Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat stable after suffering brain aneurysm
The Wrestling Observer reports that Ricky Steamboat is in stable condition but will remain hospitalized for a while after suffering a brain aneurysm in Tampa on Wednesday, two days after he took a few wicked bumps on RAW at the hands of the Nexus. Steamboat, 57, was reportedly shaken up during the angle, complaining of head and neck pain afterward; however, right now there appears to be no direct correlation between the two, but that’s not confirmed. (Sure seems like too much of a coincidence to me.) At one point, he was intensive care, where tests revealed bleeding in his brain.
If anything good comes from this, I hope the company thinks twice before having wrestlers way past their prime taking those kinds of bumps in the ring. (I just knew Mae Young was going to die after taking that powerbomb through a table from Bubba Ray Dudley years back.) Yeah, the guys are still pros and bumping comes naturally to them, but it’s not a good idea …especially with a guy who’s not an active wrestler and a bunch of rookies involved. WWE was very quick to remove the angle, including all video and photos) from its Web site along with a notice pointing out that Steamboat’s condition has nothing to do with Monday’s “stunt,” I assume to cover the asses for legal reasons.
Still, with 64-year-old Vince McMahon more than willing to sacrifice his body in the ring, I can’t see WWE erring on the side of caution long term. The company doesn’t have a good track record with that at any level.
Here’s hoping Steamboat, one of my all-time favorite performers, comes out of this OK.
I totally agree Scott—to much of a coincidence, especially coming from someone who was 4 hours from dying last summer from a subdural hematoma on the right side of his brain.