Tag Archives: Dusty Rhodes

Episode 234: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 12 – Dusty Rhodes

August 19, 2026 TGBL2022

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #234 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part twelve of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Howard Baum.

This week, Brian talks about the NWA title legacy of 3-time world champion Dusty Rhodes, with someone who lived through it all as a fan, Howard Baum.

From Dusty’s initial fluke win over Harley Race in 1979, to the “Summer of Dusty” in 1981, to his 1986 win during the JCP days, Brian and Howard dissect it all–including Dusty’s unique appeal and charisma, and how they changed expectations of wrestling babyfaces forever.

And it wouldn’t be a Howard Baum appearance without other random non-sequiturs, including Memphis Lawler vs. WWF Lawler, the kayfabe of Gilbert Gottfried, Jewish Dusty Rhodes and more!

Shut Up and Wrestle is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

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Episode 75: From the Archives – Dusty Rhodes

July 5, 2023 TGBL2022

“I don’t look at myself as an icon or as a legend. I look at myself as a national treasure.”

For the first time, we go into the Brian R. Solomon archives this week with an interview Brian did with “The American Dream” back in December 2006!

From his thoughts on the polka dots, to growing up the son of a plumber, to the origin of the bionic elbow, to his opinion of Goldust and the rookie Cody, and a whole lot more, Dusty opens up in this unique journey back into wrestling history.