I took a break from getting baked this week and suddenly forgot we still had to induct the final member of this class.
Let us proceed!
Joining this already incredible class of professional wrestlers will be a man who transcends the sport in a way that so few ever can, have, or will. An institution in American pro wrestling, as well as an iconic pop culture personality. Naturally, with his gift of gab and one-of-a-kind personality that would captivate not just wrestling fans, but any person who came in contact with him. Being a true standout of the Territorial and Golden Era - with peers such as Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Terry Funk, Randy Savage, Harley Race and The Road Warriors to name a few - is a truly remarkable feat; one accomplished by a remarkable man. A man that would transform the way wrestling is perceived, and later also the way that wrestling was booked. Let us acknowledge just some of his accolades… 3-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, 1-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion, 1-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, 3-time NWA World Television Champion, 12-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion, 1-time NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion… a member of the WWE, WCW, NWA and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame… and too many yearly awards, ranging from Wrestler of the Year to Best Booker to even list here… Indeed, our next inductee was the original people’s champion of the modern pro wrestling era. From the day he first started pursuing his pro wrestling dreams, until the day he left us, he continually gave his all to the industry and helped draw the blueprint for staying true to yourself in this business. I am very pleased to say that the wait is finally over to add this icon to our Hall. So, let’s do just that. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --
"THE AMERICAN DREAM"
DUSTY RHODES
Let us proceed!
Joining this already incredible class of professional wrestlers will be a man who transcends the sport in a way that so few ever can, have, or will. An institution in American pro wrestling, as well as an iconic pop culture personality. Naturally, with his gift of gab and one-of-a-kind personality that would captivate not just wrestling fans, but any person who came in contact with him. Being a true standout of the Territorial and Golden Era - with peers such as Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Terry Funk, Randy Savage, Harley Race and The Road Warriors to name a few - is a truly remarkable feat; one accomplished by a remarkable man. A man that would transform the way wrestling is perceived, and later also the way that wrestling was booked. Let us acknowledge just some of his accolades… 3-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, 1-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion, 1-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, 3-time NWA World Television Champion, 12-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion, 1-time NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion… a member of the WWE, WCW, NWA and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame… and too many yearly awards, ranging from Wrestler of the Year to Best Booker to even list here… Indeed, our next inductee was the original people’s champion of the modern pro wrestling era. From the day he first started pursuing his pro wrestling dreams, until the day he left us, he continually gave his all to the industry and helped draw the blueprint for staying true to yourself in this business. I am very pleased to say that the wait is finally over to add this icon to our Hall. So, let’s do just that. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --
"THE AMERICAN DREAM"
DUSTY RHODES
Hard times are over, daddy 
It’s always difficult to sum up the inductees, and Dusty is no different. However, his legacy truly speaks for itself. He was a man of the people, if any wrestler ever was. Long-time face of the NWA, eternally over, one of the greatest talkers in wrestling history, a rich legacy behind the scenes as a booker, writer, trainer, mentor and friend… There is just so much density to Dusty’s career. It is fittingly robust, to match his winsome personality. On a personal note, what I’ll always love about Dusty, looking back on his career, is the way he always wanted to keep moving the business forward. Despite some divisiveness over his booking of NWA main events in particular, we can all agree that Dusty strived to deliver the best for the fans, and was very selfless with his star status in helping to bring along future generations. In fact, many of my favorite memories of “The Son of a Plumber” come from time he spent in companies like ECW, ROH and TNA, helping to further establish these companies which would be pipelines for future stars of wrestling. When accounting for things he contributed to the business, along with the companies he worked for, the major moments in which he was involved, and not to mention all the wrestlers he brought along in his time running NXT, who now comprise the upper crust of American wrestling… how many people truly have a bigger footprint on the wrestling business today? Dusty is a TITAN among men, in the history of pro wrestling. And his sons aren’t half bad either. In a group that also features Owen Hart, Terry Funk, Jushin Liger and The Great Muta, I feel like Dusty is the perfect cherry on top for a collection of talents that - in my opinion - probably represents our most salt of the earth (don't sue me MJF) class we've voted in yet.
And with that, the 2023 Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hal of Fame Induction Ceremony shall conclude. Our new inductees will be added to the official Hall of Fame page soon, where they shall be immortalized alongside the previous 15 legends that this forum has deemed worthy of eternal reverence. Thank you all for your participation and patience! Looking forward to 2024
It’s always difficult to sum up the inductees, and Dusty is no different. However, his legacy truly speaks for itself. He was a man of the people, if any wrestler ever was. Long-time face of the NWA, eternally over, one of the greatest talkers in wrestling history, a rich legacy behind the scenes as a booker, writer, trainer, mentor and friend… There is just so much density to Dusty’s career. It is fittingly robust, to match his winsome personality. On a personal note, what I’ll always love about Dusty, looking back on his career, is the way he always wanted to keep moving the business forward. Despite some divisiveness over his booking of NWA main events in particular, we can all agree that Dusty strived to deliver the best for the fans, and was very selfless with his star status in helping to bring along future generations. In fact, many of my favorite memories of “The Son of a Plumber” come from time he spent in companies like ECW, ROH and TNA, helping to further establish these companies which would be pipelines for future stars of wrestling. When accounting for things he contributed to the business, along with the companies he worked for, the major moments in which he was involved, and not to mention all the wrestlers he brought along in his time running NXT, who now comprise the upper crust of American wrestling… how many people truly have a bigger footprint on the wrestling business today? Dusty is a TITAN among men, in the history of pro wrestling. And his sons aren’t half bad either. In a group that also features Owen Hart, Terry Funk, Jushin Liger and The Great Muta, I feel like Dusty is the perfect cherry on top for a collection of talents that - in my opinion - probably represents our most salt of the earth (don't sue me MJF) class we've voted in yet.
And with that, the 2023 Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hal of Fame Induction Ceremony shall conclude. Our new inductees will be added to the official Hall of Fame page soon, where they shall be immortalized alongside the previous 15 legends that this forum has deemed worthy of eternal reverence. Thank you all for your participation and patience! Looking forward to 2024
