Wrestling comebacks have been a theme in 2022 with a number of veterans such as Ric Flair lacing up their boots one more time, and a whole host of stars returning to WWE.
While Steve Austin returned to action at WrestleMania 38 for the first time in almost two decades, another surprising return came during SummerSlam weekend. On that occasion, Ric Flair got back in the ring for what was billed as his ‘last match.’ It was the Nature Boy’s first match in 11 years, and he appeared to struggle badly during the contest, something he later attributed to dehydration.
In recent days fellow WWE Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat got back in the ring for his first action since 2010. This came as a surprise to many after ‘The Dragon’ turned down the chance to be part of Flair’s comeback in July, commenting that he was happy to stay retired.
Ric Flair Heaps Praise On Ricky Steamboat
Speaking on his To Be The Man podcast, Flair discussed Steamboat’s recently match, which was billed as a “return” rather than a “last match.” Flair said that he was unsure whether Steamboat would continue to wrestle, before dubbing him the “best babyface in history.” Flair also said that if he wrestled again today, he would be better than he was in July.
“I have not spoken to him, so I don’t know the answer to that. When I spoke to him, we were trying to get him to work with us. He indicated to me back then that he didn’t think, health-wise, he was ready to do it. It’s what makes him feel good.
Like I say about myself, I could wrestle again right now too, and I’d be a lot better than I was in the Last Match because when you’re gone away that long you forget about little things that’ll make a difference and you spend too much time getting in shape for it that you don’t think about little things like dehydrating. I was so into the training part that I forgot about little things. I think he should do what he wants to do. He’s Ricky Steamboat, there’s only going to be one Ricky Steamboat, whether it’s good or bad, it’s not going to affect his legacy. He’s the best babyface in the history of the business.”
Despite claiming that his match in July would be his last, Ric Flair has continued to hint that he could return to the ring if the occasion called for it. Most recently the star refused to rule out appearing at the 2023 Royal Rumble.
H/t to Fightful