While embracing the nuanced details of the Goldust character as he attempted to establish himself independently of his legendary father, Rhodes was able to fully entrench himself in the business and focus on improving daily. "I wanted to continue to wrestle and get better," he said. "That's all I could think about [and] all I wanted. Just being on the road constantly, improving myself, evolving the character."

Rhodes called being Goldust "scary" at the time, and said he simply didn't know how to do it being "just a redneck from Austin, Texas." Ultimately, the steep departure from that with which he was comfortable was exactly what he needed, and something he teaches to younger wrestlers today. "Once you step out of your comfort zone," explained Rhodes, "that's where the magic happens. When you step out of that box and into the other side, it's a whole new world."

Ironically, Rhodes may never have stepped out of his own comfort zone had he initially understood the meaning of the word "androgynous," when first pitched the Goldust character by Vince McMahon. He was so eager for a new opportunity, he went along with the idea, agreeing all the while despite not really knowing what he was getting into. Once he looked up the term, used time and again by McMahon during their initial conversation, he thought, "What the f***? What did I just agree to?" Eventually, he dove in with both feet and the rest is history, with Goldust still looked upon as one of the most unique characters of all time. "It took about six months for it to click," Rhodes remembered. "Once it worked, I ran with it and I didn't give a s***. Let's make some money, let's draw some houses, let's have some fun. And it was great."