"Thirteen Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Motherf**kin' Dollars!" - Dusty Rhodes

Summary

In late 1984, the narrator recounts taking over a wrestling territory left barren by Dusty Rhodes' departure to Mid-Atlantic. It took months to rekindle audience interest. Unbeknownst to the narrator, Eddie Graham, the territory's owner, faced severe financial struggles, culminating in a failed suicide attempt on Super Bowl Sunday 1985. Following Eddie's death, Dusty returns, seeking to regain the spotlight by emphasizing his drawing power despite the narrator's own success in filling arenas. The story reflects the cutthroat nature of the wrestling business and the personal struggles behind the scenes.

Takeaways

• 📅 In late 1984, the narrator joined a wrestling territory after Dusty had left for Mid-Atlantic, leaving it depleted of talent.
• 🏭 The buildings were empty when the narrator arrived, indicating a significant downturn in the territory's popularity.
• 🤝 Despite the initial challenges, the narrator managed to gradually rebuild the audience over about three months.
• 💸 Unbeknownst to the narrator, Eddie Graham, the promoter, was facing severe financial difficulties.
• 🔫 On Super Bowl Sunday in 1985, Eddie Graham attempted suicide by shooting himself twice, showing his determination and desperation.
• 🏥 Eddie was placed on life support but eventually had the plug pulled due to brain inactivity.
• 🕊 Dusty Rhodes returned for the funeral, highlighting the personal and professional connections within the wrestling community.
• 🎟️ Dusty claimed to have set a record for drawing a large crowd and revenue, but it was later revealed he had raised ticket prices.
• 💵 The narrator discovered they had a sell-out crowd but not necessarily the highest revenue, indicating the complexity of measuring success in wrestling promotions.
• 🤝 Dusty and Eddie are both described as good guys, suggesting a sense of camaraderie and respect within the wrestling business.
• 📈 Buddy Fuller's advice on gradually building up wrestlers' popularity over time is highlighted as a successful strategy for drawing money in wrestling.

Q & A

In what year did the narrator join the wrestling territory after Dusty left for Mid-Atlantic?

The narrator joined the wrestling territory in late 1984 after Dusty left for Mid-Atlantic.

What was the condition of the buildings in the territory when the narrator arrived?

When the narrator arrived, the buildings were empty, including the Tampa Armory, as Dusty had taken everyone who was anybody with him, leaving the territory depleted of drawing power.

How long did it take for the narrator to get the people back to watching wrestling?

It took the narrator at least three months to get the people back to watching wrestling again.

What significant event occurred on Super Bowl Sunday in 1985 involving Eddie Graham?

On Super Bowl Sunday in 1985, Eddie Graham attempted to kill himself by shooting himself twice, and was later taken off life support due to no brain activity.

What did Dusty Rhodes do after Eddie Graham's death?

After Eddie Graham's death, Dusty Rhodes came in for the funeral and discussed with the narrator about the problems Eddie was having.

What did Dusty Rhodes claim about a recent event in Sarasota?

Dusty Rhodes claimed that he had a sell-out event in Sarasota with Flair, where he drew $3,895, more than the narrator's event, due to Dusty raising the prices.

What strategy did Buddy Fuller suggest for getting wrestlers over with the audience?

Buddy Fuller suggested pushing one good guy for four weeks and having him talk about a bad guy, then pushing the bad guy for four weeks and having him talk about the good guy, and finally throwing them together to draw money.

What was the narrator's role in the wrestling territory?

The narrator was a Booker, which means they had the power to schedule matches and storylines, as well as the power to raise prices for events.

How did the narrator feel about the territory's financial situation during Eddie Graham's time?

The narrator felt that the territory was in a bad financial situation because Eddie Graham was not making any money, as there was no money to be paid out if the gate was low.

What advice does the narrator give about building up wrestlers in the audience's eyes?

The narrator advises that building up wrestlers takes time and should be done gradually, focusing on one wrestler at a time rather than all at once.