Ric Flair has commented on Ricky Steamboat getting back in the ring after the the star declined to be part of his own last match earlier in the year.
It has been announced that Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat will be returning to the ring at Big Time Wrestling’s ‘Return of The Dragon’ event in Raleigh, North Carolina on the 27th of November.
The announcement was met with surprise by many fans as Steamboat turned down an appearance in Ric Flair’s final match earlier in the year. At the time, the WWE Hall of Famer appeared to have misgivings about getting back in the ring due his age.
Speaking on his To Be The Man podcast, Flair has now given his thoughts on his long-time in-ring rival stepping back inside the ropes. The Nature Boy was full of praise for Steamboat, commenting that at any level he’s still better than 50% of the guys in the business today.
“He’s going to be in a match soon. I’m happy for him. It’s great. Steve Perkins is a great promoter. I wish them all well, whoever is involved. I don’t know the situation, but it’s great. It’s one of those deals where nobody is ever going to be Ricky Steamboat so they might as well watch them while they can and enjoy the opportunity.
There will never be another Ricky Steamboat. At any level, he’s better than 50% of the guys in the business today. He wouldn’t get in the ring if he wasn’t. He holds himself to a very high standard. I imagine he’ll probably look better than the guys he is in the ring with. He’s always in great shape,”
Ricky Steamboat hasn’t wrestled since 2010 when he teamed with his son Richie to defeat The Dudebusters. His last match for a major promotion came the year before at a WWE live event where he overcame Drew McIntyre.
H/t to Fightful for the transcription.