Who Is Rick Rude? Age, Biography and Wiki
Rick Rude was born on December 7, 1958, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He became one of the most charismatic and accomplished professional wrestlers of his time. Known for his chiseled physique and flamboyant personality, Rude captivated audiences throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He passed away on April 20, 1999, at the age of 40. Rude was renowned not only for his wrestling prowess but also for his memorable feuds and partnerships within the WWE and WCW.
| Occupation | Family Members |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 7, 1958 |
| Age | 40 Years |
| Birth Place | St. Peter, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | Georgia |
| Date of death | 20 April, 1999 |
| Died Place | Alpharetta, Georgia, U.S. |
Popularity
Rick Rude's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Rick Rude was known for his impressive physical stature. Standing at approximately 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) tall, he weighed around 242 pounds (110 kg) during his wrestling career. His well-defined muscles and aesthetic physique made him a standout performer in the ring, contributing to his popularity and success.
After graduating from Anoka-Ramsey Community College with a degree in physical education, Rude worked as a bouncer for a short period and later did a small stint as an arm wrestler. He would first become known to the world of professional wrestling at that time.
Rude trained as a wrestler under Eddie Sharkey, the same trainer responsible for training other wrestling stars like Bob Backlund, The Road Warriors, Sean Waltman, Austin Aries, and Erick Rowan. He began wrestling in 1982 as Ricky Rood, a babyface jobber.
Rude lost his TV debut against Jos LeDuc on the November 6, 1982 episode of Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling. He started with Vancouver's NWA: All-Star Wrestling before moving on to compete for Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) and later the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association (CWA).
Rude debuted on the May 28, 1983 episode of World Championship Wrestling, defeating Pat Rose with a dropkick. Gordon Solie interviewed Rude the following week, with Rude discussing transitioning from arm wrestling to pro wrestling and dropping weight to increase speed.
He returned to Memphis in 1984, this time as "Ravishing" Rick Rude, an overconfident, arrogant heel managed by Jimmy Hart. Rude feuded with Jerry Lawler and later his former partner, King Kong Bundy.
He later debuted in WCCW in a match against Kamala that he lost, and then went on to (NWA) affiliate Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) where he and a variety of tag team partners feuded with The Road Warriors.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
While Rick Rude is no longer alive, he left behind a lasting legacy. He was married to his wife, Michelle, with whom he had three children. Throughout his life, Rude maintained a close-knit family relationship, which was imperative during his wrestling career, characterized by intense travel schedules and time away from home.
Rude made his World Wrestling Federation (WWF) debut on Superstars of Wrestling on July 15, 1987, as the newest addition to the Bobby Heenan Family. His first major feud in the WWF was with Heenan's former muscle bound charge "Mr.
Wonderful" Paul Orndorff (whom Heenan had dropped after Rude joined the Family), their feud culminated in Rude defeating Orndorff on November 24, at Madison Square Garden.
He would kickstart 1988 by challenging Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship on January 9, at the Boston Garden but failed to win the title before starting one of his most famous feuds with Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
Rude had a routine where, before the match, he would make a show of removing his robe (likely inspired by Austin Idol's disrobing routine) while insulting the males in the crowd (usually calling them "fat, out-of-shape sweathogs") from their hometowns and, after his victories, he would kiss a woman whom Heenan selected from the audience.
One of Rude's trademarks was his specially airbrushed tights that he wore during matches. In the Roberts angle, Rude tried to get Roberts' real-life wife, Cheryl, to participate (though not knowing when Heenan chose her that she was in fact Roberts' wife). After Mrs.
Roberts rejected him and revealed who she was there to see, Rude became angry (after she slapped him and according to Jake, busting his eardrum), grabbed her wrist, and berated her on the microphone when Roberts ran from the dressing room to make the save.
To retaliate a few days later, Rude came to the ring with a likeness of Cheryl stenciled on the front of his tights. A furious Roberts charged the ring and stripped Rude, appearing to television viewers to leave him naked (as indicated by black-spot censoring Rude's genital area), although the live audience saw him actually stripped to a g-string.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Rick Rude’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million. While this figure may seem modest compared to modern wrestling superstars, it reflects the earnings from his wrestling career, merchandise sales, and appearances. In 2025, should he have been alive, his net worth would have potentially increased significantly due to the continued popularity of wrestling merchandise and nostalgia for vintage wrestling shows.
Rude wrestled from 1982 until his 1994 retirement due to injury, with a final match following in 1997.
Among other accolades, he was a four-time world champion, a three-time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion.
Rude also challenged for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on pay-per-view cards, competing for the former in the main event of SummerSlam in 1990. Following his retirement, Rude managed multiple wrestlers.
Career, Business and Investments
Rick Rude had an illustrious wrestling career that included stints in major wrestling promotions like WWE and WCW. He was a two-time Intercontinental Champion in WWE and part of pivotal storylines that contributed to the "attitude era" of wrestling. Outside the ring, Rude had interest in fitness and bodybuilding, even launching his fitness apparel line. It is speculated that had he lived, Rude would have continued to invest in health and wellness ventures, capitalizing on the growing fitness trend.
Debuting on October 18, 1985, Rude jumped to World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) along with Pringle, where he feuded with Kevin Von Erich and Chris Adams. During his time in WCCW, Rude captured the NWA American Heavyweight Championship on November 4, 1985.
However, WCCW withdrew from the NWA on February 20, 1986, and changed its name to the World Class Wrestling Association (WCWA). The NWA American Championship was renamed the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship while Rude was still holding the title. As a result, Rude became the promotion's first world champion.
After losing the title to Chris Adams in July 1986, he fired Pringle and briefly replaced him with his sister, Raven. He formed a short-lived tag team with The Dingo Warrior, but the Warrior turned on him and became a face.
Social Network
As a key figure in wrestling history, Rick Rude has maintained a significant online presence even after his death, primarily through fan pages and tribute accounts commemorating his work. Fans frequently share videos, matches, and stories about Rude, keeping his legacy alive. While he was not part of social media during his time, his followers actively engage with content relating to his accomplishments on various platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
After spending a year wrestling on select shows on the independent circuit, as well as a July 1991 tour for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), Rude returned to WCW, which had originally been JCP prior to being sold to Ted Turner in late 1988; he returned under a mask as The WCW Phantom at Halloween Havoc on October 27, 1991, unmasking himself later th
at night.
He led The Dangerous Alliance, consisting of himself, Paul E. Dangerously, Madusa, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and "Stunning" Steve Austin. On November 19, 1991, Rude defeated Sting for the United States Heavyweight Championship and engaged in a number of high-profile feuds, including one with Ricky Steamboat.
At one point during their feud, Steamboat suffered a kayfabe broken nose in a gang attack.
Education
Rick Rude graduated from Robbinsdale High School, where he was heavily involved in sports, particularly wrestling and football. He later attended Minnesota State University, where he further honed his athletic skills before pursuing a professional wrestling career. His education and early sports involvement laid the groundwork for his future success in wrestling.
Peter, Minnesota to Richard Clyde Rood and Sally Jean Thompson. He attended Robbinsdale High School in Robbinsdale, Minnesota with Tom Zenk, Brady Boone, Nikita Koloff, Curt Hennig, John Nord, and Barry Darsow, all of whom later became professional wrestlers. He was especially close with his childhood friend Curt Hennig.
