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#9 Dusty Rhodes
Virgil Runnels Jr. burst onto the pro wrestling scene in 1967 after his pro football career faltered. Lacking a muscular physique, Rhodes nevertheless possessed tremendous stamina, capable of wrestling for an hour or more.
While he could definitely deliver inside the ring, it was Rhodes' charisma and great interview skills which endeared him to the fans. He displayed those skills in his famed 'hard times' diatribe.
The promoters realised his potential and Rhodes turned babyface in 1974. From there, his fame around the world grew until he earned one of the greatest honours a professional wrestler can hope to achieve: the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Rhodes wasn't just influential inside the ring. He was often tapped to play the role of booker in both the NWA and WCW. Wrestling fans have mixed feelings about his booking runs. Some believe that his focus on stable-based feuds formed the basis of modern day Pro Wrestling.
Others argue that he also popularised the 'screwjob finish,' in which a hotly contested PPV match would end without a decisive finish. In fact, some refer to a screwjob finish as a "Dusty Screwjob."
Dusty passed on peacefully in 2015. Loved or hated, Dusty will always be remembered, honoured among the fallen of the squared circle.
Legacy
In addition to having a tag team tournament named in his honour -- odd considering he is remembered primarily as a singles star -- Dusty has two sons, both of whom followed him into the wrestling business.
His son Dustin Runnels, better known as Goldust, still competes in WWE.
Younger son Cody now competes for ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling after a lengthy stint in the WWE. He looks set to eclipse even his legendary father in accolades.
