Wikipedia

Dusty Rhodes

This article is about the professional wrestler. For other people, seeDusty Rhodes (disambiguation).

Virgil Riley Runnels Jr.(October 11, 1945 – June 11, 2015), better known as "The American Dream"Dusty Rhodes,was an Americanprofessional wrestler,booker, and trainer who worked for theNational Wrestling Allianceand theWorld Wrestling Federation,later known as WWE. Rhodes was considered a star wrestler and presented the persona of an American everyman, theAmerican Dreampersonified.[8]Rhodes is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Dusty Rhodes
Rhodes,c. 1982
Birth nameVirgil Riley Runnels Jr.
Born(1945-10-11)October 11, 1945[1]
Austin, Texas,U.S.
DiedJune 11, 2015(2015-06-11)(aged 69)
Orlando, Florida,U.S.
Cause of deathKidney failure
Alma materWest Texas State University
Spouse(s)
  • Sandra McHargue
    ​
    ​
    (m.1965;div.1975)​
  • Michelle Rubio
    ​
    (m.1978)​
Children4, includingDustinandCody Rhodes
FamilyBrandi Rhodes(daughter-in-law)
Fred Ottman(brother-in-law)
Jerry Sags(brother-in-law)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Bounty Hunter
Dusty Rhodes[2]
Dusty Runnels[3]
The Midnight Rider
Mr. Ichiban
Uvalde Slim
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[4]
Billed weight301 lb (137 kg)[4]
Billed fromAustin, Texas[4]
Diablo Canyon,Colorado
Trained byJoe Blanchard[3][5]
Debut1967[6]
Retired2007[7]

Rhodes was a three-timeNWA World Heavyweight Champion,and during his time inJim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling,he was aUnited States Heavyweight Champion,and multi-timeWorld Television,World Tag TeamandWorld Six-Man Tag Team Champion.He also won many regional championships, and is one of seven men inducted into each of theWWE,WCW,Professional Wrestling,andWrestling Observer NewsletterHalls of Fame. His sons,DustinandCody,both pursued careers in professional wrestling, currently performing forAll Elite WrestlingandWWE,respectively.

Following his retirement from wrestling, he made occasional on-air appearances on WWE television and pay-per-views and worked as a backstagebookerandproducerin WWE'sNXTdevelopmental territory. Billed as "the son of a plumber", Rhodes did not have a typical wrestler's physique; his character was that of the "common man",known for the personality exhibited in his interviews. WWE chairmanVince McMahonremarked that no wrestler "personified the essence of charisma quite like Dusty Rhodes".[9]

Early life

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Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. was born on October 11, 1945, inAustin, Texas.

After graduating fromAlbert Sidney Johnston High Schoolin Austin, Rhodes playedbaseballand football atWest Texas State(now known asWest Texas A&M University). Turning professional, Rhodes tried out for theAmerican Football League'sBoston Patriots,but was cut. He then played for theHartford Charter Oaksin theContinental Football Leagueuntil the team folded.[10]

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (1967–1974)

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In 1967, Rhodes saw an advertisement in the newspaper for Tony Santos' professional wrestling promotion Big Time Wrestling, based inBoston.Rhodes drove to Boston, and despite not having any wrestling experience, bluffed his way into working for the company by using his real life friendships withBobby Duncumand the Funk brothers. Billed as Dusty Runnels,[6]one of his first matches was for the BTW World Heavyweight title against champion Frank Scarpa in theBoston Arena.Having little money, Rhodes slept in his car and spentThanksgivingwithRufus R. Jonesin aBostonsoup kitchen.[10]

Rhodes moved on toFritz Von Erich's Texas territoryWorld Class Championship Wrestlingin 1968, at that time also called Big Time Wrestling. It was in Texas where Rhodes first adopted the ring name "Dusty Rhodes".[11]Upon meeting Rhodes,Gary Hartsuggested that he change hisring nameto "Lonesome Rhodes", a characterAndy Griffithportrayed in the filmA Face in the Crowd.Rhodes reportedly replied: "Well...I don't plan on being 'Lonesome'. I think I'll stick with Dusty."[12]Hart took an immediate liking to Rhodes and convinced Von Erich of the young wrestler's potential. Rhodes became a rule-breakingheelwith Hart as hismanager,teaming withDon Jardine,better known as The Spoiler.

Rhodes performing his finishing maneuver, theBionic Elbow,in 1979

In 1968, Rhodes left Texas and entered theKansas Cityterritory, tagging with fellow TexanDick Murdochto form thetag teamThe Texas Outlaws.[11][12]The team traveled both nationally and internationally, appearing in Big Time Wrestling (Texas), NWA Western States Sports (Texas), NWA Detroit,National Wrestling Federation(NWF),Championship Wrestling from Florida,World Championship Wrestling (Australia),Tri-State Wrestling,theAmerican Wrestling Association(AWA), andInternational Wrestling Enterprise(Japan).[4][11][13]

National Wrestling Alliance territories (1974–1984)

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Rhodes wins theNWA World Heavyweight Championship,c. 1979

Rhodes did not have a typical wrestlers' physique, but he was well known for his personality, charisma and interviews.[13][14]In 1974, Rhodes's character became aheroafter tag team partnerPak Songand managerGary Hartturned on him during a match in Florida againstEddieandMike Graham.This led him to break out as a solo wrestler, primarily inFlorida,referring to himself as the "American Dream", aworking classhero, and aligning himself with Eddie Graham.[15]

In 1977, Rhodes wrestled forVince McMahon, Sr.'sWorld Wide Wrestling Federation(WWWF) on and off for lengthy periods of time until 1983. During that time, Rhodes main-evented twice in Madison Square Garden, both times challenging for theWWWF Heavyweight Championshipagainst reigning championSuperstar Billy Graham.Rhodes won the first match on September 26 via countout,[16][17]and lost the second, aTexas Death match,on October 24.[18]Graham won after a mid-ring collision, falling on Rhodes for the three count.[19]

Jim Crockett Promotions (1985–1989)

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Rhodes battlingHarley Raceat an NWA event

He eventually began working as abookerand wrestler withJim Crockett Promotions(JCP) in the Mid-Atlantic, which eventually purchasedWorld Championship Wrestling(WCW), formerly Georgia Championship Wrestling. Rhodes also teamed withMagnum T. A.as "America's Team", who opposed theFour HorsemenandThe Russian Teamin 1985. They were one of the more dominant tag teams in the promotion until 1986, when Magnum's career was ended in a car accident. Subsequently, he teamed withNikita KoloffasThe Super Powers.Rhodes was also a two timeWorld Six-Man Tag Team ChampionwithThe Road Warriors.

Rhodes hadfeudswithAbdullah the Butcher,Terry Funk,Kevin Sullivan,Blackjack Mulligan,Nikita Koloff,Harley Race,Superstar Billy Graham,"Crippler" Ray Stevensand, most notably,The Four Horsemen(especiallyRic FlairandTully Blanchard). Rhodes, Flair and Race fought each other many times over theNWA World Heavyweight Championship.[20]Rhodes won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times; twice by defeating Race and once by defeating Flair.[21]During a taping which took place atThe Omnion September 29, 1985, Rhodes would save Flair from a beatdown at hands of Ivan and Nikitia Koloff and Krusher Krushchev, only for Flair to then turn on Rhodes and haveOleandArn Andersonassist him in breaking Rhodes' ankle;[22][23]this also forced Rhodes to vacate hisNWA Television Championship.In October 1985, during his feud with Flair, Rhodes gave an interview that became known as his "Hard Times" promo,[24]arguably his most popularpromo:

First of all, I would like to thank the many, many fans throughout this country that wrote cards and letters to Dusty Rhodes, The American Dream, while I was down. Secondly, I want to thankJim Crockett Promotionsfor waitin' and takin' the time 'cause I know how important it was,Starrcade '85it is to the wrestling fans, it is to Jim Crockett promotions, and Dusty Rhodes The American Dream. With that wait, I got what I wanted,Ric Flairthe World's Heavyweight Champion. I don't have to say a whole lot more about the way I feel about Ric Flair; no respect, no honor. There is no honor amongst thieves in the first place.

He put hard times on Dusty Rhodes and his family. You don't know what hard times are, daddy. Hard times are when the textile workers around this country are out of work, they got four or five kids and can't pay their wages, can't buy their food. Hard times are when the auto workers are out of work and they tell 'em to go home. And hard times are when a man has worked at a job for thirty years, thirty years, and they give him a watch, kick him in the butt and say "hey a computer took your place, daddy", that's hard times! That's hard times! And Ric Flair you put hard times on this country by takin' Dusty Rhodes out, that's hard times. And we all had hard times together, and I admit, I don't look like the athlete of the day supposed to look. My belly's just a lil' big, my heiny's a lil' big, but brother, I am bad. And they know I'm bad.

There were two bad people... One wasJohn Wayneand he's dead brother, and the other's right here. Nature Boy Ric Flair, theWorld's Heavyweight titlebelongs to these people. I'mma reach out right now, I want you at home to know my hand is touchin' your hand for the gathering of the biggest body of people in this country, in this universe, all over the world now, reachin' out because the love that was given me and this time I will repay you now. Because I will be the next World's Heavyweight Champion of this hard time blues. Dusty Rhodes tour, '85.

And Ric Flair, Nature Boy... Let me leave you with this. One way to hurt Ric Flair, is to take what he cherishes more than anything in the world and that's the World's Heavyweight title. I'm gon' take it, I been there twice. This time when I take it daddy, I'm gon' take it for you. Let's gather for it. Don't let me down now, 'cause I came back for you, forthat man up there that died 10–12 years agoand never got the opportunity to see a real World's Champion. And I'm proud of you, thank God I have you, and I love you. Love ya![25][26]

The promo apparently resonated with wrestling fans so much that people came to him in arenas in tears to thank him for "honoring their plight". In 2015, an ESPN article referred to "Hard Times" as Rhodes' best interview, writing, "In just over three minutes, Rhodes fully encapsulated every ounce of his charm by endearing himself to blue-collar mid-America".[24]

During his stint as booker, JCP were engulfed in aggressive competition with theWorld Wrestling Federation(WWF).[13]When the WWF introducedMike JonesasTed DiBiase's bodyguard,Bobby Heenansuggested naming the characterVirgilas an inside joke on Dusty's real name.[27]Also in the late 1980s, Rhodes became synonymous with what would become known as the "Dusty finish",a trick ending in which a wrestler would win a match while the referee was knocked out, and the decision would be overturned.[13][24]

Rhodes is often considered to be one of the most innovative and creative bookers in the history of professional wrestling. As previously mentioned, his work in the development of "supercards" andgimmickmatches did much to enhance the quality of entertainment and move the industry forward, as evident by other major promotions following with their own major cards and gimmicks. At the same time, however, he and JCP had an "old school" philosophy that did not bode well with the changes that were brought with fast moving media such as cable TV, etc. The long-standingstorylinesand the frequent use of the aforementioned "Dusty finish", techniques that had worked well during the NWA's territorial days, had now started to leave many fans dissatisfied with the promotion's booking.[28][29]

Rhodes was fired afterStarrcade '88,because of a taboo on-screen bloodletting (laid down by theTurner Broadcasting Systemfollowing their purchase of the company) during a November 26 altercation withThe Road Warriors.[30]Furious with the interference, Rhodes booked a storyline in whichRoad Warrior Animalpulled a spike out of his shoulder pad and jammed it in Rhodes' eye, causing a severe laceration.[30]Rhodes was then fired from WCW.[30]

Professional Wrestling Federation (1989)

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Meanwhile, in late 1988 during the acquisition of Jim Crockett Promotions the duo ofMike GrahamandSteve Keirnwere attempting to revive the dormant CWFChampionship Wrestling from Floridaterritory. Once Dusty departed from WCW they reached out to him, and ultimately partnered to launch the newProfessional Wrestling Federationin February 1989.[31]Rhodes had larger visions for the fledgling regional territory, which included a name change from FCW to the non-regional PWF. The new startup promotion featured a raft of current and future stars, includingTerry Funk,Dick Slater,Bam Bam Bigelow,Al Perez,The Nasty Boys,Scott Hall,Dustin Rhodes,Mike Awesome,Dallas Pageand The Big Steel Man (Fred Ottman, who would becomeTugboatin the WWF).

Dusty Rhodes made his debut for the company on March 4, 1989, at an event in Titusville, Florida, when he teamed with Steve Keirn to defeat the duo of The Big Steel Man andDick Slater.[32]A week later at thePWF Homecomingevent in Tampa, Florida, he pinned Big Steel Man to become the first PWF Heavyweight Champion.[33]Later that spring as the PWF began to grow Rhodes received a surprise backstage visit fromBobby Heenan,who inquired on the state of the company's business. Shortly thereafterVince McMahonreached out to Rhodes and made an offer to acquire the PWF as a developmental territory and to bring Rhodes into the WWF. He refused, as his desire was to grow the territory into a national brand that could compete with WCW and the WWF. However the Professional Wrestling Federation's backers did not have a desire to fund the company at a level necessary to enhance the territory further. In May he decided to part ways with the PWF and join the World Wrestling Federation as a wrestler.[34]

Before departing, Rhodes was defeated by The Big Steel Man on May 13, 1989, for the PWF title at an event in Sarasota, Florida.[35]His final match with the company was on May 20, where he wrestled Steel Man at an event in Fort Lauderdale.[36]

During the spring Rhodes also returned to the AWA for a few appearances.

World Wrestling Federation (1989–1991)

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Nine days after his final PWF match, Dusty Rhodes made his untelevised debut at a house show on May 29 in Montreal, Quebec. Substituting forJake Roberts,he defeatedTed DiBiase.[37]Promotional vignettes began airing, the first coming on the June 3rd edition ofWWF Superstars of Wrestlingwith Rhodes appearing as the yellowpolka-dotted"Common Man"Dusty Rhodes, a gimmick some felt was intended to humiliate him due to his synonymy with the rival JCP/WCW.[21][38]Rhodes was introduced to WWF audiences through a series of vignettes in which he would gregariously and enthusiastically perform working class roles (including that of aplumber,butcher'sapprentice,gas station attendant,taco cook, trash collector andpizza delivery man), eventually being recognized by others at the end of the skit ( "Hey! Aren't you...?" ).[39]

Rhodes continued to wrestle DiBiase on house shows that month and was undefeated. He was pinned however on June 6 in a dark match against DiBiase at a WWF Superstars taping in Madison, Wisconsin. Many years later, this match was included as part of theWWE Unreleased: 1986–1995DVD set.[40]It was said that Rhodes was asked to lose in this match to test his willingness to put over other talent. Aside from this defeat, "The American Dream" remained undefeated against the upper-levelheel.Rhodes made his televised appearance on the July 22 edition of WWF Superstars; following a match betweenBig Boss Manand Jim McPherson he intervened to prevent Boss Man from using his nightstick against the defeated opponent. This transitioned Dusty into his first World Wrestling Federation feud.

Rhodes made his in-ring debut on the August 13th edition ofWrestling Challengewhen he pinnedGreg Valentineafter his opponent was distracted byRonnie Garvin.That month he began his house show series against Big Boss Man and was dominant, defeating the rulebreaker in every encounter. Rhodes scored his first televised win against Boss Man on the August 21 edition ofPrime Time Wrestling.AtSummerSlam 89he appeared on his first-ever WWF PPV, defeatingThe Honky Tonk Man.[41]Meanwhile, on the road his dominance continued as he remained undefeated against the Boss Man.

In October a Rhodes fan,Sapphire,began to be featured at ringside during his televised matches. Rhodes would eventually invite the woman to come in the ring and dance with her after a victory. She would become his manager and was named "Sapphire". As Dusty represented "The Common Man", she was intended to represent the "common woman".[42]On November 23, 1989, atThe Survivor Serieshe led a quartet dubbedThe Dream Teamcomposed ofBrutus Beefcake,Tito Santana,andThe Red Roosterto victory againstThe Enforcers(Big Boss Man, The Honky Tonk Man,Rick Martel,andAkeem).[43]Rhodes would finish the year dispatching Boss Man in house show matches around the country, sometimes in "ball and chain" encounters.[44]

Having finished the year with just one untelevised loss, Dusty entered 1990 as a dominant force within the World Wrestling Federation. He competed in the 1990Royal Rumbleand eliminatedBret Hartbefore in turn being thrown over the top rope byEarthquake.After dispatching the Boss Man, he next became embroiled in a heated storyline with "Macho King"Randy Savageand his manager/partnerSensational Queen Sherri,who in turn found a rival in Sapphire. Rhodes began facing the formerWWF World Championon the house show circuit. As with Boss Man he was victorious in every encounter, although each would come by countout. On the March 25, 1990 episode of WWF Superstars he finally faced Savage in a televised encounter; Rhodes won via disqualification after Queen Sherri interfered. After a confrontation between the two couples, Savage's ex-managerMiss Elizabethallied herself with Rhodes and Sapphire and was instrumental in helping them win the WWF's first mixed tag-team match duringWrestleMania VI.[45]

Rhodes suffered a foot injury a few weeks later, leading to his temporary removal from the house show circuit and replaced byRoddy Piper.He returned on May 12 and resumed his house show series against Savage. This time his dominance was more profound as he started to defeat The Macho Man by pinfall around the country. This continued until June 3, 1990, when Dusty's lengthy undefeated streak was finally ended by Savage in West Palm Beach, Florida.[46]Rhodes began teaming with Sapphire to face Savage and Sherri on house shows, resuming his winning streak and remaining undefeated. Later that summer Sapphire began to receive gifts from an unnamed benefactor during Dusty's televised matches. AtSummerSlamSapphire no-showed her scheduled match with Queen Sherri. Later that night Dusty was scheduled to face Randy Savage in a one-on-one encounter; prior to the match Ted DiBiase announced that Sapphire had left Rhodes for The Million Dollar Man's money. Distracted and distraught, Rhodes was pinned by Savage.[47]

Dusty immediately transitioned to a feud with The Million Dollar Man. Unlike his previous series with Boss Man and Savage, this time Rhodes would come out on the losing end. He lost numerous house show matches afterVirgilinterfered on the behalf of DiBiase. That fall his son Dustin Rhodes began making televised appearances within the WWF; on the October 13 edition of WWF Superstars Dusty lost to Randy Savage by countout after being distracted by DiBiase attacking Dustin. Afterwards, Rhodes dropped the polka dot attire and adopted his traditional, Jim Crockett-esque attire. At the1990 Survivor Serieshe led "The Dream Team" (himself, Bret Hart,Jim Neidhart,andKoko B Ware) against"The Million Dollar Team.Unlike last year's edition, the results were far different. DiBiase was teaming withRhythm & Bluesand a mystery partner, the latter who turned out to be the newly arrivedUndertaker.The future Hall of Famer would dispatch Ware and later pin Rhodes, with Ted DiBiase ultimately remaining as the sole survivor.[48]

Around this time in the fall Dusty Rhodes received an offer to return to World Championship Wrestling as its head booker.[49]He now began to lose regularly, falling again in defeat to Ted DiBiase in house shows during December 1990 but also losing to Rick Martel, Virgil, and new top heelSgt. Slaughter.Some of the losses were under 1 minute as the WWF leveraged Rhodes departure.[50]On December 28, 1990, he teamed with Jim Duggan to face Slaughter andGeneral Adnanat Madison Square Garden. The match, which would be televised on Prime Time Wrestling on January 7, 1991, ended when Rhodes submitted to Slaughter.[51]The conclusion to the feud with DiBiase came at1991 Royal Rumble,where Dusty teamed with his sonDustinagainst Virgil and DiBiase. The Rhodes Family was defeated in a match that saw Virgil turn face afterwards. This would mark the end of Dusty Rhodes' career as a full-time in-ring competitor.[52][53]

Return to WCW and Extreme Championship Wrestling (1991–2001)

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Rhodes returned to WCW in 1991 as a member of WCW's booking committee, making his first appearance only 11 days after his last WWF appearance at the Royal Rumble.[38]On the May 25 edition of World Championship Wrestling he launched an interview segment called "The Bull Drop Inn".[54]Booking disagreements between Rhodes andRic Flairled to the latter's departure to the WWF andthe Big Gold Belt controversy.[38]Rhodes also served as the on-screenmanagerofRon Simmonsfrom 1991 to 1992, first forming a relationship with the former All-American during the summer of 1991. In a match that was advertised on World Championship Wrestling, on October 12, 1991, Dusty served as the special guest referee in a match at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia, that saw Simmons and Barry Windham team up to defeatMr. HughesandLex Luger.[55]On the October 19 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Rhodes was announced as being in the corner of Ron Simmons when the latter was scheduled to face Lex Luger for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship atHalloween Havoc91. Rhodes would go on to be Simmons' cornerman that night, although Luger retained his championship.

Dusty Rhodes made his return to the ring after nearly a one-year absence on January 4, 1992, at theWCW/New Japan Supershow II.Teaming with his son Dustin Rhodes once more, the duo defeatedKim DukandMasa Saitoin Tokyo, Japan.[56][57]He began making house show appearances early in the year, usually in tag-team matches involving Dustin that sawPaul E. Dangerouslytied to Dusty as part of the stipulation.[58]On the May 16, 1992 episode ofWCW Worldwidehe seconded Nikita Koloff in his match withBig Van Vader;he battled Vader's manager Harley Race to the backstage as the match began. Later that summer Dusty was again in the corner of Ron Simmons, this time on August 2, 1992, when he defeated Big Van Vader to win theWCW World Heavyweight Championship.He later joined the broadcast team, usually working withTony SchiavoneonSaturday Night.He was paired with Schiavone andBobby Heenanon pay-per-views.

On February 25 his son Dustin defeated Paul Orndorff to win theUnited States Championship,and after the match Dusty came out to the ring to celebrate. That led to a slowly simmering feud with The Assassin (Jody Hamilton), who continually challenged Rhodes. On the June 12, 1993 edition of WCW Saturday Night the Assassin vowed to track down Dusty's mother if that is what it took to gain a response. On the October 30 edition of WCW Saturday Night the Assassin (now representing Paul Orndorff) again challenged Rhodes. A week laterUnited States ChampionDustin Rhodes announced that his father would be in his corner in his upcoming defense against the Assassin's charge Paul Orndorff. Dustin successfully retained against Orndorff atClash of the Champions XXV;Dusty became involved after the match and attempted to unmask the Assassin.[59]

As 1994 progressed Dusty became involved in another angle with his son andThe Stud Stable,offering commentary on the May 21, 1994, edition ofWCW Saturday NightonCol. Robert Parker's efforts against Dustin. At a television taping on July 25, 1994, in Macon, Georgia, he came to ringside and attacked Parker, before being overwhelmed by the manager andBunkhouse Buck.After being rescued by Ricky Steamboat and Dustin, he made an appearance in Dustin's corner on the August 6th edition of WCW Saturday Night when his son faced Bunkhouse Buck. After delivering a bionic elbow to Buck when the referee was distracted, Dustin was able to gain the pinfall. This ultimately led to Dusty's second match since departing the WWF, where he would team with Dustin to defeated Terry Funk and Buckhouse Buck atClash of the Champions XXVIII.After a vignette that saw Dusty travel to "The Scrap Bar" to recruit The Nasty Boys, he teamed with them and Dustin to defeat Buck, Arn Anderson, Terry Funk, and Rob Parker in a War Games match atFall Brawl 94.He returned to the ring for three more house show matches that fall, teaming with Dustin to defeat the Stud Stable. His last in-ring match for World Championship Wrestling in this run came on November 24, 1994, in Albany, Georgia, where Dusty and Dustin Rhodes defeated Arn Anderson and Bunkhouse Buck in a steel cage.[60][61]

Through 1995 he was exclusively on commentary for WCW and did not participate in any in-ring angles. Dusty was originally on the side of WCW when its battle with theNew World Order(nWo) began in 1996. AtSouled Out 1998,Larry Zbyszkoasked Rhodes, who was working the PPV broadcast, to accompany him to the ring for his match againstScott Hall.Zbyszko won the match by disqualification due to interference byLouie Spicolli.Rhodes entered the ring, delivering his trademark elbow smashes to Spicolli as Zbyszko stood and grabbed Hall. Rhodes went to elbow Hall, but seemingly inadvertently hit Zbyszko instead turningheelin the process. Hall then pointed to Rhodes as he revealed an nWo shirt.[62]The three began to drop repeated elbows on Zbyszko before Rhodes announced, "That's tradition, WCW! Bite this!". Announcer Tony Schiavone left the broadcast booth in shock, but later returnedrippingRhodes for his actions for most of the rest of the night. As a member of the nWo, Rhodes served as the manager ofThe Outsiders,Hall andKevin Nash.This lasted until the November 30, 1998, episode ofMonday Nitro,when Rhodes, who was guest refereeing a match between Barry Windham andDean Malenkoafter being appointed byEric Bischoff,defected back to WCW by disqualifying Windham and awarding the match to Malenko. Bischoff then fired Rhodes. On the December 28, 1998, edition ofMonday Nitro,Ric Flair faced Eric Bischoff for control of the company for 30 days. After Flair submitted Bischoff, Dusty was amongst those who came out to the ring to celebrate with The Nature Boy.[63]

He left WCW in 2000 and went toExtreme Championship Wrestling(ECW), making an appearance at theGuilty As ChargedPPV on January 8, 2000, where he was attacked by formerECW World Heavyweight Champion,"King of Old School"Steve Corino.[4]On January 28, 2000, he wrestled his first match in over five years, teaming withTommy Dreamerto defeat Corino andRavenat aECW on TNNepisode that was taped in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On March 12, 2000, Dusty pinned Steve Corino in a singles match at theLiving DangerouslyPPV in Danbury, Connecticut. He continued to remain undefeated until he put over Corino at theCyberSlamevent on April 22 at theECW Arena.His final appearance came at an ECW TV taping in Toledo, Ohio, where he accompaniedThe Sandmanto ringside in his match againstRhino,who was seconded by Steve Corino.[64]

Dusty then returned to WCW where he reignited the feud once more with long-time nemesis Ric Flair. On theWCW GreedPPV on March 18, 2001, he entered a WCW ring for the final time, teaming with Dustin Rhodes to defeat Ric Flair andJeff Jarrett.[65]Following the purchase of WCW, the World Wrestling Federation allowedTurner Southto continue to air classic matches on their "WCW Classics Program". Much like Heenan and Monsoon, Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair hosted the program. The duo would bicker throughout the show, which lasted throughout the summer of 2001 and represented the last "original" programming of the old WCW.[66]

Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling and other promotions (2000–2003)

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After both WCW and ECW were bought by WWE (WWF), Rhodes went to compete in his own promotion,Turnbuckle Championship Wrestlingwith ex-WCW and ECW superstars in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee.

During this time he feuded withTerry Funkand Steve Corino in other territories.

In 2002, Rhodes competed in Pro Pain Pro Wrestling based in Philadelphia feuding withKevin Sullivan.This would lead to a Texas Bullrope match on November 23 in which Rhodes defeated Sullivan.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2003–2005)

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Rhodes began appearing withTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling(TNA) in 2003, returning to the ring to feud against the villainousSports Entertainment Xtremefaction. on the January 15 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes, Road Warriors and Jeff Jarrett lost toVince RussoandTriple X.on the January 22 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes called out Nikita Koloff to reform the Superpowers, but Nikita turned on him. On the February 26 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes andVaderdefeatedDon and Ron Harrisby disqualification. On the March 19 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes, Jeff Jarrett and D-Lo Brown defeatedErik Watts,Brian LawlerandDavid Flairin a six-man tag team match a week later Rhodes defeated David Flair in a Bunkhouse match. On the April 9 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes defeated Brian Lawler in aLadder match.On the August 13 NWATNA PPV, Rhodes andAmerica's Most WanteddefeatedGlenn GilberttiandSimon Diamond and Johnny Swingerthe following week Rhodes lost a bullrope match to Glen Gilbertti after Christopher Daniels interfered. On the October 1 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes and Jarrett defeatedA.J. Stylesand Russo. The following week Rhodes got a shot at the NWA title against Styles but lost when he passed out during the figure-4. On the October 15 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes and America's Most Wanted defeated Legend, Sonny Siaki and Ekmo Fatu. On the November 26 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes and Jarrett wrestled to a no contest in a Lumberjack Fan Strap match. After taking a few months off Rhodes returned on May 19, 2004, where he andJames StormdefeatedDallasandKid Kashin a "Bunkhouse Brawl"this led to the duo getting a shot at theNWA World Tag Team Championshipon June 2 but they failed to win the titles. On the June 4 episode of Impact, Rhodes gave an interview with Mike Tenay but got punked out by NWA champ Jeff Jarrett. On the July 14 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes,Larry Zbyszkoand3Live Krudefeated Jarrett,Ken Shamrock,Hernandez,Chad CollyerandOnyx.On the August 25 NWATNA PPV, Russo suspended Rhodes from TNA and banned him from the Asylum a few days later on the August 27 episode of Impact, Rhodes showed up in the front row, and got attacked by Scott D'Amore and ejected again. On the September 1 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes under a mask billed as Midnight Rider teamed withKonnanandB.G. Jamesto defeatTeam Canada(Eric YoungandBobby RoodeandJohnny Devine). On the September 8 NWA-TNA PPV, Rhodes defeatedScott D'Amorewith Russo as the special guest referee. On the October 29 episode of Impact, Rhodes started his campaign to replace Vince Russo as the Director of Authority. Later, he became theDirector of Authorityat their November 7, 2004pay-per-view,Victory Road.[67]At the same time, Rhodes acted as headbookerand writer. On the April 8, 2005, episode of Impact, Rhodes made the on-air decision to make all matches at Lockdown PPV in Six Sides of Steel. Then on the April 29 episode of Impact, Rhodes announced that MMA fighterTito Ortizwill referee the World title match atHard Justice (2005).In May 2005, TNA PresidentDixie Carterasked Rhodes to move onto a creative team, which includedJeremy Borash,Bill Banks, andScott D'Amore.Rhodes resigned as booker, waiting out the rest of his contract with TNA, which expired soon after.

Independent circuit (2003–2006)

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Rhodes facingKid Kashin Ballpark Brawl

Rhodes made his first indy circuit appearance on April 12, 2003, forRing of Honor(ROH), when he participated in the "I Quit Bunkhouse Riot" as a member ofHomicide's team.[68][69]On December 12, Rhodes defeatedJerry Lawlerat an International Wrestling Cartel show that also featuredMick Foleyas the special guest referee.[70]Rhodes returned to ROH on March 13, 2004, where he competed alongsideThe Carnage Crewin a Scramble Cage match against Special K, which the Carnage Crew won.[2]

On July 24, Rhodes returned to Full Impact Pro (FIP) and defeatedGangrel.In October, he appeared for Northeast Wrestling in a victory overKamala.Later in the month, he appeared forIWA Mid-Southin a tag team match withIan Rottenin a victory overChris Candidoand Steve Stone. Rhodes made three appearances for the Japanese promotionHUSTLEin 2004,[71]the first being on January 4 in a six-man tag team match with Steve Corino andTom HowardagainstMil Mascaras,Dos Caras,andSicodelico Jr.,which Rhodes' team lost. The second was on March 7, where he teamed with his son Dustin againstShinjiro OtaniandSatoshi Kojima,which he also lost. The third was on May 8, where he defeated Corino.[2]

Starting in December 2004, Rhodes made regular appearances for Carolina Championship Wrestling (CCW), where his first match for the promotion saw him team up withThe Rock 'n' Roll Expressto take onDennis Condrey,Bobby Eaton,andStan Lane,all three of the best-known members of theMidnight Express.[72]He also briefly resurrected his feud with Tully Blanchard in CCW, earning two consecutive victories over him, the second being in aBunkhouse Brawl.On April 9, 2005, Rhodes challenged Jeff Jarrett (who was still contracted to TNA, but due to TNA's then-affiliation with the NWA, he was allowed to appear for other affiliated promotions) for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. In a match that featuredJimmy Valiantas the special guest referee, Jarrett retained the title afterTerry Funkmade a surprise appearance and interfered. This led to Rhodes challenging Funk to a Falls-Count-Anywhere Bunkhouse match, which Rhodes won. This would be Rhodes' final appearance with CCW until August, where he would team with his son Dustin againstPhi Delta Slam.[2]

On July 15, 2005, Rhodes participated in Ballpark Brawl IV in a victory overKid Kash.[73]Rhodes participated in the firstWrestleReunion,competing in an eight-man tag team match withD'Lo Brown,The Blue Meanie,andTom Prichardagainst Steve Corino,Andrew Martin,Evil Clown, and the Masked Superstar. Rhodes faced Tully Blanchard at aStarrcadeTribute Show on November 19, where he was managed byMagnum T. A.and where Blanchard was managed byJ. J. Dillon.Rhodes ended up losing the match.[74]

On December 3, 2005, Rhodes returned to Carolina Championship Wrestling for one night only to face Terry Funk in an"I Quit" match,which Rhodes won.[2]Rhodes made his final major appearances on the independent circuit before returning full-time to WWE in mid-2006, defeating Jerry Lawler by disqualification at a Southern Championship Wrestling (SCW) show and also earning a victory over Steve Corino in a Texas Bullrope match for Big Time Wrestling.[2]

Return to WWE (2005–2015)

edit

Final matches and retirement (2005–2010)

edit

In September 2005, Rhodes signed a WWE Legends deal and was brought onto theCreative Teamas a creative consultant. He made an appearance on the October 3, 2005WWE Raw Homecomingin which he, along with other legends, beat downRob Conway,to whom Rhodes delivered a signatureBionic Elbow.[75]

Rhodes made an appearance on the June 19, 2006, episode ofRaw,appearing in a backstage segment withVince McMahonwhere he promoted his new DVD,The American Dream – The Dusty Rhodes Story.A few weeks beforeSurvivor Series,Rhodes returned to WWE to be a part of Team WWE Legends, led by Flair. The team, which consisted of Sgt. Slaughter, Ron Simmons, and Arn Anderson (acting as manager) competed againstThe Spirit Squadat Survivor Series.[76]

Rhodes was inducted into theWWE Hall of Fameon March 31, 2007, by his two sons,DustinandCody.[77]During his acceptance speech, Rhodes asked Ric Flair andArn Andersonto hold up the "sign" and induct him andHarley Raceinto theFour Horsemen.[4]He has also inducted several other people into the Hall of Fame, including his mentorEddie Grahamin 2008, The Funk Brothers (TerryandDory Funk Jr.) in 2009,The Road Warriorsin 2011, and longtime rivalsThe Four Horsemenin 2012.

Rhodes at the 2009WWE Hall of Fameceremony, inducting the Funk Brothers

A few weeks before WWE's 2007 broadcast ofThe Great American Bash,Rhodes returned to WWE television to feud withRandy Orton.[78][79][80]At The Great American Bash, Orton defeated Rhodes in aTexas Bullrope matchafter hitting Rhodes with a cowbell.[81]This would be Runnels' final WWE match, officially retiring for the first time soon after at age 61.[82]The following night onRaw,after Orton defeated Rhodes' son Cody, Orton delivered a kick to Rhodes' head while he was trying to tend to his son.[83]On the December 10 episode ofRaw,Rhodes was at ringside to see Cody andHardcore HollydefeatLance Cade and Trevor Murdochfor theWorld Tag Team Championship.[84]

On August 31, 2009, during the time Cody was part ofThe Legacywith Randy Orton andTed DiBiase,Rhodes was the special guest host ofRawand booked a match between Cody and Orton for Orton's WWE Championship withJohn Cenaas the special guestreferee.It quickly turned out to be a ruse with Dusty's intention to allow Legacy to attack Cena, as well asD-Generation X(Triple HandShawn Michaels) once they came to make the save. Despite the four standing tall together, Orton quickly gave an RKO to Rhodes, and though initially angered, Cody fell in line behind Orton.[85]

On July 9, 2010, Rhodes briefly came out of retirement and wrestled the final match of his career at anFCWlive event, where he teamed up with Cody and Goldust to defeat the team ofCaylen Croft,Curt Hawkins,andTrent Barretain a 6-man tag team match.[86]He would again retire shortly after.

Sporadic appearances (2010–2015)

edit
Rhodes at the 2012WWE Hall of Fameceremony, inducting the Four Horsemen

Rhodes was the head writer and creative director for the weeklyNXT Wrestlingtelevision broadcast. On September 12, 2013, he was removed as NXT Commissioner. Rhodes made his return toRawon September 16, 2013, after accepting a "business proposition" fromStephanie McMahonin an attempt for WWE to rehire both his sons Cody and Dustin. After learning that McMahon would only rehire one son of his choosing, Rhodes turned down the offer and was subsequently knocked out byBig Showon the orders of McMahon.[87]Rhodes also appeared atBattlegroundin the corner of Cody and Goldust as they took onThe Shield(Seth RollinsandRoman ReignswithDean Ambroseat ringside) in a tag team match.[88]The stipulation of the match would be that if theRhodes Familywon, Cody and Goldust got their jobs with the company back, but if they lose Dusty would be fired as an NXT trainer and none of them could appear on WWE programming ever again. The Rhodes brothers won the match, thus reinstating them to the roster and allowing Dusty to retain his position in NXT. During the match, Dusty got into an altercation with Ambrose and performed theBionic Elbowon him.[88]

Rhodes appeared on the February 16, 2015, episode ofRaw,in an effort to reunite Goldust and Stardust, who were engaged in a conflict. Rhodes appeared atFastlaneon February 22, in a backstage segment with Goldust. Rhodes' final appearance on WWE programming would be on March 28, when he appeared on the Hall of Fame: Live From the Red Carpet show.

Personal life

edit
Rhodesc. 2008

Runnels was married to Sandra McHargue from 1965 to 1975, with whom he shared two children:Dustin,and Kristin Runnels, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. In 1978, he married Michelle Rubio, with whom he had two children: Teil Runnels andCody Runnels.The couple were married for 37 years until his death in 2015.[4][89][90][91]He had six grandchildren:[91]Dakota, the daughter of Dustin and his ex-wife,Terri Boatright;[92][93]Dalton and Dylan, children of Kristin and her husband Don Ditto;[89]Kellan and Maris, children of Teil and her husband Kevin Gergel; and Liberty, daughter of Cody and his wifeBrandi.[91]He also had a brother, Larry, and a sister, Connie.[91] He played baseball and football for Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas before transferring to West Texas State University.[citation needed]

Illness and death

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In his later years, Rhodes suffered fromkidney disease.[94]

On June 10, 2015, paramedics responded to Rhodes' home inOrlando, Florida,after getting a call reporting that he had fallen. They drove him to a nearby hospital, where he died the next day at the age of 69 from the effects of kidney failure. Rhodes wascremated,and his ashes were spread in November 2015 by his son Dustin on a ranch that Rhodes loved to visit.[95]

At the2015 Money in the Bankpay-per-view event, aten-bell salutewas given in honor of Rhodes, with the entire WWE roster and the McMahon family on the entrance ramp. The next night onRaw,they honored him with a video tribute and a special after Raw on theWWE Network.At theNXTtapings following his death, he was honored with another ten-bell salute.

Legacy

edit

Rhodes has been called one of the best wrestlers in history, praising his charisma and interview skills.[96][97]His "Hard Times" promo has been labeled as one of the best interviews in pro wrestling.[98][99]According to Jim Cornette, his NWA World title reigns were of short length since he was not what NWA was looking for in a champion, but not winning the title would hurt his credibility.[100]

Since Rhodes worked as a backstage producer in WCW, he helped several wrestlers with their careers.Diamond Dallas Page,[101]who has in turn helped Rhodes' son Cody with his career, and Missy Hyatt[102]in particular have praised Rhodes' influence on their respective careers. During his late years, Rhodes became a trainer in WWE's development territory NXT, where several wrestlers like Kevin Owens,[103]Becky Lynch,[104]and the tag teamFTR,[105]praised his lessons.

In August 2015, WWE'sNXTintroduced theDusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic,atag teamtournament in honor of Rhodes.[106]The tournament has been held annually since, with a women's version added in 2021.[107]

All Elite Wrestlingnamed their "Go Position" (best known as theGorilla Position), "The Dusty Position", after him on October 16, 2019.[108]

In the promo room of the WWE Performance Center, where Rhodes would teach promo classes, there is a puppet of Rhodes hanging on the equipment, symbolizing that he is still there, watching the students.[109]

New Jack,the controversialECWwrestler, cited Dusty as his favorite wrestler growing up.

The characters of Steve and Marcy Rhodes on the sitcomMarried With Childrenwere named in honor of Rhodes.

Championships and accomplishments

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Rhodes was a three-timeNWA World Heavyweight Champion.

1This Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, while currently operating out of the same region of the United States and having revised some of the championships used by the original Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, is not the same promotion that was once owned by Jim Crockett Jr. and subsequently sold to Ted Turner in 1988. It is just another NWA-affiliated promotion.

Media

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  • Books
    • Autobiography:Dusty: Reflections of an American Dream(2005)ISBN978-1-58261-907-1
  • DVDs
  • Movies
  • Video Games

References

edit
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