Stevie Richards Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 16, 2024
Stevie Richards Then
Michael Stephen Manna, better known by his ring name Stevie Richards, was born on October 9, 1971, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He trained under Jimmy Jannetty at Mike Sharpe’s wrestling school in Brick Township, New Jersey, where he honed his skills and prepared for the competitive world of wrestling.
Manna wrestled his first match on February 25, 1992, under the ring name “Stevie Richards” for the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance, marking the beginning of his long and varied career.
After gaining initial experience in Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), Manna spent time working on the independent circuit to refine his in-ring abilities before making a notable return to ECW in 1994.
Stevie Richards Wrestling Career
Stevie Richards returned to Eastern Championship Wrestling (later renamed Extreme Championship Wrestling) in June 1994, where he quickly became known for his colorful character work and dynamic in-ring performances.
He initially served in a preliminary wrestling role but soon found himself involved in several major storylines.
In late 1994, Richards experienced an “identity crisis,” adopting various personas like “Stevie Flamingo” and “Stevie the Body,” before ultimately aligning with Raven, forming the Raven’s Nest stable.
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This partnership propelled Richards into ECW’s spotlight, leading to a long-standing feud with Tommy Dreamer.
During this period, Richards also captured the ECW World Tag Team Championship alongside Raven.
Richards’ career took another comedic turn in 1996 when he debuted the Blue World Order (bWo), a parody of WCW’s New World Order.
This faction brought a mix of humor and wrestling to ECW, with Richards playing the role of “Big Stevie Cool,” a spoof of Kevin Nash’s persona.
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Following his ECW success, Richards had stints in major promotions like World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
In the WWF, he reinvented himself as Steven Richards, leader of the Right to Censor, a faction that mocked conservative values and criticized the WWF’s edgier content.
Throughout his career, Richards held numerous titles and competed in various independent circuits, solidifying his legacy as a versatile and enduring figure in professional wrestling.
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Stevie Richards Wrestling Competition
- Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA)
- Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/WWE)
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
- Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW)
- NWA 2000
- Allied Powers Wrestling Federation (APWF)
- Metro Pro Wrestling (MPW)
- WildKat Sports and Entertainment (WildKat)
- Freedom Pro Wrestling (FPW)
- Ring of Honor (ROH)
- Pro Wrestling Syndicate (PWS)
- House of Hardcore (HOH)
- Evolve Wrestling
- Canada Wrestling Elite (CWE)
- Chikara
- Extreme Rising
Stevie Richards Now
Stevie Richards, currently 52 years old, is an American professional wrestler and YouTuber who has enjoyed a long and dynamic career in the world of sports entertainment.
Over the years, he has made a significant impact both inside and outside the ring, becoming well-known for his time in major wrestling promotions like ECW, WWE, and WCW.
Today, Richards continues to make waves, not only through his occasional wrestling appearances but also by engaging fans with insightful content on his popular YouTube channel, Stevie Richards Wrestling Analysis.
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Launched in 2023, his channel offers a unique perspective on professional wrestling, focusing on breakdowns of wrestling injuries, botched moves, and various technical aspects of in-ring performance.
Utilizing a telestrator, Richards provides in-depth analyses that resonate with wrestling enthusiasts eager to understand the intricacies of the sport.
Outside of his digital ventures, Richards plays a significant role in the fitness community.
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He resides in suburban Atlanta, where he serves as the Operations Manager and Lead Instructor for the DDP YOGA Performance Center.
Working closely with DDP YOGA, a popular fitness program founded by fellow wrestler Diamond Dallas Page, Richards helps individuals achieve their fitness goals while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
Despite his active involvement in fitness instruction, Richards hasn’t fully left the wrestling ring.
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He still makes occasional wrestling appearances, with his nostalgic “bWo” (Blue World Order) T-shirts continuing to be a fan favorite and selling out wherever he goes.
Through his multifaceted career in wrestling, fitness, and media, Stevie Richards remains a beloved figure in both the wrestling and fitness worlds.
Stevie Richards’ Net Worth
Stevie Richards, an American professional wrestler with a net worth of $2 million, has built his fortune through a long and diverse career in professional wrestling, fitness, and media.
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FAQs
Stevie Richards retired primarily due to a series of injuries, including severe neck and back issues, which limited his in-ring abilities.
In WWE, Stevie Richards is best known as the leader of the bWo (Blue World Order) and for his role in the faction Right to Censor, where he portrayed a more conservative, anti-violence character.
Stevie Richards currently resides in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, where he works as the Operations Manager and Lead Instructor for the DDP YOGA Performance Center.