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Dusty Rhodes is
without a doubt one of the most charasmatic, entertaining, and famous
wrestlers of all-time. During his prime, he was second only to Andre
The Giant (and some would say Andre was second only to Dusty Rhodes)
in terms of worldwide fame and fan support. Dusty was probably the
most loved wrestler in the sport from the 1970's through the mid/late
1980's, consistently drawing large crowds wherever he wrestled. Be
it the NWA/WCW, the WW(W)F, the AWA, Japan, or anywhere else the nomadic
grappler roamed during his 20+ year career. There was something different
about the fast talking, down-to-earth "son of a plumber"
that endeared him to wrestling fans everywhere. His non-stop traveling
between regional and national promotions helped him become one of
the top 5 drawing cards in wrestling during his years in the ring.
Dusty Rhodes truly was "The American Dream"...the regular
guy who made it big. Really big.
But despite the overwhelming popularity Dusty enjoyed during his prime,
the rotund grappler from Austin, TX. didn't always have such a loving
relationship wit the fans.
He first gained notoriety in the sport as part of the legendary rule
breaking team The Texas Outlaws with his longtime friend/enemy/friend
"Dirty" Dick Murdoch during the mid/late 1960's. The two
rugged Texans were despised for their cheating tactics and disrespectful
actions towards the fans. But like they say -- in wrestling, the more
they hate you...the more they love you.
Brawling and (usually) cheating their way to several Tag Team titles,
The Outlaws were certainly one of wrestling's most hated duos. But
when, after several very successful years as a team, the two friends
parted ways to pursue solo careers, Murdoch went on to achieve great
success across the world. But Dusty would go on to even greater heights,
and eventually became the most popular wrestler in the sport until
Hulk Hogan
In the years after The Outlaws, Dusty went on to become one of wrestling's
most-traveled competitors. He often wrestled in 2, 3, even 4 different
territorial promotions at once. For most of 1979, Dusty had top spot's
in the Top 10 of the NWA, AWA, and WWWF simultaneously. It truly was
a different time and climate in the sport, and "The American
Dream" was on top of the world.
Rhodes engaged in long, bitter, and bloody feuds (all of which invariably
drew record attendance) with some of the biggest names ever, Ivan
and Nikita Koloff, Ric Flair and (numerous incarnations of) The Four
Horsemen, Ted Dibiase, Randy Savage, and many, many more.
Dusty always craved "the Big One," the NWA World Heavyweight
Championship. After years of missing it by "that much" do
to cheating titleholders and bad luck, Dusty's childhood dream would
finally come true…three different times.
Dusty's first NWA World Title reign was a true heartbreaker. After
3 years of wrestling Harley Race all across the country and losing
each time do to count out, DQ, or Race's cheating, Dusty Rhodes finally
defeated Race and became World Champion. The victory sent shockwaves
through the wrestling world...but Dusty's reign was not to be.
Dusty was set to engage in a rematch with former champion Harley Race.
But before the match could start, a crazed Terry Funk stormed the
ring and, in one of his most famous "sneak attacks" ever,
Funk broke Dusty's arm with a knee from the top rope. A disgusted
Race nailed Funk with a right to the jaw and even offered to reschedule
the match. Dusty refused, saying he didn't want to disappoint the
fans. But disappointed they were...Rhodes went on to lose the NWA
belt back to Race that night, ending Dusty's 1st World title reign
after just 5 days.
Dusty would bounce back, though and 2 years later he again defeated
Race for the NWA World title. Dusty defended the title 4 to 5 nights
per week during his 2nd reign, and it was that heavy schedule that
would help end his run after just 4 months.
After a prestigious career in the NWA/WCW, Dusty left his "home"
of so many years, and after dabbling in the Florida independent scene
for a short time, he ended up in the World Wrestling Federation where,
despite the embarrassing "Plumber Man", "Pizza Man",
and "Potty Man" video segments he was forced to film upon
entering the WWF, he was again extremely popular with the fans. The
ovations he received when entering the ring were nearly as loud, if
not louder, than those usually reserved by the fans for Hulk Hogan.
No matter where he went, fans loved this blue-collar hero, and Dusty
became one of the WWF's biggest attractions.
Dusty introduced his debuting son Dustin to WWF fans and the two formed
a team to fight "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. Dustin
has gone on to carve his own niche' as Goldust, a champion and personality
in the sport. Dusty retired from the ring after his last WWF stint
and became a WCW announcer.
Title
Summary:
NWA North
American (Hawaii) title
NWA North American (Mid South) title
NWA Mid South U.S. Tag Team title w/Andre
Florida Heavyweight Championship (10)
Florida TV Title (2)
Florida Tag Team Title (4)
Georgia Heavyweight Title
Southern Heavyweight Title (7)
Mid Atlantic TV title
NWA National Heavyweight title
NWA/WCW World 6-Man Tag Team Title (2)
NWA/WCW U.S. Heavyweight title
NWA/WCW World TV Title (3)
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