The face of the NWA, Dusty Rhodes brought modern day promo work, crowd interaction, and electricity to the then territory system. His baby face run throughout the 70's would come to inspire similar wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan and John Cena. Known for his bionic elbow, boogie woogie dance moves, and the ability to turn any match into a bloody brawl, Dusty knew how to reach the hardcore fans of traditional southern wrestling as well as the children that would grow into the Attitude Era fans.
It was his legendary feud with The Nature Boy Ric Flair, however, that took Dusty's legend to new heights.Winning the NWA strap three times, in 60 minute epics with the Nature boy. Dusty also played an important role behind the scenes revolutionizing the way wrestling matches were booked to this day. In the late 80's Dusty finally arrived in the WWF, making peace with Vince McMahon, yet being saddled with a Common Man gimmick, the Dream still made it work, leaving a lasting impression during his short run with the company as a talent.
A creative mind behind the scenes with WCW, TNA, and eventually back to WWE where he was a driving force behind the NXT development system, Dusty's career behind the camera had become as legendary and storied as the one in the ring. No matter if you're a fan of the 70's era, the 80's and 90's, or the new millennium, Dusty Rhodes remained a staple that meant many things to each generation. I remember him in his Polka Dots dancing with his valet Sapphire, and later on as the Daddy of Golddust and Stardust, but it will be the legacy he left in NWA that most will return to as proof that Dusty Rhodes was pound for pound one of the greatest to ever stand in the squared circle.
We thank you Dream, without you, there would be no wrestling as we know it.
"I have dined with Kings and Quens, and slept in alleys dining on Pork N Beans!" - Dusty Rhodes
0 comments :
Post a Comment