Dustin Rhodes has built a legendary career, with championship reigns and accolades across decades promotions. At 55 years old, Rhodes knows the end of his career is coming and has shared when he’ll be hanging up his boots.
In an interview on Battleground with Tim & Eli, Rhodes shared that he’s known for years who he wants his final match to be with. The Natural added that the end of his career will come within the next three years, meaning fans won’t see him in action past 2028.
“By no means am I anywhere on Sting’s level, but I want that same kind of out. I think I’ve earned it.
To finish it off on a pay-per-view and cut a heart-wrenching, emotional promo after—that’s what people like.”
While many wrestlers take a loss in the final match to ‘pass the torch’ to somebody else, Rhodes hopes to win his final-ever match. Though his final match will come in 2028 if not sooner, it won’t be the last fans see of him in wrestling.
“I’ll be coaching and still producing, which I’m doing right now anyway. I love that. Passing all my knowledge to the young kids—that’s the payoff.”
Dustin Rhodes signed a multi-year contract with AEW in December 2024, ensuring his continued presence in the company as both a wrestler and a mentor for younger talent. Though much of his retirement plans remain a mystery, fans know that they only have three more years, at max, to enjoy the veteran in the ring.
