Biography
Rick Rude (Richard Erwin Rood) was one of the most effective pure heels of the Golden Era. With legitimate physical gifts — a bodybuilder physique combined with genuine in-ring ability — and a heel character built entirely on vanity and condescension, Rude was perfectly cast.
Rude's WWF run produced memorable programs with Jake Roberts (whose wife's face appeared on Rude's trunks in a notorious angle) and the ultimate payoff of winning the IC title from the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania V. His WCW run in the early 1990s was equally strong, producing US and International title reigns.
Rick Rude passed away in April 1999 from heart failure caused by accidental drug overdose at age 40. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame posthumously in 2017.
Championships & Titles
Career Timeline
- 1982Professional debut — physical gifts immediately apparent
- 1986WWF debut — Ravishing Rick Rude character fully formed
- 1987Feud with Jake Roberts — trunks with wife's face angle; compelling television
- 1989WWF Intercontinental title win over Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania V
- 1990Leaves WWF; joins WCW
- 1993WCW US and International title reigns — peak WCW work
- 1997Appears on both WWF Raw and WCW Nitro on the same night — legal battle makes it possible
- 1999Passes away April 20 from heart failure, age 40
FAQ
How did Rick Rude win the WWF Intercontinental Championship?
Rude defeated The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania V on April 2, 1989. Bobby Heenan grabbed Warrior's legs from outside, allowing Rude to get the pin. It was the climax of a long feud built on Rude's infatuation with Warrior's then-wife.
Why did Rick Rude appear on both Raw and Nitro?
On September 22, 1997, Rick Rude appeared live on WCW Nitro (as part of the nWo) while a taped version of him appeared on WWF Raw from a previous taping. The WWF's taping schedule made this possible and was an embarrassment for WWF.
What is Rick Rude's finishing move?
The Rude Awakening — a swinging neckbreaker. Rude would gyrate his hips before delivering the move, maximizing the crowd's reaction to his heel character.
Is Rick Rude in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Yes — Rick Rude was inducted posthumously into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, inducted by his son who is also a professional wrestler.