10 Wrestlers Who Never Lived Up To Their Early Promise

8. Richie Steamboat

Mr. KENNEDY
WWE

Trained in the Pro Wrestling NOAH Dojo, Richie Steamboat, unfairly or otherwise, was always going to be measured by the glorious shadow cast by his legendary father Ricky - the only man who can justifiably lay claim to contesting both WWE and WCW's best ever match.

That he also played a similarly humble everyman, a quintessential babyface, didn't much help his cause.

Nevertheless, Richie's impressive FCW showings against the likes of Seth Rollins - who barely outclassed him, despite his vaunted Ring Of Honor pedigree - led many commentators to tip him for greatness. He inherited some of his father's inherent likability and talent - as well as his ability to pull of a routine arm drag with balletic grace - but never did quite enough to sufficiently differentiate himself from the "Dragon".

Ironically, he also followed in his father's footsteps by incurring a career-threatening back injury in 2012, which sidelined him indefinitely. He hasn't returned since, and is, as per his dad, effectively retired.

Steamboat Sr. at least paid him the ultimately wrestling compliment - that his son plain gets it - before disclosing to the world that, unfortunately, he wasn't going to make it back between the ropes

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!