'Ravishing' Rick Rude is routinely mentioned by fans as someone they'd like to see inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame at some point. The man's tremendous physique was aided by an incredible work ethic, and his matches were regularly well-received. Behind the scenes, Rude had quite the temper, something men such as The Ultimate Warrior and Paul Bearer witnessed first hand. In 1994, Rude was plying his trade in WCW. During that year, a back injury suffered during a match against Sting caused him to retire from the ring. An impending retirement was up in the air when WCW officials were discussing terms with an incoming Hulk Hogan. In the words of Eric Bischoff, Hogan was very candid about exactly who he wanted to work with in WCW, but even more so about who he didn't. At the top of the latter list was Rick Rude. Hulk Hogan didn't trust Rude to take care of his body, something which could also be said of Big Van Vader. Eventually, Hogan and Vader would work multiple matches, but Hulk expressly told both Bischoff and Ric Flair that he didn't want to work with Rude. The pair had worked a little in the WWF, but that would be their only time spent in the ring together.
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.
