Profesional Wrestler Dusty Rhodes dead at 69

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T

truly101

I got grudge sucked!
I grew up in prime NWA country, Greensboro NC. Dusty was arguably one of the most loved wrestlers, and it really didn't matter where you came from, what color you were, he appealed to everyone. RIP Big Dust. I'ma have to blade my forehead and drop an elbow on someone in honor.
 
M

mechashiva

Member
Fox318 said:
Dusty never had Macho's baseball skills

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Holy shit "dropping his elbow"?! Is this the real card back?
 
D

DrZeus

Member
This is one of the saddest days in the history of our sport. I need to marathon some nwo era shows just for Dusty and brain during the lucha matches lol.

Agent_Carnage said:
Why does all the great people of our time die in June.

Michael Jackson,Billy Mays and Farrah Fawcett all died in June of 09.

Today we lost Sir Christopher Lee,Dusty Rhodes and who else will be dying today or in a week.
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Arguably the best in ring talent ever
imo
Mitsuharu Misawa died the same week in June09 as MJ and farrah. Fucked my bday week up man.😓
 
I

Ithil

Member
Sami Zayn's tribute to Dusty is worth a read

Earlier today, I was devastated to hear about the passing of Dusty Rhodes. Words like ‘shock’ and ‘sadness’ come to mind, but don’t truly capture the whirlwind of emotions that take place when you are blindsided by news like this. It was particularly shocking to me because I had seen him almost every day this week at the WWE Performance Center when I went in to rehab my shoulder. He appeared to be in good health and so it was really hard for me to believe that the news was true. But as I read more and more about it, and tears filled my eyes, I didn’t know what to do with myself. So I came home and decided to just write a little bit about Dusty. Many mourners referred to Dusty as a great mentor and a great teacher, which he absolutely was. But I would like to share with you the little things about Dusty that I greatly appreciated in my time with him. He was a great guy.

I need to start by stating that Dusty was a particularly huge influence and a great help to me when I first arrived at WWE. I started with the WWE in February 2013, reporting to FCW in Tampa, FL, the developmental territory at the time and predecessor for the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Despite coming to WWE with 11 years of experience already under my belt, the idea of “cutting a promo” terrified me when I first got here. Though I had done a lot before getting to WWE, my interviews or “promos” had consisted of only a few words. I had relied on a lot of my non-verbal skills to get to WWE, but the jig was up now that I had signed. It was time to learn, and school was in session every Thursday at the FCW arena: promo class with Dusty Rhodes.

I don’t know if you’ve ever had to do something that you weren’t good at, in front of someone who happened to be one of the best of all time at it, but needless to say it is intimidating. But Dusty washed away a lot of my fears very quickly, as he took a liking to me right away, and was very nurturing. He really encouraged me to speak in a conversational and natural manner. There is no greater confidence booster than getting a sign of approval from one of the greatest talkers in the history of our industry. As my confidence grew, so too did my interview skills. After every interview, we would tell me what he liked, what not to do, and would frequently remark how I “reminded him of a young Robin Williams”. It made me laugh every time, and it still does, because I still don’t see it.

Dusty is also responsible for my name and character upon my arrival to WWE. After dropping my previous persona from the independents upon signing, I had to choose a new name and a new identity; a new character. It was Dream’s belief in me as a more natural, conversational speaker that helped my decision to more or less just be myself. Picking a name proved to be difficult though, as I had submitted three separate lists of names, all of which had been rejected. Finally, I was asked to narrow it down to 3-5 names and I had a private meeting with Dream to make the big decision. Well, that meeting lasted about a minute.

“So, which name do you like?” Dusty said, in his unmistakable and frequently imitated lisp.
“Uh, I don’t know…I kind of like Sami Zayn”, I replied sheepishly. Bear in mind, I had kept this name on each of the lists, and so the name Sami Zayn had been rejected three times at this point.
“Hmm…Sami Zayn……Sami….Zayn….” he said, as he slowly waved his arm laterally, as if visualizing it on a marquee. He paused, and nodded dramatically. “Yeah, that’s the name. You tell them Dream said Sami Zayn is the name.” And so it was, just like that. Even now telling that story, I have a grin on my face from ear to ear.

I grew so much as a performer thanks to Dusty and my two and a half years spent with him learning to communicate. But for as much as he did for me professionally, the lessons I took from him as a person resonated with me even more.

WWE developmental is a place where you need to learn to navigate the waters of a very unique business, and there are times it can feel like a political minefield. Perhaps what I found most refreshing about Dusty Rhodes is that he was a true life cowboy and sincerely did not give a damn. He spoke his mind. He was defiant. He rocked the boat. He was unapologetic where people were often worried about voicing opinions that differed too much from the norm. In short, he was himself. I can’t tell you how much that resonated with me. And while I don’t aspire to be the cowboy that Dusty was (I could never pull it off any way) he solidified my own faith in myself. He taught me about standing by your convictions and having an opinion of your own, whether it was the popular one or not. For a man who was such a great speaker, it was his actions rather than his words that made the biggest impact of all on me.

In my entire time with Dusty, I honestly don’t remember seeing him in a really bad mood. He was always very lighthearted around the Performance Center, and cracked jokes every single time he would see me. I laughed a lot around Dusty Rhodes. He was very funny, sometimes when he wanted to be, and sometimes just because he was.

One of my favorite things that Dusty would do that would make me laugh, was brag. I absolutely loved it when he would brag. He was just completely unapologetic; he knew exactly how good he was, and he would tell you about it. He would just tell these great stories about himself in his prime; about this amazing promo he cut, and how it sold out the building the next time they came to town. It was done in such honesty, that it was almost humble in a very twisted way; the opposite of someone you can tell thinks they are great but are obviously trying to downplay it. It’s hard to explain, but trust me, it was amazing.

Another thing he did that would make me laugh a lot is he would call people by the wrong name. I still don’t know if he did it on purpose or not, but it was just hilarious. For example, Enzo Amore, one of his star students in promo class and arguably the best talker on a week to week basis in promo class for the last three years…and Dream would still call him “Enzio”. This would make me laugh, every single time, without exception. I’m laughing right now just thinking about it.

My favorite of his wrong names though is undoubtedly when Kevin Owens first showed up at the Performance Center. Kevin came into WWE as Kevin Steen. Usually when a new talent arrives to the PC, his/her first week is only observation, and sometimes just a quick getting to know you. However, on one particular night when many important guests were in attendance (“Luminaries”, as Dream would call them), Dusty decided to surprise everyone and put Kevin on the spot by calling up “Kip Stern” to cut a promo. Kevin just stared blankly because his name was Kevin Steen, not Kip Stern. This awkward silence filled the room for a good 10 seconds until William Regal, who was sitting next to Kevin, nudged him with his elbow and said, “You should probably go up there.” Good God, I still laugh about that one all the time. There’s a road here in Orlando called Stern Street and every single time I drive by it, I do my best Dream impression and say, “Let’s see Kip Stern”. Then I laugh.

As I recount these little anecdotes, I can’t help but feel so lucky to have gotten the past two and a half years to work with Dusty. This man had seen it all, done it all, watched generations come and go, and had a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the business that literally no one else on earth possessed. I got to share in that and that’s just amazing to me.

A few days ago in the trainer’s room at the PC, he was sitting around talking to someone and I said, “Hey Dream, you got put over again by Paul Heyman on Steve Austin’s podcast the other night. Heyman was talking about how you helped him learn how to cut money promos.” And he smiled and in true Dusty form he replied, “There is no one in this business that the Dream hasn’t influenced”. The best part is that he was right. Thank you, Dream. They don’t make people like you anymore. I’m so glad I got to know you.

You will never be forgotten.
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P

Pimpwerx

Member
He lived pretty long for a wrassler. I always liked him, though he was never a favorite of mine. It's crazy how many wrestlers have died since I started watching as a kid. PEACE.
 
The Horror the horror

The Horror the horror

Banned
Dusty Rhodes was the original king of the mic. Ric Flair borrowed so much from Dusty that had the American Dream never existed, Flair would have been just another quiet jobber. There'd be no Nature Boy, no HBK, no Rock.
 
A

acrid

Banned
Fox318 said:
Kevin Owens (Kevin Steen) just posted this



http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1smkk8r
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This was a really hard read. Same thing happened to me long time ago. Saw a friend that I hadn't spoken to in ages across campus. I thought of running up to him to reconnect, but then decided I'd just look for him "later". Well, "later" came and went and I never did. Shortly after that, I received word that he had died. This is guilt I carry with me to this day. Make peace with your family and friends, never hold grudges, and always let your last words to someone be kind, because as Owens said, you never know what tomorrow brings.
 
A

Aiii

So not worth it
Aiii said:
Jesus Christ. I just came home from a night of drinking in Antwerp. Only to read the news of Dusty's passing. RIP Dusty, you were really one of a kind. So much respect to you. You were a legend in every respect. Thank you for eveything. RIP.
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I'm incredible sad right now, RIP.
 
E

Empyrean Heaven

Member
As selfish as this sounds, I'm kind of hoping that this is finally the catalyst for WWE to finally do a WarGames match, although I know it's unlikely.

But man this sucks. Dusty may not have been the best wrestler, but he was an amazing talker and, without question, and Vince McMahon will say otherwise, the greatest mind in the wrestling business. Ever.
 
R

reptilescorpio

Member
RIP Dusty. You were freaking amazing. I really wish I could have met you in the flesh, very few people I can say that about.

Couleurs said:
Or he gets to come back to life because the real coroner was out sick today, so the substitute coroner's decision was overturned
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Perfect Dusty finish lol. He would have loved that one.

Ithil said:
Sami Zayn's tribute to Dusty is worth a read
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Fuck, who's cutting onions in here?
 
R

RunWhiteBoyRun

Member
The new WWE Network Special they need to do every June should be a Dusty Rhodes Memorial War Games match...set up two rings, a cage, and let the color fly.
 
S

Speevy

Banned
I was a WCW fan back in the day so I remember him fondly, and my thoughts are with his family. He was a very charismatic performer.

I hate to get morbid, but did he die of anything that could have been caused by his wrestling career. 69 is young by today's standards, and I hope no one else gets added to the list of wrestlers whose hearts gave out due to hard living.

Again, I apologize if this post is inappropriate.
 
F

Fox318

Member
Sandalphon said:
As selfish as this sounds, I'm kind of hoping that this is finally the catalyst for WWE to finally do a WarGames match, although I know it's unlikely.

But man this sucks. Dusty may not have been the best wrestler, but he was an amazing talker and, without question, and Vince McMahon will say otherwise, the greatest mind in the wrestling business. Ever.
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As long as Vince is alive they will never do anything WCW.

Espically with Kevin Dunn in his ear.

Hell he took dusty and put polka dots on him.
 
I

Into

Member
The American Dream babeh will always live on. What a fantastic performer who has helped so many guys in the bussiness and been such a intergral part of the whole thing for nearly 50 years.

Rest in peace Dusty, and thank you for all the great memories.
 
F

Forkball

Member
It's hard to list someone more influential in wrestling than Dusty Rhodes. So sad to see him go, he was loved by so many. Today is the worst.
 
D

Downhome

Member
Crushing.

I felt my heart sink when I saw this thread bumped up, and I'm well aware of the news already. I still can't believe it.
 
T

Tagyhag

Member
What the hell, a year? Feels like 6 months ago at the very latest. His tribute video was so fucking good. RIP Dream.
 
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