Classic Promos: Dusty Rhodes "...just a hug and a kiss to seal the deal, baby!" [Videos]

WCW Main Event

Aired in July 1994

DUSTY RHODES:

Come here, Dustin. I want everybody to bear with me for just a minute. I want to talk to my son, in front of the whole world.

When you were born, when you were a baby, when you were born, I went off to seek my fame and fortune. I neglected you!

Then later on, when I became World's Heavyweight Champion, I neglected you.

And lately, I became this "corporate cowboy" if you will, in public, with a suit and tie on, and I NEGLECTED YOU!

And when it came down to choose a partner, I was off in Hollywood, and I neglected you.

...

The view never changes!

...

...but I, I want to ask you a favor. I want to ask you a favor in front of God and the whole world.

I know that the Clash of Champions on August the 24th, you put your name on the dotted line.

I don't want you to look for another partner. I don't want you to go and find another man. I don't want you to go out and get on your knees and beg another scum-sucking pig to be your partner.

I'm asking you if you can tear this 'ol out of shape, 'ol bent out, 'ol spindly-legged man. I want to be your partner!

I don't need no handshake!

...

I don't need no handshake! What I need from you is a hug and a kiss to seal the deal, baby!

Bonus Video

Championship Wrestling from Florida

Aired in September 1988

Dusty Rhodes introduces Dustin Rhodes

More Classic Dusty Rhodes:

"Hard Times"

June 25th

Special Interview in 1978

"Bull of the Woods"

💰 Starrcade ’84: The Million Dollar Challenge – Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes [Videos]

The stage was set in Greensboro, North Carolina, for one of the most electric nights in NWA history — The Million Dollar Challenge, featuring Special Guest Referee “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, the World’s Heavyweight Champion, brought the limousine-ridin’, jet-flyin’ lifestyle, while “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes brought the blue-collar fire of every fan who believed in the Dream.

Relive the promos, the intensity, and the main event showdown that defined an era — just months before the World Wrestling Federation would introduce WrestleMania and change the professional wrestling industry forever.

Starrcade '84 Main Event Announcement

World Wide Wrestling

Aired on October 20, 1984

Greensboro, North Carolina

"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes

Promos

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair

Promos

Ric Flair vs Dusty Rhodes

Starrcade '84

November 22, 1984

Greensboro, North Carolina

✨ Dusty Rhodes returns to the World Wrestling Federation in 1989 [Videos]

After nearly six years away from the World Wrestling Federation, Dusty Rhodes returns to the WWF in style by attacking the Big Boss Man, appearing on the Brother Love Show, and cutting a classic promo.

Big Boss Man with Slick vs Jim McPherson

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Filmed on June 28, 1989

Aired on July 30, 1989 

Rochester, New York

Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jesse "The Body" Ventura

Dusty Rhodes on

The Brother Love Show

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Classic Dusty Rhodes Promo

🎤 The Two Dusty Rhodes Promos of June 25, 1988 [Videos] 🎤

🎤 The Two Dusty Rhodes Promos of June 25, 1988 🎤

Aired the same day. Two very different vibes. Same Dusty Rhodes message.

🧠 PWR Insight:

This double-promo drop which aired on the same day, gives us a rare peek at Dusty's versatility as a performer. One promo is for the people in the building—loud and charismatic. The other is for the folks watching quietly at home—raw and grounded. Both are brilliant and classic promos from one of the greatest on the microphone. 

Dusty Rhodes with Crowd Reaction

Aired June 25, 1988

Dusty Rhodes with Jim Ross

Aired on June 25, 1988

🔊 Which do you prefer? Sound Off in the Comments Section.

“Which Dusty speaks louder to you—the cowboy commanding cheers, or the red-cap storyteller talking straight to the camera?”

Audio Samples:

🎧 Dusty Rhodes Promo – Cowboy Hat (With Crowd)

View on Vocaroo >>

🎧 Dusty Rhodes Promo – Red Cap (Studio, No Crowd)

View on Vocaroo >>

 

🎤 Want to watch more Dusty Rhodes PROMOS:

Search for Dusty Rhodes on the main page search bar or visit the following: HARD TIMES PROMO, Vince McMahon speaks with "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes in 1978, Being the Badest of the Bad, The Bull of the Woods PROMO, Guest on The Brother Love Show.

WWF Interview Archive: The Brother Love Show - October 1989 [Videos]

The Brother Love Show premiered on World Wrestling Federation television in 1988, with host Bruce Prichard in his famous Brother Love character. The "show" lasted until 1991.

Guests: "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiasse and Virgil

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura

Guests: Mr. Perfect with the Genius

Commentator: Vince McMahon

Guests: "Macho King" Randy Savage and Queen Sherri

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura

Guest: "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura

WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Aired on October 30, 1989

Guests: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka,

and The Bushwackers (Cousin Butch, Cousin Luke)

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura

Hosts: Gorilla Monsoon and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper as Bobby Heenan

Special Interview: Vince McMahon speaks with "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes in 1978 [Video]

Vince McMahon interviews "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes

WWWF All Star Wrestling

Aired on Saturday, May 6, 1978

The remainder of the program

WWWF All Star Wrestling

Aired Saturday, May 6, 1978

Filmed on April 26, 1978

Hamburg, Pennsylvania

Matches for this television program include the following:

• Haystacks Calhoun and Larry Zbyszko vs Bill Dixon and Moose Monroe
• Spiros Arion (with Freddie Blassie) vs Gene Crespo
• SD Jones vs Tank Patton
• Peter Maivia vs Joe Turco

NBC Sportsworld: A Look at Professional Wrestling in 1985 [Videos]

Bob Costas hosted the NBC Sportsworld television program's profile on professional wrestling in 1985, which included interviews with Vince McMahon from the World Wrestling Federation and Jerry Lawler with Memphis Wrestling.

Famous Dates in Pro Wrestling History: July 7, 1996 - The Formation of the NWO at the Bash at the Beach [Videos]

On January 7, 1984, Hulk Hogan appeared on an episode of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) television program Championship Wrestling as a fan favorite, saving the former WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund from an attack from the Wild Samoans. More than 12 years later, and after becoming one of the most recognized professional wrestlers in the modern era, Hulk Hogan switched wrestling companies and ended his "good guy ways" to become the leader of one the most infamous wrestling factions of all time, the NWO at the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) pay-per-view Bash at the Beach on July 7, 1996, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Hulk Hogan Returns To The WWF To Cheers

Bob Backlund vs "Samu" Somoan #3 

Championship Wrestling

Aired January 7, 1984

Commentary: Vince McMahon and Gene Okerlund

Gene Okerlund Attempts to Guess The Third Man

WCW Bash at the Beach

Sunday, July 7, 1996

Daytona Beach, Florida

Hulk Hogan Reveals Himself As The Third Man

The Outsiders vs Lex Luger, Randy Savage, Sting

WCW Bash at the Beach

Sunday, July 7, 1996

Daytona Beach, Florida

Commentary: Bobby Heenan, Dusty Rhodes, Tony Schiavone

Hulk Hogan Gives The First In-Ring NWO Promo

with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall

and "Mean" Gene Okerlund

WCW Bash at the Beach

Sunday, July 7, 1996

Daytona Beach, Florida

Classic Promos: Dusty Rhodes "Hard Times" [Videos]

 

Dusty Rhodes "Hard Times" Promo

Mid-Atlantic Wrestling

October 29, 1985

 "First of all, I would like to thank the many, many fans throughout this country that wrote cards and letters to Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, while I was down. Secondly, I want to thank Jim Crockett Promotions for waiting and taking the time, because I know how important it was -- Starrcade '85 -- it is to the wrestling fans and it is to Jim Crockett Promotions. And Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, with that wait, got what I wanted: Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight champion!

I don't have to say a lot more about the way I feel about Ric Flair. No respect! No honor! There is no honor among thieves in the first place. He put hard times on Dusty Rhodes and his family. You don't know what hard times are, Daddy! Hard times are when the textile workers around this country are out of work and got four, five kids, and can't pay their wages, can't buy their food. Hard times are when the auto workers are out of work and they tell them 'Go home!'. And hard times are when a man has worked at a job thirty years -- thirty years! -- they give him a watch, kick him in the butt and say 'Hey, a computer took your place, Daddy!'. That's hard times! That's hard times.

And Ric Flair, you put hard times on this country by taking Dusty Rhodes out. That's hard times! And we all had hard times together. I admit, I don't look like the athlete of today supposed to look. My belly is just a little big, my hiney is just a little big, but brother, I am bad, and they know I'm bad. And there were two bad people: one was John Wayne -- and he's dead, brother -- and the other one is right here!

Nature Boy Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight title belongs to these people. I'm gonna reach out right now. I want you at home to know, my hand is touching your hand for this gathering of the biggest body of people in this country, in this universe, all over the world. Now reach it out! Because the love that was given me -- and this time I will repay you, now. Because I will be the next world's heavyweight champion, of this Hard Times Blues Dusty Rhodes Tour '85!

And Ric Flair, Nature Boy, let me leave you with this: One way to hurt Ric Flair is to take what he cherishes more than anything in the world. That's the world's heavyweight title. I'm gonna take it. I've been there twice. This time, when I take it, Daddy, I'm gonna take it for you [the fans]. Let's gather for it! Don't let me down now, 'cause I came back for you, for that man up there that died ten, twelve years ago, that never got the opportunity to see a real world's champion. I'm proud of you and thank god I have you. I love you. Love you!"

Bonus Video:

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Scouting Report

with Bill Apter and Ric Flair

Special Guest Dusty Rhodes

Mid-Atlantic Wrestling

October 26, 1985

Classic Promos: Dusty Rhodes “Being the Badest of the Bad, The Bull of the Woods.”

 

Dusty Rhodes "Bull of the Woods"

Bunkhouse Stampede Promo

The Masked Superstar [Videos]

 

The Masked Superstar on Buddy's Corner

WWF Championship Wrestling

September/October 1983

The Masked Superstar vs Chuck Tanner

and Pre-match Interview with Vince McMahon

WWF Championship Wrestling

October 1983

The Masked Superstar vs Steve Lombardi

All Star Wrestling

January 1984

The Masked Superstar vs Tony Garea

All Star Wrestling

with Vince McMahon and Gene Okerlund

Aired February 5, 1984

WWF Heavyweight Championship Match

Hulk Hogan vs The Masked Superstar

Filmed on February 10, 1984, in St. Louis, MO

Later Aired on Championship Wrestling

June 2, 1984

WWF Heavyweight Championship Match

Hulk Hogan vs The Masked Superstar

February 18, 1984

The Masked Superstar Interview

Piper's Pit with Rowdy Roddy Piper

Wrestling Challenge

Aired February 22, 1984

Hulk Hogan Promo on the Masked Superstar

February 25, 1984

Los Angeles, California

The Masked Superstar Interview

Victory's Corner with Robert Debord

Recorded in January, aired on March 15, 1984

The Masked Superstar Interview

with Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes

Georgia Championship Wrestling on WTBS

1984

The Masked Superstar Interview

International Wrestling in Canada

1985

The "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes vs The Big Boss Man [Videos]

From the Saturday Night's Main Event NBC airing on November 25, 1989.

Part 1: Interview and Intro Music

Part 2: The Match

Part 3: The Celebration

Bonus Match #1:

The "American Dream" vs The "African Dream" Akeem

November 19, 1989

Bonus Match #2:

The Dream Team vs The Enforcers

WWF Survivor Series

November 23, 1989

NWA History: Road Warriors gouge the eye of Dusty Rhodes's on national television [Videos]

The date was November 26, 1988, and in a controversial segment aired on WCW Worldwide, the Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) used a spike to gouge the eye of Dusty Rhodes. This incident set up a feud between the Road Warriors and Dusty Rhodes that included a matchup between Rhodes and Animal at the Clash of Champions on December 7.

Censored Version

Uncensored Version

Road Warriors Promo

December 3, 1988

Dusty Rhodes Promo

December 3, 1988

Dusty Rhodes vs Road Warrior Animal

December 7, 1988 

Famous Professional Wrestling T-Shirt Advertisements [Plus Bonus Video]

Although T-Shirts were worn as outerwear 100 years ago, the custom to wear a T-Shirt primarily as outerwear become popular in the United States after World War II, when veterans began wearing graphics representing their military affiliation on their standard-issued undershirts. T-Shirt popularity skyrocketed when bands in the 1960s and 1970s began selling T-Shirts with their logos as a promotional tool. The professional wrestling business soon followed this trend as they promoted their wrestlers, events, and specific wrestling organizations with various graphic T-Shirts beginning in the late 1970s.

In 1983, Vince and Linda McMahon expanded on what other wrestling promotions had done in the past. The McMahon's took the sale of T-Shirts featuring their wrestlers to another level by prominently featuring their T-Shirts in catalogs that were inserted in their World Wrestling Federation magazines and wrestling event programs. The sale of T-Shirts at World Wrestling Federation events propelled the wrestling T-Shirt to a "must-have" item for professional wrestling fans, a legacy which lives on today.