the ring and slams Gilbert's leg into the apron. Gilbert gets back in the ring, Muta goes up on the top turnbuckle and hits a diving chop to the mat. Cover, but it gets a two count. Muta twists on Gilbert's leg again but Gilbert rolls him up for a two count. Kick to the back of the leg by Muta as Gilbert stands up, and he kicks him a second time. Muta twists on Gilbert's ankle but Gilbert kicks out of it with his other leg. Rib breaker by Muta, he goes up to the top turnbuckle, Gilbert moves out of the way of the moonsault but Muta lands on his feet. Enzigieri by Gilbert, and the pair trade punches. Irish whip by Gilbert and he delivers with a back elbow. Gilbert rakes Muta in the eyes, Irish whip by Gilbert to the corner, reversed, but Gilbert comes out of the corner with a diving crossbody. Irish whip by Muta, Gilbert ducks a Muta kick and nails the Hot Shot. Cover, but Hart puts Gilbert's foot on the bottom rope. Gilbert goes out to punch Hart, but as he gets back in the ring, Muta catches him with a back kick. Cover by Muta and he picks up the three count! Your winner: Great Muta

Match Thoughts: I really don't like the WCW version of Muta that just does lots of meaningless leg holds that are never sold and never impact the end of the match. I also don't think he should be having such a competitive match, I know he was the champion and was no longer in jobber squash mode, but Muta beat people on his own... he didn't have to be saved by Hart. Then the end was quick, surprising both myself and the crowd. It is as if the bookers forgot they had something special the crowd really was into and turned Muta into just another wrestler. Not a great match. Score: 3.5

Back to Match Reviews