20 Things You Didn't Know About WrestleMania (1985-1994)

17. WrestleMania 2 - A Different Steamboat Match Might Have Been The G.O.A.T.

When asked the subjective question "What is the greatest professional wrestling match of all time?", one answer that is sure to be given more than many others is Randy Savage Vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III. Part of what made that match so memorable is that it was ahead of its time as it took place during a period when workrate and in-ring ability was overshadowed by the characters, angles or comic-book like appearances of professional wrestling and its superstars. This could also be the reason why, had the original plans for WrestleMania 2's card remained in tact, there might be a different Ricky Steamboat match thought of in the same vein as his classic confrontation with Savage. Bret Hart Vs. Ricky Steamboat was supposed to take place at WrestleMania 2 but was later scrapped. The in-ring abilities and skills that Bret Hart had was second to none and a match involving the equally gifted workrate of Ricky Steamboat would've pre-dated the Intercontinental Championship Match from WrestleMania III. If Steamboat had clashed with Hart at WrestleMania 2 then that match would have been the one fans saw first and, if it was good enough, might have set a different precedent for which Savage and Steamboat eventually eclipsed. Savage/Steamboat was such a classic, in addition to the added prestige of being for the Intercontinental Championship, the reality is that the WrestleMania III match would still probably become the measuring stick for greatest match ever. Still, this little known fact that Hart almost wrestled Steamboat at the second annual WrestleMania is an interesting piece of history that could've had a huge affect in altering it.