“The Toughest SOB I Know”: Steve Austin Opens Up About WWE’s Biggest Missed Opportunity With Goldust
When you think of the Attitude Era, names like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock immediately come to mind. But what about the Bizarre One? The late, great Dusty Rhodes had two sons who stepped into the ring. One became a legendary Hall of Famer, but according to the Texas Rattlesnake himself, the other should have been so much more.
In a recent interview with SI’s The Takedown, the WWE Legend didn’t hold back when discussing the career of Dustin Rhodes, better known to fans as Goldust. While the character was undeniably iconic, Austin believes the company fumbled the ball in a major way, failing to utilize a talent who was simply “damn good.”
A Natural Born Superstar
According to Austin, the issue wasn’t Dustin’s ability; it was the creative direction. He praised Rhodes as a “natural” in the ring, pointing out that he possessed the rare combination of size, agility, and ring psychology that you can’t teach.
“He was just good, because he was just damn good,” Austin stated. “He’s a big guy and just can move like a cat for the size that he was. And he had it up here.”
Austin specifically highlighted Rhodes’ ability to sell a move and connect with the crowd—a trait inherited from their legendary father. “He sold well because, obviously, his father is one of the great sellers of all time. You’ve got to draw some emotion from those people.”
The Character That Caught Fire
The conversation turned to the Goldust persona, which Austin recalls being absolutely “on fire” when he first arrived in the then-WWF. The character was groundbreaking, controversial, and generated a “ton of heat.”
While Goldust remained a cult favorite for years, Austin believes the company failed to evolve him properly. He suggested that had WWE committed to building the character rather than letting it stagnate, Rhodes’ career trajectory could have looked vastly different.
“I just always loved the guy,” Austin admitted.
Walking Away From Hollywood
Sadly, Dustin eventually agreed that the character had run its course. After decades of service, he felt the Goldust persona was no longer relevant in the modern landscape and requested his release from WWE in April 2019. The company granted it, allowing him to return to his roots as Dustin Rhodes, where he continues to perform and reinvent himself on the independent scene and AEW.
Austin’s comments serve as a reminder of the untapped potential of one of wrestling’s most naturally gifted performers. While Goldust remains a memorable part of WWE history, “Stone Cold” makes you wonder what could have been if they had just let The Bizarre One be a little more “damn good.”
