Review: Dusty: Reflections Of Wrestling's American Dream

Dusty: Reflections Of Wrestling's American Dream

Dusty Rhodes and Howard Brody

Sports Publishing, 2005

Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook

"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes had a remarkable career as a professional wrestler and booker that has spanned 40+ year period. Rhodes made his wrestling debut in the late 60s and became one of the biggest names in the history of the industry.  Rhodes first gained national prominence as a member of the Texas Outlaws with Dick Murdoch, he later had a long and historic run in Eddie Graham's Championship Wrestling From Florida, as a main event star in NWA Mid-Atlantic, a memorable stint in early 90s WWF and as commentator with World Championship Wrestling.  Rhodes also served as the booker with most of these organizations during his respective tenures. As is common with both top stars and powerful people in the industry, Dusty Rhodes is a very polarizing person/character.


While never an amazing physical specimen or classic wrestling worker, Rhodes could deliver very good in-ring performances. Despite an obvious speech impediment, Rhodes is considered one of the industry's best talkers. While many criticize his booking decisions, he is just as often (if not more) considered one of wrestling's most creative minds. His detractors see his faults, his fans see his successes in spite of them.  Dusty: Reflections Of Wrestling's American Dream is Rhodes's first book.  It was co-written by Howard Brody, author of Swimming With Piranhas: Survivng the Politics of Pro Wrestling.

Dusty Rhodes' 2005 book is, for the most part, a big disappointment.  There are a great deal of good moments in the book, however these are too few and far between to warrant much praise.  While Rhodes has led an interesting life and tells a few good stories, the book does not deliver what one might expect.  Most of the chapters of the book, which are not divided by theme or chronology, read like a series of random thoughts cobbled together. Interspersed between Rhodes writings are comments contributed by some of Rhodes's family, friends and peers. Whereas there is a lot about his family and friends (some very good) there is an obvious lack of content that would be of interest to most wrestling fans. Rhodes does a good job capturing his youth, but barely mentions his early days in wrestling and/or his time at West Texas State.  He talks about his time with Dick Murdoch but hardly mentions the notorious antics the pair were known for outside the ring.  He writes very little about Florida, even less about his Mid-Atlantic run and barely at all about his WWF polka dot era.  When he does delve into wrestling it is either a short story, a quick comment or complaint or an opportunity for self promotion.  

There are three notable chapters where the focus and the chronology (when applicable) did not go astray.  In one, Dusty details his family. It is apparent that Rhodes is a proud father who regrets some of the decisions he made in his life.  This may be the only chapter that was written out of character and gives a glimpse into Rhodes as a person and not a character.  More of this would have been nice. In another chapter, Rhodes plays fantasy booker and creates a card he calls Starrcade Prime where he books a dream card with wrestlers in their prime.  While 99.99 percent of readers will not have Rhodes experience as a booker, his knowledge of money drawing houses and/or having had his dealings with the personalities backstage, most will still find some of his choices for his dream card somewhere between illogical and bizarre.  The last chapter that is not devoid of structure is one wherein Rhodes reprints ten fan letters that were solicited as part of a contest on his website. Even without these letters, the book has a tendency to be one of the most self-aggrandizing books by a pro-wrestler; these letters may cinch it. 

Rhodes takes no responsibility for the demise of Jim Crockett Promotions choosing to place the blame entirely on those in the business end.  He writes, "I take as much blame as anyone for the wrestling part of it," and suggests that the wrestling end was without fault.  Some have argued that JCP was experiencing inner turmoil based on many of Rhodes' creative decisions as booker and top star which - to some degree - directly affected the company's level of success .  When writing about the Dusty Finish - which appears to have been at co-author Brody's insistence - he misses the point as to why it was detrimental to the business. While he defends it as a good way to finish a match, which it is, he does not address how its overuse can (and likely did) create mistrust / apathy in fans. *

In later editions of the book, co-author Howard Brody includes some end notes. Though not stated, these reads like either a defence or an apology for the book's shortcomings. Brody suggests that the book was intended to have the feeling an old friend driving down the road with Rhodes. To best capture this, it was best to let Rhodes say what he needed to say in the manner he was accustomed. While this might make a good DVD or interview, it did not translate well to the written word. Brody also accounts for some omissions from the book as being calculated decisions to best represent how Dusty conducts himself.  Brody cites two examples, "his feud with Flair" and "why he felt JJ Dillon screwed him" as two things left out of the book as they did not capture the essence of Dusty.  Firstly, Rhodes feud with Flair was a highlight of his career and JCP's biggest feud of era, it would have been nice to have gotten some comments and memories. Thought it's not the same as a Neil Armstrong biography with no mention of the moon landing, it is a very curious omission.  Secondly, Rhodes writes in the middle of the book, "I found myself fucked over by my assistant of many years, James J. Dillon," with no further explanation or comments on the topic.  What is the logic behind leaving this comment in the book without providing a context?  It reads like a petty jab at an old friend/co-worker.  If the reader is expected to understand what Rhodes is talking about, he/she requires more information.  If he/she is not expected to understand, why make the comment in the first place?

To paraphrase Rhodes' opening line, I've read the best of books and I've read the worst of books, Dusty: Reflections Of Wrestling's American Dream  is much closer to the latter than the former. There are a few good moments, but overall the book is a big disappointment. Big fans of Rhodes may enjoy the book and the ebook is reasonably priced, but the it is not likely to be on many top 10 lists. Brody says, "if you love Dusty, you'll love the book. If you hate Dusty, you'll hate the book." As one who has enjoyed Rhodes for a long time, I have to disagree.

* Typically, the Dusty Finish is used in championship matches with a baby face challenger and a heel champion.  It involves a referee getting temporarily knocked out and a replacement referee running to the ring and, after a three count or a submission, declaring the baby face the winner and the new champion. The original referee wakes up, disqualifies one of the participants and nullifies the title change.  There are some variations, - i.e. title change is announced sending the audience home happy, but is later reversed - but that is basic structure.  The Dusty Finish was not named for Rhodes because he innovated it, but it is more of a backhanded comment on how frequently it was used when he was booking.

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