Ricky Steamboat: Does he receive his fair due?

[Guest Jason]

Does Ricky Steamboat get enough praise for what he brought to the wrestling industry? I'm proposing that he doesn't but it's up to you whether you agree with me or not.

 

In the ring, versatility was defined for Ricky Steamboat. The man was an amazing athlete. He could do anything imaginable in that squared circle. He was an extremely dedicated individual who always strived for the best in his ability. In reality, Steamboat fits into a very rare breed in terms of all around talent. He could work any of the general wrestling styles to a T. This resulted in the impeccable fluidity his matches always contained. This goes unnoticed, but it's a very commendable trait that Ricky possessed. Besides presenting a fluid and crisp offense, Ricky was composed with spectacular ring psychology. He knew how to build a match up, sequence by sequence, to deliver an action packed roller coaster for the entire world to see. His in-ring knowledge of the sport can be heavily contributed to his logical sense in the ring. For those that don’t look for these intangible skills, Ricky‘s selling, timing, and move selection were astounding. Clearly, the man was something special. Besides the quality he possessed as a competitor, Ricky would always bring his A game and all the effort in the world to the wrestling ring. This can be justified by the tremendous match-ups he has participated in. His match with Flair at NWA Clash of the Champions in 1989 was perhaps the greatest overall wrestling bout of all time. His matches with Don Muraco, Randy Savage and Jake Roberts could also be brought up. Ricky capitalized on the talent he was up against and attained some historical match-ups out of them. I just can't believe how little of recognition the man gets.

 

In technical wrestling ability, Ricky was phenomenal. He was incredibly gifted with his ring craft and mastered his unique wrestling style. And yet, his name is mentioned maybe once throughout the whole thing. In all around wrestling ability, I couldn't name one person that was better than him. Not Angle, Not Owen Hart, Not Jushin Liger. No one brought the quality consistently like Steamboat brought. He honored the wrestling business and truly loved the sport. He will never be forgotten, atleast by those who saw him in his prime. “The Dragon” is most notable because of his epic series with Flair. If you haven’t seen any of them, do so immediately. The chemistry was breathtaking. IMO, you could do none better than Flair vs. Steamboat. In closing, Richard Blood was the most well rounded wrestler of all time. No one will ever take that away from him and that’s the bottom line.

 

Thoughts?

[Art Sandusky 0]

You're joking, right.

 

I've never heard anything negative about him 'cept that he never worked heel.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Jason doesn't really know about anything wrestling wise. Just to give you an idea of his 80s wrestling knowledge, he thinks the height of the Iron Shiek gimmick was during the first Gulf War.

 

I don't think there's ever been anything negative said about Steamboat by any worker or any fan with half a brain.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

The only people who don't "give Steamboat his due" are newer fans who have never seen his work as a wrestler.

[Betty Houle 0]

The only people who don't "give Steamboat his due" are newer fans who have never seen his work as a wrestler.

There are probably a few newer fans that might not give him his due, due to them being jaded by current styles.

 

He also deserves due (which he gets) for being a generous human being that has helped many workers that have come into wrestling after him.

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

Considering he is generally regarded by his peers as one the best wrestlers they've ever faced(Flair, Savage, Roberts - pretty good company to be praised by) - among many others) and, one of if not the, nicest guys in the business. Also considering most smarks and marks alike(who have seen his work) rate him extremely highly, I think it;s fair to say Steamboat definetely gets his fair due.

[KingPK 0]

Well, I learned something from that: Steamboat's real name.

 

He's always been well regarded. Sure, he didn't cut the best promos and people weaned on the "Attitude" era can't warm to his "shake hands and kiss babies" babyface persona, but get him in the ring and he delivers.

 

I haven't run across many who don't rate him among the greats.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

The only negative that I recall Steamboat getting tagged with was how poor the box office was for Flair/Steamboat.

[KingPK 0]

Going against Wrestlemania V will hurt things, and the Superdome is a hard place for a wrestling show to sell out.

[Coffin Surfer 0]

He could work any of the general wrestling styles to a T.

 

Bullshit. He was out of his league in New Japan. A place where guys as varied as Scott Norton, Bigelow, and that Owen guy who evidently wasn't better easily adapted to.

 

It was sad watching him trying to work his dated flash pin spots against Mutoh. Steamboat looked like a "caveman" and the crowd threatened to "boo" him out of the building.

 

Not Jushin Liger

 

Steamboat isn't even in Lyger's universe.

 

IMO, you could do none better than Flair vs. Steamboat.

 

Not even the best matches from 89.

 

In technical wrestling ability, Ricky was phenomenal.

 

Technical? Fucking Baba was more capable on the mat.

 

Look, Steamboat was a great worker but your really over crediting him. To answer yoour question, evidentally he's getting too much praise these days.

[Guest HTQ's Personal Bitch]

I don't know how "technical" or "scientific" he was since those are bullshit terms by and large.

 

He was a great worker, one of the best of his era.

[Guest wildpegasus]

Steamboat's main plus is that he more consistent than almost any worker out there including several of the all time greats. Night in, night out he gave it all in his ring. Wether it was against the Blondes or Whindam on Worldwide, Haku on house shows or Pillman on Saturday Night you were guaranteed Steamboat would put his heart into it.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Is it me, or does the Jason guy (not the hockey mask dude) start the same topics, except he just plugs in different names to go with whatever it's about?

 

Liger >>>>>>>>> Steamboat by the way. Steamboat may have good ring knowledge, but one can only stand 100 arm drags and hammerlocks or armbars each match.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Next thing Jason would be telling us is that Hogan is a better talker than the Rock.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Well... Hogan does have boatloads of Charisma, so it is neck-and-neck. But Rocky's comedy is probably what pulls him ahead.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Well... Hogan does have boatloads of Charisma, so it is neck-and-neck. But Rocky's comedy is probably what pulls him ahead.

I didn't say charisma. I said talker. Hogan's promos are very basic, while it fits his time period, wouldn't hold up against any of the Rock's heel mic work or some of his face mic work.

[The Dames 0]

To the average fan, Steamboat does not get credit, simply because WWE is all that there is right now and he was never the WWE Champion. Until they actually acknowledge him as being the NWA Champion at one point of his career and having a great series of matches in the NWA, WWF/E only fans, if they remember him at all, will remember him for Steamboat/Savage and the stupid fire breathing Dragon gimmick.

 

He is one guy that would definitely benefit from being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, in terms of having his legacy legimitized by the only wrestling company on a truly national scale at this point.

 

Dames

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Until they actually acknowledge him as being the NWA Champion at one point of his career and having a great series of matches in the NWA, WWF/E only fans, if they remember him at all, will remember him for Steamboat/Savage and the stupid fire breathing Dragon gimmick.

Whoa hey now that firebreathing gimmick was cool.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Well... Hogan does have boatloads of Charisma, so it is neck-and-neck. But Rocky's comedy is probably what pulls him ahead.

I didn't say charisma. I said talker. Hogan's promos are very basic, while it fits his time period, wouldn't hold up against any of the Rock's heel mic work or some of his face mic work.

Oh, agreed when it comes to those 10-15 minute promos that have become common in recent years. Hogans latest 20 minute promos were basically 10 minutes of the crowd cheering, 5 minutes of him beating up or getting beat up by a heel, and the other 5 is just random stuff.

[Austin3164life 0]

Many, many recent stars such as Steve Austin say that Ricky's the greatest wrestler they've ever fought or seen. He gets more than his fair due. He was one of the U.S.'s best workers in the late eightees and early ninetees. I'd put maybe Barry Windham ahead of him during this time period. If anything, Barry Windham doesn't get nearly enough praise.