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AS I SEE IT : Thoughts on Dusty, and wrestling doing good

Posted: Jun 15th 2015 By: Bob Magee

Thoughts and prayers go out to the friends, fans, and family of Virgil Riley Runnels... far better known all over the wrestling world as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, who
passed away this past Thursday at age 69.

Emergency medical personnel responded to a call at the Runnels home in Orlando, FL, just before 6:00 am Thursday for Runnels, who had suffered a fall. He was transported to
a nearby hospital and suffered "numerous complications", including kidney failure, which it is believed eventually led to his death. Family members all traveled to the hospital as soon as they learned that he fell and was admitted there. A formal cause of death beyond "natural causes" has not yet been officially revealed.

Jerry Brisco told TMZ.com he and Rhodes were together in Orlando 2 weeks ago. Rhodes talked about how he was going to the doctor regularly. He'd been told he needed to bring his blood pressure down, and Brisco says Dusty's weight loss was helping.

The reaction to Rhodes's death has been astounding. Every, and I do mean every, online news source has reported on Runnels' passing: literally every news channel, evening news
broadcast, sports related website, let alone wrestling news site reporting on Rhodes's passing. When England's BBC reports on a wrestler death as a lead story...for the only
time other than Owen Hart...that tells you something.

Rhodes was honored at last night's Money In The Bank with a curtain call and a ten-bell count for Rhodes to open the PPV. In the Network-only pre-show, the always polished Renee Young dissolved into tears as the three minute Rhodes retrospective video that later aired during the show ran for the first time.

Rhodes is set to be honored on tonight's Monday Night RAW as well, with video tributes and career retrospective clips.

It may have been that Dusty Rhodes was one of wrestling's most unique personalities. My younger brother suggested it was a "generational thing"...in that everyone who has
watched wrestling (or who "didn't watch that stuff"...but could tell you every storyline and character) has seen Dusty Rhodes at some point. Everyone has seen this larger than
life character who could cut promos like no on else in the wrestling business. When even Ric Flair tells you Dusty Rhodes was an inspiration to his career...that should tell you something.

Like the wrestling humor/satire website Kayfabenews.com said last week...we only wish this story would have featured one more "Dusty finish". But I guess God needed a new booker in
Heaven instead.

Take some time to watch some classic Dusty promos this week. You can find them on YouTube, social media, pretty much anywhere... but take some time this week. Watch a legend at
work.

The Runnels family has asked fans who have asked what they do, out of respect to the memories he gave...to make a donation on his behalf to two of his favorite charities ?
Connor?s Cure or Joe Torre?s Safe at Home Foundation. Connor?s Cure is the charity kickstarted by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in honor of Warrior Award recipient Connor ?The Crusher? Michalek. The website is at Connorthecrusher.com.

Joe Torre?s Safe at Home Foundation?s mission is to educate to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives. Their website is at joetorre.org.

Godspeed, Dusty. Thanks for the memories.

To happier news...

I always like featuring the good work wrestling does, especially independent wrestling. Here are two examples that I heard about over the last week:

First, the Canadian Smash Wrestling promotion sponsored an Infinity Gauntlet to benefit ALS Canada, which was held on June 7 at the Fear The Fighter Academy facility in Waterloo, ON. 100% of donations benefited ALS Canada.

The idea was that Chris Hero would wrestle ? even if pinned or submitted, purely determined by donations, starting at 20 minutes, then $500 to 30 minutes, $1,000 to 1 hour, $1,500 to 90 minutes, $2,000 to 2 hours and so on.

All who donated $10 or more were invited for a meet and greet with Chris Hero and to attend the gauntlet, with all donors receiving a digital download of the match before it
is shared for free with the world.

ALS Canada, founded in 1977, is the only Canadian national voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS and support for those with ALS. ALS Canada is
the leading not-for-profit organization working nationwide to fund ALS research and, with the Provincial ALS Societies, all working to improve the quality of life for Canadians
affected by ALS.

Well...$3,440 was raised for ALS, and Chris Hero wrestled over THREE HOURS in the Gauntlet.

Here are the results from June 7:

#1 - Chris Hero d. Rip Impact
#2 - Rich Swann d. Chris Hero
#3 - Jason Kincaid d. Chris Hero
#4 - Chris Hero d. Tarik
#5 - Chris Hero d. Tyler Thomas
#6 - Chris Hero d. Brent Banks
#7 - Facade d. Chris Hero
#8 - Sebastian Suave d. Chris Hero
#9 - Chris Hero d. Tarik
#10 - Chris Hero d. Ben Ortmanns
#11 - Chris Hero d. Rip Impact
#12 - Jason Kincaid d. Chris Hero
#13 - Chris Hero d. Tyler Thomas
#14 - Chris Hero d. Brent Banks
#15 - Chris Hero d. Tarik
#16 - Chris Hero d. Facade
#17 - Chris Hero and Rich Swann go to a draw as time expires

Then...one final opponent. Tarik was eliminated three times during the Gauntlet by Hero. Tarik donated $180 for 10 more minutes. Tarik used the Smash Wrestling Championship to
knock out Hero multiple times all leading to DQ wins for Hero. An unconscious Hero was then pinned numerous times by Tarik who left the ring laughing to end of the Infinity
Gauntlet.

Then...another charity effort...14 straight years strong.

Hoosier Pro Wrestling, JD Byrider (used car dealership franchise headquartered in central Indiana), and Aaron's will team up again on Saturday, June 27 (6:30 pm bell time) at the JD Byrider lot in Columbus, IN for the 14th annual "Fill The Shelves" canned food drive to help local central Indiana food banks. The promotion has raised over 25,000 cans of food for the shelter over the last fourteen years. Think about that: 25,000 meals (e.g. soups, chili, ravioli, stews) or sides (e.g. vegetables, starches).

Admission is six cans of food per person. Fans then get in "free" and get to have a great time with the Hoosier Pro Wrestling promotion and see some great wrestling action.
Fans should be prepared to bring your own lawn chairs as it's an outdoor show. NO outside food, drink, or coolers are permitted. Raffles and wrestling merchandise are available. Food donations can also be picked up if needed or dropped off at JD Byrider.

Hoosier Pro Wrestling,"Fill The Shelves"
Saturday, June 27
JD Byrider Lot
2645 North National Road, Columbus, IN
6:30 pm belltime

Seven matches are scheduled with three Hoosier Pro Wrestling title matches featuring Flash Flanagan, TVZ, Sexy Shawn Cook, Cowboy Marc Houston, Bobby Black, Scarecrow, Stompin' Steve, Mitch Johnson, Wicked Clown, AJ Hawkins and many
more. Come help a great cause and make 2015 the biggest collection of food yet for central Indiana.

I'll say it again, like I do during the Christmas/Hanukkah season: I'd love to see independent promoters in an area challenge each others to do a better job at helping a local charity...not in the way too many independent promoters usually challenge each other. Instead, act according to your better angels, and challenge competitors in a way that really means something.

Well, promoters?

Until next time...