Why was Steamboat fired from the WWF after WM4?
By Scott Keith on 7 September 2014
Scott,
Why did Steamboat get canned from the WWF anyway? Seems like he was always in shape, reliable, put on a monster show, etc. Was it more of Vince's obsession with big guys, or just the face ceiling with Hogan?
Well, he was released from his contract, not fired. That was the wrong word on my part. There was a lot of heat on Steamboat for the post-WM3 hiatus, and clearly the NWA wanted him back. I mean, the Crockett guys weren't exactly being subtle about it. Basically Steamboat "retired" after WM4 to get out of his contract and spend time with his family because Bonnie was pressuring him in that direction, and then I presume Flair personally called his house every day until he signed there. Vince and Steamboat have always had a weird relationship, in that Vince brought him back in 91 for that big push as The Dragon and then treated him like shit until he left again. Maybe he was still bitter about Steamboat leaving in 88?