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Spotlight on “Ravishing” Ric Rude: The Consummate Heel

Posted: Jun 28th 2024 By: Robert Segedy - RingTheDamnBell.Wordpress.com

Born Richard Irwin Rood, December 7, 1958-April 20, 1999. Better known by his in-ring name as “Ravishing” Ric Rude; he wrestled from 1982 until his retirement due to an injury, with his final match occurring in 1997. He was a four-time World Champion, a three-time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion. Rude challenged for the WWF Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on Pay-per-view cards, competing for the former in the main event of Summer Slam in 1990. Following his retirement, Rude also managed multiple wrestlers.

In late 1997, Rude helped found D-Generation X stable which included Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna. On November 17,1977, Rude was the only person to appear on WWF’s RAW and WCW’s Monday Nitro simultaneously because RAW was pre-recorded and Rude had left for WCW in the interim. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.

Rude had attended Robbinsdale High School in Robbinsdale, Minnesota which also had included several other individuals go on to become professional wrestlers including Tom Zenk, Brady Boone, Nikita Koloff, Curt Hennig, John Nord, and Barry Darsow. He was especially close to his childhood friend Curt Hennig.

Rude was trained by Eddie Sharkey, who also trained Bob Backlund, The Road Warriors, Sean Waltman, Austin Aires, and Erik Rowan. Rude started wrestling in 1982, as Ricky Rood, a babyface jobber. Rood lost his TV debut against Jos LeDuc on November 6, 1982, on an episode of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. He wrestled with Vancouver’s NWA All Star Wrestling before competing in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) and then moved onto the Memphis based Continental Wrestling Association (CWA). Rude debuted on May 28, 1983, on World Championship Wrestling defeating Pat Rose with a dropkick. He returned to Memphis in 1984, appearing as “Ravishing” Rick Rude, an overconfident, arrogant heel managed by Jimmy Hart. He feuded with Jerry Lawler and later his former partner, King Kong Bundy. He later debuted in WCCW in a match against Kamala that he lost. He later showed up in the NWA affiliate Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) where he was partnered with “the Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez.

Known for his neck breaker finishing move, “The Rude Awakening” and his provocative gyrating for the female fans, he was hired by the WWF during the 80’s, thus exposing him to a larger audience. His successful run as the WWF’s Intercontinental Champion versus the Ultimate Warrior was extremely well received by the fans. Their series of bouts culminated in a World Title Steel Cage Match at Summer Slam in 1990, which saw Rude lose. Next Rude ended up in WCW and held the United States title there, beating a mid-card wrestler known as “Stunning” Steve Austin. As we all know Austin went on to become “Stone Cold” Steve Austin later.

Throughout his short but notable career, Rude was often affiliated with various groups and managers. He was a member of Hot Stuff International which included Eddie Gilbert, Rick Steiner, and Sting. He also was a member of The Pringle Dynasty which included The Grappler, Jack Hart, and Rip Oliver. He was a member of Paul Hyman’s Dangerous Alliance which included Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and Madusa. Finally, he was part of the Heenan Family which included Andre the Giant, The Barbarian, Big John Studd, Brooklyn Brawler, Haku, Harley Race, Hercules, Ken Patera, King Kong Bundy, The Missing Link, Mr. Perfect, and Paul Orndorff.

In WCW Rude had won the Heavyweight Title which became known as the International Heavyweight Title after losing to Ric Flair on September 19, 1993. Rude then lost the belt to Sting in Japan where he suffered a career ending injury to his neck and back on April 17, 1994.

Rude then showed up in ECW in 1996 where he was involved in several angles.

He then jumped to the WWF as Sean Michaels “insurance policy.” Rude portrayed a sort of “bodyguard/enforcer” role in the WWF.

He appeared on both Monday Night RAW which had been pre-recorded as well as WCW Nitro which was aired live.

Rude died on April 20, 1999, in his home in Georgia. The cause of death was listed as heart failure.

Rude in real life was a loyal husband despite his portrayal of being a “ladies’ man” and always wore his wedding ring while he wrestled, often concealing it with tape. He was the consummate performer and could always generate heat with the fans regardless of where he was performing. Rude was training for an attempted comeback when he died at the age of 40.