[2000-08-06-CMLL Japan] Virus vs Ricky Marvin

[Jetlag]

Fun lucha dance partners go HARD for japan type match. Virus looked almost indistinguishable from his current form, meaning that was great here. Marvin looked a little green and sloppy, not always 100% with his form, but didn't blow anything. Virus on the other hand executed all his stuff effortlessly. To be fair, Virus has probably done 500 matches like this, and equally as many matches of this type have happened over the years in japan, there was nothing particularily outstanding here. Still it's a chance to get to see Virus do his thing, which is better than most wrestlers doing theirs, honestly.

[soup23]

Ricky Marvin looks like 2007 Ricochet here. As Jetlag mentions, Virus looks almost the same as current form. Virus is going to be someone to track throughout the decade. We won't see a super ton of him compared to most other WOTD candidates so the onus is on him to impress almost every time out. He does here as the match works with Virus doing his mat work where both competitors are like glue and then him being a base for Marvin. Marvin has provided some breathtaking highspots throughout 2000 and he does a couple here but I thought he looked competent enough on the mat to where it isn't crazy he is hanging with Virus. Virus rolling surfboard gets a huge whoa from the crowd and myself. Virus also does that excellent Indian Deathlock position where he dead lifts Marvin. Marvin reverses a powerbomb attempt and then hits one of his own. He follows that up with a twisting springboard splash. The La Magistral ends up earning Marvin the win. ***1/4 (6.6)

[AstroBoy]

This certainly had a very exhibition feel to it and allowed a nice platform for Virus to show some flashy mat skills. The rolling surfboard was great and he led Marvin nicely here on the mat. Outside of a few moments, this wasn't the flashiest of Marvin but he still delivered a decent performance trying to fight off this guy grounding him the entire match. They finish with a nicely executed La Majistral to wrap up a nice little match.

 

**3/4

[Tim Evans]

Exhibition is the right word for this. Almost a greatest hits of Virus and Ricky Marvin in front of a dead crowd. Nice to see Tarzan Boy with Ricky. This went the right length at just a little under 10 minutes. Virus is so fluid on the mat it's insane he's in the same position today as he was back then. Fun match if not a little dry.

[ohtani's jacket]

Matches like this never work that well in Japan but the heat wasn't bad and was comparable to other Japanese indy shows. The priceless thing about this was that we got to see Virus in his physical prime. It's a shame we don't have more footage of him from this period as he is clearly a premier talent. Marvin had a pretty poor bout truth be told, but Virus was mesmerizing. It's a wonder and a miracle that he got that showcase title match run a decade later.