AEW Veteran Reportedly Sidelined With Serious Injury
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The fairytale TNT Championship reign of Dustin Rhodes has come to a tragic and premature end. A new report has confirmed that the wrestling veteran is set to undergo double knee surgery and will be out of action until at least 2026.
This news comes just days after Rhodes lost the championship to Kyle Fletcher in a brutal street fight on AEW Collision. His reign, which began with an emotional victory at All In: Texas, has been cut short after just one successful defense.
A Brutal End To A Fairytale Reign
On the July 26th episode of AEW Collision, Dustin Rhodes defended his TNT Title against Kyle Fletcher of the Don Callis Family. During the violent street fight, Fletcher hit Rhodes in the head with a screwdriver before delivering a Brainbuster to capture the championship.
After the match, Fletcher continued the assault, targeting Rhodes' knee. The segment ended with the former champion being taken away on a stretcher. Rhodes later confirmed on social media that he would need a "very invasive major surgery" and shut down any speculation that the injury was just a storyline.
We couldn't be more proud of you, @DustinRhodes.
Get well soon! pic.twitter.com/CP4RTjFOxO — All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 3, 2025
The "Natural": A Legendary Career
Dustin Rhodes has had one of the most unique and enduring careers in wrestling history. He is most famously known for his revolutionary "Goldust" character in WWE during the Attitude Era. The bizarre, androgynous, and controversial gimmick became iconic, and Dustin's incredible talent as a performer made it one of the most memorable characters of all time.
All Elite Wrestling ALL IN at Wembley Stadium in London on August 27, 2023.
All Elite Wrestling ALL IN at Wembley Stadium in London on August 27, 2023.
Courtesy of AEW
More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
Fightful Select has revealed more details, confirming that Rhodes is dealing with a knee injury and will undergo double knee surgery. He'll be out of action for an extended period, with no return expected before 2026.
After leaving WWE, he experienced a massive career renaissance in AEW. His bloody and emotional match against his brother, Cody Rhodes, at the first Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2019 is considered an all-time classic. The match proved that even after three decades in the business, "The Natural" could still perform at an elite level.
An Emotional Championship Victory
His long journey culminated last month at the All In: Texas pay-per-view at Globe Life Field. In an emotional and surprising moment, Dustin Rhodes won a multi-man match to capture the TNT Championship, his first major singles title in AEW. The fairytale victory was seen as a well-deserved reward for a lifetime of dedication to the business.
Unfortunately, that dream run was cut tragically short by this legitimate injury. The wrestling world now wishes the legendary "Natural" a full and speedy recovery.
More WWE News:
For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
29 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Paul Heyman Names Three Stars Who Are The Future Of WWE
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When Paul Heyman speaks, the wrestling world listens, and the legendary manager has just identified the three superstars he believes are the future of WWE. In a new, in-depth interview, the WWE Hall of Famer named the three talents he sees as "guaranteed WrestleMania main eventers." Heyman, who is currently the "Oracle" for the new dominant Raw faction, "The Vision," made the revealing comments during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday, August 6th. "I truly believe [Bron Breakker] is the future of our company. That's a guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer, multiple times, in the future." - @HeymanHustle — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 6, 2025 Paul Heyman Makes His Picks Heyman was unequivocal in his choices, starting with one of his own current clients. He named Bron Breakker, Jacob Fatu, and Rhea Ripley as the next generation of top-tier headliners. "Bron Breakker and I are on camera together because I was working so closely with him behind the scenes," Heyman began. "Because I truly believe that's the future of our company. That's a guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer multiple times in the future." He then named two dominant champions from the SmackDown and Raw rosters. "Jacob Fatu [is] a guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer multiple times in the future. I can say the same thing [about] Rhea Ripley," he stated. INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: (L-R) Paul Heyman watches Cody Rhodes wrestle Roman Reigns for Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match during WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Inglewood, California. Newsweek... INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: (L-R) Paul Heyman watches Cody Rhodes wrestle Roman Reigns for Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match during WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Inglewood, California. Newsweek sat down with Paul Heyman to discuss his storied upbringing and his views on the future of the WWE. MoreMore news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match The Ultimate Endorsement From Paul Heyman Paul Heyman's endorsement is arguably the most significant one a superstar can receive in the wrestling business. For over 30 years, he has had a legendary eye for talent. In the 1990s, he built his revolutionary ECW promotion around a roster of future icons that other companies had overlooked, including "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mick Foley. In WWE, the term "Paul Heyman Guy" became synonymous with future success. He managed and mentored stars like CM Punk, and most famously, he guided both Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns during their multi-year, dominant runs at the very top of the company, which included numerous WrestleMania main events. When Heyman anoints someone as "the future," history shows that it is not a prediction; it is a spoiler. A Trifecta of WWE Talent Heyman's three choices represent the pinnacle of WWE's modern talent development. Bron Breakker is a second-generation powerhouse from the legendary Steiner family and a dominant former two-time NXT Champion. Jacob Fatu is a member of the iconic Anoa'i wrestling dynasty and had a legendary, multi-year run as the MLW World Champion before his dominant arrival in WWE. Rhea Ripley is already a Women's Grand Slam Champion and one of the most popular crossover stars in the entire company. All three possess the unique blend of in-ring ability, charisma, and pedigree that is required to headline the biggest show of the year. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
CNN
29 minutes ago
- CNN
John Cena says getting hair transplant has ‘completely changed the course' of his life
John Cena has a new look thanks to a hair transplant he underwent last year, and he is fully embracing it. The actor and wrestling legend opened up about his decision to have the hair transplant in a new interview with People magazine published Wednesday, saying that he was confronted with this aspect of aging due to his fans. 'As I was trying to hide my hair loss, the audience was bringing it to light,' he said. 'I saw their signs that said 'The bald John Cena.' They pushed me into going to see what my options were.' Cena said it prompted him to start a new routine, which involves 'red-light therapy, minoxidil, vitamins, shampoo, conditioner,' as well as undergoing a hair transplant procedure in November. 'I hate the fact that if there wasn't so much shame around it, I'd have gotten it done 10 years ago. I thought I was alone, but seven or eight out of 10 (men) suffer from thinning or baldness,' he said, adding that 'if somebody's going to sweat me for that, I don't think there's any shame in that.' The transplant, he said, 'completely changed the course of my life.' Cena announced in 2024 that he'd be retiring from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) at the end of this year, telling People in Thursday's story that 'age plays a factor' in his decision. 'I'm not as strong or as fast as I used to be,' he said, adding that his 'health and my dedication to my partner are the tip of my spear in life right now, so I think every time I go out (in the ring), I just want to make sure I'm able to give my all, but it's time to step away.' The 'Peacemaker' star also has a robust acting career outside of his work with WWE, something he said his hair transplant has helped with, too. 'A different hairstyle can identify a part that can get me more work, do the thing I love to do,' he said. DC show 'Peacemaker,' in which Cena plays the titular lead role, will debut its second season this month on HBO Max. (DC and HBO Max are owned by CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.)
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
John Cena says getting hair transplant has ‘completely changed the course' of his life
People in entertainmentFacebookTweetLink Follow John Cena has a new look thanks to a hair transplant he underwent last year, and he is fully embracing it. The actor and wrestling legend opened up about his decision to have the hair transplant in a new interview with People magazine published Wednesday, saying that he was confronted with this aspect of aging due to his fans. 'As I was trying to hide my hair loss, the audience was bringing it to light,' he said. 'I saw their signs that said 'The bald John Cena.' They pushed me into going to see what my options were.' Cena said it prompted him to start a new routine, which involves 'red-light therapy, minoxidil, vitamins, shampoo, conditioner,' as well as undergoing a hair transplant procedure in November. 'I hate the fact that if there wasn't so much shame around it, I'd have gotten it done 10 years ago. I thought I was alone, but seven or eight out of 10 (men) suffer from thinning or baldness,' he said, adding that 'if somebody's going to sweat me for that, I don't think there's any shame in that.' The transplant, he said, 'completely changed the course of my life.' Cena announced in 2024 that he'd be retiring from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) at the end of this year, telling People in Thursday's story that 'age plays a factor' in his decision. 'I'm not as strong or as fast as I used to be,' he said, adding that his 'health and my dedication to my partner are the tip of my spear in life right now, so I think every time I go out (in the ring), I just want to make sure I'm able to give my all, but it's time to step away.' The 'Peacemaker' star also has a robust acting career outside of his work with WWE, something he said his hair transplant has helped with, too. 'A different hairstyle can identify a part that can get me more work, do the thing I love to do,' he said. DC show 'Peacemaker,' in which Cena plays the titular lead role, will debut its second season this month on HBO Max. (DC and HBO Max are owned by CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.)
