Better In-ring performer: Malenko or Storm?

Rehab · 11-02-2009, 12:39 AM

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This is a comparison I've pondered for a while now and never could come up with an answer. Malenko is widely consider one of the greatest technical wrestlers ever (even Wrestling Observer voted him best technical wrestler in 96'-97'). But on the other hand I read that Hart and Hardy considered him inflexible to work worth. Storm from a technical standpoint was certainly among the best in his day as well. But didn't really as much recognition as Malenko, just always considered an underrated performer. Malenko seem to know more holds but Storm seemed to adjust his style more when faced with a diversity of other workers.

So please help a stumped wrestling fan make his mind, and tell me who you consider the better in-ring performer and why.

(and please forgive me if there was a similar thread posted before)

Edit: Dang it! I forgot to add a poll

horrorfan_1986 · 11-02-2009, 01:28 AM

Which Hardy had words to say about Malenko? What did he say? I recently reread the WCW portion of Bret's book and noticed the comments about how Malenko injured him without apologizing.

Interesting question though as both were amazingly talented technical wrestlers, with both never getting a major push in the big times and neither had much personality. The thing that stands out about Malenko is that he probably had the superior wrestlers to work with. Guerrero, Benoit and Mysterio were three of the most exciting wrestlers of the 90's. Storm's best matches came against Chris Candido, Edge and Rob Van Dam. Unfortunately, Storm was just not put with too many quality wrestlers in WCW and the WWE. I can remember all of the Apter magazines calling Lance Storm a Smackdown wrestler stuck on Raw back in 2002. It was true. Despite not getting major pushes, Malenko still managed to have some great matches in WCW and a couple of stand out ones in the WWE.

By default, you'd probably have to give the victory to Malenko. However, had Storm battled the likes of Guerrero, Benoit and Mysterio for most of his career, I might have a different opinion.

King Steventon · 11-02-2009, 04:33 AM

Who the hell is going to vote Storm? The guy was always a sub-par guy in the ring and his only stand-out performance was when he was put in the ring with Bryan Danielson of all people. Malenko in a walk.

horrorfan_1986 · 11-02-2009, 04:47 AM

I wouldn't say he was subpar. He's one of the best examples of a wrestler who was forced to wrestle guys who couldn't deliver his type of match. The main reason why the Dragon match is most likely his best match is because Danielson was a similar style and he was finally allowed to go out there and wrestle for more than 20 minutes.

King Steventon · 11-02-2009, 06:18 AM

Well that just shows Storm's limitations. Outside the performance vs Danielson, I don't see much good about Storm's ring work.

horrorfan_1986 · 11-02-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Steventon
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Well that just shows Storm's limitations. Outside the performance vs Danielson, I don't see much good about Storm's ring work.

I thought he had one of Edge's best matches for a long time with their Summerslam 2001 match.

Better In-ring performer: Malenko or Storm?

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