This one is personal.
Last night, the former WWE superstar made a “special” announcement proclaiming that Dustin Rhodes had officially retired from professional wrestling. While it was clear that the entire segment was a hoax, Spears took jabs at Dustin’s career and even mentioned the 51-year-old’s past problems with painkillers.
Upset over the spotlight given to the former WWE Intercontinental Champion in AEW, Spears issued out a challenge to the wrestling veteran and it didn’t take long for the match-up to be added to the Double or Nothing card.
Thing is, Rhodes hasn’t appeared on AEW television since his bout against Lance Archer in the semi-finals of the TNT Championship Tournament. Dustin was a bloody and broken mess when all was said and done, and it appears that the Canada native is trying to take advantage of that in order to add another win to his record.
Will Shawn Spears pull off an easy victory Saturday? Or will Dustin surprise everyone by returning 100% and beat the crap out of the 39-year-old?
Check out the updated line-up for Double or Nothing on May 23 in Jacksonville, Florida:
AEW World Championship match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Brodie Lee
TNT Championship Tournament match: Cody vs. Lance Archer
No Disqualification match for the AEW Women’s Championship: Nyla Rose (c) vs. Hikaru Shida
Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Jungle Boy
Casino Ladder match for an AEW World Title Shot: Darby Allin vs. Colt Cabana vs. Rey Fenix vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Scorpio Sky vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Luchasaurus vs. Kip Sabian more TBA
“The Inner Circle” Chris Jericho, Santana, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, and Jake Hager vs. Matt Hardy, Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Hangman Page in a Stampede Stadium match.
Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander
Dustin Rhodes vs. Shawn Spears
Pre-Show: Private Party” Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy vs. “Best Friends” Chuck Taylor and Trent to become No. 1 contenders to the AEW Tag Titles.