Quick Links
The WCW storyline tandem of Scott Hall and Dusty Rhodes was among the most unlikely pairs in company history. Fans were shocked when Dusty aligned with Hall to join the New World Order seemingly out of the blue. WCW pulled off this somewhat controversial move for both on-screen and backstage reasons alike.
Hall started having Rhodes at ringside for all his matches as a manager. Dusty got more television time and promo freedom to help a relevant heel get more over. Both the ups and downs will explain why this idea went by so fast to make many fans overlook it. A deeper look will provide more context on the short-lived Rhodes and Hall alliance from WCW.
A Storyline With Larry Zbyszko Set Up The Pairing Of Dusty Rhodes & Scott Hall
The partnership between Dusty Rhodes and Scott Hall started based on Hall’s relationship with another color commentator. Larry Zbyszko had a great real-life relationship with Hall to lead to them having an on-screen feud. WCW booked Zbyszko as the one commentator that refused to back down to the New World Order when Hall and others took over the commentary table.
RELATED: 10 Biggest Mistakes WCW Made With Scott Hall
Dusty started to show that as well when aligning more with Larry heading closer to their match. Hall was forced to wrestle Zbyszko on Souled Out 1998, and Rhodes became part of the storyline. Larry asked Dusty to be in his corner since Hall had his sidekick Louie Spicolli at ringside. Fans didn’t see the big heel turn coming from this match.
Rhodes betraying Zbyszko led to him forming the alliance with Hall as the latest nWo member. WCW made it clear that anyone could join the faction after all the betrayals up to that point, but no one expected Dusty in this role. Hall viewed Rhodes as one of his mentors and used that to explain the storyline on-screen. Dusty became the full-time manager for Hall and Kevin Nash for the next few months as the Outsiders.
Scott Hall's Issues Hindered His Run With Dusty Rhodes
One negative for the Scott Hall and Dusty Rhodes partnership was the timing of Hall no longer being a constant and reliable part of the show. Hall’s personal issues of his alcoholism saw him sent home and having a few stop and short angles in that time. Dusty didn’t even get enough to develop his managing reputation for such a popular tag team act.
The return of Hall during the summer of 1998 saw him betraying Kevin Nash due to Nash’s face turn while he was away. Hall reunited with Rhodes, and both guys appeared ready to become part of the Wolfpac until the shocking end of the Outsiders. Hulk Hogan welcomed Dusty and Hall into the Hollywood chapter of the nWo to remain heels.
WCW tried to push Hall as a singles talent with a legendary manager at his side, especially when feuding against his former best friend Nash in a huge angle. Unfortunately, the personal struggles of Hall derailed everything with WCW losing more trust. Hall having an inconsistent role hurt Rhodes’ chance of being an effective manager. WCW ended up finding overall disappointment from the pairing they had high hopes for.
Scott Hall & Dusty Rhodes Had No Payoff
Scott Hall’s rocky relationship with WCW essentially ended any long-term plans for Dusty Rhodes with the New World Order. The confusing storyline of Hall getting kicked out of the nWo Hollywood group and trying to repair his friendship with Kevin Nash caused Dusty to be removed from television. WCW basically bailed on Rhodes’ heel turn once the alliance with Hall no longer worked.
The return of Dusty came when he was still representing the nWo as a handpicked referee by fellow stablemate Eric Bischoff. Rhodes officiated a match between WCW’s Dean Malenko and nWo associate Barry Windham on Nitro. Everyone expected Dusty to help Windham and the nWo, but he instead counted the victory for Malenko for a full-fledged babyface turn. Fans reacted well to the moment since Rhodes was an all-time beloved WCW legend.
Ric Flair and Dusty’s friendship was referenced as part of the reason Rhodes got sick of the nWo. Malenko being part of the Four Horsemen made it clear Dusty was on their side with the help. WCW booked a huge match of Flair defeating Bischoff to become WCW President and take back control from the nWo. Rhodes was part of the massive celebration for Flair and WCW babyfaces. Unfortunately, the promising idea of two legends like Hall and Dusty being a great act together ended up being a small footnote in their respective careers at the end of it all.
