Dustin Rhodes Lays Out Ambitious Timeline For Return After Major Surgery

Dustin Rhodes has plans to return to the ring.

In the days after losing the TNT Championship to Kyle Fletcher on July 31, Dustin Rhodes announced that he required “very invasive major surgery.” An emotional Rhodes confirmed that he needed double knee replacement surgery, while quickly denying that his injuries were in any way part of a storyline.

He stated that his knees were “destroyed,” and that he’d been in pain for some time. However, despite the severity of the surgery and the fact that he’s now 56 years old, the veteran repeatedly stated that he plans to return to the ring.

Dustin Rhodes “Pushing Hard”

According to one report, Rhodes is expected to be out of action until well into 2026, but the man has largely steered away from giving a definitive timeline. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t got a target in mind.

In response to a fan on social media, Rhodes said that while his knees still hurt following the surgery, he’s already pushing hard to make his comeback a reality. He joked that he’s hoping he’ll be ready to kill everyone in March.

“They still hurt a bit, especially in the mornings. I do have a good ways to go. Remember I am 56 and pushing hard, just takes time. Not young anymore. Prob March I should be ready to kill everyone lol. Maybe, I am pushing hard my man.”

Dustin Rhodes signed a new six-year contract with AEW in December 2024 to extend his career as a wrestler, ambassador, coach, and consultant.

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