Professional wrestler Dustin Rhodes has firmly rejected suggestions to return to WWE in his former Goldust persona. Responding to a fan on social media, Rhodes highlighted his satisfaction with AEW and past frustrations with WWE. The exchange occurred on February 24, 2026.
On February 24, 2026, a fan on X, posting as Mozzarella Fella (@TheWahooo), urged, "Bring Goldust back to WWE immediately." Dustin Rhodes, known for portraying the eccentric Goldust character during the late 1990s in WWE, responded decisively: "Nope! I never got a raise there. What, you want me sitting the bench doing nothing? That ain’t me anymore. I have done the best work of my career with @AEW. I love the character Goldust, but he ran its course. I did what I was told and it got me nowhere. No thanks."
Rhodes, who has returned to WWE five times in his career, joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019. There, he serves not only as a performer but also as a coach. He signed a new six-year contract with AEW in late 2024. Rhodes owns and operates the Rhodes Wrestling Academy in Texas.
Prior to his current hiatus, Rhodes was active in both AEW and Ring of Honor (ROH). He held the ROH Tag Team Championship with Sammy Guevara and was part of the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions alongside Marshall Von Erich and Ross Von Erich. He also reigned as the AEW TNT Champion. These titles were vacated following his double knee replacement surgery in August 2025. At 56 years old, Rhodes is under a long-term AEW contract that includes in-ring competition and backstage contributions. He has targeted March 2026 for his return to the ring.
Goldust remains a fondly remembered part of Rhodes' WWE history, but he views it as a chapter that has concluded without further advancement.
