I’m sure you all know by now that the wrestling world lost one of its greatest yesterday, ‘The American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes. SLTD Wrestling were truly saddened by this news, so we decided to all get together and write a little something for the Dweem! I hope you all enjoy our thoughts on Dusty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Dusty Rhodes.
Tony Rogers (@StunSeedSLTD)
Dusty Rhodes really captured what the “American Dream” was all about. In the 1980’s he gave the American working class people a voice and reason to believe that they could accomplish great things through hard work and perseverance. Without a chiseled physique and model type looks and with a genuine speech impediment, he managed to achieve greatness in an industry usually reserved for body-builders and people with great verbal skills.
He was an inspiration to many, both in and out of the ring. There will never be another Dusty Rhodes.
Ciaran Legend (@Ciaran_1986)
Although Dusty Rhodes was a little before my time there is no doubt we have all felt his presence within the wrestling business. The creator of the ‘Dusty Finish’ and the awesome gimmick that was War Games will forever be remembered by a legion of fans old and new. Most recently we saw him participate with his sons Cody and Goldust against the Authority in a thrilling storyline of WWE screens in 2013, that will always be fondly looked upon by myself. To relive many memories of Dusty we can witness it all on the WWE Network and in truth this is where it comes into it’s own, allowing the fans to view footage of a true wrestling legend. RIP American Dream.
Callum Owen (@CallumOwen98)
I never watched dusty in a WWE match, but what I do know is that he has done a tremendous amount for the future. Whether it’s being the father to Cody and Dustin Rhodes or being an instrumental member of the NXT writing team, helping out with the women’s division in NXT which has arguably vastly improved with thanks to Dusty. He achieved the American Dream and he has and always will help other wrestlers achieve their very own. Long live the American Dream and long live Dusty Rhodes’ legend.
Alex Hazlewood (@MrHazlewood)
RIP Dream.
The charismatic Everyman who lit up the arenas with his ability and showmanship. Gave us in my opinion one of the greatest concepts ever in the “War Games match” which in my eyes must have inspired the elimination chamber. Feuds with flair and the four horsemen will always be remembered. His legacy has continued since his retirement from the ring through the brilliant work of his sons Dustin and Cody and his work with NXT proved that up until the end he was still a genius in the business. He Made it ok for us buxom gents to get away with polka dots, haha! He was “265 pounds of blue eyed soul” Rest In Peace Dusty!!!
Adam O’Brien (@AdamOB_UTS)
Dusty Rhodes was perhaps the original underdog in professional wrestling. Surrounded by athletes with chiselled physiques, or towering behemoths who stood upwards of 7-feet, Dusty was the son of a plumber, dressed in polka dots and was a little heavier than most. He prided himself on being a common man with a big dream.
Fast forward a few decades and the entire world of wrestling, be it performers or fans, are mourning his loss as one of the most charismatic, most influential superstars in wrestling history. Whether you were watching Dusty do what he did best back in the 70s and 80s, or you’re like me and were born in a much later era and had to educate yourself on the good he brought to the squared circle, or you just started watching when Dusty aided his two sons, Cody Rhodes and Goldust to victory not two years ago, you know who Dusty Rhodes is.
He has one of the most recognisable voices in wrestling history, which he utilised to add some extra gravitas to his now iconic promos, particularly his infamous ‘Hard Times’ promo which many consider one of the single greatest promos ever delivered in the industry. Anyone out there studying how to become a professional wrestler, strap yourself to a chair and watch that video on loop. That is how you bring passion into your work. That is how you win over the hearts of many.
One of my favourite Dusty lines was “I have wined and dined with kings and queens, and I’ve slept in alleys and dined on pork and beans”, which truly exemplifies the transition that Dusty made in his rise to stardom as a professional wrestler.
And while Dusty’s legendary career may have been over from an in-ring point of view, he was working to the best of his ability to preserve this great industry for generations to come, working with younger talent in NXT. You know, just a few hours before I got the news of Dusty’s passing, I was watching an interview with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady, who discussed how vocal Dusty was in his belief of them. They said he was a huge helping hand in their current popularity down in NXT.
Not only that, but the last ever tweet he sent out was to put over Becky Lynch, one of NXT’s brightest female stars. He probably didn’t know it would be his last at the time, but he went to great lengths to make sure that his “NXT kids” knew he was proud of them, and the impact he made on each one of them will carry over when they make their marks on the main roster. In teaching them, Dusty Rhodes immortalised himself even more, and with each grapple, and each promo, they will carry his legacy into the future.
I am honoured to say that I got to witness Dusty Rhodes in person, when he inducted the legendary Four Horsemen into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2012. When he spoke, you listened, and while he may be gone now, his incredible promos and performances will live on forever, through video content and through the careers of all of his students in NXT.
Dusty, you are one of my greatest heroes in life. You taught me that no matter your size or your background, the sky is the limit, and you can achieve even the biggest of dreams if you believe in yourself. I owe you a lot, and I don’t think I would be the same man I am today if not for you.
Thank you, Dusty Rhodes.
George (@GTAPeel)
Words can’t do justice to how I’m feeling right now. I’m devastated. Actually devastated. A grown-ass 32 year-old man sitting here crying because someone he doesnt know has died.
Normally, the Tyberial one and I give each other abuse by text or on Twitter. But when we discovered the dream was gone, it was like we could feel the same pain.
Words like legend and icon get thrown about too much, and too freely, these days. So much so that they’ve lost all meaning. But Dusty Rhodes is both of those, and so much more.
Dusty was the common man, but not a common man. He had a shit-ton of charisma and a kick-ass attitude. The people loved Dusty Rhodes cos he was one of them. He was everything a pro-wrestler should be.
Every wrestler working today has been influenced by Dusty – whether it’s their promos, charisma or work style.
Dusty’s influence will live on forever. A man so good, it was like he was touched by the gods.
It’s perhaps fitting that he spent his last years watching his two boys as tag champs, all the while nurturing the next generation of stars in WWE developmental.
Dusty Rhodes – you will forever wine and dine with kings and queens. For you are a king. And our world is a poorer place without you in it.
Greg Ledson (@Tybo_SLTD)
What can possibly be said to justify the life and career of Dusty Rhodes? To say his death was a blow is an understatement. As George says above, it’s very rare we are nice to each other through text and tweets, but when he told me I was in shock. It’s a really strange feeling being quite so upset about a man you have never met, but that’s the power of The Dream I guess.
You could just tell that Dusty loved the business of pro-wrestling, he was one of those wrestlers who was born to do this. The thing that made him so great was that his matches and promos still stand up to this day! If you want an example of this YouTube his ‘Hard Times’ promo. It’s about 30 years old and is still competently relevant today.
Dusty was hardcore before hardcore was a word, he was a show man before wrestling had show men, and he cut story telling promos, before this was commonplace. The wrestling world was truly a better place with The Dream involved. Without a doubt a benefited Legend in the pro-wrestling business.
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