For all Warrior's intensity and bluster I read that Rude was seriously strong and tough as nails.....much more powerful than he looked.
Basically could whoop Warrior and other wrasslin bigguns behind the scenes if they ticked him off.
I think Flair noted that Rude was super powerful and tough as well.
I loved the Warrior, but Rude had the sweet stache and wicked mullet-esque hair that the "fat, ugly South Carolina sweathogs" adored!