[2005-02-10-WWE-Smackdown] Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio

[Vinnie B]

Taped in Japan so an unusual crowd for a WWE match. Really great stuff that doesn't need to go overboard to make a fun and compelling match. Angle dominated the first half with Rey getting hope spots in by outsmarting Kurt. Then makes a comeback so he can fly around, before one big dive too many sees him submitting to an ankle lock. Just a very watchable match with suplexs from Angle and flying from Mysterio. As a means of making me think back more positively about WWE TV in 2005, it was a big achievement. ****

[ohtani's jacket]

This was a solid match. These guys had matched up so many times that there wasn't anything new they could do, but when Angle is beating on a smaller guy like Mysterio it reminds you what a beast of a wrestler he was. They were given over 15 minutes and slowed the pace down from what we're used to. 

[Superstar Sleeze]

Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio - Smackdown 2/10/05

This is a part of a tournament to determine the #1 Contender for JBL’s title for WrestleMania I believe this is a quarterfinal match. This takes place in Japan which might explain the slower pace and more wrestling from Angle.

These two have freaky chemistry with each other. This is not their best match together But I really watching these two together and I would say Rey is Angle’s best opponent. He brings out that bully jock heel side to Angle. Angle is just guzzling him early. Taking him down at will just having his way with Rey. Rey tries to get things going Angle mows him down with a shoulder tackle or a knee lift. He is more powerful and he really shows off his wrestling. So he creates that mountain for Rey to scale. Rey does finally get Angle off balance with a Rana and in the scramble drop toe hold into the ropes but Angle evades the 619 I loved that spot. Showed Rey needs to keep Angle off balance and go for his kill shot. They play over and over again that when Angle deviates from the game plan of manhandling Rey by running Rey makes him pay like the roll through on sunset flip into a dropkick, sending Angle over top rope hitting a dive and the missed charge that leads to Rey’s comeback. Angle for his part stuffs any Rey momentum with great suplexes and even works the back pretty well. Surprisingly I thought Angle outworked Rey. Angle was working smarter and playing better to his character. I thought Rey was being lazy. Always using elbows to get out of holds so banal. Using Irish Whips when could be creative how to get things into motion but angle did usually make him pay. 
 

The Rey uptempo finish stretch is always fun. Lots of high spots and attempts at the 619. I liked Angle made him earn catching the first 619 into an Anglelock. Going for the Angle Slam but getting arm dragged. Thats the the narrative of their matches cat and mouse. In this match, Kurt finally catches Rey BANG Angle Slam and I love how he urgently gets into Anglelock and sits down into the grapevine for the win. Brilliant stuff from Angle wish Rey was a bit more creative But these are two are so fun together very good cat and mouse match *** 3/4