Dustin Rhodes gives update on AEW return, timeline for retirement
Dustin Rhodes is approaching one year out of action, but he should be back in an AEW/ROH ring soon.
The 57-year-old Rhodes has not competed since a July 2025 match against Kyle Fletcher on Collision. He’s been recovering from double knee surgery and, though he’s already been back to work in his coaching role, is not cleared to wrestle yet. But Rhodes, appearing on Tony Schiavone’s What Happened When podcast, said he’s expecting to be given that clearance soon.
“It was a hard couple of months, the first two months were pretty bad,” Rhodes said about his surgery recovery. “My wife was, you know, waiting on me on hand and foot, but they wanted you walking, so I did as much walking as possible. I’ve been back to work a little bit for coaching. I’m not quite cleared yet, but I think we’re very close. And I can’t wait to see what I can do for the next year and a half, two years before I retire.”
Dustin Rhodes’ potential retirement match plans —
Rhodes said Tony Khan has been “incredibly good” to him throughout his entire AEW run. While Rhodes would like for his eventual final match to be a big moment, he understands that business is business and is willing to do whatever Khan decides.
“I have, and I’m keeping it really close to the vest,” Rhodes responded when asked if he’s thought about plans for his retirement match. “I think Tony knows, I’ve said it to him a couple of times. And the other guy knows. I kind of want to go out with no [face] paint on this one and just like a throwback to ‘The Natural’ Dustin Rhodes in the early 90s. Not in that gear, though — in my body suit. Because let’s face it, I’m 57. Even though I am high school weight right now, which is impressive, because I’ve worked my butt off. Still, nobody wants to see that. They’re used to me in a bodysuit. So, you know, just a little change, maybe some different colors for the one last hoorah.”
Rhodes is now 38 years into his wrestling career and is hoping to make it to 40. He is under a long-term contract with AEW that should extend past his time in the ring. He told What Happened When that he feels blessed to be part of AEW in his behind the scenes and in-ring roles.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.