WrestleMania is referred to as “The Show of Shows” and has earned that reputation over the years by providing a card built on versatility. Single matches for the title, triple threat or 4-way, and tag team action are always covered, but there is an expectation for the spectacular.
Over the years, we have seen matches like TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs) and Money in the Bank gain massive popularity from the Mania spotlight. Still, Mania has featured steel cage matches and battle royals since the PLE’s inception, with fans expecting variety. That variety often comes in different forms, like comedy matches involving Johnny Knoxville and his Jackass cast or ‘serious’ showdowns between wrestlers and celebrities (i.e., Bam Bam Bigelow versus NFL star Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania XI).
Spitting Fire: Mania’s Most Savage Matches
While these gimmick celebrity matches and spot fest segments are an enjoyable part of the Mania experience, the noblest of wrestling fans consider another type of booking altogether. A purist can enjoy a gorefest, but they covet the technical prowess of a Mania-opener, the likes of Bret and Owen Hart.
The card’s ‘show stealer’ is a term that was popularized by Macho Man Randy Savage’s classic match against Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat at WrestleMania III. The match was iconic, and the classic Mania matches to follow would always be held up to Savage-Steamboat.
Casual fans might remember WrestleMania III for its ‘all-time’ highlight reel ending with Hulk Hogan body-slamming Andre ‘The Giant’ in front of a fanatical live audience at The Silverdome. It was said that Hogan had never slammed The Giant, but he had—and was far cleaner than what we saw at Mania 3. Commentary claimed Hogan had never beaten the massive Frenchman, but he had. The narrative created by WWF/Vince helped to elevate that moment into the legendary tale that it is today, but that hype is nowhere near as treasured as the matches that stole the show when few expected it.
What wasn’t hype that night was the ‘all gas, no breaks’ effort given by these two master craftsmen in Savage and Steamboat, and the match stands the test of time in a way that Hogan’s image does not for today’s wrestling fan.
The Hart And Soul Of Wrestling
Matches like Bret Hart and Owen Hart at WrestleMania 10 have since added to the pressure and prestige associated with ‘stealing the show.’ But having a quality match at Mania is not the only qualification—the expectations exceeded in the match, plus the promotional and character bookings set the standard.
For example, it is virtually impossible for main events at Mania to live up to their hype, which makes matches like Rock-Hogan so special. But having the world title on the line means you are expected to produce, so it feels special when two workhorses go out and demand the crowd’s attention based solely on their in-ring abilities. When there are no stakes, the two performers have to go out and create their own.
Still, there have been matches like Undertaker and Shawn Michaels that not only stole the show but added a new element to the ‘show stealer’ moniker—calling on veterans to raise the bar. Sure, by that point in WWE, the Undertaker’s WM streak felt bigger than the actual title, but they outdid the world title match that night from outside the main event parameters.
The Inaugural FightsATW.com “Savage-Steamboat Show-Stealer” Award
With two nights of action planned for this weekend, there are plenty of opportunities for superstars to deliver on the big stage. In fact, several candidates on both Night 1 and Night 2 could ‘steal the show’ outside of the world/heavyweight title matches. Unlike past Manias, the heavyweight title will not represent the main event on Night 1 despite Jey Uso winning the Royal Rumble, which guarantees him a title match in the main event of Mania. So, that means that this match could exceed its place even though a major title is on the line—simply put, you don’t expect Cena-Rhodes to exceed a storyline kicked off by The Rock and Travis Scott, do you?
This year, FightsATW will provide a list of potential show-stealing matchups on each night’s card, with a winner emerging to be named our first annual “Savage-Steamboat Show Stealer” award.
Night One Contenders
Saturday is thin when it comes to expectations outside of the major two storylines involving Gunther(c) and Jey Uso for the heavyweight title and, of course, the triple threat main event involving CM Punk-Roman Reigns-Seth Rollins with Paul Heyman likely to factor into the match’s final sequence. Still, there are a couple of ‘show stealer’ contenders with odds as good as any match on night two.
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Grande De Americano (Chad Gable?)
Rey Mysterio Jr. has been stealing shows longer than Carlos Mencia has been stealing jokes, so offering him up as a contender is a no-brainer, regardless of who he is matched up against. However, the odds increase substantially when paired with Chad Gable—especially when Gable is utilizing a lucha style infused with his mat abilities.
The match does not have a strong storyline, at least not one that specifically connects Rey with Gable’s identity crisis. It could be argued that Gable’s issue with the lucha portion of the roster makes sense for him to target the greatest luchador of all time. For Rey, it does not feel Maina worthy on paper, but Gable’s Grande De Americano is one of the hottest acts in WWE. In fact, the popularity has caused the Lucha community to speak out against the program, and that reality could give Rey a personal need for redemption—if it were being used in the storyline, which it is not, for obvious reasons.
Look for a fast-paced match with constant momentum changes, and while it is likely that we will get a couple of run-ins, this match will come down to whether or not Rey can neutralize the ‘loaded mask’ that has become Americano’s trademark.
Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
There is no timeline in any universe where you will draw comparisons between Savage-Steamboat and a Jade Cargill match—that is not a diss in the same way that it is not inappropriate to say that Michael Jordan was never going to feature on the starting lineup in an all-Chicago World Series (for a couple of reasons). That said, it needs to be reminded that this award is based on EXPECTATIONS versus execution, with the perceived promotional placement as the starting gauge.
If you consider the expectations for the late-to-wrestling Cargill and her match against Naomi, then you’re clearly not expecting Bret Hart-Steve Austin, and that’s okay. The storyline has been terrific and maintains an allure of mystery, begging to unveil itself on the Mania stage. Jade has been kept out of action because of a ‘shoot injury,’ but before that, she was being babysat by Bianca Belair (at least according to Naomi).
Now, Jade will get the chance to show all the work she has put into developing her complete package as a performer. Naomi is talented enough to help Jade carry the match, but she must show up on fight night if they want Jade to get to that next level. In this era of women’s wrestling, you must keep up with a talent pool that continues to raise the bar, which does not even include the monsters developing in NXT.
If these two women can produce a match that gains the respect of that Las Vegas crowd, then the performance will resonate throughout arenas across the country.
Honorable Mention
Gunther(c) vs. Jey Uso—Heavyweight Title
This program has nearly been derailed several times, and interest began to feign for Jey after the mystique of the Rumble win started to wane on fans. Tons of ink and content have been dedicated to the mistakes in this feud, and, without diving too deep, these are some of the complaints:
- The Royal Rumble win was again downplayed and undermined after it was booked outside of the Mania main event. Despite having two nights, WWE decided to go with stars like Roman and Punk on night one while Cody and Elimination Chamber winner John Cena headline night two.
- Jey tried and failed to take the title from Gunther, and the memory of Saturday Night’s Main Event has not faded enough—WWE hoped the Rumble would give Jey the clout needed to appear like a realistic challenger to Gunther. But has it?
- Jey has been booked so weak that the sudden change in attitude feels insincere. Are we to believe that the longest-reigning IC champion in WWE history can be beaten by the guy whose first IC title run lasted four weeks?
Still, the scene will be crazy if/when Jey wins the title, with the Yeet meter likely to hit new heights. But if one of the best wrestlers in the world can find chemistry with one of the best entertainers in the game, then it will come down to the story they tell. It could be argued that the derailed storyline works in their favor if the goal is to exceed expectations.
Night Two Contenders
Sunday is the premier night as far as in-ring quality goes, with a variety of matchups capable of spotlight thievery. While the field of contenders is crowded, a couple of matches separate themselves from the pack.
AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul
The matches with no title at stake and two guys with something to prove typically go out there with the goal of tearing down the house. You have to be able to trust your opponent while understanding that they are equally as responsible for elevating the match. While AJ Styles is that guy, Logan Paul remains a question mark despite passing most of his previous tests.
We have seen Logan thrive in Rumbles and multi-man ladder matches and even go toe-to-toe with the sport’s best. However, being on the Mania stage with someone of AJ’s caliber is as difficult a showcase as any. Logan has seen the brightest of lights, but performing consistently under those conditions is what separates a great performance from a great performer.
Paul has the tools to produce a classic with AJ, but can they put it together succinctly and tell a story the crowd can get behind, dare say respect? The high spots will be important, but what will be more vital is the pace at which this match progresses. If Logan gets overanxious and rushes spots–a common occurrence for even the most veteran superstars–then it could cost them the match’s crescendo.
If Logan brings his A-game, a match with AJ is as likely as any to steal the show.
Bron Breakker(c) vs. Penta vs. Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio-Intercontinental Title
The talent in this match includes the physicality of Breakker, the dynamic style of Penta, the sound technique of Balor, and the undeniable heat of Dom, which is enough to steal the show on any night of the week. The abilities in this match are undeniable, but spot fests without emotion will not get you to the goal line on the Mania stage.
There needs to be a climax carefully constructed and not overshadowed by a crazy spot or two. The match has plenty of interesting dynamics, such as Breakker’s dominating nature versus three of the best opponents he has ever had to face in his career, and at the same time. For Penta, he has the entire WWE Universe behind him, and his first title win on that grand of a stage would certainly provide a pop.
As for the heels in the match, coexisting will be their final stage, and betting against them feels smart. Still, they can add what Penta and Breakker lack to this match—long-term booking with audience engagement. Penta and Breakker resonate with fans, but they don’t have Dom and Balor’s storyline and history.
The combination of pure wrestling ability and style versatility is enough to consider this match the favorite to steal the show on night two, but when you throw in the emotional element Dom and Finn can provide, then you’re talking about a potential classic.
Honorable Mention
“Show stealers” are rarely world title matches, but when the main event lives up to the hype, you get career-defining performances. From the Shawn Michaels–Bret Hart Iron Man match to WMXXX’s career-defining win for the then Daniel Bryan over Bautista and Randy Orton, the title match at Mania is a ton of pressure, but if you can hold the weight on your shoulders long enough you have a shot at immortality.
The women’s world title match on night two (RAW brand) is not rooted in the deepest rivalry or sensible storyline. It is easy to forget how Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley all found themselves in a title match at Mania, especially if you consider how hard WWE booked against it in the weeks leading up to the match’s announcement.
After Bianca’s incredible work at Elimination Chamber, it is a shame not to see that through into Mania. But if anyone deserves the title shot, it is Belair, whom the WWE ‘owes one’ to for helping with Jade’s development—perhaps at the cost of pausing her singles glory. The lack of story sure does take away from the tension within this three-way rivalry, but the emotional investment is not lost on the fans.
After all, you have three fan favorites, and none of them are ‘playing heel’ as far as this program goes. How the match is structured will certainly define the fight script and thus the match’s quality, but the contrasting styles of the two powerhouses in Rhea and Belair pair well with Sky’s fast-paced offense.
Keep an eye on this match, and do not be surprised if it is one of the fondest memories created on either night.
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