* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5ycXfMF318 Comes with the territory]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJy_2cMl5iU of being a pro wrestler]]
* BadassDecay: Transformed from an uber-creepy tank in 1995 to [[KidAppealCharacter kid-friendly]] comic relief in 2002.
%%* FashionVictimVillain: As The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust.
* HamAndCheese: Like his dad and [[Wrestling/CodyRhodes brother]].
* RootingForTheEmpire: Black Reign in his debut match over Chris Harris, even after his pet mouse got involved.
* TookTheBadFilmSeriously: While much of Dave Meltzer's original reaction to the Goldust character is unfortunately homophobic and dated, ol' Dave was right about one thing: it absolutely ''could'' have been a career ending disaster in lesser hands. But by reveling in the gimmick, playing into it and making it his own, Dustin Runnels managed to parlay it into a multi-decade career that entertained crowds and made him a beloved elder statesman of the business.
* VindicatedByHistory: The Goldust gimmick won Wrestling/TheWrestlingObserverNewsletter's "Worst Gimmick" award when it debuted in 1995 and again when it became The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust in 1997. Dustin Runnels being a solid hand in between the ropes and playing the character solidly (along with the [[ValuesDissonance homophobic reactions the character got]] in the 1990s having faded away with time) saw him remain as Goldust for over 20 years, only stopping after signing with Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling due to wanting to try something new in the twilight of his career and WWE owning the rights to the Goldust character.
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