Tag: dustin rhodes

Dustin Rhodes would ‘absolutely’ be interested in WWE Hall of Fame induction

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Dustin Rhodes isn’t interested in returning to WWE as a wrestler, but he would be honored to go into the company’s Hall of Fame someday.

The 56-year-old Rhodes has been with AEW since 2019 and is under a long-term contract with the promotion as both a wrestler and behind-the-scenes contributor. He feels like he’s done the best work of his career in AEW and is not interested in reprising his old Goldust character. Rhodes would accept a Hall of Fame invitation if WWE offered, though.

“Absolutely,” Rhodes responded when Fox News Digital asked if he would be interested in going into the WWE Hall of Fame. “I’m a very humble guy though, it’s like, if it comes, it comes, whatever. I would love Cody to do it and my daughter, specifically both of them. That would be just great, the most meaningful, heartfelt. But if it comes, it comes, if it doesn’t, no big deal. I’ve had an awesome, incredible career, doing some great things.

“I feel like these last seven years in AEW, I’ve been really on top of my game because I’ve had more freedom to enjoy it, and it’s happier and you’re more passionate, find your passion sometimes again, and you want to grow this company the best we can, and we’re all on the same page in AEW. We are doing the best that we can to get it to where it needs to be, and it’s growing. It’s getting huge.”

Rhodes, who underwent double knee surgery in 2025, is hoping to return to the ring within the next few weeks. He plans on wrestling for another couple of years before continuing with AEW in his backstage role.

This year’s WWE Hall of Fame class is taking shape with Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, and Demolition already confirmed as inductees.

Dustin Rhodes gives update on AEW return and future

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Dustin Rhodes is close to making his return from double knee surgery.

The 56-year-old Rhodes has been aiming to return this month after undergoing double knee surgery in summer 2025. That timeline is still on track, with Rhodes telling Fox News Digital that he should be back in AEW in the next two to three weeks. Rhodes spoke with the outlet on Thursday after his mastiff Beast won an award at Crufts dog show in the United Kingdom.

“I just had double knee replacements. So, they’re brand-new knees. They’re feeling pretty good. It’s a little tired today from all the walking – this is such a huge venue [for the dog show],” Rhodes said. “But probably two weeks, three weeks I’ll be back – TBS, TNT, HBO Max.”

Rhodes is under a long-term contract with AEW that will take him past the end of his in-ring career. He already helps out behind the scenes and told Fox News Digital that he will continue to do that after he retires within the next couple of years.

“I think it’s the fact that we’re just not all entertainment,” Rhodes said about AEW. “We are about wrestling, about putting on the best matches that we possibly can. It’s the alternative to WWE. I was with WWE for 24 years, and I’ve been with AEW for seven now, going on eight. I’m gonna finish here and retire in the next couple of years. And then there’s still work behind the scenes as a producer.

“I love it. It’s great. My boss, Tony Khan, and Shad Khan, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and [Fulham] Football Club over here, we’re doing amazing. We’re growing year by year. It’s where the best wrestle. We do have entertainment segments but the majority of it is just all wrestling. That’s what’s different than the WWE product.”

Rhodes recently tweeted that he has no interest in returning to WWE and feels that his Goldust character ran its course.

Before he was forced out of action, Rhodes was competing in both AEW and ROH. He had reigns with the AEW TNT Championship, ROH Tag Team Championship, and ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles.

Dustin Rhodes not interested in WWE return: ‘That ain’t me anymore’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Dustin Rhodes doesn’t have any interest in returning to WWE and reprising his old Goldust character.

Responding to a fan on social media today, Rhodes said he feels he’s done the best work of his career in AEW. As much as he loved playing Goldust, Rhodes believes the character ran its course and wasn’t going anywhere before he left WWE.

“Nope! I never got a raise there,” Rhodes responded to the fan who called for him to go back to WWE. “What, you want me sitting the bench doing nothing? That ain’t me anymore. I have done the best work of my career with @AEW. I love the character Goldust, but he ran its course. I did what I was told and it got me nowhere. No thanks.”

Rhodes is under a long-term contract with AEW that includes competing in the ring and contributing backstage. The 56 year old underwent double knee surgery last summer but could be getting close to getting back in the ring. March 2026 is when he’s been targeting for his return.

Before being forced out of action, Rhodes was competing in AEW and ROH and held titles in both, including a reign as TNT Champion.

Tony Khan, Dustin Rhodes, more comment on AEW signing Hyan & Maya World

Posted on by Ian Carey

Tony Khan and several other names associated with AEW have commented on the company’s recent signings of Hyan & Maya World.

Khan announced Hyan & World’s signing following their loss to the Sisters of Sin, Julia Hart and Skye Blue, on the AEW Worlds End Zero Hour show. He addressed their signing again at the post-event press conference.

Khan said:

“I think they’ve been doing a fantastic job.”

“Hyan and Maya World came in, they’ve delivered time after time. They’ve been putting on great matches. They’ve been getting more and more competitive.”

“Everybody in the locker room really respects them. They bring something great to the roster. We’ve been having great women’s tag team matches and having more and more strong wrestlers on the roster for singles and tag teams, because they are both great individual wrestlers too.”

“Every experience I’ve had with both of them individually and as a team has been positive. They had another great match on the Zero Hour.”

Dustin Rhodes also posted about their signing, writing:

“Super proud of Hyan and Maya!!! Welcome to the team!!! LFG!!!!! #AEW”

Several wrestlers also commented on AEW’s Instagram post announcing World and Hyan’s signing.

Mercedes Mone wrote, “😍🔥”

Leila Grey wrote, “Congrats ladies!! 👏👏👏👏”

Anna Jay: “👏”

Red Velvet wrote, “Well deserved 👏👏 congrats ladies!”

The two have gone 0-4 in tag matches for the promotion, dating back to their loss to Anna Jay and Tay Melo on the November 8 Collision taping. Individually, they’ve each wrestled a handful of times for AEW in the past, with Hyan having once challenged for the ROH Women’s World title against Mercedes Martinez on an episode of Dark: Elevation. Maya World was beaten by Megan Bayne on an episode of Dynamite in February and also lost to Thunder Rosa on Collision in July 2024.

Wrestling Weekly: Interview with Dr. Tom Prichard

Posted on by Victor Sosa

On this edition of Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Victor Sosa are joined by Dr. Tom Prichard to discuss what went into the decision he recently made to close his wrestling school. We also talk about some of the differences in trainees mindsets today compared to previous generations, schools out there today aspiring wrestlers should look into — as well as John Cena’s retirement, the rise of Dominik Mysterio, and one of Dr. Tom’s most recent success stories: WWE star Ivy Nile.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

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Dustin Rhodes update on knee replacement recovery, future shoulder surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After his in-ring career is over, Dustin Rhodes will need to undergo surgery to get both of his shoulders replaced.

The 56-year-old Rhodes had double knee replacement surgery in August and has been giving updates on his recovery on social media. In a tweet last night, Rhodes shared the positive news that his knee arthritis is gone. He’ll need to have shoulder surgery in the future, but it won’t be until after his time in the ring is over.

“The one positive I can say about my knee replacements is, the arthritis is gone,” Rhodes tweeted. “I will be doing both shoulder when I call it quits. They are also destroyed. I chose to abuse my body in more ways than 1, and wouldn’t change a damn thing.”

Rhodes is targeting a February-March 2026 return to the ring, which would be roughly seven months removed from having his knees replaced. He’s still in a considerable amount of pain at the moment, especially after he wakes up in the morning.

“The hardest thing for me at this moment, is getting up from a chair, and stepping down a step with right especially,” he tweeted this week. “My legs have always been pretty thin and cannot wait to actually strengthen them more [once] I am able. I am on track for my age and then some and I would assume its because I have a strong work ethic and an athlete. Prob late Feb, early March for the greatest comeback of anyone in their 50’s.”

Rhodes is under a long-term contract with AEW as a wrestler and coach, along with running his own Rhodes Wrestling Academy in Texas.

Dustin Rhodes gives update on surgery recovery, AEW return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Optimistically, Dustin Rhodes is hoping that he’ll be able to wrestle again in March 2026.

The 56-year-old Rhodes underwent a double knee replacement this August and continues to progress in his recovery. On social media last night, Rhodes noted that he still has a ways to go but thinks he could return to the ring in March. That would be a seven-month recovery after his surgery.

“They still hurt a bit, especially in the mornings,” Rhodes responded when a fan asked how his knees are feeling. “I do have a good ways to go. Remember I am 56 and pushing hard, just takes time. Not young anymore. Prob March I should be ready to kill everyone lol. Maybe, I am pushing hard my man.”

Rhodes is a wrestler/coach for AEW & ROH, along with running his own Rhodes Wrestling Academy in Texas. His last match before surgery was a street fight where he dropped the AEW TNT Championship to Kyle Fletcher.

Along with losing the TNT title, Rhodes had to vacate the ROH Tag Team titles and ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles.

Rhodes is under a long-term contract with AEW after re-upping his deal at the end of 2024.

Daily Update: Dustin Rhodes, new AEW trademark, Lex Luger

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full segment with DIY returning to NXT last night to confront Trick Williams.
  • Ricky Saints posted a brief tweet acknowledging that today is the two-year anniversary of his AEW All Out 2023 strap match against Bryan Danielson: “What day to remember. [dragon emoji]”
  • Going Ringside spoke with NXT Champion Oba Femi, who said he would like to see WWE come back to Africa at some point:
    • 1000 percent, yeah. I still think the market is very untapped. I don’t know if they know how crazy people go for this company over there, but all they need is one show to make them realize. I’m sure there is [cultural concerns], but it’s not anything that you can’t find out. You can always fix fear of the unknown.
  • Denise Salcedo asked Lex Luger if he keeps up with the current product and if he has any favorite wrestlers:
    • I don’t sit down like all the time and watch everything, but I definitely want to be up to speed on what’s going on, for sure. I love it.
    • Man, there’s so many good ones, obviously. Cody [Rhodes], I love him. My association with his father – and that’s the first thing that pops in my mind. There’s so many great talents.
    • What blows my mind now are the women. I mean, what they do in the ring now. A lot of times their matches are way better than the guys. I don’t know if it’s their gymnastics background or their cheerleading – but, man, they do unbelievable stuff. I love watching a lot of their matches now.
  • Salcedo also has an interview with Ron Simmons.

Other Wrestling

  • Dustin Rhodes gave an update on his recovery from double knee replacement surgery:
    • Today marks 2 wks since surgury. Don’t really know how I was doing it these last 5 yrs. Knees were destroyed. Dressing off finally. I look forward to a slow and methodical rehab. Slow and steady. Thank yall for all of your support and prayers. God has it under control.
  • AEW filed a trademark for “The Swirl” on September 2. It’s the tag team name of Blake Christian & Lee Johnson.
  • Along with the regular Thursday TV episode on Honor Club, ROH will air a special YouTube episode this Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern.
  • Lee Moriarty will defend his ROH Pure title against Josh Woods at Action Dean 3 in Philadelphia this Saturday.
  • In an interview with The Escapist, Ric Flair named the top three cities that he loved wrestling in:
    • Tokyo would be top, then Chicago, and in the old days, Greensboro, North Carolina. Tokyo was insane. I’ve been there 68 times. It’s diluted now, but when it was just All Japan and New Japan. It was unbelievable.
  • Flair discussed his in-ring chemistry with Randy Savage:
    • No, we had terrible chemistry. He wanted to rehearse and I didn’t rehearse. I only did it for WrestleMania. Instead of having a week off, I had to come to Tampa and wrestle for three hours a day with him to memorize a match. And that just wasn’t my style. You have to feel the crowd.
  • A Lightning match (10-minute time limit) between Satoshi Kojima and Mr. Thomas has been booked for the TV taping portion of MLW’s Fightland event in North Richland Hills, Texas on September 13.
  • TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast interviewed Matt Riddle about the controversy where he’s been accused of no-showing a charity event in the United Kingdom.
  • Rampage Jackson was on The Ariel Helwani Show today discussing the incident between his son Raja Jackson and Syko Stu.
  • Frankie Kazarian spoke with WrestlingNewsCo ahead of TNA’s events in Minneapolis this week.
  • Cheeseburger remembered Hana Kimura on what would have been her birthday:
    • Happy 28th Birthday Hana-Chan. I miss you everyday! Hug your loved ones close everyday and tell your people you love them before they’re gone!
    • It pains me to know that Hana would 100% be wrestling weekly on TV for WWE or AEW right now

WOL: Ospreay, Dustin, Jericho/AEW, Q&A, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with a FUN FRIDAY edition of the show! We’ve got tons to talk about including updates on Dustin Rhodes, Will Ospreay, Chris Jericho and AEW, your questions and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Dustin Rhodes undergoes double knee replacement

Posted on by Ethan Renner

AEW wrestler Dustin Rhodes is recovering after undergoing a double knee replacement on Thursday.

Rhodes took to social media following his double knee surgery to share post-operation videos and a photo:

Rhodes, 56, responded to a fan noting that he still has no plans to retire from the ring any time within the next two years and four months.

“Hell nah. I am in love with this business. As of right now, i have 2 yrs and 4 months left. AND DAMN GLAD AND PROUD OF @AEW and where I will finally say uncle. Maybe Probability 99.9%. Gotta watch out for that one percent -#IStandFirmWithAEW AND @TonyKhan“

Rhodes also said that it was too early to tell how the new knees will work out, and that recovery will take longer given his age. His knee injury was attributed to Kyle Fletcher in storyline after Fletcher stabbed him in the knee with a screwdriver in their TNT title street fight on Collision last month. Rhodes also noted that there will be a “reckoning” for Fletcher in storyline:

“The older I get, recovery is longer and healing that hole was long. All good bud. Gonna be a Final Reckoning when I return”

Dustin Rhodes shares update ahead of upcoming double knee surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With surgery coming up next week, Dustin Rhodes shared an update with fans today, saying pre-op treatment has his knees feeling pain-free at the moment.

Rhodes is scheduled to undergo double knee replacement surgery on August 21. In storyline, the injury was blamed on damage done by Kyle Fletcher, who stabbed Rhodes in the knee with a screwdriver during their July street fight where Fletcher won AEW’s TNT Championship.

“Pre Op work being done on my knees today,” Rhodes tweeted this afternoon. “Iovera shots in the nerves hurts like a bitch. But now my knees feel no pain at the moment. Can’t wait for August 21st to get here. Tired of this pain. Plus the hole in my leg is almost healed thank God.”

The 56-year-old Rhodes has vowed that, though he’ll be out of action for a while, this injury will not be the end of his in-ring career. He signed a new six-year contract with AEW in 2024.

Along with competing in both AEW and ROH, Rhodes contributes behind the scenes as a coach and an ambassador.

Dustin Rhodes needs double knee replacement, gives update on wrestling future

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dustin Rhodes shared an injury update on Tuesday.

Rhodes revealed that doctors told him they can’t repair the damage to either of his knees, meaning he will require double knee replacement surgery. The procedure is scheduled for August 21.

Rhodes wrote on X 

“Knees are both destroyed. I have to go under the knife August 21st. They can’t actually fix the damage so we are getting 2 knee Replacements. Damn! #KeepSteppin By the way…….This Is NOT THE END”

Rhodes lost the TNT Championship in a particularly brutal Chicago Street Fight with Kyle Fletcher on last Thursday’s edition of AEW Collision. At one point during the match, Fletcher stabbed Rhodes in the leg with a screwdriver.

Last week, Rhodes revealed that he needed major invasive surgery and would be out of action for a while.

He wrote:

“Sorry guys, feel like I failed my fans. Gonna be out for a while as Doc said I need a very invasive major surgery. MRI’s and cat scans this week, due to Kyle Fletcher. In any case, for the time I was the face of TNT was special to me. I will never take what I have for granted. I am in a terrible amount of pain and have a hole in my leg, but that won’t stop me from #KeepSteppin“

Later adding, “Not a work.”

The 56-year-old still holds two titles in Ring of Honor. He is one-half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions with Sammy Guevara and one-third of the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions with Ross and Marshall Von Erich. ROH has yet to announce what will happen with the titles. The next ROH pay-per-view, Supercard of Honor, is scheduled for August 23 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

WOR: SummerSlam night 1, Breakker, Dustin, news!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns with tons to talk about including a full recap of SummerSlam, updates on Bron Breakker and Dustin Rhodes, ratings, all the news out of Arena Mexico, SummerSlam night 2 thoughts, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Dustin Rhodes says he needs ‘very invasive major surgery’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dustin Rhodes says he’s going to be out of action for some time.

The former TNT Champion announced on social media Sunday that doctors have told him he needs major invasive surgery following his Chicago Street Fight with Kyle Fletcher on Thursday’s Collision. Fletcher defeated Rhodes for the TNT title in the match.

Rhodes posted:

“Sorry guys, feel like I failed my fans. Gonna be out for a while as Doc said I need a very invasive major surgery. MRI’s and cat scans this week, due to Kyle Fletcher. In any case, for the time I was the face of TNT was special to me. I will never take what I have for granted. I am in a terrible amount of pain and have a hole in my leg, but that won’t stop me from #KeepSteppin“

He later added, “Not a work.”

Despite losing the TNT title on Thursday, Rhodes still holds two championships. He’s one half of the ROH Tag Team Champions with Sammy Guevara and one third of the ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions with Marshall and Ross Von Erich.

Rhodes won the TNT title at AEW All In in a match he was added to last minute after Adam Cole withdrew due to undisclosed injuries. He pinned Daniel Garcia in a four-way match that also involved Fletcher and Guevara. His only successful defense of the belt came against Lee Moriarty on the July 26 episode of AEW Collision.