May 22nd 2024 11:30am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

"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

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
King Kong Bundy: The Master of the Five Count

King Kong Bundy: The Master of the Five Count

Wrestling has always had its share of big men: Andre the Giant, Yokozuna, The Undertaker, but few could match the supreme awe... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1955 Mike Clancy def. Ricki Starr for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1985 The Nightmare [1st]/The Masked Champion/The Champion def. Terry Taylor for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 2009 Texas Outlaws, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk & Bobby Burns & J. W. Hardin) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2021 Father Padge def. Revan for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 2021 Paul Puertorico became the XDWF New GenX Champion

Week of Sun 05-19 to Sat: 05-25

  • 05-19 1937 Hugh Nichols def. Bobby Chick for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 1980 Gino Hernandez def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 1984 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack def. Jeff Jarrett & Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac def. Eric Embry for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2007 Brent Albright def. Rocco Valentino for the NWA-U Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) def. Mass Destruction (Spoiler 2000 & The Bounty Hunter) for the NWA-U Universal Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 2012 Ignition def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 05-19 2012 Super Skunk Ape, Jr. def. Se7en for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-19 2018 Jerry Dean/Jerry Storm became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-19 2018 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Brody Wortman def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Skidz def. Brody Wortman for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Drake Gallows def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Punk Synister def. Drake Gallows for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Brandon Groom def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Punk Synister def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Nibira def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Mikey O'Shea def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-20 1980 Junkyard Dog def. Terry Gordy for the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 05-20 2006 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. The Old School Assassins (Brad Michaels & Seth Allen) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-20 2006 John O'Malley became the IZW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-20 2017 Robyn Reid def. Erica for the IZW Womens Champion
  • 05-20 2017 Beach Bod Gods (Angel Camacho & Ray the Bae) def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-20 2017 Kevin Morgan def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-20 2017 Riker def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-20 2022 Wesley Crane def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-20 2023 Royal Pimpin' (Alex Royal & Mr. Nasty) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-20 2023 Cappuccino Jones def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-21 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Bill Watts for the TSW North American Champion
  • 05-21 1984 Kevin Von Erich def. Killer Khan for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-21 2004 Cade Sydal def. X-Cal for the SRPW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-21 2004 Michael Faith def. Butch Dalton for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-21 2004 New Canada (AWOL & Jon Davis) def. Sexy Bologna (Anthony Jackson & Sudden Impact) for the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-21 2016 Skylar Slice def. Athena for the IZW Queens Champion
  • 05-21 2017 Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) def. The Arrow Club (Kyle Hawk & Ky-Ote) for the IWR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-21 2017 Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) def. The Arrow Club (Kyle Hawk & Ky-Ote) for the TCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-22 1955 Mike Clancy def. Ricki Starr for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-22 1985 The Nightmare [1st]/The Masked Champion/The Champion def. Terry Taylor for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-22 2009 Texas Outlaws, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk & Bobby Burns & J. W. Hardin) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-22 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-22 2021 Father Padge def. Revan for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 05-22 2021 Paul Puertorico became the XDWF New GenX Champion
  • 05-23 1984 The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton) def. The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-23 2004 Se7en & Li'l Joe def. Bernie Donderwitz & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-23 2004 Li'l Joe def. Bernie Donderwitz for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-23 2009 Maniac Mike def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-23 2009 Sage def. Rage Logan for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-23 2010 Damien Morte def. Crisstopher Crow for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-23 2015 Brad Michaels def. Jermaine Johnson for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-23 2020 Cody Burns def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-23 2021 Luke Savage def. Garcia for the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 05-23 2021 Malik Mayfield became the ASP Livestream Champion
  • 05-24 1954 Rocco Perez def. Frenchy Roy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-24 2020 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 05-25 1986 Terry Taylor def. Buzz Sawyer for the UWF Television Champion
  • 05-25 2013 Brock Landers became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-25 2013 The American Pitbulls (Craig Stevens & Jason Jaxon) def. The Investment (Jason Noal & Jay Sinn) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-25 2019 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Champion
  • 05-25 2019 Simply the Future (Alex Royal & J. D.) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-25 2019 Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) def. Simply the Future (Alex Royal & J. D.) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
05-22
  • Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
  • Santana Jackson May 23rd
  • Slash May 23rd
  • Donna Christanello May 23rd
  • Gemini [2nd] May 24th
  • Lucas May 24th
  • Ricky Romero May 24th
  • Shane Rawls May 24th
  • Guy Atticus May 25th
  • Michael York May 25th
  • Dark Journey May 25th
  • Quarky Storm May 25th
  • Dominique Lereaux May 25th
  • Reggie Lincoln May 26th
  • Justin Adams May 26th
  • Michael Duplanti May 26th
  • Tank Bryson May 26th
  • Kelly Kiniski May 27th
  • Crucifer May 27th
  • Maria Star May 28th
  • Dean Lambert May 28th
  • Edge Stone May 28th
  • Jim Thorpe May 28th
  • Kamala May 28th
  • Max McGuirk May 29th
  • Samu May 29th
  • Jimmy Kane May 29th
  • Psycho Mike May 29th
  • Jake Roberts May 30th
  • Jesse Storm May 30th
  • Boss Hardzog May 30th
  • Fuel May 31st
  • Mascara Purpura May 31st
  • James Storm Jun 1st
  • Violet Payne Jun 1st
  • Ross Von Erich Jun 1st
  • Bobby Burns Jun 1st
  • Anna Jackson Jun 1st
  • Tornado Gomez Jun 2nd
  • Brandon Groom Jun 2nd
  • Killista Jun 2nd
  • Leo Voss Jun 2nd
  • A. J. Styles Jun 2nd
  • Thomas Knight Jun 3rd
  • Jeff Exotic Jun 3rd
  • Tarzan Baxter Jun 4th
  • Duke Clemons Jun 4th

More Look Back In History

Most Active Members

  • Striker
  • Michael York
  • The Mayne Event
  • cphs_sweethearts
  • Talon

Card Results

1