4 Directions for Dustin Rhodes if he returns to WWE in 2025
Dustin Rhodes has enjoyed an incredibly illustrious pro-wrestling career spanning over 30 years and multiple promotions, including WCW, WWE, TNA, and now AEW. The veteran is possibly best known for his work as Goldust in the Stamford-based company, although he has been killing it in All Elite Wrestling and ROH as of late—in fact, he is a double champion in the latter promotion currently.
Notably, a recent report from Fightful has revealed that Rhodes' contract with the Tony Khan-led company may have expired sometime earlier and that despite ongoing negotiations between the two parties, no agreement has been reached yet. While Dustin has been outspoken about his appreciation for AEW, the possibility remains that the 55-year-old may want to end his career in WWE.
As such, let us consider four directions for Dustin Rhodes if he decides to join the sports entertainment juggernaut in 2025.
#1: Goldust returns at the 2025 Royal Rumble
The WWE Royal Rumble is one of the most memorable and anticipated events of the promotion's calendar year. The match itself is celebrated for presenting a number of shocking surprise returns over the years—consider Kevin Nash's 2011 return as Diesel and Booker T's comeback in the same bout. Consider, furthermore, Adam Copeland's shocking return from retirement in the 2020 Royal Rumble and his long-time friend Christian Cage's comeback at the same event in 2021.
Dustin Rhodes is no stranger to unexpected Royal Rumble returns, as he had pulled off such a comeback in 2013, only to be eliminated by his brother, Cody Rhodes. The Texas native could stun fans next year by returning to WWE at the 2025 Royal Rumble.
While he is not a likely pick to win the match itself, his appearance would undoubtedly make for an iconic moment while also serving to reintroduce Rhodes to World Wrestling Entertainment programming.
#2: Dustin Rhodes reunites with Cody Rhodes
Dustin and Cody Rhodes greatly put AEW on the map with their unforgettable match at Double or Nothing 2019. Prior to that, however, the two men had worked together closely in WWE, both as rivals and tag team partners.
Since his departure from AEW, The American Nightmare has found considerable success in World Wrestling Entertainment and is currently the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion.
Should Dustin return to his old stomping grounds in 2025, he could readily reunite with Cody Rhodes as the latter's ally. The former Elite member has been losing friends lately, with Kevin Owens turning on him some time ago and fans speculating on Randy Orton's impending betrayal.
At such a time, Dustin could be a valuable team-mate to Cody and back him up in the face of his potentially ever-increasing list of foes and challengers.
#3: Dustin Rhodes for the WWE Hall of Fame
Few would argue that Dustin Rhodes' decorated career deserves to be acknowledged through his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. The reigning ROH World Tag Team Champion has been wrestling since the late 1980s and has not shown any signs of losing a step in the squared circle. He competes at the highest level against wrestlers much younger than him and puts on crowd-pleasing matches throughout 2024.
The Bizarre One's body of work has led fans and even top industry talent, including Cody Rhodes, to advocate for Dustin's Hall of Fame inclusion.
If Rhodes does sign with World Wrestling Entertainment next year in any capacity, the promotion could extend the aforementioned honor to him—an honor that few veterans can claim to be more deserving of.
#4: Dustin Rhodes becomes a backstage producer/coach in WWE
Besides serving as an in-ring talent in AEW, Dustin Rhodes also played the role of a coach in the Jacksonville-based promotion - in fact, according to a recent report, the reigning ROH World Trios Champion has also "helped out with" the company's women's division.
Furthermore, Rhodes recently promoted his own wrestling academy on social media following WWE's announcement of its new program for developing indie talent.
Considering the wealth of experience he will be able to draw from as a talent and as a coach, Dustin Rhodes would indeed have a lot to offer in a backstage position in WWE should he opt to return to the promotion in 2025.
The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust could also work there as a producer, helping put together excellent matches for the company's events and televised programming.