Rick Rude

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Rick Rude
Accidental overdose
Alma materAnoka-Ramsey Community College
Spouse(s)
Cheryl Holler
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 1982)​
Michelle Rood
​
(m. 1988)​
Children3
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Rick Rude[1]
Ravishing Rick Rude
Ricky Rood
The WCW Phantom[1]
Billed height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[2]
Billed weight252 lb (114 kg)[2]
Billed fromRobbinsdale, Minnesota, United States[2]
Trained byEddie Sharkey[1][3][4]
Debut1982[3]
Retired1994[5]

Richard Erwin Rood

promotions, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW), World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and Extreme Championship Wrestling
(ECW).

Rude wrestled from 1982 until his 1994 retirement due to injury, with a final match following in 1997. Among other accolades, he was a four-time

NWA World Heavyweight Championship on pay-per-view cards, competing for the former in the main event of SummerSlam in 1990.[6]
Following his retirement, Rude managed multiple wrestlers.

In late 1997, Rude founded the D-Generation X stable alongside Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna. On November 17 of that year, in the midst of the Monday Night War, he became the only person to appear on the WWF's Raw and WCW's Monday Nitro programs on the same night, as the former was pre-recorded and Rude had left for WCW in the interim. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.

Early life

Rude was born in

Barry Darsow, all of whom later became professional wrestlers.[7] He was especially close with his childhood friend Curt Hennig.[8]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1982–1984)

After graduating from

The Road Warriors
.

Championship Wrestling from Florida (1984–1985)

Rude was hired by

NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship on April 16, 1985, and feuded with Billy Jack Haynes
and Wahoo McDaniel over the belts, losing the straps to McDaniel and Haynes on July 9, 1985.

World Class Championship Wrestling (1985–1986)

Debuting on October 18, 1985, Rude jumped to

turned
on him and became a face.

Jim Crockett Promotions (1986–1987)

In September 1986, Rude returned to JCP and joined

Jim Crockett, Jr.
aired a pre-taped non-title match where the Express defeated Rude and Fernandez and claimed that Rude had been injured as a result.

World Wrestling Federation (1987−1990)

Debut and feuds with Paul Orndorff and Jake Roberts (1987–1988)

Rude made his

genital area),[17] although the live audience saw him actually stripped to a g-string
.

Through mid-1988 Rude continued to wear a second pair of tights under the one he wore to the ring, including during his match against the Junkyard Dog at the inaugural SummerSlam. During the match Rude had the JYD on his back and had climbed to the top turnbuckle. While up there he pulled down his tights to reveal a second with Cheryl Roberts printed on them. After hitting the Dog with a flying fist, he was attacked by Roberts who had seen the action from the dressing room. Roberts attack on Rude caused the JYD to be disqualified, giving Rude the win. Rude lost to Roberts in a Rude Awakening vs. DDT match on October 24, at Madison Square Garden. Rude's feud with Roberts came to its conclusion when Roberts pinned Rude following a DDT during the 1988 Survivor Series.

Intercontinental Champion and departure (1989–1990)

Rude's next big feud was with

Earthquake, Dino Bravo, and The Barbarian against Hulk Hogan and Boss Man's team, but was replaced by Haku after being suspended indefinitely by Jack Tunney. Tunney explained that Rude's comments towards the Boss Man were the reason for his suspension and that his manager Bobby Heenan was obligated to wrestle the Boss Man in his place. In reality, Rude had a dispute with WWF owner Vince McMahon that led to him leaving the company.[22]

Freelance (1991)

After leaving the WWF, Rude attempted to join Herb Abrams' UWF. Still under contract with the WWF, his former company sent a cease and desist order that prevented Rude from appearing on UWF television.[23] He would not wrestle again until May 18, 1991, when he appeared at the TWA Spring Spectacular II event held by the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance in Philadelphia, PA. He faced Paul Orndorff and lost by disqualification.[24] Two months later he joined All Japan Pro Wrestling for their Summer Action Series 1991, making his initial appearance on July 6, 1991, at a show in Yokosuka, Japan. In his first match on the tour, he teamed with Johnny Ace to defeat Billy Black and Joel Deaton. In singles matches Rude was undefeated, beating Isamu Teranishi and Akira Taue. His final appearance came on July 19, where he teamed with Johnny Ace in a losing effort to Dan Spivey and Stan Hansen.[25] Rude also appeared in International World Class Championship Wrestling (IWCCW), where he had confrontations with The Honky Tonk Man.[26]

World Championship Wrestling (1991−1994)

The Dangerous Alliance and United States Heavyweight Champion (1991–1993)

Main article:
The Dangerous Alliance

After spending a year wrestling on select shows on the

The Dangerous Alliance, consisting of himself, Paul E. Dangerously, Madusa, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and "Stunning" Steve Austin. On November 19, 1991, Rude defeated Sting for the United States Heavyweight Championship and engaged in a number of high-profile feuds, including one with Ricky Steamboat. At one point during their feud, Steamboat suffered a kayfabe broken nose in a gang attack.[27]

In 1992, Rude and Madusa left The Dangerous Alliance and feuded with

Dustin Rhodes, who had won it while he was injured. The title was eventually held up after several controversial finishes to matches between the two. After a 30-minute Iron Man Match ended in a 1–1 draw at Beach Blast on July 18, a best-of-three series was set between the two on Saturday Night; Rude won the first match on August 28, but lost to Rhodes twice on September 4 and 11, losing his chance at regaining the United States Heavyweight Championship.[28]

International World Heavyweight Champion and retirement (1993–1994)

Rude switched his sights to the

Fukuoka to become a three-time champion.[29] Rude, however, injured his back during the match when, upon receiving a suicide dive at ringside, he landed on the corner of the raised platform surrounding the ring; unable to wrestle, he was stripped of the title (with the storyline excuse that he was found to have used the title belt as a weapon in the course of the match).[11][29] Rude retired shortly thereafter.[11]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1997)

Rude at an Extreme Championship Wrestling television taping in October 1997

Rude collected on a

Francine during Crossing the Line Again. He eventually unmasked and became a color commentator before later aligning himself, for a short time, with Douglas and his Triple Threat stable. In the main event of ECW Heat Wave 1997, Rude made a one-off return to the ring in a six-man tag team match, where he partnered with ECW mainstays Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman to face Jerry Lawler and ECW stars Rob Van Dam and Sabu, only to betray Dreamer and The Sandman. During the ECW versus USWA
/WWF inter-company competition, Rude helped Lawler win matches against Dreamer and The Sandman.

Return to the WWF (1997)

Main article: D-Generation X

On August 11, 1997, Rude returned to the WWF as the "insurance policy" of the group that would become known as D-Generation X (DX) (Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna).[30] The D-Generation X name was first used on October 13, 1997. As a member of DX, Rude never wrestled, but stayed ringside during the group's matches. A few days after the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series, Rude once again left the WWF. According to Bret Hart, Rude stayed in the locker room during Bret's confrontation with Vince McMahon after the match in Montreal, and later called Eric Bischoff, informing Bischoff that what had happened was in fact real. Rude was not signed to a full-time contract with the WWF, and was instead performing on a "pay-per-appearance" basis. Rude was able to negotiate a deal with Bischoff and WCW, in large part due to his anger over the Montreal Screwjob.[14][31]

Return to WCW (1997–1999)

Main article: New World Order (professional wrestling)

Rude appeared on both the WWF's

full beard he had been sporting during his last few weeks in the WWF.[1][32] Rude also appeared on ECW's Hardcore TV during that weekend (November 14–16 as the show was syndicated differently depending on the market). Rude was still making ECW appearances while he was in D-Generation X
, as the WWF and ECW often co-operated in terms of talent.

In WCW, Rude became a member of the New World Order (nWo), managing his friend Curt Hennig.[11] Thus, Rude became the first wrestler to be part of both DX and nWo. When the nWo split, Hennig and Rude initially sided with the nWo Wolfpac during May 1998.[33] But their time with the "Red & Black" was very brief. At The Great American Bash, they turned on fellow Wolfpac member Konnan by attacking him after he lost to the then-undefeated Goldberg, resulting in Hennig and Rude both joining nWo Hollywood instead. By late 1998, both Rude and Hennig were off WCW television due to injuries. Hennig had an ongoing leg injury that year, and Rude was thought to have had testicular cancer which later turned out to be a spermatocele. Hennig returned to the nWo from his injury at Starrcade without Rude, who was still unable to appear and was not included in the nWo reunion that happened during January 1999. Rude officially left WCW in April 1999, with his last appearance coming on the April 5, 1999 edition of WCW Monday Nitro Backstage Blast.[34][35]

Personal life

In 1976, Rood married his love interest, Cheryl Holler. The couple later divorced in 1982. Rood married his second wife Michelle in 1988, and the couple remained together until his death in 1999. They had three children together, Richard Jr., Merissa, and Colton. His younger son, Colton, died on September 3, 2016, in a motorcycle accident in Rome, Georgia, at the age of 19.

Bret Hart has stated that in spite of his womanizing, "Ravishing One" persona, Rude was a devoted family man who never took his wedding ring off even during matches, but instead covered it up with tape.[36]

Death

Rude was found unconscious by his wife and died on the morning of April 20, 1999, at the age of 40 when he suffered from

gamma-hydroxybutyrate, a narcolepsy prevention drug, may have contributed to his death.[38]

Legacy

On March 6, 2017, it was announced that Rick Rude would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.[39] Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat inducted Rude.[40] Michelle, Merissa, and Richard Jr. accepted on his behalf.

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Wrestler Profiles: Rick Rude". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c ""Ravishing" Rick Rude". WWE. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-55022-759-8
    .
  4. ^ a b Fahey, Vince. "Rick Rude:Page One". Kayfabe Memories. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  5. ^ "Obituaries". Los Angeles Times. April 30, 1999. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  6. ^ "Rick Rude: Profile & Match Listing". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  7. ^
    ISBN 978-1-55022-759-8
    .
  8. ISBN 1-58261-817-8
    .
  9. ^ WWE Network
  10. ISBN 0-7434-7557-7
    .
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Powell, John. "Rick Rude dies". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 7, 1999. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  12. ^ a b Slagle, Steve. ""Ravishing" Rick Rude". The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  13. ISBN 1-4165-3257-9
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  14. ^ a b "Rick Rude Profile". WrestlingData. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  15. ^ a b "NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) history". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  16. ^ "Wrestler Profiles: Paul Orndorff". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  17. ^ "Wrestler Profiles: Jake Roberts". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  18. ^ a b c "History of the Intercontinental Championship: Rick Rude's first reign". WWE. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  19. ^ "History of the Intercontinental Championship: Ultimate Warrior's second reign". WWE. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  20. ^
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  21. ^ "SummerSlam 1990". WWE. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  22. ^ "Bobby Heenan". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. ^ Observer Staff (February 4, 1991). "February 4, 1991 Observer Newsletter: Pivotal week in the life of Dave Meltzer". F4WOnline.com. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 7, 2019. (subscription required)
  24. ^ "TWA Spring Spectacular II « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on July 12, 2020.
  25. ^ "Rick Rude - Matches". Cage Match. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  26. ^ Rick Rude confronts The Honky Tonk Man in IWCCW and The Honky Tonk Man speaks about Rude's death, retrieved August 26, 2021
  27. ^ Lyon, Stephen (July 18, 2004). "WCW Wrestling Classics TV report featuring Steamboat-Rude-Madusa angle". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2008.
  28. ^ a b "NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Title history". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  29. ^ a b c d e f "WCW International World Heavyweight Title history". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  30. ^ Fahey, Vince. "Rick Rude: Page 2". Kayfabe Memories. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  31. ^ Hart, Bret (April 24, 1999). "Heaven gains a champ". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 30, 2001. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  32. ISBN 1-4165-3257-9
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  33. ^ "The History of the New World Order". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on May 24, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  34. ^ a b "This day in history". PWInsider. April 20, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  35. ^ "WCW Backstage Blast April 4, 1999". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  36. ISBN 9780091932862
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  37. ^ "Ravishing Rick Rude – Former WWF Wrestler Rick Rude". Allwwewrestlers.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  38. ^ Magee, Bob (June 13, 2001). "As I See It - 6/13/2001". pwbts.com. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  39. ^ "Steamboat to induct Rick Rude into WWE Hall of Fame". WWE. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  40. ^ "Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat to induct "Ravishing" Rick Rude into WWE Hall of Fame". WWE.com. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  41. ^ "NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) history". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  42. ^ Hoops, Brian (January 16, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/16): Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton win WCW Tag Team Titles". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  43. ^ "NWA United States Tag Team Title (Florida version) history". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  44. ^ "NWA/AWA Southern Heavyweight Title history". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  45. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
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  46. ^ "Southern Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  47. ^ "WWE United States Championship". Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  48. ^ "Nintendo Top Ten Challenege Tournament". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  49. ^ a b "Rick Rude: Awards". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. WrestlingData. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  50. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  51. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
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  52. ^ "NWA United States Heavyweight Title (1967-1968/05) - American Heavyweight Title (1968/05-1986/02)". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  53. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
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  54. ^ "World Class Television Title". Wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  55. ^ "WCWA World Heavyweight Title history". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  56. ^ ""Ravishing" Rick Rude to enter WWE Hall of Fame". www.wwe.com. Retrieved March 6, 2017.

Further reading

  • Meltzer, Dave (October 2001). Tributes. Winding Stair Press.
    ISBN 1-55366-085-4
    .

External links

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