By Mark Madden
The match between Billy Kidman and Vampiro at SuperBrawl won't be for a belt. It won't have some crazy stipulation. It won't be fought in a cage, waged with garbage cans or decided on a ladder.
It will just be a wrestling match. A wrestling match between two men who may be the future of WCW. The stars of men like Hulk Hogan, The Total Package, Sting and Ric Flair haven't fallen from the WCW sky just yet. But they are descending. Kidman and Vampiro are rising stars. Kidman and Vampiro get better every day. Kidman and Vampiro are young men. They have ability, speed and stamina. No, this match won't be for a title.
But someday Kidman and Vampiro may battle for the world title. Kidman is, by the reckoning of most pundits, WCW's best in-ring performer. He has blurry quickness and a wide variety of moves that utilize a plethora of skill and timing as well as deceptive power. Kidman also has the most electrifying finisher in pro wrestling, namely the Shooting Star Press. Kidman doesn't always nail the shooting star. The move is a calculated gamble. But when Kidman hits it, match over.
Kidman is ready to break out as a fan favorite. Kidman gets the crowd with him just seconds into each match. Having Torrie Wilson as his valet doesn't hurt any. It's not hard to get the fans cheering when somebody like Torrie is shaking her Talent and Ability right there at ringside. Kidman's personality is in stark contrast to Vampiro's twisted soul. His face is painted white. His clothing is pure Goth. His gaze is bleak. His stride is lonely. Vampiro doesn't have Torrie Wilson to lighten his emotional load. He used to be aligned with Insane Clown Posse. He used to be aligned with the Misfits. Hardly good company in either case. But now Vampiro has no one. He is alone in his misery. But that loneliness gives him focus.
Vampiro hits hard. He kicks hard. He is one stiff wrestler. Like Kidman, he has a great finisher in the Nail in the Coffin, aka the Vampiro Spike. Vamp's a little nuts, but the fans still like him. Kidman and Vampiro come from diverse backgrounds. Kidman clawed his way up the wrestling ladder by working a host of independent shows before debuting in WCW. Vampiro migrated to Mexico from his native Canada and became a Lucha Libre superstar overnight. Kidman, having more tangibly paid his dues, may be hungrier. But Vamp is used to excellence. In Mexico, he was a huge draw.
Both Kidman and Vampiro have huge respect for each other. Each has patiently waited his turn to reach prominence in WCW. They've been in the same boat for quite some time. But now there may only be room for one guy in the boat. Kidman vs. Vampiro at SuperBrawl is kind of a stepping-stone match. The winner keeps climbing. The loser doesn't. The winner should get a title shot - a bout with U.S. champion Jeff Jarrett seems logical - while the loser stays at the same level.
No matter who wins and loses, however, Kidman and Vampiro are the future of WCW. I look down the road and I see Kidman and Vampiro battling a guy like Bill Goldberg for the world championship, and I like it. I like it a lot. SuperBrawl marks the first important bout between Kidman and Vampiro. But it certainly won't be the last. So, who's going to win between Kidman and Vampiro? Tough call.
If I had to pick somebody, I'd pick Vampiro. Kidman has the edge in terms of quickness and versatility, but Vampiro has a little more toughness. That's not to say Kidman's a wimp, because that's hardly the case. I don't think Torrie Wilson tongue-wrestles wimps. But Vamp just has a little more inbred sadism, a touch more resilience. I think Vamp could wear Kidman down with kicks and punches, then Spike him at the end. Kidman needs to utilize skill and speed to surprise Vampiro with a quick pin.
So Vampiro is the favorite. A slight favorite, mind you. Nothing is for certain. Well, actually, one thing is definitely for certain.
Billy Kidman and Vampiro will have the best match on the card at SuperBrawl. The most action-packed match. The most competitive match. I can't wait to watch it. Some of the other bouts have more star power. But for being on the edge of your seat, nothing will beat Kidman vs. Vampiro.
Kidman vs. Vampiro isn't for a belt.
It's for pride. And at this stage in their careers, pride may be more important to Kidman and Vampiro.
