Goldust's second act

Goldust has a new attitude
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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!

Cody's tough 'Rhodes' ahead

Kurt Angle vs. Cody Rhodes
Source: Wrestlezone.com

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Golden Star

Goldust vs. Stardust
Courtesy: WWE

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.

Don't Pull the Plug on Tag Team Wrestling

The Usos vs. Gold & Stardust
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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.

A Star Is Born

Introducing Stardust
Photo Courtesy: WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

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.