Report: Ricky Steamboat Not Expected To Wrestle At AEW All Out 2023

On tonight’s episode of AEW Collision, it was announced earlier this week that Ricky Starks would be live in the ring to challenge the legendary Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat to a Strap Match at Sunday’s All Out PPV. Steamboat was a guest referee a few weeks back for Starks’ Real World Title match against CM Punk, but after the bout, Starks took out the anger of his defeat on Steamboat, beating him down with a belt.

Although Steamboat is in his 70s, he wrestled as recently as last year, teaming with FTR to take on Brock Anderson, Jay Lethal, and Nick Aldis, so Steamboat competing isn’t outside the realm of possibility. However, it seems as though this won’t be the case.

PWInsider Elite reported that whilst Starks will lay out a challenge, the segment will be used as an angle to set up a different match; “The belief is Steamboat will not be wrestling this weekend (especially on such short notice) but will be used in an angle to set up a top match at All Out with Ricky Starks.”

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio also provided an update on this story, stating that the spot was originally going to be for CM Punk, but given his suspension about All In, “someone other than CM Punk has been asked to do the match”.