Really fun opening mat exchange ends with Guido getting the shit slapped out of him by Stevie. Richards rattles off a series of traditional babyface highspots and Guido bumps to the floor for a rest. Richards ends up working the arm as a base and Guido is hilarious carrying on about hair pulling and not getting clean breaks. Good rope running exchange that ends with Richards eating a hotshot. Richards gets worked over and tries to make a comeback and they do a great spot where Richards gets caught in a Gory Special variation while going for a move off the ropes, then they tease a blackslide escape by Richards, but Guido cuts him off with a clothesline. Richards comes back and ends up hitting a rocker dropper for a nearfall. They go back and fourth a bit and Richards gets a nearfall on a blind side stunner like move. Guido ducks down coming off the ropes and Richards hits a powerbomb for a nearfall. Crowd chants for a "Stevie kick" and Richards goes for it but Guido blocks it and hits a DDT for a nearfall. A few seconds later he goes for a corner charge and eats a nasty superkick for the finish. This was a good match. I think it may have aired on tv though I'm not sure if it was in full form.

Steve Richards vs. Little Guido (1/18/97)

- Were the bWo faces at the time or just tweener comedy guys? Anyway, there is a reason guys like Guido take it to the mat and guys like Stevie don’t. Guido is great at it and Sttevie isn’t. I think the matchup is a neat one but I don’t want to say they had a styles clash. I just don’t think the matchup was very dramatic or exciting. No nomination from me.

"Big Stevie Cool" Stevie Richards vs. Little Guido (1/18/97)

 

bWo was becoming popular here and this was a interesting matchup that may have only happened once. Good styles clash type match where Stevie works more of a serious style here and Guido was solid on the mat as usual. This was another match where the action was good but there was nothing special here that would push it over the top for a nomination.