All you need to know about Ricky Steamboat, the former wrestler

All you need to know about Ricky Steamboat, the former wrestler

Ciku Njuguna
updated at October 15, 2023 at 6:22 PM

Better known by his stage name, 'The Dragon', WWE Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat has an even more menacing name, Richard Blood. The retired wrestler's career lasted over four decades, with several titles under his belt. Dig in here for a comprehensive deep dive into The Dragon's personal and professional life.

What ethnicity is Ricky Steamboat?
2009 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat speaks to the fans attending the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage.
Source: Getty Images

Is Ricky Steamboat a Hall of Famer? Much to his fan's delight, Ricky Steamboat was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his long-time feuding colleague, Ric Flair. Discover more about the veteran wrestler's biography.

Ricky Steamboat's profile and bio summary

Full name

Richard Henry Blood Sr.

Age

70 years old as of October 2023

Gender

Male

Nicknames

Ricky Steamboat, The Dragon, Rick Blood, Sam Steamboat Jr., Richard Blood

Date of birth

28th February 1953

Zodiac sign

Aquarius

Place of birth

West Point, New York, United States of America

Current residence

Denver, North Carolina, USA

Nationality

American

Ethnicity

Japanese

Religion

Christian

Sexuality

Straight

Height

178 centimetres (5'10")

Weight

106.6 kilograms (235 lbs)

Hair colour

Grey

Eye colour

Brown

Siblings

1

Relationship status

Married

Spouse

Sandi McAlister

Children

1

Education

Boca Ciega High School

St. Petersburg Junior College

Profession

Retired professional wrestler, actor, road agent, NXT trainer

Net worth

$1 million

Social media

(X) Twitter

How old is Ricky Steamboat?

Ricky Steamboat (age 70 years as of October 2023) was born on 28 February 1953 in West Point, New York, to an American father who worked as a U.S. Army officer and a Japanese mother.

Although the family relocated frequently owing to his father's army obligations, Richard spent considerable time in St. Petersburg, Florida, where his love for wrestling began to take shape. Seven years after his birth, his brother, Victor Hersey Blood, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in the United States of America.

How old is Ricky Steamboat the wrestler?
Ricky Steamboat attends the Chiller Theatre Expo on October 24, 2015, in Parsippany, New Jersey, United States. Photo by Bobby Bank.
Source: Getty Images

What is Ricky Steamboat's real name?

At Richard Henry Blood Sr.'s debut in the American Wrestling Association, the NWA World Heavyweight champion wrestled under the name Sam Steamboat Jr. Throughout his career, he took on various stage names, including The Dragon.

Being of mixed race played a role in his fame and career trajectory. While speaking to WWE, he revealed the origins of his kayfabe relationship with Hawaiian pro wrestler Sammy Mokuahi or Sam Steamboat, a main event fighter in Florida Championship Wrestling, saying,

"After attending Verne Gagne's school, I moved to Florida, where I got the Ricky Steamboat name through Eddie Graham. On the first day, Eddie looked at me and said, “Rick Blood, wow, what a great name for wrestling. But you are a good guy, and that is a bad guy's name. If you do not mind, I would like to call you Steamboat, Ricky Steamboat. I’ll advertise you as Sam Steamboat’s nephew."
What happened to Ricky Steamboat?
Ricky Steamboat, 'The Dragon' looks on during a WWF match against Don 'The Magnificent' Muarco circa 1985. Photo by B. Bennett.
Source: Getty Images

How much did Ricky Steamboat weigh?

Going into the Verne Gagne wrestling camp in Minnesota, he was 242 lbs (109.6 kg), quickly reducing within ten weeks to 204 pounds (92.5 kg). Tabloids report that Ricky Steamboat's weight ranged between 235 and 240 lbs (106.6 - 108.9 kg) during his prime.

How tall is Ricky Steamboat?

In his heydays, the consummate WWE good guy was five feet and two inches tall (178 centimetres).

What ethnicity is Ricky Steamboat?

Thanks to his kayfabe family relations, Blood has been linked to Hawaii. However, Blood has an American father and a Japanese mother and is American-Japanese.

Is Ricky Steamboat in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Former professional wrestler Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat (in white trunks) gets kicked by WWE Superstar Chris Jericho during WrestleMania 25 at Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009 in Houston, Texas. Photo by Bill Olive.
Source: Getty Images

Who is Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat married to?

The Dragon, who portrayed a humble family man persona in the ring, has been married five times. In 1977, he wed his first wife, Maureen Muriel Powers, whom he divorced after three years. Between 1981 and 1985, Ricky Steamboat was married to Debra Blood before divorcing her to wed Bonnie Hastings.

The WWE Golden Era star tied the knot with Claudia Sobieski in 2004. However, the marriage ended in 2012. Ricky Steamboat's current wife is Sandi McAlister, whom he married in 2017.

Who is Ricky Steamboat's son?

Like his father, Richard Henry Blood Jr. is a retired professional wrestler. However, his career was shortlived after sustaining a career-ending back injury during a Florida Championship Wrestling (NXT) match. Unfortunately, Ricky Steamboat's family has not succeeded in joining other famous WWE wrestling families in keeping the wrestling legacy going.

What nationality is Ricky Steamboat?
Former professional wrestler Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat (in black trunks) gets ready to hit Don 'The Magnificent' Muarco (in purple pants) during their WWF match circa 1985. Photo by B. Bennett.
Source: Getty Images

Career

Steamboat's 40-year wrestling career started at a camp in Minnesota in 1974, where he trained under Verne Gagne and The Iron Shiek. Following his debut in the late 1970s, he wrestled for the American Wrestling Association, Georgia Championship Wrestling and the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. In 1985, he signed a contract with World Wrestling Federation, now WWE.

Ricky Steamboat and Ric Flair shot to popularity for one of the best WWE rivalries of all time, as well as his tag team matches with Jay Youngblood. Throughout his career and retirement, the greatest babyface of all time built a reputation for being the most agile wrestler, a fact his greatest opponent, Ric Flair, admired. In an interview with WWE, Flair said,

Steamboat was in phenomenal shape. He never stopped. He was the Energizer Bunny. He could bench press 450. He was a gifted guy.
What ever happened to Ricky Steamboat?
Former professional wrestler Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat (in white trunks) gets thrown to the mat by WWE Superstar Chris Jericho during WrestleMania 25 at Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009 in Houston, Texas. Photo by Bill Olive.
Source: Getty Images

When did Ricky Steamboat become 'The Dragon'?

Following his WWE debut in 1985, the heroic protagonist became 'The Dragon', an in-ring gimmick inspired by his Asian roots and martial arts fighting set. His costume was modified to a winged robe, the keikogi and long tights. In 1991, he added fire breathing to his gimmick.

Titles

  1. 2009 WWE Hall Of Fame
  2. 2009 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
  3. 1993, 1980, 1983, 1978 NWA World Tag Team Championship
  4. 1989 NWA World Heavyweight Championship
  5. 1984, 1979, 1978 NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
  6. 1981 NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship
  7. 1980 NWA World Television Championship
  8. 1983, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978 NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship
  9. 1977 PWI Rookie of the Year
  10. 1995 PWI Stanley Weston Award
  11. 1994 WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
  12. 1993, 1992 WCW World Television Championship
  13. 1992 WCW World Tag Team Championship
What happened to Ricky Steamboat?
Ricky Steamboat (left) attends the Muscle Team Gala on December 3, 2018, in New York City. Ric Flair (right) inducts Steamboat at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009, in Texas. Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Muscular Dystrophy Association and Bob Levey/WireImage.
Source: Getty Images

What is Ricky Steamboat's net worth?

How rich is Ricky Steamboat? At the time of writing, the WWE good guy's net worth is valued at $1 million.

WWE ring warrior Ricky Steamboat maintained an excellent performance record for nearly five decades. As an NXT trainer, he has dedicated himself to helping up-and-coming wrestlers achieve such longevity.

READ ALSO: Randy Orton's net worth: How much is he worth currently?

Sports Brief recently published an article on one of World Wrestling Entertainment's top wrestlers, Randy Orton. The 14-time WWE World Heavyweight title holder honoured his family's legacy, becoming one of the most accomplished athletes in WWE history.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.