The feud between Dusty Rhodes and Steve Corino in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was one of the most intense and deeply personal rivalries in the company’s history.
The storyline emerged in the early 2000s, when ECW was known for its hard-hitting, brutal, and sometimes controversial storylines.
The pairing of Rhodes, the legendary “American Dream” and multi-time World Heavyweight Champion, with Corino, a self-proclaimed “King of Old School,” created a compelling contrast in both style and character.
The rivalry between the two wrestlers began to take shape in 2000, when Corino began portraying a heel character who openly disrespected the history of professional wrestling and the veterans who helped shape the business.
This included insulting figures such as Dusty Rhodes, one of the most influential figures in wrestling history. The rivalry left a lasting impression on the wrestling world, particularly on the people involved.
Steve Corino has shared their thoughts on this feud, reflecting on its impact both personally and professionally. Here’s a look at what they’ve said about the feud and its legacy:
When he said you are working with “The Dream” I said “Ok cool what are we doing?” just thinking that I was wrestling Tommy Dreamer and he said no you are doing something with “THE DREAM”.
The first thing I did when we met was say “Sir, we have a promo so what would you like to do.”
He said “Kid, if you are as good as they say you are then we don’t need to talk about anything, just do it.
– Steve Corino on finding out he was working with Dusty Rhodes and the Dream’s response.
Dusty Rhodes and Steve Corino – The Birth of the Feud:
“The American Dream” vs.”The King of Old School”
Steve Corino’s character was built around arrogance, disrespect for professional wrestling’s traditions, and a rebellious attitude that made him an ideal heel in ECW.
He made his debut in the company in 1999 and quickly gained attention for his hard-nosed style and microphone skills. By the year 2000, Corino began to position himself as a heel figure in ECW’s roster.
In contrast, Dusty Rhodes, known as the “American Dream,” was a veteran of the wrestling business, a former World Heavyweight Champion, and a beloved figure in the wrestling world.
Rhodes had previously appeared in ECW in the mid-1990s and returned in 2000, adding credibility to his persona as a respected veteran.
However, at the time of the feud with Corino, Rhodes was not an active competitor in the ring but remained a major name and beloved icon.
Corino, eager to make a name for himself, targeted Dusty Rhodes, mocking him for his age, his status in the industry, and his legacy.
This led to a highly personal storyline where Corino attacked the very essence of Rhodes’s legacy. Corino insulted Rhodes in promos, calling him past his prime, and declaring that he was the “future” of the business, a direct contrast to the older, nostalgic hero of Rhodes.
The original plan was he was just going to give me one big elbow, I would bump for him and roll-out and we would be done.
We weren’t sure if we were using it for TV because he had just been released by WCW and as soon as they came alive for the first elbow Jack Victory ran in there and I’d get back up, then he would get back up and stayed in the center for the big elbow.
– Steve Corino recounts the original plan.
The Initial Insults and Verbal Warfare
The feud began with Corino’s insults and verbal jabs toward Rhodes. Corino called himself the “King of Old School” and claimed that he would be the man to bring ECW into a new era, while
Rhodes was living in the past. Corino’s disrespect for legends like Rhodes played into the ECW tradition of anti-establishment storylines.
During this phase, Corino would cut promos about how he was the one who truly represented ECW’s rebellious nature, claiming that Rhodes was just a washed-up star from a bygone era who couldn’t keep up with the new breed of wrestlers.
Corino’s heel persona led to several physical confrontations with Rhodes. In one iconic moment, Corino would get under Rhodes’s skin by cutting a promo while mimicking Rhodes’s classic “Hard Times” promo, mocking his struggles and playing off the idea that Rhodes was no longer relevant.
This led to ECW’s crowd, who revered Dusty, reacting with genuine heat toward Corino. In some segments, Corino would also attack or attempt to humiliate Rhodes physically, leading to an eventual blow-off match.
The Roles of the “King of Old School” and the “American Dream” in this rivalry.
Corino’s persona as the “King of Old School” was grounded in the idea of wrestling tradition. He claimed he would usher in a new era, one without the “old-timers” holding back the future.
Dusty Rhodes, on the other hand, symbolized everything Corino hated in his heel role—he was a legend, a beloved figure who had influenced countless wrestlers.
For the fans, the feud tapped into the emotion of seeing a veteran like Dusty Rhodes, who had defined an era in wrestling, fight against a brash, young antagonist like Corino, who was unafraid to discredit the legends that paved the way for him.
The Explosive Climax: Their Dusty Rhodes and Steve Corino Match
Right from there he told Paul (Heyman) put me in a program with this kid. Paul asked how do you see this ending and I said a bull-rope match and we ended up doing a bull-rope match and it really was the greatest thing.
– Corino recounts what he foresaw as the feud culmination being between himself and The American Dream
The most significant moment in this feud came during the ECW pay-per-view “Guilty as Charged 2000.” In an emotional encounter, Dusty Rhodes faced off against Steve Corino in a bull rope match that would serve as the culmination of their rivalry.
The match was filled with violent spots and emotionally charged moments, as Rhodes, despite his age, showed he still had the heart and toughness to battle against the young and hungry Corino.
The match was memorable not just for the action but for the story it told. Corino’s disrespect for Rhodes was finally met with physical consequences, and the fans were deeply invested in seeing Rhodes triumph over the younger antagonist.
The culmination of the feud marked the passing of the torch from one generation to the next. While Corino did get a win over the American Dream at Cyberslam 2000, it was his performance against the American Dream at Living Dangerously 2000 that truly put him on the map.
For ten minutes, Rhodes gave and took punishment, and all the while, the King of Old School became the pupil learning from the master at Living Dangerously 2000.
The Aftermath and Conclusion – Dusty Rhodes and Steve Corino
Following this epic confrontation, the feud cooled down as Dusty Rhodes largely stepped out of the ring, leaving Corino to continue his rise in ECW.
Corino’s status as one of ECW’s top heels was solidified, but Rhodes’s legacy remained intact. Their rivalry is remembered as one of the most personal and hard-hitting in ECW history, a clash of two worlds: the old guard versus the new generation.
The Feud’s Reception and Legacy
The Dusty Rhodes and Steve Corino feud was significant for its storytelling. It encapsulated the heart of ECW, fighting the establishment, showcasing the underdog, and respecting the legends who came before.
Corino’s character as the disrespectful heel who believed he was the future of the business resonated with fans, while Rhodes’s legacy and enduring popularity made him the perfect foil.
The feud was also a reflection of the changing wrestling landscape. In 2001, ECW was entering its final year, and the clash between a beloved old-school hero and a rising new generation was symbolic of the company’s struggle to evolve while honoring its roots.
The feud with Rhodes helped elevate Corino to the top of ECW’s card. Although he didn’t win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, his credibility as a top-tier heel in the company was solidified.
For Dusty Rhodes, this feud allowed him to remain relevant as a top figure in professional wrestling, even in his later years. It also showed that Rhodes could still deliver in the ring and cut promos that were as sharp as ever.
People always ask was winning the ECW Title the greatest honor Paul gave you and I think the greatest thing Paul ever said to me was after the bull-rope match he pulled me aside and said “Corino, that was better than anything he (Dusty) and Tully (Blanchard) ever did”.
The feud between Dusty Rhodes and Steve Corino in ECW was more than just a rivalry—it was a clash of eras. The storyline emphasized respect for the past while introducing a new breed of wrestler.
Corino’s character was built on disrespecting wrestling’s history, and Rhodes, as the embodiment of that history, was the perfect foil.
Their feud captivated the ECW audience, offering both intense drama and meaningful storytelling, making it one of the most memorable rivalries in the company’s storied history.
Ultimately, the feud between Dusty Rhodes and Steve Corino remains one of the most memorable storylines in ECW history, a battle between tradition and the future, with both men emerging with their legacies further cemented.
Steve Corino made a statement, and this feud ensured that he would be a key part of what ECW would be all about, thanks to his time working with the American Dream.
