Andrew Lutzke
Presented by RF Video
The Man: “The American Dream” “Son of a plumber”. Legend. Dusty broke into wrestling in the late 60’s as a heel and quickly found a long term partner in Dick Murdoch. The two young men traveled the wrestling circuit together for years – raising hell and winning titles. He and Murdoch as the “Texas Outlaws” captured the Central States North American tag belts in 1968, the Texas version of the American Tag Titles, Detroit Tag titles and Florida Tag titles all in 1970, and the Australian Tag titles in 1971. Dusty also partnered with Baron Von Raschke to capture the Texas Tag titles in 1969. Rhodes captured singles titles along the way in various territories as well.
Rhodes and Murdoch ventured into the AWA’s loaded tag team division and feuded with Da Crusher and Dick the Bruiser and when the blood wasn’t being spilled in the ring from that wild feud, Murdoch and Rhodes were getting hammered and riding a mule into a local bar while firing pistols in the air. The crazy southern boys got to act out their wild side in Verne Gagne’s movie, The Wrestler:
Dusty and “Dirty” Dick eventually sought their fortunes as single stars, and Rhodes scored a significant victory in 1971 over World title contender Bill Watts, capturing the North American Heavyweight title in the process.
In 1972, Dusty entered into the territory that would become his home – Eddie Graham’s Florida Championship Wrestling. Dusty became a respected competitor, capturing titles and finally winning over the fans hearts in May of 1974, when Dusty and his partner Pak Song came to blows and Rhodes officially became a fan favorite.
During his long run in Florida Dusty would capture the Florida title many times from such names as Bill Watts, Bob Roop (x2), Bob Orton jr, SuperStar Billy Graham, Buddy Wolfe, Ernie Ladd, Lars Anderson, The Spoiler, King Curtis Iaukea, and Bobby Jaggers. Rhodes would never forget his tag team roots though and captured various tag titles over the same time period with Blackjack Mulligan, Dick Slater, Andre the Giant, Bobo Brazil, and Bugsy McGraw.
All this success saw Rhodes become considered more and more as a serious threat to the NWA World title – and with a powerful and respected promoter in Eddie Graham grooming Rhodes in and out of the ring, it seemed only a matter of time. After falling short against Harley Race numerous times, Rhodes finally captured the title on August 21, 1979 in Tampa. His reign would last a mere 5 days as most NWA promoters didn’t think a babyface (and a chunky one at that) was viable as a long term champion – despite Rhodes box office success. For the sake of kayfabe, Terry Funk “broke” Dusty’s arm prior to his title loss to Race – giving Rhodes an injury ‘out” and adding fuel to the Funk/Rhodes rivalry.
The next major encounter between Race and Rhodes took place at “The Last Tangle in Tampa” a four plus hour twelve match super card featuring both WWWF and NWA World title matches, held at the Tampa Stadium and drawing nearly a half million dollars (considering inflation). It was to be Rhodes’ last ever World title match per Dusty’s declaration before the bout. However after besting Race 1 fall to none, in a match that went to a time limit draw under best of 3 falls rules, it was Race who was upset that he hadn’t proved he was better than Rhodes and further rematches would occur – culminating in 1981 with a June NWA World title victory for Dusty. This time Rhodes was allowed to keep the title for nearly three months, before losing the belt to future longtime rival Ric Flair.
Dusty continued to book and headline for Florida, participating in a long feud with Kevin Sullivan and his Army of Darkness. Sullivan not only went after Rhodes, but found the opportunity to “accidentally” blind Dusty’s sister as well during one memorable angle. After endless months of feuding a match between Sullivan and Rhodes was signed for Christmas 1982 with a “Loser Leaves Town” stipulation. During the match Santa Claus came to ringside and interfered – costing Dusty the match. “Santa” would prove to be Jake “The Snake” Roberts. With Rhodes gone, Sullivan’s behavior continued to be deplorable and eventually Florida President Eddie Graham was forced to suspend Sullivan from the area.
Oddly a new masked man showed up soon after named “Lucifer”. In order to expose Sullivan as the true identity of this devious newcomer, the already banned Rhodes donned his own mask as “The Midnight Rider”. This stretched the feud all the way to October of 1983, when the Rider and Lucifer battled in a cage match – Sullivan was unmasked and Graham “banned him from Florida Wrestling for life.” Little did Graham know that an event unfolding the following month would lead to his franchise player, Dusty to move on to greener pastures… More on that next time….
NEXT TIME: Dusty in JCP, WWF, WCW, TNA and more as we cover the second half of Rhodes career!
The Shoot: For the record, this interview was put together in late 1999, before RF Video had copyright concerns, so he would include actual vintage footage within the shoot to supplement the subject.
We open with clips of Dusty in ECW beating up Jack Victory, Steve Corino and some goateed wrestler in a 3 on 1 situation.
The interview gets off to a roaring start as a phone goes off during the introduction of Dusty and RF doesn’t redo it.
Dusty talks about all the wrestlers who played football at West Texas University.
Rhodes talks about earning a football scholarship by sending in a tape of somebody else playing.
Terry Funk was “made” by Dusty but Funk refuses to admit it, and Dusty is annoyed with Terry for that.
As a kid, Dusty booked his backyard ‘rassling matches.
Jim Barnett heard Dusty do a promo in 1969 and gave him a 200 dollar raise right away – making sure his partner Dick Murdoch knew Dusty was making more to stir the pot.
Dustin was born the same day as Dusty’s dad died.
Fritz Von Erich wouldn’t give Dusty time off after his father passed away. Dusty took it as a valuable lesson in how important the business is.
Rhodes went to the AWA and wanted to quit right away because of the cold weather.
In Florida, Dusty pinned World Champion Jack Brisco, but Brisco put his foot on the ropes – which was all it took for the fans to start cheering the then heel Dusty.
Dusty claims Bob Dylan was a fan of Florida Championship Wrestling, and that the syndicated FCW show aired in New York at Midnight and became a trendy show to watch before going out drinking.
Kevin Sullivan’s Satanic gimmick is talked about. Sullivan had a van torched by rednecks as revenge for attacking Dusty. Sullivan had Satanist groups buy up ring side seats.
Dusty talks about learning to book from Eddie Graham, starting in 1974. He puts himself over hard for creating stars.
Rhodes says he never read a dirt sheet. He says Meltzer would put himself over if he ran a territory too.
Dusty gently buries Dory Funk jr. He says Dory tended to book territories that were trending downward. He claims Dory wore unmatching boots to a meeting with Dusty and Jim Crockett, then got up and walked into a closet instead of the exit.
Rhodes brainstormed for the name of a mega event… “Starrcade” was almost “Autumn Bomb” among other names.
Dusty was making between 120K-150K a year during his Florida run.
JCP offered tickets for the next year’s Starrcade for sale at the 1984 event and did $100,000 in pre-orders.
Dusty’s payoff for booking Starrcade ’83 was $15,000.
JCP offered Dusty the job as booker after that. He made a flat salary for booking, plus a % of the house and a payday for wrestling as well.
Dusty named WCW’s PPV’s until 1994.
Rhodes claims to have created the “bull rope” match. I find that dubious.
Booker George Scott is buried by Dusty.
Dusty claims Ricky Steamboat and Roddy Piper left JCP because Dusty laid down the law and wanted them to do jobs.
Magnum TA’s injury is lamented by Dusty – Rhodes claims TA had more charisma than Hogan.
Nikita Koloff and TA’s heat was supposedly more real than any of us ever realized.
The famous Angle where Dusty brings out his rival Nikita to be his partner in the wake of TA’s accident is shown – the match goes MAYBE a minute – in a cage no less. Flair comes down to ringside and is shocked.
Barry Windham is put over hard by Dusty. Should have been World champ and a booker in Rhodes’ opinion. Dusty’s right hand man.
The Rock and Roll Express’ popularity is covered. They popped attendance in arenas even Dusty couldn’t.
Dusty says he saw Steve Austin and his son, Dustin as the future of WCW as early as 1992.
The NWA and WWF guys would occasionally drink together when the traveling tours crossed.
Dusty claims he against Big Bubba Rogers holds the all-time gate record for Pittsburgh.
McMahon Jr. and Dusty would talk semi often during the Wrestling Wars of the 80’s, even though they were the top creative bosses for their opposing companies.
Vince had a huge advantage since he had the New York aura and was able to score celebs. Dusty was all about the wrestling product.
Rhodes puts Tully Blanchard over, but does say he was a whiner.
Dusty takes credit for Flair’s overness with the fans – Rhodes is bothered by the internet’s love for Flair.
“There were 100 Arn Anderson’s – but he was great at his role” OUCH…
–Clip of Dusty (w/ Baby Doll) Dusty chucks a jobber out of the ring instead of wrestling and calls Flair out. Ric struts out and disrobes. They grapple for 5 minutes or so until Ole, Arn and Tully attack. Magnum TA makes the save.
–Dusty promo – calls Ron Garvin and Magnum to the ring to battle Arn, Ole and Tully. Dusty gets a 3 on 1 beat down until Magnum and Garvin finally make the save.
Flair was a sympathy whore in and out of the ring – Dusty credits himself with making Flair a lot of money by being such a popular foil for the heels to get heat on.
Part 2! :
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/kayfabe-lies-and-alibis-dusty-rhodes-shoot-interview-part-2/#.VXrsVflVikp
