Tampa, Florida -- News of the death of Dusty Rhodes hurt his former rivals from the ring more than his famous "bionic elbow."
"I was very close to him," said retired professional wrestler James Dillon, who had to choke back tears as he talked about his friendship with Dusty.
"Some guys got it, some guys don't have it. He had it big time, everywhere he went he was a huge star and he was bigger than life," Dillon said.
"A lot of people admire wrestlers because of their physique or his stature, people admired him because of his gift of being able to communicate with an audience," said retired professional wrestler Steve Keirn.
Wrestling royalty was in Tampa on Thursday for a fundraiser to build a "Championship Wrestling from Florida Wall of Fame" inside the old Fort Homer Hesterly Armory. The building was the site of countless famous matches including some where Rhodes became "The American Dream."
"The American Dream was something that everybody, because a lot of his fans where blue collar, could relate to," Dillon said.
"I miss him and I know the whole wrestling world is going to miss Dusty Rhodes," said retired pro wrestler Dory Funk Jr.
