The WWE Hall of Fame class for 2026 is still being finalized, with the tag team Demolition recently added alongside Stephanie McMahon and AJ Styles. This announcement was made last week as part of the ongoing preparations for the ceremony. Dustin Rhodes, widely recognized for his iconic Goldust persona, remains a figure many hope to see honored in the Hall of Fame in the years to come.
Dustin Rhodes Reflects on His Wrestling Career and WWE Legacy
Known primarily as Goldust since his character’s debut in 1995, Dustin Rhodes carved out a unique identity in WWE, distinctly separating himself from his famous father, Dusty Rhodes. His impact on the wrestling world was noted by his brother, Cody Rhodes, who expressed hopes last year that Dustin would eventually be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Currently competing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor, Dustin has made clear his intention to retire from active wrestling while still engaged with these promotions.
When asked about his interest in joining the WWE Hall of Fame, Rhodes expressed a humble yet open attitude.
“Absolutely. I’m a very humble guy though, it’s like, if it comes, it comes, whatever. I would love Cody to do it and my daughter, specifically both of them,”
he said.
“That would be just great, the most meaningful, heartfelt. But if it comes, it comes, if it doesn’t, no big deal. I’ve had an awesome, incredible career. Doing some great things.”
Finding Passion and Freedom in AEW
Dustin Rhodes highlighted the past seven years in AEW as some of the best of his career. Emphasizing the creative freedom he’s experienced, Rhodes credited this environment with reigniting his passion for wrestling and allowing him to contribute to AEW’s growth.
“I feel like these last seven years in AEW, I’ve been really on top of my game because I’ve had more freedom to enjoy it and it’s happier and you’re more passionate, find your passion sometimes again and you want to grow this company the best we can and we’re all on the same page in AEW. We are doing the best that we can to get it to where it needs to be and it’s growing. It’s getting huge,”
Rhodes shared.
Special Moments with Family in the Ring
Among the highlights of Rhodes’ career, he identified a unique and personal moment that fans often overlook—a six-man tag team match shared with his father Dusty Rhodes and brother Cody. Describing this experience, Rhodes said,
“They pretty much know everything about everybody, you know what I’m saying? I mean, the moments that I have with my brother wrestling and tagging with my dad,”
he told Fox News Digital.
“There’s one match that all three of us had – a six-man tag match and it was in Kissimmee, Florida, for NXT. And we just did that one show.”
“I’ve wrestled with my dad a bunch of times, Cody only that once. So it’s been special to be in the ring with both of them, all of us together. That’s probably the most special moment I’ve had in the business,”
Rhodes added, highlighting the emotional significance of those moments shared with his family inside the squared circle.
Current WWE Hall of Fame Inductees and Recognitions
The WWE Hall of Fame class also includes notable individual inductees such as Lex Luger, Michelle McCool, and Paul Levesque (known as Triple H), with The Natural Disasters inducted as a group. One of the ceremony’s highlights is the immortalization of the match between Bret Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13. Additionally, legacy members Dory Funk Sr., Ivan Koloff, and Kamala continue to be honored for their contributions to wrestling’s past.
The Future Outlook for Dustin Rhodes and WWE Recognition
Dustin Rhodes’ reflections reveal an openness to future Hall of Fame recognition but a contentment with the career he has built, both inside WWE and beyond. With AEW expanding and his career winding down, Rhodes is focused on his current path while acknowledging the deep impact he and his family have made in professional wrestling. His brother Cody Rhodes and daughter remain meaningful motivations for him, both personally and professionally, as he contemplates what honors may come.
As the WWE Hall of Fame continues to evolve and celebrate the sport’s history, fans and insiders alike watch closely to see when and if Dustin Rhodes, a key figure bridging generations, will be formally inducted, adding another chapter to the legacy of one of wrestling’s most storied families.
