The world of professional wresting is in mourning as it lost one of its legends today. Dusty Rhodes passed away at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy that can never be replicated. While not known for his physique or being the strongest mat technician, Rhodes could cut one hell of a promo and made you believe he meant ever word.
Rhodes is known as the son of a plumber and had a “regular joe” way to him, but there was nothing regular about the way he presented himself in front of the camera and microphone. Through the endless amount of promos, here are 5 that defined the “American Dream” as one of a kind, and made him one of us.
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5. Say it ain’t so, Dusty!
As a brief member of the villainous NWO, Dusty was almost in shoot mode when he mouthed off saying he was tired of color commentating and carrying Tony Schiavone. Even though this heel turn didn’t last, it’s still impressive that good ole’ Dusty, a champion of the people, could still sell out and make the most out of it.
4. “I’m GLAD the lines are drawn!”
They can’t all be winners, Dusty. His manager and valet Babydoll had turned on him, helping Ric Flair win a title bout in St. Louis, Missouri and Rhodes was none too happy.
3. “Tell ’em, Hacksaw!”
This is the shortest one on the list, but still impressive as this was a dream team combination come to life. Both Jim Duggan and Dusty Rhodes were seen as bleeding red, white, and blue for all of their career, so when Rhodes jumped to the WWF/E, a tag team like this was bound to happen, and thankfully so.
2. The baddest dawg of them all!
You have to love the almost southern Baptist preacher in his voice for this one. Shouting off against the Latin Hearthrob Al Perez and his manager Gary Hart, Rhodes sparks off what would be a rivalry between the two that would last a few years, even carrying over to Rhodes’ PWF (Professional Wrestling Federation).
1. Hard Times
“You don’t know what hard times are, daddeh!”
This is the one to beat. This was the embodiment of Rhodes’ character and defined him as part of the working class and how he acted as the voice of the people. There’s nothing really that can be added about this promo that hasn’t been said by the likes of Jim Ross, Kevin Sullivan, and other legends over the decades since it was first spouted. So just listen, and hope that him and John Wayne can finally talk about how each of them are the baddest men.
