MATT BORNE VS. RICKY STEAMBOAT

 Before the match, Mean Gene Okerlund is backstage with Matt Borne. Borne says he sees tonight as a big opportunity and the one thing that will hold Steamboat back is that he’s too nice of a guy. He walks off to make way for Ricky Steamboat. He tells Mean Gene he’s also got a big opportunity, putting over WrestleMania. He says he’s here to develop his “meanness” and he’s starting with Matt Borne. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are on commentary for this match, Howard Finkel is our ring announcer.

 

MATT BORNE VS. RICKY STEAMBOAT

WWF WrestleMania (31^st March 1985)

  The referee checks for foreign objects before the bell rings, and they lock up.

  Ricky Steamboat backs Borne into the ropes and sends him across the ring. Steamboat leapfrogs twice before Matt Borne holds onto the middle rope, it doesn’t stop Borne walking into a chop from Steamboat and landing on his ass. Ricky Steamboat connects with a right hand and snapmares Borne over. Gorilla Monsoon puts over the South Pacific Connection, Steamboat’s tag team with Jimmy Snuka and now I want to check them out. Matt Borne makes it to his feet in the chinlock, Steamboat transitions into a headlock as Borne gets to his feet but Matt Borne lifts Steamboat, who flips over the back and grabs another headlock. Steamboat flips back again from an atomic drop attempt, Ricky Steamboat shows Borne how to hit an atomic drop and mocks his selling. Matt Borne hits an inverted atomic drop to break another headlock and kicks Steamboat in the leg, dropping him to the canvas.

  Matt Borne hits a forearm and a body shot to back Steamboat into the turnbuckles before sending him across the ring. He takes too long to close the gap, giving Steamboat a breather. Ricky Steamboat kicks Borne in the head and hits an ax handle from the middle rope. Steamboat knocks Borne down with a chop. Ricky Steamboat goes back to the headlock and I forgot to mention it’s “Maniac” Matt Borne. Steamboat transitions to a front facelock and is backed into the corner. Borne connects with knees to the midsection and pulls Steamboat into a belly to belly suplex. Borne connects with a right hand on the mat and hits a snap suplex. Matt Borne covers but Steamboat kicks out at 1. Back to their feet, and Borne connects with right hands as Steamboat replies with knife-edge chops. Steamboat connects with a right hand and drops Borne on the back of his head with a back suplex and a swinging neckbreaker. Ricky Steamboat jumps in the air with a shot to Borne, followed by a knee drop. Steamboat covers but only gets 2. Matt Borne rakes Steamboat's eyes and sends him off the ropes.

  Ricky Steamboat ducks a clothesline, Borne ducks for a backdrop and gets leapfrogged. Ricky Steamboat knocks Borne down with a tackle and hits a crossbody from the top rope for the win.

WINNER: RICKY STEAMBOAT

 This was a good match, they worked a methodical pace with the first half working around Steamboat’s headlock, but when it was time to pick up the pace so the audience didn’t fall asleep, it was Steamboat that controlled that too. It was interesting seeing Matt Borne before he was Doink but I can’t say I’m desperate to see more. [2¾] 6/10