Ricky Steamboat to join WWE Hall of Fame

February 24, 2:52 AMPro Wrestling ExaminerMark Satrang

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Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat was announced as the next inductee for the Class of 2009 Hall of Fame last night on Monday Night RAW.

Steamboat first made his mark in the Mid-Atlantic region of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1977. He made the Mid-Atlantic region his home for the next eight years, picking up numerous singles and tag team championships along the way. He became one the region’s top stars and feuded with all the area’s top villains.

In 1985 he moved to the bright lights of the World Wrestling Federation and was rechristened “The Dragon.” In 1987 he made history by beating “Macho Man” Randy Savage in front of 90,000 people at WrestleMania III for the prestigious WWF Intercontinental Championship.

He returned to the NWA in 1989 and resumed his feud with “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, a man who he had previously battled numerous times. On February 20, 1989, Steamboat pinned Flair to win his one and only World Heavyweight Championship. The match is considered a five-star classic by fans and “wrestling experts” alike. He went on to have two more five-star classics in April and May with Flair before dropping the Championship back to Flair. That trio of matches through early 1989 is considered a holy trinity of wrestling classics and is must-see matches for anyone who calls him or herself a wrestling fan.

Steamboat continued working for the NWA through 1989 and then made his return to the WWF in 1991, for a brief embarrassing stint, where he was simply called “The Dragon,” complete with goofy dragon costume and fire breathing. He returned to the NWA, now called World Championship Wrestling, in late ’91. It was there Steamboat once again found a myriad of success, winning more singles and tag team championships. His final match was on August 28, 1994 when he beat Steve Austin for the United States Championship. Unfortunately he severely injured his back during the match and he was forced to relinquish the Championship the next month at the “Fall Brawl” pay per view. He was released from WCW due to the injury and he retired from active competition for good.

Ricky Steamboat was the consummate hero in professional wrestling. Other than maybe one other big star (Tito Santana) Steamboat was the only man to remain a “babyface” or good guy for his entire wrestling career. It was a testament to the man that the fans never turned on him over his entire storied career. The promoters themselves also never felt the need to change him “evil,” as they felt he was such a nice guy in real life that he just wouldn’t work as a bad guy.

Even through he only won one World Championship, he is considered a legend in the business by fans, colleagues and promoters alike. He was always a guy that could be counted on to put on a fantastic match at any spot on the card. He was also so talented that he was relied upon to be a tag team partner to young up-and-comers and less talented athletes.

Today he works for World Wrestling Entertainment as a backstage producer and agent, parlaying his vast knowledge onto the young superstars of today. His young son Richie Steamboat has begun his wrestling career as well, training and wrestling along the southern independent wrestling circuits.

His most famous rival Ric Flair will induct him into the Hall, and will be inducted just moments before his final ever opponent Steve Austin.

Class of 2009 WWE Hall of Fame inductees:
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr.