Dustin Rhodes Confirms Retirement in 2023

[Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast]

www.fightful.com/wrestling/dustin-rhodes-announces-2023-will-be-his-last-year-wrestling?utm_source=TW-Fightful&utm_medium=Fightful%20Wrestling%20News&utm_campaign=dlvr.it

Dustin Rhodes makes a big announcement.

At the Blizzard Brawl tapings, Dustin Rhodes announced that 2023 will be his last year in wrestling.

Rhodes said in November that he had about a year left on his AEW contract. Rhodes, 52, last wrestled at AEW Rampage on August 26, unsuccessfully challenging Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World Title. He has undergone a series of knee surgeries, but has been feeling good and hoped to return to the ring soon.

Rhodes also serves as a coach in AEW.

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2022 0:05:41 GMT -5 Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast said:

www.fightful.com/wrestling/dustin-rhodes-announces-2023-will-be-his-last-year-wrestling?utm_source=TW-Fightful&utm_medium=Fightful%20Wrestling%20News&utm_campaign=dlvr.it

Dustin Rhodes makes a big announcement.

At the Blizzard Brawl tapings, Dustin Rhodes announced that 2023 will be his last year in wrestling.

Rhodes said in November that he had about a year left on his AEW contract. Rhodes, 52, last wrestled at AEW Rampage on August 26, unsuccessfully challenging Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World Title. He has undergone a series of knee surgeries, but has been feeling good and hoped to return to the ring soon.

Rhodes also serves as a coach in AEW.

The son of a legend who forged his own path with one of the more... interesting... characters to ever come out of the WWE, and a nice reminder in AEW that old school is cool. 

Add to that being a great father and overcoming his wrestling "demons"... and, well.. you could do worse than the career of Dustin Rhodes. 

[Wieners=$$$]

Incredibly... bizarre career.

Seriously, I'm happy he's ready to retire while healthy, and excited he has an opportunity to put together some farewell matches.

He would be a solid hand backstage, and I hope whatever he plans on doing next, he enjoys his legacy.

[The Lach is very tired]

Would not be against him having a short run with either the TNT or All Atlantic title before he hangs up the boots.

[Cyno]

I hope he continues to be a coach/trainer/whatever they need from him backstage for AEW. He's had a hell of an in-ring career even if it wasn't the most straightforward one.

I also like the idea of the Rhodes family having their fingers in two biggest wrestling promotions in the US.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Dude had a career resurgence when most guys would hang it up years ago. Great AEW run too all things considered, proved he could still hang with the best of them, and I hope they keep him on as a coach because he's damn good at it

I would consider him a future Hall of Famer as well, never quite got to the mountaintop, but he sure carved his own path on it, in three major wrestling companies across the span of 30 plus years. Hell of a career, hope the last year is a good cap off to it.

[schizo]

Dude had a hell of a career with one of the most unique characters ever created in this business, and also had a hell of a run in AEW imo

he really deserves it

[stoptheclocks]

Being Goldust and then having the match he had with Cody in AEW... that's an unbelievable career even if he'd done nothing else outside it.

Has to be an absolute lock for the 2024 Hall of Fame.

[THE FVNKER]

Not sure what they want the optics to be in regards to AEW's own Hall of Fame type deal, especially since they're so young.. but Dustin has to go in it. Goldust should be in WWE's as well.

Would 100% be in favor of Dustin having a month or so run with the TNT or All-Atlantic straps. Earlier on in AEW I wouldn't have minded seeing him as a transitional champ with the World belt either.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Dude can really go for his age, but who knows the toll that pace is taking on him. Getting out early with his health and before he can stink the place up is admirable. Hopefully he finds fulfilment in behind the scenes stuff because I think his mind would absolutely be one worth keeping around, and if he wanted to continue on with that, he'd have a lot to share.

[dynamitekidd]

His and Cody’s match were one of the things to really make me get back into wrestling and give AEW a chance. Good run and good career.

And I was shocked at good he could still go. I’m not sure there was a single time when I thought, man it’s time for Dustin to give it up.

[Jindrak Mark]

Dec 4, 2022 11:40:35 GMT -5 dynamitekidd said:

His and Cody’s match were one of the things to really make me get back into wrestling and give AEW a chance. Good run and good career.

And I was shocked at good he could still go. I’m not sure there was a single time when I thought, man it’s time for Dustin to give it up.

There's been times he looked completely finished (99-01 WCW, 2007-08 TNA). He was out of shape, having crappy matches plus apparently having substance abuse issues but he managed to sort himself out and bounce back. Seriously, I don't think anyone who watched Black Reign would have believed over a decade later in 2019 the same guy would arguably have the MOTY.

[Tiger Millionaire]

MJF vs Black Reign in a title vs career match.

[Bo Rida]

Before he goes I hope he can put across that wrestling would be better if more people accepted they'll never be the next HBK or Danielson but could carve out a niche as the next Goldust (As in a relatively unique and memorable act not a copy).

[Instant Classic]

Wish he could win the NWA title before all is said and done.

[XIII]

Fully expect him to show up in the WWE for a match or two and then get a gig as a backstage NXT guy

[Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story]

I hope they give him a proper sendoff in AEW. A TNT Title run would be appropriate. I wouldn't hate if they let him cameo on WWE TV at Mania if his bro's in the title match.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

It would be cool if Cody was allowed to be there for his retirement match.

[DiBiase is Good]

Dec 4, 2022 14:25:21 GMT -5 "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik said:

It would be cool if Cody was allowed to be there for his retirement match.

If Dustin stays on with AEW in a backstage role then I could see AEW and WWE agreeing to a deal where Cody is shown at Dustin’s last match and Dustin is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

[Lupin the Third]

I didn't expect much from Dustin Rhodes in this Last Run in AEW. But not only did he surprise the hell out of me, he showed he could still go, and put on at least a 3.5* or better match. And he became one of my favorites at the beginning of AEW.

He's definitely going out on a high note.