Ricky Steamboat vs Lord Steven Regal - 1st August 1993

"The Dragon" Ricky Steamboat -vs- Lord Steven Regal w/ Sir William

WCW Main Event

1st August 1993

Author's Note:

This is more of a test post with a random match I found online to make sure that text, images, and formatting all work okay, as well as to test my ability to watch a match and take notes at the same time. Either way, I hope you enjoy this first post!

Match Stipulations: 1 Fall with a 10 minute time limit.

The match starts with both competitors in the ring as Ricky Steamboat extends a hand to Steven Regal, who responds by barely shaking the pinky and thumb of Steamboat, leaving him with a confused look on his face. Both competitors then begin to circle each other, before locking up into a collar-and-elbow hold to start the match.

The action starts very slowly and methodically with a lot of mat-based action, as Regal gets a wrist lock onto Steamboat which is soon reversed. Regal then rolls through and manages to get a hip toss onto Steamboat, bringing him down to the canvas, before stepping away and waving off his opponent. 

This slow start to the match continues, with both men trading holds until a snapmare by William Regal gets the first pinfall attempt of the contest. However this only results in a 2-count, with Steamboat bridging out of the pin and into a nip-up, leading both men to begin taunting one another with Steamboat brushing off his body, while Regal starts wagging his finger in Ricky's face. 

This results in Steamboat grabbing Regal's finger - much to the delight of the crowd - causing Regal to writhe in pain. After releasing his finger, Regal then goes to the outside to compose himself, whilst also maintaining the slow pace of the match which suits Regal's style. However, in this instance The Dragon is more than happy to wrestle at this pace also. 

Not the finger!

Regal then re-enters the ring and the action immediately picks up with an exchange of holds and a snapmare by Steamboat, who then attempts to get a pinfall on Regal but only manages to get a 2 count. As both men get back to their feet, the fast paced action resumes with both men hitting the ropes before a baseball slide by The Dragon brings the action to a halt before beginning taunt his opponent in an attempt to get under his skin. At this point, Lord Regal's manager Sir Williams gets involved by agitating Steamboat, who responds by threatening to chase him off.

This attempt obviously works, as Regal immediately gets Steamboat into the corner with a flurry of european uppercuts before transitioning into a 3/4 nelson hold on Steamboat who attempts to counter this with a 3/4 nelson of his own, appearing to have both men locked in. Lord Regal then lifts Ricky Steamboat out to the ring apron and appears to back away in a sportsman like manner - a move that is met with a slap by The Dragon!

After Steamboat re-enters the ring, the action starts to really pick up as it is announced that there is only 3 minutes remaining in the contest. Both men exchange chops and uppercuts before again hitting the ropes, with a duck and a leapfrog by both men before a dropkick attempt by Steamboat is scouted by Steven Regal who avoids it by simply walking away, leaving The Dragon hurt and giving Steamboat the advantage. 

Regal's utilises this advantage to get an armbar on his opponent, and manages to keep it held on despite Steamboats attempts to reverse it into a small package.

As 1 minute remains, Lord Regal still has the advantage. The Dragon tries to get a rollup on Regal, but only manages to get a 2-count. As Regal tries to keep his advantage, the crowd is really starts to get behind Ricky and he's starting to get fired up! This leads to back and forth pinfall attempts by both men as the ring announcer Gary Cappetta begins to count down from 10. The Dragon tries a last-ditch attempt at a backslide pin but the bell rings! The result is a time-limit draw.

The Dragon attempts a backslide, but it's too late.

After the match, we are treated to an interview with Regal & his manager, where - despite being out of breath - he states that the match was simply a warmup for his cricket game later this week, resulting in boo's from the crowd. This leads to Ricky Steamboat coming back out to offer a rematch, before slapping Lord Regal with gloves to challenge for a duel the following week, which Regal cannot refuse.

Result: Time limit draw.

All images © WWE