Rick Rude: A Ravishing Wrestler with a Tragic End

Rick Rude went by the nickname "Ravishing," and rightfully so. He was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. With a powerful moveset, chiseled looks, flashy attire, and unmatched swagger, he captivated audiences like few others. Yet behind the bravado was a man whose life was as complex as it was tragically short. This is the story of Richard Erwin Rood—his rise, his fall, and the lasting legacy he left behind.

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The Wrestling Formula: Good vs. Evil and How It Worked for Rick Rude

Professional wrestling traditionally followed a straightforward formula: good versus evil, hero against villain, with clear lines between who was loved and who was hated.

In modern times, however, these distinctions have become more blurred. The 1996 rise of the nWo, a faction that blurred the lines between villains and fan favorites, brought a new complexity to the black-and-white world of wrestling personas.

This shift may have contributed to the challenge modern heroes face in winning the same level of fan adoration that legends like Hulk Hogan and Sting once commanded. While charismatic figures like Hogan could rally large followings, many relied on simply opposing a despised villain to win the crowd’s support. It’s much easier for fans to root for someone battling an enemy than for a “nice guy” facing a lesser-known or “cool” opponent.

The art of being truly hated, an essential part of wrestling’s history, is fading in today’s wrestling landscape, though it has proven to be effective for decades.

One of the masters of drawing real heat from the crowd was none other than Ravishing Rick Rude.

Rick Rude’s Early Life and Wrestling Beginnings

Born Richard Erwin Rood on December 7th, 1958, Rick Rude attended Robbinsdale High School in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. This area became a notable hotbed for athletes who would later transition into professional wrestling, with names like Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, Tom Zenk, Nikita Koloff, and the WWF’s Berzerker emerging from this region during a similar era.

Rude was especially close with Curt Hennig. He trained with several of these future stars under the guidance of Eddie Sharkey after leaving college. In 1982, Rude began his wrestling career under the name Ricky Rood, working as a babyface jobber.

Like many wrestlers of that time, Rude bounced around different wrestling territories before finding a more permanent home in CWF (Championship Wrestling from Florida) in December 1984.

During his time in CWF, Rude was managed by Percy Pringle III, who would later become famous as Paul Bearer in the WWF.

Over the span of three years in Florida, Rude engaged in feuds with the likes of Pez Whatley, Brian Blair, and Wahoo McDaniel. He captured the NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship twice and the NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship alongside Jesse Barr.

This is where Rude honed his craft before moving on to the Texas-based promotion, World Class Championship Wrestling.

Dominating the Territories: Rick Rude’s Early Title Wins

While working for Fritz Von Erich in WCCW, Rick Rude was managed by Percy Pringle, who had come along as his manager. During this time, Rude had high-profile contests with the immensely popular Von Erich brothers.

Title runs, including an NWA American title reign, helped elevate Rude’s reputation before he returned to Jim Crockett Promotions, where he had worked sporadically throughout the decade.

One of the standout moments during this period was when Rude captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship alongside Manny Fernandez on December 6, 1986, in a match against the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. However, like many stars from the regional promotions, Rick Rude soon found his way to the rapidly expanding WWF under Vince McMahon’s promotion.

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Rick Rude Joins WWE: The Heenan Family Connection

Debuting on a 1987 episode of WWF Superstars, Rick Rude was paired with one of the era’s most notorious villains, manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. It’s difficult to overstate just how influential Heenan was at the time.

His "Heenan Family" stable frequently found themselves clashing with the top babyface star, Hulk Hogan. Heenan, always on the lookout for new talent, would often pit his latest protégés against “The Hulkster,” doing everything in his power to topple the yellow-and-red-clad hero.

Examples of Heenan’s scheming include managing King Kong Bundy at WrestleMania 2 and orchestrating Andre the Giant’s heel turn at the following year’s WrestleMania. However, Rick Rude brought something different to the mix.

Rude quickly entered a series of matches with Paul Orndorff, a former Heenan Family member, before launching into a heated rivalry with Jake Roberts.

During this period, Rude developed a signature gimmick known as "The Rude Awakening." As part of his act, he would invite women from the audience into the ring to receive a kiss from the “Ravishing” one, while arrogantly declaring himself superior to every man in the crowd.

Unsurprisingly, this routine earned him tremendous heat, particularly when combined with his alliance with the universally despised Heenan.

In one memorable moment, Rude approached a woman from the audience, only to be rejected. It was soon revealed that this woman was Jake "The Snake" Roberts’s wife. Rude, in character, insulted her, which led to Mrs. Roberts slapping him. The incident escalated when Jake Roberts stormed from the locker room, bringing the confrontation to an end.

Rick Rude’s Feud with Jake "The Snake" Roberts

As a way of getting revenge, Rick Rude began making his entrance to the ring with an image of Jake Roberts’s wife emblazoned on his wrestling tights. This brazen act infuriated Roberts, who would charge from the dressing room to a huge ovation, stripping Rude of his attire in retaliation.

The rivalry between Rude and Roberts led to several memorable matches on larger shows during this period. Their encounter at WrestleMania IV, part of the title tournament, is often overlooked, but it remains a solid contest. Their clash on an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event is another underrated gem from this era.

The heat between Rude and Roberts was genuine, and it was intensified by Jake Roberts’s masterful in-ring psychology and interviews, both of which helped generate electric crowd reactions as the two ’80s stars squared off.

Oddly, the feud came to an abrupt end after Roberts pinned Rude at the 1988 Survivor Series. From there, Rude turned his attention to new pursuits, most notably the Intercontinental Title and its reigning champion, The Ultimate Warrior.

In today’s fast-paced wrestling world, storylines and rivalries move quickly, but back in the pre-internet days of 1989, story arcs were more methodically built. With only four pay-per-views a year, rivalries were given time to simmer before culminating in major blow-off matches. The Warrior and Rude feud is a great example of this, showcasing just how skilled Rude was both in the ring and as a storyteller.

A Super Posedown at the Rumble: Rick Rude vs. The Ultimate Warrior

At the 1989 Royal Rumble, Rude faced off against The Ultimate Warrior in a "Super Posedown" hosted by Jesse Ventura. This segment is worth revisiting to understand how wrestling angles were built during this era. As Rude and Warrior flexed for the crowd, the audience responded in kind—loudly booing "The Ravishing One" and cheering every movement of The Warrior.

Eventually, Rude’s temper got the best of him, and he attacked Warrior, setting the stage for their match at WrestleMania 5.

In what was a solid contest, Rude captured his first and only singles title in the WWF. Bobby Heenan played a key role in the victory, holding down The Warrior’s legs during a suplex attempt, allowing Rude to secure the win and the Intercontinental Championship. While this match was a great showing, Rude’s rematch with The Warrior at SummerSlam ’89 truly showcased him at his best.

Rick Rude vs The Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

The Ultimate Warrior, as charismatic and popular as he was with fans at the time, is known for being somewhat limited in the ring. His WrestleMania matches with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage in the following years are widely regarded as career highlights amidst an otherwise average body of work. However, his mid-card battle with Rick Rude stands out as something truly special.

Thanks to Rude’s tireless work ethic and in-ring ability, this contest remains an excellent watch, even decades later. The Warrior’s overwhelming popularity, combined with Rude’s mastery in drawing real heat from the crowd, made this title match as intense as the main event featuring Hulk Hogan.

Rude’s performance is a true masterclass in wrestling psychology. He carries the more limited Warrior to an unforgettable match, eventually losing the title back to his face-painted rival after a distraction from Roddy Piper.

Rick Rude: Notable Feuds in WWE

With Roddy Piper’s distraction at the conclusion of Rick Rude’s SummerSlam ’89 match against the Ultimate Warrior, the rivalry between Rude and Roddy Piper intensified. This led to both men captaining opposing teams at that year’s Survivor Series. "Rude’s Brood" emerged victorious over "Roddie’s Rowdies," despite both team captains being counted out during the match.

This contest also elevated the status of fellow Minnesota native "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, who adopted an arrogant and athletic persona much like Rude’s. While Hennig’s rise was swift, Rude remained in the upper mid-card, just shy of a major payday that came with a main event program with Hulk Hogan.

As WrestleMania season approached in 1990, Rude found himself working a program with Jimmy Snuka, defeating "Superfly" in relatively quick fashion. While this victory wasn’t particularly significant in the grand scheme of Rude’s career, something much larger was happening at the top of the card.

On that same WrestleMania card, Hulk Hogan lost the WWF Championship to Rude’s old foe, The Ultimate Warrior. As the new champion solidified his place at the top, he would soon need a rival to challenge his reign. Enter Rick Rude.

Rude vs. Warrior: The SummerSlam Classic

At SummerSlam ’90, Rude and The Ultimate Warrior found themselves squaring off once more, this time inside a steel cage.

In the lead-up to this match, training videos showcased a more focused Rick Rude, and the removal of his signature long hair signaled a shift toward a more serious persona. Though their SummerSlam ’89 contest is often considered the superior match, this steel cage bout still delivered an entertaining spectacle.

Towards the conclusion, Heenan took several bumps from the frenzied Warrior, and at one point, Rude was hilariously caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between "The Brain" and the champion. In the end, the Warrior emerged victorious after a relatively brief battle. Unfortunately, this marked the end of Rude’s time in the WWF, as he would soon part ways with the company.

Leaving WWF Over Money Disputes with Vince McMahon

After his brief flirtation with the WWF main event scene, Rude found himself embroiled in a feud with the Big Boss Man. The storyline reason for their rivalry stemmed from Heenan and Rude insulting Bossman’s mother, a typical heat-drawing tactic that eventually led to Rude’s "suspension" just before Survivor Series 1990.

The angle certainly riled up the audience, as Rude’s remarks attracted significant backlash. Behind the scenes, however, the real reason for Rude’s departure was a monetary dispute with WWF owner Vince McMahon.

As Bret Hart detailed in his autobiography Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling, Rude was outraged after learning how much The Ultimate Warrior had been paid for SummerSlam compared to his own compensation, despite carrying their entire match. Not long after, Rude was no longer employed by the WWF.

Rick Rude Signs with WCW and Joins the Dangerous Alliance

After parting ways with Vince McMahon, Rick Rude returned to the independent circuit, making brief appearances for All-Japan Pro Wrestling before signing with Ted Turner’s WCW promotion.

Familiar with the company from his Jim Crockett Promotions days, Rude’s WCW return took place under a mask at Halloween Havoc ’91. He defeated Tom "Z-Man" Zenk before unmasking and joining Paul Heyman’s "Dangerous Alliance" stable.

As part of the Alliance, Rude controversially defeated Sting to claim the WCW United States title, cheating the popular face out of his championship. This victory added more fuel to Rude’s villainous persona, especially as he went on to battle perennial good guy Ricky Steamboat.

In-Match Quality in WCW

What early 1990s WCW lacked in direction and production values, it more than made up for with the quality of its in-ring action. Rude’s contest with the popular Ricky Steamboat at SuperBrawl II is a prime example. Rude’s character, built upon his nasty demeanor, was more than backed up by his abilities in the ring, and the WCW faithful eagerly awaited the day he would finally lose his U.S. Championship.

Routinely facing off against equally talented opponents like Steamboat and the powerful Nikita Koloff, Rude continuously found ways to escape with his title. During this period in 1992, Rick Rude was arguably at his peak as an in-ring performer.

WarGames and Iron Man Matches: Rude’s Best Work in 1992

WCW also pitted Rude against their world champion on occasion, as the southern promotion worked hard to elevate Ron Simmons as a legitimate main eventer. However, two pay-per-view contests from 1992 truly stand out.

Firstly, Rude’s role in the incredible WarGames match at WrestleWar that year cannot be overstated. While this was a multi-man affair, Rude would top this performance the following month in a 30-minute Iron Man match against his regular challenger, Ricky Steamboat.

If you haven’t seen this match, which took place at Beach Blast ’92, it’s highly recommended. The half-hour seems to fly by, and the final moments are nothing short of incredible.

First Injury in WCW

Sadly, towards the end of 1992, Rick Rude suffered a neck injury that forced him to forfeit the title. However, his return only further demonstrated his excellence in the ring.

At Beach Blast ’93, Rude faced Dustin Rhodes in another 30-minute Iron Man match. While it may not have reached the heights of the Steamboat classic from the year prior, it still stands as a very strong contest.

The two would clash again in a best-of-three series on WCW Saturday Night in late August ’93. Rhodes ultimately came out on top, cementing his popularity after a highly competitive program with the despised Rude.

Setting Sights on Ric Flair

Rick Rude then set his sights on the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (later renamed the WCW International Title). In an interesting twist, the belt was held by another legendary heel, Ric Flair.

Flair had transitioned into a fan favorite by this point in his career. Watching two of wrestling’s all-time great villains face off at Fall Brawl in September 1993 made for an engaging match.

Rude ultimately captured the title in a well-executed contest, and later traded title victories with Hiroshi Hase during a series of matches in Japan.

Rick Rude’s Final Matches: Winning the WCW U.S. Championship Against Sting

This led to Rick Rude’s final series of matches as a full-time performer, where he defended his "International" Championship against Sting.

At Spring Stampede ’94, Sting emerged victorious in what was another excellent performance from Rude. However, Rude regained the former NWA Championship during a subsequent match in Japan.

Sadly, this marked the end of "Ravishing" Rick Rude’s in-ring career.

Rick Rude’s Career-Ending Injury and Title Forfeit

During his title win over Sting at WCW Spring Stampede ’94, Rude suffered a serious back injury after catching his back on the edge of the raised entrance ramp—a feature commonly used in WCW and Japanese promotions at the time. Although Rick managed to finish the match, this injury effectively ended his in-ring career.

At just 35 years old, Rude was forced into retirement due to the severity of the injury. As a result, he had to forfeit his championship, with the storyline claiming he had been caught cheating by using his title as a weapon.

No longer able to compete, Rude was able to collect on a Lloyd’s of London insurance policy to cover his expenses.

Rick Rude Joins DX and Returns to WWE

After a few years away from the cameras, Rick Rude made his return in 1997 with ECW before rejoining the WWF, becoming part of the original incarnation of D-Generation X.

The relationship between Rude and the other DX members was strictly business. Rude didn’t particularly care for them, and Shawn Michaels and Triple H didn’t get along with him either. Tensions between the group escalated on November 9th, 1997, at Survivor Series—an event best known for the infamous Montreal Screwjob.

Rick Rude Appears on WWF, WCW, and ECW on the Same Night

Rick Rude and Bret Hart were close friends outside the ring, and Rude was visibly upset after Vince McMahon "screwed" Bret out of the WWF title at Survivor Series. His frustration led him to call his adversary, Eric Bischoff, and explain everything that had happened, expressing his desire to leave the WWF immediately.

According to Bret Hart in his autobiography, while many wrestlers were disgusted by Vince’s actions in Montreal, Rick Rude was one of the few who actually quit the WWF for good over it.

Since Rude didn’t have a guaranteed contract with the WWF at the time, nothing legally prevented him from walking away. The night after Survivor Series, Rude appeared at the TV taping as if nothing had occurred. However, this marked the beginning of his defiant departure from Vince McMahon, DX, and the WWF.

Rude was fully aware that Raw’s episode would air a week later, marking his final appearance with the WWF.

Causing Confusion

A week later, on November 17th, 1997, during an episode of WCW Nitro, Rick Rude made a surprising return to the company, this time without his beard, but sporting his signature mustache.

During his return, he delivered a scathing promo, targeting WWF, Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and the Montreal Screwjob. Rude went on to claim that the WWF was a sinking ship, leaving fans across the country bewildered, as many had just seen him appear on a WWF pay-per-view the previous night.

The confusion only grew. One hour after his appearance on WCW television, Rick Rude showed up on an episode of Monday Night Raw, which had been taped the week before, on November 10th. This time, however, Rude was sporting a full beard. In a unique television moment, he appeared on WCW with just a mustache and, one hour later, on WWF with a beard—something that had never happened before.

To add to the intrigue, Rick Rude also appeared on a third program that same night for viewers in the U.S. He was still contracted to work with ECW, and an episode of Hardcore TV aired later that night featuring Rude on commentary. This bizarre triple appearance on three different shows in one night was a feat that may never be repeated.

Rude would eventually leave WCW again in March of 1999 after recovering from a cancer scare.

The Sudden Death of Ravishing Rick Rude

On April 20th, 1999, Richard Erwin Rood, better known to the world as Rick Rude, tragically passed away at just 40 years old. He left behind a wife and three young children.

According to the autopsy report, Rude died in bed at his home in Fulton County, Georgia. The cause of death was attributed to an overdose, which included valium and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (commonly referred to as GHB, a substance used by athletes to accelerate recovery from intense weightlifting sessions). At the time of his passing, Rude had been training for a return to the ring.

To those who knew him personally, Rick Rude was far from the arrogant womanizer he portrayed in the wrestling ring. He was a devout Christian, a loving family man, and notably, he refused to remove his wedding ring during matches, opting instead to tape over it.

Bret Hart on the Passing of Rick Rude

After his death, several wrestlers spoke out about the kind of person Rick Rude was. His close friend Bret Hart spoke at length about him to the press in the days following his death and even wrote about how much Rude had meant to him in his autobiography. Hart wrote:

"Rick Rude was anything but rude. In any circle of friends and phonies, you take the good with the bad. And the bad makes you appreciate the good even more.

"At the height of my road days, when 300 flights in 300 towns a year was normal, strangers became family, and family became strangers. You can’t pick your family, but you can pick your friends.”

Hart continued, "Rick Rude was one of the best picks I ever made. He was a great family man. He loved his wife. He was one of those kind of guys who never took his wedding ring off. He put a white piece of tape around it when he went into the ring.

"He was the kind of guy that when you needed someone to back you up, he wouldn’t flinch at all. Not for money. Not for anything. When McMahon and his sidearm barged into my dressing room in Montreal, Rick was there.

"He was one of the guys who refused to budge. He refused to allow me to be put in a compromising position. Rick Rude stayed there to make sure my back was watched."

Wrestling Legends Remember Rick Rude

Many others, including Rick Martel and Jacques Rougeau, sang the praises for Rick Rude, saying he was a wonderful and fun guy to have around in the locker room and someone you didn’t want to mess with because he could hand out a beating!

Sadly, Rick’s son, Colton Rood, passed away in 2016. He was killed in a horrific motorcycle accident on September 3rd in Armuchee, Georgia. He was only 19 years old.

Remembering Rick Rude: A Tragic End for a Legendary Heel

"Ravishing Rick Rude" was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, with Ricky Steamboat participating in his induction ceremony.

Blessed with the personality to carry any angle or storyline and the in-ring skill to elevate any match, Rick Rude was undoubtedly one of the greats of his era.

The contests mentioned in this piece highlight a performer deserving of inclusion in any “Best of” conversation. His pre-match routine, where he infamously demanded the "Fat, out of shape" people in attendance to keep quiet, exemplified his unmatched heel charisma, which is often missing in modern-day villains.

The character of "Ravishing" Rick Rude was easy to despise—exactly how the genius of Richard Erwin Rood intended.

These stories may also interest you:

• ‘Big Boss Man’ Ray Traylor’s Secret Life & Tragic Final Days
• Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig: A Great Life with an Unfortunate End
• BrainChild: Secret Life of Bobby Heenan’s Daughter

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