Roman Reigns is the bookies favorite for tonight’s Money In The Bank contract ladder match with odds at 1/3. Interesting enough, Kofi Kingston of The New Day is second favorite at 9/2, then followed by Randy Orton at 7/1, Kane at 12/1, Neville at 16/1, Sheamus at 16/1, and Dolph Ziggler dead last at 20/1.
In other matches, King Barrett, Ryback, The New Day, Nikki Bella, John Cena, and Seth Rollins are the favorites to win their respective matches although the odds for Cena/Owens and Nikki/Paige are pretty close and most likely will change closer to the event.
Live tonight from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, WWE presents Money In The Bank on pay-per-view and WWE Network. The full card is as follows:
Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose in a ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight title; Dolph Ziggler vs Neville vs Roman Reigns vs Randy Orton vs Kofi Kingston vs Sheamus vs Kane in a MITB ladder match for the briefcase; The New Day vs The Prime Time Players for the WWE Tag Team titles; Ryback vs Big Show for the WWE Intercontinental title; Nikki Bella vs Paige for the WWE Divas title; John Cena vs Kevin Owens; and R-Truth vs King Barrett in the Kickoff match.
The Runnels family has asked that to show gratitude for all the memories that Dusty created, fans can make a donation on his behalf to two of his favorite charities – Connor’s Cure or Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation.
Connor’s Cure is a charity kickstarted by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in honor of Warrior Award recipient Connor “The Crusher” Michalek. The website is at connorthecrusher.com. The Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation’s mission is to educate to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives. Their website is at joetorre.org.
Unlike previous years and other reality TV shows, the contestants on the new season of Tough Enough will not be living in a spectacular multi-million dollar mansion, but rather in a converted warehouse.
As revealed by Triple H in a video tour, the 13 finalists of Tough Enough will have “barracks” style living conditions, with bare minimums and of course a hot tub.
The hot tub and the gaming/rec area are probably the most luxury they will have but as far as the rest goes it’s pretty much straight forward with nothing fancy. WWE built the set from scratch and it resembles a movie set with cables and lights hanging from the top and walls only going high to a certain point. Lots of WWE posters serve as decor around the “house.”
E! has released a sneak peek at the new season of Total Divas which kicks off on Tuesday, July 7 at 9PM EST.
Season four will take a look at Brie’s struggles with the injuries endured by Daniel Bryan as well as fertility issues, Nattie’s personal obstacles involving her father’s issues, Paige’s first movie with WWE Studios, Trinity’s role as a stepmom to her husband’s children, Nikki’s reign as WWE Divas champion, and of course Eva Marie, who is back doing serious training with Brian Kendrick and becoming “public enemy number one” in the process as well.
You can see the video preview, available only to those in the United States, below.
This Monday after Raw ends, WWE Network will air a one hour Dusty Rhodes special titled Celebrating The Dream starting at 11:06PM EST.
The synopsis reads, “In honor of one of the most iconic and legendary figures in Sports Entertainment, WWE Network celebrates the life and times of Dusty Rhodes.”
Unlike when the Warrior passed away, WWE did not put any Rhodes programming on the Network but left its regular scheduled shows running.
It’s not known if this special has been taped since the Dream passed away or it will be just a compilation of Dusty’s best wrestling moments.
Ric Flair announced that the funeral service for WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes will be held this Wednesday, June 17, in Tampa, Florida.
You can expect a majority of WWE staff, wrestlers, and NXT talent to be present for the service as The American Dream was loved by everybody and made a big impact on the lives of many, especially those who are training at the WWE Performance Center.
Wednesday is also a day that WWE is not on the road so probably that day was chosen to accommodate the hundreds of WWE employees who will make the trip.
The 13 finalists that will make up the cast of this year’s Tough Enough have been revealed. Their journey – and the journey of those who were eliminated in the process – will be documented in a special WWE Network show on Tuesday night.
The final 13 are Alexander Frekey of Dallas, Texas; Amadna Saccomanno of Yorktown Heights, New York; Darla Berenato of Los Angeles, California; Dianna Dahlgren of Spokane, Washington; Gabi Castrovinci of Southington, Connecticut; Giorgia Piscina of Brisbane, Australia; Hank Avery Jr. of Macon, Georgia; Joshua Bredi of Thornton, Colorado; Mad Abdel Hamid of Los Angeles, California; Patrick Clark of Washington, DC; Sara Lee of Hope, Michigan; Tanner Saraceno of Boiling Springs, South Carolina; and Zamkariah Loupe of Bayuo Bluff, Louisiana.
The show premieres on USA Network on June 23, at 8PM EST with host Chris Jericho helped by Renee Young as well as judges Hulk Hogan, Daniel Bryan, and Paige, along with coaches Booker T, Billy Gunn, and Lita.
Hulk Hogan might single handily take down the popular Gawker.com website after the trial over the unauthorized airing of his sex tape starts July 6 and the Hulkster is asking for $100 million in damages.
Back in 2012, Gawker acquired a tape of Hogan having sex with the wife of his – former – friend Bubba The Love Sponge and posted a minute and a half excerpt of it plus a running commentary of the whole tape in text. Hogan immediately sued, and Gawker tried to throw the case out but the Judge didn’t want to have any of it.
The New York Times is featuring a story about the case and the owner of Gawker told the NYT that they “don’t keep $100 million in the bank.”
The lawsuit, if Hogan wins, could either force the owner Nick Denton to sell the website or else seek outside capital investment. The site has a total of 260 full-time employees.
12 more Tough Enough hopefuls were cut from the original roster of 40, with producers getting rid of 22 applicants over two days. The list has already been trimmed down to 13 although it’s unclear if the rest know already who made it or not.
Those eliminated from the competition yesterday are Alexander Galizia, Don Arner, Gabi Castrovinci, Jeremiah Kingdom, LaRayia Gaston, Michael Hayes, Michael Mio, Nehemiah Kingdom, Sada Bettencourt, Samantha Sage, Tommaso Giannuzzi, and Zack Boss.
The show’s host, Chris Jericho, wrote on Twitter that the final 13 were picked. “It’s been a long hard day, but after hours of deliberation the final 13 @WWEToughEnough cast members have been chosen… & they are AMAZING!”
Dustin Runnels, the man better known as Goldust, wrote a touching tribute to his father on Facebook.
“Yesterday my father passed away with his four children, my daughter and his wife of 38 yrs. He was our hero and the greatest father in the world,” Goldust wrote. “He is the reason why I am who I am today. He taught me so so many lessons in life.”
Goldust said that his father had wanted one thing, to be forever young, and now he is.
“He was my mentor, my hero and a dad that I strive to be like. I love you dad. Thank you for all the overwhelmingly amount of love and support. He would have been on cloud 9 with this. Thank you all.”
TNA Wrestling issued a statement on their website about the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes.
“We at TNA are saddened by the news of the passing of a legend, Virgil Runnels, known to the world as “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes has passed away at the age of 69,” the statement reads. “Dusty was with TNA from 2003 to 2005 and brought many laughs, a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to our company. Our condolences go out to Dusty’s entire family. RIP, Dusty Rhodes.”
The statement was followed by a series of tweets from current TNA talent who all had something to say about Rhodes.
“I am just heartbroken to know @WWEDustyRhodes has gone to the big ranch in the sky. You will always be so special to me Dream,” wrote TNA President Dixie Carter.
Other tweets included words from Mike Tenay, Rockstar Spud, Eddie Edwards, Gail Kim, James Storm, Davey Richards, and others.
ESPN’s SportsCenter Headlines covered the passing of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes yesterday with a three and a half minute segment which featured a call from ESPN’s own and former WWE commentator Jonathan Coachman.
The Coach, who worked for WWE for 10 years and worked with Rhodes, credited him for helping him throughout his WWE career. He said Rhodes was one of the all time great entertainers in the history of the business and was awesome when it comes to promos.
Recounting a behind the scenes story of Rhodes, Coach told Dusty once in front of the whole family that he might be the third best talker in the Rhodes family now thanks to his two sons eclipsing him. The Coach said this while conducting an interview about the legacy of the family and Dusty told him – with Coach imitating his voice – that he will never be three in his own family, in fact he’s number one in the world.
The Coach got a lot of flack on Twitter however for the final part of the interview where the anchor asked him if he was a better wrestler or a better talker.
“He was an awful wrestler. He was an entertainer,” Coach said bluntly. He then went on Twitter and wrote, “I guess you really can’t simply reflect on a friend anymore. You all ask us to engage and then the few ruin it for those that actually care.”
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon doesn’t use Twitter much, and when he does, it’s usually about something very important. McMahon commented on the death of the American Dream last night with a post just before Midnight.
“A sad day for WWE. One of the most innovative, charismatic Superstars of all time, Dusty Rhodes, passed away. We loved him. #ThankYouDream,” wrote McMahon.
McMahon hired Dusty in 1989 after he was fired from WCW and spent two years in the company, having memorable feuds with Macho Man Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase. Juanita Wright, who is better known as Sapphire, was brought in as his manager. In 1991, Rhodes left WWE to return to WCW but in 2005 he was brought back in by McMahon after he signed a Legends deal and was then added to the creative team and later joined the developmental crew down at the WWE Performance Center.
NXT had the start of their 3 day road trip yesterday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the NXT talent joined the crowd in honoring Dusty Rhodes.
The NXT champion Kevin Owens put polka dots on KO t-shirt as a tribute to the American Dream while Enzo Amore had Hard Times written on the sleeve of his arms, referencing the famous promo by Dusty during his feud with Ric Flair.
Triple H, who was present at the show, also posted a video of the crowd chanting “Thank You Dusty.” Dusty often referred to the talent down at the Performance Center as his “NXT kids” and was present many times during the week helping the up and coming WWE Superstars and Divas. After his death was announced, many on the NXT roster and those at the Performance Center all tweeted their condolences with one common statement – that Dusty was their mentor.
“To the @WWENXT Superstars and Divas on the road: go and show #NXTPittsburgh and the world why Dusty called you HIS NXT kids,” Triple H tweeted before the show.
Following yesterday’s Pittsburgh trip, the crew now moves to Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, for the final two shows.
Mainstream media picked up the Dusty Rhodes story after WWE announced on its website that the 69 year old Hall of Famer passed away.
Websites such as CNN, Fox News, New York Times, Yahoo! Sports, ABC News, CBS Sports, New York Post, Variety, NPR, Chicago Tribute, IGN, Los Angeles Times, Fox Sports, Newsday, Washington Post, Forbes, Digital Spy, Tampa Bay Times, Associated Press, and many other regional newspapers all reported the story.
On Twitter, his name was trending worldwide in the top spot just minutes after the news broke out as hundreds of co-workers and thousands of fans all expressed their shock and sadness over the news.
One of Rhodes’ legendary opponents, fellow WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, gave a statement to TMZ Sports after Rhodes was announced dead.
The statement was issued through Flair’s agents at Legacy Talent and Entertainment.
“Today I lost one of my greatest opponents and greatest friends. He was the definition of heart and soul and I’m honored to have shared the ring with him countless times,” Flair said.
“He became the ‘American Dream’ because wrestling needed a hero they could respect, and he was the man for the job. Dusty Rhodes, I will miss you my mentor and friend.”
Flair and Rhodes had one of the best wrestling feuds in the history of the sport and he defeated Flair for the NWA title. Their feud continued in WCW with the 4 Horsemen as well.
TMZ.COM is reporting that officials who are aware of what happened to Dusty Rhodes said that emergency medical personnel responded to a call at Dusty’s home in Orlando, Florida, just before 6AM yesterday.
Rhodes was transported to a nearby hospital and suffered numerous complications – one of which is rumored to be kidney failure – which eventually led to his death today.
TMZ says that immediately family members all traveled to the hospital as soon as they learned that he fell and was admitted there.
Wrestling personalities and friends of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes expressed their sadness and condolences on their Twitter accounts.
“Saddened to hear the passing of Dusty Rhodes. Legend, teacher, mentor, friend…Love you Dream,” tweeted Triple H, apparently the first one to spread the news on Twitter about the Legend’s passing.
“#RIPDustyRhodes We never got to shoot our angle together! Thank you for everything, I Love You. #HallofFamer #Legend,” Stephanie McMahon tweeted.
“My mentor @WWEDustyRhodes. Much love to your family and more respect than can ever be measured. Love you Dream,” wrote Ric Flair.
“Am so so very sorry to have to report this. My sincerest condolences to @Goldust and @StardustWWE,” said Joey Styles who included a link to the WWE.COM statement.
“Godspeed dream. You taught me so much these last few years. Prayers and love to the family,” wrote Michael Cole, while Cole’s broadcast partner John Layfield wrote, “Sad to hear about Dusty Rhodes, there’s only one American Dream. Love you Dusty, thanks for all the laughs and stories.”
The current WWE champion Seth Rollins said he was fortunate to know him. “I was ever so fortunate to be a friend to this man, to learn from him as a performer and as a human being. #RIPDusty,” Rollins wrote along with a picture of Rhodes and Triple H holding up his hand when he won the NXT title.
“My heart goes out the the Runnels family, Dusty Rhodes was one of the all-time greats. He was a friend, a teacher and a good man,” wrote Eric Bischoff, who spent a lot of years working with Dusty down at WCW.
“RIP Dusty!! One of the greatest talkers and babyfaces ever!! You made us all BELIEVE in “The American Dream”. Travel on my friend,” wrote Gregory Helms who worked for WWE as The Hurricane and in WCW as Shane Helms.
“My hero, the man that made me believe, the reason I took my name @WWEDustyRhodes I love you & your family,” added Tommy Dreamer. Fellow ECW alumni Taz called Dusty a true legend. “Super guy & Superstar, pave the way for so many of us. #RIPDusty,” he wrote.
Gerald Brisco, a long time friend of Dusty wrote, “Words can’t express the sadness and grief I’m feeling now. The loss of a lifelong friend.“ Brisco also added a a photo which he took with Dusty this past Thursday.
Another long time friend of Dusty, Gene Okerlund tweeted, “I am absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of my long time friend Dusty Rhodes. One of the best ever.” Okerlund added a picture of him interviewing Rhodes at SummerSlam many years ago.
“My children just called with the news that @WWEDustyRhodes had passed away. I’m crushed. He was a one-of-a-kind talent with an amazing mind,” added fellow WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley.
“I was so honored to write Dusty Rhodes’ theme song “common man” – the American Dream and Dusty will live on forever – love ya Dream,” said another Hall of Famer, Jimmy Hart.
Bill DeMott, the former head coach over at NXT worked with Rhodes at the Performance Center and wrote, “My prayers are with the Rhodes family. My friend, mentor and teacher made such an impact in my life and is part of my family #ripdustyrhodes.”
Others such as Kane, Howard Finkel, William Regal, Shawn Michaels, The Miz, Vickie Guerrero, Jerry Lawler, and many, many others also expressed their condolences.
E!’s Maria Menounos, a big WWE fan, and a big Dusty fan as well tweeted, “Omg just heard the news about @WWEDustyRhodes …I’m so sad!!” At this year’s WWE Hall of Fame, Menounos, with Rhodes by her side, did the famous “hard times” promo in Dusty mode, earning her praise from wrestling fans around the world.
Condolences also came from those within the UFC. UFC Director of Marketing Ant Evans tweeted, “So sad to learn of the passing of The Dream, @WWEDustyRhodes. I really wish this was a Dusty finish. Rest in peace.” Dave Sholler, UFC’s Vice President of Public Relations wrote, “Wow. RIP to a legend.”
In a news that has shocked the wrestling world, the American Dream Dusty Rhodes passed away today at the age of 69. WWE.COM confirmed the news in a short statement. No cause of death was revealed.
Born on October 12, 1945, in Austin, Texas, Virgil Runnels started his wrestling career in 1968, first wrestling for the American Wrestling Association before moving to the NWA, Jim Crockett Promotions, WWF, WCW, ECW, and TNA.
Rhodes had memorable feuds throughout his career with Terry Funk, Harley Race, Ric Flair, Macho Man Randy Savage, and other notable names before officially retiring from the ring in 2007.
Apart from being a wrestler, he also worked behind the scenes both for WCW and WWE and the term Dusty Finish is named after him.
Rhodes returned to WWE in 2005, first signing a Legends Deal and then was part of the creative team before transitioning to the developmental system and working at the WWE Performance Center and NXT. He made several appearances on WWE television throughout the past few years and his legacy will live on with both his sons – Goldust and Stardust – still active in the WWE.
In 2007, Rhodes was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and throughout his wrestling career he won numerous titles including the NWA World title on three different occasions.
