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Spotlight on “Ravishing” Ric Rude: The Consummate Heel

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.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) def. Luke Brown & Danny Hodge for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 1972 Blackjack Mulligan def. Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1978 Paul Orndorff def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW North American Title
  • 2010 Josh Evans & Buddha def. Born Again Sunday (Kam & Koz) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 2010 Bobby Starr def. David Kyzer for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 2010 Shane Sanchez became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 2010 Rick Russo def. Shane Sanchez for the BYEW Caution Title
  • 2021 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 2022 Striker def. Maddox Jones for the EPW Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 05-24 to Sat: 05-30

  • 05-24 1954 Rocco Perez def. Frenchy Roy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 05-24 2020 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 05-24 2025 Miles Bane def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 05-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Miles Bane for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 05-25 1986 Terry Taylor def. Buzz Sawyer for the UWF Television Title
  • 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 Titles
  • 05-25 2019 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
  • 05-25 2019 Simply the Future (Alex Royal & J. D.) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-25 2019 The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) def. Simply the Future (Alex Royal & J. D.) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 05-25 2025 Slade Temple def. Father Padge for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 05-26 1989 Eric Embry def. Super Zodiac for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 05-26 2007 Matt Garza def. Mitch W. Carter for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 05-26 2018 MVP def. Jack Swagger for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 05-26 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 05-26 2018 Alex Royal def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 05-27 1970 Luke Brown & Danny Hodge def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 05-27 1977 Jimmy Snuka def. El Gran Goliath for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 05-27 2003 Chris Matthews became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-27 2017 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 05-28 1964 Louie Tillet def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 05-28 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 05-28 1973 Dennis Stamp & Dewey Robertson def. Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 05-28 1974 Red Bastien def. The Great Mephisto for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 05-28 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Dale Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 05-28 2005 Tommy D def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 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 Champions
  • 05-28 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Buster Cherry for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
  • 05-28 2019 Elias def. R-Truth for the WWE 24/7 Title
  • 05-28 2019 R-Truth def. Elias for the WWE 24/7 Title
  • 05-28 2022 Tego def. Adrian Vega for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 05-28 2022 Tyler Watts def. Sweet Cakes for the EPW International Title
  • 05-28 2022 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Entitled (Justin Grey & Father Padge) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 05-28 2022 Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. The Change (Drake Gallows & Muerte Silencio) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
  • 05-28 2022 Maddox Jones became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-28 2022 Logan Knight def. Striker for the EPW All-American Title
  • 05-29 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 05-29 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) def. Luke Brown & Danny Hodge for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 05-29 1972 Blackjack Mulligan def. Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 05-29 1978 Paul Orndorff def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW North American Title
  • 05-29 2010 Josh Evans & Buddha def. Born Again Sunday (Kam & Koz) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 05-29 2010 Bobby Starr def. David Kyzer for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 05-29 2010 Shane Sanchez became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 05-29 2010 Rick Russo def. Shane Sanchez for the BYEW Caution Title
  • 05-29 2021 The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) def. DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 05-29 2022 Striker def. Maddox Jones for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 05-30 1955 Ali Bey def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 05-30 1970 Killer Kowalski def. The Spoiler for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 05-30 1983 The Mongol def. King Parsons for the WCCW Television Title
  • 05-30 1986 Terry Gordy became the UWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2008 Dane Griffin def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 05-30 2015 Aaron Neil def. Jordan Jacobs for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 05-30 2020 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. The Jet-Jitsu Dojo (J. J. Hefley & Jimmy Lorenzo) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 05-30 2020 Maddox Jones became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-30 2020 Warren Powers & Karnage def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Title
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Warren Powers for the BPW 365 Title
  • 05-30 2020 El Greengo Loco def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
  • 05-30 2020 Elijah Sparks def. El Greengo Loco for the BPW 365 Title
  • 05-30 2020 Bobby Joe Bristow def. Elijah Sparks for the BPW 365 Title
  • 05-30 2020 Karnage def. Bobby Joe Bristow for the BPW 365 Title
  • 05-30 2020 Giganto def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
05-29
  • Samu May 29th Today!
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  • Max McGuirk May 29th Today!
  • Psycho Mike May 29th Today!
  • Boss Hardzog May 30th
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  • Fuel May 31st
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  • Diamond Lil Jun 1st
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  • Boom Boom Groom Jun 2nd
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  • A. J. Styles Jun 2nd
  • Thomas Knight Jun 3rd
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