"It just hurts the business" – Ex-WWE star Stevie Richards calls for wrestlers to stop performing move
Stevie Richards worked for WWE between 1999 and 2008 after making his name in ECW and WCW. In a recent video, the 53-year-old gave his honest thoughts on the increasing number of wrestlers diving on their opponents.
Over the last three decades, high-flying wrestlers have performed dives over the top rope to wow audiences and knock rivals to the ground. Some wrestlers have also been known to dive onto a group of opponents after they gathered together and waited to receive the move.
Dives usually elicit positive reactions from crowds. However, Richards said on The Stevie Richards Show that the growing trend makes a mockery of the wrestling industry:
"You gotta keep your back turned and then turn around and get dove on, and that person has to dive [and] maybe try to dive right before you turn around, and then you got a group of people all doing this [light punches], dancing around in a scrum, to wait to get dived on. It just hurts the business." [17:41 – 17:58]
Richards won the Hardcore Championship 21 times in WWE. He is also remembered for leading the villainous Right to Censor faction in 2000 and 2001.
Stevie Richards agrees with Disco Inferno
Former WCW star Disco Inferno has also been critical of wrestlers standing in a group while waiting for someone to dive on them. He once said he would walk away if he witnessed an opponent preparing to perform the move.
Stevie Richards shares Disco Inferno's opinion and thinks many dives in today's wrestling look too choreographed:
"Dude, I've been in that spot, and that's where I give Disco credit. He's like, 'Why would I stand there and just wait for somebody to dive on me? I'm walking away.' Because that's what you would do [in real life]." [17:27 – 17:36]
Richards also gave his take on Jey Uso's Spear and named two other moves that have been overused in recent years.
What are your thoughts on dives in wrestling? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit The Stevie Richards Show and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.
