Yesterday, there were reports Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes was done with WWE and just waiting out a 90 day non-compete clause so he could sign elsewhere. Most speculation about where “elsewhere” would be was the new company his brother Cody is an Executive Vice-President of, All Elite Wrestling.
But not so fast, says The Bizarre One himself, who cut a little Twitter promo shooting down the rumor, and everyone who tries to figure out what’s going on behind the scenes in the world of wrestling:
I am still under contract with the @wwe , and everything that is being said online is just talk, and complete bullshit. This is exactly why I hate smart marks!
— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) March 28, 2019
I’m an unashamed “smart mark” - a consumer who allows myself to become emotionally invested in the product while also being interested in the process of creating and the business of producing said product. It’s the same way I approach everything from sports to music, TV, literature and film. But those things don’t have a term for it insiders use to try and insult their fans.
Back to the real matter at hand, though... not sure I believe Mr. Dust here. Not because I think this or any behind-the-scenes report on the wrestling business is 100% accurate (my sources say they’re just north of 50%), but because this is exactly what I’d expect a wrestler who is trying to preserve a surprise to say.
And if there’s anything to speculation Dustin could be facing his brother at AEW’s Double Or Nothing pay-per-view (PPV) on May 25 in Las Vegas, that promotion is treating Cody’s opponent as a big surprise.
What we do know is that Goldust hasn’t made any WWE appearances lately. And on the biggest weekend on their calendar, while they’re putting on WrestleMania 35 in New Jersey, he’ll be across the country for a signing.
Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Which is fine by this smart mark.