WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat has revealed that he turned down a role with AEW.
The former NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion had a legendary career in wrestling, most notably in the WWF. His match with Randy Savage at WrestleMania III is considered one of the all-time greats.
He retired from wrestling in 1994, but came back for occasional matches. He famously wrestled Chris Jericho twice, at WrestleMania 25 and then again at Backlash 2009.
Ricky Steamboat recently did a virtual signing for Captain’s Corner, and spoke about a wide variety of topics to do with his career.
During the signing, The Dragon revealed that he turned down the chance to work with AEW, although did not specify when exactly in the past four years it was.
It was not for an in-ring role, like legends such as Sting and DDP signed with the company, but working as a road agent, backstage for the company.
He would have been helping put together the matches for the company, a role which he previously held in the WWE. He noted that “the pay was gonna be great”, but that he didn’t want to keep travelling the country at age (he just turned 70 this year).
Speaking with The Captain’s Corner, Ricky Steamboat said;
“Believe this or not, I was already asked to come aboard (to AEW) in a capacity of (a road agent) and I just, you know… Not anymore (interested in doing it). No reflection on them, great company and everything and don’t get me wrong, the pay was gonna be great but I just — I’m at a point and time in my life, I’m trying to get off the road. 40-something years of being on the road, I just…”
Ricky Steamboat wrestled his last match in 2022, mimicking Ric Flair in wrestling one last bout, despite being in his 70s.
