Dusty Rhodes Interview

**GODSON** · 04-15-2005, 11:36 AM

The following is an interview summary of Dusty Rhodes on Between the Ropes supplied to PWTorch.com by Richard Trionfo...

This week on Between the Ropes, wrestling legend, Total Nonstop Action Director of Authority, and author, �The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes joined Fritz, Dickerman, and Vito DeNucci to talk about his wrestling career; Lockdown; Total Nonstop Action wrestling; his autobiography "Dusty: Reflections of an American Dream"; and other issues in the world of professional wrestling.

Dusty started off by commenting about how people are going to react to the decision to book eight cage matches and that he does not care what people like Dave Meltzer will say about it.

Dusty was asked about what it was like to write his autobiography. He said that he had Howard Brody help him write the book. He wanted to be able to give some memories back to the fans. He wanted to be able to talk about the internet and TNA in the book. Dusty said that he plans to write at least one more book. Dusty was asked about working with Howard Brody and Dusty said that all Howard wanted to do was talk about wrestling. Dusty said that the book was his words, and Howard put it together. Dusty said that the only thing that Brody wants to do is have one more match with Dusty facing Hulk Hogan one more time. Dusty said that Howard was very patient dealing with Dusty because Dusty had problems in the past when he was dealing with Vince McMahon.

Dusty said that he was able to look back at the Briscos and Dick Murdochs wrestling and trying to figure out how they would be received today. Dusty mentioned that he included a dream card in his book.

He said that the most phenomenal athlete in the world is A.J. Styles and it is a shame that he does not get the exposure that he deserves. Dusty said that TNA needs a time slot to compete to get momentum. Dusty said that he was against the eight cage matches, but Dixie Carter and Jerry Jarrett suggested that it was time to try something different. Dusty said that he has no problem taking the heat for the suggestion. Dusty said that the talent will make it work. He said that A.J. Styles and Abyss will bring it home. He talked about how Jeff Jarrett is doing some of his best work right now.

Dusty was asked about booking philosophy and the direction for TNA. Dusty said that Christopher Daniels is the modern day Rick Rude with the way that a heel should be. Dusty said that the company was built on the X Division, but the product needs to be diverse. Dusty said that you need to be able to give him a format to work with to challenge Vince. He needs the right time and the right station to do it. Dusty said that the pay per views will not do the buys that it should. TNA is being watched by the internet crowd and the time slot is dictating the audience. Dusty said that there are a lot of people who would be interested, but they don't know that it exists.

Dusty was asked about whether TNA has a chance to move to another network. Dusty said that it has to happen for the company to continue to exist. Dusty said that money has been put into this company for three years, but it cannot go on without a new channel in the near future.

Dusty was asked about how TNA can have its own identity and he said that it is all about exposure and selling the product. Dusty said that when it happens they will have their own identity. Dusty talked about the X Division and the six sided ring. Dusty said that it does not matter if people are not watching the program. Dusty said that he has seen some episodes of Impact that were better than the time slot that they have.

Dusty was asked who would be the horses would happen if TNA got a prime time slot. Dusty said that he would use the people with name identity like Kevin Nash and Diamond Dallas Page. Dusty also mentioned the young stars like A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, America's Most Wanted, Dustin Rhodes, Bobby Roode, Chris Sabin, and Michael Shane.

Dusty was asked about the recent releases in the WWE and whether they would be able to fit in TNA. Dusty said that if they brought in those guys, the younger guys would get angry at Dusty for bringing them in. Dusty said that if they were so good, why did they get let go by the competition? He mentioned that every week they have seven segments on Impact. Dusty said that if they bring in other guys from the WWE, it will be the younger guys who will lose their spots on television.

Dusty was asked about Jeff Jarrett holding the title for a long time and how it affects the perception of the company. Dusty said that the longer reign that you have for a champion, the more that it will do for the title. Dusty wonders why people suggest that there be a change. TNA needs to establish the title, and Dusty restated that Jeff Jarrett is doing some of his best work. Dusty said that he did not need to have the title, but when he did, it gave people the hope that there would be a new champion. Dusty said that it is not his ball, and the final decision is not his. He would make changes with the company, but not on top.

Between the Ropes airs every Wednesday from 10:00 p.m. until Midnight on 740 The Team in Orlando, Florida with Brian Fritz, Dickerman, and Vito DeNucci. Check out www.betweentheropes.com to listen to the live stream of the show every week. Archives of past interviews with Paul Heyman, Terry Funk, Rob Van Dam, Tully Blanchard, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, A.J. Styles, Jerry Lawler, Bobby Heenan, Steve Corino, Shane Douglas, Elix Skipper, Harley Race, Bubba Ray Dudley, and many more people in the world of professional wrestling can also be found on www.betweentheropes.com.

I give Dusty a month or two before TNA fired him.

04-15-2005, 11:36 AM	#1
GODSON Posts: 268	Dusty Rhodes Interview The following is an interview summary of Dusty Rhodes on Between the Ropes supplied to PWTorch.com by Richard Trionfo... This week on Between the Ropes, wrestling legend, Total Nonstop Action Director of Authority, and author, �The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes joined Fritz, Dickerman, and Vito DeNucci to talk about his wrestling career; Lockdown; Total Nonstop Action wrestling; his autobiography "Dusty: Reflections of an American Dream"; and other issues in the world of professional wrestling. Dusty started off by commenting about how people are going to react to the decision to book eight cage matches and that he does not care what people like Dave Meltzer will say about it. Dusty was asked about what it was like to write his autobiography. He said that he had Howard Brody help him write the book. He wanted to be able to give some memories back to the fans. He wanted to be able to talk about the internet and TNA in the book. Dusty said that he plans to write at least one more book. Dusty was asked about working with Howard Brody and Dusty said that all Howard wanted to do was talk about wrestling. Dusty said that the book was his words, and Howard put it together. Dusty said that the only thing that Brody wants to do is have one more match with Dusty facing Hulk Hogan one more time. Dusty said that Howard was very patient dealing with Dusty because Dusty had problems in the past when he was dealing with Vince McMahon. Dusty said that he was able to look back at the Briscos and Dick Murdochs wrestling and trying to figure out how they would be received today. Dusty mentioned that he included a dream card in his book. He said that the most phenomenal athlete in the world is A.J. Styles and it is a shame that he does not get the exposure that he deserves. Dusty said that TNA needs a time slot to compete to get momentum. Dusty said that he was against the eight cage matches, but Dixie Carter and Jerry Jarrett suggested that it was time to try something different. Dusty said that he has no problem taking the heat for the suggestion. Dusty said that the talent will make it work. He said that A.J. Styles and Abyss will bring it home. He talked about how Jeff Jarrett is doing some of his best work right now. Dusty was asked about booking philosophy and the direction for TNA. Dusty said that Christopher Daniels is the modern day Rick Rude with the way that a heel should be. Dusty said that the company was built on the X Division, but the product needs to be diverse. Dusty said that you need to be able to give him a format to work with to challenge Vince. He needs the right time and the right station to do it. Dusty said that the pay per views will not do the buys that it should. TNA is being watched by the internet crowd and the time slot is dictating the audience. Dusty said that there are a lot of people who would be interested, but they don't know that it exists. Dusty was asked about whether TNA has a chance to move to another network. Dusty said that it has to happen for the company to continue to exist. Dusty said that money has been put into this company for three years, but it cannot go on without a new channel in the near future. Dusty was asked about how TNA can have its own identity and he said that it is all about exposure and selling the product. Dusty said that when it happens they will have their own identity. Dusty talked about the X Division and the six sided ring. Dusty said that it does not matter if people are not watching the program. Dusty said that he has seen some episodes of Impact that were better than the time slot that they have. Dusty was asked who would be the horses would happen if TNA got a prime time slot. Dusty said that he would use the people with name identity like Kevin Nash and Diamond Dallas Page. Dusty also mentioned the young stars like A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, America's Most Wanted, Dustin Rhodes, Bobby Roode, Chris Sabin, and Michael Shane. Dusty was asked about the recent releases in the WWE and whether they would be able to fit in TNA. Dusty said that if they brought in those guys, the younger guys would get angry at Dusty for bringing them in. Dusty said that if they were so good, why did they get let go by the competition? He mentioned that every week they have seven segments on Impact. Dusty said that if they bring in other guys from the WWE, it will be the younger guys who will lose their spots on television. Dusty was asked about Jeff Jarrett holding the title for a long time and how it affects the perception of the company. Dusty said that the longer reign that you have for a champion, the more that it will do for the title. Dusty wonders why people suggest that there be a change. TNA needs to establish the title, and Dusty restated that Jeff Jarrett is doing some of his best work. Dusty said that he did not need to have the title, but when he did, it gave people the hope that there would be a new champion. Dusty said that it is not his ball, and the final decision is not his. He would make changes with the company, but not on top. Between the Ropes airs every Wednesday from 10:00 p.m. until Midnight on 740 The Team in Orlando, Florida with Brian Fritz, Dickerman, and Vito DeNucci. Check out www.betweentheropes.com to listen to the live stream of the show every week. Archives of past interviews with Paul Heyman, Terry Funk, Rob Van Dam, Tully Blanchard, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, A.J. Styles, Jerry Lawler, Bobby Heenan, Steve Corino, Shane Douglas, Elix Skipper, Harley Race, Bubba Ray Dudley, and many more people in the world of professional wrestling can also be found on www.betweentheropes.com. I give Dusty a month or two before TNA fired him.