At All In 2025 in Texas, Dustin Rhodes secured a remarkable victory by winning the AEW TNT Championship, a landmark achievement in his long wrestling career. This triumph came after Adam Cole announced his decision to vacate the title, leading to a Four-Way Match that featured top contenders Kyle Fletcher, Daniel Garcia, and Rhodes’ tag team partner Sammy Guevara.
Teddy Long Applauds Rhodes’ Career Milestone and AEW’s Booking Decision
WWE Hall of Famer and former SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long expressed admiration for Dustin Rhodes following his impressive title win. Speaking on The Wrestling Time Machine podcast on Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Long congratulated Rhodes while endorsing AEW’s choice to entrust the championship to such an experienced wrestler. He highlighted Rhodes’ long tenure and diverse career across WWE, WCW, and AEW as indicators of his deserving the title.
“Well, congratulations to him. You know, Dustin’s been around for a long time. He’s had the opportunity to showcase in WWE, WCW, AEW. So, you know, I think it’s a great move. They didn’t go wrong there,” Long said. —Teddy Long, WWE Hall of Famer
Dustin Rhodes’ Journey from AEW Debut to Major Title Victories
Dustin Rhodes joined All Elite Wrestling in 2019, debuting in a high-profile match against his brother Cody Rhodes. Since AEW’s launch, Dustin has steadily achieved success, including championship wins in AEW’s sister promotion, Ring of Honor. In July 2024, he became ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion with The Von Erichs, Marshall and Ross, and followed that by winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship alongside Sammy Guevara in August 2024.
Finally reaching AEW singles title glory, Rhodes’ TNT Championship victory at the Texas event on July 12 marked his first singles title in AEW after six years with the company, underscoring a significant career highlight.
The Significance of Rhodes’ AEW TNT Championship Victory
Dustin Rhodes’ win represents a notable moment, honoring a veteran wrestler who has persevered through decades of competition. AEW’s decision to award him the TNT Title reflects both the promotion’s respect for seasoned talent and their commitment to compelling storylines. With the championship now in Rhodes’ hands, fans can anticipate fresh rivalries and further memorable matches as AEW continues to build on its growing legacy.
