Listing The Best Matches From All 35 WrestleManias

WrestleMania III: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (Intercontinental Championship Match)

What is there to say about this match that hasn’t already been said? On March 29, 1987, at WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and “Macho Man” Randy Savage wrestled what was without question the greatest match in WWE history up to that point.

Savage had nuclear heat at the time, due to (kayfabe) crushing Steamboat’s throat with a ring bell during the feud. Steamboat delivered a fiery promo prior to the match, stating his intention to get revenge and reclaim the Intercontinental Championship. He entered the arena seconded by George “The Animal” Steele, who was locked in an issue of his own with Savage due to his infatuation with Ms. Elizabeth.

The match was very much in line with Savage’s trademark meticulous choreography, which is the only real knock against it. Yet, Steamboart’s passion and dedication felt anything but artificial, as did Savage’s ruthlessness and dedication to keeping his Championship.

Toward the closing moments, Savage ascended the top rope, armed once again with the ring bell, aiming to crush Steamboat’s throat once again. This time, however, he was stopped by “The Animal,” who pushed him off, preventing him from injuring the “Dragon.” Flustered, Savage attempted a bodyslam, which Steamboat reversed into a roll-up, giving him the victory and the Intercontinental Championship.

The impassioned response from the audience, and the fact that this match was quite unlike anything else WWE was offering at the time, make this one of the greats, and the first genuine classic on this list.