Richard Erwin Rood, better known by his stage name of "Ravishing" Rick Rude (December 7, 1958 - April 20, 1999) was a professional wrestler who performed for many promotions, but is most remembered for his work in WWF/WWE and WCW in the 1980s and 1990s.

Profile

• Height: 6'3" (190.5 cm)
• Weight: 250lbs (113.4 kg)
• Birthday: December 7, 1958
• Hometown: Robbinsdale, Minnesota
• Trained By: Eddie Sharkey
• Professional Debut: June 1983
• Previous Identities: Rick Rood, Ricky Rood , The Halloween Phantom, The Smooth Operator
• Previous Manager(s): Percy Pringle, Raven Rood, Paul E. Dangerously
• Quotes: "I want all you fat, out of shape, sweathogs to keep the noise down while I take off my robe."
• Finishing/Signature Move(s): Rude Awakening

Career

He held WCW's World Title (a belt created by WCW in the early 1990's). He also held the Intercontinental Title in the WWF beating the Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania V. Rude lost that title to Warrior later in that year, but he had established himself as a star.

Known for his muscular body, Rude traveled the world and was often hated by the masses. In the mid-1990s, he suffered a serious back injury that basically ended his career as an in-ring performer, although he was training for a possible comeback at the time of his death.

Trivia

On November 17th, 1997 Rick Rude became the only person to appear on WCW's Nitro and WWE's Raw on the same night. What happened was that Rude's short term agreement with WWE had already expired. Prior to broadcast (which was taped six days in advance) of Raw, Rude had given WWE absolutely no notice that he had agreed to work for rival WCW.

WWE had little choice put to air the episode with a bearded Rude, who at the time, was a member of D-Generation X, intact. On a live edition of Nitro, a clean-shaven Rude appeared as a surpise new member of the NWo. Rude then preceeded to bash WWE over the controversal Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series.

Titles and Accomplishments

National Wrestling Alliance

• 1-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (with Manny Fernandez)
• 1-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion
• 2-time NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion

World Championship Wrestling

• 2-time WCW International Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion

World Wrestling Federation

• 1-time WWF Intercontinental Champion

American Wrestling Association

• 1-time AWA Southern Tag Team Champion (with King Kong Bundy)

World Class Wrestling Association

• 1-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time WCWA Television Champion