Connecting with wrestling fans like few performers throughout the history of the industry, 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes was the perfect antidote for Ric Flair's silver-spoon antics in the 1980's. Representing the common man, Rhodes was a figure fans could easily relate to, and they couldn't plonk down their money fast enough to watch him battle the arrogant Nature Boy. Signing Rhodes to the WWF seemed like a no-brainer for Vince McMahon, but what confused longtime fans was the direction the company chose to take the Dream upon his arrival. In the cartoon land of McMahon's vision, 'The American Dream' was churned up by the marketing machine and spat out, landing in even more over-the-top fashion. Wearing polka dots, and having his personality tweaked so that he came across like a walking, talking Barney The Dinosaur, Rhodes no longer really represented every day men and women. Instead, he was like a children's entertainer, which admittedly sums up a lot of the roster during the late 80's and early 90's.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
