Dustin Rhodes Says He Has Zero to Prove Against Cody Rhodes at Double or Nothing

– Sporting News recently interviewed former WWE Superstar Dustin Rhodes ahead of next weekend’s Double or Nothing event. Below are some highlights.

Dustin Rhodes on being surprised that people call him underrated: “It doesn’t surprise me at all. What does surprise me is that people are always saying how I am underrated. I don’t agree with all that stuff. The fans started with the Dustin Rhodes in WCW and the babyface I was. They grew up with me through that when I transitioned into the Goldust heel role, and they hated me for the time being. The longer you go in the business, the more the fans accept who you are and what you’re doing, going out there and giving 110 percent every single time you go out there to entertain them, and you’re doing a great job at it. I tried to do that for the last 31 years. It’s not surprising at all that I still have the support I do. I treat the fans right. I believe a significant component is that if you treat the fans right, then they are going to stick around forever.”

Rhodes on the perception that he is underrated: “I believe it has a lot to with the fact that they (WWE) never pushed Goldust to win a WWE title or [get] a world title opportunity.” Rhodes said. “That is not for everybody. That is a hard thing to accomplish in the business. Yes, it’s still a dream of mine. The dream has taken a back seat for now because what I’ve realized about the last 24 years of the Goldust character is that Goldust didn’t need a world title. Goldust went out and entertained, had a good time with the fans and left a lasting impression. Every once in a while, a character comes along like Goldust and you don’t need to put a world title around him. I’m OK with me not winning a world title. I get why people would say I’m underrated, but I disagree. Of course, I want to win a world title and put it on my top shelf. Anybody who wants to get into the business wants to do it. If you don’t want to be in the industry to become a world champion, then you shouldn’t be in the business. I’m a good worker. I’m a good storyteller. I’m a good salesman, and I love to entertain and perform for the fans. I’ve never prepared for anything as I have for my match with my brother at Double or Nothing. I will be ready. All those times people would call me the Benjamin Button of the WWE and wrestling, it’s true. I stopped the clock, and it turns back. I go out there and perform at a high level, and they see something they’ve never seen from a 6-foot-5, 50-year-old man that can still hang with the Young Bucks, Cody and the younger kids and shine on a spectacular show.”

On feeling he has nothing to prove on his match with his brother Cody Rhodes: “I have zero to prove to anybody. If they don’t f-ing like me, then f- them. I don’t give a s-. I don’t care if they like me or not. I have nothing to prove to Cody. I have nothing to prove to the world. I have everything to prove to myself. I’ve never lost it. I can still go out there at 50 years old and put on a hell of a show. If people don’t like it, then f- them. I’m going out there to do my job and have some fun while doing it. This is the most crucial time in my career. Whatever I do after this is going to be way down on the totem pole. This is like the Parking Lot Brawl with Roddy Pipper or teaming with my brother against The Shield at Battleground in 2013. This is a moment on a grand stage that I get to go out there with my flesh and blood and have some fun and tell a story. Because after my promo and Cody’s kickass promo, there’s nothing else to do but to lock up and let’s do our best to give the crowd what we can and the best product we possibly can.”