Is Dustin Rhodes going to return to AEW? Here is what we know.
Last week, on the August 31st episode of Collision, All Elite Wrestling veteran Dustin Rhodes lost his TNT Championship to Kyle Fletcher, just 19 days after winning the gold at the 2025 All In PPV.
Rhodes’ run at the top came to a sudden pause after Fletcher defeated him in an extremely violent match. While Fletcher celebrated his title win following the intense battle, Rhodes announced his upcoming hiatus. A few days ago, uploading via social media, Rhodes announced his upcoming surgery and hiatus.
Now, earlier today, Rhodes again took to X(Twitter) to share a major update on his wrestling career’s future. Confirming the double-knee surgery procedure, Rhodes vowed a comeback.
“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”
Last week, Fightful Select noted that Rhodes is not expected to return until 2026.
It is currently unclear how long Rhodes will be out of action, but we at ITR Wrestling wish Dustin Rhodes a steady recovery.
Dustin Rhodes Details AEW Retirement Plans
Last year, via a social media post, the 56-year-old Dustin Rhodes revealed his retirement plans.
I will finish my career here at #AEW as I feel it is home to me. I have never felt respected and wanted like I have here. This makes me want to do my very best for Tony and push myself harder than I ever have. I feel loved and wanted here. I love all of our roster deeply. I want to thank the fans for all of your support. I want to thank the men and women in the locker rooms we have shared and created magic together.
I want to thank Tony Khan for believing in me and relying on me in so many ways. I won’t let you down. I love it here in #AEW and can’t wait to see where the next few yrs take me. And last but not least, I want to thank my family for their support. They are the true rockstars !!”
In other news: Liv Morgan’s WWE return date now out.