'Ravishing' Rick Rude: Worthy or Not?

[TheOneBigWill]

Richard Erwin Rood (December 7, 1958 – April 20, 1999), better known by his ring name "Ravishing" Rick Rude, was a professional wrestler who performed for many promotions, most notably World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation, in the 1980s and 1990s. During his wrestling career he became a two time WCWA World Champion and a 1 time AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion. He also won many other championships.

In the WWF, Rude was managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and feuded with "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, before starting one of his most famous feuds with Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Rude had a routine where, before the match, he would make a show of removing his robe while insulting the males in the crowd and, after his victories, he would kiss a woman that Heenan picked from the fans. One of Rude's trademarks was his specially airbrushed tights that he wore during matches. In one storyline, he tried to get Roberts' real-life wife, Cheryl, to comply, aggravating Roberts. On another occasion during the Roberts/Rude feud, Rude came to the ring with a picture of Cheryl stenciled on the front of his tights. A furious Roberts charged the ring and stripped Rude, appearing to television viewers to leave him naked, although the live audience saw him stripped to a thong instead.

Rude's next big feud was with The Ultimate Warrior and began in January at the 1989 Royal Rumble pay-per-view in a "Super Posedown" that ended with Rude attacking Warrior with a metal pose bar. With help from Heenan, Rude won the Intercontinental Championship from the Warrior at WrestleMania V, before dropping it back to the Warrior at SummerSlam 1989, due in large part to interference from "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Rude then feuded with Piper, before resuming his conflict with the Warrior in the summer of 1990 after the Warrior had won the WWF Championship. The two battled in a cage at SummerSlam 1990, however Rude failed to win the title and departed from WWF in October 1990.

Rude made his way to World Championship Wrestling, which had originally been Jim Crockett Promotions prior to being sold to Ted Turner in late 1988, as The Halloween Phantom at Halloween Havoc on October 27, 1991, unmasking himself later that night. He founded and led The Dangerous Alliance, consisting of himself, Paul E. Dangerously, Madusa, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and "Stunning" Steve Austin. On November 19, 1991, Rude defeated Sting for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and engaged in a number of high profile feudes, including one with Ricky Steamboat. At one point during their feud Steamboat suffered a kayfabe broken nose in a gang attack.

In 1992, Rude and Madusa left The Dangerous Alliance and feuded with Nikita Koloff. Rude challenged reigning WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons on several occasions but did not defeat him. In December 1992, Rude suffered legitimate injury and was forced to forfeit the United States Championship, thus ending his reign of nearly 14 months, a reign that still stands today as the second longest reign in the 33 year history of the title. Rude returned alone in April 1993 and tried to reclaim the title from Dustin Rhodes, who had won it while he was injured. The title was eventually held up after several controversial finishes to matches between the two, although Rhodes regained the title in a rematch.

Rude switched his sights to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, making his intentions clear on August 28, 1993, when he was the guest on then-champion Ric Flair's "A Flair For the Gold" talk segment. Rude defeated Flair for the title in September 1993 at Fall Brawl. As WCW had recently withdrawn from the NWA, WCW lost the rights to continue using the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. WCW created their own championship, dubbing it the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship, which Rude lost to Hiroshi Hase on March 16, 1994 in Tokyo, Japan. Rude regained the title just eight days later in Kyoto, Japan. After dropping the title to Sting on April 17, Rude pinned Sting on May 1 in Fukuoka to become a three time champion. Rude, however, injured his neck during the match; unable to wrestle, he was stripped of the title (with the storyline excuse that he was found to have used the title belt as a weapon in the course of the match). Rude retired shortly thereafter.

He did have a brief run after retirement in E.C.W., as well as being a manager to D-X (or rather insurance policy) as well as Curt Hennig while in the n.W.o.. He also appeared on both Raw & Nitro on the same night. Rude died on April 20, 1999 after suffering heart failure. His list of accomplishments and Championships (according to Wiki) are as follows:

Championship Wrestling from Florida
NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jesse Barr

Continental Wrestling Association
AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with King Kong Bundy

Jim Crockett Promotions | World Championship Wrestling
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (1 time) – with Manny Fernandez
WCW International World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1992)
PWI ranked him # 57 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003.

World Class Championship Wrestling | World Class Wrestling Association
NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WCCW Television Championship (1 time)
WCWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

World Wrestling Federation
WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
Slammy Award (Jesse "The Body" Award) 1987)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
5 Star Match (1992) with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and Arn Anderson vs. Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, and Nikita Koloff (February 24, WarGames match, WrestleWar)
Best Heel (1992)
Worst Worked Match of the Year (1992) vs. Masahiro Chono at Halloween Havoc

'Ravishing' Rick Rude: In my bluntly honest opinion, if it wasn't for guys like Rick Rude, individuals like The Ultimate Warrior would've just plain and simply been lost in the world of Professional Wrestling. Rick Rude was a very prick-like heel, and he came across that way in every shape and form, that's what made him great in my opinion.

He had the typical better than thou attitude, and wasn't afraid to let you know it. While he only won the Intercontinental Championship in his W.W.F. career, I still believe strongly that if Rick Rude was apart of this generation's company, he'd of been a multi-time Heavyweight Champion by now. I think the likes of Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage & The Ultimate Warrior, mixed with the fact that more or less a baby-face almost always needed to wear the Heavyweight Championship, pretty much ruined any chance of a decent run with the top belt in the company.

Rick Rude ultimately will be remembered for his feuds with Jake Roberts, The Warrior & even Sting. In my opinion, Rick Rude is another all-time classic heel that by those standards and how he revolutionized the industry for heels, should be inducted into the W.W.E. Hall of Fame. What are your thoughts and opinions on 'Ravishing' Rick Rude being a Hall of Fame inductee? Worthy or Not?

 

[Mr. TM]

I'm on the fence on him. Ravishing Rick Rude was a great heel, but Ted DiBiase was a better heel. And Ted is not even in the hall of fame yet. I think one the gates are opened to Ted, I could better answer this question.

Rude was good for WCCW, WCW, and the WWE. But the thing I really remember him the most for was his reaction to the Bret Hart Screw-Job, when he appeared on Raw as well as Nitro on the same night.

I can see him possibly making the Hall, depending on how the WWE feels about him. But not anytime soon, and not until Ted gets in.

 

[klunderbunker]

I'm with TM here. Rude was the best mid card heel WWF had. But he was just in the mid card. I never remember him being in the main event outside of being overshadowed by Hogan and Earthquake at SS 90 which was his last match with the company in his first run. He went to WCW where he was kind of a big deal at first but then he hurt his back. He could have been great and a world champion had he stayed healthy, but I just don't think he should be in. His IC reign in WWF is forgettable as is his over one year run with the US title. He's easily more famous for his influences though. he was one of the best catalysts of all time in that he could make anyone look good. His gimmick was pure gold and anyone could put on a good feud with him and that seemed to be the case. Overall though, I'd say no, but just barely.

 

[NSL]

I seem to be alone in thinking that Rude is a Hall of Famer.

I'll agree with TM and KB, that Rude was the 2nd best heel in the company. But, being 2nd to DiBiase, and being the top heel at the mid-card level is still no small feat. His match with Ultimate Warrior at Summerslam is probably my favorite match of all-time, and I despised him during his feud with Jake Roberts, which is what his job was to do. He was supposed to make you hate him so much, that no matter who he fought, you rooted for them, and you wanted them to kick his teeth in. Ladies wanted him, and guys wanted to be him.

He may not have done much as far as titles, but at that time, titles were held a lot longer than the current streaks of 2 or 3 months. He has the same problem that Mr. Perfect had, and that was a crowded main event picture.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Rude was a terrific character. A Fantastic heel and a hated man through and through. He put on some decent matches with The Ultimate Warrior.

But he's not a Hall of Famer.

In my book, for a guy who's never won the World / WWF / WWE Title to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, he'd have to do something SIGNIFICANT to earn that honor. Rude didn't. Rude was VERY GOOD. But he's not a Hall of Famer.

What was Rude's best WWF match? Against Warrior? He hasn't had a truly significant WWF match, folks. He's out. And it's really not close.

 

[Shocky]

I voted yes. Rick Rude, was a world champion. It maybe arguable, but the WCW International Championship is considered a world title by some parties, I tend to be one of those that believe it carried as much weight as the other World title in the company at that time.

Rick Rude managed to do something Randy Savage didn't with being a year as champion, and that's main event a WWF Pay Per View while Hulk Hogan was on the card. Granted it was against the Ultimate Warrior, but I believe Rude had just as big of a roll, if not bigger, then making the Ultimate Warrior into the star he was.

Rick Rude is a guy that people paid to watch, and success is measured on someoens ability to draw isn't it? Rick Rude, was not in a main event heel strictly because of his size, but drew nearly as much heat, if not more heat, then most of the main event heels in the WWF at the time.

Rick Rude is a Hall of Famer in my opinion.

 

[Pickle]

The man excelled in every area of the sport. He was part of a fantastic tag team with Manny Fernandez, had a good Intercontinental title run that helped make the Ultimate Warrio, and he feuded with Flair and Sting over the WCW International title (which did have world title status). Not to mention he was one of the greatest heels of all time. I don't know what else somebody would need to do to get into the hall of fame.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Ravishing Rick Rude was a great heel, but Ted DiBiase was a better heel. And Ted is not even in the hall of fame yet. I think one the gates are opened to Ted, I could better answer this question.

Why should Ted Dibiase being a ''better heel'' have anything to do with it? If he's a better heel then why was Rude on top for longer?

Rude was good for WCCW, WCW, and the WWE. But the thing I really remember him the most for was his reaction to the Bret Hart Screw-Job, when he appeared on Raw as well as Nitro on the same night.

Sounds to me like more of a qualification than some for a Hall Of Fame induction.

I can see him possibly making the Hall, depending on how the WWE feels about him. But not anytime soon, and not until Ted gets in.

So Rude has got to wait until Ted Dibiase is inducted, why? It's not like Rude should be the main attraction.

Rude was the best mid card heel WWF had. But he was just in the mid card.

What about Curt Henning then?

I never remember him being in the main event outside of being overshadowed by Hogan and Earthquake at SS 90 which was his last match with the company in his first run.

If being a main event WWE wrestler was the only way you qualify for a HOF spot then there wouldn't be many inductees.

He went to WCW where he was kind of a big deal at first but then he hurt his back.

A career cut short by injury, everyone loves that gimmick.

He could have been great and a world champion had he stayed healthy, but I just don't think he should be in.

So because he couldn't continue to wrestle due to injury he shouldn't be inducted? What if Roddy Piper had really retired at WrestleMania 3, would he no longer be eligible?

His IC reign in WWF is forgettable as is his over one year run with the US title.

Was him not beating and making The Ultimate Warrior look like a million dollars now memorable?

He's easily more famous for his influences though. he was one of the best catalysts of all time in that he could make anyone look good. His gimmick was pure gold and anyone could put on a good feud with him and that seemed to be the case. Overall though, I'd say no, but just barely.

No because he had a killer gimmick that people still do today, yet nobody can pull off as well as him?

No because he had the ability to make everyone he wrestled look great?

In my book, for a guy who's never won the World / WWF / WWE Title to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, he'd have to do something SIGNIFICANT to earn that honor.

What is your opinion on The Ultimate Warrior being inducted? You can thank Rick Rude & Randy Savage for him looking competent. That sounds like something to me, it's not like many other wrestlers did the same.

What was Rude's best WWF match? Against Warrior? He hasn't had a truly significant WWF match, folks. He's out. And it's really not close.

Wait, being allowed into the Hall Of Fame is based on how many memorable matches a wrestler has had? So that induction for Mae Young wasn't because she showed her tits at the Rumble? Or Jimmy Snuka was inducted because of the actual match against Don Muraco, not the jump off the cage?

 

[klunderbunker]

All true but the thing is to me, Rude just wasn't as good as Hennig. Yes he could have done great things in the main event had he stayed healthy and of course the injury wasn't his fault, but he just never screamed Hall of Famer to me, although to be fair neither does Hennig. Rude did some good but just not enough in my eyes to be classified as one of the greatest of all time, which is what a Hall of Fame is supposed to be about. However since teh WWE HOF is one of the biggest jokes in the history of wrestling, sure he'll likely get in and maybe he does deserve it.

 

[butsecks]

Rick Rude was a great heel. he knew how to be a heel. he didn't need cheap heat. hes recognized as one great heel and a great pro wrestler. the way he seemed tough next to his opponents before the bell rang. but soon as the bell rang, he'd sell to anyone, making it seem like his opponent was mutilating him. he was a great intercontinental champion and was at his best in wcw, including his promos. his career was cut short in his match against sting, but even after that he made history by appearing in wcw and wwe in 97. he was original when it came to his gimmick, and should be in the hall of fame.

 

[hoffman40]

Rick Rude was legendary! Keep in mind, not only was he a great IC champ but was also WCW World Champ for a good while and had a memorable feud with Steamboat.