I think I have a higher tolerance for Ayala than most. He's not a good wrestler, but you can plug him into certain roles or situations and he is perfectly acceptable and that is basically what he was here - a perfectly acceptable, bullying heel. On the flip side I thought Medico was really, really good in this. I hesitate to say great because there is only so much you can do with Ayala, but basically everything that Medico did in this was good. Loved his opening barrage and how over the crowd was for him. The psychology of Ayala on the verge of losing and bailing out to the floor was well played and I also liked how every time the pace picked up in this Medico got the advantage. I really loved Medico's punch flurry when Ayala was caught up in the ropes and Medico's selling and timing on all of his comeback was really good. Medico also took a real good post shot in this which is something I am always a mark for. Ayala in control wasn't as compelling on it's own, though I did like the initial shot that set up the FIP and they did a really great job with the hope spots as the sleeper attempt felt huge and I thought Medico's desperate fighting out of the figure four attempts was really great. I didn't even mind the finish here, because it really came off like Ayala had to do everything to get the figure-four on and was not going to relinquish it because he knew if that wasn't going to put Medico away nothing would. Really strong performance by Medico that got plenty of time (about 14 minutes all total interspersed with what looked like a few very minor edits for local promos), built well, told a good story and left you feeling that the face was a star with real heart and the heel was a piece of shit. This should make the set.

Super Medico (Jose Estrada) vs. Hercules Ayala (1/30/88)

 

Fans are molten hot here for Medico who comes in blazing with punches sending Ayala scurrying to the floor. Medico then tries to put Ayala away with cradles before Ayala dropped to the floor again. Ayala would regain his barrings and would take control using his power game and roughhouse tactics. Ayala keeps Medico grounded for a while but Medico would fight back throwing some great punches before missing a running knee smash in the corner. Ayala would take advantage of this and locked on the figure-four with Medico fighting for his life to get to the ropes. Ayala would refuse to break forcing the referee to call for the DQ. This was pretty fun and a better finish would've gotten this a nomination.