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Robert Rechsteiner (born March 9, 1961 in Bay City, Michigan), better known by his ring name, Rick Steiner, is an American professional wrestler. Steiner is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, both as a singles wrestler and one half of the tag team "The Steiner Brothers" with his younger brother, Scott.

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 their 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." *

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, Steiner began selling real estate, a common career choice for retired and semi-retired wrestlers. He is also a member of the Cherokee County school system board of education. However, he was disqualified from entering the primary for the 2006 term, due to the fact he used the Steiner name, rather than his legal name. Steiner is still eligible to enter the November election, if he uses his legal name *.

Rick Steiner returned to TNA on the May 4, 2006 episode of TNA iMPACT! as a possible partner for Sting at TNA Sacrifice 2006. He made a second appearance on May 11, 2006 in a similar role.

Wrestling facts

Finishing and signature moves

Managers

Nicknames

  • "The Dog-Faced Gremlin"

Quotes

  • "If you want some, come get some. If you don't like me, bite me."

Championships and accomplishments

  • Pro Wrestling America
  • 1-time PWA Tag Team Champion (with Scott Steiner)

  • PWI ranked him # 88 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003.
  • PWI ranked him # 2 of the best tag teams of the PWI Years (with Scott Steiner).
  • PWI Tag Team of the Year Award (1990, with Scott Steiner; 1993, with Scott Steiner)
  • PWI Match of the Year (1991, with Scott Steiner, versus Sting and Lex Luger)

  • Southern Championship Wrestling
  • 1-time SCW Heavyweight Champion

  • World League Wrestling
  • 2-time WLW Heavyweight Champion

  • 1986 Most Improved Wrestler
  • 1990 Tag Team of the Year (with Scott Steiner)
  • 1991 Match of the Year (with Scott Steiner, versus Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki)

Championship succession

NWA World Television Championship Preceded by:
Mike Rotunda First Succeeded by:
Mike Rotunda NWA World Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin First, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Ron Simmons and Butch Reed NWA United States Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
Kevin Sullivan and Steve Williams First, with Eddie Gilbert Succeeded by:
Vacated Preceded by:
Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane Second, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Vacated NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship Preceded by:
Mike Rotunda First Succeeded by:
Vacated IWGP World Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki First, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Vacated Preceded by:
Bam Bam Bigelow and Big Van Vader Second, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Tony Halme and Scott Norton UWF Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
Terry Taylor and Chris Adams First, with Sting Succeeded by:
Brad Armstrong and Tim Horner WCW World Television Championship Preceded by:
Booker T First Succeeded by:
Chris Benoit Preceded by:
Chris Benoit Second Succeeded by:
Scott Hall WCW World Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin First, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Vacated Preceded by:
Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton Second, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Terry Gordy and Steve Williams Preceded by:
Harlem Heat Third, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Harlem Heat Preceded by:
The Outsiders Fourth, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
The Outsiders Preceded by:
The Outsiders Fifth, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
The Outsiders Preceded by:
Scott Hall and The Giant Sixth, with Kenny Kaos Succeeded by:
Vacated WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Preceded by:
Shane Douglas First Succeeded by:
Booker T WWF World Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
Money, Inc. First, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
Money, Inc. Preceded by:
Money, Inc. Second, with Scott Steiner Succeeded by:
The Quebecers

References

External links

1961 births | American professional wrestlers | People from Atlanta | ECW alumni | Living people | People from Michigan

Rick Steiner | ロバート・レックスタイナー

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Rick Steiner".

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