5 Amazing Chris Jericho Matches Outside WWE

With Dennis Rodman wrestling in the main event, Bash at the Beach 1997 needed a strong under-card to keep the fans on side. Frankly, it didn't really get it - but it did at least produce one of the year's best matches in the shape of Chris Jericho's Cruiserweight Title defence against Ultimo Dragon.

Though Y2J went into this bout a cocky heel, he wrestled it in the spirit of a wrestling purist who wanted to prove, without taking shortcuts, that he was the best Eric Bischoff's little guy ranks had to offer (in fact, the pair shake hands at the final bell in a show of respect).

Alongside Dragon - another of the division's best exponents - he produces a stellar match replete with more flips than you've ever seen in your life, including one from the Japanese showman in which he springs from the middle rope and catapults himself halfway up the entrance ramp.

For 12 minutes, it's nothing short of superb, and if there's one match that you need to watch to acquaint yourself with WCW's high-flying magic, then this is perhaps it.