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Florida Plays Major Role In This American Dream

Posted: Jul 1st 2010 By: CMBurnham

He made a huge impact in his field by representing, signifying the common man, but that's the only thing remotely common about this charismatic figure.

The American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Need I say more?

Florida fans get ready as Florida Championship Wrestling combines old school with new school in July for The American Dream Tour, featuring The American Dream Dusty Rhodes.

``The state of Florida is so rich in wrestling history,'' Rhodes said. ``Having the opportunity to do this tour and see some old friends all throughout the Sunshine State is an honor I couldn't pass up.''

FCW is the official developmental territory for WWE, and a list of current WWE superstars were developed through FCW's program, based in Tampa.

FCW's roots (Championship Wrestling from Florida) were established during the territory days of pro wrestling with the likes of WWE Hall of Famers Eddie Graham, Gordon Solie and The American Dream Dusty Rhodes.

To have The American Dream's storied career come full circle on this Florida tour -- including July 9 in Kissimmee where, for the first time, The American Dream teams with sons Goldust and Cody in a six-man tag -- will be special.

Rhodes, 64, said: ``Anytime you get an opportunity to do anything with your kids -- being able to go inside there at my age with them and go back to Kissimmee and visit some of the old Florida towns I worked -- means a lot.''

During his career, Dusty teamed with Goldust when he was The Natural Dustin Rhodes. Years later, he teamed with his younger son, Cody, when Cody worked the WWE developmental system at Ohio Valley Wrestling, before developmental moved to FCW. The three will make history on July 9 at the Osceola Heritage Park Exhibition Hall in Kissimmee.

``It's really cool,'' Rhodes said. ``I'm looking forward to it.''

FCW, run by former CWF talent Steve Keirn (Fabulous Ones, Gator, Skinner), is the building block for future WWE superstars, and Rhodes is always willing to help.

The WWE NXT rookies are from FCW along with WWE champ Sheamus, Intercontinental champ Kofi Kingston, Unified Tag Champions The Hart Dynasty, Nexus, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler, Ted DiBiase, Jr., Primo Colon, Ezekiel Jackson, The Bella Twins, Evan Bourne, Tiffany, Alicia Fox, Jimmy and Jules Uso, Tamina, Curt Hawkins, Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft.

Barreta, Croft and Hawkins will team against the Rhodes family on July 9 in Kissimmee.

``I think I'll just stand in the middle of the ring and let those guys run into my [bionic] elbow and see if that still works,'' Rhodes said.

``Hawkins is a former WWE tag team champion. Barreta and Croft are working their way up. They're two young kids who are very exciting. So it should be a lot of fun.''

During FCW house shows and TV tapings, the line-up includes mostly those under WWE developmental contracts and a few WWE stars like Barreta, Croft and Hawkins.

``They laid out the challenge in FCW like the old days,'' Rhodes said. ``We did some stuff on TV.''

FCW is broadcast weekly on Bright House Networks, a cable TV company reaching across Central Florida.

``I think when the tour was announced -- and I looked at towns like Kissimmee on July 9 and Melbourne really kicking this off [July 2] -- it's a great opportunity to go back and give back and visit with the older guys bringing the younger kids.

``Of course, the younger girls and the younger kids are familiar with Cody. Goldust, his gimmick, there was nothing like it.''

And then there is The American Dream.

Barreta, Croft and Hawkins will have their hands full.

``I think there were a lot of guys who stepped to the plate who wanted to do this, to be part of this,'' Rhodes said, ``and those three guys were hand-picked by Steve Keirn and FCW to do it, and I OK'd it. To be in the ring with myself and my two sons and what it means, I think it means a lot to all six guys who are involved in it.

``To put it in their memory banks, being able to log it down as a legendary night for them, I think that's important.''

? FCW: The American Dream Tour in Florida

8 p.m. July 2 at Melbourne Auditorium.

8 p.m. July 9 with Cody Rhodes and Goldust at Osceola Heritage Park Exhibition Hall in Kissimmee.

8 p.m. July 10 with Goldust at Volusia County Fairgrounds in Deland.

8 p.m. July 16 at Highlands County Fairgrounds Convention Center in Sebring.

8 p.m. July 30 with special guests at Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda.

Visit FCWwrestling.com.

Tags: Dusty Rhodes, WWE, Jack Swagger