Ricky Steamboat Refused To Face Ric Flair For Fear He Would Pass Away

Ric Flair’s legendary name is known for a lot of things, but he is not invincible, although it might appear otherwise. The Nature Boy’s last match was a spectacular event, but it also had worry attached.

Ric Flair finally got the chance to retire on his own terms earlier this year. The Nature Boy teamed up with his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo and faced Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett on July 31st, 2022. Prior to this match, many fans believed that Ricky Steamboat was going to face Ric Flair in his final match instead. After all, both of them have a lot of history in pro wrestling. However, Steamboat ended up refusing to face Flair, and now it seems the reason has finally been revealed – Steamboat simply feared Flair would pass away in the match.

Ric Flair took some scary bumps and even bled during the match, something that he promised to do long before the event. He also faked a heart attack. Flair won the match, much to the relief of fans around the world.

While speaking to Bill Apter, Ricky Steamboat finally revealed why he refused to face Ric Flair. Money had nothing to do with it, because it was the fact that he was worried Flair would pass away if they ever face each other in the match.

“Initially, you know, Conrad, who’s the promoter, we talked, we went to Nashville, and we had a sit down, and it was Conrad, his wife, and me and my wife, Sandy. I was still training quite well and feeling damn well. So I said okay, and we hadn’t signed or sealed the deal on the money part of it. But what put the nail in the coffin was a week after that when I found out Flair was wearing a pacemaker.

All these years, I never knew, and I immediately said I don’t think I wanna do this. I don’t want to my legacy to be, you know, I was in a ring with when he happened to pass away or something went wrong.”

Ric Flair is also very happy with how the match turned out, but has since made numerous teases about having yet another match in the future. Regardless, fans hope Flair never competes in a match ever again.

What do you think of what Ricky Steamboat said? Let us know in the comments!