10 Things You Learn As A WWE Creative Writer

During my tenure, Dusty Rhodes was the head writer of ECW. This gave me the chance to sit with him in the writer’s room and pick his brain about all things wrestling. His decades of insight into programming, story building, and the art of “putting butts in seats” was invaluable to someone as green as me. In the creative process, I never once saw Dusty push his own agenda or insert himself into the spotlight for no reason. He was, however, always willing to jump in and do what was needed for the good of the show.

One day, I had the rare occasion to enjoy a lengthy one-on-one discussion with Dusty. When I asked him about the difference between the business now (now meaning 2007) and the old days, Dusty looked me in the eye and told me:

“Let me tell ya somethin’ young fella’. The difference is that ever since Vincent Mac-Mahon went on television and had to tell the world that wrasslin’ was scripted…there was no goin’ back afta’ that!”

Essentially, Dusty explained that matches couldn’t have long, low periods like they did pre-attitude era. They needed more excitement, but we still had to protect the talent from too much danger and focus on better storylines to build drama.

Always one to put the team first and take care of everyone, “The American Dream” was a real class act.