Major update on Dustin Rhodes after his AEW contract expires - Reports

WWE veteran Dustin Rhodes' contract with AEW has reportedly expired and an update has been provided about the veteran's future. The Natural has been with the promotion since 2019.

Dustin Rhodes has been considered an AEW-lifer by many but things could change for him after his recent contract expiration. The Natural is one-half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions with Sammy Guevara. Rhodes also holds the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships with The Von Erichs.

According to a recent report by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dustin Rhodes' contract with All Elite Wrestling has expired and the veteran is currently in negotiations over a new deal with Tony Khan's company:

"Dustin Rhodes’s contract expires. It’s an interesting situation with him running a wrestling school and doing indie shows in Texas with his students. He also holds the ROH trios titles with the Von Erichs (who have only worked the Arlington shows along with a preshow match in London and were brought to the Grand Slam show), and tag title with Sammy Guevara. He’s in negotiations."

AEW star Dustin Rhodes almost retired after his match against Cody Rhodes

AEW presented their first Double or Nothing PPV in 2019 where Cody Rhodes faced off against his brother Dustin Rhodes. After a bloody encounter, The American Nightmare defeated Dustin. However, Cody Rhodes hugged his brother after the match which shocked many including The Natural.

In a recent edition of the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, Dustin Rhodes revealed that he planned on retiring after his match against Cody but The American Nightmare's gesture following their match has kept him going to this day.

"I was actually [thinking of retiring]. So that, I didn't have any idea about what Cody was doing. I thought ok, he was leaving the ring, this is my time right now just to go okay, I've had a great career. And, you know, he surprised me with his throwback – with, you know, the promo, 'I need my older brother.' And it was very emotional. That's when people started squalling and then there wasn’t a dry eye in the place and it was just both of us. We were crying holding each other, you know, hugging. It was just a very strong, strong feeling. So it was really good."

Dustin Rhodes is reportedly a free agent since his recent contract with AEW ran out. It will be interesting to see if The Natural returns to WWE to join his brother Cody Rhodes.