When looking around the professional wrestling landscape, it’s impossible to ignore the footprints or building blocks left by previous greats. Each had their special talent, each could bring out the best in those they worked with, and each of them carved out their own niche in history with the help of their coworkers. One such man was Dusty Rhodes, and this day in wrestling history, we remember him.
Leaving an unforgettable legacy
On June 11, 2015, the man known by many as “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes passed away from kidney failure at 69 years old.
For many, he was the larger than life character that will live on forever after inspiring millions of fans to enjoy wrestling and some to become wrestlers. His feuds with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen are some of the best in history, and his promos are some of, if not the best in history and are must watch for anyone wanting to learn how to do it.
His sons, Dustin and Cody Rhodes, have followed in his footsteps and are currently in AEW. Out of the pair, Dustin has followed in his father’s footsteps the closest while also finding his own way. Though he rarely moved out of the mid-card, his matches are just as memorable.
Because of their lineage, the well known Gorilla position (named after Gorilla Monsoon) behind the curtains has been renamed The Dusty Position in AEW in honor of their father.
In 2015, the WWE created the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic annual tournament that’s held annually in honor of his memory.
Dusty worked for the WWE developmental brand, NXT, as head writer for their weekly show from 2010 to his death. He also gave instruction on how to cut a promo, and had a hand in developing many of the WWE’s current stars.
More than a character
What’s often forgotten due to us being so accustomed to seeing them in character is that wrestlers are human beings, too. In this regard, there are few that have a bad word to say about Dusty. He was always considered a kind and compassionate gentleman.
One of this biggest supporters is Diamond Dallas Page, who cites Dusty for giving him a break in the business and always having his back. DDP is just one of many, but it speaks to the type of character Dusty had. It’s not easy to engender so much loyalty in people, and given how his and Dustin’s problems with one another were documented throughout the 1990s, it’s even more apparent how special he and his sons are that they were able to work through everything.
It’s never easy fulfilling a dream, let along being one, but Dusty did a pretty good job at it. When wrestlers come out and do their promos, it’s hard not to compare them to him. Especially the faces.
Charisma and believability oozed from his pores, and he made us feel like he was talking to each of us individually. He knew how to reach our hearts, and that’s something that’ll never be forgotten on this day in wrestling history.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
