Here’s what StarDust had to say:
On Stepping back: I think in the ’90’s, probably the early ’90s after I went back up (to the WWE). Not the run I had with Vince Sr. at the Garden at all them things with Superstar (Billy Graham). The run I had, the polka dot run I call it. (Hulk) Hogan’s yellow finger thing was in effect and he was running rampant and changing our industry. I looked around and I’d seen some younger guys and I’d seen a change. That was a great time for me right there to feel my way through it. Then as the kids got bigger, they went up and here we are. But I’m still involved in something that I love to do. I get just as big a thrill at WrestleMania sitting next to Ted DiBiase. It would be a great reality show because we were sitting over there in a corner with a monitor right off of gorilla and we sat there and we watched our two kids walk out with Randy Orton at WrestleMania this year. I can’t get any higher. There’s nothing I’ve ever done that is higher than that. It’s just amazing.
On Younger Talent: Well, it’s a journey that feels like it’s never ending when I took the job and the opportunity with the WWE to go into the creative side and then when I sent here on his assignment with the developmental. When I arrived at Florida Championship Wrestling with Steve Keirn and these guys and help some of the young talent. I’ve seen so much in Sheamus right off from day one and then the current FCW champion Alex Riley. And I’ve seen from that moment that I needed to help build him towards being a main-eventer and almost pattered his whole early career for Hunter (Triple H). That’s what I building you for, Hunter and to get you ready for this situation. And he’s stepped up to the plate.
You know, that word is thrown around a lot whether it be in football or baseball or the World Cup and stuff going on right now. To me, there is no comparison with Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant is the man. Period. Lebron James, to me, is not Kobe Bryant. So, in this thing, I can probably tell you in 30 minutes whether someone has the “it” factor. It’s just like going to the minor leagues and being a scout. The guy throws 100 miles an hour but he can’t throw a strike. It’s up to us to teach him to throw a strike. We’re not going to disregard him if he’s throwing 100 miles an hour. I can tell you pretty quickly after 40 years, 42 years in this industry and still in it. Mr. Laurinaitis – Johnny, of course – and Stephanie McMahon and WWE and Vince (McMahon), they take a lot of stock in my opinion. So, I can pretty much say who we gotta work with. Sometimes I’m surprised at some of the guys and it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised.
For more from Dusty Rhodes, click here for his full Fanhouse.com interview.
