WWE Reportedly Releases Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

The budget cuts in WWE have led to some tough decisions with personnel, and it appears the company has been forced to make another one. According to PWInsider.com, WWE has decided to part ways with WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.

For the past few years, Steamboat had been working in WWE developmental, including in NXT as a trainer and coach. It is also reported that he spent time in Stamford, Conn. recently, working alongside Triple H in the company’s front offices.

He was last seen on WWE television at WrestleMania XXX in April in a backstage segment, while a program between him and Wade Barrett had even at one point been teased in early 2013 prior to Barrett getting injured. Steamboat’s son, Richie Steamboat, had also spent time in NXT before being released in 2013.

“The Dragon” is best known for his Intercontinental Championship run, which began at WrestleMania III in a classic bout between him and “Macho Man” Randy Savage. He had been with WWE since 2005, and was featured in a match with Chris Jericho and fellow WWE legends “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka at WrestleMania XXV.

Steamboat was elected into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. He had recently finished a promotional tour for WWE in Malaysia.

Early in July, Vince McMahon confirmed there were significant cuts occurring in the company, and this appears to be yet another example of that.

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