Could Rick Steamboat have been the WWF Champion?

[FBI mark]

I have just recently started remembering being very fond of the 'Dragon' as a child. In fact he is now one of my top three favorite wrestlers of all time; the other two being Bret Hart and Steve Austin. From what I know the WWF had high hopes for the 'Dragon' and were planning a lengthy IC title reign for him; that is until he wanted to take time off to be with his new born child. This is when the WWF decided to strip him of the IC belt and put in on the Honky Tonk Man. If the WWF pushed him when he came back instead of jobbing him out could Ricky Steamboat have been the champ?

I think he could have and I would have loved to see Ricky Steamboat been the one to defeat HTM instead of the Ultimate Warrior. In fact it was almost garaunteed that whoever beat HTM was destined for the World title.

Ricky Steamboat was very popular before his hiatus and could have been even more popular if booked better upon his return.

What does everyone else think?

[Ricky Steamboat]

Could Ricky Steamboat have been WWF Champion? Do Snickers sing the song of satisfaction to the world?

[SammyG]

rofl @ grammar

[Nervous Ferret]

rofl @ irony

[Hanso Amore]

No. He got over in the NWA with no personality because he had great wrestling skill. That didn't matter in the WWE, if it did, Hogan would have never gotten over and we would be watching Dibiase Knows Best.

[SammyG]

lol nerf, neg rep and a cute little message.

[KayfabeMan]

Exactly.

Ricky had little to no personality.

Above average, not the best, in the ring - but a great performer nonetheless. As someone said above, that really did not matter too much in the WWF, just like nowadays, and pretty much was / is not a qualification to be Champion. I think Ricky would've been destined to remain a high mid-carder for the rest of his career, had it gone longer - ala Chris Benoit.

He may have had a quick run or two with the belt, ala Benoit again, but not a long-term Champion or anything. He'd be along there with Booker, Benoit and such - high mid-card guy, main eventing when needed to, but not getting a big run like he should; just IMO.

[KayfabeMan]

Though I must say, I loved Ricky's matches from WCW - including Saturday Night, Pro, etc. when he used to be on. Those shows were packed with tons of talents like himself, Arn Anderson, Flair, Johnny B Badd, DDP, etc. Great matches put on there.