Dustin Rhodes ups the ante for the TNT Championship tournament.
When Dustin Rhodes signed with All Elite Wrestling as both a producer and an in-ring competitor, the belief was that Dustin had his better days inside the ring in his rear-view mirror. However, Dustin's very first outing in AEW was a highly praised bout against his brother, Cody, and Dustin has been rocking at a steady pace ever since.
Currently, Dustin is one of the competitors in the tournament to crown the inaugural AEW TNT Champion. On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, he will take on Kip Sabian and in a new video just released on AEW’s social media channels, Dustin is vowing to retire should he lose this match.
"Hey, man. Big brother here, I want to run a couple of things by you. As you know, I soul search every single fucking week, right. I'm always asking the question, 'can I still do this?' So my soul searching has led me to this. This TNT tournament is the most important thing I've done since wrestling you at Double Or Nothing. hands-down. To be the first TNT champion means every frickin' thing you can possibly imagine to me,” Dustin said in a voicemail to Cody which will be released in an upcoming “Road To” video. “So one of the things I really want to discuss with you, I really would like to talk to you instead of texting you this or voicemailing you this. Look, this guy, Kip Sabian, is no joke, okay? If I cannot beat that son of a bitch, I will retire. So give me a call back, will you, man? See you later, buddy. I love you.”
In response to this, many in All Elite Wrestling have already given Dustin their support and elaborated on his significance to the brand both in and out of the ring.
I think you still have it in you @dustinrhodes. You’re in the best shape of your life. Yes @TheKipSabian is a top contender. Yes @thePenelopeFord is crafty. But I’m in your corner Chicken. I’m not letting you go down without the fight of your life. Let’s go!
— The Brandalorian (@TheBrandiRhodes) April 18, 2020
1 week ago we celebrated @dustinrhodes’ birthday + his amazing career spanning 5 decades. There is hyperbole in wrestling but it’s no stretch to say Dustin’s better than ever today; I hope he’ll reconsider. @TheKipSabian carries a 2020 record of 6-3, same as Dustin. This is crazy https://t.co/yTfAM1vNmN
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) April 18, 2020
.@dustinrhodes we need you in @AEWrestling and you’ve never been a smarter, more skilled in ring psychologist.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 18, 2020
Your Dad told me once that when we turn in our jerseys we’re no longer in the game that we love. Think this thru. https://t.co/zprNJsuMee
@dustinrhodes, you’re one of the greatest of all time!! We KNOW you can do it!! Love you, my sensei. https://t.co/7jh2gSH2GD
— Sonny Kiss (@SonnyKissXO) April 18, 2020
There is one man who hasn't been so positive toward Dustin. Lance Archer, the man who's been targeting Cody before he even stepped foot in AEW, is urging Dustin to retire. Should Dustin win his match, he would then go on to face Lance Archer in the semifinals of the tournament.
You should retire @dustinrhodes because if you beat @TheKipSabian (which he shouldn’t want to win and have to face me) Then I’ll end you in a way that will be considered “cruel and unusual” NO ONE in @AEWrestling is ready! https://t.co/D3z3Wz2dn2
— The Murderhawk Monster Lance Archer (@LanceHoyt) April 18, 2020
Fightful will have live coverage of this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern.
