Many wrestling fans have wondered if there is any family connection between WWE superstar Bobby Roode and WWE Hall of Famer Rick Rude. The two share a similar surname, a similar look, and a similar style in the ring. But are they really related? The answer is no. Bobby Roode and Rick Rude are not related by blood or by marriage. They just happen to have a common last name that is spelled differently.
Who is Bobby Roode?
Bobby Roode is a Canadian professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where he is a free agent. He is also known as Robert Roode or Bobby Rude. He started his wrestling career in 1998, working for various independent promotions in Canada and Puerto Rico. He also had several tryout matches for WWE between 1998 and 2004, but was not signed by the company.
In 2004, he joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he spent 12 years as one of the top stars of the promotion. He debuted as part of Team Canada, a heel faction that represented his country. He later formed a successful tag team with Eric Young, winning the NWA World Tag Team Championship once. After splitting from Young, he embarked on a singles run, winning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice, the TNA King of the Mountain Championship once, and the TNA World Tag Team Championship six times (four times with James Storm as Beer Money, Inc., and twice with Austin Aries).
In 2016, he left TNA and signed with WWE’s developmental brand NXT, where he became a one-time NXT Champion. He made his main roster debut on SmackDown in 2017, winning the United States Championship once. He then moved to Raw in 2018, where he formed a tag team with Chad Gable, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship once. Since 2019, he has been teaming with Dolph Ziggler, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship once and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship once. He is also a one-time 24/7 Champion.
Bobby Roode is known for his glorious entrance theme, his technical wrestling skills, and his charismatic personality. He has been praised by many wrestling legends, such as Kurt Angle, who called him one of the most underrated wrestlers in WWE and one of his top ten opponents of all time.
Who was Rick Rude?
Rick Rude was an American professional wrestler who was best known for his stints in WWE (then WWF) and WCW in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was also known as Ravishing Rick Rude or The Ravishing One. He started his wrestling career in 1982, working for various territories in the United States and Japan. He also had a brief stint in WCCW, where he was managed by Percy Pringle (later known as Paul Bearer).
In 1987, he joined WWE, where he became one of the top heels of the company. He was managed by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, who helped him establish his arrogant and narcissistic character. He would often insult the fans and their appearance, and would kiss a female fan from the audience after each match. He also had memorable feuds with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Ultimate Warrior, Roddy Piper, and Hulk Hogan.
In 1991, he left WWE and joined WCW, where he continued his success as a heel. He was managed by Paul E. Dangerously (later known as Paul Heyman), who helped him form The Dangerous Alliance, a stable that included Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Madusa, and Bobby Eaton. He also won the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship three times and the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship once.
In 1994, he suffered a career-ending back injury during a match with Sting. He briefly returned to WWE in 1997 as an enforcer for D-Generation X, but left shortly after due to creative differences. He then made sporadic appearances for ECW and WCW until his death in 1999.
Rick Rude was known for his impressive physique, his smooth wrestling skills, and his charismatic personality. He was considered one of the best heels of his era and one of the best talkers in the business. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017 by his former rival Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.
Conclusion
Bobby Roode and Rick Rude are two different wrestlers who have no relation to each other. They just happen to share a common last name that is spelled differently. They both have had successful careers in the wrestling industry, and have earned the respect and admiration of fans and peers alike. They are both glorious and ravishing in their own ways..
