Dustin Rhodes Shoots Down Goldust WWE Return With Blunt Response
Dustin Rhodes has shut down any hope of a Goldust return to WWE in the clearest terms, apparently referencing the company's ongoing contract restructuring efforts.
The exchange began when a fan asked Rhodes on X whether Goldust would ever come back. Rhodes did not dodge the question or leave any ambiguity in his response.
"Worked too hard for my legacy to be tarnished by 50% less pay. NOOOOO! Won't say it again. Love ya and ty for asking though."
Rhodes never mentioned WWE directly, but the timing of the comment landed squarely in the middle of a growing conversation about TKO's approach to talent contracts. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that multiple wrestlers have been approached about accepting reduced deals, with the rationale being that the company no longer views them as having the same value they did when their original contracts were signed.
"They were people who would have been cut had they not accepted it. The reason you would be asked to renegotiate is because the contract you signed was when they perceived you as being far more valuable than they perceive you as being now."
Reports have confirmed that several talents have already accepted the new terms to remain with WWE, while others, most notably Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, chose to walk away after being offered reduced money one year into a five-year deal. Rhodes has been with AEW since the promotion launched in 2019, working as both an active competitor and a mentor for developing talent.
