Today on Twitter, Paul “Triple H” Levesque broke the news of the passing of Virgil Runnels, better known to professional wrestling fans as “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. He was 69.
Saddened to hear the passing of Dusty Rhodes. Legend, teacher, mentor, friend…Love you Dream #BookinAintEasyKid pic.twitter.com/ZxlGSgKB8J
— Triple H (@TripleH) June 11, 2015
A legend in the wrestling world, Rhodes was a three time NWA World Heavyweight champion as well as countless titles. Rhodes was also one of the biggest draws in professional wrestling, especially in the Florida territories. Rhodes was a well known booker and fathered two children who became pro wrestlers in the WWE in Dustin “Goldust” Runnels and Cody Rhodes. He had most recently been a booker for the WWE, especially involved in the NXT brand for World Wrestling Entertainment. He was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame, WCW Hall of Fame and Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. was born October 12, 1945 in Austin, Texas and started his career in the American Wrestling Association in the 1960s. Runnels was a college football player for West Texas A&M University, known for producing some of the best professional wrestlers after they left football. He first made his mark in wrestling in a tag team with “Dirty” Dick Murdoch called the Texas Outlaws. He soon made his way into the National Wrestling Alliance as a star in the Florida territories. In the 1980s, as Jim Crockett Promotions became the central hub of the NWA, Dusty was front and center as the main booker and biggest star along with Ric Flair. Rhodes would stay in Jim Crockett Promotions until their sale to Time Warner, where after losing his booker status he eventually made his way to the World Wrestling Federation in 1989. Rhodes would return to WCW in 1991 as part of the booking committee, only making appearances in the ring to tag team with his son Dustin Runnels. Throughout the 90s he would only made some appearances on television, either as a colour commentator, working as a stooge for the New World Order and even a few appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling to square off against Steve Corino.
Just when you think you’re having a good day. Rest In Peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/geqCQX2GxC — Steve Corino (@KINGCorino) June 11, 2015
In 2000 he opened up his own independent wrestling promotion called Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. The promotion featured many former WCW talents after the sale of World Championship Wrestling to the WWF. Rhodes soon made his way to TNA Wrestling in 2003, working as their on-air authority and being a part of the booking committee. He was known for a lot of comical segments including having his “office” be the back of a pickup truck. Rhodes returned to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2005 to be a part of the booking team as a consultant and eventually rose to becoming a head booking writer for Smackdown. He was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 by his sons Dustin and Cody. He had most recently been working as head writer and creative director of NXT, helping create the future of the WWE.
His legacy in professional wrestling includes changing the expected mold of a champion. He pushed a common man appeal, antithesis to the Gorgeous George’s, Freddie Blassie’s and Ric Flair’s. To the very end he was one of the greatest promos in the history of the business and always held a connection with the audience. Intelligent far beyond his gimmick, Rhodes was a booker spanning four decades. His words will be immortalized in the annals of professional wrestling. His connection with the fans never broken. Dusty Rhodes may have passed away but the American Dream will live on his children and wrestling fans forever. The view never changes.
More news as it comes.
