Ravishing Rick Rude

By Brad Berreman
Love of Sports Correspondent

One of the best personifications of the term “heel” ever to grace a professional wrestling ring, “Ravishing” Rick Rude was one of the most memorable WWF and WCW personalities in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The self proclaimed “Sexiest Man Alive” alienated both crowds and opponents with his in-ring arrogance throughout a star-studded career.

Rick Rood (the real spelling of his last name) was born December 7, 1958 in St. Peter, Minnesota. He attended Robbinsdale (MN) High School, where his classmates included future pro wrestlers Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig and John “Nord the Barbarian” Nord, among others.

Rude started in wrestling in 1983 under the name Ricky Rood. Nobody could’ve figured out his last name would translate so well to the eventual persona.

Rude’s signature finishing move was called the “Rude Awakening,” which was basically a neck breaker. His long curly hair and ‘70s porn star-style mustache were also parts of his signature look, to go along with his six pack abs.

He was far better known for his pre-match speeches to the crowd, usually starting with, “What I’d like to have ...” at which point he would customize his insult of the crowd to what city he was in. Some of my favorites are “All you high-rollin’, Atlantic City sweat hogs” or “All you Hershey (Pennsylvania) heffers.” Then he would ask those he insulted to keep the noise down while he took off his robe and let the ladies take a look at the “Sexiest Man Alive.” His robe was, of course, adorned with another one of his famous slogans: “Simply Ravishing.”

Later in his career, Rude would cut his hair short and shave the mustache, but the attitude remained the same.

Tragically, Rude would die on April 20, 1999 at the age of just 40. He’d admitted to using steroids during his career, and the heart failure that killed him may have been at least partially caused by the prolonged steroid use. The autopsy report cited “mixed medications” as the cause of death.

In recognition of one of pro wrestling’s greatest heels, I’m giving some Old School Love today to the “Simply Ravishing” Rick Rude.

If you just can’t enough from the two pictures we’ve thrown you here, how about taking a little look of the Ravishing One in action ....