10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Aug 12)

2. Vince McMahon Came Up With 'Puppies'

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WWE

As one former NWA/WCW star was ending his run in the WWF, another was just getting started. Tully Blanchard was on his way out of the company in late-1989, but the legendary 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes was just bedding in. Scanning the field of performers in the company, Rhodes approached Vince McMahon about losing some weight.

This was a story told by Bruce Prichard for his new podcast with MLW Radio. All these years, wrestling fans have been under the assumption that it was Jerry 'The King' Lawler who came up with the familiar cry of 'puppies', but Prichard claims it was actually McMahon.

Appalled by Dusty's plan to shed the pounds, Vince cut a promo on Rhodes and said he definitely didn't want that to happen. McMahon wanted the larger-than-life feel Dusty brought to the party, even going so far as to say he wanted the 'puppies' (alluding to the wrestler's copious pecs).

Encouraging his new star to maintain his weight, the boss didn't want to change Dusty's general appearance, aside from adding polka dots to his ring attire!

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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.