Dusty Rhodes, "The American Dream," dies at age 69
— -- Professional wrestling icon Dusty Rhodes, known as "The American Dream," died Thursday, the WWE announced. He was 69.
Rhodes, whose real name was Virgil Riley Runnels Jr., made his professional wrestling debut in 1968 as a tag-team partner on the Texas Outlaws with Dick Murdoch. The charismatic, bleach-blond Texan was known for his on-camera self-promotion.
He was a three-time champion of the NWA and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
In addition to the NWA and WWE, Rhodes also wrestled for the AWA, WCW, Jim Crockett Promotions, ECW and TNA. His many rivals over the years included icons of the industry such as Ric Flair, Superstar Billy Graham, Tully Blanchard, Harley Race and Kevin Sullivan.
His sons, Dustin and Cody Rhodes, still wrestle for WWE.
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