doubtful. obviously people can't distinguish an actual GOAT match from a classic moment. As a match and story line WM XVII should be murdering RR 92. Any list on google will confirm that. For instance: 100 top US matches Rock/Austin is 45 and RR 92 isn't on the list. RR 92 #16 on comprehensive best of 90s poll. Rock/Austin #31 on best of 2000s comprehensive poll for every promotion in the world when there was an enormous amount of good match being put out from 00-09.

All of that may be, but I was obviously trying to measure strength in terms of strongest matchups for purposes of this voting pool and dropping it to a 5 does appear to have been a mistake as I suspected it might be when I did it.

(I'll register a Rock/Austin vote for you even though you didn't actually give one in that post.)

i think the hbk/hart and taker/mankind was my toughest match to choose so far; the matches are so different from one another, and i like each for different reasons.

going to go w/ HBK/Hart in a close one.

not enough nastalgia for me to overtake how good that tag match was, going to vote:

Tag Match

HBK v. Taker completes the romp and the shutout.

Matchup incoming.

NORTHWEST REGION MATCHUP #2

#1 SEED: RANDY SAVAGE VS. RICKY STEAMBOAT (WRESTLEMANIA III)

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv3OBWwxX_0

At WrestleMania III, which was built around Hogan vs. Andre, Savage vs. Steamboat stole the show in a very big way and put on what many would still agree to be the greatest Intercontinental Title match in WWF history. Obviously two of the greatest all-time workers, and they outshined even their usual standard here. Absolute nonstop action, great ending, hot crowd, Jesse and Gorilla on commentary…this match has it all.

VERSUS

#8 SEED: JOHN CENA VS. ROB VAN DAM (ECW ONE NIGHT STAND)

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDY0NluUfyg

If you like a match with an amazing crowd (and who doesn’t?), this is a treat to watch. Very similar to Cena v. Punk from this past year, it won’t win any awards for amazing technical achievements but the unique atmosphere and the rocking crowd make it incredibly entertaining and memorable anyway.

VOTING ON THIS MATCH IS NOW OPEN. POLLS WILL CLOSE AT 10:34 A.M. EST ON FRIDAY THE 3RD.

Even more lopsided than some of the 1 v. 16 matchups in the first round. Thanks for playing, Cena/RVD.

Savage/Steamboat.

Uh, yeah.

Savage/Steamboat

I concur with the aboves, Savage/Steamboat

I want to give Cena/RVD a vote because the build and crowd were so awesome, but come on it's Savage/Steamboat this isn't even close.

savage/steamboat

Savage/Steamboat

Rock/Austin in a close one.

Steamboat/Savage in a very not close one.

I feel like I'm probably being influenced by personal bias but I go with Royal Rumble 1992

Savage vs Steamboat

Rumble 1992, despite the fact that I love that Rock/Austin match.

Savage/Steamboat can't lose here

Savage/Steamboat

meh the '92 rumble didnt impress me that much, sick lineup but match itself was nothing to write home about. going to go with:

Austin/Rock

Mankind-taker

Hogan-warrior

Royal rumble

Savage-steamboat

Whoops, sorry that yesterday sort of got away from me. I got busy. Bret-HBK doubled up Mankind-Taker for the win. If 12ressi's vote was before the deadline it only would have been by three, so I guess I didn't mis-seed TOO badly.

Anyway, matchup incoming.

SOUTHWEST REGION MATCHUP #4

#1 SEED: RIC FLAIR VS. RICKY STEAMBOAT (WRESTLEWAR ’89)

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...ature=view_all
(Get it while it’s hot. These links are still live. Thanks once again to Chargers in 09.)

The third match in the most brilliant trilogy in wrestling history. Enjoy.

VERSUS

#8 SEED: RIC FLAIR VS. RANDY SAVAGE (WRESTLEMANIA VIII)

Whole match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8El4LSqLjM

Ric Flair won the WWF Title at the Royal Rumble, and though he was initially slated for a match with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania, plans were changed and Randy Savage got the title shot. Ric Flair revealed to the world that Miss Elizabeth “was mine before she was yours.” It was a great angle and storyline leading into a great world title match at the biggest event of the year.

This was one of Flair’s best matches during his WWF days, perhaps his very best. It’s truly annoying that Hogan v. Sid went on last instead of this classic.

VOTING ON THIS MATCH IS NOW OPEN. POLLS WILL CLOSE AT 8:51 A.M. EST ON SATURDAY THE 4TH.

I have more love than a lot of the voters seemed to for Flair v. Savage, but it's going to take better than this to vote against Flair v. Steamboat.

HHH/Austin vs Y2J/Benoit and its going to take an awfully awesome match for me to vote against Savage vs Steamboat.

flair-steamboat

Flair/Steamboat

Flair/Savage