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Rivals have fond memories of 'The American Dream'

Rivals have fond memories of 'The American Dream'

Posted: Jun 17th 2015 By: Kevin Melton

Most people want to live the American Dream.

Virgil Runnels was ?The American Dream.?

Runnels, known in professional wrestling as ?The American Dream? Dusty Rhodes, built a fan base spanning over several decades, most notably in the NWA and WWE organizations, as a hardworking common man who grinded his way to the top. On his way up, Rhodes waged war against a variety of villains at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium.

Runnels, 69, died last week as a result of an unspecified illness. His funeral will be held Wednesday in Tampa, Fla.

Runnels, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, was a fan favorite in Spartanburg and surrounding areas. He was most remembered for his bouts with longtime rivals ?Nature Boy? Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Terry Funk and ?Superstar? Billy Graham.

His final match against Blanchard came as a part of Carolina Championship Wrestling's Tribute to Starrcade in 2005, presented by promoter Tony Hunter, at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. Runnels won the match.

Blanchard, whose primary focus is now on prison ministry, said the final match was held in a perfect venue.

?I'm glad I was asked to be a part of it,? he said. ?I had done some individual wrestling deals, but rarely do you see 2,000 people. The nostalgia was there. (My manager) J.J. Dillon walked me to the ring, and the fans treated it just like they did in the '80s. It was as fun for me as it was for them.?

Blanchard added that his relationship with Runnels was mostly professional, but they admired one another.

?You might wrestle someone a short period of time and then it's done,? he said. ?Dusty wrestled me for four years. We had a mutual respect. The chemistry and magic was there, and that's what you want to see.?

Tracey Vandiver, the food and beverage manager at the auditorium, keeps the poster promoting the 2005 event above his desk. He wasn't there for the match, but he was a Runnels fan.

?My grandmother used to come with me, and we would come every Saturday until she couldn't come,? he said. ?When I was a kid, I saw Dusty at least five times at the old Greenville Memorial Auditorium.?

Funk's relationship dates farther back than most. He and Runnels played on the same college football team at West Texas State before becoming professional wrestlers and foes in the ring.

Funk said Runnels made his career a great one.

?He made a mark for 40 years,? Funk said. ?The mark he left is everywhere, and it will never be duplicated anywhere. He made me better, and I made him better. He put (people) in seats every 18 inches apart, which means he sold out arenas. I knew if I was wrestling Dusty Rhodes, that I was going to be able to feed my kids for three or four weeks.?

Funk went on to say that Rhodes was more than a superstar wrestler.

?I knew I could rely on him no matter what I asked for, and he could rely on me,? Funk said. ?And he knew I wouldn't ever ask for much because he was my friend.?

Jim Cornette, the longtime manager of The Midnight Express, recalled when Runnels and Magnum T.A. (Terry Allen) teamed up in masks as the James Boys and abducted him at a television taping in Spartanburg.

?There was a time when Dusty and Magnum kidnapped me and tied me to the bumper of a pickup truck,? Cornette said. ?Baby Doll (Nickla Roberts) was driving. Magnum threw me over his shoulder, and Dusty tied a noose around my neck. There was supposed to be a cue where Dusty was to slap the glass to let her know to drive just as The Midnight Express was there to save me. But Dusty slipped and caught himself on the glass, which Baby Doll thought was the cue. I look up and see The Midnight Express 30 feet away. Had I not had my hands around the rope just in case, it could have gone real bad. I would have been drug to Greenville.?

Cornette added that quirky ideas such as the kidnapping stunt, scaffold matches, and the use of fire during matches all came from Runnels.

?He was a quarterback and a coach,? Cornette said. ?He was a player-coach. He drew up all the plays and we just ran them.?

Allen's career was cut short by an automobile accident in October 1986 in North Carolina. He said he owed a large part of his success to Runnels.

?You don't ride hundreds of miles, seven days a week, up and down the road with somebody you don't like,? Allen said. ?The Mid-Atlantic was the pinnacle of what I did. The accident cut it short, but I was on that lightning bolt ride. There were sellouts everywhere we went. We had a very deep friendship and a mutual respect.?

Roberts was one of the first valets in wrestling. She said Runnels gave her an opportunity when her wrestling career was nearing an end.

?Dusty was looking for a girl to be with Tully,? Roberts said. ?They were having the Perfect 10 competition, and I come in as the tall, 6-foot girl with a punk hairstyle, but Dusty saw something in me. He had such a respect for me, and it melted down to everyone else. I wasn't the daughter or sister. I was a star because of Dusty.?

Jimmy ?The Boogie Woogie Man? Valiant ? who was the special referee for that final match against Blanchard ? credited Runnels for the idea of the Boogie Man Jam, which he said sold out arenas from ?Richmond to Atlanta.? Valiant added that Runnels was as good behind the scenes as he was in the ring.

?He was a genius in the professional wrestling business in the office from booking to promoting,? Valiant said. ?What came out of his mind was Starrcade, and I was fortunate to be in the first six. He also came up with the (Jim) Crocket Cup, Bunkhouse Stampede and Great American Bash. I had the biggest years of my career with the Crockets because of Dusty. He was a sweetheart.?

Ricky Morton, one half of the Rock 'n' Roll Express, said Runnels will always deserve credit for boosting professional wrestling.

?Dusty Rhodes is a great figure in our wrestling business,? he said. ?I learned so much from him. I love Dusty Rhodes. He was a big part of my life. His interviews were the greatest ever. He loved our business just like I do. Dusty will go down in history.?

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

  • 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
  • 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
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  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
09-13
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