News

Dustin Rhodes Blasts “Disgustingly Stupid” Indy Wrestling Gimmick

By John Canton • Published 9th November 2024
Dustin Rhodes AEW Face Paint

Dustin Rhodes was not impressed by an independent pro wrestler doing a gimmick that mocks a wrestling legend.

As a pro wrestler with over 30 years in the business, Dustin Rhodes knows a lot about playing a unique character. That’s because Dustin was one of the most bizarre WWE superstars of all time when he portrayed the former WWE Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion Goldust.

The “Bizarre One” Goldust was known for being controversial whether he was forcing a kiss on an unconscious Ahmed Johnson or rubbing his hands across another man’s chest, Goldust knew how to get heat. For over 20 years, Dustin brought Goldust to life and will end up in the WWE Hall of Fame one day.

Over the last five years, Dustin Rhodes has been in AEW using his name while being the wrestling legend that he is both in the ring and behind the scenes as a Producer for the company.

On Twitter/X, there was a video making the rounds of an indy wrestler using the name “CoKane” while wearing white and black gear similar to WWE Hall of Famer Kane. During a spot in the match, CoKane pours a white substance onto his face with the idea being that it’s the drug cocaine. That fires him up, so that leads to CoKane hitting a Chokeslam to win the match.

Dustin Rhodes saw this on Twitter/X and responded with this now-deleted message.

“This is disgustingly stupid. All involved should be ashamed. Work or not.”

It should be noted also that Dustin Rhodes has been very open about his past alcohol and drug abuse. Dustin is in a good place now, but his issues in the past are something he isn’t proud of and he wants people to avoid doing stuff like what CoKane did in that ring.

Dustin Rhodes In Negotiations About AEW Future

As for his wrestling future, Dustin Rhodes recently had his AEW contract expire after more than five years with the company. It’s a unique spot for Dustin since he’s one-half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions with Sammy Guevara and one-third of the World Six-Man Tag Team Champions with The Von Erichs.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Rhodes is negotiating with AEW for a new deal.

“Dustin Rhodes’s contract expires. It’s an interesting situation with him running a wrestling school and doing indie shows in Texas with his students. He also holds the ROH trios titles with the Von Erichs (who have only worked the Arlington shows along with a preshow match in London and were brought to the Grand Slam show), and tag title with Sammy Guevara. He’s in negotiations.”

Meanwhile, the full clip of CoKane’s spot is below.