Steve McCloud

Steve McCloud

"The Man"

"The Ageless Wonder"

"The King"

Hall Of Fame

From: Canada

Debut: UW1 (1960)

Last Appearance: UW22 (1981)

Appearances: 18

Stage 2 Attempts: 14

Stage 3 Attempts: 11

Stage 4 Attempts: 4

Wins: 2

First Place Finishes: 3

Steve McCloud started hot in UW1, being one of only 3 to reach Stage 3, and just as the other 2 did, he went out on the Rope Junction.

Despite his success in the first tournament, he would not return to Stage 2 until UW4, where he timed out on Stage 2, and he also failed Stage 2 in UW5, before retiring quietly.

It seemed McCloud's career was done, until he was invited back for UW10 alongside a few other retired competitors. McCloud was already 37, and considered himself too old to succeed on the course, but surprised himself and everybody else with his second Stage 3 appearance, going out on the Body Prop.

McCloud decided to return to the following tournament, and scored a First Place Finish as he was the only one to reach Stage 3, failing the body prop again.

McCloud achieved the attention of the fans after this result, and was granted position 25 in UW12, but he would go out early, failing Stage 1. After his fail, he delivered a now iconic quote, the first in a series of such saying; "I'm 39 years old, man, I'm surprised I've done this well the past few years."

After his disappointing fail in UW12, many assumed McCloud's too-good-to-be-true comeback was at its end, but he surprised everybody once again, reaching Stage 3, going out on the Cliffhanger.

It was at this point where McCloud obtained his first nickname, "The Ageless Wonder," as he became the oldest competitor at the time to reach Stage 3. In UW13, McCloud made good on his nickname, clearing Stage 3, and netting his second FPF. Despite this being considered a massive achievement, McCloud was quoted after the tournament, saying: "Yeah, it's a good feeling. Woulda been better if i'd cleared it."

McCloud once again got top billing at position 25, and with the attention riding on him heavier than ever, McCloud returned to the final stage, the first to make it there twice, and the first to reach it twice in a row. To the shock of all who were watching, the 42 year old climbed the tower and became the first Grand Champion of Ultimate Warrior. He could be heard at the top of the tower referencing his quote from the previous year, shouting: "That's more like it!"

As the second era began, McCloud did not lose his form, nearly achieving Total Victory again, coming just short of the mark on the final stage, almost achieving total victory twice in a row.

McCloud would be introduced as the first member of the new All Stars, who would go on to dominate the rest of the 70s. McCloud would return to Stage 3 in each of the next three tournaments, bringing his Stage 3 streak to 6, before shockingly failing Stage 1 in UW20.

At 48 years old, McCloud knew his body could not handle competition much longer, debating retirement after UW20, though he eventually returned for UW21, returning to Stage 2 and failing there for the first time since UW5. He hesitantly returned for UW22 after much debate, eventually deciding that the show needed an active champion for at least a little longer.

In UW22, McCloud accomplished an unprecedented feat once again, reaching the fourth stage for the fourth time, and managed to climb the tower and hit the buzzer with a sliver of time remaining. Now a double champion, McCloud had once again proved his legendary status. However, he did not place first in this tournament as Sam Arlington also achieved total victory that year. McCloud chose to retire months before his 50th birthday, saying to media: "I'm turning 50 soon, my body is wearing down, I've accomplished all I can accomplish. Sam (Arlington) is the new champion, and it's time for me to move on."

Steve McCloud's career will likely never be equaled. His results post return are a picture of consistent and absolute dominance. Steve McCloud is the benchmark for all hopeful Hall of Famers, and nobody can argue with his legend.