Dustin Rhodes says he is close to being cleared for a return to the ring after nearly a year away recovering from double knee surgery, and has already been thinking about how he wants his eventual retirement match to look.
Rhodes, 57, spoke on Tony Schiavone’s What Happened When podcast, reflecting on a difficult recovery that began after his last match against Kyle Fletcher on AEW Collision in July 2025.
“It was a hard couple of months, the first two months were pretty bad. My wife was 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.”
When asked about plans for his retirement match, Rhodes said he has discussed the idea with Tony Khan and hinted at a throwback presentation.
“I have, and I’m keeping it really close to the vest. 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 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 38 years into his wrestling career and is hoping to make it to 40. He is under a long-term AEW contract that should extend past his in-ring days into a behind-the-scenes role.