10 Most Overrated "Classic" Matches In Wrestling History
7. Randy Savage Vs. Ricky Steamboat (WrestleMania III)
To many fans, Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat was WrestleMania’s first truly “great” match. Taking place on one of ‘Mania’s more enjoyable early shows, it's generally regarded as an undeniable classic, but while still relatively enjoyable in 2017, it has unfortunately been left behind by wrestling’s athletic evolution over the past few decades.
The crowd is white hot throughout, and there’s plenty of great storytelling going on, with Savage working Steamboat’s throat. The duo clearly have great chemistry, but on a technical level, the work doesn’t stand up to today’s standards. Savage’s heat segment is particularly tiresome, and it takes far too long for ‘The Dragon’ to mount his comeback before his eventual victory, which detracts from the near-falls.
Steamboat vs. Savage is still a fun watch, but should it still be considered one of the greatest wrestling matches of all-time? Not a chance.
Their execution is just too sloppy to justify its excessive praise, and the psychology, while sound, was far too pedestrian in the way it progressed. The bout absolutely deserves its place in history, but when you strip the nostalgia away, it’s hard to call this one a classic anymore.