Earlier today I was in a somewhat stagnant and lethargic mood, so I turned to my television for inspiration. As I was mindlessly flicking through the channels, hoping for some motivation for the day ahead, I found it. I came across a rare beauty, which shocked my very foundations and encouraged me to write to you.
The match was Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit, but not one that many will know. It was from the Super J Cup, 1995 in Japan. I was pleasantly surprised to find a wrestling show; it helped me justify my seemingly desperate plea for an explanation of why I keep returning to wrestling in these tough times.
What unfolded next in my mind was truly astonishing. This match not only reminded me of why we yearn for wrestling each day, but it helped me reminisce. I remembered why I adore the intimate perfection of technical wrestling. For fourteen minutes and ten seconds of my life, I dedicated my conscious to a higher cause and I couldn’t have been more grateful.
The picture was slightly jumpy and out of focus, but this amateur quality which gives character to the action is unfortunately long lost from wrestling. The cameraman overlooked minor elements of the match and as the picture zoomed in for a close up, the intricate details where lost.
This sounds like appalling choreography but it personified the action and added an almost supernatural atmosphere as one of the greatest wrestling encounters took place.
The arena was petite and compact; the rustling and pitter-patter of feet can be heard. The audience unaware of what they were about to witness took their seats.
To all on-lookers peering through the camera lens watching the action unfold, it appeared as though thousands of people in attendance were hung permanently in the air attached by an unbroken string, joined in a deathly silence of amazement.
The lighting throughout the arena was dim and tinted, with only a few spotlights focused on the squared circle. The moonlight twinkled in through the doors, prepared to sacrifice itself to the rising sun.
The lights focused in towards the ring announcer, who in Japanese announces the next match: Lionheart vs. Wild Pegasus. Or as they are better known now, Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit. Rapturous applause echoed around the arena as the audience geared up.
Jericho’s music hit first; not his well known WWE theme, but his old Lionheart theme, “Thunder Kiss ‘65” by White Zombie, an original ECW-sounding theme. As the music started we cut back stage to Jericho warming up, where he was sporting his old long blonde hair.
He then hit the arena accompanied by no pyrotechnics or visualised strop lighting. But still, the crowd showed their appreciation to a young man destined to become one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Benoit’s entrance was accompanied by a typical Japanese computer game theme. The crowd again showed their admiration for one of the greatest technical wrestlers ever. As he hit the ring and the music cut, the burly Japanese announcer introduced each wrestle in an ecstatic manner. Both Jericho and Benoit came together in the centre of the ring, magnified by the halo of lighting bathing them and illuminating two wrestling greats at the beginning of their journeys.
The bell sounded and the arena was reduced to only a whisper, both men circling each other, each trying to conjecture the other's move. An unexpected break in this atmosphere was created as Jericho rallied the crowd by jeering “Common motherf*cker!” at Benoit. Benoit remains silent and the action began with one of Jericho’s 1004 holds: number two, the Armbar.
The mesmerising beauty began as a chain sequence of wrestling unfolded, and incorporated technical wrestling in its magical form. Benoit delivered a Northern Lights suplex, where he put his head under Jericho’s arm and clutched the belly, flipping them both over. As Benoit delivered this, he hammer-locked Jericho’s arm behind his back and damaged his shoulder blade.
With no respite in the action, we then see Benoit put Jericho in an Elevated Boston Crab with a knee to the upper back and neck area. Benoit remained silent in a seemingly eternal focus, as Jericho screamed in agony. The referee continually asked if he would submit, but in true Jericho form he replied, “No way, come on Benoit you baby!”
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