Arizona Bulletin

Dusty Rhodes, known as "The American Dream," is one of the most beloved figures in professional wrestling history. With his trademark charisma and unmatched storytelling skills, Rhodes captivated audiences in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite not having the muscular build of some of his peers, Rhodes’ ability to connect with fans and deliver powerful in-ring performances set him apart. His famous "Bionic Elbow" became iconic in matches against legends like Ric Flair and Harley Race. Dusty wasn't just a wrestler; he was a creative force, helping to shape major events and promotions, including the creation of the legendary Starrcade​.

Early Life

Dusty Rhodes, born Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. on October 12, 1945, in Austin, Texas, grew up in a modest household. His father, Virgil Runnels Sr., worked as a plumber, a fact Dusty often highlighted as part of his "common man" wrestling persona. His mother was Katherine Trefell, and he had three siblings: Larry, Connie, and Randy Runnels. Randy also attempted a wrestling career, though he did not achieve the same level of success as Dusty.

Dusty attended Sacred Heart High School in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, before moving on to Arlington Heights High School in Texas. After high school, he enrolled at West Texas A&M University (then known as West Texas State), where he briefly played football. However, in the late 1960s, Dusty decided to leave college to pursue his passion for professional wrestling.

Career

Dusty Rhodes, known as "The American Dream," had a legendary career in professional wrestling spanning over four decades. He was born Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. in 1945 and began wrestling in 1967. Early in his career, he teamed up with Dick Murdoch as the "Texas Outlaws," which helped him gain attention. Dusty became famous for his charisma and ability to connect with working-class fans, despite not having the typical physique of many wrestlers at the time.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Rhodes made a name for himself in various wrestling territories, including the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he became a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion. His feuds with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen are some of the most memorable in wrestling history. Dusty was also known for his signature move, the "Bionic Elbow," and his "Hard Times" promo, which resonated with fans as he portrayed himself as a man of the people.

In the 1980s, Dusty was also a key figure behind the scenes, working as a booker (storyline creator) for Jim Crockett Promotions, which later became part of World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He played a big role in developing innovative match types like WarGames. After leaving WCW, Rhodes had stints in WWE, where he gained new fans in the late 1980s with his memorable polka-dotted outfits and feuds with "Macho King" Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase.

Even after stepping away from in-ring competition, Dusty continued to contribute to the wrestling industry as a creative mind. He helped train the next generation of wrestlers, including his sons, Dustin (Goldust) and Cody Rhodes. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. His final match took place in 2010 when he teamed with his sons for a special event.

Dusty Rhodes passed away in 2015, but his influence on professional wrestling, both as a performer and a creative force, continues to be felt​.

Wife

Dusty Rhodes, a legendary figure in professional wrestling, was married twice during his life. His first marriage was to Sandra Runnels in 1965. They were married for a decade, until 1975. Later, in 1978, he married Michelle Rubio, with whom he remained married for 37 years, until his passing in 2015. Michelle played a supportive role throughout his long wrestling career​.

Children

Dusty Rhodes, had four children from two marriages. His children are Dustin, Cody, Teil, and Kristin Runnels.

Dustin Rhodes (born Dustin Patrick Runnels) is widely known for his long wrestling career, most notably as "Goldust" in WWE. He continues to perform with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and is highly respected in the wrestling community.

Cody Rhodes (born Cody Garrett Runnels) is another well-known professional wrestler and currently performs in WWE. Like his father, Cody has achieved great success in the industry, having won multiple championships in WWE, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Teil Runnels and Kristin Runnels Ditto did not follow their father and brothers into wrestling. Kristin pursued a career in healthcare and became a registered nurse, while Teil has focused on education, working as a teacher. Despite taking different career paths, they have remained supportive of their family and their father’s wrestling legacy.

Net Worth

Dusty Rhodes, had an estimated net worth of about $3 million at the time of his death in 2015. He earned this wealth through a long and successful career in professional wrestling, both in the ring and behind the scenes as a promoter, trainer, and booker. Dusty was a major figure in organizations like the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and WWE.