Dusty Rhodes
“The American Dream”

Virgil Riley Runnels Jr.
Birth Date: October 12
Dusty is 6'3" tall & weights 289+ lbs.

Dusty Rhodes, "The American Dream" has over 30 years of experience in the highly competitive field of Professional Wrestling. He is currently known both nationally & worldwide as one of the most recogniz-able names in the history of the sport.

Three time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Heavyweight Champion.

Other Names: The Masked Rider (WCW), "The American Dream" (WCW, WWF), "The Common Man" (WCW, WWF), Mr. Ichiban . . .

January-1983 - December-1988:
Jim Crockett Promotions/National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Charlotte, North Carolina; Senior Director/Producer of Wrestling Operations; Professional Wrestler--held various titles. Produced and Created Pay Per View Specials, wrote their story lines and scripts from music intro to the end. Produced all other television specials. Booked all wrestling matches for the different Town/City locations, as well as for television events. Created various other television specials. Oversaw all new wrestling talent providing them with theme music, costume design, stage names, etc.

January-1989 through November 1st, 1999:
Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS)/World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Atlanta, Georgia--Executive Producer and Head of Creative Development, Casting and Character Development Produced and created Pay Per View Specials, wrote the story lines and scripts from intro music to the end. Produced all other television specials. Booked all wrestling matches for the different Town/City locations, as well as for television events. Created various other television specials. Oversaw all new wrestling talent; gave them musical themes, costume design, stage names, etc. Previously head of Creative Development, Casting and Character Creations.1991 Creations included Dustin Rhodes, El Gigante, Stunning Steve Austin, Johnny B. Badd and many more. 1992-1993 creations included 2 Cole Scorpio, Cole Twins, Harlem Heat, and many more. Experience in the movie entertainment business includes co-starring roles in movies including The Wrestler, Stagecoach, Paradise Park and Burk's Law (CBS Series). Directed, Wrote and Produced over 350 hours of new programming for TBS and Syndication since 1985. From 1991-1993, received average ratings on TBS of 2.5, nationally on cable/Saturday Night. Received 3.2 rating, nationally on cable/TBS specials 4 times a year. Television color commentator for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) including specials such as Pay Per View events and Clash Of Champions for TBS. National spokesperson including commercials for Mellow Yellow, Stanback Headache Powders, Make-A-Wish Foundation and various other charities as well; also assorted car dealerships. Personal appearances and concert participation with Willie Nelson and David Allen Cole. Over 15 years directing & producing television for Wrestling Operations

Currently not wrestling but forming a new wrestling entertainment franchise under his TurnBuckle Entertainment, Inc. as TurnBuckle Championship Wrestling (TCW). Will be having local wrestling events in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee as "The American Dream Tour 2000".

Update April 2004:
We have info from Jeff, who wrestles under the name Brusier Bradey (sic), that Dusty wrestled in a show about three weeks ago in Arcadia. Jeff also told us that it was a cow bell match, and "THE MAN" was still able to get about 7000 people up on their feet when it looked as though he was bloodied, beaten, and done.