The Career of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat: 1976 - 1988

[@jvomkrieg]

Greatest arm drag in the history of wrestling. Those deep arm drags were so good to watch. Just poetry in motion.

[@bronstet]

This. It was ridiculously fast, dramatic and athletic. No single wrestler ever did it better either before or since.

[@tpr299]

Trained at Verne Gagne’s school. Gagne had a wicked arm drag, and great drop kick.

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

This! This is the kind of content we need!! Not the standard "NWO, fall of WCW, Montreal Screwjob" videos every wrestling channel puts out.

[@ricosalvaje5802]

I'm soooooo tired of the screw job. Its been talked about forever.

[@dingdong7610]

I like the other stuff more. This video is for >50 year olds. It's not the 70s anymore

[@tigerlee44]

NWO was the greatest

[@JerBuster77]

@@dingdong7610 actually this video is for wrestling fans who appreciate how we got here.

[@DOYLETWAT]

This is the best wrestling channel on KZbin.

[@Thor-Orion]

Ric Flair had such a great eye for talent. If he saw you could go and had potential, he had NO problem putting you over and making a star out of you, because he knew the bigger you got the more money you and he could make together in the long run. Really goes to show you that you can be protective of your position while still understanding that what’s best for the business is what’s best for everyone in the business.

[@yoholmes273]

Ric Flair even pulled Stan Lane in the business when he met him as a gigolo at The Marriott !

[@jwzero]

He never put Steiner or booker T

[@chrislester4878]

He wanted to look good and the best way to look good in the ring was to have matches with top tallent that suited your style

[@camcamz2128]

Ricky Steamboat held the Ic title at a time when the belt was actually respected

[@brianbaker3654]

Back when the belt was a true stepping stone to the world title.

[@conjandysecurity]

He is a big part of why it was respected.

[@Thor-Orion]

# 63G774298 i was about to say the same thing. He and a handful of other AMAZING workers MADE the I.C. Title the workhorse belt, and in my opinion the more worthwhile title matches to watch.

[@Thor-Orion]

Cam Camz21 but it’s funny how the belt went from Ricky to Honky Tonk, who wasn’t nearly the worker Ricky was, but who added prestige in other ways by holding onto it for so long and making it seem like a huge deal.

[@thomasroedgaard117]

And he won it from the greatest IC champ and overall wrestler of all time.

[@lostonwallace1396]

Steamboat and Youngblood, the best tag team ever. Most fans aren't old enough to remember their matches, but they were nothing short of amazing.

[@digipeeper]

As a Asian I was inspired and Honored to have Steamboat as a Wrestler and Icon.

[@JustSub2Me]

The Great Muta bio would be great!🔥

[@miguel3127]

Steamboat isnt actually asian he is hawian

[@JustSub2Me]

@@miguel3127 his mother was Japanese he was born in the United States New York but was raised in Hawaii

[@digipeeper]

Miguel Hawaii (Polynesian)is consider asiatic especially the state has been a melting pot. try study some global studies before you make your point.

[@commentcopbadge6665]

Kam Zeng As for yourself, get your grammar straight before you go in on somebody elses ignorance. FFS it's horrendous.

[@BlackMask1980]

One of the greatest to never capture the WWF championship

[@nurseelliott4256]

BlackMask42080 dang shame too

[@tayojones9460]

Vince is bloody petty. Man wanted to spend time with his new born son and it punished for it!

[@firasmassadeh5131]

It was not a loss the NWA/WCW belt is what matters

[@AJ_savage16]

That's a same

[@donsmeltzer4083]

It really is a shame he never won the WWF title. He was a great wrestler, very entertaining and athletic. He would have been a great champion.

[@mattydon3032]

Macho Man Vs Ricky steamboat wrestlemania 3 one of the best of all time matches

[@craigcothern6839]

Matty Don I could not agree more!! It gets overshadowed because of Hogan vs Andre but that match made me a wrestling fan for life!!

[@mattydon3032]

@@craigcothern6839 the chemistry between these two greats was amazing because of the story telling I was baying for macho man blood by the time wrestlemania 3 came round

[@aaronneville1164]

@@craigcothern6839 I don't think it gets overshadowed at all quite honestly. It's a highly regarded match in history. Wrestlers past and present continue to praise that match in conversations to this day and it's one of the most INFLUENTIAL match ever by many. OFTEN ranked higher than Hogan/Andre in Wrestlemania match rankings on nearly every list I've ever seen.

[@mattydon3032]

@Justin Sharpe that's what I love about wrestling everyone got there favourite and there own opinion Brett n Shawn was good

[@frenchy2047]

Matty Don what’s baying sir

[@ferox965]

Steamboat was one of the best. Always loved that Steamboat armdrag.

[@ericthomas7560]

Steamboat was one of those guys that I couldn't picture as a heel

[@kevinpayton2664]

He wouldn't be believable as a heel.

[@aaronneville1164]

Neither could anyone else he worked for and Steamboat probably couldn't picture it either. He couldn't work inside that ring as a heel even if he tried.

[@RisingRecluse]

His over the top good guy character could be a heel to todays audiences.

[@aaronneville1164]

Tony Recluse you're right. In fact I would argue the male audience would have started to resent his goody goody character and started to boo him in the late 90's lol. He got out just in time.

[@ericthomas7560]

I loved how he temporary came back in 2009 and showed he could still hold his own against someone like Jericho

[@aaronneville1164]

Arguably the greatest traditional WHITE MEAT baby face ever. Too nice of a personality in real life and never would be believable as a heel.

[@PhillyBagel]

Yup. Steamboat said he actually asked bookers in the WWF and WCW about becoming a rulebreaker and he was turned down on each occasion.

[@donsmeltzer4083]

I’m glad they included his tag teaming with Jay Youngblood. They were a great team that always gave you your money’s worth. Especially their feud with Sgt. Slaughter and Don Kernodle for the NWA World Tag Team titles.

[@piijay14]

Ricky was my boy. Not just a charismatic guy but also a really fine tech wrestler!

[@kevinpayton2664]

I believe that Hulk Hogan might have been jealous of Steamboat.

[@MrJadedGreen]

Hogan was jealous of many. He was also the most repetitious, over and over, same ole' same ole', couldn't do anything athletic, waste of TV space ever. Yes, I know "he's the biggest star ever". Whatever. He's a fake mouth piece, fake built, FAKE PERSON, company made prop, that without the money and billing of Vince, would otherwise been wiping tables at a local Denny's. And I don't want to hear about "coulda made it in the movies" either. No. He couldn't have. Already proven. His acting abilities was putrid and worse than his wrestling abilities. His "eat your vitamins and say your prayers" should been shoot the roids and pray you don't get caught sleeping with your best friends wife or exposed for the phony person that you are. Never had any use for the guy myself.

[@tayojones9460]

Roddy piper was a better actor than Hogan.

[@MrJadedGreen]

@@tayojones9460 Piper was an awesome actor. Even done good in Hell comes to Frog Town. No one else could have done They Live. That HAD to be Piper.

[@synthonaplinth5980]

@@MrJadedGreen Actually he could wrestle. Check out some of his Japan matches. He just got lazy in the US because of the way VKM treated him.

[@liambarratt523]

MrJadedGreen what a film they live was

[@camcamz2128]

I just met Sgt Slaughter yesterday he was a class act

[@mrf19741]

I met him earlier this year. He is a Great Guy!

[@bilalfreeman5144]

You are very Lucky person 😊🤫

[@--_--IMP--_--]

Another well done video of one of the all-time greats. Looking forward to part two. Maybe we'll get lucky and see that expanded to parts 2 and 3. Keep up the stellar work!

[@scottrodriguez8284]

Steamboats feuds with Muraco, Snake, Macho Man were amazing

[@isaiahwinbrone]

He never turned heel

[@robertbunton6394]

You are so right.class act guy

[@DashieNegan41]

Ricky Steamboat is a legend who had great matches with Ric Flair.

[@stevew6910]

Ricky was one of the top wrestlers to ever step foot in the ring, Flair/Steamboat matches are legendary Steamboat could carry anyone in any match. Steamboat could run circles around any wrestler of today, Jay Young Blood died way to young . His death devastated Steamboat . You could see it in his wrestling and demeanor for about a year

[@METALBENSCHRONICLES]

Best wrestling channel on KZbin and love your bios and how you stick with the past for us old-school fans who grew up watching wrestling when it was great.

[@marcelo06]

Totally agree!

[@DjTractus]

Savage vs Steamboat was worth the price admission on it’s own

[@ferox965]

Absolutely

[@NattyGymBro]

Yes! Finally one on my favorite childhood wrestler.

[@flintose927]

So blessed to of met Ricky "The Dragon" 2 years ago @ Heroes & Legends Professional Wrestling XIII, he defines the word "Babyface"

[@flintose927]

@@sinicalypse yes! #ThankYou :)

[@synthonaplinth5980]

Met him yesterday, what a fantastic guy!

[@flintose927]

@@synthonaplinth5980 😆👊

[@sherry7312]

A great man and a great wrestler I think you should carry on with these 1-3 part I loved the Raven episodes like you should do wrestlers who had long careers I feel nobody mentioned this so how about the story of Velocity?

[@JustSub2Me]

The Great Muta would be a great bio!

[@vulrare]

An excellent video about one of the greatest babyfaces of all time.And maybe Ric Flair's greatest rival.Thanks dude....

[@cardboardempire]

Steamboat vs Savage is still probobly the greatest match I have seen.

[@kongmengyang1098]

This guy was my wrestling hero as a kid.

[@messagedeleted3526]

Wow amazing. One of my favorites in the WWF. Child hood memories ☺️

[@Jffeeney3rd]

Savage smashing the ring bell over Steamboat’s throat is what made me a wrestling fan.

[@Yankeesheepdog]

Ricky was one of my all time favorites as a kid! Great video, I can’t wait for part 2.

[@rdogg222]

Steamboat was the most entertaining wrestler of his time and put on a far better show than Hulk Hogan or a lot of other big lumbering guys.

[@FranBushardt]

NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT!!

[@r.josephgrundy1706]

I was introduced to wrestling at age 2, I'm 44 now. I have long since bee a fan of Heel's! Aside from the Von Erichs and Tito Santana, Steamboat was the only Face that ever really interested me! Thank you for another great upload!

[@briefcaseblues6061]

Damn, I read this comment and had to look at the name to check if I hadn't already comment on this video lol. I turned 44 Wednesday

[@r.josephgrundy1706]

@@briefcaseblues6061 Happy Birthday to you!

[@briefcaseblues6061]

@@r.josephgrundy1706 Thanks Yo!

[@ricosalvaje5802]

Same here been watching wrestling since I was in diapers

[@mrf19741]

Always loved Ricky Steamboat! That Wrestlemania 3 Match he had with Randy Savage was Epically Legendary and absolutely stole the show!

[@rang123yea5]

one of the greatest matches ever.

[@raoulk35]

Something Dusty Rhodes said during his WWE Hall Of Fame induction has always stuck with me. He said "If you want to be a good babyface in this business then do yourself a favor and go study tapes of Ricky Steamboat."

[@OrioleFan443]

Great video, and excellent point about how he never heel-turned. I can't think of another wrestler who fits that description.

[@brandongardner7398]

Ricky Steamboat is one of my all-time favorite wrestlers. This video was awesome. I can't wait for pt.2 brother.

[@AliciaJonestv]

Wow you are on a roll. I saw you tweet about this the other day but didn’t think you would have it up this fast! Great channel.

[@vermontmike9800]

The 80s NWA World Title > 80s WWF title.

[@wingmannj]

starting with bob backlund and it got cornier and cornier after that....

[@KoolKumasi]

@@wingmannj Ya bugging I'll take Savage and Hogan over Flair and Dusty

[@MiningForPies]

@@KoolKumasi hey flair booked himself to win it 27,000,000 times. Have some respect for that achievement.

[@KoolKumasi]

@@MiningForPies Lol already but shout out to you fam!

[@andrewwinch474]

One of my all time favourites.

[@dannysart3990]

Great work once again.

[@floridagator1765]

I liked Steamboat as a wrestler but his WWWE run near the end was kinda insulting with the Dragon gimmick.

[@koreifranklin4363]

I use to love the dragon when i was young especially when he climb to the top rope and spit fire

[@liambarratt523]

Korei Franklin me too I had the dragon wrestling figure

[@julioa.sanchez2415]

Yes!!!

[@julioa.sanchez2415]

🐉🔥

[@roymartin500]

The Ssvage feud was HUGE! I watched WM 3 at the Universal Amphitheater at Universal Studios in Hollywood on The Huge Screen and that was sold out, 10,000 strong so it felt like we were there. If it weren't for HH vs Andre, MM vs Steamboat would've been the main match. Great job Wrestling Bios!

[@az-cafe-moto]

Great video as always. Steamboat is one of my all time favorites.

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

Ricky was one of my all time favorites! A legend!

[@marioandrade4499]

Great video! The Dragon was my favorite wwf wrestler as a kid. Got to see him take on Jake the Snake at my first live wwf event during the height of their fued. It was awesome!

[@tenllell8325]

Amazing how many guys Vern Gagne trained and got started.

[@spencerbrown6915]

Steamboat should've been the world champion in the wwf

[@beanywolvesaj3383]

Ricky steamboat was my first favorite wrestler as a kid 👏 the entrance was so cool

[@bobbybriggs6991]

No wonder WWE was quick to pull down the video that R Truth reference as to why the WWF never gave Steamboat a shot at the WWF title after winning the IC title from Savage at WM3 when both of them was in TNA Wrestling.it embarrassed the WWE & yanked it from KZbin.thank God I downloaded that video.

[@karlpitts3831]

bar none...one of the greatest ever to lace up the boots!

[@Hoonozit]

I enjoyed this clip, I'm certainly looking forward to the next part, thanks.

[@timbartschwolfman]

Another Great Legend

[@shawnyetman6875]

Hands down my fav wrestler growing up

[@cobracyxx8808]

Kevin Sullivan please. One of the most vicious of all time. And do Doom or link it for me if you have done them already

[@ZekeThePlumber86]

Pretty sure he's never covered Kevin. I would also love to see that. Interesting character.

[@kinglord7707]

Ron Simmons and Butch Reed would be a great choice too

[@scottcrawford7143]

That wrestlemania 3 match was AMAZING!!!! Its on a dvd set I have and I've watched it more times than I can count!

[@stargazer4625]

I use to watch all guys. Steamboat Junkyard Dog Ric Flair Jake Robert's. What some legends. The matches were unbelievable. The live shows would last all night instead of the 1 hr or 2 hr shows that came on tv.

[@donniedoesdishes]

youre right about youngblood and steamboat not being talk about they were awesome when i was a kid great video, brought back some old memories

[@denden6077]

I trained with Ricky Steamboat at Jim Moore's World Gym in Charlotte, NC back in 1981-83. He was very very strong. As well I interviewed him for a bodybuilding magazine. I will always remember those times.

[@bleueggos6798]

Steamboat-flair well I guess you got me for part 2

[@buckyhate7695]

Another awesome video. This is why I never miss an upload (something I can't say about other channels. Keep up the great work, brudda.

[@lsgreger2645]

Saw the video was about Ricky Steamboat and I immediately gave it a thumbs up!

[@leonsmith539]

I love the way your videos take me down memory lane! Great job. Steamboat and Youngblood were my favorite tag team as a little kid.

[@vivahernando1]

My earliest wrestling memories were Steamboat/Youngblood vs Sgt and Kernodle

[@shannonmurray34]

Me too! What a shame when Youngblood passed away.

[@vivahernando1]

@@shannonmurray34 yeah back then word didn't really travel ..... it was just boom he's dead after seeing him in taped matches and then they had a tribute video for him

[@pauljoyner4338]

Mine too. I grew up around Norfolk,VA, so all we had then was Mid-Atlantic wrestling. We didn't have cable. So all we got was the local territory wrestling.

[@t3knyn]

Youngblood and Steamboat were a great tag team, it's a shame they don't get the recognition for it. Jay youngblood died before his time. One of the best matches of all time, Ricky Steamboat vs Macho Man

[@javiergarcell3075]

My opinion is the reason they did not have Steamboat vs Savage at Wrestlemania 4 was because baby face vs baby face was not common at that time. They wanted Savage to be the top guy. However I agree he was under used when he came back.

[@aaronneville1164]

It's smart that they didn't do that match. The crowd would have cheered Steamboat mostly.....which is not what wwe would have wanted particularly that night.

[@Large23collectibles]

Thank you so much for showing a clip of WWF Thumb Wrestlers. I had a few growing up. You rock Brother!!!!!!

[@pika23]

My scariest moment was when Savage "crushed" his larynx with the ring bell.

[@KB-qk1ic]

I still remember Savage coming off the top with the bell. Only 3 years old at the time and it still resonates.

[@whitenidan]

The post match interview hosted by Bruno Sammartino was epically brilliant. To this day me and a buddy quote the Macho Man from the interview...”Ohhhh Yeahhh...put a little mustard on the hotdog for the Macho Man!!” At which point Bruno exclaims “ You piece of shlime” and proceeds to attack him. Miss those days... BTW it is still better than 100% of the garbage they broadcast today.

[@paulngo4631]

I just remember steamboat bringing his baby to the ring.

[@funkyweapon1981]

Yeah! Finally, Ricky Steamboat!

[@kevinpayton2664]

I couldn't wait for this one. Steamboat is one of my personal top ten wrestlers ever. He's a legend no doubt.

[@Airman241]

One of my favorites as a youngster

[@karlepaul6632]

It was Hulk Hogan that suggested to Vince to have Steamboat drop the IC belt to the HTM. Apparantley, HTM just happened to be in the right place at the right time. BTW...I remember watching that particular match when Steamboat dropped the belt to the HTM. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY saw that coming. To say it was baffling is definitely an understatement. Anyway, great video, as always! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Toadstool4]

Has there ever been someone with a career this long that never turned heel?

[@KoolKumasi]

Lol no one but the fink

[@rang123yea5]

His match with the Macho Man at WM 3 was one of the greatest ever

[@Darthpsychonis]

Ricky definitely deserves this bio series. It is a shame that Vince and company had to act so petty towards him when he returned. Had things turned out differently, I think that Steamboat could have been an even bigger star in the WWF going into the New Generation Era where Vince was trying get away from the roided-up muscle guys. Ricky would have fit right in that period, and could have helped put over guys like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Oh, the dream matches we could have had.

[@GibDozer1]

As much as liked the Dragon in WWF my fondest memories are of his work with Rick Flair. It never seemed like he was taken seriously in WWF.

[@kevinpayton2664]

Outside of being Intercontinental champion, I don't think that he was being taken seriously either.

[@jorgenplatner5526]

Jay Youngblood was so underrated. Loved watching him and The Dragon tag team.

[@franklinyi6934]

Wished he would of got a World Title run.

[@kinglord7707]

He's a three time NWA WCW world heavyweight champion his feud with Ric Flair in 1989 is legendary

[@commentcopbadge6665]

would *have

[@franklinyi6934]

Starvin Marvin 🧐

[@jordanwilliams7996]

He did have 1? Use your google man lol

[@85futureshock]

Ricky Steamboat doesn’t get enough credit for being a pioneer for the fast paced style of wrestling you see today in places like AEW, PWG, NXT, NJPW and the indies. He stood out as he worked a style that was unique and stood out in the plodding heavyweight style in his day. The greatest pure babyface of all time. The only guys who can compare as great babyfaces are Steve Austin, Bret Hart and Hiroshi Tanahashi. He was criticized like many of the guys today by old timers who told him he was doing too much or he had no psychology but time and his influence on modern wrestling has proven him ahead of his time.

[@robertmacias279]

He was my favorite at one point. I remember when Macho man used the announcer bell on him. I cried!!! I was around 6 or 7. I was so sad and mad. I wanted to call 911 so they would arrest Macho.

[@termainewhaley1114]

Another great one keep it up. Can we get tugboat

[@beep6437]

This is when wrestling was excellent to watch

[@billywall7752]

The obvious difference between Steamboat and Savage showing up Hogan is the fact that like Hogan, Steamboat is a fan favorite, therefore, Hogan probably felt more threatened by Steamboat.

[@TheSegadroid]

Another great video to watch. Your attention to detail and production qualities are amazing. Thank you👍

[@Uncleskuncle420]

Man thanks for putting these together. I know it takes alot of time and effort.

[@Skippster]

One of the best matches ever...Ricky steam boat vs dynamite kid. The wrestling classic. Eighties vhs.

[@RedroomStudios]

loved those early day feuds between Steamboat and Flair and of course the long run of tag matches with Youngblood! Ricky was definitely in my top 5 favorites of all time!

[@hulkgroover5838]

When I started watching wrestling as a kid in the 80s steamboat was in the WWF I thought he was always in the WWF.

[@Thor-Orion]

Half of Ricky’s feuds had the chemistry that RVD and Jerry Lynn had, and that was the best RVD and Jerry Lynn would ever be. Ricky had that with everyone. That’s how great Ricky was.

[@sreegk106]

One of my favourite wrestlers

[@PtolemyJones]

I have never enjoyed any matches more than the best of Steamboat and Flair.

[@patricodesouza7453]

THERE WAS A GREAT MATCH BETWEEN RICKY STEAMBOAT AND RON SIMMONS IN APRIL 1989! WISH THERE HAD BEEN MORE OF THOSE MATCHES FOR RICKY STEAMBOAT!

[@Utterlyrandomguy]

Now that you mentioned Larry, I actually met him at my workplace in New Jersey, was a patient there, told me about his time in wrestling and who he trained

[@bredenis5]

Great research, great production quality, great video. Thanks for all of your hard work mate!

[@cavedweller2000]

Wow, can't believe you referenced Best of the Best 2! I love that film!

[@wolfieform9514]

Another masterpiece 👍😎👍

[@leftthegame8039]

saw this man many many times live always first class!