Veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter explained why Dusty Rhodes didn’t sign with Vince McMahon for several years. He said the Hall of Famer was loyal to Eddie Graham.
Dusty was one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling during the peak of his career. He was known for being a showman in the ring, which helped him get over with the fans.
Dusty made a name for himself during his time with Championship Wrestling from Florida, which belonged to one of the NWA Territories. Eddie Graham was the booker and promoter of CWF, and Dusty remained one of the top stars there. Together with Eddie, he transformed CWF into one of the top promotions in the United States. During this time, Vince McMahon even offered Dusty the chance to become a top star in his promotion, but he turned him down.
Speaking on Sportskeeda’s The Wrestling Time Machine with Mac Davis, Bill Apter said that Dusty Rhodes didn’t want to leave Eddie Graham because of their camaraderie.
Former WWE employee says he got an ‘uneasy vibe’ from Vince McMahon HERE
“Keep in mind McMahon was coming off Bruno [Sammartino], who was of Italian heritage, Pedro [Morales] – Latin American heritage, Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Koloff. So, he was going a lot of ethnicities atc. Billy Graham wasn’t an ethnic champion. Dusty [Rhodes] was a plain showman. Vince [McMahon] Jr. was looking for showman, and that to me Dusty would’ve fit that part great. But I think Dusty had a camaraderie with Eddie Graham in Florida to make that territory what it became, and I don’t think he wanted to leave Eddie Graham. Eddie wanted to keep stay in that territory and grow there. It’s just my opinion.” [5:00 – 5:53]
Teddy Long on Dusty Rhodes overcoming his most embarrassing gimmick
When Dusty Rhodes finally went to work for WWF, he was put in polka dot attire, which many believe was Vince McMahon’s way of punishing him for rejecting him years prior. However, Dusty still managed to get over the fans.
During the same episode of Sportskeeda’s The Wrestling Time Machine with Mac Davis, Teddy Long said that Dusty was able to overcome his polka dot gimmick and get over with the fans.
“Here’s what you got to understand. Even though Vince [McMahon] put him in the polka dots, Dusty [Rhodes] overcame. Dusty was a guy that, ‘Hey, I don’t care what you do, I will get this over.’ Dusty put those polka dots on went out there and got it over, you know what I mean. So, that’s playing the game.” ng to see Dusty Rhodes become the WWF Champion at least once in his legendary career.
