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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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Spotlight in History

  • 1953 Billy Raborn def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 1979 Jose Lothario & El Halcon def. The Spoiler & Mark Lewin for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 1981 Mike George def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 2003 Jef Tiger became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 2008 Bad Boy became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 2012 Tim Rockwell def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. The Birds of Prey (Phoenix & Falcon) for the IZW Tag Team Champions

Week of Sun 05-26 to Sat: 06-01

  • 05-26 1989 Eric Embry def. Super Zodiac for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2007 Matt Garza def. Mitch W. Carter for the IZW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 MVP def. Jack Swagger for the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-26 2018 Alex Royal def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 1970 Luke Brown & Danny Hodge def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-27 1977 Jimmy Snuka def. El Gran Goliath for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2003 Chris Matthews became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2017 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the IWR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1964 Louie Tillet def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-28 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1973 Dennis Stamp & Dewey Robertson def. Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 1974 Red Bastien def. The Great Mephisto for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Dale Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Tommy D def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 Angel Williams became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2005 The Forsaken (Faith & Halo) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-28 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Buster Cherry for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-28 2019 Elias def. R-Truth for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2019 R-Truth def. Elias for the WWE 24/7 Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tego def. Adrian Vega for the EPW Internet Television Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Tyler Watts def. Sweet Cakes for the EPW International Champion
  • 05-28 2022 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Entitled (Justin Grey & Father Padge) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Change (Drake Gallows & Muerte Silencio) for the AIWF Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 2022 Maddox Jones became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Logan Knight def. Striker for the EPW All-American Champion
  • 05-29 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-29 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & & Dale Valentine) def. Luke Brown & Danny Hodge for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-29 1972 Blackjack Mulligan def. Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-29 1978 Paul Orndorff def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Josh Evans & Buddha def. Born Again Sunday (Kam & Koz) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2010 Bobby Starr def. David Kyzer for the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Shane Sanchez became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Rick Russo def. Shane Sanchez for the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2021 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-29 2022 Striker def. Maddox Jones for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1955 Ali Bey def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 1970 Killer Kowalski def. The Spoiler for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 05-30 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & Angel [1st] for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 1983 The Mongol def. King Parsons for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-30 1986 Terry Gordy became the UWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2008 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-30 2015 Aaron Neil def. Jordan Jacobs for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. The Jet-Jitsu Dojo (J. J. Hefley & Jimmy Lorenzo) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Maddox Jones became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Warren Powers & Karnage def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Warren Powers for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 El Greengo Loco def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Elijah Sparks def. El Greengo Loco for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Bobby Joe Bristow def. Elijah Sparks for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Bobby Joe Bristow for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Giganto def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion
  • 05-31 1954 Tor Yamato def. Rocco Perez for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1968 Grizzly Smith def. Spoiler #1 for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 1971 Tom Jones & Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 1981 The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) def. Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-31 2003 Anthony Jackson def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Slam Shady became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Brent Albright became the NWA-OK Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Xavior def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 3rd Rail def. Damon Windsor for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2008 Lady Venom def. Dominique LaReaux for the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Cody Burns def. Sam Stackouse for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2014 Matt Majestic def. MHM, Inc. (Ray Martinez, Alabastair Hunt & K. P. Moore) for the SRPW United States Champion
  • 05-31 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. The Sexy Camachos (Vinnie Camacho & Roberto Camacho) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2014 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2024 Sgt. Slice def. Miranda Gordy for the CPW Women’s Champion
  • 05-31 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) def. The Canadian Rez Devils (The Canadian Red Devil & Koko) for the CPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-31 2024 Nathan Estrada def. Merc for the CPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-31 2024 Merc def. Nathan Estrada for the CPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 1953 Billy Raborn def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1979 Jose Lothario & El Halcon def. The Spoiler & Mark Lewin for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-01 1981 Mike George def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Jef Tiger became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-01 2008 Bad Boy became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 06-01 2012 Tim Rockwell def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-01 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. The Birds of Prey (Phoenix & Falcon) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
06-01
  • Bobby Burns Jun 1st Today!
  • James Storm Jun 1st Today!
  • Ross Von Erich Jun 1st Today!
  • Anna Jackson Jun 1st Today!
  • Violet Payne Jun 1st Today!
  • Brandon Groom Jun 2nd
  • Tornado Gomez Jun 2nd
  • A. J. Styles Jun 2nd
  • Killista Jun 2nd
  • Leo Voss Jun 2nd
  • Thomas Knight Jun 3rd
  • Jeff Exotic Jun 3rd
  • Duke Clemons Jun 4th
  • Tarzan Baxter Jun 4th
  • Danny Miller Jun 5th
  • Igor Putski Jun 5th
  • Shawn Shields Jun 5th
  • Mitch Onyx Jun 6th
  • Larry Booker Jun 6th
  • O. D. B. Jun 6th
  • Travis 12 Gage Jun 6th
  • Tony Rocco Jun 6th
  • Rip Hawk Jun 6th
  • Rick Sweetan Jun 6th
  • That Handsome Devil Jun 6th
  • Mick Foley Jun 7th
  • Steve Hartley Jun 7th
  • Gideon Vane Jun 7th
  • Morgan Levay Jun 7th
  • Eddie Sullivan Jun 7th
  • Stevie Caballero Jun 7th
  • Rick Vyper Jun 8th
  • Michele Leone Jun 8th
  • Mustafa Bin Akbar Jun 8th
  • Dutch Savage Jun 9th
  • Mark Wilson Jun 9th
  • Jamie Jun 9th
  • Jim Barnett Jun 9th
  • Dick Listener Jun 9th
  • Jeff Wolfenbarger Jun 9th
  • Dick Dunn Jun 10th
  • Largus RagnaBrok Jun 10th
  • Mathmagician Jun 11th
  • Magnum T. A. Jun 11th
  • King Parsons Jun 11th
  • J. D. Richards Jun 11th
  • Baby Blimp Jun 12th
  • Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
  • Steven Dane Jun 12th
  • Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
  • Zac Royal Jun 12th
  • Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
  • D'Licious Jun 12th
  • Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
  • Geronimo Jun 13th
  • Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
  • Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
  • Bill Ash Jun 13th
  • Neo Genesis Jun 13th
  • Mikey D Jun 13th
  • John Pfanz Jun 13th
  • Buzz Sawyer Jun 14th

More Look Back In History

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