There were most certainly concerns on the part of old school and NWA wrestling fans when Dusty Rhodes signed with Vince McMahon's WWE late in the 1980s. Long the face of Jim Crockett Promotions and the most popular star in the National Wrestling Alliance, Rhodes was the opposite of what typically thrived in McMahon's promotion. He was far from the bodybuilder type and his charisma was far more natural than that of WWE's top stars. He was the common man while stars like Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior were larger-than-live cartoon characters. Add the differences to McMahon's philosophy regarding stars he did not have a hand in creating and there was plenty of reason to be worried about Rhodes entering the land of sports-entertainment. Those worries proved to be founded as he debuted in a series of vignettes in which he unclogged toilets, worked in a deli, delivered pizzas and did other common jobs. From there, he sported black attire with giant yellow polka dots. The heavyweight looked ridiculous in his new ring gear, which Rhodes himself attributed to a rib on McMahon's part. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1w6sne_wwf-wrestlemania-vi-dusty-rhodes-interview_sport Despite the humiliating new look, Rhodes managed to captivate crowds, proving that he was one of the most beloved performers of all-time.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
