Ricky Steamboat Denies Report About Coming Out Of Retirement

Ricky Steamboat was one of the finest workers during his wrestling days. “The Dragon” had classics against the likes of “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Steamboat was thought to be putting on his gear for huge comeback. He’s putting those rumors to rest.

Fightful Select previously reported that Steamboat was coming out of retirement to wrestle one more match. Steamboat confirmed during a Highspots Superstore signing that he was indeed approached for a comeback bout against Flair, but declined after giving it some thought.

“Well, I was approached and given it really some serious thought. A lot of respect to the guy in the ring. You know, both of us are night and day when it comes to stuff out of the ring. Flair wouldn’t be Flair without it. I thought about it for a week and just recently just declined on it.

“I know when I wrestled Jericho at WrestleMania 25, then we had the return match at Backlash in a singles, but at 69, and I know it’s a six-man tag and I could get a little this and that in, but with all due respect to our fans, I want them to remember me that last time I was in there with Jericho when they chanted, ‘You still got it.’ I don’t want to scar that phrase.

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“Even that night with Jericho, you know, I was working for the WWE. I was one of the trainers at the school and was pretty active in the ring, so I had a lot of confidence in myself. But knowing Ricky now and not being in the ring for a number of years, I don’t want to tarnish the memory that the fans have of me. It’d be a good payday, sure, but I don’t want them thinking, ‘Maybe he should have stayed retired.’

“You know, and I could get out there and maybe pull it off and say, ‘Well, you know, for a guy who’s 69 years old, he sure did pretty good,’ but that’s the double-edged sword right? So, you know, The Dragon does have a lot of pride in his work and the way the fans remember me in the ring, and I want that lasting impression.

“I know my physical capabilities right now. I would love to be able to go out there and perform like I did with Jericho. I was 56 or 57 years old, but I think I want my fans to remember me as that guy and not have a chance of disappointing. That’s how much I love my fans.”

Steamboat and Flair squared off against each numerous times during their illustrious careers. Flair will make his controversial return to the squared circle on July 31. The match is part of the huge Starrcast wrestling convention that will invade the Nashville Fairgrounds during WWE’s SummerSlam weekend.

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