How Rick Rude Made A Shocking WCW Debut, Explained

Highlights

• "Ravishing" Rick Rude may not have won the WWE Championship, but he is still regarded as one of the greatest on-screen characters in wrestling history.
• Rude's WWE run showcased his natural charisma and heel persona, making him a top villain in the company.
• After his initial WWE run, Rude returned to WCW as The WCW Phantom before reverting back to his "ravishing" persona and winning multiple championships. His career ended due to injuries in 1994.

The late "Ravishing" Rick Rude is among the all-time best on-screen characters in professional wrestling history while being one of the WWE superstars who have never won the WWE Championship. Although Rude is best known for his WWE run during the later years of the company's Golden Era, he wrestled for other prominent organizations, including multiple runs in Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling. Speaking of Rick Rude's multiple runs in WCW, it's worth looking back at his second WCW run before retiring from the ring in 1994, as he initially returned to the company under a masked Halloween-themed gimmick as The WCW Phantom.

RELATED: The Tragic Death Of Ravishing Rick Rude, Explained

"Ravishing" Rick Rude's Wrestling Prime In WWE

Despite never winning the WWE Championship, no one can deny Rick Rude's overwhelming success in professional wrestling, mainly due to his natural charisma. Debuting in the industry in 1982, it didn't take long for Rude to become a breakout star when he made his WWE debut in 1987 after spending a couple of years in the business. Upon his WWE debut, his macho-like "pretty boy" character helped him get over as one of the top heels in WWE.

Rick Rude's WWE run may have only lasted a few years, but the impact he made in the company is still fondly remembered by fans and critics alike, as much of that has to do with Rude's on-screen persona. Coming to the ring in a robe and showing off his tight six-pack abs while insulting the crowd, Rick Rude was the perfect person to portray a hated meathead "pretty boy" character, as his character work also influenced many modern professional wrestlers using some of the mannerisms that he used to do.

Aside from his critically acclaimed character work, Rick Rude was also a credible in-ring performer during his WWE stint. As he battled the very best of WWE's Rock 'n' Wrestling Generation, from Hulk Hogan to The Ultimate Warrior, he was a former Intercontinental Champion when he was one of the few men to defeat The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 5 to win his first belt.

RELATED: Why Rick Rude Retired From Wrestling So Young, Explained

Rick Rude Returns To World Championship Wrestling As The WCW Phantom

While Rick Rude's prime was arguably in WWE, he made a name for himself in other promotions. For instance, before signing with WWE during the late 1980s, Rude had his first run with World Championship Wrestling when he signed with Jim Crockett Promotions in 1986. He would later return to WCW in 1991 as a much bigger star. Compared to his WWE career, it's worth noting that Rick Rude won many more championships throughout the multiple runs of his WCW career, including being a former three-time WCW International Champion.

Furthermore, when Rude returned to WCW in 1991, it was a surprise when he first debuted as The WCW Phantom at the Halloween Havoc 1991 PPV, defeating Tom Zenk in a match that only lasted less than two minutes.

As The WCW Phantom, in a cartoon-like fashion, Rick Rude appeared in a black and white mask with a cowboy hat while wearing an all-black attire covering his body, including a black trench coat when he walked to the ring for his entrance. He also had a spooky-like entrance music that went along with his presentation as The WCW Phantom, which fit the mold of the Halloween Havoc event.

After his quick victory, The WCW Phantom instantly aligned with Paul E. Dangerously and The Dangerous Alliance during a post-match promo along with Paul E. Dangerously. During that promo, The WCW Phantom removed his mask, revealing himself as Rick Rude.

RELATED: 10 Things Rick Rude Never Accomplished In WrestlingPutting "The WCW Phantom" gimmick to rest and moving forward with his usual "ravishing" shtick, Rick Rude soon won the United States Heavyweight Championship by defeating Sting less than a month after returning to WCW. Rude would not only go on to have a successful United States Heavyweight Championship reign, carrying the belt for over a year, but he would later expand his championship resume in WCW when he won the WCW International Heavyweight Championship three times in 1994. That same year, he retired from in-ring wrestling altogether year due to injuries he sustained while winning his final WCW International Heavyweight Championship, ending one of the most historical careers in the professional wrestling industry.