The term “Dusty Finish” has been something used in professional wrestling for decades, with it in reference to finishes of matches booked by Dusty Rhodes back during his time as a booker, with it rising to prominence in the NWA.
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Over the years, professional wrestling companies have used a “Dusty Finish” to extend a story or to build up a heel or babyface. This is when it seems as though someone has won a match, only for the decision to be retroactively reversed. There have been several variations of this used over time, though just a handful of the more prominent examples have been looked at here.
10 Seth Rollins Vs. Dean Ambrose - Elimination Chamber 2015
Fans were desperate to see Dean Ambrose defeat Seth Rollins and become the number one babyface in WWE. However, this wasn’t in WWE’s plans. They did briefly make everyone believe that Ambrose reached the promised land though, as he scored a pinfall victory and won the WWE Championship from Rollins at Elimination Chamber 2015.
However, due to Rollins using the referee as a safety guard, the decision was reversed and Rollins was instead disqualified, which meant he kept the title.
9 Shawn Michaels Vs. British Bulldog - In Your House 8 1996
During this WWE Championship match, referee Earl Hebnar took a bump, leading to a second referee, Mike Chioda, to enter the fray. Towards the end of the bout, Michaels hit a German suplex on Bulldog.
Both referees were then in the ring, and due to Michaels not bridging, both sets of shoulders were counted down to the mat. Mike Chioda awarded Bulldog the victory, though it was quickly deemed a no contest with no championships changing hands.
8 CM Punk Vs. John Cena - Night Of Champions 2012
In what was essentially a rerun of the Shawn Michaels vs. British Bulldog match, a Dusty Finish was pulled at Night Of Champions 2012 in a clash between CM Punk and John Cena. Taking place in Cena’s hometown, it seemed as though he won the WWE Championship after hitting an elevated German suplex on Punk.
However, his celebrations were cut short as it was revealed that Cena’s shoulders were also down on the mat, leading to Punk retaining the belt due to it being a draw.
7 Ric Flair Vs. Lex Luger - Great American Bash 1988
This was a more unique take on a Dusty Finish, but it came at the expense of what was a great match. Ric Flair and Lex Luger went to war in a thrilling NWA World Heavyweight Championship match, which ended with Luger winning the gold.
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However, due to Flair being busted open, the Maryland State Athletic Commission was the reason the match was stopped due to excessive blood, rather than Flair submitting to Luger’s torture rack.
6 The Undertaker Vs. Brock Lesnar - SummerSlam 2015
Unlike many “Dusty Finishes”, this match didn’t have a title on the line, and it was different to several others. Brock Lesnar had The Undertaker locked in the kimura, causing The Undertaker to tap out, with the bell ringing.
Lesnar had shocked the world again by defeating Lesnar. However, the referee was shielded from seeing Undertaker tap out, so the match continued. Undertaker hit a low blow on Lesnar and caused him to pass out in the Hell’s Gate submission.
5 CM Punk Vs. The Rock - Royal Rumble 2013
Usually, the “Dusty Finish” is used to take a win away from a babyface, but in this instance it was reversed. Heel champion CM Punk defeated The Rock after the latter was attacked during a blackout by The Shield.
Vince McMahon appeared and announced that per the stipulation of The Shield not being allowed to interfere, Punk was to be stripped of the WWE Title. The Rock managed to convince the boss to restart the match. The Rock went on to win the bout and the championship.
4 Hulk Hogan Vs. Sting - Starrcade 1997
This was an extended “Dusty Finish” that lasted almost two weeks. Following a botched finish and supposed fast count, Sting won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Starrcade 1997. In the rematch on Nitro the following night, there was also a referee bump which muddied the finish.
This led to the belt being held up a week later, taking away Sting’s huge crowning moment of defeating his rival Hulk Hogan.
3 Randy Orton Vs. Daniel Bryan, Night Of Champions 2013
After being mistreated by Orton, referee Scott Armstrong performed a fast count in the Night Of Champions 2013 main event which allowed Daniel Bryan to gain victory and win back the WWE Championship.
Due to the referee’s action, Triple H decided to strip Bryan of the title the very next night, putting an end to his brand new title reign after just one day.
2 Triple H Vs. Chris Jericho - WWE Raw 2000
In very similar fashion to the previous entry, Triple H’s attack on a referee led to a fast-count in which Chris Jericho was awarded the win, standing tall as the WWE Champion in a shock result that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
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However, the fast count was deemed null, and Triple H was quickly handed back the WWE Championship, much to the disappointment of those in attendance.
1 Ric Flair Vs. Dusty Rhodes - Starrcade 1985
It wouldn’t be fair to look at “Dusty Finishes” without looking at an example with Dusty Rhodes involved himself. One example was at Starrcade 1985 following a referee bump. A secondary ref completed the match and counted Rhodes’ NWA World Title victory.
However, the original referee later disqualified Flair due to interference from the Horsemen, which rendered Rhodes’ title win void. Rhodes booked these sorts of finishes for his own matches on more than one occasion.
