Which Career Babyface Begged WWE To Let Him Turn Heel?
"I was told it'd ruin my career".
Ricky Steamboat told Sporting News that he pitched a heel turn during his WWE run back in 1991, but the promotion turned him down immediately.
Pat Patterson joked that 'The Dragon' could start attacking people (including the promotion's golden goose Hulk Hogan) with chainsaws and people still wouldn't boo him. Others told Ricky that he was the "ultimate babyface" and that he'd "ruin his career" if he even dared to attempt a heel run.
Steamboat still wanted to give it a shot.
He never would though. Ricky remained face for his entire pro wrestling career, and even slotted into an underdog veteran role years later against Chris Jericho. Maybe Pat was right - maybe fans wouldn't accept Steamboat as a heel, but he regrets never being able to find out for himself.
Even WCW, who famously tried almost everything to pop a rating in the 1990s, wouldn't let Ricky go rogue and turn his back on the fans who had supported him. Keep in mind that WCW turned Hogan heel, so they weren't adverse to trying new things.
Steamboat turning was something every promoter wanted to avoid, and it drove Ricky nuts.