AEW Wrestler Confirms Retirement Plans

This AEW star's time in a wrestling ring is coming to an end.

Dustin Rhodes
AEW

Dustin Rhodes has confirmed that 2023 will be his last as an active professional wrestler.

The AEW star said as much during Great Lakes Championship Wrestling’s Blizzard Brawl event on Saturday (3 December). Although it isn’t yet available, the clip, along with the entire show, is to be uploaded to Premier Streaming Network in the future.

Rhodes, 53, is a year-one AEW star, having confirmed in April 2019 that he would face brother Cody for the promotion at the following month’s inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view. Reverting to his old persona ‘The Natural’, Dustin entered a critically acclaimed performance opposite Cody, falling to a bloody, emotional defeat in a bout still held up amongst AEW’s finest.

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Though his usage rate has declined in 2022, Dustin has retained a steady presence in the promotion, working as both a wrestler and coach. His last bout for the company came against then-ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli on 24 August. This was only the veteran’s fifth match of the year.

A wrestler since 1988, when he debuted in Championship Wrestling from Florida, Rhodes has never been shy of admitting the clock is ticking on his career. But with his behind-the-scenes role in AEW and his Rhodes Wrestling Academy away from Tony Khan’s company, he has work to fall back on.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.