10 Superstars WWE Completely Wasted

2. Ricky Steamboat

Former World Heavyweight Champion Ricky Steamboat is heralded as one of the most talented wrestlers of all time and is recognized as a Hall of Famer by every reputable organization in wrestling. Had he spent more time in WWE, though, that might not be the case.

Steamboat first made a name for himself in the NWA, but he joined WWE in 1985 and was given a head-shakingly ignorant martial arts makeover with the nickname "The Dragon." Nevertheless, Steamboat's talent made him a huge babyface, and a feud with Randy Savage culminated in one of the company's most legendary matches ever, when Steamboat defeated his adversary for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania III. WWE planned on giving Steamboat a lengthy reign, but he requested a sabbatical to be with his wife, who was expecting their first child. WWE decision-makers were mad that their plans had to change, and Steamboat was persona non grata upon his return. He was eliminated in the first round of the WrestleMania IV WWE Title tournament, and he retired from the company shortly thereafter.

Steamboat returned to competition in the NWA the following year and defeated Ric Flair for the company's world championship, taking on "The Nature Boy" in some of the best matches in wrestling history and becoming a legend. Even then, he would return to WWE in 1991 for a brief run that wasted his potential once again.