The American Dream

 

 “The American Dream”

By Matt Lingerfelt 

It was real when he would speak. You could feel it every time Dusty Rhodes would pick up a microphone, what he was saying was real.  His ability to connect with the people either in the stands or through the television screen was unmistakable. He was the son of a plumber, a common man.  He was one of us who made it and he was living the AMERICAN DREAM!!! 

Dusty Rhodes impact on the world of wrestling cannot be properly put down into words. He was with out a doubt, one of the best ever to have entered into the ring. He could tell a story, that every fan could not just understand, but they could relate to.  If you have a doubt, look at the promo he did on October 29^th, 1985 for Mid-Atlantic Wrestling. Thirty years later and that promo will stand as one of the best ever. It could be done today and the fans would go crazy.

His ability to tell the story in the ring is even more impressive. He was able to take anybody he faced, and he made them look better. That is the sign of a true professional.

Dusty Rhodes influence on the wrestling business isn’t just in the past. Today’s talent, the young “up and coming” stars of WWE have had the chance to learn at his feet. He has been an invaluable part of the NXT talent’s training. He has had his hands on the careers of performers like Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn, plus countless others. Dusty’s continued influence on the future of professional wrestling will be seen for years to come.

Then there are his sons. Cody and Dustin, two men who have followed into their father’s footsteps, and made a mark of their own in wrestling. In his WWE Hall Of Fame acceptance speech, Dusty simply said, “I am so proud of them.” For a man of many words, those few ones say an awful lot.

Dusty Rhodes was without a doubt a legend. In and out of the world of wrestling, everyone knew who he was. But one thing that made him unique was he never forgot where he came from. Dusty Rhodes was a common man, the son of a plumber. But to wrestling fans all over the world, he will always be The American Dream.