Wikipedia

Rick Rude

Richard Erwin Rood[1](December 7, 1958 – April 20, 1999), better known by hisring name"Ravishing"Rick Rude,was an Americanprofessional wrestlerwho performed for manypromotions,includingWorld Wrestling Federation(WWF),World Championship Wrestling(WCW), andExtreme Championship Wrestling(ECW).

Rick Rude
Rude in 1988
Birth nameRichard Erwin Rood
Born(1958-12-07)December 7, 1958[1]
St. Peter, Minnesota,U.S.
DiedApril 20, 1999(1999-04-20)(aged 40)[1]
Alpharetta, Georgia,U.S.
Cause of deathAccidental overdose
Alma materAnoka-Ramsey Community College
Spouse(s)
Cheryl Holler
​
​
(m.1980;div.1982)​
Michelle Rood
​
(m.1988)​
Children3
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)"Ravishing" Rick Rude[1]
Ricky Rood
The WCW Phantom[1]
Billed height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[2]
Billed weight252 lb (114 kg)[2]
Billed fromRobbinsdale, Minnesota[2]
Trained byEddie Sharkey[1][3][4]
Debut1982[3]
Retired1994[5]
Signature

Rude wrestled from 1982 until his 1994 retirement due to injury, with a final match following in 1997. Among other accolades, he was a four-timeworldchampion, athree-time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion,aone-timeWCWA World Heavyweight Champion,aone-timeWWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion,and aone-timeWCW United States Heavyweight Champion.Rude also challenged for theWWF World Heavyweight Championshipand theNWA World Heavyweight Championshiponpay-per-viewcards, competing for the former in the main event ofSummerSlam in 1990.[6]Following his retirement, Rude managed multiple wrestlers.

In late 1997, Rude founded theD-Generation XstablealongsideShawn Michaels,Triple H,andChyna.On November 17 of that year, in the midst of theMonday Night War,he became the only person to appear on the WWF'sRawand WCW'sMonday Nitroprograms on the same night, as the former was pre-recorded and Rude had left for WCW in the interim. He was posthumously inducted into theWWE Hall of Famein 2017.

Early life

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Rude was born inSt. Peter, Minnesotato Richard Clyde Rood and Sally Jean Thompson. He attended Robbinsdale High School inRobbinsdale, MinnesotawithTom Zenk,Brady Boone,Nikita Koloff,Curt Hennig,John Nord,andBarry Darsow,all of whom later became professional wrestlers.[7]He was especially close with his childhood friend Curt Hennig.[8]

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (1982–1984)

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Rude inWorld Championship Wrestling,circa 1983

After graduating fromAnoka-Ramsey Community Collegewith adegreeinphysical education,[7]Rude worked as a bouncer for a short period and later did a small stint as an arm wrestler. He would first become known to the world of professional wrestling at that time. Rude trained as a wrestler under Eddie Sharkey, the same trainer responsible for training other wrestling stars likeBob Backlund,The Road Warriors,Sean Waltman,Austin Aries,andErick Rowan.[4]He began wrestling in 1982 as Ricky Rood, ababyfacejobber.[3]Rude lost his TV debut against Jos LeDuc on the November 6, 1982 episode of Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling.[9]He started withVancouver'sNWA: All-Star Wrestlingbefore moving on to compete forGeorgia Championship Wrestling(GCW) and later theMemphis-basedContinental Wrestling Association(CWA). Rude debuted on the May 28, 1983 episode ofWorld Championship Wrestling,defeating Pat Rose with a dropkick. Gordon Solie interviewed Rude the following week, with Rude discussing transitioning from arm wrestling to pro wrestling and dropping weight to increase speed. He returned to Memphis in 1984, this time as "Ravishing" Rick Rude, an overconfident, arrogantheelmanagedbyJimmy Hart.[10]Rude feuded withJerry Lawlerand later his former partner,King Kong Bundy.[11][12]He later debuted in WCCW in a match againstKamalathat he lost, and then went on to (NWA) affiliateJim Crockett Promotions(JCP) where he and a variety oftag teampartnersfeudedwithThe Road Warriors.

Championship Wrestling from Florida (1984–1985)

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Rude being managed byPercy Pringlein 1985

Rude was hired byChampionship Wrestling from Florida(CWF) in December 1984, where he was managed byPercy Pringle.He defeatedPez Whatleyfor theNWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championshipon January 16, 1985, and lost it toBrian Blairon April 10, 1985. He captured the championship again on July 20, 1985, when he defeatedMike Grahamin the finals of a Southern title tournament. He held the belt until October 2 of that year when he dropped it toWahoo McDaniel,who was booking Florida during this time. While teaming withJesse Barr,he won theNWA Florida United States Tag Team Championshipon April 16, 1985, and feuded withBilly Jack Haynesand Wahoo McDaniel over the belts, losing the straps to McDaniel and Haynes on July 9, 1985.

World Class Championship Wrestling (1985–1986)

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Rude as WCWA World Heavyweight Champion, circa 1986

Debuting on October 18, 1985, Rude jumped toWorld Class Championship Wrestling(WCCW) along with Pringle, where he feuded withKevin Von ErichandChris Adams.During his time in WCCW, Rude captured theNWA American Heavyweight Championshipon November 4, 1985. However, WCCW withdrew from the NWA on February 20, 1986, and changed its name to theWorld Class Wrestling Association(WCWA). The NWA American Championship was renamed theWCWA World Heavyweight Championshipwhile Rude was still holding the title. As a result, Rude became the promotion's first world champion. After losing the title to Chris Adams in July 1986, he fired Pringle and briefly replaced him with his sister, Raven. He formed a short-lived tag team withThe Dingo Warrior,but the Warriorturnedon him and became a face.

Jim Crockett Promotions (1986–1987)

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In September 1986, Rude returned to JCP and joinedManny Fernandezand his managerPaul Jonesin their rivalry with Wahoo McDaniel.[13]Rude and Fernandez, known collectively as the "Awesome Twosome",[14]won theNWA World Tag Team Championshipon December 6, 1986, fromThe Rock 'n' Roll Express,[15]and they began a feud that ended only when Rude left the promotion for theWorld Wrestling Federationin April 1987. To explain the sudden departure,Jim Crockett, Jr.aired a pre-taped non-title match where the Express defeated Rude and Fernandez and claimed that Rude had been injured as a result.

World Wrestling Federation (1987−1990)

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Debut and feuds with Paul Orndorff and Jake Roberts (1987–1988)

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Rude made hisWorld Wrestling Federation(WWF) debut onSuperstars of Wrestlingon July 15, 1987, as the newest addition to theBobby Heenan Family.His first major feud in the WWF was with Heenan's former muscle bound charge"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff(whom Heenan had dropped after Rude joined the Family), their feud culminated in Rude defeating Orndorff on November 24, atMadison Square Garden.He would kickstart 1988 by challengingHulk Hoganfor theWWF World Heavyweight Championshipon January 9, at theBoston Gardenbut failed to win the title before starting one of his most famous feuds withJake "The Snake" Roberts.[16]Rude had a routine where, before the match, he would make a show of removing his robe (likely inspired byAustin Idol's disrobing routine) while insulting the males in the crowd (usually calling them "fat, out-of-shape sweathogs" ) from their hometowns and, after his victories, he would kiss a woman whom Heenan selected from the audience.[11]One of Rude's trademarks was his specially airbrushed tights that he wore during matches. In the Roberts angle, Rude tried to get Roberts' real-life wife, Cheryl, to participate (though not knowing when Heenan chose her that she was in fact Roberts' wife). After Mrs. Roberts rejected him and revealed who she was there to see, Rude became angry (after she slapped him and according to Jake, busting hiseardrum), grabbed her wrist, and berated her on the microphone when Roberts ran from the dressing room to make the save.[11]To retaliate a few days later, Rude came to the ring with a likeness of Cheryl stenciled on the front of his tights. A furious Roberts charged the ring and stripped Rude, appearing to television viewers to leave him naked (as indicated by black-spot censoring Rude'sgenitalarea),[17]although the live audience saw him actually stripped to ag-string.

Through mid-1988 Rude continued to wear a second pair of tights under the one he wore to the ring, including during his match against theJunkyard Dogat theinauguralSummerSlam.During the match Rude had the JYD on his back and had climbed to the top turnbuckle. While up there he pulled down his tights to reveal a second with Cheryl Roberts printed on them. After hitting the Dog with a flying fist, he was attacked by Roberts who had seen the action from the dressing room. Roberts attack on Rude caused the JYD to be disqualified, giving Rude the win. Rude lost to Roberts in a Rude Awakening vs. DDT match on October 24, at Madison Square Garden. Rude's feud with Roberts came to its conclusion when Roberts pinned Rude following a DDT during the1988 Survivor Series.

Intercontinental Champion and departure (1989–1990)

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Rude's next big feud was withThe Ultimate Warriorand began in January at the1989 Royal Rumblepay-per-view in a "Super Posedown" that ended with Rude attacking Warrior with a metal pose bar.[18]With help from Heenan, Rude won theWWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championshipfrom The Ultimate Warrior atWrestleMania V,before dropping it back to Warrior atSummerSlamthat same year, due in large part to interference from"Rowdy" Roddy Piper.[18][19]Rude then feuded with Piper which led to a conflict between their respective teams at the 1989 Survivor Series in which both men brawled to a double count-out. Rude would go on to have many matches with Piper including inside a steel cage on December 28, atMadison Square Gardenlosing the majority of them, before having a brief program against Jimmy Snuka getting a win over him atWrestleMania VI.Rude resumed his conflict with The Ultimate Warrior in the summer of 1990 after Warrior had won theWWF World Heavyweight Championship.Rude began rigorous training in preparation for the Warrior, and took a more serious approach by neglecting women and cutting his hair short (a style he would maintain for the rest of his career). The feud culminated in asteel cageatSummerSlam 1990,wherein Rude was defeated by the Warrior.[20][21]Next, he was scheduled to feud withBig Boss Man,which had its start when Rude's manager Bobby Heenan started to make degrading comments about Boss Man's mother. Rude would later backup the statements and call out the Boss Man. Rude was scheduled to be a part of a team called the Natural Disasters at the Survivor Series, consisting ofEarthquake,Dino Bravo,andThe Barbarianagainst Hulk Hogan and Boss Man's team, but was replaced by Haku after being suspended indefinitely by Jack Tunney. Tunney explained that Rude's comments towards the Boss Man were the reason for his suspension and that his manager Bobby Heenan was obligated to wrestle the Boss Man in his place. In reality, Rude had a dispute with WWF owner Vince McMahon that led to him leaving the company.[22]

Freelance (1991)

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After leaving the WWF, Rude attempted to join Herb Abrams'UWF.Still under contract with the WWF, his former company sent a cease and desist order that prevented Rude from appearing on UWF television.[23]He would not wrestle again until May 18, 1991, when he appeared at the TWA Spring Spectacular II event held by the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance in Philadelphia, PA. He facedPaul Orndorffand lost by disqualification.[24]Two months later he joinedAll Japan Pro Wrestlingfor their Summer Action Series 1991, making his initial appearance on July 6, 1991, at a show in Yokosuka, Japan. In his first match on the tour, he teamed withJohnny Aceto defeat Billy Black andJoel Deaton.In singles matches Rude was undefeated, beating Isamu Teranishi andAkira Taue.His final appearance came on July 19, where he teamed with Johnny Ace in a losing effort toDan SpiveyandStan Hansen.[25]Rude also appeared inInternational World Class Championship Wrestling(IWCCW), where he had confrontations withThe Honky Tonk Man.[26]

World Championship Wrestling (1991−1994)

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The Dangerous Alliance and United States Heavyweight Champion (1991–1993)

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Main article:The Dangerous Alliance

After spending a year wrestling on select shows on theindependent circuit,as well as a July 1991 tour forAll Japan Pro Wrestling(AJPW), Rude returned to WCW, which had originally been JCP prior to being sold toTed Turnerin late 1988; he returned under amaskas The WCW Phantom atHalloween Havocon October 27, 1991, unmasking himself later that night.[20]He ledThe Dangerous Alliance,consisting of himself,Paul E. Dangerously,Madusa,Arn Anderson,Bobby Eaton,Larry Zbyszko,and"Stunning" Steve Austin.On November 19, 1991, Rude defeatedStingfor theUnited States Heavyweight Championshipand engaged in a number of high-profile feuds, including one withRicky Steamboat.At one point during their feud, Steamboat suffered akayfabebroken nose in a gang attack.[27]

In 1992, Rude and Madusa left The Dangerous Alliance and feuded withNikita Koloff.Rude challenged reigningWorld Heavyweight ChampionRon Simmonson several occasions but failed to win the title. In December 1992, Rude suffered a legitimate neck injury and was forced to forfeit the United States Championship, thus ending his reign of nearly 14 months, a reign that still stands today as the second longest reign in the almost 40-year history of the title.[11]Rude returned alone in April 1993 and tried to reclaim the title fromDustin Rhodes,who had won it while he was injured. The title was eventually held up after several controversial finishes to matches between the two. After a 30-minute Iron Man Match ended in a 1–1 draw atBeach Blaston July 18, a best-of-three series was set between the two onSaturday Night;Rude won the first match on August 28, but lost to Rhodes twice on September 4 and 11, losing his chance at regaining the United States Heavyweight Championship.[28]

International World Heavyweight Champion and retirement (1993–1994)

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Rude switched his sights to theNWA World Heavyweight Championship,making his intentions clear on August 28, 1993, when he was the guest on then-championRic Flair's "A Flair For the Gold" talk segment.[12]Rude defeated Flair for the title in September 1993 atFall Brawl.[29]As WCW had recently withdrawn from the NWA, WCW lost the rights to continue using the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. WCW created their own championship, dubbing it theWCW International World Heavyweight Championship,which Rude lost toHiroshi Haseon March 16, 1994, inTokyo,Japan.[29]Rude regained the title just eight days later inKyoto,Japan.[29]After dropping the title to Sting on April 17 atSpring Stampede,Rude pinned Sting on May 1 atWrestling DontakuinFukuokato become a three-time champion.[29]Rude, however, injured his back during the match when, upon receiving asuicide diveat ringside, he landed on the corner of the raised platform surrounding the ring; unable to wrestle, he was stripped of the title (with the storyline excuse that he was found to have used the title belt as a weapon in the course of the match).[11][29]Rude retired shortly thereafter.[11]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1997)

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Rude at anExtreme Championship Wrestlingtelevision taping in October 1997

Rude collected on aLloyd's of Londoninsurance policy and did not appear in wrestling again until January 1997, when he joinedExtreme Championship Wrestling(ECW) as amaskedman. Rude debuted atHouse Party,declaring that hisNew Year's resolutionwas to "fuck with the Franchise" (Shane Douglas). Rude went on to repeatedly harass Douglas, at one point spanking Douglas'valetFrancineduringCrossing the Line Again.He eventually unmasked and became acolor commentatorbefore later aligning himself, for a short time, with Douglas and hisTriple Threatstable. In the main event ofECW Heat Wave 1997,Rude made a one-off return to the ring in a six-man tag team match, where he partnered with ECW mainstaysTommy DreamerandThe Sandmanto faceJerry Lawlerand ECW starsRob Van DamandSabu,only to betray Dreamer and The Sandman. During the ECW versusUSWA/WWF inter-company competition, Rude helped Lawler win matches against Dreamer and The Sandman.

Return to the WWF (1997)

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Main article:D-Generation X

On August 11, 1997, Rude returned to the WWF as the "insurance policy" of the group that would become known asD-Generation X (DX)(Shawn Michaels,Triple H,andChyna).[30]The D-Generation X name was first used on October 13, 1997. As a member of DX, Rude never wrestled, but stayed ringside during the group's matches. A few days after theMontreal ScrewjobatSurvivor Series,Rude once again left the WWF. According toBret Hart,Rude stayed in the locker room during Bret's confrontation with Vince McMahon after the match in Montreal, and later calledEric Bischoff,informing Bischoff that what had happened was in fact real. Rude was not signed to a full-time contract with the WWF, and was instead performing on a "pay-per-appearance" basis. Rude was able to negotiate a deal with Bischoff and WCW, in large part due to his anger over the Montreal Screwjob.[14][31]

Return to WCW (1997–1999)

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Main article:New World Order (professional wrestling)

Rude appeared on both the WWF'sRaw Is Warand WCW'sMonday Nitroin the same night on November 17, 1997. A mustached Rude appeared onNitro,which was live, and proceeded to criticize Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels, DX, and the WWF, calling the company the "Titanic"(a reference to Titan Sports, as WWF's parent company was then known, as the" sinking ship ").[1]An hour later onRaw Is War(which had been taped six days earlier), Rude then appeared with thefull beardhe had been sporting during his last few weeks in the WWF.[1][32]Rude also appeared on ECW'sHardcore TVduring that weekend (November 14–16 as the show was syndicated differently depending on the market). Rude was still making ECW appearances while he was inD-Generation X,as the WWF and ECW often co-operated in terms of talent.

In WCW, Rude became a member of theNew World Order(nWo), managing his friendCurt Hennig.[11]Thus, Rude became the first wrestler to be part of both DX and nWo. When the nWo split, Hennig and Rude initially sided with the nWo Wolfpac during May 1998.[33]But their time with the "Red & Black" was very brief. AtThe Great American Bash,they turned on fellow Wolfpac memberKonnanby attacking him after he lost to the then-undefeatedGoldberg,resulting in Hennig and Rude both joining nWo Hollywood instead. By late 1998, both Rude and Hennig were off WCW television due to injuries. Hennig had an ongoing leg injury that year, and Rude was thought to have hadtesticular cancerwhich later turned out to be aspermatocele.Hennig returned to the nWo from his injury atStarrcadewithout Rude, who was still unable to appear and was not included in the nWo reunion that happened during January 1999. Rude officially left WCW in April 1999, with his last appearance coming on the April 5, 1999 edition of WCW Monday Nitro Backstage Blast.[34][35]

Personal life

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In 1976, Rood married his love interest, Cheryl Holler. The couple later divorced in 1982. Rood married his second wife Michelle in 1988, and the couple remained together until his death in 1999. They had three children together, Richard Jr., Merissa, and Colton. His younger son, Colton, died on September 3, 2016, in amotorcycleaccident inRome, Georgia,at the age of 19.

Bret Hart has stated that in spite of his womanizing, "Ravishing One" persona, Rude was a devoted family man who never took his wedding ring off even during matches, but instead covered it up with tape.[36]

Death

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Rude was found unconscious by his wife and died on the morning of April 20, 1999, at the age of 40 when he suffered fromheart failure.Anautopsyreport showed he died from an overdose of "mixed medications".[37]At the time of his death, Rude was in training for a return to the ring.[34]The effects ofgamma-hydroxybutyrate,anarcolepsyprevention drug, may have contributed to his death.[38]

Legacy

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On March 6, 2017, it was announced that Rick Rude would be inducted into theWWE Hall of Fame.[39]Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboatinducted Rude.[40]Michelle, Merissa, and Richard Jr. accepted on his behalf.

Championships and accomplishments

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Rude asNWA United States Tag Team Champion,c. 1985

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdefghijklmno"Wrestler Profiles: Rick Rude".Online World of Wrestling.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  2. ^abc""Ravishing" Rick Rude ".WWE.RetrievedApril 7,2018.
  3. ^abcOliver, Greg; Steven Johnson (2007).The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels.ECW Press. p. 208.ISBN978-1-55022-759-8.
  4. ^abFahey, Vince."Rick Rude:Page One".Kayfabe Memories.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  5. ^"Obituaries".Los Angeles Times.April 30, 1999.RetrievedAugust 10,2018.
  6. ^"Rick Rude: Profile & Match Listing".Internet Wrestling Database.RetrievedMarch 30,2018.
  7. ^abOliver, Greg; Steven Johnson (2007).The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels.ECW Press. p. 207.ISBN978-1-55022-759-8.
  8. ^Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers.Sports Publishing. 2004. p.62 pp.ISBN1-58261-817-8.
  9. ^WWE Network
  10. ^Lawler, Jerry; Doug Asheville (2002).It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes.Simon & Schuster. p. 168.ISBN0-7434-7557-7.
  11. ^abcdefgPowell, John."Rick Rude dies".SLAM! Wrestling. Archived fromthe originalon October 7, 1999.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  12. ^abSlagle, Steve.""Ravishing" Rick Rude ".The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived fromthe originalon May 12, 2008.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  13. ^Shields, Brian (2006).Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s.Simon & Schuster. p.109.ISBN1-4165-3257-9.
  14. ^ab"Rick Rude Profile".WrestlingData.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  15. ^ab"NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) history".Wrestling Titles.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  16. ^"Wrestler Profiles: Paul Orndorff".Online World of Wrestling.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  17. ^"Wrestler Profiles: Jake Roberts".Online World of Wrestling.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  18. ^abc"History of the Intercontinental Championship: Rick Rude's first reign".WWE. Archived fromthe originalon July 5, 2008.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  19. ^"History of the Intercontinental Championship: Ultimate Warrior's second reign".WWE. Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2008.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  20. ^abShields, Brian (2006).Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s.Simon & Schuster. p.110.ISBN1-4165-3257-9.
  21. ^"SummerSlam 1990".WWE. Archived fromthe originalon September 8, 2008.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  22. ^"Bobby Heenan".SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012.RetrievedMay 25,2008.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. ^Observer Staff (February 4, 1991)."February 4, 1991 Observer Newsletter: Pivotal week in the life of Dave Meltzer".F4WOnline.com.Wrestling Observer Newsletter.RetrievedSeptember 7,2019.(subscription required)
  24. ^"TWA Spring Spectacular II « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".Archived fromthe originalon July 12, 2020.
  25. ^"Rick Rude - Matches".Cage Match.RetrievedAugust 11,2020.
  26. ^Rick Rude confronts The Honky Tonk Man in IWCCW and The Honky Tonk Man speaks about Rude's death,retrievedAugust 26,2021
  27. ^Lyon, Stephen (July 18, 2004)."WCW Wrestling Classics TV report featuring Steamboat-Rude-Madusa angle".Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived fromthe originalon January 18, 2009.RetrievedMay 26,2008.
  28. ^ab"NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Title history".Wrestling Titles.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  29. ^abcdef"WCW International World Heavyweight Title history".Wrestling Titles.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  30. ^Fahey, Vince."Rick Rude: Page 2".Kayfabe Memories.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  31. ^Hart, Bret (April 24, 1999)."Heaven gains a champ".SLAM! Wrestling. Archived fromthe originalon May 30, 2001.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  32. ^Shields, Brian (2006).Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s.Simon & Schuster. p.111.ISBN1-4165-3257-9.
  33. ^"The History of the New World Order".Wrestling Information Archive. Archived fromthe originalon May 24, 2008.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  34. ^ab"This day in history".PWInsider. April 20, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 3,2015.
  35. ^"WCW Backstage Blast April 4, 1999".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 11,2021.
  36. ^Hart, Bret(2007).Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling.Ebury Press. p. 485 pp.ISBN9780091932862.
  37. ^"Ravishing Rick Rude – Former WWF Wrestler Rick Rude".Allwwewrestlers.com. Archived fromthe originalon December 13, 2009.RetrievedAugust 13,2012.
  38. ^Magee, Bob (June 13, 2001)."As I See It - 6/13/2001".pwbts.com.RetrievedMarch 31,2021.
  39. ^"Steamboat to induct Rick Rude into WWE Hall of Fame".WWE.RetrievedJanuary 28,2018.
  40. ^"Ricky" The Dragon "Steamboat to induct" Ravishing "Rick Rude into WWE Hall of Fame".WWE.com.RetrievedMarch 6,2017.
  41. ^"NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) history".Wrestling Titles.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  42. ^Hoops, Brian (January 16, 2019)."Pro wrestling history (01/16): Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton win WCW Tag Team Titles".Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online.RetrievedJanuary 18,2019.
  43. ^"NWA United States Tag Team Title (Florida version) history".Wrestling Titles.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  44. ^"NWA/AWA Southern Heavyweight Title history".Wrestling Titles.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  45. ^Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2006) [2000.]. "(Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977]".Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present.Waterloo, Ontario: Archeus Communications. pp. 185–189.ISBN0-9698161-5-4.
  46. ^"Southern Tag Team Title".Wrestling-Titles.RetrievedJanuary 19,2020.
  47. ^"WWE United States Championship".RetrievedMay 25,2020.
  48. ^"Nintendo Top Ten Challenege Tournament".Pro Wrestling History.RetrievedJuly 28,2015.
  49. ^ab"Rick Rude: Awards".Pro Wrestling Illustrated.WrestlingData.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  50. ^"Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992".The Internet Wrestling Database.RetrievedFebruary 13,2015.
  51. ^Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Texas: NWA / World Class American Heavyweight Title [Von Eric]".Wrestling Title Histories.Archeus Communications. p. 395.ISBN0-9698161-5-4.
  52. ^"NWA United States Heavyweight Title (1967-1968/05) - American Heavyweight Title (1968/05-1986/02)".Wrestling-Titles.RetrievedDecember 26,2019.
  53. ^Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Texas: WCWA Television Title".Wrestling Title Histories.Archeus Communications. p. 396.ISBN0-9698161-5-4.
  54. ^"World Class Television Title".Wrestling-titles.com.RetrievedNovember 19,2016.
  55. ^"WCWA World Heavyweight Title history".Wrestling Titles.RetrievedMay 25,2008.
  56. ^""Ravishing" Rick Rude to enter WWE Hall of Fame ".www.wwe.com.RetrievedMarch 6,2017.

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