Rick Rude was one of the most charismatic and talented wrestlers of his generation. He had a successful career in various promotions, such as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). He was known for his arrogant and flamboyant persona, as well as his impressive physique and skills in the ring. He won several championships, including the WWF Intercontinental Championship, the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship, and the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. He was also a founding member of the D-Generation X stable, along with Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
However, Rick Rude’s life and career were cut short by a tragic death in 1999. He died of a heart failure caused by an accidental overdose of mixed medications. He was only 40 years old. Here is a look at the circumstances and aftermath of his death.
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Early Life and Career
Rick Rude was born as Richard Erwin Rood on December 7, 1958, in St. Peter, Minnesota. He attended Robbinsdale High School, where he was friends with several future wrestlers, such as Curt Hennig, Tom Zenk, and Barry Darsow. He graduated from Anoka-Ramsey Community College with a degree in physical education. He also competed as an arm wrestler, placing sixth in the world championships in the light heavyweight division in 1983.
He began training as a wrestler under Eddie Sharkey, who also trained other stars like Bob Backlund and The Road Warriors. He made his debut in 1982 as Ricky Rood, a babyface jobber. He later worked for various promotions, such as Georgia Championship Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Jim Crockett Promotions, and World Class Championship Wrestling. He adopted the ring name “Ravishing” Rick Rude and developed his heel character, which involved insulting the fans and kissing female audience members.
WWF and WCW Stints
Rick Rude joined the WWF in 1987 and became one of the top heels in the company. He was managed by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and feuded with stars like Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Ultimate Warrior, Roddy Piper, and Hulk Hogan. He won the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania V in 1989. He also challenged for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Hogan at SummerSlam 1990, but failed to win the title.
He left the WWF in 1990 after a dispute over his pay and joined WCW in 1991. He became a member of Paul E. Dangerously’s Dangerous Alliance stable and won the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship from Sting. He later became a three-time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion, which was a version of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship that WCW recognized after leaving the NWA. He feuded with Ric Flair, Dustin Rhodes, Sting, and Vader.
Injury and Retirement
Rick Rude’s wrestling career came to an abrupt end in 1994 after he suffered a serious neck injury during a match against Sting at WCW’s Clash of the Champions XXVII. He landed awkwardly on his back after taking a fall from the top rope and fractured two vertebrae in his neck. He was stripped of his WCW International World Heavyweight Championship and forced to retire from active competition.
He later sued WCW for negligence over his injury and claimed that they did not provide him with adequate medical care or compensation. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 1998.
Managerial Role and Controversial Appearance
After retiring from wrestling, Rick Rude became a manager for various wrestlers in different promotions. He joined ECW in 1997 and aligned himself with Shane Douglas and Francine. He also returned to the WWF later that year and became a part of D-Generation X, along with Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna. He acted as their bodyguard and enforcer.
On November 17, 1997, he made history by appearing on both WWF’s Raw and WCW’s Monday Nitro on the same night. This was possible because Raw was pre-recorded and Rude had left for WCW in between the tapings. He showed up on Nitro with a full beard and criticized DX and Bret Hart for their involvement in the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series. He also joined the New World Order (nWo) stable and became a manager for Curt Hennig.
Death and Legacy
Rick Rude’s life came to a tragic end on April 20, 1999. He was found unconscious by his wife Michelle at their home in Alpharetta, Georgia. He was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. He had suffered a heart failure due to an accidental overdose of mixed medications. According to Heavy.com, he had taken three different types of drugs: carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant), alprazolam (an anti-anxiety drug), and hydrocodone (a painkiller). He also had a history of heart problems and high blood pressure.
He left behind his wife and three children: Colton, Merissa, and Ryan. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered over his property in Georgia.
Rick Rude is remembered as one of the greatest wrestlers of his era and one of the best heels of all time. He had a unique charisma and a captivating presence that made him stand out from the crowd. He was also a skilled performer who could deliver excellent matches and promos. He influenced many wrestlers who came after him, such as Triple H, The Rock, Edge, and Dolph Ziggler. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017 by his former DX stablemates. His son Colton accepted the honor on his behalf.
Rick Rude’s death was a huge loss for the wrestling industry and his fans. He was a legend who left a lasting legacy in the business. He will always be remembered as “Ravishing” Rick Rude, the man who simply ravished everyone.
