Dustin Rhodes

Dustin Runnles
Born	April 11th 1969 Austin, Texas
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Dustin Rhodes Dustin Runnels Goldust The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust Gold Dustin Seven Black Reign
Billed height	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Billed weight	270 lb (122 kg)
Billed from	"The Deepest, Darkest Corner of His Mind" (as Black Reign) Hollywood, California (as Goldust) Austin, Texas (As Dustin Rhodes)
Trained by	Skandor Akbar Dusty Rhodes
Debut	September 13 1988

Dustin Runnels (born April 11, 1969) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its Raw brand as Goldust. He has also performed for World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Runnels is the son of Dusty Rhodes and is the half-brother of current WWE Raw Superstar Cody Rhodes.

Career

National Wrestling Alliance (1988)

Rhodes received his first national exposure in the National Wrestling Alliance in December 1988, where he wrestled as Dustin Rhodes and formed a short-lived tag team with Kendall Windham named the Texas Broncos. Rhodes subsequently formed a tag team with Jaison Royers, with the duo winning the FCW Tag Team Championship.

World Wrestling Federation (1990-1991)

Rhodes debuted in the World Wrestling Federation in late 1990, wrestling as Dustin Rhodes. In December 1990, Rhodes defeated Ted DiBiase in a televised ten-minute challenge match. On January 19 1991 at the Royal Rumble, Rhodes and his father Dusty lost to Ted DiBiase and Virgil in a tag team bout.

World Championship Wrestling (1991-1995)

In February 1991, Rhodes joined World Championship Wrestling, wrestling as "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes. He feuded with Larry Zbyszko until April 1991, when he refused to join Alexandra York's York Foundation, thus beginning a feud with Foundation member Terrence Taylor.

In October 1992, Rhodes and Barry Windham won the WCW World Tag Team Championship. One month later, Windham turned on Rhodes, beginning a feud. In January 1993, Rhodes won the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. In the same month, he began a lengthy feud with Rick Rude that lasted until August. Rhodes lost the title to "Stunning" Steve Austin in December 1993.

In March 1994, Rhodes started feuding with Bunkhouse Buck and Col. Robert Parker. After Parker introduced Arn Anderson and Terry Funk as adversaries for Runnels, Runnels responded by bringing his father, a former enemy of Funk, back into the ring to team with him again against Parker's Stud Stable. In December 1994, Parker introduced another opponent for Rhodes, The Blacktop Bully. In March 1995, Rhodes and The Blacktop Bully both bladed during a King of the Road match at the 1995 Uncensored pay-per-view after being instructed to by one person, they were fired as a result by another.

Return to the WWF (Second run; 1995-1999)

In September 1995, Rhodes returned to the World Wrestling Federation, wrestling under the name Goldust. The character was portrayed as being obsessed with films and gold. As Goldust, Runnels wrestled and won his debut match on October 22, 1995 against Marty Jannetty at In Your House in Canada. Runnels wrestled first in a gold and white and later a black and gold colored jumpsuit while wearing black and gold face paint and a platinum blonde wig over his short platinum blonde hair, with his appearance modeled after an Academy Award. Goldust utilized tactics such as groping his opponents and expressing affection towards them.

Goldust in 1995

Goldust initially feuded with Razor Ramon, whom he stalked and sent messages to throughout late 1995. The feud culminated at the Royal Rumble on January 21, 1996, where Goldust defeated Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship due to interference from the 1-2-3 Kid. This match also marked the debut of his valet, Marlena, portrayed by his then-wife Terri. Marlena sat at ringside in a director's chair and advised Goldust while smoking a cigar. A rematch between Goldust and Ramon at WrestleMania XII was canceled after Ramon was suspended, with Goldust instead wrestling and losing to Rowdy Roddy Piper in a non-title "Hollywood Backlot Brawl".

Goldust defended his Intercontinental Championship in bouts against Savio Vega and The Ultimate Warrior before losing to Ahmed Johnson at King of the Ring on June 23, 1996. In August 1996, Goldust briefly gained control over Mankind and feuded with The Undertaker. His attention soon turned to Marc Mero and his then wife Sable. Goldust and Marlena attempted to get Sable to join their team, but Mero won the feud and kept her by his side.

In May 1997, Goldust revealed his identity as Dustin Runnels, the son of Dusty Rhodes. In the summer and fall of that year, he joined other wrestlers in their conflict with The Hart Foundation, feuding in particular with Brian Pillman, to who he lost the services of Marlena for thirty days. Just before the thirty days were up, Pillman died hours before Badd Blood of heart disease on October 5, 1997. In November 1997, Goldust split with Marlena and refused to cooperate with his Survivor Series teammates. This led to a feud with Vader and the appearance of The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust (a reference to Prince), managed by Luna Vachon. He began mimicking celebrities and fellow wrestlers with characters such as "Chynadust", "Dust Lovedust", "Dustydust", "Hunterdust", "Flashdust", "Marilyn Mansondust", "Sabledust", and "Vaderdust".

In May 1998, Rhodes burned his jumpsuit on television, thereby splitting with Luna and eventually getting involved with Terri Runnels once again. He feuded with Val Venis, who claimed to have impregnated Terri. After spending several months alluding to his return, Goldust reprized his gimmick in October 1998 and began feuding with Jeff Jarrett over the attention of his manager, Debra. In early 1999, Goldust feuded with Al Snow, upon stealing Head, Snow's mascot, and The Blue Meanie, who had recently renamed himself "Bluedust" and adopted many of Goldust's mannerisms. After Goldust defeated Meanie at St. Valentines Day Massacre, Meanie became Goldust's apprentice. After Ryan Shamrock became Goldust's valet, Meanie and Shamrock began vying for Goldust's attention. In the same time period, Goldust won the Intercontinental Championship again from Road Dogg and then lost it to The Godfather two weeks later.

Throughout 1999, vignettes featuring footage of wrestlers began airing on television. The vignettes were originally referred to as GDTV (Goldust Television), with the intention of eventually revealing Goldust as the person behind them, but were renamed GTV after Rhodes requested and was granted a release from his contract.

Return to WCW (Second run; 1999-2001)

Rhodes returned to World Championship Wrestling in 1999, filming several vignettes for a fantastical, face-painted character named Seven. These vignettes contained ominous footage of Rhodes in full makeup standing outside of a child's bedroom window. The character was dropped after Turner Standards and Practices expressed concern that this gimmick could be misinterpreted as a child abductor. Upon returning to WCW television, Rhodes removed his costume and delivered a Worked Shoot in which he mocked unrealistic gimmicks as well as his time as Goldust in the WWF. Rhodes began wrestling as "The American Nightmare" Dustin Rhodes, with his nickname a reference to his father's nickname, "The American Dream".

Rhodes feuded with Jeff Jarrett and Terry Funk before being suspended in 2000 due to an appearance on the WCW Live! Internet radio program in which he criticized WCW head writer Vince Russo, calling him a "sawed-off midget" and an "asshole". He returned to WCW television in February 2001, assisting his father in his feud with Jarrett and Ric Flair.

In March 2001, WCW was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation, with the WWF neglecting to acquire Runnels' contract. In July 2001, Runnels began wrestling for his father's newly created Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling promotion, winning the TCW Heavyweight Championship.

Return to WWE (Third run; 2002-2003)

Rhodes returned to the World Wrestling Federation on January 20, 2002, taking part in the Royal Rumble and reprising his Goldust character. He feuded with Rob Van Dam before winning the Hardcore Championship on nine occasions.

When the World Wrestling Federation was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment and the roster was divided into two brands, RAW and SmackDown, Goldust was assigned to the RAW brand, where he formed a tag team with Booker T. The duo engaged in numerous comedic vignettes, on one occasion hosting a segment entitled Booker T and Goldust at the Movies and delivering reviews of The Scorpion King, a film starring The Rock. In May 2002, Booker joined the nWo, with Goldust's request to join the faction rejected. In June 2002, Booker was ejected from the nWo by Shawn Michaels, sparking a feud between the nWo and Booker and Goldust. Booker and Goldust went on to compete in the tag team division, winning the World Tag Team Championship at Armageddon 2002 before splitting in January 2003.

Following the dissolution of the tag team, Rhodes developed a gimmick whereupon he contracted a stutter upon receiving an shock from a junction box during an attack at the hands of Batista and Randy Orton. Rhodes appeared sporadically thereafter, forming a tag team with Lance Storm in August 2003, and was released in December 2003 following a period of inactivity.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2004-2005)

On February 4, 2004, he debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as "Lonestar" Dustin Rhodes, unsuccessfully challenging Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. On February 18, Runnels and El Leon defeated Kevin Northcutt and Legend in a tag team bout.

On March 7, in the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, he, wrestling as Dusty Rhodes, Jr., teamed up with his father and lost to Satoshi Kojima and Shinjiro Otani during a Hustle event.

In December 2004, he returned to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, once again wrestling as Dustin Rhodes. He feuded with Raven, Kid Kash, and Bobby Roode during his time there. His TNA contract expired in April 2005 and he chose not to renew it, leaving TNA.

Return to WWE (Fourth run; 2005-2006)

Rhodes returned to World Wrestling Entertainment on October 31, 2005 as Goldust, attacking Batista along with Vader. At Taboo Tuesday, Goldust and Vader unsuccessfully interfered in a Street Fight between Batista and Jonathan Coachman on behalf of Coachman. This run, however, only lasted two nights.

In January 2006, Goldust took part in the Royal Rumble and was assigned once again to the RAW brand until he was released from his WWE contract on June 14, 2006 for no-showing an appearance.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2007)

On January 28, 2007, it was announced that Rhodes would appear at the February 17, 2007 All Japan Pro Wrestling show in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. On February 15, Rhodes, identified as Gold Dustin, appeared at ringside during a match involving The Great Muta, resulting in a brawl between Rhodes and The Great Muta. On February 17, Rhodes and Jinsei Shinzaki were defeated by The Great Muta and Yoshihiro Tajiri in a tag team bout.

Return to TNA (Second run; 2007-2008)

On July 15, 2007, Dustin Rhodes returned to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling at Victory Road and aligned himself with Christian Cage by helping him defeat "Wildcat" Chris Harris. In an interview on TNA Impact! conducted by Mike Tenay, Rhodes discussed accusations of having a split personality and stated that he was going to embrace it and let it out. TNA presented the interview as being an emotional breakdown on the part of Rhodes. On August 12 at Hard Justice, Rhodes debuted his new ring name, Black Reign, and a "new, darker and bizarre look". At Hard Justice, Chris Harris defeated Black Reign via DQ when Reign attacked several referees. The entire angle was seen by fans and critics as ridiculous, and as some of the wrestlers came out to stop Reign, it was notable that Sonjay Dutt was laughing during the segment. The next week, the gimmick was explored even further, saying that Rhodes constantly switches between face "Dustin Rhodes" and heel "Black Reign". He was featured at Bound for Glory in a Monster's Ball match against Rhino, Abyss, and Raven. Reign challenged Abyss to a "Shop of Horrors" match at Genesis and lost. At Genesis, Reign's new partner, Rellik made his debut, attacking Abyss. At Turning Point, Black Reign and Rellik lost to Abyss and Raven in a Match of 10,000 Tacks. Originally this match was signed to be Abyss and Rhino vs. Rellik and Black Reign but, due to an injury, Rhino was replaced by Raven for this match.

On Impact!, he helped Rellik beat up Kaz. Later the same night, he appeared for an interview, as Dustin Rhodes, without his Black Reign make-up and stated that his "alter ego" has been scaring him since when he was a little kid. His interview was interrupted by the furious Kaz. Reign and his partner Rellik then began feuding with Eric Young and his new superhero gimmick Super Eric. After 3 months of not showing up on TV Black Reign's profile was removed from the TNA roster page and he has been released from the company with a possibility to return in the future. His Black Reign persona was voted the worst gimmick of 2007 by Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Return to WWE (Fifth Run; 2008 - present)

On October 26, 2008, Rhodes appeared on WWE's Cyber Sunday under his Goldust persona as part of the three choices (the other two being Roddy Piper and Honky Tonk Man) that the fans could choose to face Santino Marella for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Honky Tonk Man was chosen and won via disqualification due to interference by Marella's girlfriend Beth Phoenix, and thus did not win the title. Goldust, along with Piper, then entered the ring and the three candidates fought Marella, afterwards celebrating together in the ring. The following night on Raw, Goldust appeared again with Piper and the Honky Tonk Man as guest commentators for Marella's match with Charlie Haas. The match ended when Goldust and Piper distracted Marella so that Honky Tonk Man could smash his guitar over Marella's head. On November 4, it was confirmed that Rhodes has actually re-signed with WWE and is currently set to be a wrestler on the Raw brand. Also on RAW, Goldust participated in the Kung Fu Naki dance-off.

In wrestling

File:Goldust in 1995 (1).jpg

Rhodes, as Goldust, in the character's trademark wig and robe

• Finishing and signature moves
• As Goldust
  • Curtain Call (Lifting falling inverted DDT, scoop lift dropped into a hangman's neckbreaker - 2002-2003, or a suplex slam - 1998-1999)
  • Golden Globes / Shattered Dreams (Running corner low blow kick)
  • Director's Cut / Shock Treatment (Snap scoop powerslam pin) - 2002-2003; Used as a regular move from 2003-present
  • Mat slam
  • Butt bump
  • Bronco buster
  • Inverted atomic drop
  • Running one-handed bulldog
  • Uppercut

• As Dustin Rhodes
  • Lonestar State of Mind (Lifting falling inverted DDT)
  • Running one-handed bulldog - TNA; Used as a regular move in WCW
  • Snap scoop powerslam pin
  • Uppercut
  • Inverted atomic drop

• As Black Reign
  • Blackout (Kneel out facebuster)
  • Schizophrenic (Vertical suplex lifted and dropped into a snap swinging neckbreaker)
  • Hangman's neckbreaker
  • Running stunner
  • Uppercut
  • Straight jacket choke

• Signature foreign objects
  • Darkness Falls (Spike-tipped cane) - As Black Reign
  • Misty the Rat - As Black Reign

• Nicknames
  • The Natural (WCW; 1991-1995)
  • The Bizarre One (WWF; 1995-1999)
  • The American Nightmare (WCW; 1999)
  • The Lone Star (WCW / TCW; 2001)
  • The Prince of Perversion (WWE)

• Theme music
  • "The Natural" (WCW) - WCW production theme
  • "Gold-Lust" (WWF/E) - Jim Johnston
  • "Black Reign" (TNA) - Dale Oliver

Championships and accomplishments

• American Combat Wrestling
  • ACW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Coastal Championship Wrestling
  • CCW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• NWA Florida
  • NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Mike Graham

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (1991)

• Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
  • TCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• World Championship Wrestling
  • WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Big Josh and Tom Zenk
  • WCW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Ricky Steamboat and Barry Windham

• World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWF Hardcore Championship (9 times)
  • WWF Intercontinental Championship (3 times)
  • World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Booker T

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
  • 5 Star Match (1992) with Nikita Koloff, Sting, Ricky Steamboat, and Barry Windham vs. Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, and Larry Zbyszko (May 17, WarGames match, WrestleWar)
  • Most Improved (1991)
  • Rookie of the Year (1989)
  • Worst Gimmick (1995, 2007)
  • Most Embarrassing Wrestler (1997)

Personal life

Dustin was married to Terri Runnels in 1992 and together they have a daughter named Dakota, who was born on February 14, 1994. Dustin and Terri divorced after a seven-year marriage in 1999, but still maintain a healthy friendship for the sake of their daughter. Dustin and his girlfriend, Milena, were married on December 20, 2002.At the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 31, 2007 he stated "All my life I've wanted to be just like my dad."

External links

• WWE Alumni Profile
• Dustin Runnels at IMDb