7-time WWE champion gives clear praise to Dusty Rhodes over other legends
WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes is arguably one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time, widely praised for his charisma and highlighted for personifying the American Dream. Dusty left his mark on-screen, in the ring, and behind the scenes, and he still dominates discussions on the various classes of elite talents in the sport, including one genre recently touted by another Hall of Famer.
The American Dream vs. The Million Dollar Man was a noted WWE feud that marked Dusty's May 1989 - January 1991 run with Vince McMahon's company. In a storyline that also included a young Dustin Rhodes, things wrapped up at the 1991 Royal Rumble as Ted DiBiase Sr. and Virgil defeated Dusty and Dustin, only for The Million Dollar Man's bodyguard to turn on him. This was also Dusty's last match as a full-time wrestler.
DiBiase had major praise for his former rival on X today. The "Big Man" class of wrestlers is well-respected among fans and talents, and a recent social media poll asked fans to pick their favorite heavyweight from the old-school era. The options were Rhodes, Andre the Giant, Bam Bam Bigelow, Rikishi, Yokozuna, King Kong Bundy, Mark Henry, Vader, and Earthquake. The inaugural Million Dollar Champion and overall seven-time WWE champion, including three-time tag team champion, responded and was clear about his pick: The Common Man. DiBiase named Dusty as his favorite, as well as the best 'big man' wrestler.
"Hands-down, no better than Dusty Rhodes, the American dream!!" Ted DiBiase Sr. wrote.
DiBiase and Rhodes worked more than fifty singles matches in WWE going back to May 1989, with The Million Dollar Man winning the majority by far. Their first-ever singles match actually took place in July 1981 at a Georgia Championship Wrestling event, which saw Dusty retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Cody Rhodes set for special WWE SNME 34 years after family members
Cody Rhodes is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship in his first Saturday Night's Main Event singles match this weekend. He will go up against Kevin Owens, and he will have a major surprise for fans, as revealed by backstage sources.
The American Nightmare is headlining SNME XXXVII just thirty-four years after his father Dusty Rhodes and brother Dustin Rhodes had a big night at SNME XXVIII in Toledo, OH. The second match of the night saw Randy Savage defeat Dusty via count-out at 9:30, but during the bout, a young Dustin was attacked by Ted DiBiase Sr.
Saturday's big event will mark Cody's second SNME match. The 36th Saturday Night's Main Event special in July 2008 saw Cody, Ted DiBiase Jr., Kane, and JBL defeat Batista, John Cena, and Cryme Tyme. CM Punk was on commentary for the 11-minute opener.