Dustin Rhodes is preparing to tell more of his story in print.

The longtime professional wrestling veteran revealed on social media that he is in the process of writing a second book. Rhodes said the new project will offer a substantially deeper examination of his entire career, including the difficult stretches, the climb back to success and the path that allowed him to continue performing on his own terms.

“I am in the middle of writing my second book. This one will be way more in depth over my whole career, ups and down. Back to glory and doing it my way. My hands were tied with the other company,” Rhodes wrote.

The announcement arrives as Rhodes remains away from the ring while recovering from double knee replacement surgery. He underwent the procedure in August and has not yet returned to AEW television or in-ring competition. Rhodes stated in June that he was close to being cleared, but a return has not materialized.

For more background on this topic, read Kaylia Capri Misses Reality of Wrestling’s Sherri Martel Classic After Car Accident.

A New Chance to Revisit a Remarkable Career

Rhodes previously released Cross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness in 2010. That autobiography was published through Gallery Books and WWE and chronicled major elements of a career already filled with dramatic reinventions, personal obstacles and championship success.

Much has changed in the 16 years since that book was released. At that point, Rhodes was most closely identified with his years in WWE and the enduring Goldust character, a persona that became one of the most distinctive creations in modern wrestling. His career, however, has continued to evolve long after the first memoir reached readers.

Rhodes later departed WWE and joined AEW, where he has wrestled under his own name and added another major chapter to his legacy. The move gave him an opportunity to perform as Dustin Rhodes rather than exclusively through the Goldust identity that had defined so much of his national television career.

His wording suggests the second book will not simply revisit familiar ground from the first release. By describing it as more in depth and focused on his “whole career,” Rhodes indicated that readers can expect an expanded perspective on the full arc of his time in professional wrestling.

That scope could be particularly significant given how many distinct phases Rhodes has experienced. He has performed in different eras, worked under different identities and remained a prominent figure through considerable changes in the wrestling business. The first book was released before his eventual WWE exit and before his AEW run, meaning the new work has a substantial amount of career history available that was not part of the earlier autobiography.

From Setbacks to a Return to Prominence

Rhodes specifically pointed to the “ups and down” of his journey, as well as a return “back to glory.” Those phrases reflect the central theme of a career that has repeatedly featured reinvention and resilience.

The son of Dusty Rhodes and brother of Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes entered wrestling with a famous family name but developed a legacy that stands on its own. Across decades in the industry, he has been recognized for his character work, in-ring longevity and ability to connect with audiences in very different settings.

His comments also make clear that he intends to address the restrictions he felt during his time with his former company. Rhodes wrote that his “hands were tied,” a statement that frames the upcoming book as an opportunity to provide his own perspective on periods of his professional life that may not have been fully explored in his prior memoir.

Rhodes did not provide a release date, publisher or additional details about the book’s format. He also did not identify which specific periods or topics will receive the most attention. Still, the promise of a more comprehensive account is notable considering the distance covered between his 2010 autobiography and his current position in AEW.

For many fans, the AEW portion of that story will be among the most anticipated material. Rhodes arrived in the promotion during its formative period and delivered memorable performances that reinforced his status as one of wrestling’s most durable veterans. His later-career work has often been celebrated as proof that he could still compete at a high level while bringing the emotional weight of his long history to the ring.

AEW Chapter Adds Significant Material

Rhodes’ AEW tenure has unfolded during a period in which he has continued to work while also becoming a respected locker-room presence. The promotion has allowed him to add new context to a career that many observers had already considered complete in terms of major accomplishments before he ever arrived there.

Instead, Rhodes found another platform for high-profile matches and personal storytelling. His time in AEW also overlapped with a major transition in his family’s wrestling story, adding another layer to the broader Rhodes legacy without changing the fact that Dustin’s professional path has remained uniquely his own.

The announcement of a second book also comes at a natural moment for reflection. Rhodes is currently in rehabilitation following a significant medical procedure, and time away from the weekly demands of in-ring competition can create space to look back at a life spent in the business. His post did not connect the surgery directly to his writing process, but both developments underline that he is navigating an important period away from active competition.

Double knee replacement surgery is a major undertaking for anyone, particularly for a wrestler whose body has endured decades of travel, training and matches. Rhodes’ June update that he was nearing clearance offered encouragement, but there remains no confirmed timetable for his return. Until Rhodes or AEW provides further information, his in-ring status remains uncertain.

Recovery Remains the Immediate Priority

While the book gives fans something new to anticipate, Rhodes’ health remains the more immediate issue. He has yet to resume wrestling or appear back on AEW programming following the August surgery. The absence of a confirmed return date means it would be premature to assume when he may be ready to compete again.

Rhodes has built a reputation for persistence throughout his career, and his message about getting “back to glory” will likely resonate with supporters who have followed his many comebacks. At the same time, recovery from a double knee replacement must take precedence over any expectation of a rapid return to the ring.

His status also adds emotional context to the planned book. An in-depth career account written while he works his way back from surgery could offer Rhodes an opportunity to frame the lessons of his past from the vantage point of a veteran still determined to move forward. That is not a new role for him. His career has repeatedly been defined by finding another way to continue, adapt and perform.

There is no indication that the book will be limited to a particular promotion or era. Based on Rhodes’ own description, the project appears intended to cover the wider journey: the rises, the hardships, the moments when he felt constrained and the later opportunities that helped him reclaim a sense of freedom in his work.

That approach could distinguish the new book from his first. Cross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness documented a pivotal portion of his life and career, but the passage of time has given Rhodes a much larger body of experience to examine. His WWE departure, AEW run, ongoing recovery and continued place in the wrestling industry all represent developments that came after the publication of that initial autobiography.

What Comes Next

For now, Rhodes has confirmed only that the second book is actively being written. There is no announced title, release window or information on when readers may learn more about the project. His statement nevertheless establishes a clear goal: to offer a fuller, more detailed telling of one of professional wrestling’s longest and most eventful careers.

As Rhodes continues his recovery, the book gives him a new way to engage with the audience that has followed him through every incarnation of his career. Whether or not his eventual return to AEW competition comes soon, the veteran is making clear that he still has more of his story to share.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.