On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed working with Dustin Rhodes in WCW, Ricky Steamboat’s retirement in 1994, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Dustin Rhodes’ in-ring work: “Dustin was like an old-school throwback. But he was tall, and he moved around that ring really well. He was strong enough to bounce you around if he needed to. I mean, he just — he didn’t have a weightlifter body, but he was like Barry Windham. He was strong enough that if he needed to suplex you, he could suplex you. If he needed to stand you straight up, vertical suplex, he was strong enough to do that.”
On mentoring Dustin Rhodes: “It means a lot, because he’s not bullsh**ting. All I did was pass on what his dad did for me, you know? I was not a big star in the business when Dusty first started using me with Jim Crockett Promotions. And then working with me in single matches. You know, there’s a trust level there. So, I wanted to pass that on to Dustin. The main thing after we shot that angle on TV that I wanted Dustin to understand that, ‘We’re going to set it up where the first time I come through the ropes and you come through the ropes legally, somebody gets their a*s whipped. And that somebody is me. And go until you blow up.’ Cause it’s not like, ‘Come in and start running high spots.’ It’s, ‘Come in and just beat the holy hell out of me. If I roll out, come get me, throw me back in. Kick my a*s. If I roll out again. I’ll let you know when I need to get away.’”
On whether Dustin could’ve gotten over as The Natural instead of Goldust in WWE: “No, because he wouldn’t have gotten pushed. Everything was showbiz. And that time, Vince made him [a] showbiz character. That’s how he saw him. Dustin Rhodes did not — he didn’t exist, really.”
On Ricky Steamboat’s retirement in 1994: “A loss for the industry as a whole. You cannot replace Ricky Steamboat with anybody. I don’t care. There is nobody that you can replace him with. He had it all. Take ‘Steamboat vs.’ and write anybody down you want to beside him as an opponent, and he will make it work. He was just that good. He was as good as anybody’s ever been.”
In a recent episode of his podcast “The ARN Show,” WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson shared his thoughts on various topics, including working with Dustin Rhodes in WCW, Ricky Steamboat’s retirement in 1994, and more.
Anderson praised Rhodes’ in-ring abilities, describing him as an old-school throwback with excellent agility despite his tall stature. He also highlighted Rhodes’ strength, noting that he could easily execute suplexes and other powerful moves if needed. Anderson compared Rhodes to Barry Windham, emphasizing his ability to dominate opponents physically.
The former wrestler also discussed his mentoring relationship with Rhodes, expressing gratitude for the trust they shared. Anderson revealed that he passed on the guidance he received from Rhodes’ father, Dusty Rhodes, during his early days in the business. He emphasized the importance of trust and wanted Dustin to understand that their matches should be intense and hard-hitting. Anderson encouraged Rhodes to relentlessly attack him until he became exhausted, ensuring a realistic and compelling performance.
When asked if Rhodes could have achieved success as “The Natural” instead of his iconic Goldust character in WWE, Anderson expressed doubt. He believed that during that time, everything in the company was focused on showbiz and entertainment. Vince McMahon saw Rhodes as a showbiz character and did not recognize his true potential as Dustin Rhodes. Anderson implied that Rhodes would not have received the same level of push and recognition without the Goldust persona.
Reflecting on Ricky Steamboat’s retirement in 1994, Anderson expressed deep admiration for the legendary wrestler. He considered Steamboat’s departure from the industry as a significant loss that couldn’t be replaced. Anderson praised Steamboat’s versatility and ability to deliver outstanding matches with any opponent. He believed that Steamboat was one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, capable of making any matchup work seamlessly.
In addition to his podcast discussion, Anderson shared a video clip titled “Arn Anderson is a Walk Behinder (August 1994).” The video showcased a match featuring Anderson and Steamboat, highlighting their in-ring chemistry and the intensity of their performances.
Overall, Arn Anderson’s podcast episode provided valuable insights into his experiences working with Dustin Rhodes, his thoughts on Ricky Steamboat’s retirement, and his observations on the wrestling industry. His comments shed light on the physical prowess and talent of both Rhodes and Steamboat, leaving fans with a deeper appreciation for their contributions to professional wrestling.