Dustin Rhodes Says Career Will Continue After Knee Replacement
Veteran professional wrestler Dustin Rhodes, known to fans worldwide as “The Natural,” has revealed that a significant medical procedure will not mark the end of his career. The 56-year-old AEW star confirmed that he will undergo double knee replacement surgery later this month, yet he remains resolute about returning to the ring once his recovery is complete.
Rhodes’ recent run in All Elite Wrestling has been one of the most inspiring chapters of his long career. After decades of competing at the highest level, including an iconic tenure in WWE as Goldust, Rhodes experienced a late-career surge that culminated in capturing his first singles championship in AEW. The victory came at All In: Texas, the company’s biggest event of the year, where he triumphed in a four-way match to claim the vacant TNT Championship.
That milestone moment was quickly followed by his first title defense against Lee Moriarty. However, his reign proved short-lived. On the July 31 episode of AEW Collision, Rhodes put the TNT Title on the line against Kyle Fletcher in a Chicago Street Fight. The contest was brutal from start to finish, and by the closing moments, Fletcher targeted Rhodes’ knees with relentless aggression. The match ended with Fletcher claiming the championship, but the damage to Rhodes’ body was even more significant.
In the days that followed, Rhodes disclosed the severity of the injury, confirming that both knees had sustained extensive wear and damage over the years, leading to the need for surgical replacement. The announcement naturally raised questions among fans regarding whether this might signal the end of his in-ring career.
Rhodes answered those questions directly on social media. When asked if he would retire after the procedure, his response was emphatic. He stated that once his body is ready, he intends to return to action without hesitation. He acknowledged that the first month of rehabilitation will be the most challenging, but he expressed excitement about documenting the recovery process with his coach, Jimmy House. In his message, Rhodes described himself as “the last of his kind,” promising that he still has much to prove to himself and to his supporters.
For many fans, Rhodes’ commitment to returning is a testament to his enduring passion for professional wrestling. Having entered the industry in the late 1980s, he has built a legacy of resilience and adaptability, evolving through multiple eras of the sport. His willingness to undergo such a major surgery at this stage of his career reflects not only his physical toughness but also his unwavering dedication to the craft.
As of now, AEW has not provided a timetable for his return, leaving speculation about when “The Natural” will once again compete inside the squared circle. Regardless of the timeline, Rhodes’ determination ensures that his story in AEW is far from finished. Fans can expect updates as he navigates his recovery, and his eventual comeback will likely be met with an outpouring of support from audiences who have followed his journey for decades.