Rick Steiner
Robert Rechsteiner (born March 9, 1961 in Bay City, Michigan), best known by his stage name Rick Steiner, is an American professional wrestler. Rick Steiner is best known as one half of the dominant tag team The Steiner Brothers along with his real-life younger brother Scott Rechsteiner, a.k.a. Scott Steiner.
Career
Robert Rechsteiner was an amateur wrestling standout at the University of Michigan, placing 4th at an NCAA Championship competition. While there, he was introduced to professional wrestling by George "The Animal" Steele, and entered the business immediately out of college. Taking the simpler stage name Rick Steiner, he spent time in the American Wrestling Association, Montreal, Canada, and the Universal Wrestling Federation before going to work for the National Wrestling Alliance in 1988. He formed an early tag team with Sting and won the NWA Television Title from Mike Rotunda before his brother Scott turned pro. The two formed The Steiner Brothers, one of the most dominating tag teams of all time. The team proved they were for real by defeating the Freebirds for the NWA Tag Team Championship in November, 1989. The pair continued to dominate in the NWA (and later World Championship Wrestling (WCW), as NWA superterritory Jim Crockett Promotions came to be known), winning multiple championships and making occasional trips to New Japan Pro Wrestling. The two jumped to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), WCW's biggest competitor, in December, 1992. They found success there as well, winning the WWF Tag Team Championship from Money Incorporated (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster [Mike Rotunda]) in June 1993. The Steiners left the WWF later that year, however. "We left with a bitter taste in our mouth." Steiner said in an interview with the Michigan Daily. "Vince McMahon said a lot of things, but never followed through with them." [1]
The Steiners spent time in Japan and working for Extreme Championship Wrestling before returning to WCW in 1996. There they found renewed championship success, winning the Tag Team Championship once again from Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) in July.
In 1998, the Steiner Brothers disbanded when Scott turned heel and joined the notorious New World Order stable. Rick and Scott feuded for several months afterward. Scott gained newfound singles success in the nWo as "Big Poppa Pump," but Rick languished in the singles ranks, often disappearing and reappearing in storylines after absences of several months. He did, however, have notable feuds with Chris Benoit, Sting, and Booker T over the WCW Television Title. When WCW was purchased by Vince McMahon, Steiner was a member of Ric Flair's heel group "The Magnificent Seven" with his brother Scott. Other members of this group were Road Warrior Animal, Lex Luger, Buff Bagwell and Jeff Jarrett.
Since WCW's demise, Steiner has been seen in TNA and independent promotions, and continues to wrestle often. He also wrestled in Japan for Pro Wrestling NOAH in late 2004 and early 2005. In mid 2005 he began selling real estate, a common career choice for retired and semi-retired wrestlers.
Profile
- Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
- Weight: 280 lbs (127 kg)
- Birthday: March 9, 1961
- Hometown: Bay City, Michigan
- Resides: Atlanta, Georgia
- Trained By: Eddie Sharkey
- Professional Debut: 1983
- Previous Identities: Rick Steiner, Dog-Faced Gremlin
- Previous Manager(s): Ted DiBiase, Ric Flair, Kevin Sullivan, Missy Hyatt, Robin Green, Eddie Gilbert
- Quotes: "Woof-Woof!" "If you want some, come get some! If you don't like me, bite me!"
- Finishing/Signature Move(s): Top-Rope Diving Bulldog, Steiner-line
Championships/Accomplishments
- 2-time WWF World Tag Team Champion (w/Scott Steiner)
- 6-time WCW World Tag Team Champion (five w/Scott Steiner, one alone, later chose Kenny Kaos as partner)
- 1-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion
- 2-time WCW World Television Champion
- 2-time NJPW IWGP Tag Team Champion (w/Scott Steiner)
- 1-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (w/Scott Steiner)
- 1-time NWA World Television Champion
- 2-time NWA United States Tag Team Champion (w/Eddie Gilbert and Scott Steiner)
- 1-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion
- Winner of 1990 NWA Pat O'Connor Memorial Tag Team Tournament (w/Scott Steiner)
- 1-time UWF Tag Team Champion (w/Sting)
World League Wrestling
- 2-time WLW Heavyweight Champion
- PWI ranked him # 88 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked # 2 of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Scott Steiner.
- Rick won two PWI Tag Team of the Year Awards with his brother Scott. They won in 1990 and 1993. He was also involved in the 1991 Match of the Year (Steiner brothers vs. Sting & Lex Luger).
External links
- Rick Steiner's real estate company
- Profile at Obsessed With Wrestling
- 1997 Interview in the Michigan Daily