UPDATE x 4: WWE shut down filming of Tough Enough at the Performance Center in Orlando after it was announced that Dusty Rhodes passed away. Rhodes was heavily involved with WWE and NXT.
Many of the NXT talents considered Rhodes a mentor and friend.
UPDATE x 3: TMZ has an update on the death of Dusty Rhodes and what might have caused it. EMTs responded to Rhodes’ home in Orlando, Florida at 5:56 AM yesterday morning after getting a call that he suffered a fall. Rhodes was taken to a nearby hospital where he ultimately passed away. It’s believed he suffered “numerous complications” through the night. His immediate family rushed to the hospital when they found out what happened.
UPDATE x 2: The wrestling world is currently in mourning. Here are posts from several people in WWE:
Saddened to hear the passing of Dusty Rhodes. Legend, teacher, mentor, friend…Love you Dream #BookinAintEasyKid pic.twitter.com/ZxlGSgKB8J
— Triple H (@TripleH) June 11, 2015
#RIPDustyRhodes We never got to shoot our angle together! Thank you for everything, I Love You. #HallofFamer #Legend pic.twitter.com/rN2YeVNv5b
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) June 11, 2015
Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of my friend Dusty Rhodes today. There will never,ever be another one like The Dream!! RIP…
— Howard Finkel (@howardfinkel) June 11, 2015
I am absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of my long time friend Dusty Rhodes. One of the best ever. GO pic.twitter.com/e0BolBDNZj
— Gene Okerlund (@TheGeneOkerlund) June 11, 2015
"I've wined and dined with kings and queens… And I've slept in alleys and ate pork and beans!" pic.twitter.com/VKnSXU2Qpl
— Charlotte (@MsCharlotteWWE) June 11, 2015
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 pic.twitter.com/GH0e1isGxw
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) June 11, 2015
I am so so very sorry to have to report this. http://t.co/BWZeiq0lXi My sincerest condolences to @Goldust and @StardustWWE #RIPDustyRhodes
— Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) June 11, 2015
So saddened by the passing of the #AmericanDream @WWEDustyRhodes – He was an amazing person with an amazing mind! He made #NXT so great!
— WWE Murphy (@WWE_Murphy) June 11, 2015
Wow,such sad news today. Dusty Rhodes passed away…RIP Dream…
— Marcus Louis (@wwemarcuslouis) June 11, 2015
I'm speechless hearing about the passing of @WWEDustyRhodes he has been an amazing mentor to me, and was an unbelievable person to be around
— Baron Corbin (@BaronCorbinWWE) June 11, 2015
@WWEDustyRhodes Im going to miss u so much. My mentor & my biggest advocate… Words can't express how I feel. Just Thank you.
— Enzo Amore (@WWEAaLLday21) June 11, 2015
I'm speechless. RIP to a mentor, legend, & hero. There will never be another like you. #AmericanDream #DustyRhodes pic.twitter.com/H7DRgUPyUX
— Scott Dawson (@ScottDawsonWWE) June 11, 2015
There are no words that can express the sadness in our hearts. RIP Dusty Rhodes…You will be missed, Dream…We love you pic.twitter.com/45dPxrS3JB
— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) June 11, 2015
I'm glad I had the opportunity to learn from a great like Dusty #RIP #ThankYouDream
— Dread Pirate Sawyer (@SFulton_WWE) June 11, 2015
Heartbroken to read that the man that made me, Dusty Rhodes, has passed away. I didn't say it enough, but thank you Dream.
— Steve Corino (@KINGCorino) June 11, 2015
So saddened to hear about the passing of Dusty Rhodes. He was a childhood hero, friend, and one of the nicest people I have ever worked with
— Chris DJ DeJoseph (@chrisdejoseph) June 11, 2015
My heart just sank and tears have overwhelmed my eyes. RIP, Dream. You will be sorely missed.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) June 11, 2015
Terribly saddened to hear about the passing of @WWEDustyRhodes..He changed the biz in so many ways. My thoughts & prayers are w/ his family.
— Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) June 11, 2015
Sad to hear about Dusty Rhodes, there's only one American Dream. Love you Dusty, thanks for all the laughs and stories. #lifewellLived #RIP
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) June 11, 2015
Beyond heart broken hearing the passing of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. A true mentor and legend. Thank You Dream. You will be missed.
— Solomon Crowe (@WWECrowe) June 11, 2015
My heart is so heavy. Thank you Dream for all you gave me that you never had to. I'll never let you down, my friend. pic.twitter.com/PvoxThMchA
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) June 11, 2015
So sad to hear about the passing of the "American Dream" @WWEDustyRhodes! He was one in a million! Truly the most special human being! #WWE
— Adam Rose (@WWEAdamRose) June 11, 2015
The Dream will live FOREVER in my heart. Thank you for the wisdom and for always making me smile. The stratosphere is reserved for you.
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) June 11, 2015
"Don't waste your time when the red light is on" "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story" good bye, Dream pic.twitter.com/gXkAJIVQpV
— Simon Gotch (@GotchStyleWWE) June 11, 2015
It's hard to say "GOOD BYE". I love you Dusty!
— Vickie Guerrero (@VickieGuerrero) June 11, 2015
'Dream' helped me find my voice in wrestling and it's been my biggest asset ever since. My thoughts go out to his family. #RIPDustyRhodes
— King Barrett (@WadeBarrett) June 11, 2015
My mentor @WWEDustyRhodes. Much love to your family and more respect than can ever be measured. Love you Dream. pic.twitter.com/bXgqs3qqca
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) June 11, 2015
If I look comfortable with a mic & talking on camera w/ my accent it's because of my time with Dusty in FCW. Can only picture that sly smile
— Drew Galloway (@GallowaySpeaks) June 11, 2015
I am beyond shocked & saddened. Absolutely devastated Thank you @WWEDustyRhodes for all your support & love. Forever in our hearts #RIPDream
— KC Cassidy (@KCCassidy_) June 11, 2015
Every person I've ever met connected with @WWE spoke with reverence about Dusty Rhodes. It's a sad day. Thoughts to his whole family. RIP.
— Stephen Amell (@amellywood) June 11, 2015
Dusty Rhodes has died. The worst day ever …
https://t.co/3JKpAzGgWw
— Bill Apter (@apter1wrestling) June 11, 2015
Words cannot express the aching pain of lost, my condolences to the Runnels Family an God Bless, I love you Dusty
— WWE R-Truth (@RonKillings) June 11, 2015
Today the world lost an outlaw, but heaven gained one hell of a soldier.
I love you Dusty
— Bray Wyatt (@WWEBrayWyatt) June 11, 2015
ROH would to extend its condolences to family, friends and fans of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes on his passing.
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) June 11, 2015
Living Dangerously
Dream: What do you want to do?
I let loose 90 minutes worth of shit I want to do.
Dusty: How old are you? 26? Shit.
— Steve Corino (@KINGCorino) June 11, 2015
R.I.P to one of the most iconic, charismatic, figures in the History of professional wrestling an sports entertainment,
— WWE R-Truth (@RonKillings) June 11, 2015
Today I'm sad at the Loss of a man I called pops! Who always greeted the people he loved with a kiss on the cheek. Dream I will miss you.
— TheMarkHenry (@TheMarkHenry) June 11, 2015
That last tweet of Dusty/Bass angle has Dusty at his finest making the ppl believe. At the 12 min mark 1 of the greatest promos ever!
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) June 11, 2015
In my life I've had many heroes to inspire me. Men that I looked too as examples of what I wanted to… https://t.co/XG6HqGOSGB
— Shad Gaspard (@Shadbeast) June 11, 2015
Thank you for helping me believe in myself. You gave your big heart to so many of us. Rest peacefully, Dusty.
— Serena (@SerenaDeeb) June 11, 2015
Today we lost a Jedi & a Dream. One portrayed iconic characters, and one was an iconic character. Godspeed gentlemen.😪
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) June 11, 2015
Sad to hear about the passing of Dusty Rhodes. A true legend and icon. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP Dream
— Billy Kidman (@WWEKidman) June 11, 2015
This is the last interview I did with Dusty for @WWE.com. The Dream was so happy. http://t.co/9KVTcHci2k #RIPDustyRhodes
— Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) June 11, 2015
The word icon gets used a lot in the wrestling world but rest assured that today the wrestling world lost a true icon in Dusty Rhodes…….
— Brian Heffron (@BlueMeanieBWO) June 11, 2015
Just heard the Passing of The American Dream Dusty Rhodes. This man helped me sooo much in my wrestling career.He will be greatly missed it
— Chavo Guerrero jr. (@mexwarrior) June 11, 2015
Everything that could be said about Dusty has already been said. The biz wouldn't be what it is without him RIP pic.twitter.com/f4GOqhYifU
— Justin Credible (@PJPOLACO) June 11, 2015
Very saddening 2hear of the Passing of @WWE LEGEND #DustyRhodes Who Helped So many Including myself 2Live A "Dream" God Bless the Family.
— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) June 11, 2015
Thank you @WWEDustyRhodes for everything you taught me. Thank you for believing in me & inspiring me. You will be missed so much. #RIPDream
— LANA (@LanaWWE) June 11, 2015
Before there were wrestling writers, scripts and producers, Dusty Rhodes gave us this masterpiece from his heart. http://t.co/hHufG64kTt
— Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) June 11, 2015
@MDMTedDiBiase Dream and me. RIP I LOVE YOU! pic.twitter.com/ZrebhGUYCd
— Tom Prichard (@drtomprichard) June 11, 2015
Loved Dusty Rhodes. I can't believe he passed. An American legend! Him and Rick Flair!
— Larry The Cable Guy (@GitRDoneLarry) June 11, 2015
So sad to hear that The Legend Dusty Rhodes has passed, such a great soul. #RIPAmericanDream
— Maryse Mizanin (@maryse0uellet) June 11, 2015
RIP The American Dream, the most TRUE wrestler of us all. God Bless. Dusty. Thoughts & Prayers to his Family
— Hacksaw Jim Duggan (@OfficialHacksaw) June 11, 2015
Watching him talk taught me how to connect & him performing taught me how to connect. One of the best babyface's of all time #DustyRhodes
— Rockstar Spud (@RockstarSpud) June 11, 2015
I just opened my twitter ap to discover the passing of a legend. An American treasure as he used to say. I'm beside myself right now.
— MVP (@The305MVP) June 11, 2015
UPDATE: As reported earlier, WWE.com announced the tragic news that Dusty Rhodes (Virgil Runnels) has passed away at the age of 69.
While there aren’t a lot of specific details to report at this time, we can confirm that Rhodes suffered a fall at his house yesterday and his kidneys were shutting down as he started to get dehydrated. The fall took place yesterday and his condition became worse throughout the night. He succumbed to his injuries this morning.
Rhodes was one of the biggest names to come from NWA and is a three time champion of that promotion. He started wrestling in the 1970s and wrestled for a little over thirty years. He’s also the father to WWE stars Goldust (Dustin Runnels) and Stardust (Cody Runnels).
We would like to give our condolences to his family, friends and fans. Also, we should have more information on this unfortunate story later today. Stay tuned.
ORIGINAL: The following is from WWE.com:
WWE is deeply saddened that Virgil Runnels, aka “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes — WWE Hall of Famer, three-time NWA Champion and one of the most captivating and charismatic figures in sports entertainment history — passed away today at the age of 69.
Runnels became a hero to fans around the world thanks to his work ethic, his impassioned interviews and his indomitable spirit. Moreover, Runnels was a dedicated father to WWE Superstars Goldust (Dustin Runnels) and Stardust (Cody Runnels), a caring husband and a creative visionary who helped shape the landscape of WWE long after his in-ring career had ended.
WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Runnels’ family, friends and colleagues.
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