As he approaches 40 years in wrestling, Dustin Rhodes is still learning–and dreaming
Rhodes is running his first-ever indie show with Rhodes Wrestling Academy
Dustin Rhodes vividly recalls the hard-hitting, physical nature of Vader.
Thirty years have passed since Rhodes battled Vader at Clash of Champions in November of 1994, yet the memories remain as fresh as the Texas air.
“I remember that match like it was yesterday,” said Rhodes, who asked Vader to be his daughter Dakota’s godfather. “Vader, God rest his soul, I loved that man. I know not everyone loved working with him, but I did. Yes, he was very snug–but I loved that. And he would take a beating back.”
It stood as a watershed moment for Rhodes, who lost the match but proved he could hold his own with a perennial world champion.
“Winning or losing, we both won,” said Rhodes, who lost the match but did so in spectacular fashion. “That was a big opportunity for me.”
The son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, there was immediate–and endless–pressure on Rhodes’ broad shoulders from the moment he decided to wrestle. Following in the footsteps of “The American Dream” is no easy task. Even though fans loved Dusty, there would have been ample animosity had Dustin been rushed up the card and put in the main event.
So Rhodes took the road less traveled. He fought for every accomplishment and accolade, building an enduring connection with wrestling fans in the process. Despite the fact that his run as Goldust is widely believed to be the pinnacle of his career, his runs as “The Natural” in WCW was exceptional. A fiery babyface, Rhodes was in the process of making his own version of his dad’s creation.
That all changed when WCW moved in a new direction after the arrival of Hulk Hogan. But just like the cream always rises, Rhodes eventually found his route to excellence.
“My dad brought me up the right way,” said Rhodes. “He didn’t just shoot me to the moon. That would have got me so much heat. I had to work for everything I got.
“Look what happened when Bill Watts pushed his son Erik so fast. Fans didn’t buy it. It takes time to get over.”
Rhodes has accumulated an astounding base of knowledge in professional wrestling, so much so that he will forget more than most will learn. Yet that does not mean he is finished learning; in fact, quite the opposite is true. Still hungry to learn and give back to wrestling, Rhodes will experience a first later tonight.
“The Natural” is running his first indie show.
The Rhodes Wrestling Association presents its inaugural event–Texas Fall Fury–this evening at the RWA Bullpen in Leander, Texas. It connects to that memorable Clash match against Vader, which represented a breakthrough opportunity for Rhodes. He was given a chance, then seized it. That is the same launchpad Rhodes wants to provide for the men and women in the Rhodes Wrestling Academy.
“I’m very nervous about our first show,” said Rhodes. “It’s sold out. I want the logistics to go off without a hitch. It’s an amazing card, and I know the talent are going to kill it. The fans will not be disappointed.”
The card features a new breed of talent working tirelessly to hone their craft. That includes CD Barrett, Auzzy, Vin Parker, and VertVixen, as well as a team with a name intimately familiar with wrestling fans: Dustin’s nephews Wayne and Wyatt Rhodes, who wrestle together as The Texas Outlaws.
“We just had a showcase night, and my nephew Dylan, who is Wyatt, he had an amazing match, the type you’d see on a pay-per-view,” said Rhodes. “[AEW owner] Tony [Khan] loves them. They did a dark match against Serpentico and Aaron Solo. They’re doing great in college, and I’m so proud of them. People are going to love them, too.”
Becoming a pro wrestler entails a far different process than it did when Rhodes first laced up a pair of boots. That is one of the areas that makes Rhodes so distinctly unique as a teacher–he brings a modern approach steeped in lessons learned from a bygone era.
“When I broke into the business, I was taught to keep my mouth shut and listen,” said Rhodes. “It’s changed over the years, but that’s the way it was for me. So I listened and learned from Arn Anderson, Ricky Steamboat, Bobby Eaton, Barry Windham, Larry Zbyszko. They taught me the business, they led me to where I am. They were my teachers, and I’m forever grateful to those guys for taking me under their wing, especially Arn and Barry.”
Rhodes, 55, is approaching his fortieth year in pro wrestling. This is year no. 37, which is a remarkable accomplishment, and he has found new life coaching emerging talent. After battling his own demons within the insidious grasp of addiction, Rhodes is rejuvenated–and he credits the power of pro wrestling as a source of strength in his recovery.
“I’m passionate about this business,” said Rhodes. “I’ve loved it since I was little. It’s all I ever wanted to do. I’d look in my dad’s closet and see his bull rope and his NWA world title. That’s what I wanted. As much as I loved playing football and amateur wrestling, it couldn’t compare with how much I wanted to be a wrestler.
“Getting into the wrestling industry, it’s given me life. It keeps giving me new life. With all the surgeries–it’s either been 14 or 15 of them–I’m pretty beat up, and sometimes my knees are hurting extra hard, my joints are damaged, but I’m having the time of my life.”
Since 2019, Rhodes has played a starring role for All Elite Wrestling. He is currently adding value to AEW-owned Ring of Honor, where he is tag team champion with Sammy Guevara as well as six-man tag champ Marshall and Ross Von Erich.
“I love this business, and I love this company–All Elite Wrestling,” said Rhodes. “I’m one of the originals, and I don’t plan to leave any time soon. I have a plan and I’ve got to keep that to myself, but I love what I’m doing. It’s been an amazing ride, and it’s pretty cool to give back to these kids. I get to work with the Von Erichs. That brings me the kind of happiness that money can’t buy.”
Rhodes will experience another first in a month, when he wrestles at ROH’s Final Battle in the famed Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
“I can’t wait,” said Rhodes. “I’ve been there a bunch of times, but I’ve never wrestled there. Wrestling fans in New Yorkers, they’re electric. I feed off that energy. It will be another first for me. At 55, I’m still learning. When you stop learning, you stop growing–and that’s not for me.”
After a lifetime worth of memories, Rhodes still longs to create more. Wrestling isn’t his job–it is his vocation. His heart beats just a little faster in a wrestling ring, his soul at ease when he is absorbing blows from his opponent.
Already ensconced as a wrestling legend, Rhodes the otherworldly expectations that hovered over him as a rookie. But that doesn’t mean he is satisfied.
For Rhodes, there is one more goal to conquer on this boundless odyssey.
“I don’t like to float my own boat, but I am working hard,” said Rhodes. “I’m down to the same weight I was back in high school, and I’m lighter on my feet. It feels better. I’m blessed. You have no idea how much it means to me that the fans are still hanging in there with me.
“I’m very proud of my run, even though I’ve never won the world championship. It’s still in my head. I still want it. It’s still my goal. Will it happen? Never say never.”
Jon Moxley is the reigning AEW champion, and he needs the right crowd favorite to step up and challenge him. Why couldn’t it be Rhodes? He possesses a rare form of charisma and an uncommon ability to create magic inside the ring. Dripping with passion, Rhodes would add real significance to a world title feud.
Ultimately, his M.O. runs even deeper than a world title run. Powered by his unrelenting spirit, Rhodes wants to keep moving the industry forward. That will be on display tonight at the debut Rhodes Wrestling Academy show, and it is intrinsically a part of the work every time Rhodes puts his body on the line.
“Make people feel something, that’s always my goal,” said Rhodes. “It’s not just going to happen itself.
“There’s no script for listening to the crowd. You have to dig deep and step outside of your comfort zone. You can’t be satisfied with being mediocre. Me? I want it all. If you’re not hungry, if you don’t have the heart and soul for it, you’re not going to last long.”
“If you’re watching my match, I’m doing everything I can to make sure you won’t change the channel.”