According to breaking news audio from Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, WWE shut down today’s Tough Enough filming at the Performance Center in Orlando after word broke on the passing of the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
Even up until recently, Dusty was heavily involved behind the scenes with WWE, especially when it came to the talents of NXT, most of whom considered “Dream” to be their closest mentor and a great friend.
Rest in peace, Big Dust. There has never been, nor will there likely ever be, a better man to hold a microphone. Today we all feel those “hard time blues”.
140 characters are simply not enough. Dream, thank you for all that you taught me about life in the short time I knew you. #RIPDustyRhodes
— Greg Hamilton (@GregHamiltonWWE) June 11, 2015
Dusty Rhodes helped me, find me! He helped me live my dream, and for that I am forever grateful! #RIPDustyRhodes
— EMMA (@EmmaWWE) June 11, 2015
Shocked, and saddened to hear of the passing of @WWEDustyRhodes an inspiring man who always lit up a room with laughter #RIPAmericanDream
— Hugo Knox (@HugoKnoxWWE) June 11, 2015
See you at the next ‘town’ Dream! #RIPDustyRhodes pic.twitter.com/euGPGXbl6X
— Finn Bálor (@wwebalor) June 11, 2015
Good teachers know how to bring out the best in their students. #DustyRhodes brought out the best in so many … http://t.co/gFznRaakDj
— Matt Bloom (@WWEJasonAlbert) June 11, 2015
A man who saw a lot in me when nobody else did. Had my back since day one. Proud to have called you teacher, mentor,& friend #RIPDustyRhodes
— Colin Cassady (@BigCassWWE) June 11, 2015
So saddened to hear about Dusty. What an honor it was to learn from him. He wanted emotion from me, well he got it today #AmericanDream
— zahra (@zahraschreiber) June 11, 2015
I’m speechless. Thank you @WWEDustyRhodes for everything. #RIP #AmericanDream
— Hideo Itami / 伊丹英雄 (@HideoItami) June 11, 2015
Tonight… #NXTPittsburgh is for the #AmericanDream #RIPDustyRhodes
— Aiden English (@WWEDramaKing) June 11, 2015
Learned more than I can say from Dusty Rhodes…because of him, I am who I am. A true legend who taught me how to be myself. #ThankYouDream
— Carmella (@CarmellaWWE) June 11, 2015
Words cant express the sadness in my heart. Today I lost my mentor who has been a great influence in my career. May he RIP. #teacher #jefe
— KALISTO (@KalistoWWE) June 11, 2015
@WWEDustyRhodes transformed us. He motivated, inspired us. He made us better people. Not just for the fans, but for ourselves & our families
— Mojo Rawley (@MojoRawleyWWE) June 11, 2015
Dusty told me “Be the 1st one on the bus & be ready to ride” RIP Dream. You were the heart & soul of what we do here http://t.co/cuoOOdSTQ1
— Drake Wuertz (@WWEDrakeWuertz) June 11, 2015
Can’t say enough about everything Dusty Rhodes did for me.There will never b another one like him.Absolute 1 of a kind legend #ThankYouDream
— Becky Lynch (@BeckyLynchWWE) June 11, 2015
Dusty,thanks for signing for my first U.S. work visa,mentoring,teaching and laughing with me for 22 years.Really going to miss you.x
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) June 11, 2015
Without you, I wouldn’t have a voice. Simply… Thank you Dream!
— WWE Sasha Banks (@SashaBanksWWE) June 11, 2015
Truly one of a kind. It is an honor to have known you. Thank you Dream.. For everything. You will be greatly missed #RIPDream
— Mike Rallis (@MikeRallisWWE) June 11, 2015
“I’ve wined and dined with kings and queens… And I’ve slept in alleys and ate pork and beans!” pic.twitter.com/VKnSXU2Qpl
— Charlotte (@MsCharlotteWWE) June 11, 2015
I’m absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of Dusty Rhodes. You will be missed and I love you! #AmericanDream #RIP
— Blake (@TheWWEBlake) June 11, 2015
I owe you this life I’m living. Thank you for what you have done for me. Rest in Peace Dream. Yours… https://t.co/ntNZd39mAQ
— Enzo Amore (@WWEAaLLday21) June 11, 2015
I was ever so fortunate to be a friend to this man, to learn from him as a performer and as a human being. #RIPDusty pic.twitter.com/GH0e1isGxw
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) June 11, 2015
There are no words that can express the sadness in our hearts. RIP Dusty Rhodes…You will be missed, Dream…We love you pic.twitter.com/45dPxrS3JB
— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) June 11, 2015
My heart is so heavy. Thank you Dream for all you gave me that you never had to. I’ll never let you down, my friend. pic.twitter.com/PvoxThMchA
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) June 11, 2015
My heart is breaking for the Rhodes family . @WWEDustyRhodes was an amazing coach and we will all miss him so much . RIP Dream
— Alexa Bliss (@AlexaBliss_WWE) June 11, 2015
