An AEW veteran has reacted to WWE superstar Bayley and another former All Elite name visiting his wrestling academy recently. The star in question, Dustin Rhodes, has been missing from action since July last year.
The Natural was last seen in action on the July 31, 2025 episode of Saturday Night AEW Collision, where he was dethroned as TNT Champion by the Don Callis Family’s Kyle Fletcher. Due to the brutalities he sustained at the hands of The Protostar both during and after their Chicago Street Fight, Dustin was written off of All Elite Wrestling programming, shortly after which he underwent double knee replacement surgeries.
Besides serving the Jacksonville-based promotion as an in-ring talent, producer and coach, The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust is also known for founding the Rhodes Wrestling Academy, where he occupies the role of head instructor. WWE superstars Bayley and Ricky Saints seemingly visited Rhodes’ school recently and engaged with its trainees, one of whom later shared an X/Twitter post featuring The Role Model along with his academy peers.
Dustin later reposted CJ Valor’s photograph of Bayley at the Rhodes Wrestling Academy with a heartwarming caption.
“My kids,” wrote Dustin Rhodes.
Dustin Rhodes is gearing up to continue his final run in AEW
Dustin Rhodes has been on the mend since going under the knife for his double knee surgeries last year. In recent interviews, the erstwhile Bizarre One claimed that he is close to getting medically cleared for his comeback. In an X/Twitter post this past July, the former TNT Champion vowed to return to AEW soon to continue his “last ride”, and thanked his fans for their constant support over the years.
“Want yall to know, I never want you to forget my body of work. I have given so much passion, love, blood(lots), sweat and tons of tears, all for the love of #prowrestling. And again, thank you all for standing by me as well as the new fans, ty. Very soon, i will be back for my “One Last Ride,” which has gone for 7 yrs lol,” he wrote.
It remains to be seen when Rhodes will be back on All Elite Wrestling TV.
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Edited by Anurag Mukherjee