Why did Dustin Rhodes not re-sign with WWE in 2024 to join brother Cody Rhodes? Reasons explored
Former WWE Superstar Dustin Rhodes is held to be one of the most experienced and respected veterans in the pro wrestling industry today. While many speculated that his decorated career - spanning over three decades - would possibly come to an end in the Stamford-based company, it seems like The Natural has renewed his commitment to AEW and Tony Khan.
Dustin Rhodes has been signed with All Elite Wrestling since 2019, and wrestled his brother, current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, on the company's very first pay-per-view, Double or Nothing. He has been featured consistently over the years on AEW television and has locked horns with a range of top names including Sammy Guevara, Jack Perry, Samoa Joe, and Swerve Strickland, among others.
Some time ago it was reported that Rhodes' contract with AEW was set to expire, which gave birth to speculations of the former Goldust possibly returning to WWE. The Bizarre One is perhaps best known for his work as the face-painted enigma in the sports entertainment juggernaut, and seeing how his brother Cody is currently faring in the company, many believed that Dustin would reunite with The American Nightmare at his old workplace, and finish up his career there.
However, earlier today, Rhodes took to X/Twitter to reveal that he had signed a new multi-year contract with AEW, confirming that he would remain All Elite. Dustin disclosed that the Jacksonville-based company had enabled him to rediscover his passion for pro wrestling, and stated his intention of ending his career in AEW.
"I want to thank my boss @TonyKhan for every opportunity he has given me. Since coming here and being an original since inception, I have truly had the time of my life. Everybody knows my story, and how much I have been through in all my yrs. Lost my passion and found it again HERE in @AEW at the first Double Or Nothing. Did not expect this One Last Ride to last as long as it has, and man, what a run I have had."
Rhodes also highlighted the respect and reverence he has supposedly been given in AEW by his fans, his peers in the locker room, and by All Elite CEO Tony Khan, voicing his loyalty to the latter in emphatic terms.
While many former WWE stars return to the company in their latter years to retire from the promotion, it seems that the former Goldust has opted to take a different route. The star would definitely have cherished the opportunity to work with his brother again, but beyond that, he is more likely to contribute more to Tony Khan's team than Triple H's.
Dustin Rhodes is an integral part of the AEW roster not only because of his stature as a great wrestler but also because of the knowledge he can impart backstage. It is likely that more than the money, Rhodes feels well settled in AEW and has nothing but love for the promotion and its fans for the support and respect they have shown over the last few years.
Ex-WWE star Dustin Rhodes is not only competing for AEW but also for ROH
Besides AEW, WWE veteran Dustin Rhodes has also made several appearances in ROH this year, where he currently holds the ROH World Tag Team Title alongside Sammy Guevara.
The duo, going by The Sons of Texas, recently defended the belts against The Righteous in a brutal Texas Bull Rope match at ROH: Final Battle 2024.
Rhodes is also one-third of the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions alongside Marshall and Ross Von Erich. He was last seen on All Elite programming on Collision in September.