By Charlie Bennett
WWE legend Dustin Rhodes swapped the wrestling ring for the parade ring by entering his prized Mastiff at Crufts – but was left frustrated at being denied a championship belt.
The 56-year-old, best known for his character Goldust, brought his 114kg pooch, aptly named Beast, to the NEC and watched as the colossal canine finished third in the working group open category.
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Rhodes, the son of WWE icon Dusty Rhodes and brother of Wrestlemania star Cody Rhodes, has made an unexpected career U-turn in the past two years.
While still an active wrestler on the AEW circuit, he enters Beast at dog shows across America and the four-legged giant has become the number one-ranked Mastiff in the country.
Rhodes says Beast likes to feast and the 250-pound giant scoffs $250 of food each month, with eight cups a day of dry food, chicken, rice and steak.
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Dogs in the working group are meant to assist and protect their owners but after a disappointing result, it was the judges who needed their wits about them with Rhodes confident his was the winner.
Rhodes’ ‘finishing move’ was called shattered dreams but at the NEC, it was only he who left disappointed.
“I thought our dog was the best,” he said.
“I am biased but I thought our dog was amazing, it is a once-in-a-decade dog.
“Beast is perfect in my eyes, he weighs more than I do and he thinks he is a lap dog.
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“He just jumps on you and he is the best dog in the world. I would never own another breed.
“I can’t wait to go and see him again, I gave him a hug after he finished third. He did well, I am very pleased and happy to be over here and honoured to be at Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show.”
Rhodes is not done wrestling just yet and is due back on tour in three weeks after six months out following double knee surgery.
He had to be lively on his feet at the NEC and keep out of sight while Beast competed as the dog gets over-excited when it sees him.
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“The day has been long, I have not seen my dog in four months,” he added.
“Beast is really good with seeing somebody who has high blood pressure or low blood pressure, and we’ll go check them out. He’s a very smart dog.
“Mastiffs are amazing, amazing animals, man.
“I would never own another breed besides a Mastiff, and I’ve had all kinds of dogs over my life and Mastiffs are just everything – pure, loyal, loving, just crawling on your lap, hurt your bones.”
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Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts is held from 5-8 March 2025 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4 and More4, and for further information and tickets visit crufts.org.uk
