10 Great Wrestling Performances (That Nobody Ever Talks About)

1. Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat - Vs Chris Jericho (Backlash 2009)

Chris Jericho Ricky Steamboat
WWE.com

During his prime, few stars held a candle to the absolute master of his craft that was Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat.

Yet, the star who set the world on fire in the '80s and early '90s was at a very different stage in his career by the time WWE and Chris Jericho came calling for him at 'Mania XXV. Rather unexpectedly though, a 56 year-old Steamboat looked like he hadn't missed a step in said legends vs. Y2J handicap match. So, WWE asked the wrasslin' icon to stick around for one last singles bout at Backlash against Jericho.

Taking things up a few notches once he'd got a few more ring minutes under his belt, it's often forgotten just how easily the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion slipped back into one-on-one singles action. Putting the modern roster to shame within a matter of minutes, Steamboat wrestled with the vigour and energy of a man half his age, arm-dragging, performing cross-bodies to the outside and belly-to-back superplexing his opponent like he'd never left.

This losing effort may have only been a fleeting reminder of his talents, but it was still better than it had any right to be.

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Contributor
Contributor

Lifts rubber and metal. Watches people flip in spandex and pretends to be other individuals from time to time...