therealdeal
04-10-2006, 03:22 PM
The man hardly known as Virgil Runnels III experienced the best of times in his life when a character that went by the name of "Goldust" was created. Much to everyone's expectations of the gimmick, it became one of the most controversial characters in the history of WWF/E. Not only that, but the gimmick was also one of the greatest and successful gimmicks of all time.
Goldust - We're talking as gimmick as you get. Black and gold face-paint. Black and gold body suite. Blonde wig. A depressing yet story-like theme song. Goldust confetti falling down from the rafters. Ambiguous. The Goldust character was completely different from any other gimmick or character in the Federation. Dustin Runnels wasn't some silly Pirate who fans couldn't take seriously (calm down you Paul Burchill fans - I'm talking about Jean Pierre); Runnels wasn't some dentist of Jerry Lawler; Runnels didn't dress in a clown suite and called his finished the "Whoopie Cushon". No... all of these gimmicks were laughable and despite whether or not the wrestler behind the gimmick could wrestle, no one just couldn't take a Red Rooster seriously as a WWF/E Champion contender.
Before Goludst, the most successful gimmick (and still the most successful ever) was the Undertaker. It would be easy to laugh at the Undertaker at one time or another. One could say, "Ah, geez. This guy actually thinks he came back from the dead? Oh, that's believable". But not only did booking and the WWF/E handle his character so well but that along with The Undertaker actually being talented in the ring has made The Undertaker into a legend; an icon. After The Undertaker gimmick had become established, it was hard to find any wrestler who could step up to the task of repeating the success of another hard to believe gimmick. While the Undertaker was rolling his eyes in the back of his head and being lead down to the ring by Paul Barerer who had "control" over the Undertaker because he had a mysterious urn, a guy who was wrestling in WCW known as Dustin Rhodes was showing off his talents. Wrestling critics, magazine writers and fans alike were all impressed by the young superstar. He would have great matches against "Stunning" Steve Austin over the U.S. title. The younger Rhodes even had chemistry in forming a Tag Team with the more experienced Barry Windham, though Barry would later turn on Rhodes for a short feud. Bottom line: No matter how established Dustin Rhodes was becoming in World Championship Wrestling, he'd still be under the shadow of his own father. How could he escape that shadow? He had the same southern accent as Dusty. They both would like to brawl but could also wrestle when need be. Who knew that the "grandson of a plummer" would one day be a controversial figure in WWF/E?
Quickly Goldust gained a lot of attention from the wrestling community. Mainly mixed reviews as to whether WWF/E finally went over the line with the over the top gimmick. Yet something was different with this gimmick. For once, the wrestling community wasn't laughing. This wrestler with a gimmick actually made you believe he was a legit threat to his opponents. The "mind games" Goldust would play with his opponents always made for interesting and entertaining TV. The fans noticed that Goldust could actually wrestle unlike the Dentist or the Pirate or the Clown. Of course, the smart fans also noticed that he was the old Dustin Runnels from WCW but that only added to the fact that he could wrestle.
The characteristics of the gimmick were done just about as well as The Undertaker's did for Mark Caloway. Goldust was potrayed as an out of this world character. Was he gay? Was he bi? With his wife Terri as his manager, it only help contribute to the mind games. The gimmick had gotten so successful so quickly and WWF/E and put in so much faith into the gimmick that Goldust beat Razor Ramon for his first Intercontinental Championship run at Royal Rumble 1996. Whether you liked the gimmick or not; whether you were offended by the antics or not - no one could argue that Goldust was well on his way on becoming an icon in his own right just as The Undertaker had done. An Intercontinental title run during his first two months in the WWF/E? Surely, Goldust must've had a bright future for WWF/E to invest so much into his character in so little time. Undoubtably, A Goldust/Razor Ramon re-match at WrestleMania 12 would've been one of the best matches of the night if Scott Hall hadn't ran into trouble. Instead, Goldust had one of the most memorable and entertaining matches in WrestleMania history against Roddy Piper that saw the match start in the backlot of Hollywood and ending in the WWF/E ring.
Goldust always delivered with his promos. Goldust would always have unique promos but they always made a point. Even quoting movies made sense because it fit in with his promo and his character. Goldust could deliver on the microphone. Goldust had great charisma and Goldust would also have excellent matches against Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Marc Mero, Savio Vega in an interesting I-C title feud, and he made Ahmed Johnson look as good as Ahmed Johnson could look good. Seriously, who has the type of talent to make the often clumsy Ahmed Johnson look good in the ring? The pairing of Goldust and Mankind only added an even odder chemistry and depth into the character. It was all done supremely well just as WWF/E had done with The Undertaker. But all that was well certainly didn't end well..
In an interesting turn of events, Goldust had a "shoot" interview alongside with Terri talking about being the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes. After the "shoot", Goldust lost the "mind games" gimmick and became a confused character who painted "F.U." (Forever Unchanged) with his gold and black face. Goldust just wasn't the same character - even at one time throwing the body suite into a trash can and lighting it on fire. After months, Goldust brought the gimmick back but it just wasn't the same. After being one of the most successful gimmicks in the history of WWF/E, Goldust became a victim of bad booking and instead of hearing "boos" from the fans, Dustin Runnels was now hearing the same laughter that bad gimmicks before him would hear. Siding with Luna did nothing for his character. Dressing as the "New Year's Baby" only to get beat up by Steve Austin and then getting "Stunned" to stumble back into a bathroom stall... that's just disrespectful. Goldust was now just a comedic relief that wasn't to be taken seriously by his opponents nor the fans during his matches. Instead of fans in the arena or watching him to see what crazy thing he'd do next, a Goldust match now meant a bathroom break instead. Goldust was sent packing and went back to WCW.
Hell, World Championship Wrestling saw how greatly over Dustin Rhodes had gotten the Goldust character over in WWF/E. Being the copycats that WCW had the reputation of being, they tried to re-create the success by giving Dustin the gimmick "Seven". Don't feel bad if you don't remember that gimmick as it only lasted for a whole 30 seconds.
After an impressive Royal Rumble performance in 2003, Goldust was offered another contract. Goldust wasn't as weird and bizarre but he was still being used as a comedic wrestler; even a jobber. Somewhat of a lovable face, especially after being paired with Booker T. as an under-dog Tag Team who would have a short run with the titles. Again... WWE booking decided to full around with Goldust gimmick and have Batista and Randy Orton get Goldust "electrocuted". Now even more of a comedian, Goldust now resembled someone who had Turrets Syndrome. Shortly there after, Goldust was shown yet another pink slip.
Goldust has been back for a few months now. Instead of a comedic act, Goldust's act is hardly seen or used at all. To catch a Goldust match, you have to go to WWE.com to see Sunday Night Heat, I guess. Why?
BOTTOM LINE: What the hell happened?
Why did WWF/E make Goldust into a laughing stock? It's a fact that perhaps can't be proven, but the Goldust gimmick could've been as successful as the Undertaker gimmick. Look at the simularities. Both Goldust and the Undertaker would play mind games with their opponents to their advatange. Both wrestlers had out-of-this-world gimmicks. Both wrestlers, despite the gimmicks, could get it done in the ring. Both were entertaining. Both could provide main event caliber matches. Goldust just simply became mis-used. I honestly believe that Goldust could've been one of the best heels in the history of wrestling. The fans loved to hate Goldust. Runnels had great chemistry with everyone he ever stepped into the ring with. Shawn Michaels even praises Goldust's ring work in his book by saying the two would bring the house down everytime they met in the ring. Goldust was the perfect heel to go against either and up and coming face, a struggling face or an already established face. In my opnion, Goldust was the total package. Goldust had the perfect unique look. Goldust had a great theme song. Goldust had a great entrence. Goldust obviously had a great and unique gimmick. A Goldust was a great wrestler.
In my mind, Virgil Runnels III is the best wrestler to never had won a World championship. What was so far fetched about making Goldust a main eventer yet turn him into someone wrestling fans could laugh at? If taken seriously, Goldust could've main evented PPVS or even had become a World champion. But many would now suspect that Goldust is past his prime now and his run is over. Sadly, the man who had a great casket match against the Undertaker and the man who would have great main event matches against World Champion Shawn Michaels on the old Monday Night Raw is nothing more than your typical jobber. And that my friends is a shame.
Goldust - We're talking as gimmick as you get. Black and gold face-paint. Black and gold body suite. Blonde wig. A depressing yet story-like theme song. Goldust confetti falling down from the rafters. Ambiguous. The Goldust character was completely different from any other gimmick or character in the Federation. Dustin Runnels wasn't some silly Pirate who fans couldn't take seriously (calm down you Paul Burchill fans - I'm talking about Jean Pierre); Runnels wasn't some dentist of Jerry Lawler; Runnels didn't dress in a clown suite and called his finished the "Whoopie Cushon". No... all of these gimmicks were laughable and despite whether or not the wrestler behind the gimmick could wrestle, no one just couldn't take a Red Rooster seriously as a WWF/E Champion contender.
Before Goludst, the most successful gimmick (and still the most successful ever) was the Undertaker. It would be easy to laugh at the Undertaker at one time or another. One could say, "Ah, geez. This guy actually thinks he came back from the dead? Oh, that's believable". But not only did booking and the WWF/E handle his character so well but that along with The Undertaker actually being talented in the ring has made The Undertaker into a legend; an icon. After The Undertaker gimmick had become established, it was hard to find any wrestler who could step up to the task of repeating the success of another hard to believe gimmick. While the Undertaker was rolling his eyes in the back of his head and being lead down to the ring by Paul Barerer who had "control" over the Undertaker because he had a mysterious urn, a guy who was wrestling in WCW known as Dustin Rhodes was showing off his talents. Wrestling critics, magazine writers and fans alike were all impressed by the young superstar. He would have great matches against "Stunning" Steve Austin over the U.S. title. The younger Rhodes even had chemistry in forming a Tag Team with the more experienced Barry Windham, though Barry would later turn on Rhodes for a short feud. Bottom line: No matter how established Dustin Rhodes was becoming in World Championship Wrestling, he'd still be under the shadow of his own father. How could he escape that shadow? He had the same southern accent as Dusty. They both would like to brawl but could also wrestle when need be. Who knew that the "grandson of a plummer" would one day be a controversial figure in WWF/E?
Quickly Goldust gained a lot of attention from the wrestling community. Mainly mixed reviews as to whether WWF/E finally went over the line with the over the top gimmick. Yet something was different with this gimmick. For once, the wrestling community wasn't laughing. This wrestler with a gimmick actually made you believe he was a legit threat to his opponents. The "mind games" Goldust would play with his opponents always made for interesting and entertaining TV. The fans noticed that Goldust could actually wrestle unlike the Dentist or the Pirate or the Clown. Of course, the smart fans also noticed that he was the old Dustin Runnels from WCW but that only added to the fact that he could wrestle.
The characteristics of the gimmick were done just about as well as The Undertaker's did for Mark Caloway. Goldust was potrayed as an out of this world character. Was he gay? Was he bi? With his wife Terri as his manager, it only help contribute to the mind games. The gimmick had gotten so successful so quickly and WWF/E and put in so much faith into the gimmick that Goldust beat Razor Ramon for his first Intercontinental Championship run at Royal Rumble 1996. Whether you liked the gimmick or not; whether you were offended by the antics or not - no one could argue that Goldust was well on his way on becoming an icon in his own right just as The Undertaker had done. An Intercontinental title run during his first two months in the WWF/E? Surely, Goldust must've had a bright future for WWF/E to invest so much into his character in so little time. Undoubtably, A Goldust/Razor Ramon re-match at WrestleMania 12 would've been one of the best matches of the night if Scott Hall hadn't ran into trouble. Instead, Goldust had one of the most memorable and entertaining matches in WrestleMania history against Roddy Piper that saw the match start in the backlot of Hollywood and ending in the WWF/E ring.
Goldust always delivered with his promos. Goldust would always have unique promos but they always made a point. Even quoting movies made sense because it fit in with his promo and his character. Goldust could deliver on the microphone. Goldust had great charisma and Goldust would also have excellent matches against Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Marc Mero, Savio Vega in an interesting I-C title feud, and he made Ahmed Johnson look as good as Ahmed Johnson could look good. Seriously, who has the type of talent to make the often clumsy Ahmed Johnson look good in the ring? The pairing of Goldust and Mankind only added an even odder chemistry and depth into the character. It was all done supremely well just as WWF/E had done with The Undertaker. But all that was well certainly didn't end well..
In an interesting turn of events, Goldust had a "shoot" interview alongside with Terri talking about being the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes. After the "shoot", Goldust lost the "mind games" gimmick and became a confused character who painted "F.U." (Forever Unchanged) with his gold and black face. Goldust just wasn't the same character - even at one time throwing the body suite into a trash can and lighting it on fire. After months, Goldust brought the gimmick back but it just wasn't the same. After being one of the most successful gimmicks in the history of WWF/E, Goldust became a victim of bad booking and instead of hearing "boos" from the fans, Dustin Runnels was now hearing the same laughter that bad gimmicks before him would hear. Siding with Luna did nothing for his character. Dressing as the "New Year's Baby" only to get beat up by Steve Austin and then getting "Stunned" to stumble back into a bathroom stall... that's just disrespectful. Goldust was now just a comedic relief that wasn't to be taken seriously by his opponents nor the fans during his matches. Instead of fans in the arena or watching him to see what crazy thing he'd do next, a Goldust match now meant a bathroom break instead. Goldust was sent packing and went back to WCW.
Hell, World Championship Wrestling saw how greatly over Dustin Rhodes had gotten the Goldust character over in WWF/E. Being the copycats that WCW had the reputation of being, they tried to re-create the success by giving Dustin the gimmick "Seven". Don't feel bad if you don't remember that gimmick as it only lasted for a whole 30 seconds.
After an impressive Royal Rumble performance in 2003, Goldust was offered another contract. Goldust wasn't as weird and bizarre but he was still being used as a comedic wrestler; even a jobber. Somewhat of a lovable face, especially after being paired with Booker T. as an under-dog Tag Team who would have a short run with the titles. Again... WWE booking decided to full around with Goldust gimmick and have Batista and Randy Orton get Goldust "electrocuted". Now even more of a comedian, Goldust now resembled someone who had Turrets Syndrome. Shortly there after, Goldust was shown yet another pink slip.
Goldust has been back for a few months now. Instead of a comedic act, Goldust's act is hardly seen or used at all. To catch a Goldust match, you have to go to WWE.com to see Sunday Night Heat, I guess. Why?
BOTTOM LINE: What the hell happened?
Why did WWF/E make Goldust into a laughing stock? It's a fact that perhaps can't be proven, but the Goldust gimmick could've been as successful as the Undertaker gimmick. Look at the simularities. Both Goldust and the Undertaker would play mind games with their opponents to their advatange. Both wrestlers had out-of-this-world gimmicks. Both wrestlers, despite the gimmicks, could get it done in the ring. Both were entertaining. Both could provide main event caliber matches. Goldust just simply became mis-used. I honestly believe that Goldust could've been one of the best heels in the history of wrestling. The fans loved to hate Goldust. Runnels had great chemistry with everyone he ever stepped into the ring with. Shawn Michaels even praises Goldust's ring work in his book by saying the two would bring the house down everytime they met in the ring. Goldust was the perfect heel to go against either and up and coming face, a struggling face or an already established face. In my opnion, Goldust was the total package. Goldust had the perfect unique look. Goldust had a great theme song. Goldust had a great entrence. Goldust obviously had a great and unique gimmick. A Goldust was a great wrestler.
In my mind, Virgil Runnels III is the best wrestler to never had won a World championship. What was so far fetched about making Goldust a main eventer yet turn him into someone wrestling fans could laugh at? If taken seriously, Goldust could've main evented PPVS or even had become a World champion. But many would now suspect that Goldust is past his prime now and his run is over. Sadly, the man who had a great casket match against the Undertaker and the man who would have great main event matches against World Champion Shawn Michaels on the old Monday Night Raw is nothing more than your typical jobber. And that my friends is a shame.