Ricky Steamboat has had a storied wrestling career. From his early days in the AWA to his historic matches against Ric Flair for the world title, “The Dragon” (as he was nicknamed in the World Wrestling Federation) is as close as you’re going to get in a “babyface” wrestler through and through. For a career that had spanned decades, it is fitting that Steamboat get an official compilation release from World Wrestling Entertainment. Arriving in stores on June 29, 2010, Ricky Steamboat: The Life Story of the Dragon includes a biography of the wrestling legend and two discs that collect some of his most famous matches.
Disc 1:
Growing Up
Training
Travelling
Mid-Atlantic
The Dragon
WrestleMania III
World Champion
Fire Breathing Dragon
Mentoring
Hall of Fame
Legacy
Special Features:
Ricky’s First Car
Mike Graham Remembers Richard Blood
Ricky Forgets His Name
Having a Positive Attitude
World Wide Wrestling – February 16, 1982
Tuesday Night Titans – April 5, 1985
Steve Lombardi Remembers Ricky’s First Match in the WWE
The Body Shop
All-Star Wrestling – June 22, 1985
Becoming the Dragon… The Three Moments of Truth
Chris Jericho Meets Ricky Steamboat For The First Time
Tuesday Night Titans – September 10, 1986
Update with Gene Okerlund
Superstars – January 31, 1987
Dragon in the Oven
Superstars – April 11, 1987
Return from Japan
World Championship Wrestling – March 18, 1989
William Regal Remembers Watching Ricky Steamboat & Ric Flair
World Television Champion
WCW Saturday Night – September 19, 1992
Ricky Steamboat’s Induction into the WWE Hall of Fame – April 4, 2009
Disc 2:
NWA World Tag Team Championship Match
Jack & Gerry Brisco vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat & Jay Youngblood
Starrcade November 24, 1983
NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs “Nature Boy” Ric Flair
Boogie Jam March 17, 1984
(Commentary by: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat & Matt Striker)
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Cowboy Bob Orton
Capital Centre July 20, 1985
Lumberjack Match
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. The Magnificent Don Muraco
Maple Leaf Gardens September 22, 1985
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Boston Garden August 9, 1986
Intercontinental Championship Match
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage
WrestleMania III March 29, 1987
(Alternate Commentary by: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat & Matt Striker)
Disc 3:
2 out of 3 Falls Match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair
Clash of the Champions VI April 2, 1989
United States Championship Match
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Lex Luger
The Great American Bash July 23, 1989
WCW World Tag Team Championship Match
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes vs. Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyzsko
Clash of the Champions XVII November 19, 1991
Iron Man Challenge Match
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Rick Rude
Beach Blast June 20, 1992
No Disqualification Match for the WCW World Television Championship
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Steve Austin
Clash of the Champions XX September 2, 1992
(Alternate Commentary by: Ricky Steamboat & Matt Striker)
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Chris Jericho
Backlash April 26, 2009
The Pulse: It’s somewhat disappointing that a number of these matches have appeared on other WWE releases. I think this is the fourth time we’re seeing the IC match from WrestleMania III on a DVD release. The Starrcade tag match makes its third appearance on DVD, and the 2/3 Falls match from Clash makes its second appearance. But there are some gems like the ’84 Flair/Steamboat match, his encounter with Luger at GAB ’89 (one of the best 10-minute matches you’re likely to see), the Iron Man match at Beach Blast ’92 and his tagging with Dustin Rhodes at Clash of the Champions XVII. The man has had so many good matches that a second volume could be accomplished with ease.
