"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes

[Russ McDonald]

Thought everyone waiting for the draw results to come out for something different.  Who grew up on old school wrestling.  Don't get me wrong I know it is fake but really enjoyed the days of Nick Bonkwinkle, Jumping Jim Bronzel, Dusty Rhodes.  Before all the drama and soap opera stuff.  Dusty Rhodes passed away today.

WWE is deeply saddened that Virgil Runnels, aka “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes — WWE Hall of Famer, three-time NWA Champion and one of the most captivating and charismatic figures in sports entertainment history — passed away today at the age of 69.

Photos: Dusty's career-defining moments

Runnels became a hero to fans around the world thanks to his work ethic, his impassioned interviews and his indomitable spirit. Moreover, Runnels was a dedicated father to WWE Superstars Goldust (Dustin Runnels) and Stardust (Cody Runnels), a caring husband and a creative visionary who helped shape the landscape of WWE long after his in-ring career had ended.

WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Runnels’ family, friends and colleagues.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/dusty-rhodes-passes-away

[poopooheaddad]

Jimmy "SUPERFLY" Snuka,,,,  wasn't his partner for a while playboy buddy rose

[Russ McDonald]

Jimmy "SUPERFLY" Snuka,,,,  wasn't his partner for a while playboy buddy rose

He wasn't of Dusty's.  Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka was a blast to watch.  Snuka has a daughter and I believe nephews in the WWE wrestling right now.

[DoubleJ]

I don't know how "dedicated" of a father he was when he denounced Dustin, calling him a fag because he chose to continue with the Goldust character and didn't chose to "shove that make-up up Vince's ass".

[GrainfedMuley]

OK,  Andre the Giant.......showing my age here

[Angry Perch]

Man, we'd gather around the TV every Sunday morning for All Star Wrestling. Jake the Milkman Milliman, Nick Bockwinkle... those were the days!

[DoubleJ]

Man, we'd gather around the TV every Sunday morning for All Star Wrestling. Jake the Milkman Milliman, Nick Bockwinkle... those were the days!

Colonel DeBeers.  Enough said.

[Russ McDonald]

Man, we'd gather around the TV every Sunday morning for All Star Wrestling. Jake the Milkman Milliman, Nick Bockwinkle... those were the days!

I would be sitting with my grandpa watching it.  Junk Yard Dog, Mad Dog Vachon, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Vern Gagne, The Iron Shiek

I don't know how "dedicated" of a father he was when he denounced Dustin, calling him a fag because he chose to continue with the Goldust character and didn't chose to "shove that make-up up Vince's ass".

Now his other son Cody is doing the thing like his brother Dustin.

[Angry Perch]

The Crusher!

[DoubleJ]

Man, we'd gather around the TV every Sunday morning for All Star Wrestling. Jake the Milkman Milliman, Nick Bockwinkle... those were the days!

I would be sitting with my grandpa watching it.  Junk Yard Dog, Mad Dog Vachon, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Vern Gagne, The Iron Shiek

I don't know how "dedicated" of a father he was when he denounced Dustin, calling him a fag because he chose to continue with the Goldust character and didn't chose to "shove that make-up up Vince's ass".

Now his other son Cody is doing the thing like his brother Dustin.

That's because Goldust was a career maker and Stardust has taken Cody to that next level when he had been stagnant for a couple of years. For Dusty to bad mouth the Goldust character and say the many negative things he did because he didn't like the characters overtones, especially when it made his son famous, was out of bounds in my opinion.

[Russ McDonald]

Man, we'd gather around the TV every Sunday morning for All Star Wrestling. Jake the Milkman Milliman, Nick Bockwinkle... those were the days!

I would be sitting with my grandpa watching it.  Junk Yard Dog, Mad Dog Vachon, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Vern Gagne, The Iron Shiek

I don't know how "dedicated" of a father he was when he denounced Dustin, calling him a fag because he chose to continue with the Goldust character and didn't chose to "shove that make-up up Vince's ass".

Now his other son Cody is doing the thing like his brother Dustin.

That's because Goldust was a career maker and Stardust has taken Cody to that next level when he had been stagnant for a couple of years. For Dusty to bad mouth the Goldust character and say the many negative things he did because he didn't like the characters overtones, especially when it made his son famous, was out of bounds in my opinion.

I agree but I also think it was a story line.  I believe Dusty Rhodes was involved in recruiting and behind the scenes with WWE.  No a days it is all about the story line and drama.

Remember when it used to be 2 out of 3 falls.

[Nice Racks]

Those guys go through a lot to entertain us. RIP Dusty.

[DoubleJ]

Man, we'd gather around the TV every Sunday morning for All Star Wrestling. Jake the Milkman Milliman, Nick Bockwinkle... those were the days!

I would be sitting with my grandpa watching it.  Junk Yard Dog, Mad Dog Vachon, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Vern Gagne, The Iron Shiek

I don't know how "dedicated" of a father he was when he denounced Dustin, calling him a fag because he chose to continue with the Goldust character and didn't chose to "shove that make-up up Vince's ass".

Now his other son Cody is doing the thing like his brother Dustin.

That's because Goldust was a career maker and Stardust has taken Cody to that next level when he had been stagnant for a couple of years. For Dusty to bad mouth the Goldust character and say the many negative things he did because he didn't like the characters overtones, especially when it made his son famous, was out of bounds in my opinion.

I agree but I also think it was a story line.  I believe Dusty Rhodes was involved in recruiting and behind the scenes with WWE.  No a days it is all about the story line and drama.

Remember when it used to be 2 out of 3 falls.

When he said those things about Dustin though, he was still with WCW and not affiliated with WWF (at the time).  There was real life bad blood between the two for a number of years.  Not exactly what I'd call a supportive father during those years

[Russ McDonald]

Man, we'd gather around the TV every Sunday morning for All Star Wrestling. Jake the Milkman Milliman, Nick Bockwinkle... those were the days!

I would be sitting with my grandpa watching it.  Junk Yard Dog, Mad Dog Vachon, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Vern Gagne, The Iron Shiek

I don't know how "dedicated" of a father he was when he denounced Dustin, calling him a fag because he chose to continue with the Goldust character and didn't chose to "shove that make-up up Vince's ass".

Now his other son Cody is doing the thing like his brother Dustin.

That's because Goldust was a career maker and Stardust has taken Cody to that next level when he had been stagnant for a couple of years. For Dusty to bad mouth the Goldust character and say the many negative things he did because he didn't like the characters overtones, especially when it made his son famous, was out of bounds in my opinion.

I agree but I also think it was a story line.  I believe Dusty Rhodes was involved in recruiting and behind the scenes with WWE.  No a days it is all about the story line and drama.

Remember when it used to be 2 out of 3 falls.

When he said those things about Dustin though, he was still with WCW and not affiliated with WWF (at the time).  There was real life bad blood between the two for a number of years.  Not exactly what I'd call a supportive father during those years

I think it all got settled out.  Both sons inducted him into the Hall of Fame a couple years ago.

[BOWHUNTER45]

That's to bad ..I used to watch all the stuff back in the day with my Grandfather ...When that stuff was on you did not bother him about anything ..He loved that crap a lot ..my best memories with him was staying up to 11pm and watching wrestling ..Midget wrestling was our all time favorite ..So funny watching those little dudes flying around the ring ..Superfly was one of my favorites ! After Stone Cold left I pretty much gave up on it , All UFC for me now !!

[PlateauNDN]

Rip

[Russ McDonald]

Wow I am pleasantly surprised that there is a bunch of wrestling watchers here.  I thought I would get a bunch of crap for watching wrestling.

That's to bad ..I used to watch all the stuff back in the day with my Grandfather ...When that stuff was on you did not bother him about anything ..He loved that crap a lot ..my best memories with him was staying up to 11pm and watching wrestling ..Midget wrestling was our all time favorite ..So funny watching those little dudes flying around the ring ..Superfly was one of my favorites ! After Stone Cold left I pretty much gave up on it , All UFC for me now !!

New school yeah Stone Cold was the man, the Rock was a blast to watch.  He could talk the talk for sure.  John Cena kind of took up reins but he really can't play and heal.  He is a good guy.  I really slowed on watching since the Rock left.  Been to some events  WWF and WCW.  I also saw some old AWA stars in a gym when I was a kid.  The Road Warriors Hawk and Animal were probably one of my all time favorites.  OOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhh whattttt aaaaa Ruuuuusssshhhhh.  They would always be fined and suspended because they were to rough.

[DoubleJ]

Dean Ambrose at his best will fill your Stone Cold Steve Austin void.  He's held back so much by the new rules they play by on TV now though

[Buckmark]

Rowdy Roddy Piper was my favorite, then Stone cold..
Have not watched any in years though..

[Tbob]

Colonel DeBeerds ended up being a teacher of mine in Highschool.. I was like WTH?!?!?!  It was awesome! He gave us all the lo-down on the wrestling life.. Told us about Jake the Snakes huge coke habit, a few of the guys who were gay with eachother, all kinds of stuff.. It was the best quarter of school ever!!

[poopooheaddad]

My dad used to take me to the Masonic temple in Seattle back in the 70's,,,,Lumber Jack Luke,,and I heard some one say the Iron Sheik.....good memories......

[logger]

I remember as a kid portland big time wrestling!! several years ago I was loading logs in eastern oregon and rip oliver was the truck driver.

[Bullkllr]

My dad used to take me to the Masonic temple in Seattle back in the 70's,,,,Lumber Jack Luke,,and I heard some one say the Iron Sheik.....good memories......

  Lumberjack Luke and his partner Logger Larson. Remember them getting all riled up for the camera and calling all the fans "Pig Farmers!" Good memories.

I was a big Dutch Savage fan for awhile. When Jimmy Snuka was really young he was his partner for a while.

Bull Ramos was a kick. A really young Jesse Ventura was introduced as his sidekick. First few times I saw him Ramos led him around on a chain like an animal and then throw him a giant sausage that he tore apart. Who would guess future Governor?

[BOWHUNTER45]

Rowdy Roddy Piper was my favorite, then Stone cold..
Have not watched any in years though..

Yeah ...Rowdy Piper was good too ... I like most of them ..But who I hated the most was Rick Flair ...I wish someone would have really used a bat on his head 

[BLR 243]

Mean Gene Kininski ? I liked Rowdy Piper

[Threewolves]

Cowboy Bill Watts.

[bigmacc]

Eric Frolic who wrestled barefooted and was "the scientific rassler", the man of a thousand holds. How bout George "the animal" Steel, who was half human-half animal and when he got riled up would just wander to one of the corners and proceed to eat the turnbuckles  .....oh,good times!

[Curly]

Rowdy Piper lives near Portland. He was on a house hunting show a while back; seems like a  really nice guy.

[SniperDanWA]

Met Andre in Sioux City, Ia when I was 16.
Jerry Blackwell.
Hulk Hogan
Vern Gognya (so)
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Big bald white guy who didn't talk, held out his hand like he was crushing the skull.
Oh yeah.  Another one said this every time he was interviewed,
Greg something was the TV announcer

Loved it...

[Jason]

Jimmy "SUPERFLY" Snuka,,,,  wasn't his partner for a while playboy buddy rose

He wasn't of Dusty's.  Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka was a blast to watch.  Snuka has a daughter and I believe nephews in the WWE wrestling right now.

The Snukas had lived in the Couve from time to time. Not sure if any of them are still around here.

[Russ McDonald]

Met Andre in Sioux City, Ia when I was 16.
Jerry Blackwell.
Hulk Hogan
Vern Gognya (so)
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Big bald white guy who didn't talk, held out his hand like he was crushing the skull.
Oh yeah.  Another one said this every time he was interviewed,
Greg something was the TV announcer

Loved it...

Baron Vonraski.  It was called the claw.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[DoubleJ]

These all bring back great childhood saturday morning memories but, I have to say that my all time favorite period was the Attitude era and the Monday Night Wars.  I was in my late teens/early twenties and all that angst and attitude really resonated with me.  I've spent the past 2 hours now watching old videos of that time period.

[poopooheaddad]

lots of good memories,,,,, forgot about Dutch Savage, didn't he have the heart punch, Baron Vonraskinch? that evil bald man, I hope Snuka's back is okay.......

[SniperDanWA]

Met Andre in Sioux City, Ia when I was 16.
Jerry Blackwell.
Hulk Hogan
Vern Gognya (so)
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Big bald white guy who didn't talk, held out his hand like he was crushing the skull.
Oh yeah.  Another one said this every time he was interviewed,
Greg something was the TV announcer

Loved it...

Baron Vonraski.  It was called the claw.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Yep, that's him.

Randy Savage, that's the other one.  He kept saying, oh yeah! When he was interviewed.  Wore sun glasses.  Funny thing, I still have VHS tapes of these guys somewhere.

[b23]

I remember as a kid portland big time wrestling!! several years ago I was loading logs in eastern oregon and rip oliver was the truck driver.

I've never watched much of the modern day stuff but as a preteen I used to watch Big Time Wrestling all the time. 

Anyone remember Johnny Eagles?  His gimmick was he could escape from anyone's "hold".  When I was 8 we were passing through Portland on our way to the sea lion caves and stopped at this crappy truck stop cafe to have dinner.  We'd driven straight through and it was pretty late as I recall, around 10pm I'd guess.  We were getting ready to leave when I noticed Johnny Eagles walk by with, what I assumed was his wife.  My folks and my older sister used to tease me for watching Big Time Wrestling so they were clueless who he was but I instantly knew and the President could have walked by and I wouldn't have cared but I sure as hell knew who Johnny Eagles was.  Being 8 I was way to scared to just walk up and talked to him but, and this is probably one of the coolest things my dad ever did for me, my dad said he'd go with me if I wanted to walk over and say hi.  So we did and even though I was interrupting his dinner, he couldn't have been more gracious.  In fact I recall he wanted to give us tickets to the event that was coming up that weekend but we weren't going to be in the area for it.

What about Stan "the man" Stasiak, anyone remember him?  I remember his gimmick was the "heart punch" and if he set you up and put the "heart punch" on you, it was all over.  LOL

Wow, those memories go back nearly 40 years for me.  Dang, I'm gettin old!  Guess I should be thankful I can still remember that stuff.

RIP Dusty Rhodes

[b23]

Also, for anyone who may remember, wasn't the name of referee that did all the Portland Big Time Wrestling stuff, Sand Barr?  I'm not sure if that's right but it sticks in my head for some reason.

[poopooheaddad]

Rowdy Roddy Piper just died 

[b23]

Rowdy Roddy Piper just died 

I read that yesterday, he was only 61.  Rowdy, RIP!

[Russ McDonald]

Now they 2 are having a strap match in the big squared circle.