Dustin Rhodes Reveals Double Knee Replacement Surgery: Why He Dropped the TNT Title and Says “This Is NOT the End”

AEW veteran and wrestling icon Dustin Rhodes has revealed that he will undergo double knee replacement surgery later this month — a major medical step that explains his TNT Championship loss last week on AEW Collision.

Rhodes took to social media on Tuesday with a personal, no-frills update that left fans concerned but inspired.

“Knees are both destroyed,” Rhodes posted on X (formerly Twitter).
 “I have to go under the knife August 21st. They can’t actually fix the damage, so we’re getting [two] knee replacements. Damn!”

While such a procedure would likely signal retirement for many at his age, the 56-year-old Rhodes made it crystal clear: he’s not done yet.

“By the way…….This is NOT THE END,” he added defiantly.

The announcement shines a new light on Rhodes’ TNT Championship loss to Kyle Fletcher during the Chicago Street Fight on the July 31 episode of AEW Collision. Many fans were stunned by the outcome, but insiders now confirm that the title change was designed to give Rhodes time off for surgery.

The match — gritty, chaotic, and emotional — now reads like a swan song for a man about to face his toughest opponent yet: the operating table.

 At Wrestling.News, we’ve followed Dustin’s career across decades, and this moment isn’t just a medical update — it’s a legacy checkpoint. Rhodes' resilience could write the final chapter only he deserves to pen. 

🤕 The Road to Recovery

Double knee replacements are no small ordeal — especially for a veteran with nearly four decades of ring wear. The procedure will require a lengthy rehab period, but Dustin has long been known for his resilience and ability to evolve.

Whether it's his WCW legacy, his unforgettable Goldust era, or his career renaissance in AEW, Rhodes has shown time and again that he can reinvent and rebound — physically and creatively.

🎙️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

While many speculated that Dustin Rhodes’ shocking TNT title loss signaled retirement, it was actually a strategic, respectful sendoff before surgery. AEW allowed “The Natural” to go out in a hard-hitting main event, letting him leave the spotlight on his terms — not because of injury, but in spite of it.

Fans who feared they had seen the last of him can rest assured: this isn’t a farewell. It’s a pit stop.

When Rhodes returns, it may not be as a weekly in-ring competitor — but expect a comeback moment, whether as a wrestler, mentor, or surprise presence that once again gives fans chills. If anyone can overcome double knee replacement and still leave an impression in the squared circle, it's Dustin Rhodes. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope the surgery is a complete success. Many individuals who have any type of knee surgery let alone knee replacement usually have trouble walking and in many cases need to use some type walker/cane. If he doesn't return to the ring as a performer, Rhodes can most definitely hold his head up high.

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