Few wrestling gimmicks have ever proven to be as bizarre as 'The Bizarre One' himself, Goldust. Debuting in September 1995, Goldust pushed the boundaries of what was then deemed acceptable to feature not only in the WWE but television broadcasting as a whole. Taking its inspiration from a 'Drag Queen' stereotype, the WWE had Goldust dressed in a gold jumpsuit, with gold face paint, a golden robe and a platinum blonde wig, which contrasted explicitly with the average wrestling gimmick it had routinely promoted in all its years of existence. Coupled with Goldust's mysterious attire, the WWE had decided to create the Goldust character with sexually suggestive mannerisms, in which Goldust would deliberately distract his opponents with flirtatious innuendo. Groping was a common aspect of Goldust's in ring activity as an effective means of stalling opposition long enough to execute a counter attack, more often than not a rake to the eye or a dreaded 'low blow.' The ultimate weird Goldust trait was a very suggestive intake of breath whilst rubbing his hands up his body, before exhaling with a vicious bite towards his opponent with the intention of startling them! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6au3ZeM-sbk Goldust was a gimmick that as 'Bret Hart' stated in the documentary 'Wresting With Shadows', "pushed a homophobic button and pushed it hard." In many respects the man portraying Goldust, Dustin Runnels, was a pioneer of sorts, courageous in bringing an incredibly controversial gimmick to the WWE and persevering with it, despite the obvious prejudice and bigotry that existed. From expressing his affection for Roddy Piper and Razor Ramon to developing turrets at the hands of Evolution, and appearing to have a preference for wearing women's lingerie, Goldust has and continues to remind the WWE Universe just why he is labelled 'The Bizarre One.'
