20 Most Hated Heel Moves In Wrestling History
12. Pure Savagery
Because the match itself has taken on so much resonance over the decades since as one of the top three WrestleMania matches of all time, it’s easy to forget the story that led up to Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat’s defeat of ‘The Macho Man’ Randy Savage to end his epic 414-day Intercontinental Championship reign of terror.
On an episode of Superstars in November 1986, Savage managed a win over Steamboat for his Intercontinental Championship when the Dragon was counted out: counted out, after Savage leaped from the turnbuckle to drop an elbow onto Steamboat as his throat was draped over the guardrail.
‘Being a hyper-aggressive a-hole, Savage assaulted Steamboat after the match too, kayfabe crushing Steamboat’s larynx with the ring bell with another leap from the turnbuckle, and keeping him off television until January.
During the intervening period, Savage would gloat about having ended Steamboat’s career, and the ruthless throat strike with the ring bell became his trademark. Steamboat eventually reappeared to save George ‘The Animal’ Steele from the same kind of injury he’d received, and the stage was set for their WrestleMania match.
Steele would return the favour and interfere on the night to save Steamboat from yet another vicious attack to the throat, because Savage was just that kind of psychotic loon.