Virgil Runnels
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr., better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, was an American professional wrestler, booker/writer, and trainer who most notably worked for the National Wrestling Alliance, NWA Championship Wrestling from Florida, Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), and WWE. Rhodes is considered one of the greatest wrestlers and talkers in the history of professional wrestling. Rhodes was a three-time NWA World's Heavyweight Champion, and during his time in Jim Crockett Promotions' Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, later known as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), he was a NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, and multi-time NWA World Television, NWA Tag Team and NWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champion. He also won many regional championships, and is one of seven men inducted into each of the WWE, WCW, Professional Wrestling, and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Halls of Fame. His sons, Dustin and Cody, both pursued careers in professional wrestling, performing for WWE and AEW. Following his retirement from wrestling, he made occasional on-air appearances on WWE television and pay-per-views and worked as a backstage booker/writer and producer in WWE's NXT developmental territory. Billed as "the son of a plumber", Rhodes did not have a typical wrestler's physique; his character was that of the "common man", known for the personality exhibited in his interviews. WWE chairman Vince McMahon remarked that no wrestler "personified the essence of charisma quite like Dusty Rhodes".
Photos
Films (213)
Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal
2024 · Self
American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes
2023 · Self (Archival Footage)
A Star You Cannot Kill
2020 · Self (archive footage)
A Future WWE: The FCW Story
2020 · Himself
Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man
2018
Nature Boy
2017 · Self (archive footage)
WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995
2017
Fight Owens Fight: The Kevin Owens Story
2017 · Self
Scooby-Doo ! & WWE - La malédiction du pilote fantôme
2016 · Dusty Rhodes (voice)
TNA: Best of the Asylum Years, Vol 2
2016 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE: The U.S. Championship: A Legacy of Greatness
2016 · Dusty Rhodes (archive footage)
Sting: Into the Light
2015 · Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes: Celebrating the Dream
2015
ECW - Unreleased Vol. 3
2015 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
2014 · Executive Producer
WWE United We Slam: The Best of The Great American Bash
2014 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW'S Greatest Pay-Per-View Matches Volume 1
2014 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Battleground 2013
2013 · Dusty Rhodes (Ringside)
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
2013 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW War Games: WCW's Most Notorious Matches
2013 · Dusty Rhodes, Executive Consultant
WWE WrestleMania 29 Kickoff
2013 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
WWE: The Attitude Era
2012 · Dusty
nWo: The Revolution
2012
The Best of WCW Clash of the Champions
2012 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE: Starrcade - The Essential Collection
2012 · Dusty Rhodes
ROH: Ring of Hardcore
2012 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
2010 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
The Rise & Fall of WCW
2009 · Dusty Rhodes
Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
2009
Jeff Jarrett: King of the Mountain
2009 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
2009 · Dusty Rhodes
Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection
2008 · Dusty Rhodes
Life In The Fast Lane
2007
Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
2007 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE The Great American Bash 2007
2007 · Dusty Rhodes
Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen
2007 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Hall of Fame 2007
2007 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Royal Rumble 2007
2007 · Writer
WWE Survivor Series 2006
2006 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Cyber Sunday 2006
2006 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
2006 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE: 20 Years Too Soon - The Superstar Billy Graham Story
2006 · Dusty Rhodes
The American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story
2006 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Royal Rumble 2006
2006 · Writer
TNA Wrestling: Enigma - The Best of Jeff Hardy
2005 · Dusty Rhodes
The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s
2005 · Self
TNA Lockdown 2005
2005 · Dusty Rhodes (TNA D.O.A.)
TNA Destination X 2005
2005 · Dusty Rhodes (TNA D.O.A.), Writer
TNA Against All Odds 2005
2005 · Dusty Rhodes (TNA D.O.A.)
TNA Final Resolution 2005
2005 · Dusty Rhodes (TNA D.O.A.)
TNA Turning Point 2004
2004 · Dusty Rhodes (TNA D.O.A.)
TNA Victory Road 2004
2004 · Dusty Rhodes (Appearance)
NEW Renegades Rampage
2004 · Dusty Rhodes
HUSTLE-3
2004 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE: The Ultimate Ric Flair Collection
2004 · Dusty Rhodes
FIP Return Of The Dream
2003 · Dusty Rhodes
ROH: The Epic Encounter
2003 · Dusty Rhodes
3PW Legends Collide
2003
MLW King of Kings
2002 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW Greed
2001 · Dusty Rhodes
ECW Hardcore Heaven 2000
2000 · Dusty Rhodes
ECW Wrestlepalooza 2000
2000 · Dusty Rhodes (Appearance)
ECW Living Dangerously 2000
2000 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW Road Wild 1999
1999 · Writer
WCW Bash at the Beach 1999
1999 · Writer
WCW The Great American Bash 1999
1999 · Writer
WCW Slamboree 1999
1999 · Writer
WCW Spring Stampede 1999
1999 · Writer
WCW Uncensored 1999
1999 · Writer
WCW SuperBrawl IX
1999 · Writer
WCW Souled Out 1999
1999 · Writer
WCW Starrcade 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW World War 3 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW Halloween Havoc 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW Fall Brawl 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW Road Wild 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW Bash at the Beach 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW The Great American Bash 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW Slamboree 1998
1998 · Writer
The Unreal Story Of Pro Wrestling
1998 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW Spring Stampede 1998
1998 · Writer
WCW Uncensored 1998
1998 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
WCW SuperBrawl VIII
1998 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
WCW Souled Out 1998
1998 · Dusty Rhodes (Ringside), Writer
WCW Starrcade 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW World War 3 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Halloween Havoc 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Fall Brawl 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXXV
1997 · Writer
WCW Road Wild 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Bash at the Beach 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW The Great American Bash 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Slamboree 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Spring Stampede 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Uncensored 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW SuperBrawl VII
1997 · Writer
nWo Souled Out 1997
1997 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXXIV
1997 · Writer
WCW Starrcade 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW World War 3 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW Halloween Havoc 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW Fall Brawl 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXXIII
1996 · Writer
WCW Hog Wild 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW Bash at the Beach 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW The Great American Bash 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW Slamboree 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW Uncensored 1996
1996 · Writer
WCW SuperBrawl VI
1996 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXXII
1996 · Writer
WCW Starrcade 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW World War 3 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW Halloween Havoc 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW: Ric Flair - 2 Decades of Excellence
1995 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW Fall Brawl 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXXI
1995 · Writer
WCW Bash at the Beach 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW The Great American Bash 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW Slamboree 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW Uncensored 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXX
1995 · Writer
WCW All Nighter 1995
1995 · Writer
WCW Starrcade 1994
1994 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXIX
1994 · Writer
WCW Fall Brawl 1994
1994 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
WCW Clash of the Champions XXVIII
1994 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
WCW Bash at the Beach 1994
1994 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXVII
1994 · Writer
WCW Slamboree 1994
1994 · Writer
WCW Spring Stampede 1994
1994 · Writer
WCW SuperBrawl IV
1994 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXVI
1994 · Writer
WCW Starrcade 1993
1993 · Writer
WCW BattleBowl
1993 · Writer
WCW Clash of the Champions XXV
1993 · Dusty Rhodes (Ringside), Writer
WCW Halloween Havoc 1993
1993 · Writer
WCW Fall Brawl 1993
1993 · Writer
WCW Clash of the Champions XXIV
1993 · Writer
WCW Beach Blast 1993
1993 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXIII
1993 · Writer
WCW Slamboree 1993
1993 · Writer
WCW SuperBrawl III
1993 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXII
1993 · Writer
WCW Starrcade 1992
1992 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XXI
1992 · Writer
WCW Halloween Havoc 1992
1992 · Writer
WCW The Great American Bash 1992
1992 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XIX
1992 · Writer
WCW Beach Blast
1992 · Writer
WCW WrestleWar 1992
1992 · Writer
Paradise Park
1992 · Deputy Johnny Morton
WCW SuperBrawl II
1992 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XVIII
1992 · Writer
WCW/New Japan Supershow II
1992 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW Starrcade 1991
1991 · Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XVII
1991 · Writer
WCW Halloween Havoc 1991
1991 · Dusty Rhodes (Cornerman), Writer
WCW Clash of The Champions XVI: Fall Brawl '91
1991 · Writer
WCW Clash of the Champions XV: Knocksville USA
1991 · Writer
WCW SuperBrawl 1
1991 · Dusty Rhodes (Commentator), Writer
WCW WrestleWar 1991
1991 · Dusty Rhodes (Commentator), Producer's Assistant
WCW Clash of The Champions XIV: Dixie Dynamite
1991 · Writer
WWE Royal Rumble 1991
1991 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Survivor Series 1990
1990 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Hottest Matches
1990 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE SummerSlam 1990
1990 · "The Common Man" Dusty Rhodes
Battle of the WWE Superstars
1990 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: June '90
1990 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE WrestleMania VI
1990 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI
1990 · "The Common Man" Dusty Rhodes
WWE Royal Rumble 1990
1990 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Survivor Series 1989
1989 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Survivor Series Showdown '89
1989 · Dusty Rhodes (Ringside)
WWE SummerSlam 1989
1989 · Himself
Fan Favorites
1989
PWF Homecoming
1989 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Director, Writer
NWA Starrcade 1988
1988 · Dusty Rhodes
NWA Clash of The Champions IV: Season's Beatings
1988 · Dusty Rhodes
NWA Clash of The Champions III: Fall Brawl '88
1988 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA The Great American Bash 1988: Greensboro
1988 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA The Great American Bash 1988
1988 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Clash of the Champions II: Miami Mayhem
1988 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
The Third Annual NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
1988 · The Midnight Rider, Writer
NWA Clash of the Champions
1988 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Bunkhouse Stampede
1988 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Starrcade 1987
1987 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Wrestling The Danger Zone
1987
NWA The Great American Bash '87: War Games
1987 · Dusty Rhodes
The Second Annual NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
1987 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Super Towns on The SuperStation
1987 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Starrcade 1986
1986 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA The Great American Bash '86: Livin' in the Promise Land
1986 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA The Great American Bash '86 Tour: Greensboro
1986 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA The Great American Bash '86 Tour: Charlotte
1986 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
The First Annual NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
1986 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Battle of The Belts II
1986 · Writer
NWA Superstars on The SuperStation
1986 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
AWA/NWA Night of Champions II
1985 · Dusty Rhodes
Pro Wrestling USA Star Wars: December 1984
1985 · Dusty Rhodes
NWA Starrcade 1985
1985 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Writer
Mid-South WrestleFest '85
1985 · Dusty Rhodes
NWA The Great American Bash 1985
1985 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
I Like To Hurt People
1985 · Self
NWA Starrcade 1984
1984 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer, Director
NWA Lords of The Ring
1984 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Night of Champions
1984 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Boogie Jam
1984 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
NWA Starrcade 1983
1983 · Writer
Gold Raiders
1982
NWA Sam Muchnick Retirement Show
1982 · Dusty Rhodes
NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa
1980 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
The Super Bowl of Wrestling
1978 · Dusty Rhodes
The Wrestler
1974 · Dusty Rhodes
Séries (26)
WWE Rivals
2022 · Dusty Rhodes
Biography: WWE Legends
2021
WWE Rivalries
2014 · Self
Wrestlemania Rewind
2014 · Dusty Rhodes
The JBL and Cole Show
2012 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE NXT
2010 · Writer
WWE Hall of Fame
2005 · Self
TNA iMPACT!
2004 · Dusty Rhodes., Dusty Rhodes, Producer
Major League Wrestling: Underground TV
2003
ECW on TNN
1999 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
1999
WCW Thunder
1998 · Dusty Rhodes
WCW Monday Nitro
1995 · Dusty Rhodes
Burke's Law
1994 · Archie 'Mad Dog' McCray
ECW Hardcore TV
1993
WWE Raw
1993 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
Clash of the Champions
1988 · Dusty Rhodes, Dusty Rhodes (Ringside), Writer
WWF Wrestling Challenge
1986 · Dusty Rhodes
WWF Superstars
1986 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
NWA World Championship Wrestling
1985 · "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Midnight Rider, Producer
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
1985 · Dusty Rhodes, Writer
WCW Arena Shows
1983 · Dusty Rhodes
Mid-South Wrestling
1981 · Dusty Rhodes, 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
1981 · Dusty Rhodes
WWF All-Star Wrestling
1975 · Dusty Rhodes
WWE Old School
1973 · Dusty Rhodes