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I am shaking with anticipation as I speak to one of my all-time wrestling heroes- Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat. Having watched so many of his matches through the years, I never thought I'd have the chance to interact with the professional wrestling icon.
Steamboat informs me that this is the longest distance telephone call that he's ever been a part of. Catch Ricky Steamboat in action as a referee when he officiates the Shane Strickland vs. Douglas James match for PCW Ultra on May 4th.
How was it working with Jericho in your 2009 WWE run?
Ricky Steamboat: I enjoyed working with him in the ring and consider him one of the top workers in our business. Basically, I'm saying that because he understands the psychology of a match. What you do when you do it! And why. Being able to go out there and tell a story.
At the same time, he was able to make me look good and take care of me. He made me look like I was still a competitor. Prior to my match with Jericho, being very active with the company and Jericho being full-time with the company, I was able to watch him with a number of other guys.
Guys like me have been around and been involved with the top workers in the business. Jake Roberts, Ric Flair, Randy Savage and Greg Valentine.
And then to watch Jericho perform. He was a guy you immediately knew...he had the 'it' factor.
Did you ever think that Stunning Steve Austin would become the biggest star of all time when you were working with him?
Ricky Steamboat: I was working with him in the early to mid-90s when we were both with WCW. I knew then the young man had the 'It' factor. This man had everything to be the main event guy. Although WCW never pushed him as a top guy, I thought that he was ready for main event status.
Then, when he transferred himself to the other company and became Stone Cold, the rest is history.
Who would you say is the next Ricky Steamboat among the wrestlers of today?
Ricky Steamboat: That's hard to say. I remember Seth Rollins when he first came to the training school (Steamboat trained many of today's superstars like Reigns and Rollins). When you used to talk to Seth and you knew that he understood what we were trying to say.
There were wrestlers who would nod their heads like they would understand but you knew that he hasn't got a clue of what you're trying to teach or what you're trying to describe to him. Rollins to me always had it.
Another one is Roman. He needs to work a bit on his speaking skills. But I do like the way he works in the ring.
I'll tell you another guy that totally gets it. After experimenting with three characters before the last one took hold, Bray Wyatt is great. He is great when he's talking. A lot of the young talents today ask me how would we get a heads up in the business. Today, it's to find that character.
If you're a C+ worker in the ring but your character on the mic is what captivates the audience...we can teach you the physicality part of it in the ring, but it's the character that the fans gravitate to. They like the character whether it's a good guy or bad guy.
The Undertaker to me is the greatest character of all time. You have to find what makes you different from the guy you're standing next to.
Understand that the physicality can be taught, but the character is something special.
Why do you think Roman Reigns gets so much hatred from fans?
Ricky Steamboat: I think in the very, very beginning, he almost appeared like a shadow of The Rock. Maybe that started the ball rolling on him being disliked by fans. Whether you are liked or disliked, either/or is required to make a match. You got guys that are booed and you got guys that are cheered.
You hook the two of them up and there's the match. It's just a matter of time before something happens. Something special on TV or on pay-per-view and Roman Reigns is going to be cheered. The longer he is booed, when they make the switch, the better off he'll be.
Tell us about your association with PCW Ultra. How did you come on board as a referee?
Ricky Steamboat: I was contacted by that company. For an independent company in the US, they are a pretty good promotion. They draw really decent crowds for an independent promotion. They asked me if I would be a referee in the Light Heavyweight Championship match. And I said -'Yeah, I'll do that'.
I don't wrestle anymore. But every now and then I'll do a special guest referee spot. It keeps me in the ring without the physicality. I don't know these guys and I like that part. When I'm refereeing two guys I don't know. I'll certainly give them a heads up before the match as to what to expect from me!
I'm the referee. I'm the third guy in the ring. I'm the guy wearing the badge and the star. And regardless of the outcome, I will not hesitate to call the match a disqualification if you don't abide by me.
I'm the referee. I'll do my job. I'm the guy that keeps things right in the ring.
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Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
