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"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes talks FCW

"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes talks FCW

Posted: Jun 2nd 2009 By: mikeiles

For nearly four decades, Dusty Rhodes has had a huge impact in pro wrestling. As "The American Dream" he was beloved by fans as the common man while winning the NWA World Heavyweight Title on three occasions. Even though his in-ring career has basically come to an end (more on that coming), the Hall of Famer is still involved in the business with Florida Championship Wrestling where he is the creative mind behind the scenes for the WWE developmental group.

Rhodes has been involved in the creative process with several wrestling promotions during his legendary career. But now, he gets to work with young, up-and-coming talent who are trying to make it to the WWE roster. That has been happening lately with the company looking to bring up new talent to freshen things up and in hopes of finding its next big star.

"I think there is a need right now and there is a movement in the WWE for the younger kids to get a foot up; the Evan Bournes and (Ted) DiBiases and (Cody) Rhodes," says the "Dream". "I really enjoy working with them and you try to find a diamond in the rough and that?s what we?re doing."

One of the main points of emphasis that he works on with the wrestlers at FCW is their characters and teaching them to cut promos on the microphone.

"It?s really a lot of fun to see them coming out of their shell and just crank it up. And when you see them there ? when they?re right there ? they?re in a positive mode. They know where to stand, they know where the hard camera is, they know what?s expected of them, what the system is at World Wrestling Entertainment and given a sheet of paper there, OK this is what I have to say but they do it in what they?ve learned and how to do it. So I think it works for everyone all the way around."

While many things have changed in wrestling over the years, one of the most notable is the look of the wrestlers themselves. Gone are the days of guys with less than perfect bodies with everyone now showcasing a lean, muscled look. You have to wonder if a hefty person like Rhodes could even make it now in wrestling.

"It?s tougher but if you are able to have the fan invest in you, have the company invest in you millions of dollars and you?re able to put a hind end every 18 inches then it?s there for you," says Rhodes. "But it is tougher. You take a look at guys like Kofi (Kingston) and Ted and Cody and (John) Morrison and (CM) Punk. There is a new athlete on the horizon."

While it has been two years since his last match and he doesn't have any aspirations of getting back in the ring, the "Dream" admits that he has yet to formally retire.

"I see all these guys getting these big retirement matches and I got to thinking and I never actually said? When I went back to WCW I backed off and asked myself because I was in my 40?s why didn?t I continue on. But I love being able to create and be creative, to write TV?s and write storylines and make movies. I haven?t retired but don?t look for me doing any Ricky Steamboat off the top rope moves any time soon. I had my swan song I think with Randy (Orton) in the bullrope match (at the 2007 Great American Bash)."

Florida Championship Wrestling is in town tonight with a show at the Orlando Armory beginning at 8p.m. The group does plan on coming back to Orlando more frequently as it continues to grow.

You can listen to the entire interview I had with Dusty Rhodes from earlier this week on my radio show Between The Ropes (airing Tuesday nights from 6-8p.m. ET on ESPN Radio 1080) by clicking here: Download Dustyrhodes6. Find out more about Florida Championship Wrestling at FCWWrestling.com.

 

Tags: Dusty Rhodes, NWA, WWE, WCW

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  • 1956 Don Evans def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1974 The Texan def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 2004 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the TPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2006 Seth Allen def. Cody Jones for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2016 The K. C. Wolves/The Diamond Dogs (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2016 Double D def. Damon Windsor for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Anarchy [2nd] became the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Ronnie Morton became the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
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  • 2022 Moonshine Mantell became the WCR Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 03-17 to Sat: 03-23

  • 03-17 1982 Bob Roop def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2006 Beau Dalton & Bobby Dalton def. Tommy Smash for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-17 2007 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-17 2007 Dexter Hardaway became the SWCW Sooner Xtreme Champion
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  • 03-17 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-17 2012 John E. Stone def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW All-American Champion
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  • 03-17 2012 The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-17 2021 El Torito def. Flyin’ Ryan for the MWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2023 Edge Stone def. Shane Taylor for the TexPro Heavyweight Champion
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  • 03-18 1976 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) def. Greg Valentine & Gorgeous George, Jr. for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 03-18 2006 Aaron Neil def. Big Van Vader for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-18 2006 John O'Malley def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-18 2006 The Old School Assassins (Brad Michaels & Seth Allen) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-18 2012 Drake Gallows def. The Canadian Red Devil for the BYEW Caution Champion
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  • 03-18 2022 Doz Camachos (Onyx Camacho & Zarek Camacho) def. The Unit (Charlie Haas & Dane Griffin) for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
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  • 03-19 1956 Don Evans def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-19 1974 The Texan def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-19 2004 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the TPW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-19 2006 Seth Allen def. Cody Jones for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 03-19 2016 The K. C. Wolves/The Diamond Dogs (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-19 2016 Double D def. Damon Windsor for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-19 2022 Anarchy [2nd] became the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-19 2022 Ronnie Morton became the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 03-19 2022 Murder, Inc. (Mr. Nasty & Killbane) def. The OMGs (John Omari & Mike Anthony) for the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 03-19 2022 Moonshine Mantell became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-20 1962 Bull Curry def. Jack Dalton 1st for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-20 1970 The Spoiler def. Tarzan Baxter for the TSW North American Champion
  • 03-20 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champion
  • 03-20 2009 Brandon Groom became the TAP Pure Xtreme Champion
  • 03-20 2021 Dimitri Alexandrov def. Tim Rockwell for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 03-20 2022 Little Foot def. Li’l Show for the MWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Billy Red Lyons for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 03-21 1998 Rocco Valentino def. Jimmy Kane for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 1998 Generation X (Zane Morris & Ian St. James) def. Body Count (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 03-21 1998 Bernard Funk def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-21 2009 3rd Rail def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 2015 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 03-22 1980 The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy) def. Ted DiBiase & Paul Orndorff for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 03-22 2008 Canadian Red Devil became the TAP Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-22 2008 The Innovators (Anarchy 2nd & Fuel) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 03-22 2008 Tim Rockwell became the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Champion
  • 03-22 2008 Dominique Lereaux became the SWCW Womens Champion
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  • 03-22 2014 MHM, Inc. (Ray Martinez, Alabastair Hunt & K. P. Moore) became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 03-22 2015 A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 03-23 2007 AWOL def. Mustafa Sharmoot for the AACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Hurricane Ross became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Pretty In Pink (Michael Duplanti & Mike Rose) became the NAW Tag Team Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Damien Morte became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Johnny Z became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
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