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| Tribute to Dusty Rhodes | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 11 2015, 04:13 PM (725 Views) | |
| Scrooge McSuck | Jun 11 2015, 04:13 PM Post #1 |
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I'll get you next time, toilet!
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First and most important... Dusty Rhode's common-man promo is easily one of the greatest promos in wrestling history. The passion in his voice to sympathize with the audience and the delivery of every line was just masterfully done, and clearly spoken from the heart. Very rarely does a promo, a promo almost 20 years old, still give goosebumps and a little tear to each eye. Dusty Rhodes was a character. From his over-the-top promos in his signature southern drawl, to his in-ring antics looking to have the time of his life, and in the commentary booth where a lady in the men's room was worth going ga-ga about, Dusty Rhodes always seemed to be putting every bit of his energy into what he did. He was the working man's wrestler, the son of a plumber who wined and dined with kings and queens, and slept in an alley eatin' pork and beans. After his in-ring career came to an end, he was the proud father of two outstanding talents, Dustin Rhodes, a.k.a. Goldust, and Cody Rhodes, presently known as Stardust. Even in his advanced age, Dusty could still cut a promo that made you care, and was a focal part of the Shield vs. Rhodes storyline that single-handedly saved Battleground 2013 from being the worst PPV in WWE history. Dusty had many great moments, mostly talking people into spending their hard earned money to see him take on bitter rivals such as the Nature Boy, Ric Flair and Harley Race, to name a few. Possessing a physique that you normally wouldn't take seriously, Rhodes' gift of gab was more than enough to overcome his physical limitations. Hurtful nicknames like the American Cow didn't take away the magic he had when having a microphone in his face. A large scar on his stomach was probably shown, without the need of a singlet to cover it up. From a creative position, he gave us the legendary gimmick known as War Games, but also the dubious honor of the Dusty Finish. My main exposure to Dusty Rhodes came towards the end of his in-ring career, an 18-month stay in the WWF where he was quickly introduced as the "Common Man", and wrestled in unflattering polka dot patterned trunks. Rumors have gone back and forth whether or not the idea was McMahon's or Rhodes, but regardless of the situation, Dusty took what life gave him and ran with it as hard as possible to make the fans care. Only Dusty Rhodes could cut a promo, heart-broken and depressed, about losing his beloved side-kick Sapphire, and make it worth something. Through the goofy tights, the Aunt Jemima sidekick, the "Common Man" theme music, and every other attempt at humiliation, Dusty kept entertaining fans with a smile on his face and his heart on his sleeve. There's never been another quite like Dusty Rhodes, and there sure as heck never will be. RIP Dusty Rhodes (1945-2015) |
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| Erick Von Erich | Jun 12 2015, 03:41 PM Post #2 |
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I'm Big E and I tell it like it is
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I watched the special "Rivalries: Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes" on WWE Network. One thing that stuck with me was Michael Hayes (I think), talking about the Dream's appeal, saying: "Dusty seemed like he could be your friend". I like that. One reason Dusty was my dad's absolute favorite wrestler (he latched on to him during his 1989 WWF run, labeling him "my boy"). Dusty never seemed like "oh no, not THAT asshole again". The guy knew how to adapt. He remained relevant from the 70's through 2015. His 89-90 WWF run was more successful than anybody likes to give him credit for (you could make a case that he was the #3 face from late 1989 on). When his days were over as an in-ring performer, he could still grip the audience with the mic. Sure, he wold ramble sometimes during his WCW days, but his comments helped to put over everything from Sgt. Craig Pittman and Cobra to this evil new nWo thing. I remember Dusty passionately telling WCW to "declare our Independence Day from these Outsiders", prior to 1996's Bash at the Beach. We forget that he was an nWo guy, in a pretty senseless swerve in 1998. However, shortly after joining the nWo, he tagged into an Outsiders match, dropped the Bionic Elbow and got a huge pop from the crowd. Tell me that's not the definition of "over". I'll also add that he went to ECW in 1999/2000..and helped to put over their guys. He wasn't shy about giving new guys the rub or over-praising them. He was almost like Sparky Anderson in pumping up people, that way. For instance, I remember Dusty getting excited over the appearance of Cheetah Kid on an WCW broadcast in 1997. |
| DWS Apparel Store- Buy. Consume. Obey. | |
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| Scrooge McSuck | Jun 12 2015, 07:05 PM Post #3 |
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I'll get you next time, toilet!
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He may not have been the best at calling a wrestling match, but his enthusiasm was there more often than not. When guys like Bobby Heenan and Tony Schiavone were losing their motivations, Dusty was still having fun with his clubberin' and pay-window remarks, and putting over everyone for their abilities. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much I really liked his short WWF run. The feud with the Big Boss Man, including a post-match nightstick beat-down was one of the earliest times I remember seeing someone assaulted like that on WWF TV (complete with minor blade-job). It's not a wrestling masterpiece, but the Mixed Tag from WrestleMania VI. One of the few matches worth rewatching, and to get the crowd's invested attention. I still get a kick out of Elizabeth awkwardly celebrating with Dusty and Sapphire with "Common Man" blaring in the background (fuck the DVD release, I still watch the Coliseum Video). The Sapphire saga from SummerSlam. A bit over-the-top and campy, but at the same time, you felt a bit sorry for Dusty running after the limo after Sapphire turned her back on him because Dibiase bought her away from him. The major-league ass-kicking Dustin took on SNME courtesy Dibiase and Virgil, and Dusty desperately trying to cover him up as a protective shield. Hell, even jobbing to the Undertaker, clean as a sheet, at Survivor Series was a big deal. I could tell Dusty was a name worth something, and Undertaker casually disposing of him was a real "wow" debut. Not too shabby for an 18-month run. These are all moments that stood out before I realized how good he was cutting promos. Sometimes the highlight of watching old episodes of Superstars and Challenge is the Event Center promos from Rhodes, Roberts, and Dibiase to name a few. |
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12:06 PM Jul 11