What is Dusty Rhodes' net worth?
Dusty Rhodes was an American wrestler who had a net worth of $3 million at the time of his death. Dusty Rhodes, also known as Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr., began his wrestling career in the late 60s, appearing as a "heel" with the American Wrestling Association. He eventually moved on to wrestling with World Championship Wrestling, and subsequently won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. In the mid-80s, he shifted his focus to booking for Jim Crockett Productions and the WCW, and is credited with increasing the popularity of pay-per-view matches through many of the marketing campaigns he created. He was fired from the WCW in 1989, and began working as a wrestler for the WWF soon after. He then returned to the WCW and ECW in the mid-90s, and continued to wrestle for many years, though his schedule became far less full over the last few years. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Tragically, Dusty Rhodes passed away on June 11, 2015 at the age of 69. His distinctive style, both in and out of the ring, coupled with his compelling storytelling skills, earned him the nickname "The American Dream."
Early Life and Entry into Wrestling
Rhodes was born and raised in Austin, Texas. After a brief stint playing football, he turned his attention to professional wrestling in the late 1960s. He began his career in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) before moving to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he would earn significant fame.
Success in the NWA and Rise to Stardom
In the NWA, Rhodes quickly established himself as a top performer, adopting the persona of "The American Dream," a blue-collar hero who represented the common man. His exceptional mic skills and charismatic performances endeared him to fans, and he had memorable feuds with notable wrestlers like Ric Flair and Terry Funk. Rhodes' matches were known for their drama and storytelling, often featuring his signature moves like the Bionic Elbow and the Atomic Drop.
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Creative Influence and Booking Career
Beyond his in-ring work, Rhodes had a significant impact on professional wrestling through his work as a booker. He was instrumental in creating innovative match types and storylines in the NWA and later in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). One of his most famous contributions was the creation of the "Starcade" event, often regarded as the precursor to WWE's WrestleMania.
WCW and WWE Tenures
After the NWA, Rhodes had notable runs in the WCW and the WWE. In the WCW, he continued to wrestle and book, and he became a prominent on-screen authority figure. In the WWE, then known as the WWF, he had a memorable stint as "The Common Man," a character that amplified his blue-collar persona.
Training and Mentoring Role
In the later years of his career, Rhodes focused on training and mentoring new talent. He worked in WWE's developmental territories, including NXT, where he helped shape the careers of future stars. His influence on the next generation of wrestlers was profound, and he is credited with playing a pivotal role in the development of many successful careers.
Personal Life and Legacy
Rhodes was the father of professional wrestlers Dustin Runnels, known as Goldust in the WWE, and Cody Rhodes, both of whom have had successful wrestling careers. Dusty Rhodes passed away in 2015, but his influence continues to resonate in the world of professional wrestling.
Despite his passing, Dusty Rhodes' legacy lives on. In 2007, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, a testament to his significant contributions to the sport. His sons carry on his legacy in the industry, and his influence is evident in the storytelling and character work seen in modern professional wrestling.
