Stevie Richards

photo credit: Lee South

Real name: Michael Stephen Manna
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 235 lbs.
Date of birth: October 9, 1971
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Pro debut: 1992
Trained by: Mike Sharpe & Glen Osbourne
Finishing move: Stevie Kick

Biography

– On February 25, 1992, Richards opened the first ECW show, wrestling Jimmy Jannetty to a time-limit draw
– In January 1995, Richards introduced Raven to ECW and began serving as his lackey and occasional tag team partner
– On June 30, 1995, Raven & Richards defeated The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge & Rocco Rock) to win the ECW Tag Team Titles
– Over the next month, the duo defended the titles against Luna Vachon & Tommy Dreamer and The Pitbulls
– On October 7, 1995, Raven & Richards defeated The Pitbulls (Gary Wolfe & Anthony Durante) to regain the ECW Tag Team Titles
– On October 21, 1995, Richards & Frank Stalletto defeated The Black Cat & Lou Marconi to win the SCW Tag Team Titles
– At Novemer to Remember ’95, Richards defeated El Puerto Ricano
– On April 21, 1996, Richards & The Blue Meanie defeated Frank Stalletto & Lou Marconi to win the SCW Tag Team Titles
– On August 3, 1996, Richards (subbing for Raven) defeated The Sandman to retain the ECW World Title. He repeated the feat 2 weeks later
– At Ultimate Jeopardy ’96, Richards & The Blue Meanie fought ECW Tag Team Champions The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa) to a no-contest
– At November to Remember 1996, Richards, The Blue Meanie & Nova officially formed the Blue World Order, a parody of WCW’s New World Order
– On December 13, 1996, Richards & The Blue Meanie defeated The Giant Hillbillies (Gator & Countryboy Chris) to unify the SCW and PWX Tag Team Titles
– On February 2, 1997, Richards defeated Axl Rotten to win the MEWF Heavyweight Title
– On February 24, 1997, Richards made an appearance on Raw, defeating fellow ECW star Little Guido
– On April 26, 1997, Richards defeated ECW Television Champion Shane Douglas by DQ
– In May 1997, Richards retired after suffering what appeared to be a severe neck injury. However, he made a quick recovery and signed with WCW that summer
– On August 12, 1997, Richards made his WCW debut as part of Raven’s Flock, defeating Lenny Lane
– In October 1997, Richards failed a WCW physical and left the promotion to return to ECW
– On December 4, 1997, Richards re-debuted for ECW, defeating Mikey Whipwreck, however, it quickly became clear that his neck wasn’t fully healed and he took further time away from wrestling
– On August 22, 1998, Richards defeated Doug Gilbert to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title
– On November 4, 1998, Richards & Earl the Pearl defeated Jimmy Cicero & Julio Sanchez to win the MCW Tag Team Titles
– 3 days later, Richards defeated Rik Ratchett to win the NWA New Jersey Light Heavyweight Title
– On April 24, 1999, Richards defeated Doug Gilbert in the final of a tournament to win the vacant NWA 2000 Heavyweight Title
– On May 15, 1999, Richards defeated Jimmy Cicero & Tom Brandi in a 3-Way Dance to win the APWF Heavyweight Title
– In late-1999, Richards signed with the WWF
– On August 15, 1999, Richards made his WWF debut, helping The Blue Meanie to defeat Al Snow
– On the June 26, 2000 edition of WWF Raw, Richards debuted a new ‘conservative’ gimmick, leading to the formation of Right To Censor
– At Summerslam 2000, Right To Censor (Steven Richards, Bull Buchanan & The Goodfather) defeated Rikishi & Too Cool (Scotty 2 Hotty & Grandmaster Sexay)
– At Unforgiven 2000, Right To Censor (Richards, Buchanan, The Goodfather & Val Venis) defeated The APA (Bradshaw & Faarooq) & The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray & D-Von)
– At No Mercy 2000, Right To Censor (Richards & Venis) defeated Billy Gunn & Chyna
– At No Way Out 2001, Richards defeated Jerry Lawler, forcing The Kat to join Right To Censor
– Following WrestleMania X-Seven, Right To Censor began disbanding. The group officially parted ways following the May 24 edition of Smackdown
– During the Invasion storyline, Richards became a member of The Alliance, but mostly appeared on WWF B-Shows
– Richards was drafted to Raw in the initial brand split, but remained primarily a B-Show player
– On March 17, 2002, Richards defeated Rico Constantino to win the HWA Hardcore Title
– On April 15, 2002, Richards defeated Tommy Dreamer to win the WWE Hardcore Title. Over the next four months, he would exploit the title’s 24/7 Rule to become a 21-time champion
– In late 2002, Richards proclaimed himself the ‘General Manager of Heat’. He remained in a jobber role throughout the next two years
– On February 21, 2005, Richards suffered a broken orbital bone in a match against Chris Masters on Raw. He was forced out of action for 2 months
– Richards returned to Raw on May 23, but was again defeated by Masters
– At ECW One Night Stand, Richards re-formed the Blue World Order alongside The Blue Meanie & Nova, though the group would fade out again by the end of July
– Following a long period of inactivity, Richards joined the reformed ECW brand in June 2006
– After another lengthy period of inactivity, Richards was released from his WWE deal in August 2008
– On February 12, 2009, Manna made his TNA debut as Dr Stevie, posing as Abyss’ therapist, though his face was not initially shown
– On February 28, 2009, Richards defeated Danny Doring to win the NWA Force One Heavyweight Title
– On March 20, 2009, Richards defeated Mike Bennett to win the TRP Heavyweight Title
– The next day, Richards defeated Danny Gimondo & White Lotus in an Elimination Match to retain the NWA Force One Heavyweight Title
– At Lockdown ’09, Manna was officially revealed as ‘Dr Stevie’, as he interfered in Abyss’ match with Matt Morgan
– On May 15, 2009, Richards entered the Killer Kowalski Cup, defeating Isys Ephex & Jason Blade on his way to victory
– On June 24, 2010, Richards, along with several other former ECW talent were featured by TNA. This event led to the formation of Extreme Version 2.0 (shortened to EV 2.0) and the re-branding of TNA’s upcoming PPV to Hardcore Justice, which was promoted as an ECW reunion
– The next day, Richards defeated Danny Doring & Tommy Dreamer in a 3-Way Dance to win the SCW Heavyweight Title
– At Hardcore Justice ’10, Richards defeated PJ Polaco
– In January 2011, Manna announced that he had quit TNA, who, he claimed, were not paying him a living wage
– On April 22, 2012, Richards defeated ICW Champion Shawn Prime by DQ
– On June 9, 2012, Richards defeated Marty Jannetty to retain the SCW Heavyweight Title
– On July 21, 2012, Richards fought ICW Pure X Champion Joker to a no-contest
– On December 29, 2012, Richards defeated Rhino in the final of a tournament to become the first Extreme Rising Champion
– On January 26, 2013, Richards fought DWE Heavyweight Champion Rico Casanova to a no-contest
– On February 23, 2013, Richards defeated Tarkan Aslan to retain the Extreme Rising Title
– On March 2, 2013, Richards defeated The Dirty White Boy to retain the Extreme Rising Title. Over the next fortnight, he would retain the title against Chasyn Rance & Maxwell Chicago
– On August 17, 2013, Richards defeated Kennedy Kendrick to retain the Extreme Rising Title
– On December 28, 2013, Richards defeated Steve Corino to retain the Extreme Rising Title
– On March 8, 2014, Richards defeated Chachi to retain the Extreme Rising Title. Over the next month, he would defend the title against Ricky Martinez, Azrieal & Joey Ace
– At House of Hardcore VII, Richards defeated Danny Doring
– In September 2015, Richards reformed The Blue World Order for Chikara’s King of Trios Tournament
– On September 26, 2015, Richards lost to Jay Lethal in an ROH Proving Ground Match
– On May 28, 2016, Richards defeated Curt Matthews to win the WildKat Revolution Title
– On July 23, Richards defeated Matthews to retain the WildKat Revolution Title
– On August 6, Richards defeated Aramis to win the FPW National Title
– On September 10, Richards defeated Bob Holly to retain the WildKat Revolution Title
– On November 12, Richards defeated Bu Ku Dao to win the WildKat Heavyweight Title
– A week later, Richards retained the WildKat Heavyweight Title against Vordell Walker
– On January 7, 2017, Richards defeated Ryan Davidson to retain the WildKat Heavyweight Title
– On March 18, Richards defeated Matt Lancie to retain the WildKat Heavyweight Title
– On May 6, Richards defeated J Spade to retain the WildKat Heavyweight Title
– A week later, Richards defeated Nick Nero to retain the FPW National Title
– In June 2017, Richards defended the WildKat Heavyweight Title against Luke Hawx & Mr Anderson
– On July 1, Richards defeated Johnny Swinger to retain the FPW National Title
– On August 19, Richards defeated Robbie E to retain the FPW National Title
– After winding down his in-ring career, Richards began a Youtube channel in 2022, on which he provides in-depth analysis of wrestling matches and spots