Welcome to the first episode of Wrestling Under the Influence this decade! I’m joined by Ryzer, from Stride Pro Wrestling. He and I enjoy the Unfiltered Wheat American Classic by Boulevard Brewing Company. We pair this beer with the ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes and his son, the ‘American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes.
Give it a listen here and don't forget to subscribe!
A new feature on the YouTube Channel. I'm answering one question at a time in a quick video. My plan is to keep these clips to five minutes or less. QUESTION: "The success of 'All In' and ROH/NJPW selling out MSG over WrestleMania weekend has fans saying wrestling and wrestlers can succeed without WWE. If the Bullet Club members end up going to WWE in January, will that have a negative effect on Indy wrestling?" - @chadsmart
I know it's a long shot, believe me, I do. But one thing I've learned in life is you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. (Thanks Wayne Gretzky for that truth.) So I've decided to post a public plea to Cody Rhodes and his team involved with September's 'All In' event in Chicago.
If a ring announcer hasn't been secured yet, I want to officially throw my name in the ring. I have more than 20 years of experience as a broadcast journalist. Fourteen of those years I've spent as the morning co-anchor at an ABC affiliate located in Illinois.
AAPW days
In 2011, I was hired to do play-by-play commentary for All American Pro Wrestling Collision. That show aired on the same ABC affiliate at which I still work, as well as on YouTube. The company changed names in 2013 to Pro Wrestling Collision and I continued my duties at the announce table through its short run.
After a nearly three-year hiatus from the pro wrestling scene, I returned to the business in 2016 as the ring announcer for Stride Pro Wrestling. It's a title I still hold. Here in Stride, I'm known for my over-the-top suits. My 'Bobby Heenan' jacket has been my trademark, however, I have several Opposuits/Shinesty suits that I wear, including Star Wars and a summer-time flamingo print. I will soon have a custom suit that I'll be wearing in the ring too.
Winning in the cage
I love and respect pro wrestling. I have been a fan since late 1982. I've been fortunate enough to serve indy wrestling as a referee and a guest manager. I have even been in the ring to compete on two different occasions. Again, I know this is a long shot, but I'd have more regret not making this plea than doing it and not hearing back or getting told no. Thanks for your consideration and good luck with the show. (PS: don't let my lack of photo editing skills influence your decision.)
I'm going to start this blog off by stating for the record I am a fan of Cody Rhodes. I enjoyed every incarnation of the man in his time in WWE. From his first break teaming with Bob Holly to Legacy to "Dashing" Cody to Rhodes-Scholars and even Stardust (even though I know he hated it). In my 1-2-3 cents, he was one of the most undervalued members of the roster and I'm happy for the success he's found on the independent scene and as the current Ring of Honor champion. It's also my 1-2-3 cents that his wife Brandi (Eden in WWE) was also grossly misused and should have had a larger role in the company.
Now that you know where I'm coming from, let me move forward. WWE announced this week it's bringing back the Starrcade brand for the first time since acquiring WCW. The last Starrcade event was in December 2000. The title will be a part of an event planned for Thanksgiving weekend, involving SmackDown Live talent. Legends like Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and The Rock 'n Roll Express are also scheduled to appear.
Dusty vs. Ric Flair Courtesy: WWE
The announcement of the event drew some criticism from Cody and Brandi, mostly being upset that Dusty Rhodes, who helped create Starrcade, wasn't credited and that Dustin (Goldust) Rhodes isn't scheduled to have a match on the show at this point. I understand Cody's emotional attachment to the situation, but I disagree with his point of view. Of course, if I was in his shoes, I might think differently, but I'd like to think that I wouldn't. Also, I don't disagree with him on everything.
Tag champs Courtesy: WWE
He's right, it would be nice if WWE included Goldust on the card. However, if they don't, I understand. Goldy is on the Raw brand and this is a SmackDown Live event. Also, Michael Hayes has extended an invitation to Cody to team with Dustin on the show. That would be amazing and I'd love to see them face the Hardy Boyz (I know they're Raw too), but what the hell...
In my 1-2-3 cents, WWE doesn't have to give credit to the creator or innovator of each concept they present. Dusty was mentioned in the article for his involvement, but not as one of the creative forces behind it. To that point, I don't know that WWE mentions Pat Patterson every year at the Royal Rumble and I couldn't tell you officially who should be recognized for Hell in a Cell, Survivor Series or King of the Ring.
Dusty Rhodes statue unveiling Courtesy: WWE
WWE has done a lot to honor the American Dream's legacy. There's a life-size statue of Dusty that was unveiled at WrestleMania Axxess a couple years ago. In 2016, there was a tag team tournament in the Dream's honor. There are a lot of Legends, Hall of Famers and contributors to the success of the business that don't get the credit they deserve. I really don't believe WWE is trying to squash the legacy of the Dream or take anything away from what he did for wrestling.
My hope is that one day Cody finds what he's looking for on the indy scene and is able to once again put his talents on display on the global stage of WWE. I respect what he, Dustin and their father have done and continue to do for the betterment of professional wrestling (and sports entertainment).
It's hard to believe that nearly 22 years ago Dustin Rhodes shocked the world and made his debut as Goldust. The character was one I immediately embraced, waiting each week to see a new vignette by the bizarre one. Without a doubt, Rhodes' career was given a breath of fresh air and the Goldust character was well ahead of its time in 1995.
Cody & Goldust
Courtesy: WWE
Goldust would come and go through the years, enjoying success in more recent years in tag team action. Goldust and his brother Cody Rhodes captured tag team gold before Cody made the transformation into Stardust. But like all good things, the duo came to an end and Cody exited WWE. That's when Goldust found a new partner in R-Truth and as the Golden Truth, the two had decent chemistry but just seemed to exist on the roster.
A couple weeks ago, Goldust turned on his partner and on Raw was featured in a promo that was a throwback to those early days in the company. I don't know how long this ride for Goldust's second act is going to last, but I intend to enjoy every moment of it. The gimmick is my favorite of any in the history of wrestling. And his theme song remains in my top five of all-time.
Goldust circa 1996
Photo by My 1-2-3 Cents
There are some guys cast into roles and you can't imagine anyone else doing it. Dustin as Goldust is on that level. I have nothing but respect for what Dustin Rhodes has done in his career as both "The Natural" and Goldust. Here's to hoping for newfound success along with the new attitude. I for one will never forget the name of.... Goldust!
Follow my blog with Bloglovin There are reports that 5 Star Wrestling has offered CM Punk a million dollars to be a part of an upcoming summer tour. That's a lot of money and who knows if Punk will actually do it, but the notion got me to thinking about what Superstars I'd like to see make a return to WWE. After all, the company has mended fences with the likes of Bruno Sammartino, The Ultimate Warrior and Kurt Angle. Who knows, one-day Punk may come back to be enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame, but I highly doubt we'll see him wrestle there again. So who would I like to see come back?
Morrison in action
Courtesy: WWE
John Morrison was one of the most underutilized guys on the WWE roster. He went from a tag team guy, winning the championships with both Joey Mercury and the Miz to being a fairly well-accomplished singles star, winning both the Intercontinental and WWECW Championships. However, he never seemed to get over that hump so many Superstars get stuck at. I didn't realize he left WWE nearly six years ago. He's doing great in Lucha Underground and with some acting projects in Hollywood. Morrison (Johnny Mundo) still looks amazing and works his ass off in the ring. He definitely left before WWE really started the push for the current product. He could easily come back and work his way into the main event picture.
Cody & Goldust
Courtesy: WWE
Cody Rhodes has only been gone a year but I miss seeing him on a weekly basis. He's honing his craft and only getting better working indy shows as well as TNA and Ring of Honor. I'm loving the "American Nightmare" gimmick. I liked the Stardust character and even the idea of having Cody on one show and Stardust on the other. But he's established he doesn't need the character to get over. Sometimes leaving and finding oneself and allowing the company to see what they've missed out on is needed. Drew McIntyre comes to mind as the most recent example.
The Hulkster
Courtesy: WWE
Hear me out on this last one. Hulk Hogan is a legend in the business. While I don't agree with, nor defend what he said, it's hard to deny the Hulkster's legacy. I don't want him back full time necessarily or even to wrestle. Right now, I'd be content with some guest appearances on big shows and reentry into the WWE Hall of Fame. There's been more buzz that Hogan will return. It's time. He made a mistake and apologized. Who would you like to see come back to WWE? There are plenty of other names out there that can be added to this list. Hulk Hogan merchandise
On the post-Christmas edition of Raw, WWE produced a segment featuring R-Truth, Goldust and Bayley. You've probably seen it by now, but if not, here's a quick recap. Bayley pays homage to the late, great "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes by presenting his son Goldust with a teddy bear dressed in the Dream's trademark black gear with yellow polka dots.
What happened next brought criticism from some fans and members of the Rhodes family, including former WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson entered and ridiculed the gesture. Anderson snatched the bear from Goldust's hands and then ripped off its head. Yes, it was a low blow, but I understand Creative is trying to put heat on the heels and make Anderson and Gallows look like jerks.
Anderson pins Goldust Courtesy: WWE
It's what followed that irritated me. Because fans and family members are hypersensitive to situations like the one at hand, Goldust and R-Truth should have beaten the crap out of The Club with Goldust getting the pin and avenging the earlier act of aggression. Instead, Anderson and Gallows not only won the match, but Goldust is the one who was pinned. (Yes, Goldie got some good shots, but still...)
Because of their position in the company right now, it's highly unlikely there will be a follow-up. However, for the sake of keeping the peace and in true American Dream fashion, the opposite of what happened should have occurred. I'm not critical of the original act, it's the follow-up that bugs me the most.
Earlier this year Cody Rhodes left WWE to pursue a career on the independent scene. Up until recently he's been wrestling on shows under his WWE-given moniker. But now word is that Cody can't keep the surname when he starts competing in both Ring of Honor and TNA. Why you ask? Because Cody's real last name is Runnels and apparently WWE owns the rights to Rhodes.
This is an unfortunate situation. Before blasting anyone, there is still a chance a deal can be brokered between the two sides, as Cody is apparently in talks and left WWE under good terms. I'm hopeful a deal can be reached and both sides are happy with the end result. Eventually I believe Cody will come back to WWE with even more fanfare than he had before.
Stardust Courtesy: WWE
I understand WWE wanting to keep the Stardust name. But I don't agree with the Rhodes argument. CM Punk came and went with his name because it wasn't a WWE commodity. Dusty Rhodes was a huge star before going to WWF, so by default Dustin and Cody should have access to the name. I understand it's a business and that's the reason behind it. WWE isn't trying to be petty. But let's face it in the court of public opinion them hanging on to the Rhodes name will end up hurting them more than if Cody is allowed to use it.
Cody wins! Courtesy: Wrestlezone.com
I'm excited for what the future holds for Cody. He had a successful match against WWE alum Kurt Angle recently. There will be plenty of buzz surrounding him in TNA and ROH. He was an underutilized talent for years. Now he's shining bright (like a star... kinda). Best of luck to Cody whether he keeps Rhodes and wrestles as Runnels.
A couple weeks ago WWE released a handful of talents, ranging from the Brooklyn Brawler to "King" Barrett. Another round of releases has started. Over the weekend Cody Rhodes requested and was granted his release from WWE. Embattled Superstar Adam Rose has been 'future endeavored' too.
Adam Rose Courtesy: WWE
The Rose release isn't surprising. He was serving a 60 day suspension for a Wellness Policy violation. During his time away he was also arrested on domestic charges violence charges. None of us knows what's going on his life, but I hope whatever hardships he and his family are going through, they get the situation worked out. Never say never as we could see him back in WWE at some point.
Cody's release was a surprise, but I don't blame him wanting to step away. He was clearly frustrated with his place on the roster and walking away now gives Cody a chance to perhaps reinvent himself elsewhere or find a whole new line of work. Again, I wish him nothing but the best. Here's what Cody had to say about the situation via his Twitter page @PrinceCGR.
By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the My 1-2-3 Cents Podcast here. After this week, it's official, we will not be getting the much anticipated Wrestlemania showdown between Cody and Dustin Rhodes, better known to the WWE Universe as Stardust and Goldust respectively. I may be in the minority when I say this, but I'm disappointed this match isn't happening on the grandest stage of all. For years there has been speculation that the Rhodes brothers would lock up at Wrestlemania. It seemed as if WWE Creative was headed in that direction after the two finally split in February. But instead, six days after that breakup, a match happened at Fastlane. Fans didn't seem to respond well to that showdown (which Goldust won) and from what I've read that's the reasoning behind scrapping the rematch for Wrestlemania.
Courtesy: WWE
I think they rushed that initial match. I would have rather seen a six week build up to Wrestlemania, allowing things to simmer up until the point of everything boiling over at Wrestlemania. More could have been done with father Dusty Rhodes as well. I think the company just threw the match together and hoped for the best instead of allowing that slow burn. (I realize six weeks isn't a slow burn, but by today's standards it certainly is)
Old school Goldust
Courtesy: WWE
Goldust is my favorite gimmick of all time. Dustin Rhodes has spent nearly 20 years (off & on) in the role and I can't imagine anyone else being able to pull it off the way he did. Those early years were simply amazing. I had a hard time believing "The Natural" was under that wig and makeup. This most recent run has been a great one for him. He's in even better shape now and if this is indeed his last run with WWE, I hope he's not just lost in the shuffle of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
Stardust
Courtesy: WWE
Stardust has breathed new life into Cody's career too. I have no doubt he'll continue be successful, but I would have loved for one more match against Dustin on the big stage. Then add him into the hunt for the Intercontinental title. I'm just a fan with an opinion and a forum to share it. What are your thoughts? Post your comments here or join us on Facebook.
I'm going to admit first and foremost I have not been paying as close attention to wrestling as I would like to. Sometimes life gets in the way of fun and entertainment and things get lost in the shuffle. I do watch Raw on a regular basis and I keep up with the pay per views via the WWE Network. I even went back and did some research so I'm basing my opinions on facts and not just what I perceive to be the truth.
Ten teams do battle at Survivor Series 1987 Photo courtesy: WWE
I love tag team wrestling. Looking back on the very first (and second) Survivor Series events, there were ten viable tag teams on the roster. Ten. I don't know if I could name ten viable tag teams over the past couple of years, much less that would be on hand for one pay per view match. The days of duos like Demolition, The British Bulldogs, and the Hart Foundation are long gone. Now we have quick, put together-at-the-last-second combos out there.
Star & Goldust Photo courtesy: WWE
Right now on the current main roster the Usos and Gold & Stardust are really the only two active teams I see anymore. Los Matadores are sporadically used and I'm assuming the Wyatt Family will soon be back in action, but let's look back on the calendar year. Cody Rhodes and Goldust lost the tag team titles to the New Age Outlaws at the Royal Rumble. Yes, a team that hadn't competed together on WWE programming in 14 years made a comeback. It was brief and nostalgic, so I'm not complaining. I'm really not.
Wrestlemania XXX Kickoff Photo courtesy: WWE
At Extreme Rules, the now defunct duo of RybAxel beat the Cody and Goldie and the Usos wrestled the NAO. There was a fatal four way that was the kickoff to Wrestlemania XXX. Los Matadores and The Real Americans (also no longer together) were a part of that. There was also a six man tag featuring the Shield against NAO and Kane. There were no tag team matches at Extreme Rules, but another six man with the Shield against Evolution. Payback saw that rematch and a rematch between RybAxel and Cody & Goldust. The Usos beat the Wyatts at Money in the Bank and the newly revamped Star and Goldust took on RybAxel (again).
The Wyatts vs. the Usos Photo courtesy: WWE
Battleground featured a rematch between the Usos and the Wyatts. There were no tag team matches at SummerSlam. We saw Gold & Stardust take on the Usos at Night of Champions and Hell in a Cell. Now that we're up to speed, you can see there's a huge lack of depth in the tag team pool. Sure there were a few more makeshift teams through the year, including Big Show and Mark Henry who are now enemies, and Damien Mizdow and the Miz seem to be on the verge of a split too. Reviewing the WWE roster, there are so many guys on it now that aren't on TV, I scratch my head wondering why they're not being put to use.
Woods, Kingston, Big E Photo courtesy: WWE
For a bit we were being teased with a faction of Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E. I think it's a move that would benefit all three men and give fans something fresh in terms of a new team. I thought Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel had good chemistry prior to Tyson's injury and time away. I'm reluctant to suggest others from NXT because I fear without the proper introduction, they'll be lost in the shuffle (see Fandango, Big E, and Adam Rose among others.)
I think the tag teams that are currently being used do an amazing job, but week after week of tag team or six man tag team matches featuring the same guys gets a little old after a while. Let's give the division a breath of fresh air and mix things up a bit.
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Like many fans, I thought when Damien Sandow was beaten up by the reuniting Degeneration X members on Raw 1000 it would be the start of something big for his somewhat stagnant status in WWE. I think it's fair to say that the moment did help him gain exposure and lead to a relatively successful, but short stint as a tag team with Cody Rhodes.
Team Rhodes Scholars Photo courtesy: WWE
When Team Rhodes Scholars first formed, I was less than impressed, but the duo really grew on me and I had hoped they'd get a run as the tag team champions. But as it seems to be the norm, many teams end up fizzling out and the participants feud briefly before fading away in the sunset. I didn't want to see that happen to either Sandow or Rhodes, and when Damien won the 2013 Money in the Bank, I thought for sure we had a future WWE Heavyweight Champion on our hands. I don't need to review the tapes for you to know that's not what happened.
Sandow as Vince McMahon Photo courtesy: WWE
Fast forward to present day and Sandow has been taking on a different persona each week when he comes out to wrestle. He's been everyone from Abe Lincoln to Bret Hart to the WWE boss Vince McMahon himself. None of these characters has earned him a victory on TV, but the key here is it's earned him time on TV. He's in front of the fans each week. And quite honestly, I'm entertained by it. Let's face facts, especially now that the company is making big cuts across the board, not everyone on the roster is going to be in the main event or even win a title. Sure at some point this may all lead to something big for Sandow, but the realist in me has stopped looking at each gimmick and storyline wondering when it's going to lead to a guy's big break (see Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, and Tyson Kidd). The bottom line is, it's not going to happen for everyone, and despite his talent, I don't think Sandow will be adding any gold to his waist anytime soon. That's perfectly acceptable too. In the 80's we had many greats like Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Paul Orndorff, and Junkyard Dog go without any title runs. Then something happened during the Attitude Era and beyond when it seems like EVERYONE won gold at some point, whether it was the European Title, Hardcore Championship, or Tag Team titles. As fans, I think we've been reconditioned to expect everyone at some point is going to win a championship, but unfortunately for the most part titles these days are merely props on the show. That's a blog for another day though...
When Cody Rhodes and Goldust started showing signs of tension, I think I was in the same boat as most fans who thought it was the beginning of the end for the brotherly duo. Then on the June 16 episode of Raw, we were all proven wrong. The Rhodes brothers have returned, but with a new look. Gone is Cody, replaced with Stardust. It's an interesting gimmick change for Cody, as I always enjoyed his heel roles when he was "Dashing" and as a member of Evolution. I like the idea of reinventing this team and keeping it fresh. I feel like in recent years, tag teams have come and gone and faded away, weakening the division in general. I'm hoping this move not only boosts Cody's career, but helps to rebuild the tag team ranks. Plus, at the very least there's a new mask they can sell to kids and a tshirt featuring the new character.
Stardust wins Photo Courtesy: WWE.com
Dustin Rhodes really deserves a lot of credit. He's made the Goldust character work (off and on) for nearly 20 years. When he was introduced in 1995, the gimmick was a game changer and as far as I'm concerned, helped lead the company into what became known as the Attitude Era. That being said, I don't really see longevity for Stardust. I think Cody will eventually turn heel again. Plus, even though he's in the best shape of his career, Goldust isn't going to be around forever. Fans still want that brother vs. brother match and I think they're going to get it before it's all said and done.
Stardust & Goldust Photo Courtesy: WWE.com
Bottom line, I'm not judging the new gimmick, I'm really not. Time will tell where it goes from here, but like I said, these two will definitely help spice up the tag team division again.
