Goldust "Officialy" Released from WWE !

[Guest glennsoe]

Dustin Runnels has been officially released by the WWE. As reported a few months back here on LOP, his contract with the WWE was set to expire in January 2004, but management decided that they were not going to renew it.

 

As for Runnels' future, he is expected to work for ZERO-ONE in Japan at some point during 2004, but is also seeking out bookings on the independent scene.

 

Goldust made his return to the WWE during the Royal Rumble in 2002, and his character experienced a semi-revival, teaming with Booker T to capture the World Tag Team Championship.

 

 

Credit: 1Wrestling.com

 

* I think this is sad - he was injury proned, but his backstage skits were priceles !

 

Thanks for everything Dustin

 

- Glenn -

[Lil' Bitch 0]

I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if the reason for his release was "They didn't have anything for him." Thanks for all the memories, Dustin. I'll never forget his kindness to us back in Albuquerque earlier this year.

[caboose 0]

Its a shame because BookerDust was the best thing about RAW during 2002.

[Guest StevieNightHeat]

I cant believe WWE released Goldust. I was starting to like him again when he teamed with Lance Storm.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

Without the Goldust gimmick that Vince created for him, Dustin is amazingly mediocre and bland.

 

Don't be expecting him to do anything significant in the wrestling scene as long as he's out of WWE.

 

UYI

[2GOLD 0]

I knew Dustin was screwed when they gave him that angle about being electrocuted and getting tourettes out of it.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Goldust may be gone, but at least we still have solid workers like Mark Henry, Big Show, Rikishi, The Bashams, Rodney Mack, Bradshaw, Orlando Jordan, the always hurt Billy Gunn, the even more hurt Kevin Nash, Zack Gowen, Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, Ernest MIller, Chris Nowiski, Randy Orton, Jon Heidenreich, Sylvan Grenier, Rene Dupree, Rosey, and Scott Steiner...

 

If anyone of them was let go instead I just wouldn't know what to do.

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

Goldust may be gone, but at least we still have solid workers like Mark Henry, Big Show, Rikishi, The Bashams, Rodney Mack, Bradshaw, Orlando Jordan, the always hurt Billy Gunn, the even more hurt Kevin Nash, Zack Gowen, Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, Ernest MIller, Chris Nowiski, Randy Orton, Jon Heidenreich, Sylvan Grenier, Rene Dupree, Rosey, and Scott Steiner...

Big Show is passable (I like the twirly legdrop)

The Bashams are alright (if completely bland)

Orton is improving (The Armageddon match was shockingly decent, and he did most of the work)

Dupree is alright

[DCMaximo 0]

I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if the reason for his release was "They didn't have anything for him." Thanks for all the memories, Dustin. I'll never forget his kindness to us back in Albuquerque earlier this year.

 

I thought Goldust was going to be the mystery stalker in the "I still remember" storyline. The one that was dropped after his contact was not renewed

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

That's kind of weak to release the guy a few days before Christmas. And it looks even worse cutting a guy loose not even a month before his contract expires. But I guess class was never Vince's strong point.

[1234-5678 0]

He'll be back in a year, mark my words.

[MooreMark 0]

He'll be back in a year, mark my words.

And if not..I for one will never ever forget the name of GOOOOOOOOOOOLDUST. *bites air.*

[2GOLD 0]

He'll be back in a year, mark my words.

And if not..I for one will never ever forget the name of GOOOOOOOOOOOLDUST. *bites air.*

 

A year?

 

His ass will be back in time for the Rumble.

 

They might soon realize that they NEED Book-Dust to rebuild that pitiful tag division on RAW.

[OldSchoolWrestling 0]

I was really happy to see Goldust get over with the IWC after many questioned his signing when he came back. He brought a freshness to Raw that was severely lacking. He got himself over and helped Booker T get more over. He didn't play politics, didn't use his previous employment as something to sit back and be lazy on and made people care. Unlike most wrestlers, he went out leaving us wanting more.

[BoboBrazil 0]

Stupid to release him unless it is for drugs, which I doubt it is, because he has never been known as a drug user(a drunk yes) and if it was because of drugs they would have sent him to rehab. They probably signed him to a low ass contract when he wasn't worth anything when he returned and he wanted more money and they won't give it. I hope he ends up in TNA.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Yeah, he can go to TNA and be "Dustin Runnels" and be even more boring then their courrent product.

 

I dunno, Goldust is a one-trick character. It's ironic that when he debuted back in '95, he was sloppy and not in the greatest shape, yet his character was so controversial that it sold tickets and was interesting. In '02, he was arguably in the best shape of his life, yet the fans got bored with the character. He turned face, and the Book-Dust stuff was funny, and put some life in him...but the gimmick was just past it's time, I guess.

 

Thanks Goldust for the memories.

 

-WM 12 Hollywood Backlot Brawl

-Fondeling the mentally-unstable Ahmed Johnson on Raw and producing a "He's gonna Die!" moment

-Decking Lawler on RAW and turning face after he noted how Triple H made advances to Marlena and said "Well aren't you...ya know...uh....ya know...well...gay?"

-Returning the gimmick late '98 to deliver the Shattered Dreams to Venis...a move that was WAY over for a while.

-Teaming up with Blue Meanie

-Jobbing the IC title to Godfather on RAW in '99...I, like most people, was a huge Godfather mark in '99, and it made me happy.

-Hiding in the nWo Dressing Room in '02 and trying to become a member...also getting Booker T to leave them.

-Winning the Tag Straps in a good matchup against Team Chris at Armageddon '02.

-Paying tribute to your father Dusty by getting your ass jumped by the newest incarnation of the Horsemen on Raw in '03.

 

We hardly knew thee.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Thanks Goldust for the memories.

 

-WM 12 Hollywood Backlot Brawl

-Fondeling the mentally-unstable Ahmed Johnson on Raw and producing a "He's gonna Die!" moment

-Decking Lawler on RAW and turning face after he noted how Triple H made advances to Marlena and said "Well aren't you...ya know...uh....ya know...well...gay?"

-Returning the gimmick late '98 to deliver the Shattered Dreams to Venis...a move that was WAY over for a while.

-Teaming up with Blue Meanie

-Jobbing the IC title to Godfather on RAW in '99...I, like most people, was a huge Godfather mark in '99, and it made me happy.

-Hiding in the nWo Dressing Room in '02 and trying to become a member...also getting Booker T to leave them.

-Winning the Tag Straps in a good matchup against Team Chris at Armageddon '02.

-Paying tribute to your father Dusty by getting your ass jumped by the newest incarnation of the Horsemen on Raw in '03.

 

We hardly knew thee.

 

Lets not forget him as The Master of Disguise. Dust Vader was my favorite.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Hw about Jonathon Coach-Dust....or Goldust in the Hood sporting a Latrell Sprewell jersey, backwards cap, and head phones playing rap music in 7-11.

[syxx2001 0]

That's kind of weak to release the guy a few days before Christmas. And it looks even worse cutting a guy loose not even a month before his contract expires. But I guess class was never Vince's strong point.

 

It's not like he was poor or something. Im sure he made good money. He had a good, hell, great paying job for a long time, and "we all know" "Uncle Ted" gave him a shitload of money to come to WCW. The man has enough money to make it if he didn't swander it all on a gold house or some shit. He is probably happy he doesn't have to be on the road and can be home for Christmas.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Hahahahaha @ "Cool"-Dust at the 7-11...

[Steviekick 0]

I dunno, Goldust is a one-trick character. It's ironic that when he debuted back in '95, he was sloppy and not in the greatest shape, yet his character was so controversial that it sold tickets and was interesting. In '02, he was arguably in the best shape of his life, yet the fans got bored with the character. He turned face, and the Book-Dust stuff was funny, and put some life in him...but the gimmick was just past it's time, I guess.

The original Goldust character had been beaten to death, but Goldust 2k2 rocked. He was much more multidimensional thanks to his pairing with Booker, like when he wanted to break the team up to stop holding Booker back. There was still a lot of life left in him, even after the stupid electrocution gimmick (which he did manage to get over with the live audiene).

[Guest deadbeater]

One factor is the high payout given to GoldDust. So this could be a cost-cutting measure to please stockholders.

 

They just didn't renew the contract, which is either side's right.

 

The WWE may allow Dustin to keep the GoldDust gimmick, and let him expand on it, acting wise.

 

Also, that the WWE decided to publish the news may be a feeler, to test fan reaction to the news. If they are inundated with protest e and snail mail, then the WWE will be compelled to bring the Duster back with great fanfare.

[jester 0]

I loved the Crocodile Hunter bit.

 

[sees X-Pac} "Look! It's a long-haired grease rat! Watch out, they tend to suck!"

[Jobber of the Week 0]

GooooodddDDAMNIT!

 

I read the subject line as Goldberg instead of Goldust and felt a little spark in my heart and a tear form in my eye.

 

For another day, I guess.

[Guest JMA]

Personally, I think Dustin can get over without the Goldust gimmick. I have a few ideas on gimmicks he could use.

[Adam 0]

GooooodddDDAMNIT!

 

I read the subject line as Goldberg instead of Goldust and felt a little spark in my heart and a tear form in my eye.

 

For another day, I guess.

I swear, I had the EXACT same reaction.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

--Dustin Runnels got his release early from WWE so he's available for indy bookings as well as live appearances and wrestling seminars. Apparently he can't use the Goldust character, as he's going to use the ring name "Lonestar" Dustin Rhodes, as is looking to be booked in tag team matches with his father. [email protected] is the booking agent for Dusty & Dustin, Jerry Lawler, Al Snow or Jonathan Coachman.

 

LONESTAR! YEAH! The Schwarz is with him! Barf! Dusty Helmet! OH SWEET JESUS THAT RULES!!!

 

Oh.. wait... he's not "lonestar" in THAT way.. is he?

[Guest JMA]

Dustin should be booked as "The American Nightmare." He'd be a bitter wrestler angry at the world (no jokes, please). He could even retire his father (for good).

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Dustin should be booked as "The American Nightmare." He'd be a bitter wrestler angry at the world (no jokes, please). He could even retire his father (for good).

So if that were his TNA gimmick he'd be Mad Mikey Version 2.0

 

He can be Disgruntled Dustin

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Dustin should be booked as "The American Nightmare." He'd be a bitter wrestler angry at the world (no jokes, please). He could even retire his father (for good).

So if that were his TNA gimmick he'd be Mad Mikey Version 2.0

 

He can be Disgruntled Dustin

Well, maybe if they did it as a more SERIOUS version of Mad Mikey, it could work.

 

...heck, they could have him managed by the RUSSIAN Nightmare, Nikita Koloff.