WWE: 10 New Gimmicks That Revived Wrestlers' Careers

9. Dustin Rhodes To Goldust

Dustin Rhodes Goldust The son of legendary former world champion Dusty Rhodes, a young Dustin€™s first brush with fame came in 1990, teaming up with his father in the WWF. Always in his father€™s shadow, he soon left and headed to WCW, where he forged a solid career for himself as a secondary level star, winning the World Tag Team titles and US title. But he was always a little bland and uninspiring, with a generic Texan cowboy type gimmick that seemed to fit with WCW€™s old-fashioned Southern image of the time. After five years in WCW, Rhodes returned to the WWF. It was said that he wanted to break out of his father€™s shadow, and he did that in the most unpredictable way possible. Rumours were rife of a real-life falling out with his father, and a wish to shock him. Goldust, an androgenous creature with gold face paint, a blond wig and an all-in-one gold bodysuit, was unleashed upon a stunned WWF audience. They didn€™t quite know what to make of him. At WrestleMania XII, he had a streetfight match with Roddy Piper which ended with Goldust revealed to be wearing stockings and suspenders underneath his clothes. It seemed that this was a career killer, but time was to prove doubters wrong. In 1999, Rhodes left the WWF and headed back to WCW for an uninspiring run. When WCW folded in 2001, it appeared that his career in the mainstream was over. However, the Goldust character proved to be enduring. Goldust has returned to the WWE on no more than five separate occasions. His last return was only ever supposed to be a guest spot at the 2013 Royal Rumble, but he got such a good reception from the fans and was in such good shape that he was kept on, and is still an active member of the roster to this day, where his Goldust face paint can cover over the weathering of his 45 year old face. The Goldust character gave the man formerly known as Dustin Rhodes the opportunity to let his natural charisma out, something which being Dusty Rhodes€™s son never let him do.
Contributor
Contributor

Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.