10 Things You Didn't Know About Ricky Steamboat

10. He Started Out Wrestling Under His Real Name

Ricky Steamboat first broke into the wrestling business in early 1976, competing for Verne Gagne's Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association. Though his tenure in the organization wouldn't last long, it gave him the wrestling background that he needed before he took his talents to the National Wrestling Alliance, courtesy of territories like Championship Wrestling from Florida and Jim Crockett Promotions.

While in the AWA, though, Steamboat would compete under his real name - Rick Blood. The 23-year-old babyface, after being trained by Verne Gagne and The Iron Sheik, stuck to the sobriquet his parents gave him once he was ready to get in the ring - and for good reason. When it comes to legitimate names in pro wrestling, few are more intimidating than "Rick Blood" - perhaps only "Brock Lesnar" is at the same level.

Nevertheless, the name wouldn't last long, as by the following year Rick Blood was rechristened with a familiar appellation...