WWE Rivalries Season 1 Episode 3 The American Dream Vs The Nature Boy
- November 11, 2014
- 55 min
The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, and The Nature Boy, Ric Flair, were two of the biggest names in professional wrestling during the 1980s. Their intense rivalry on and off the screen is the focus of this episode of WWE Rivalries.
The episode begins with a behind-the-scenes look at the early careers of both wrestlers. We see footage of Rhodes wrestling in small arenas and working odd jobs to make ends meet. Flair, on the other hand, came from a wealthy family and was able to start his wrestling career with a bit more ease. The contrast in their backgrounds set the stage for their future rivalry.
As both wrestlers gained popularity, they found themselves pitted against each other in the ring. Their matches were intense and often ended in controversy. Fans were drawn to their opposite personas - Rhodes was the hardworking everyman, while Flair was the flashy, arrogant showman.
The episode delves into the personal animosity between the two wrestlers. Rhodes and Flair had a real-life feud that spilled into their matches. Interviews with other wrestlers and insiders shed light on the tension between the two men. Flair's arrogance and disrespect for Rhodes turned into genuine disdain, and the two would often confront each other backstage or in private.
Despite their personal issues, their matches continued to draw huge crowds and media attention. The episode highlights some of their most famous matches, including their showdowns at Starrcade in 1985 and The Great American Bash in 1986. Through archival footage and interviews with other wrestlers, we get a sense of just how big these matches were at the time.
The episode also explores the business side of the rivalry. Rhodes and Flair were two of the biggest draws in wrestling, and their matches were big money-makers for their respective companies. We see how their feud led to merchandise sales, increased ticket sales, and even a successful concert tour featuring the two wrestlers.
The episode concludes with a look at how their feud ultimately came to an end. Through interviews with both wrestlers and wrestling insiders, we see how they were able to put aside their personal differences and move on from their heated rivalry. The two men even became friends later in life, despite their rocky history.
Overall, this episode of WWE Rivalries is a fascinating look at one of the biggest rivalries in professional wrestling history. The personal animosity between Rhodes and Flair, combined with their immense popularity, made for some of the most intense and memorable matches in wrestling. Fans of professional wrestling will not want to miss this one.