Retro Wednesday: Dusty Rhodes Tour '85 - "Hard Times" Promo

The stage is set on October 29, 1985. After a brief hiatus, Dusty Rhodes was determined to capture the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from his rival Ric Flair.

In an interview by broadcaster Bob Caudle, Dusty Rhodes emphatically expressed his passionate purpose to defeat Ric Flair at the biggest pay-per-view of the year, Starrcade 1985.

"Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight champion. I don't have to say a lot more about the way I feel about Ric Flair! No respect! No honor! There is no honor among thieves in the first place! He put hard times on Dusty Rhodes and his family! You don't know what hard times are, daddy! Hard times are when the textile workers around this country are outta work, and got four or five kids, and can't pay their wages, can't buy their food! Hard times are when the auto workers are outta work, and they tell 'em go home! And hard times are when a man is workin' a job thirty years! Thirty years! They give him a watch, kick him in the butt, and say, 'Hey, a computer took your place, daddy.' That's hard times! That's hard times."

That was just a small piece of such a poignant promo.

This is unquestionably one of the most memorable promos in wrestling history. In an era where promos were one of the best marketing pieces to a wrestler's character, people like Dusty Rhodes absolutely excelled.

Unfortunately Rhodes was unable to capture the world title from Flair at Starrcade, due to the original "Dusty finish" outcome. However, with the crowd by his side, he was able to win the title the summer of 1986 at the Great American Bash pay-per-view.

Classic build. Classic promo.