20 Wrestling Facts You Probably Didn't Know
2. Dusty Rhodes Was Nearly Just A Jobber
When an unknown Dusty Rhodes defeated Grizzly Smith (father of Jake 'The Snake' Roberts) in Texas for Fritz Von Erich's Big Time Wrestling (later to be renamed World Class Championship Wrestling), it was the beginning of great things for the future legend. It could have gone completely differently, however: because Rhodes was originally supposed to job to Smith.
However, 'Playboy' Gary Hart, one of the greatest managers and bookers in the history of American wrestling, saw something special in Rhodes and was appalled when he found out that Von Erich intended to use him as a job guy.
Hart bugged Von Erich for the entirety of that day's television taping, constantly getting in his way, buttonholing him at inconvenient times, insisting on what a mistake he was making, until finally the boss told him - in frustrated exasperation - that he could change the finish, as the boys were in the ring and about to start the match. Hart dashed out, flung himself on the apron, and managed to persuade the referee that he was serious - Dusty Rhodes was going over.
Working with Rhodes as a heel for years afterwards, Hart was instrumental in the babyface turn that created 'The American Dream' in Florida in 1974, and even came up with the 'jive' interview style Rhodes used, as well as the 'son of a plumber' line.