10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (May 5)

1. Ricky Steamboat Asked WWE To Turn Heel In 1991

Think of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and classic matches against Randy Savage and Ric Flair instantly come to mind. Memorable not only for in-ring skill, those matches are remembered because of the excellent babyface-heel dynamic both sides were working. A career babyface, Steamboat was adored by fans.

In 1991, that was something Ricky wanted to change, and it's why he approached Vince McMcMahon and Pat Patterson backstage to ask if they'd let him turn heel. The answer was a big, fat no.

Speaking via Ring Rust Radio, Steamboat said that both McMahon and Patterson disagreed when Ricky claimed he could pull off the heel turn. That annoyed Dragon, and he couldn't believe that his bosses wouldn't put that kind of trust in his abilities.

Today, Ricky can see what Vince and Pat meant. He's proud to be a rare example of someone who worked one side for his entire career, though he does think his experience of working against heels made him better-prepared than anyone else to give it a go.

McMahon, the one with the final say, didn't agree.

What other big wrestling facts did you learn this week? Let us know down in the comments section below!