Add as a preferred source on Google Dustin Rhodes doesn’t plan to end his career without winning the AEW World Championship.
Sidelined since July 2025, the veteran wrote on X that he’ll be back “very soon” for the final stretch of his career, which he’s calling his “One Last Ride.”
Rhodes also vowed to keep working with the same intensity and pushed back on the idea that, at 57, it’s too late for him to reach the top of AEW.
Rhodes wrote:
“Want yall to know, I never want you to forget my body of work. I have given so much passion, love, blood(lots), sweat and tons of tears, all for the love of #prowrestling. And again, thank you all for standing by me as well as the new fans, ty. Very soon, i will be back for my “One Last Ride,” which has gone for 7 yrs lol.
I promise to continue my in ring work to be as hard as ever. Knowing that my legacy is in tact, I feel I still have plenty to prove.
My number 1 goal when, I started this journey, wast be a World Champion. I don’t think its too late for me, because I am damn good at what I do and will continue to strive for that. Do you think its in me to be world champ? I DO!
Love you all and stay tuned for the Dustin Rhodes you all love. #Soon #KeepSteppin”
Rhodes underwent double knee replacement surgery last August. His last match came on the July 31 episode of AEW Collision, where he dropped the TNT Championship to Kyle Fletcher in a Chicago Street Fight. As of June, he still hadn’t received medical clearance, though he said he was “very close” to a return.
The ambition to win a world title isn’t new. Back in November 2024, Rhodes had already said it was the biggest missing piece of his career and pointed to Sting as inspiration for continuing to wrestle past 50.
Before the injury, Rhodes had one of the biggest moments of his AEW career. At All In: Texas on July 12, 2025, he defeated Fletcher, Sammy Guevara and Daniel Garcia to win the TNT Championship at 56 years old.