In tribute to the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, The Lapsed Fan wrestling podcast gives the deep-dive treatment to an event that spoke in so many ways to Rhodes’ treasured and complicated legacy – Starrcade 1985.

“The Gathering” saw fans fill arenas in both Greensboro, N.C. and Atlanta to witness Rhodes challenge Ric Flair for the NWA world title after a disputed finish in 1984, following the beatdown angle that led to the formation of the Four Horsemen and Rhodes’ most famous “Hard Times” promo.

Join hosts Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro as they take an accounting of Rhodes’ impact on the industry as seen through this dual-venue event, and riff on how it speaks to the wrestling culture of the time.

The show includes:

- Starrcade or Scarrcade? Why is everyone bleeding? Like, every wrestler, every manager, everybody.

- The Dusty Finish

- 1985’s “Black Saturday” saga and how the 85 Starrcade was returned fire from Jim Crockett Promotions to Vince McMahon’s national expansion and the success of the first WrestleMania

- The surprising promise of “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel

- Why Dusty’s promos worked so well

- The blood-curdling screams of the unforgettable “I Quit” match between Magnum T.A. and Tully Blanchard, and the tragedy of Magnum’s potential

- Bob Caudle’s befuddling penchant for prolonged silence

- The referee dressed up like a French’s mustard bottle

That and so much more as TLF tips an ostentatious cap to the American Dream. Download it here.