‘Nope’ – Attitude Era legend gives brutal seven-word reason why he’ll never return to WWE
The merry-go-round between WWE and AEW continued through WrestleMania season. While WWE is largely considered to be the word’s biggest and most established wrestling organisation, in All Elite Wrestling there is genuine competition. The Attitude Era in WWE was filled with controversial stars and momentsWWE Under the stewardship of Fulham FC exec Tony Khan, AEW was launched in 2019 as an alternative to World Wrestling Entertainment, presenting a generally rawer edgier product which has proved a hit with fans around the globe. Not unexpectedly, many top names have made the hop from WWE to Khan’s company, with elite -level stars including Jon Moxley (fka Dean Ambrose) and Bryan Danielson (fka Daniel Bryan) shining as world champions in AEW since their move. Fellow WWE legends Edge (now Cope) and Chris Jericho have also made a similar transition, but it hasn’t all been one way. In more recent years, names who’ve established or boosted their profile in AEW have made the jump to WWE – none more prominently so than Cody Rhodes, who became a global star while with Khan’s entity, having struggled to truly cement himself as a main player with the opposition in his formative years. Rhodes of course went on to win WWE’s Undisputed Championship and held it for a year before being beaten by John Cena at WrestleMania. He isn’t alone in enjoying a mighty high profile in WWE having left AEW behind – Jade Cargill has done similar, as have Penta and Rey Fenix. The faces haven’t all been new, either. Among those to join Rhodes in switching back to WWE having previously transitioned to AEW include Rusev and Aleister Black, both of whom have made return debuts on screen since WrestleMania. There has been clamour, too, for others to switch back the other way with many fans pleading to WWE Head of Creative Paul ‘Triple H’ to ‘bring home’ Brit sensation Saraya, who previously starred as Paige. But while that back and forth shows so sig of easing any time soon, it appears fans can at least rule one name out of ever packing his AEW bags in favour of a return to pastures prior. 56-year-old Dustin Rhodes is a 37-year veteran of the wrestling business and half-brother to WWE megastar Cody. He’s currently signed to AEW and has been since 2019. Aleister Black is back in WWE after a spell in AEWWWE Rusev made his WWE comeback after WrestleManiaWWE He’s perhaps best known to many wrestling fans as Goldust, a mid-1990s and Attitude Era legend who was once one of the most controversial stars in all of WWE. Clad in gold, face paint and a flowing wig, Goldust was hugely suggestive on-screen character whose advances – usually toward the male roster – drew the ire of fans on its debut in 1995. All told, he’s wrestled across six different spells in WWE, three times an Intercontinental Champion and tag team champion. There will be no last hurrah with the company, though – Rhodes confirming the last, six-year stint up to 2019 will be his last. Quizzed by a fan on X as to whether or not he would like another swing at WWE life, the vastly experienced grappler gave a firm negative. Going further, stuck the boot in further by insisting he’ll stay with All Elite Wrestling for what he feels is one single good reason. Goldust won plenty of titles in WWE but won’t be back to win moreWWE “Nope!!” he hit out in answer to the question, following up by insisting he’ll finish with AEW as it is the ‘Only place I have ever felt respected.’ The insulation that he felt anything other than respected in WWE having wrestled there for decades left a few fans in disbelief. The Texan at least clarified he only has positive feelings towards the company, adding: “I had a wonderful career as Goldust and respect the s*** out of my time with WWE. “Goldust ran its course. I am having the time of my life coming back full circle as Dustin Rhodes. No hate towards them. I had 24 yrs there. My passion lies where I am at now, AEW.” Few can dispute his passion. Almost four decades after breaking into the business, Rhodes is currently a double champion, reigning with AEW’s sister entity, Ring of Honour, as a tag team and six-man world champion.
The merry-go-round between WWE and AEW continued through WrestleMania season.
While WWE is largely considered to be the word’s biggest and most established wrestling organisation, in All Elite Wrestling there is genuine competition.
Under the stewardship of Fulham FC exec Tony Khan, AEW was launched in 2019 as an alternative to World Wrestling Entertainment, presenting a generally rawer edgier product which has proved a hit with fans around the globe.
Not unexpectedly, many top names have made the hop from WWE to Khan’s company, with elite -level stars including Jon Moxley (fka Dean Ambrose) and Bryan Danielson (fka Daniel Bryan) shining as world champions in AEW since their move.
Fellow WWE legends Edge (now Cope) and Chris Jericho have also made a similar transition, but it hasn’t all been one way.
In more recent years, names who’ve established or boosted their profile in AEW have made the jump to WWE – none more prominently so than Cody Rhodes, who became a global star while with Khan’s entity, having struggled to truly cement himself as a main player with the opposition in his formative years.
Rhodes of course went on to win WWE’s Undisputed Championship and held it for a year before being beaten by John Cena at WrestleMania.
He isn’t alone in enjoying a mighty high profile in WWE having left AEW behind – Jade Cargill has done similar, as have Penta and Rey Fenix.
The faces haven’t all been new, either. Among those to join Rhodes in switching back to WWE having previously transitioned to AEW include Rusev and Aleister Black, both of whom have made return debuts on screen since WrestleMania.
There has been clamour, too, for others to switch back the other way with many fans pleading to WWE Head of Creative Paul ‘Triple H’ to ‘bring home’ Brit sensation Saraya, who previously starred as Paige.
But while that back and forth shows so sig of easing any time soon, it appears fans can at least rule one name out of ever packing his AEW bags in favour of a return to pastures prior.
56-year-old Dustin Rhodes is a 37-year veteran of the wrestling business and half-brother to WWE megastar Cody. He’s currently signed to AEW and has been since 2019.
He’s perhaps best known to many wrestling fans as Goldust, a mid-1990s and Attitude Era legend who was once one of the most controversial stars in all of WWE.
Clad in gold, face paint and a flowing wig, Goldust was hugely suggestive on-screen character whose advances – usually toward the male roster – drew the ire of fans on its debut in 1995.
All told, he’s wrestled across six different spells in WWE, three times an Intercontinental Champion and tag team champion.
There will be no last hurrah with the company, though – Rhodes confirming the last, six-year stint up to 2019 will be his last.
Quizzed by a fan on X as to whether or not he would like another swing at WWE life, the vastly experienced grappler gave a firm negative.
Going further, stuck the boot in further by insisting he’ll stay with All Elite Wrestling for what he feels is one single good reason.
“Nope!!” he hit out in answer to the question, following up by insisting he’ll finish with AEW as it is the ‘Only place I have ever felt respected.’
The insulation that he felt anything other than respected in WWE having wrestled there for decades left a few fans in disbelief.
The Texan at least clarified he only has positive feelings towards the company, adding: “I had a wonderful career as Goldust and respect the s*** out of my time with WWE.
“Goldust ran its course. I am having the time of my life coming back full circle as Dustin Rhodes. No hate towards them. I had 24 yrs there. My passion lies where I am at now, AEW.”
Few can dispute his passion. Almost four decades after breaking into the business, Rhodes is currently a double champion, reigning with AEW’s sister entity, Ring of Honour, as a tag team and six-man world champion.
