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GUEST EDITORIAL
By Rex Acren, PWTorch.com reader

We're back from commercial. 16-time World champion Ric Flair is embracing another legend, his greatest opponent, Richard Blood a/k/a Ricky Steamboat.

The men smile at one another, Ricky mouthing words to his former nemesis that would become clear upon watching for the second, third, and tenth time. Steamboat pushes the Nature boy back a step, and two of the greatest in ring performers of the last century engage in a collar and elbow tie-up... just for a second... and then it's over. They laugh, I'm sure remembering the thousands of epic battles they had begun with that very same, simple maneuver.

I must have watched it back a dozen times and in each instance it sent a chill through my body. That moment cemented for me why I am a wrestling fan. The passion and the history that those two symbolize all boiled down to the most simple move in a wrestlers text book. It could have very well been that "Big Bang" moment that inspires endless generations of wrestlers to aspire to greatness.

Ricky Steamboat was long overdue for this honor. His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2009 was an amazing moment. However, during his acceptance speech I could not help but be concerned that the following night's WrestleMania would only serve as a blemish on his otherwise stellar reputation.

His Legends match pitting him, along with Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka, against Chris Jericho was simply astounding. Ricky Steamboat, at 56 years of age, who hadn't wrestled a match in almost 15 years, tore the house down and proved to the live crowd and to the millions watching around the world that "The Dragon" still had it.

Watching him in the ring again transported me back to a time when I still cheered for my heroes, and booed the villains that opposed them. It was a perfect moment that would always linger in my memory as the last time I saw Steamboat wrestle, knowing that he was still on top of his game.

I was understandably saddened when they brought him out the following night on Raw to take part in a Best of WrestleMania tag team match. I only saw this as an opportunity to ruin what he had accomplished the night before. Sure, this old man who used to be a wrestler had pulled off something special just 24 hours previous, but he couldn't possibly get that lucky again could he?

He could, and he did. It was only after he had impressed me and the world for the second time that I realized that WrestleMania wasn't supposed to be his shining moment. That was meant for someone else, an actor no less - Mickey Rourke. The match on Raw was done purely for Ricky Steamboat. After seeing that he could still perform, it was put together as a way for him have one last match so even those who couldn't see WrestleMania, could watch him say goodbye to the sport and fans he loved. He rode off into the sunset being showed the respect he so rightly deserved.

But apparently Ricky Steamboat equals ratings, and Vince McMahon and the WWE now feel that he will equal PPV buys as well. Slated for Backlash is Chris Jericho vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. This isn't about honoring a Hall of Famer anymore. It's no longer about letting a legend leave with his head held high. It's not even about a man affirming his legacy, all of that has already been done.

It's now only about greed and the exploitation of a guy who loves the sport of wrestling. There is no reason for this match other than that it's profitable for Vince McMahon.

Jericho and Steamboat may put on a classic at Backlash, but if Richard Blood blows just one spot than he'll forever be remembered as the guy who didn't quite live up to expectations. Vince will be done with him, the fans will realize their heroes are mortal, and "The Dragon" will never fly so high again.

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