So, ECW is officially over and every member of the ECW rooster is now a free agent. But there is one particular ECW star
that I am especially interested in what happens to and how he is used. Maybe it's because he's a veteran. Maybe it's
because he's been very entertaining for the past 15 years. Maybe it's because he stu... stu.. stu... stutters. But Goldust is
one of my favorite World Wrestling Entertainment talents; and I haven't realized it till recently.
Dustin Rhodes first came into the WWF all the way back in 1990, with a skit on Saturday Night's Main Event where The
Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase attacked him in the audience while DiBiase was feuding with his father Dusty Rhodes. But
Dustin's first WWF run didn't last long; and he soon made his way back to WCW. He made his debut as Goldust in the WWF in
1995. His character mesmerized World Wrestling Federation audiences; he had theatrical music, a glittery gold robe, gold dust
that fell from the ceiling, and a gold whig that he carefully removed and carried like... gold. But where he truly had gold was
in his ring psychology. He was a very controversial character for his time; feeling himself all over and blowing kisses to his male
opponents. The amount of how groundbreaking he was cannot be stressed enough in my opinion. Cody Rhodes was exactly right
when he briefly spoke of his brother when the two inducted their father "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes into the WWE
Hall Of Fame in 2007; Goldust's envelope pushing character did help pave the way for the Austin Era that would take the
wrestling world by storm just a short time later.
Goldust quickly won the WWF Intercontinental Title from a confused Razor Ramon at the 1996 Royal Rumble and entered into
the famous Hollywood Back Lot Brawl vs Rowdy Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania XII. The match eventually made its way to the
ring; where Piper stripped Goldust down to his female hosiery. Over the next year, Goldust would go on to feud with a young
Hunter Hearst Helmsley over that Intercontinental Title, he'd battle the late Brian Pillman (whom his manager and then wife
Marlena used to be with) at SummerSlam '97, and then underwent a metamorphosis into "Dustin Runnels" after him and
Marlena split. But before long Goldust was back, taking that Intercontinental Title again from The Godfather in 1999.
After three years away, Goldust would return to the WWF in 2002 and he soon formed a team with Booker T, where they won
the World Tag Team Title in later that year. Over the next few years, Goldust would play a minor role in the WWE, being
involved in some funny skits (such as when he was electrocuted, which caused him to stutter; or when he was
reading a Playboy magazine featuring Torrie Wilson), coming and going from the company several times. He was moved to
ECW in 2009; where he feuded with Sheamus and befriended with Yoshi Tatsu. His feud with Sheamus was good; but I had hoped for a real Title push for him, and a return to the days where he had a prominent place in whatever company he's in and
was one of the major stars.
I am aware of the role that veterans are supposed to play in today's wrestling world. Their main job is to "put over" the
younger stars. I don't have too much of an issue with this within itself; as long as the chance of the veteran having a real push
similar to those he's putting over isn't eliminated. Plus it doesn't escape me that the real only reason why he's there is because his
father works for the company. But another issue is that the "shock" effect is no longer there... stuff he did 15 years ago
that appalled audiences is normal, commonplace, and old hat today. But still, I consider Goldust to be a legend; and I'd love a
return of the "classic" Goldust; complete with all the robes, glitter, and bizarre behavior that he used to do. I'd love to see one
more real push and a mid card or tag title on him. I would be very unhappy if he's pushed to the side, not used right,
forgotten about, or released. And let's also face it; costume or not, character or not; the man has long possessed descent
wrestling skills. I don't know where he's going; but I urge the WWE, don't let the final curtain close on this man.
Remember the name.
