Curt Hawkins made his return to WWE television shortly after the company’s brand split last summer, and has since been appearing on Smackdown Live on Tuesday nights.
He had been away from WWE since being released in 2014, but was re-signed when the company needed to bolster its talent roster.
Now that he’s back in action for the organization that he made his debut for in 2007, Hawkins spoke with Sports Illustrated on a number of topics including being back with the WWE, his friendship with fellow Superstar Zach Ryder and his relationship with the late Dusty Rhodes.
“It’s a little known fact, but I actually had his last match ever,” Hawkins told SI.com. “He wanted to tag with Dustin and Cody. So in the summer of 2010, me, Trent Barreta, and Caylen Croft as the Dude Busters main-evented an FCW show against the Rhodes.
“It was the only time the Rhodes boys ever tagged, and it was Dusty’s last match ever. The match ended with me taking an elbow from Dusty. It was very, very cool, and I was very, very honored.”
Hawkins added that he would “forever be grateful” to the WWE Hall of Famer because of the help that he received in the form of promo work and general confidence he instilled in him as a professional wrestler.
