10 Great Wrestlers Who Were Only In One WWE Royal Rumble

6. Dusty Rhodes (1990)

Rick Rude
WWE

The most important elements of Dusty Rhodes' in-ring legacy were forged in other promotions, not WWE. Like Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson, his scant Royal Rumble history is understandable because when he was actively competing, 'The American Dream' was more of a WCW/NWA guy, though he'd eventually become a much greater asset (than he was as a wrestler) to WWE though his behind-the-scenes work in NXT years later.

Rhodes' in-ring run with Vince McMahon's promotion stretched from 1989 to 1991. He entered the 1990 Rumble at number 10 and lasted a healthy 12 minutes, putting Bret Hart and Randy Savage over the top rope before The Canadian Earthquake sent him packing. He then met 'Macho Man' at WrestleMania VI, teaming with Sapphire against Savage and Sherri Martel in WWE's first ever intergender tag bout, though his Rumble pay-per-view legacy ended when Dusty teamed with his son, Dustin, at the 1991 event.

Gone from WWE less than two weeks later, Dusty went back to WCW as part of the company's booking committee. This effectively commenced a period of semi-retirement for 'The Dream,' who wrestled only sporadically until formally retiring in the 2000s.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.