WrestleMania Spotlight: Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne

Hidden Gem at WRESTLEMANIA

🐉 WrestleMania I Spotlight: Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne

March 31, 1985 – Madison Square Garden

While the main event featuring Hulk Hogan and Mr. T grabbed headlines, real fans know WrestleMania I had more going on beneath the surface.

Enter the Dragon.
In one of the crispest undercard matches of the night, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat took on Matt Borne in a bout that showcased sharp timing, technical flair, and early signs of what would become a legendary WWF career for Steamboat.

This wasn't just filler—it was a clinic. Smooth arm drags. Crisp chops. The kind of workrate that would define a generation.

And how about Matt Borne? He wasn't clowning around in 1985. Years before he'd paint his face and haunt the WWF as Doink the Clown, he was already laying the groundwork as a hard-nosed technician from Portland, Oregon.

🎨 Behind the Poster

In celebration of this hidden gem, Pro Wrestling Resource (Technician "Hot Tag") created a cartoon-style tribute poster featuring both men as they appeared that night at Madison Square Garden. If you look closely, there might be a subtle nod to Borne’s future...lurking about...

🔗 Watch It Back 🤡

Catch this match on Peacock, the WWE Network, or below under WrestleMania I—third match on the card.

Ricky Steamboat's first two WWF Wrestlemania matches [Videos]

Let the nostalgia flow.

💬 "Hot Tag" Notes

Steamboat was so smooth already, and Borne gave him a surprisingly snug match. If you skipped this one back in the day, do yourself a favor and revisit it.

💬 Vince's Notes

To think that Steamboat would steal the show just a few later with "Macho Man" Randy Savage in another hidden gem at the time. The fact that Borne would show up years later at WrestleMania in Las Vegas might make some laugh or smile, or cause diplopia.

💬 Your Take

What is your take on the match? Overrated? Not important at all? Please leave your thoughts or memories of the match in the comments section.