15 WWE Gimmick Changes That IMMEDIATELY Backfired
7. Ricky Steamboat Is…A Literal Dragon?
Speaking of guys who once ranked amongst the best pro wrestlers in the world.
Ricky Steamboat had enjoyed a successful run in the WWF between 1985-1988. Sure, it ended on a sour note and he fell out with management, but Ricky bagged immortality by working a celebrated Intercontinental Title bout vs. Randy Savage at WrestleMania III. People will be talking about that match forever. After leaving, Ricky went back to WCW, then returned for another go at the fed in 1991.
It might seem like one looking back, but Vince McMahon's decision to try and turn Steamboat into a literal dragon wasn't meant as a punishment. No, it was something the federation truly believed would take Ricky's career to the next level and make him more marketable to their young audience. Fair, but presenting 'The Dragon' as a totally fresh face fans had never seen before was flat out odd.
Dropping the Ricky Steamboat name and giving him a goofy entrance outfit might not have been as jarring had they acknowledged his prior work. 'The Dragon' re-debuted on the 20 March 1991 episode of Superstars by beating The Brooklyn Brawler. WWF officials shot themselves in the foot with fans by pretending that Ricky was a newcomer they’d never really seen before.
He was literally a key part of ‘Mania just 4 years beforehand. That'd be like Triple H repackaging AJ Styles in 2029 and kidding on he's some fresh, up and coming superstar. No wonder Ricky left the fed again for another run in WCW by the end of the year. His 1991 run was garbage.