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Post by witlon on Jan 15, 2018 8:19:17 GMT -5
The Toronto match and the final setup for Wrestlemania 3.
I love this match, and I really feel like it enhances the blowoff at Mania perfectly. Steamboat is showing some rage here and getting his payback after Savage put him out. It's the perfect setup for Mania 3, because it makes me believe that Steamboat has already gotten his revenge, and now WM is all about taking Savage's title. It's the perfect companion piece.
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Post by fxnj on Jan 16, 2018 20:32:29 GMT -5
Second. I'm surprised this isn't getting more love. I love complaining how the Mania match lacked struggle, felt rehearsed, and how the outside interference detracted from the seriousness of the match. It's crazy for me to think they did this Toronto match a month before Mania as it combines the good points about the match with none of the flaws. Steamboat wrestles like a man possessed here, Savage gives probably the best selling performance of his career to match, and they do a great job of paying off the November angle. I also love the close-ups throughout the match of a horrified Elizabeth looking on as they do a great job of getting over the violence here. Great blade job from Savage as well, and they make such good use of it that I barely even care that they didn't bother working in much of a reason for him to have gotten busted open. Post-match with Steamboat mauling a bloody Savage as he tries to leave with the title is amazing and might even top the match. This is the 2nd best WWE match of the 80's to Slaughter/Sheik, though I could very well rank it as the best depending on what mood I'm in. A strong candidate for my ballot.
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Post by shrike02 on Jan 16, 2018 21:08:20 GMT -5
Thirded. Watched it again today and it really really impressed. Some blood, commentary brilliance from Heenan and Monsoon, great fire from Steamboat, good consistent selling throughout, Savage makes clever heel moves including a cheating finish ... this has about everything I like in pro wrestling.
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Post by stunninggrover on Feb 9, 2018 23:56:34 GMT -5
Toronto, Ontario. Randy Savage defended the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Great action. Savage juiced. This match from the Maple Leaf Gardens was even better than their more famous WrestleMania III match. There is a decent chance this will be in my top 100 Greatest Matches Ever.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 22, 2018 18:23:40 GMT -5
I always waffle between this match and the Mania match as the better match. No matter both are making it!
WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat - WWF, Toronto 2/15/87
I could have sworn I had seen this match before, but I don't think I have. What a tremendous match! Perhaps even better than the Mania match, which I need to rewatch now. Steamboat made his return at the January Saturday's Night Main Event during Savage and Steele's match. I really enjoyed the Savage vs Steele feud and SNME matches. The turnbuckle stuffing spot is pretty funny. It was the perfect feud to put even more heat on Savage, but it was all to really get that heat on Savage for the Steamer.
After crushing having larynx crushed and needing to re-learn how to talk, many have criticized the Mania for the lack of violence and hatred from Steamboat. Around the horn in the Northeast loop (Boston, Philly, NYC and Toronto) for two shows in each city they saw Steamboat win or lose by DQ and not win the title. This explains the cleaness and neatness of the Mania match as Steamboat had gotten his licks in and now was coming from the title. Besides a single pinfall cover by Ricky which I think was out of force of habit. Steamboat focused on using his energy and technique to set up his chops and this maybe the most violent Steamboat ever looked. Savage was great at selling the discombobulation and tries to head for the hills, but Steamboat chucks him back in. Again, Macho Man powders and this time with some cat and mouse game Savage nails The Dragon and throws him over the top. Savage sells well, but once recuperated he sends Steamboat into the railing. Big bodyslam by Macho man on the floor. I like how this match has more selling and more drama. Savage is matching violence with Steamboat. The big spots on the floor is allowing more time to breathe. Finally, Savage lays Steamboat across the top rope and drills that throat with an elbow. I think if we got some choking and coughing from Steamboat that would have sealed the deal as this being a tippy top great match. Still Savage is coming off the top with the double axe handle and now a kneedrop to throat. Camera is not letting us see if he is choking or coughing. Classic Savage clothesline stymies a Steamboat rally. Savage is here to preserve his title reign so it makes more sense for him to go for all these covers. Steamboat is draped throat first across the middle rope and Savage looks to really hurt him by crushing with all his weight, but Steamboat moves! Love that spot! There was so much drama if he would or would not move. Somehow, Savage has a minor cut on his forehead, but dont know how.Steamboat does the skin the cat spot, but Savage dont play that and he just clobbers him with a clothesine. Savage looks to hit the double axehandle on the railing, but gets a punch in the stomach. Steamboat uses speed and armdrags and then chokes the hell out of Savage. I love how Steamboat is using his normal offense to create opportunities for violence. Now, it is a larynx for a larynx as he snaps Savage's throat against the top rope. Steamboat mocks Savage's throat selling. he drops Savage on the top rope. How does a taste of your own medicine feel! Savage powders and tries to send him in teh railing, but it is the Macho Man that tastes the steel. Savage with that awesome tippsy selling right into a Steamboat big karate shot from the top. Catapult and now Savage is busted wide open. The way Savage's body conforms to the turnbuckles on that spot was awesome. Savage is straight money in this match. He is selling so well! he always trying to escape, but he is so disoriented that he cant escape the Dragon. Savage has enough wherewithal to grab the tights to send him out. Savage drills from behind on the ramp with a high knee. Great use of the ramp! Steamboat chants and he is pissed! He goes for the sunset flip and only gets two and now they do the Mania match finish with a ton of nearfalls for Steamboat. It is the O'Connor Roll that does him as Savage is able to reverse and pull tights.
Awesome match! Savage is covered in blood with the championship, but Steamer is so pissed he runs down the ramp and blasts him. I think you can see the change in Steamboat within this match. Up until the end, he wants to get his licks in first with chops then targeting the larynx and finally busting Savage wide open. Eventually after all this payback, he does want to add on top of that taking the championship away from Savage thus why he goes for the pinfall barrage. The pinfall barrage plays right into Steamboat's wheelhouse of quickness. The object of wrestling is put your man down for three the more attempts you make that better chance you have of getting that win. I think this match and the other matches in Northeast showed Ricky he could get his revenge or he could get the championship, but not both. After two months of kicking ass, he set out to win the title at Mania. Savage's performance in this is just tremendous. I think above all his selling was just perfect. He was discombobulated from the being and that just sold how much fire Steamboat had. When he was on top, he slowed it down and really targeted the neck. The cheap win with the tights covered in blood and leaving with the title is just a great heel ending. One of the best matches in 80s WWF and one of the all-time classics. ****3/4
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Post by puropotsy on Feb 28, 2023 18:59:51 GMT -5
During the early portions of the match I was worried that the hype had built my expectations too high. But this built really well and the ending with Savage having color was really dramatic. When Steamboat ran in from the ramp and started going for roll-ups it was at a fever pitch and Savage reversing into a pinfall was great timing.
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Post by elliott on Sept 6, 2023 0:49:19 GMT -5
Terrific match. Sort of the 4/93 Hansen vs Kobashi to WM 3's 7/93 Hansen vs Kobashi where if someone preferred this to the more famous match I wouldn't agree but I wouldn't really argue it. They're companions & they both rock.
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