2017 Ongoing MOTY List: Ki v. Patron

86. Alberto El Patron v. Low-Ki House of Glory 2/18 

PAS: Low-Ki returning from semi-retirement is my favorite thing in 2017 wrestling, this was a first time showcase match and it felt like two big stars facing off. Opening part of this was relatively perfunctory, Patron isn't really going to mix up what he does, and first 8 minutes or so felt like a Smackdown Alberto Del Rio match. Kicked into gear during the end though. I loved how Ki got caught with the press slam german early in the match and then countered it with the double stomp when Alberto tried it again. I also liked how both guys went for top rope hanging double stomps, only to get countered. Finish was kind of nuts, Ki tapping out clean? What the fuck? I like the old Low-Ki who didn't do jobs, has he gotten professional in his old age? Lame.

ER: Ugh, noted shitbag Alberto el Patron comes out to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", really taking his time and letting that song play through, as if he's specifically marketing himself to drunk 20 year old college girls doing cruise ship karaoke. I've never wanted Ki to go stiff unprofessional on somebody more than I do right now. It does not get to that point, but it didn't keep me from really enjoying this match. Low-Ki is really generous here, and generous Ki is always a great things as I don't know if there's a wrestler out there who can make offense look more devastating. He's super smart about finding new and logical ways to set up opponents' signature offense, and that's helpful with a guy like AeP whose match we've seen a couple hundred times. Even something like putting AeP onto the top rope, then turning to tell the ref to back off, allowing AeP to lock on his armbar over the top rope; we've all seen dozens of matches where an opponent puts AeP on the ropes just to get armbarred, with no sort of lip service paid to doing anything else. Ki is a good details man, one of the best. Phil also pointed out the press slam German that AeP hits, but later when he goes for it again Ki flips out and double stomps him right to the sternum. Ki lands things so great, even a corner avalanche makes him appear way bigger than he really is. But then he'll take a move you've seen way too much like the backcracker, and he'll spring up and fold violently, gives new breath to a played out move. Both fights on the buckles were really good. Ki is unsurprisingly really great at occupying himself while either tied up in the ropes or fighting on the ropes. Them trading blows, before Ki gets knocked to the apron, leading to him leaping up and catching AeP with a rana, was incredibly well done. This whole thing did feel like a very good Smackdown match, and just made me think what a shame it was that we didn't get a longer run of Low-Ki TV matches.


2017 MOTY MASTER LIST