[2009-09-04-WWE-Smackdown] Rey Mysterio vs John Morrison

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Superstar Sleeze]

WWE Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio vs John Morrison - Smackdown 9/4/09

Two of the most deceptively hard hitting wrestlers in the modern WWE era are pitted here. No one is going to confuse either for Stan Hansen (or Nia Jax for that matter, lets see how this one ages), but both lay their stuff in and do not work Kofi light. One of the big revelations of going back and watching this era is realizing John Morrison is actually a pretty good wrestler. He is athletic without being too athletic and like I said he does have good strikes. I thought this was a perfect, respectful babyface match. It reminded me a lot of the Sabin vs Shelley match from January 2009 I just watched in that there is no subtle heel in this match. It is just two dudes going out to prove they are the best. In this match they do work control segments and there is a more fundamentals based approach so it is not quite as avant-garde as Sabin vs Shelley but this is still great. Lots of traditional symmetry proving devices trading headlocks, knucklelocks, cradles and stare-offs. We dont see Rey work control often due to being a babyface and undersized, but it is refreshing to see that. Some really great ranas from him in this match along with good strikes. Morrison has a great mule kick that lands right on the button and his control segment is great. Again there is athletic moves like Standing Shooting Star Press and Break Dance Leg Drop. It is not that I see a flip and immediately hate it. I like these moves. I have come to realize I hate athletic sequences. When it is looks like two dudes are re-creating their favorite men's floor exercise routine. Wicked cross body collision takes into the commercial break before the home stretch. They never break rhythm and keep this respectful throughout. There is a good sense of escalation and back & forth without feeling "my turn, your turn". Some great finisher teases. I did think there was a bit too much no selling down the line and moves were not being treated as consequential particularly egregious was the 619, Morrison duck and then the Tidal Wave. It really undercuts the 619. I LOVED the finish. Rey interrupts Starship Pain for a second time, signals for a Top Rope DRAGONRANA, but Morrison holds onto the ropes and hits Starship Pain from that position for the upset I-C Title victory! Really cool finish. A pure, respectful babyface vs babyface which I love I think matches like this should be more commonplace to make heels & cheating more meaningful. ****