Title Match Wrestling recently caught up wit WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and spoke about his son’s future in the business, his reaction to Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 31 and standouts like Seth Rollins & Bray Wyatt from NXT.
Steamboat confirmed that his son Richie’s days in the ring are over. Richie, a former FCW champion, injured 4 discs in his back and underwent surgery. Unfortunately, doctors told him he won’t be able to wrestle again. Ricky added that his son “gets it” and has the look for the business, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
A Twitter account that appears to belong to former WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat, son of WWE Hall Of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, has new tweets on it calling out NXT Champion Kevin Owens and praising current “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins.
Steamboat hasn’t wrestled a match since October of 2012 due to a back injury that appeared to be bad enough that it was career-ending.
The son of the legendary WWE performer was reported to be released back in 2013, however that report ended up being shot down and the current belief is that he could still be signed by WWE.
Below are the aforementioned Steamboat tweets about Owens and Rollins.
– According to reports, Shane McMahon currently owns 1,541,224 shares of WWE stock, which is worth over $35 million. After selling a lot of stock over the past year, Stephanie McMahon reportedly owns 661,678 shares of WWE stock, which is worth more than $14 million.
– Both Layla and Richie Steamboat are still under WWE contracts. It had been reported that Steamboat was cut, but he’s apparently still out with a bad back injury, one that some feel could be career-ending.
It’s been speculated that Layla is out due to medical issues, however some are under the impression that she’s dealing with some personal issues.
– Yesterday, we reported that WWE recently released second generation NXT star Richie Steamboat. It was actually Chris Hero (formerly Kassius Ohno in NXT) that broke the news in an interview.
Steamboat had back surgery late last year and there was speculation in recent months that he might not be able to wrestle again.
– WWE.com has published a new Top 10 video looking at the Best Moves of 2013.
– Los Matadores defeated El Locals (Ricardo Rodriguez and Tyson Kidd) prior to last night’s WWE TV tapings from Corpus Christi, Texas. El Locals debuted new masks at the show, which you can see here:
– As noted earlier this week, Vince McMahon ordered for the script of Monday Night RAW to be rewritten, just hours before the show. According to a source who was backstage, the script was actually being re-written while RAW was already on the air.
– WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat will be undergoing back surgery with Dr. Joseph Maroon in Pittsburgh soon. The surgery will keep him out of the ring for several months and there is some concern that the procedure could spell the end of his career.
– WWE will be holding another tryout camp featuring upto 15 amateur wrestlers that were recently scouted by Gerald Brisco. WWE has also been scouting Olympic athletes near Colorado Springs, CO.
– Today’s wrestling birthdays include Amazing Red (31), WWE Tag Team Champion Kane (46) and former WCW & UFC star Tank Abbott (48).
– NXT star Richie Steamboat, son of WWE legend Ricky Steamboat, has been out of action since last October due to a back injury. He continues to do physical rehabilitation, but there’s no timeline as to when he’ll return.
Earlier this week, MVP stated that he will not be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble. That said, we’ve heard he is one of the former mid-card WWE superstars the company is interested in bringing back to fill out the roster later this year.
– Earlier this month, Richard H. Blood III (NXT star Richie Steamboat) filed a trademark application for the name “Richie Steamboat.” There have been recent reports that WWE was looking to call him up to the main roster with a different name, so we’ll see how this new trademark ties into that.
– Following up on our report from earlier this week regarding the release of WWE developmental wrestler TAC, we’re told that his controversial comments on Twitter were a big factor in management losing interest in him. Several months ago, he tweeted:
“Not one person in developmental or #wwe have the accolades that I do, yet they act like they are deserved something. #wwe you deserve more! Same generic cookie cutter wrestlers. ONE speaks out and he’s a REVOLUTION starter? Change is coming! #wwe you deserve it! #TAC REVOLUTION.”
He followed up by saying that he’s not scared of being fired, unlike everyone else in WWE that “plays it safe.” Those tweets were later deleted, but not before they were sent to WWE superstars John Cena asking for their reactions.
– With The Rock appearing on most upcoming RAW tapings over the next 2 months, most of WWE’s local advertising is focusing solely on him, without any mention of John Cena or any other superstars. This is yet another sign of WWE’s confidence in The Rock to sell tickets and generate money for the company.
– NXT star Richie Steamboat is seen as the next developmental wrestler to get called up to the main roster. In what has to be seen as a very horrible idea, there is talk of changing his name when he gets called up to the main roster.
– CM Punk mentioning Bruno Sammartino during his Pipe Bomb promo on Monday’s RAW (not in a flattering way) is another telling sign that Sammartino is on WWE’s radar for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013. While WWE remains very motivated to get Sammartino inducted, the WWE legend has yet to agree to anything.
Several of WWE’s top developmental prospects from Florida Championship Wrestling debuted on Week 2 of the new season of WWE NXT from Full Sail University.
Former FCW Champion Seth Rollins (former ROH World Champion Tyler Black) wrestled in the opening contest and efeated Jiro. Rollins cut a promo after the match and said he has arrived in NXT and plans to “change the world.”
South African wrestler Leo Kruger, another former FCW Champion, cut a promo and called himself the “Alpha Male Lion.” He later defeated Aiden English via submission in a match that he dominated from bell to bell.
Richie Steamboat was the third FCW alumnus to debut in NXT, defeating Rick Victor. After the match, Steamboat celebrated with his father, WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Richie Steamboat vowed to take the Steamboat name to new heights in WWE.
Check out these pictures of the new FCW Arena at Full Sail University:
— SuperLuchas.net reports WWE has not contacted Alex Shelley. A friend of Shelley’s who wrestles for the organization informed the former TNA Wrestling star that there is interest in signing him.
Shelley plans to take a hiatus before negotiating with WWE. The website reports that he wants to bypass developmental and head straight to the main roster.
— The final Florida Championship Wrestling television to emanate from FCW Arena in Tampa, Florida reportedly takes place Thursday night with Jim Ross announcing and William Regal facing Dean Ambrose. The organization’s official website has a show listed for June 21.
— WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat competed at Saturday’s SmackDown live event in Augusta, Georgia, losing to Damien Sandow. He was originally scheduled to face Drew McIntyre.
— WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat is advertised for Saturday’s SmackDown live event at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia. The son of WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will be facing Drew McIntyre.
Promoting the show via interview, Natalya says she has made a name for herself in WWE through hard work and dedication rather than her ties to the legendary Hart family.
“I love the fact that I’m making history, but my family didn’t make me who I am today,” she says. “What I do is a dream fulfilled. Everything I’ve earned is on my own.”
— Dolph Ziggler has video of “Layla” marrying “CM Punk” in this week’s episode of WWE Download. He also receives a special visit from self-proclaimed Internet Champion Zack Ryder.
— New Florida Tag Team Champions were crowned last Thursday in Tampa, Florida as Big E Langston and Calvin Raines (a/k/a Patrick Brink) defeated Richie Steamboat and Seth Rollins.
Steamboat and Rollins had reigned since March 25.
— WWE developmental wrestler AJ Lee beat Rosa Mendes in a dark match prior to Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Lee worked this past weekend’s SmackDown live events, teaming with Natalya against Alicia Fox and Rosa Mendes. The babyfaces won both matches.
— Mason Ryan has been announced for autograph signings at the June 3 Florida Championship Wrestling live event at Largo Minnreg Hall in Largo, Florida and the June 4 show at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Developmental star Richie Steamboat, son of WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, was recently interviewed by The Miami Herald. Here are a few highlights of what the second generation Steamboat said about:
Training at WWE Developmental (FCW): “This is the best facility in the world. We’ve got some of the best trainers in the world, Dr. Tom Prichard, Norman Smiley, Joey Mercury, my father Ricky Steamboat, Dusty Rhodes. They’re open to all of us, seven days a week. It’s great. You can come in here with any questions, any concerns about moves, anything at all. They’re open and honest, and they’re here to help. It’s a very, very good establishment.”
Growing Up Around Other Wrestler’s Sons: “Growing up I knew the Usos [Rikishi Fatu’s sons] and Brett DiBiase [Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase’s son] and Joe Hennig [Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig’s son]. A lot of those guys I would see them around the buildings at shows, and we would try touch the forklifts and get into trouble like that, being kids.”
His Amateur Wrestling Feud With Reid Flair “We would travel to about 80 percent of the same wrestling tournaments, and there would be an occasion where I would look across the mat, and I would see Reid and his father, Ric, standing there, and I would be competing against him. It was always a very friendly rivalry. The fathers had a little bit more of a rivalry than we did, but I’ll tell you this; Reid never beat me.”
— According to the official website of Trish Stratus, she will be appearing on Raw tonight.
— The official website of Florida Championship Wrestling has announced that WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and his son, WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat, will be participating in an autograph signing at the April 8 show in Largo, Florida (located on Largo Minnreg Hall 6340 126th Avenue North). Bell time is 7:30 p.m.
— Rey Mysterio is featured on the cover of the latest issue of WWE Kids Magazine.
— ESPN.com has an article on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars highlighting the athletes on the show, Chris Jericho and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.
— Among those considered for the third season of NXT before WWE officials decided to make it a Diva-exclusive program were reigning FCW Champion Mason Ryan (a former UK Gladiator and bodybuilder who resembles Batista), Xavier Woods (a/k/a Consequences Creed), as well as second generation performers Bo Rotundo (younger brother of Husky Harris), Wes Brisco (son of Gerald Brisco) and Richie Steamboat (son of Ricky Steamboat). (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
— All September, WWE Classics On Demand will be “Superstar Chic”, featuring ‘Superstars with unforgettable trendsetting looks’. Matches pitting wrestlers with mullets are featured in the “Shorties” section. Bouts featured include Eddie Guerrero vs. Johnny B. Badd, Rick Rude, Brutus Beefcake, Shawn Michaels vs. Crush, Scott Hall vs. Curt Hennig and Jake Roberts vs. Randy Savage, among others.
— Thanks to Devin Cutting for the following: WWE Monday Night Raw on December 20, 2010 will be held at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Tickets go on sale September 25, 2010. WWE Monday Night Raw on December 27, 2010 will be held at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York. Tickets go on sale October 2, 2010.
— As reported earlier, WWE Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat was hospitalized Wednesday night after suffering a brain aneurysm. He is reportedly in stable condition. His son, WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat, recently opened an account on Twitter and has posted numerous messages concerning his father’s health.
He wrote yesterday afternoon, “Please keep my dad in your thoughts & prayers. The issues are worse than expected but he could be worse. God will help him through it!!!” Then added today, “Thanks again everyone for the prayers & msgs. Dad is fine right now. God & you guys have helped us & things will get better as time passes.”
— Today is WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart’s birthday. He turns 53 years old.
— WWE canceled it entire Fourth of July weekend tour due to poor ticket sales and a result, performers and personnel have a rare weekend off. The events have been rescheduled for December.
— The search term “WWE Undertaker Marries” was among AOL.com’s “Top Searches” today.
– Most of the WWE talents and crew arrived yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona for the WrestleMania festivities this week.
– At last word, approximately 15,000 tickets remain for Sunday’s WrestleMania pay-per-view at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
– WWE still isn’t advertising who will induct Antonio Inoki into the Hall of Fame this weekend. It was reported back when the news of Inoki’s induction came out that Stan Hansen would be doing the honors.
– A number of the WWE stars have been hanging out at Baby’s Steak & Lemonade in Glendale, Arizona. The restaurant is owned by former WWE star Armando Estrada. Goldust and Dolph Ziggler will be appearing there today at 4pm.
– WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat suffered the first major injury of his career last week, a torn PCL. The second generation performer will be out of action for the next several months and likely need surgery.