Posted July 17, 200916 yr comment_5442057 Really awesome match. They basically worked the fast-paced two count sequences from Mania verbatim, but slowed it down and mixed in tons of brawling and even a little blood. Now I want to re-watch Wrestlemania III to see if it changes my opinion. This is a match that I would rank top 2 or 3 of the 80s for the WWF, probably. Definite nomination.
September 15, 201411 yr comment_5625056 This is a high end nomination. This had a feel of hate combined with great wrestling. The blood added a lot. I thought the finish was good, and postmatch gave us momentum for more matches going forward. I can see this as a top 10 or 20 match. The story telling here with Savage going after Steamer 's throat . For pay back Steamer went after Savage 'a throat. Great stuff.
June 17Jun 17 comment_6031365 Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (Toronto, Maple Leaf Garden 2/15/87) - Steamboat is non-stop attack mode. After a couple of minutes, Savage hightails it out and Steamboat chases him down and tosses him back in the ring from the ramp. They do a brief chase sequence like Ft. Myers. But Savage ambushes him right away. He rams Steamer in the rail shoulder first. Even Gorilla was surprised he didn’t ram him in the neck. He drags Dragon in and now he attacked the neck on the rope. Savage patented offense (ax handle, running clothesline) mixed in with near fall two counts. Savage goes for the Boss Man rope attack but Steamer moves! Steamboat seems to be chopping a cut on Savage’s head (it isn’t a cut but it is super red). He does the skin the cat spot and the follow up clothesline. Outside they have a battle who will get rammed into the steel railing. It was Savage on the losing end. Huge chop and slingshot to the steel post. Now, Randy is bleeding. FUCKING UGLY BLOOD. Great visual of Savage running behind Ricky on the ramp and putting his knee in the back. Steamer will be counted out… wait he beat the count! Steamboat rolls Savage up but it is reversed and Randy gets the three. Steamboat still attacks him after the bell. Ricky’s white tights have Savage’s blood on his tights. This is the best match between the two. By far, the best match from January and February that the other three may not be needed. This had all the cool moments, the blood and the clean finish. SLAM DUNK NOMIANTION AND TOP TEN CONTENDER.
June 18Jun 18 comment_6031398 Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (Toronto, Maple Leaf Garden 2/15/87) There are similarities with the Philly match, but this one has a more aggressive Steamboat at the start, some pin attempts during the middle portion, a short chinlock sequence, and Steamboat doing a choke lift and trying to choke Savage out while the ref tries to get Steamboat to break. So there’s a bit more aggressiveness from Steamboat here for sure. Philly it was more Savage trying to go after Steamboat’s throat, here Steamboat is making attempts at paying back Savage by going for Savage’s throat. There’s a spot where Steamboat slingshots Savage into the corner where Randy hits his head on the post. Savage is clearly bleeding in this one after that. They’ve taken the Spectrum match and amped up Steamboat’s ire. Similar finishing stretch without the king of the mountain setup. Savage wins by holding the tights and an angry Steamboat gets some punches in after the bell. He even grabs Savage on the ramp to attack him some more as savage tries to leave. Easy nomination. This and the Spectrum match have some similar beats but there are key differences with a more aggressive Steamboat and blood from Savage (among other things). Of the two February 87 matches I would rank this one over the Spectrum one.
