Rick Rude Professional wrestler Date of Birth: 07.12.1958 Country: USA

1. Biography of 'Ravishing' Rick Rude
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
3. Early Wrestling Career
4. Success in Wrestling
5. Mid-Career Moves
6. Success in WWF and WCW
7. Personal Life and Tragic Death

Biography of 'Ravishing' Rick Rude

Ravishing Rick Rude, born Richard Erwin Rood on December 7, 1958, was a professional wrestler who competed in various prominent projects such as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He was a four-time World Champion, holding the titles of International Heavyweight Champion in WCW and WCWA Heavyweight Champion. He also held the WWF Intercontinental Championship and WCW United States Championship.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Richard was born in Saint Peter, Minnesota. He attended high school in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, where he studied alongside future professional wrestlers Tom Zenk, Brady Boone, Nikita Koloff, Curt Hennig, John Nord, and Barry Darsow. After graduating from Anoka Ramsey Junior College with a degree in Physical Education, Rude pursued a career in wrestling.

Early Wrestling Career

Rude made his wrestling debut in 1983 under the ring name 'Ricky Rude.' Initially, his character was completely positive. He had his first matches in the Vancouver branch of NWA Star Wars and later competed in the Georgia Championship Wrestling. Afterward, Rude moved to Memphis to join the Continental Wrestling Association. He eventually left and joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) under Jim Crockett.

Success in Wrestling

During his time with Jim Crockett, Rude and his teammates engaged in a storyline war with 'The Road Warriors.' In 1984, Rude returned to Memphis and adopted the persona of 'Ravishing Rick Rude.' He shifted to a villainous character. Rude had a long-standing feud with Jerry Lawler and later his former partner, King Kong Bundy.

Mid-Career Moves

In December 1984, Rude was hired by Florida Championship Wrestling, with Percy Pringle as his manager. On January 16, 1985, Richard defeated Pez Whatley to become the Southern Florida Heavyweight Champion. However, he lost the title to Brian Blair on April 10 of the same year. In September 1986, Rude returned to Jim Crockett Promotions and formed a tag team called 'The Awesome Twosome' with Manny Fernandez. Together, they won the NWA Tag Team Championship by defeating 'The Rock 'n' Roll Express' on December 6, 1986.

Success in WWF and WCW

From 1987 to 1990, Richard competed in the WWF, with Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan as his manager. He engaged in a notable feud with 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff and later had a legendary rivalry with Jake 'The Snake' Roberts. From 1991 to 1994, Rude wrestled in WCW and created the infamous 'Dangerous Alliance,' which included other notable wrestlers such as Paul E. Dangerously, Madusa, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and Steve Austin. In 1997, Rude briefly joined ECW but returned to WCW in 1998.

Personal Life and Tragic Death

Rude passed away on April 20, 1999, at the age of forty, due to a heart attack. He was survived by his wife, Michelle, and their three children. The exact cause of his death remains unknown, although rumors of a gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and steroid overdose circulated. Subsequent autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an overdose of medical drugs. It is worth noting that in 1994, Rude admitted to using anabolic steroids to alleviate joint pain and increase muscle mass.