Stevie Richards has been a mainstay figure in professional wrestling, dishing out candid opinions regarding his colleagues. Having spent significant time in ECW, WWE, and TNA, Stevie Richards has interacted with many superstars, some with whom he found great respect and others with whom he had some differences.
These are 5 Wrestlers Stevie Richards Loved in Real Life (& 5 He Didn’t), which is another reason his podcast is a must-listen for wrestling fans.
Wrestler Stevie Richards Loved
1. Ivory
- Ivory joined WWE in 2000
- She was a three-time WWE Women’s Champion
- Ivory was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018
Among the wrestlers Stevie Richards had immense respect for, Ivory stood out. Richards spent time with her in the faction’ Right to Censor’, a group known for its controversial anti-violence and anti-sexual content stance, which allowed him to see the great professionalism and adaptability she exhibited.
He constantly praised her for being the backbone of their faction, especially liking how she could bring home powerful promos and storylines.
Richards feels Ivory is underrated in wrestling history and should be recognized more for her contributions to the sport. His admiration for her work ethic and professionalism is evident in his words, inviting the audience to share in his appreciation for this unsung hero of wrestling.
2. CM Punk
- CM Punk was one of the most popular indy wrestlers in the early 2000s
- Richards and Punk wrestled on WWE ECW
- Richards did a stint in ROH in 2015-16
Stevie Richards praised CM Punk a lot. In interviews, he said that Punk is one of the most committed and authentic wrestlers he had ever met.
Being alongside both men in WWE and Ring of Honor exposed him to Punk’s passion for his profession.
He liked Punk’s honesty and willingness to fight for what he believes in, even at the cost of failure.
3. The Rock
- The Rock had some segments with the Right to Censor in 2000
- Richards and the Rock would interact backstage in the early 2000s
- Richards did go off script hitting the Rock with a harder clothesline than planned
Richards said positive things about The Rock. Their interactions backstage were cordial and filled with respect for one another.
He liked The Rock’s charisma and professionalism. In Richards’ opinion, nobody made everyone in the company feel like a superstar the way The Rock did.
His energy was infectious, making every moment with Him fun and exciting, both in and out of the ring.
4. The Blue Meanie
- Richards got The Blue Meanie his job in ECW
- The pair worked with Nova as The Blue World Order
- JBL busted open Meanie at One Night Stand 2005
As part of the legendary Blue World Order (BWO) in ECW, Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie developed a relationship outside of the ring. Their comedic timing and similar creativity made the bWo one of the most memorable factions in ECW history.
Richards frequently spoke about how much he enjoyed working with The Blue Meanie. Their genuine friendship and the fun and energy The Blue Meanie brought to their performances made their matches and promos a joy to watch.
5. Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon)
- Richards and Victoria first paired up in November 2002
- Richards later dressed in drag to help Victoria
- The pair reunited on the independent circuit in 2013
Another iconic on-screen pair that Stevie Richards paired was with Victoria throughout their respective WWE careers. He truly appreciated her ability, mainly because she played up every element of their respective characters.
Riches himself constantly asserted that Victoria is perhaps the greatest female wrestler he ever has had the fortune to encounter in the WWF ladies’ division; in particular, she should be enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame for doing so.
Wrestlers Stevie Richards Didn’t Get Along With
1. Hulk Hogan
- Hogan had joined TNA in 2010
- Richards was acting as Abyss’ “therapist” at the time
- The list of Hogan lies is too long
Stevie Richards has openly expressed his disappointment in how Hulk Hogan conducts himself backstage.
According to him, Hogan is not truthful and selfish. Stevie Richards remembers when Hogan mentioned being in a financial crunch when Richards didn’t believe it because Hogan is a legendary star and a well-settled person.
Issues between Stevie Richards and Hogan seemed to be on values and ways of conducting the business.
2. Shawn Michaels
- Shawn made a huge comeback in 2002
- Richards emulated Shawn’s superkick
- Richards long cited Shawn as a key influence for his own performances
While Stevie Richards once worshipped Shawn Michaels, their interactions only disappointed him. Richards stated that Michaels was cold and uncool when he first started coming to the WWE.
That just made things a bit harder between them, as Stevie later said that Michaels matured with time. Nevertheless, the negative first impressions marred their relationship.
3. Triple H
- Triple H dominated the RAW main event scene from 2002 through 2005
- Richards spent much of that time on the lower card
- Richards was offered a chance to coach at NXT but turned it down
He also blamed Triple H for many things, saying that Triple H’s backstage politics hampered the careers of several wrestlers, including his.
Richards believed that Triple H favoured his inner circle, often at the expense of opportunities for others.
Professional differences created tension in their atmosphere, and Richards felt himself devalued during his stint in WWE.
4. The Godfather
- The Godfather lost a match forcing him to join the Right to Censor
- The Goodfather & Bull Buchnan were WWE Tag Team Champions
- The Godfather was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016
The Godfather, who rebranded as “The Godfather” during his time in “Right to Censor,” admitted to having bullied Stevie Richards during their time in the faction.
This revelation confirmed Richards’ claims of a difficult working relationship. Despite their storyline alliance, the tension between the two affected their backstage dynamic, leaving Richards with mixed feelings about their time together.
5. Ric Flair
- Flair and Richards had both been on the RAW brand in WWE in the mid 2000s
- Flair had a TNA stint in 2010
- Richards was managing Abyss in TNA
Stevie Richards had negative experiences with Ric Flair during their time in TNA. He shared stories about Flair’s dismissive behavior and demeaning comments, which Richards found disrespectful.
While acknowledging Flair’s legendary status, Richards felt that his actions towards younger wrestlers tarnished his reputation. Their strained interactions left a lasting impression on Richards.
Faqs About 5 Wrestlers Stevie Richards Loved in Real Life (& 5 He Didn’t)
Why did Stevie Richards have issues with Hulk Hogan?
Richards criticized Hogan for being dishonest and self-serving, particularly during their time in TNA. He shared an anecdote where Hogan’s comments about financial struggles felt insincere to him.
Did Stevie Richards ever reconcile with Triple H?
There’s no public record of reconciliation between Stevie Richards and Triple H. Richards has consistently expressed his frustrations with Triple H’s backstage behavior.
What made Stevie Richards admire Victoria?
Richards admired Victoria for her athleticism, dedication, and versatility. He believed she was one of the most underrated performers in WWE history.
How did The Blue Meanie impact Stevie Richards’ career?
The Blue Meanie and Stevie Richards had a strong friendship that contributed to the success of their Blue World Order faction in ECW. Their chemistry made their performances memorable.
The Blue Meanie’s influence on Richards’ career was significant, as their friendship not only enhanced their on-screen performances but also provided a support system in the challenging world of professional wrestling.
What was Stevie Richards’ relationship with CM Punk like?
Richards and CM Punk shared mutual respect. Richards admired Punk’s dedication to wrestling and his willingness to stand up for his beliefs.
Conclusion
Stevie Richards’ career has been a rollercoaster of relationships. While he formed lifelong bonds with wrestlers like The Blue Meanie and Ivory, challenges were met with figures such as Triple H and Ric Flair.
The nature of these dynamics offers an insight into the intricacies of the wrestling world, where professional and personal lives overlap.
His appreciation for hardworking colleagues and frustrations over backstage politics add another dimension to his legacy as one of wrestling’s most vocal personalities.
