Goldust

At 55 years old, Goldust has this physical status:

Dustin Patrick Runnels (born April 11, 1969) is an American professional wrestler better known by the names Dustin Rhodes and Goldust.

He is well known for his multiple tenures with WWE from 1995 to 2019 as the enigmatic, flamboyant, sexually ambiguous character Goldust.

He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the Dustin Rhodes name as a coach and occasional wrestler.

The son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and the half-brother of fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes, he is also known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Between WWF/E and WCW, Runnels has won 23 total championships.

In WCW, he was a two-time United States Heavyweight Champion, a one-time Six-Man Tag Team Champion, and a two-time World Tag Team Champion.

In WWF/E, he is a three-time Intercontinental Champion, nine-time Hardcore Champion, one-time World Tag Team Champion, and two-time WWE Tag Team Champion.

Runnels has also appeared in the second most Royal Rumble matches, at 13.

Personal life

Runnels is the son of Virgil Runnels, better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes (1945–2015), and his first wife Sandra. His half-brother is fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes. He has two sisters, Kristin Runnels Ditto, who is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, and Teil Gergel.

Runnels was previously married to Terri Runnels. They have a daughter, Dakota Avery, who was born in 1994. The couple divorced after six years of marriage on October 18, 1999. Runnels also has a step son.

Runnels' autobiography, Cross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness, was released on December 14, 2010. In the book, Runnels mentioned that he was married a second time to an unnamed woman. "I also had a short-lived and highly volatile second marriage. We only dated for a few months, then, one day, we just went to the justice of the peace and did the deed." He was referring to Milena Martelloni, whom he married on December 18, 2002; they divorced in 2003. Runnels married his third wife, Ta-rel Marie Roche, on June 22, 2012.

Source

Professional wrestling career

Runnels made his professional wrestling debut on September 13, 1988 as "Dustin Rhodes," defeating Bob Cook in a match for the Tampa-based Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) promotion. After Runnels' father, Dusty Rhodes, began wrestling there, the organization was renamed the Professional Wrestling Federation in February 1989. On May 23, 1989, Runnels won the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship from Al Perez, which is now in its third month.

Runnels made their debut in World Championship Wrestling in December 1988. Rhodes and Kendall Windham formed The Texas Broncos, an undercard tag team that saw success against The Cruel Connection and The Commandos. On December 10, 1988, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first defeat came against The Original Midnight Express. Rhodes' first singles match came two days later at a television taping in Atlanta, Georgia, when he defeated Trent Knight. Rhodes' first WCW stint lasted just a few months, after he left the company two months after his father died. Rhodes won over Trent Knight in Walterboro, South Carolina, after losing to Butch Reed in a dark match for an NWA Main Event taping in The Omni on February 12, 1989.

Runnels toured Japan in March 1989 for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) in its annual Champions Carnival, under the alia Dusty Rhodes Jr. In the spring and summer of 1990, he returned to AJPW for a ten-day tour. In July 1989, Runnels first competed in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). He fought mostly with Tony Anthony for Anthony's CWA Heavyweight Championship, but he never took the title. In the spring of 1990, he joined the USWA.

In late 1990, Runnels debuted as a fan favorite in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Dustin Rhodes became a fan favorite in the team. On September 21, 1990, Paul Diamond's first match in the WWF (now WWE) was against him on MSG Network. Rhodes defeated Ted DiBiase in a televised ten-minute challenge match in December 1990. Dusty and Ted DiBiase and Virgil lost in a tag team competition on January 19, 1991, and both were forced to leave immediately after.

Runnels competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in February 1991, defeating Dustin Rhodes as "the natural" Dustin Rhodes. He competed with Larry Zbyszko until April 1991, when he refused to join Alexandra York's York Foundation, sparking a feud with Foundation member Terrence Taylor.

Rhodes formed a tag-team with Barry Windham and started training for the WCW Tag Team champions The Enforcers in late 1991 (Arn Anderson and Zbyszko). At Clash of the Champions XVII, the pair received a championship shot, but Windham was hospitalized prior to the match. The WCW World Tag Team Championship was won by a returning Ricky Steamboat from Rhodes. They lost the belts on January 16, 1992, to Arn Anderson and fellow Dangerous Alliance member Bobby Eaton.

Rhodes teamed with Windham on September 2, 1992, defeating Steve Williams and Terry Gordy for the unified WCW World Tag Team Championship and NWA World Tag Team Championship, which will be broadcast live on October 3. They had been fighting them for about two months before losing them to Steamboat and Shane Douglas in a thrilling match on the November 18 edition of Clash of the Champions XXI. After the match, Windham turned on Rhodes, Rhodes refused to pin Steamboat after an accidental low blow.

Rhodes reached the final of a tournament in January 1993 to determine the number one contender for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. Rick Rude, the champion, was stripped of his title in the same month, ensuring the tournament final would be based on the title. Rhodes took his first United States Heavyweight title from his old friend Ricky Steamboat. He defended the title against Maxx Payne the following month. Rude returned from April and blasted Rhodes right away. Rude was first given the title after their first encounter resulted in a tumultuous double pin. Two weeks later, the championship was postponed. Following a 30-minute Iron Man Match ended in a 1–1 draw at Beach Blast on Saturday Night, Rhodes achieved a best-of-three series was played between the two teams on Saturday Night; Rhodes lost the first match on August 28, but he defeated Rude twice on September 4 and 11 to win his second United States Heavyweight Championship.

In a WarGames match against Big Van Vader, Sid Vicious, and Harlem Heat, Rhodes teamed up with Sting, Davey Boy Smith and The Shockmaster. Rhodes lost the title to Steve Austin in a Two out of three falls match at Starrcade after losing both falls.

Rhodes began a rivalry with Bunkhouse Buck and Col. Robert Parker in March 1994. Runnels responded after Parker brought Arn Anderson and Terry Funk, a long adversary of Funk, back to the team against Parker's Stud Stable. The Blacktop Bully, Parker's second adversary for Rhodes, was introduced in December 1994. Rhodes lost in the company's first King of the Road match in 1995 at Uncensored pay-per-view. After being ordered to by one another during the match, both Rhodes and The Blacktop Bully were suspended from the company as a result of corporate policy at the time in WCW.

Runnels returned to the WWF in August 1995, wrestling as a "Britist" because of his somewhat spooky, obscure, bashful appearance but sexual suggestiveness turned aggressions. Goldust took to comedic romance in emails, while still maintaining a stumbling deadpan and monotone presence. Goldust played lewd and flirtatious mind games to enrage, confuse, and distract his opponents by in-ring psychology. In the midst of delivering his murder, he employed such tactics as groping and excessive physical contact toward his foe. To that end, one of Goldust's trademarks was his exaggerated, suggestively breathy inhalation of his own body; this culminated in him exhaling through a startlingly biting sound directed at his opponents (who also said between his catch words and Goldust). In a parody of the Oscar statuette, the woman was depicted as a drag queen obsessed with movies and everything gold. Goldust also referred to classic Hollywood films in his promos, adding to this element of the gimmick. Runnels wore a predominately gold jumpsuit (with tads of other hues, such as white and black); black and gold face paint; and, during entrances and promotions, a glittery gold robe and a platinum blonde wig for his short platinum blonde hair were worn over his short platinum blonde hair, which was gimmick.

Vince McMahon called him and said "androgynous" several times, but Runnels, who wanted a separate identity from his father at the time, jumped straight to the dictionary and asked what the word meant after getting off the phone with McMahon and shocked to see what it meant. Runnels himself admitted that the first few months of the gimmick were stressful for him because it didn't match his personality at all, but that he decided to go and "run with it."

Goldust won his debut match against Marty Jannetty at the In Your House 4 pay-per-view on October 22, 1995. In Bigelow's last WWF match at the Survivor Series, he defeated the departing Bam Bigelow. He then feuded with Razor Ramon, whom he followed and sent emails to throughout late 1995. The feud came to an end at the Royal Rumble on January 21, 1996, where Goldust defeated Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship due to interference from the 1–2–3 Kid. This match was also the debut of Goldust's valet, Marlena, portrayed by his then wife Terri. Marlena complemented Goldust's exquisite, coolly unconcerned, mysterious appearance, and full gold-colored clothing. During Goldust's matches, her gimmick consisted of sitting in a director's chair, advising her not to smoke large brown cigars. After Ramon was suspended, a match between Goldust and Ramon was called off, but Goldust was instead fighting Roddy Piper in a Hollywood Backlot Brawl match. Piper stripped Goldust of his ring attire to reveal him sporting women's lingerie; Runnels revealed in 2018 (while making jokes about him) that it was his idea to wear a slip and thong underneath his ring attire and have Piper strip him down, getting McMahon's permission.

In bouts against Savio Vega and The Ultimate Warrior, Goldust defended his Intercontinental Championship before losing to Ahmed Johnson at King of the Ring on June 23, 1996. Goldust briefly took over Mankind and feuded with The Undertaker in August 1996. Marc Mero and his then-wife Sable were the first ones to pay attention to him. Sable was trying to join their team, but Mero won the conflict and remained loyal to his side. He competed in a ladder match with Shawn Michaels at www.iPPV.com, but he dropped the game.

When Helmsley began flirting with Goldust's valet, Marlena, Goldust Helmsley entered a feud with him in December 1996. Chyna's debut as Helmsley's new bodyguard, who will manhandle Marlena and show love for Marlena & Goldust. This was the first time Goldust changed into a fan favorite rather than the villainous one he was before.

Goldust revealed his identity as Dustin Runnels, the son of Dusty Rhodes, in May 1997. He appeared alongside other wrestlers in their fight with The Hart Foundation in the summer and fall of the year, vying in particular with Brian Pillman. In SummerSlam, Goldust defeated Pillman for a month, then Pillman was forced to miss Marlena to Pillman for 30 days, and Goldust was forced to forfeit Marlena to Pillman. Pillman died of heart disease just before the Badd Blood festival on October 5, 1997. Goldust left Marlena in November 1997 and refused to collaborate with his Survivor Series teammates, which turned him into a heel once more. In December 1997, the artist Formerly Known As Goldust (a reference to Prince) was a feud with Vader, which was triggered by Luna Vachon. In early 1998, he began imitating celebrities and fellow wrestlers by using characters such as "Chynadust," "Dust Lovedust," "Hunterdust," "Hunterdust," "Flashdust," "Hunterdust," "Maderdust," "Sabledust," "Flashdust," "Flashdust," "Flashdust," "Matterdust," "Sabledust," "Sabledust," Around this time, he made a legitimate case for breast implants as part of the gimmick before being told not to obtain breast implants by McMahon.

Goldust argued with Val Venis, who had been involved with Terri during their separation, by June 1998. Runnels began speaking out (mostly in taped vignettes) about the increasingly edgy WWF product and promoting alternative viewing of the Bible, rather than reading the Bible. These vignettes were funded by the fictional group "Evangelists Against Television, Movies, and Entertainment," the acronym for which reads "EATME" – a thinly mocked remark on the WWF's part. Runnels declared himself a born again Christian, alluding to "his" return, and stroking the crowd with signs that read "he's coming back!" Although Christ's return was obviously implied, Runnels was referring to the Goldust gimmick, which he revived in October 1998 against Val Venis and then in November 1998 against Jeff Jarne, and then began feuding with Debra over his boss's attention.

Goldust and Al Snow clashed in early 1999 after stealing mannequin Head, Snow's mascot, and The Blue Meanie, who had recently renamed himself "Bluedust" and adopted several of Goldust's behaviors. Meanie, the apprentice who beat Meanie at St. Valentine's Day Massacre, became Goldust's apprentice. Meanie and Shamrock, after Ryan Shamrock became Goldust's valet, began vying for Goldust's attention. Goldust won the Intercontinental Championship again from Road Dogg in the same time period, but then lost it to The Godfather two weeks later. He would work with The Blue Meanie in a few games before Goldust left the organization in June 1999.

On the November 8, 1999 edition of WCW Monday Nitro, the runnels returned to World Championship Wrestling, filming multiple vignettes for a fantastical, face-painted character named Seven. These vignettes featured a disturbing video of Rhodes in full makeup outside a child's bedroom window. The gimmick was rumored to have been based on "The Strangers" from 1998 film noir Dark City. Since Turner Standards and Practices expressed concern that this gimmick could be misinterpreted as a child abductor, the character was discarded. Rhodes took off his costume and shot a professionally shot during which he mocked unrealistic gimmicks as well as his time as Goldust in the WWF. Runnels began wrestling as "The American Nightmare" Dustin Rhodes, a play on his father's name, "The American Dream."

Rhodes feuded with Jeff Jarrett before feuding with Terry Funk. Vince Russo fired Terry Funk in April 2000 for failing to prevent Terry Funk from winning the vacant Hardcore Championship against Norman Smiley.

Runnels returned to WCW television in January 2001, assisting his father in his feud with Jartt and then Ric Flair. Greed, the last WCW pay-per-view wrestler, won, on March 18, 2001. The World Wrestling Federation bought WCW in March 2001, but the WWF did not acquire Runnels' contract.

Runnels, although still under AOL Time Warner's custody, began competing for his father's newly established Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling competition, winning the promotion's Heavyweight Championship.

Runnels competed on the independent circuit, first appearing for his father's promotion, Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, for his father's promotion. Dustin Rhodes captured the TCW Heavyweight Championship from Scotty Riggs on January 26, but vacated the title immediately after it was announced that he would be returning to WWE. He made two more appearances with TCW, including the first in a six-man tag team match against Riggs, Fake Goldust, and Jason Sugarmann, his second in a singles victory over Steve Corino following his return to the WWE in 2002.

Runnels was released from his AOL Time Warner contract in December 2001 and was re-signed by the World Wrestling Federation to a two-year contract. On WWF television commercials adverting Goldust's return to goldust, promos were immediately on air. He officially returned to action in the Royal Rumble on January 20, 2002, portraying his Goldust appearance. Shortly after returning, promos began airing for a few weeks of Goldust, claiming that there was a certain wrestler whose "star was shining brighter" than he would have liked. Rob Van Dam was eventually revealed by attacking him on Raw, causing him to turn heel in the process. Van Dam was defeated in a singles match at No Way Out. After the defeat, he moved into the hardcore division, where he won the Hardcore Championship on nine occasions.

On one occasion, Goldust was assigned to Raw and SmackDown! When the World Wrestling Federation was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment and the roster was divided into two companies, Raw and SmackDown!, the duo created a tag team with Booker T. Goldust, a film starring The Rock. Booker joined the New World Order in May 2002 (nWo), with Goldust's request to join the group turned down. Booker was ejected from the nWo by Shawn Michaels in June 2002, sparking a feud between the nWo and Booker and Goldust. Booker and Goldust continued to compete in the tag team division, winning the World Tag Team Championship at Armageddon before being forced to miss out on Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff's February 3, 2003 episode of Raw Raw for failing to win back the World Tag Team Championships.

Following the break of the tag team, Goldust noticed a shock from a Round Tube during an attack on Batista and Randy Orton. In March 2003, Goldust came as a celebrity on The Howard Stern Show. He appeared regularly thereafter, leading to the formation of a tag team with Lance Storm in August 2003. Booker T started getting mysterious, haunting calls from someone in the fall 2003. The messages only said, "I remember." The messages were reportedly from Goldust, which would have sparked a feud between the two sides, according to reports. The angle was never discussed on television again, and the company announced on their website that they would not be renewing Rhodes' contracts. In December 2003, WWE decided that his deal would come to an end.

Runnels returned to the independent circuit after being banned from WWE in December 2003 while simultaneously competing in his first stint with TNA in December 2003. Dusty Rhodes Jr., who appeared in early April on three dates, was first for the Japanese promotion WORLD-1. Runnels returned to the United States in July and appeared for Full Impact Pro, tag teaming Barry Windham and destroying the Cuban Assassin and Ryze.

Runnels did not appear on the independent circuit for the remainder of 2004 and much of 2005 until he first WrestleReunion, teaming with his father and Mike Graham against Abdullah the Butcher, Kevin Sullivan, and CM Punk. Dusty made a few appearances against Phi Delta Slam after being released from TNA. On November 19, the Runnels also competed on the tribute to Starrcade in a match against Terry Funk, which resulted in a No-Contest.

Dustin Rhodes, a veteran of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), unsuccessfully challenging Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Runnels and El Leon defeated Kevin Northcutt and Legend in a tag team match on February 18, 1998. Dustin Rhodes appeared on TNA in December 2004 and was back in TNA, again wrestling as Dustin Rhodes. Rhodes and Jeff Hardy defeated Kash and Dallas on January 7, 2005, on Impact's Episode. Rhodes defeated Chris Candido on Impact's January 14 episode. Rhodes defeated Kid Kash at the Final Resolution. Kid Kash, Dallas, and Raven were defeated in a six-man tag team match on February 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, Rhodes, and America's Most Wanted. Rhodes lost to Raven at All Odds, but he got payback at Destination X after defeating Raven in a bullrope match. He continued to feud with Bobby Roode, and Rhodes defeated Roode in a 2nd of 3 falls Prince of Darkness cage match at Lockdown, Rhodes. His TNA deal came to an end in April 2005, and he chose not to renew it, leaving TNA.

Runnels returned to World Wrestling Entertainment on October 31, 2005 as a heel and back in Goldust attire, as Jonathan Coachman enlisted him and Vader to attack Batista. At Taboo Tuesday, Golddust and Vader barely interfered in a Street Fight between Batista and Coachman on behalf of Coachman Joseph Watson. Goldust has never recovered from television following the incident. Goldust appeared in the Royal Rumble match in January 2006 and was suspended from the WWE brand until he was fired from the WWE company on June 14, 2006, for no-showing an appearance. Runnels made a brief appearance at WrestleMania 22 to tell Booker T that the only way he could beat the Boogieman was to put worms in his anus.

Runnels dropped from the indies once more, but Goldust was named Goldust in a match against Lawler, which he lost after Lawler struck him with a steel chain on March 3, 2006, when he returned to his fourth stint with WWE.

On June 14, Runnels was banned from his fourth stint with WWE. He returned to WORLD-1 on July 1, beating Tully Blanchard in the main event two weeks and six days later. With a victory over Curry Man on October 14, he appeared for One Pro Wrestling (the name he would use in AJPW).

Runnels returned to CCW in 2007 to face Phi Delta Slam, mainly in tag team matches against a variety of competitors, including Kip James. He made several appearances with Hermie Sadler's UWF promotion in mid-2007 to promote his TNA debut, beating Steve Corino on March 2 in a landslide. He was with UWF throughout his second stint with TNA, including Scott Steiner, Sabu, David Flair, Andrew Martin, and D'Lo Brown. Steve Corino, C.W., was also involved in the much-anticipated "cross-promotional" War Games match against Team JBL (managed by John Bradshaw Layfield, who was contracted to WWE as a commentator at the time) during his time in UWF. Elix Skipper and Anderson, the Latin American Xchange's founders, and Elix Skipper. Runnels was a member of Sgt. Team Slaughter of Slaughter, as well as the Steiner Brothers and the Mack Brothers, is a unit of the Slaughter Brothers. The competition was won by Team Slaughter. Runnels' last game with UWF was on September 22, 2007, when he and Abyss were on the losing side of a tag team match against D'Lo Brown and a local football coach.

Rhodes would be spotted in Beijing on January 28, 2007. During a match involving The Great Muta that resulted in a brawl between Rhodes and The Great Muta, Gold Dustin appeared on ringside, resulting in a brawl between Rhodes and The Great Muta on February 15, Rhodes, resulting in a brawl between Rhodes and The Great Muta. In a tag team match, Rhodes and Jinsei Shinzaki were defeated by The Great Muta and Yoshihiro Tajiri on February 17.

Rhodes returned to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling at Victory Road on July 15, 2007 and joined Christian Cage in assisting him in defeating "Wildcat" Chris Harris.

In an interview on TNA Impact!

Mike Tenay, Rhodes discussed the possibility of having a split personality and said he was going to embrace it and let it go. The interview was described as an emotional breakdown on the part of Rhodes. Rhodes, a ring name change, launched Black Reign, as well as a "new, darker, and bizarre appearance" on August 12. Harris defeated Black Reign by disqualification at Hard Justice, when Black Reign assaulted several referees. Rhodes switched between Rhodes and Black Reign nearly every week, according to the next week. In a Monster's Ball match against Rhino, Abyss, and Raven, he lost, he was featured at Bound for Glory. At Genesis, Black Reign defeated Abyss in a "Shop of Horrors" match that was lost. Rellik (which means "Killer"), Black Reign's new partner, made his debut at Genesis after attacking Abyss. Abyss and Raven defeated Black Reign and Rellik in a Match of 10,000 Tacks at Turning Point. This match was supposed to be Abyss and Rhino versus Rellik and Black Reign but Raven had to cancel Rhino due to a back injury.

On Impact! He helped Rellik beat Kaz. Dustin Rhodes, who was wearing his Black Reign make-up, appeared in an interview later the night, and said that his "alter ego" had been troubling him since he was a youth. The tumultuous Kaz interrupted his interview. At Final Resolution, where Kaz won, there was a match between the two teams. Reign and his partner Rellik started feuding with Eric Young and his latest superhero gimmick Super Eric. Black Reign and Rellik met Eric Young and Kaz in a losing effort at Destination X. In the Cage match, which was won by Kaz and Super Eric, Black Reign and Rellik competed in a Six Team Cuffed. Black Reign's profile was taken from the TNA roster page and he was suspended from his TNA deal after three months of not being on television.

Runnels briefly returned to Coastal Championship Wrestling to face Phi Delta Slam (Bruno Sassi and Big Tilly) before beginning his fifth stint in WWE in October 2008.

Runnels returned to the WWE on Sunday under his Goldust persona as one of the three choices (the other two being Roddy Piper and The Honky Tonk Man) that the fans could watch against Santino Marella for the Intercontinental Championship. Honky Tonk Man was selected and won via disqualification, Goldust and Piper entered the tournament, and the three candidates fought Marella, after celebrating together in the ring. For Marella's match against Charlie Haas, Goldust appeared on Raw, Goldust once more with Piper and the Honky Tonk Man as guest commentators. When Goldust and Piper discompelled Marella, Honky Tonk Man's guitar could smash his guitar over Marella's head, the game came to an end.

Goldust appeared on the 800th episode of Raw on November 3, 2008, alongside his father Dusty Rhodes, Lilian Garcia, and several other wrestlers. On the November 24, 2008 episode of Raw, where he defeated Santino Marella, a noticeably smaller and quicker Goldust made a full return on the Raw roster. Goldust appeared in the 2009 Royal Rumble match and gazed down his true-life half-brother, Cody Rhodes, but was eventually disqualified by him. During the tag team championship unification match between the Colóns and John Morrison and the Miz, Goldust performed as a lumberjack in WrestleMania XXV.

Goldust competed with Hornswoggle in a tag team competition on May 25 of Raw, where they defeated Festus and The Brian Kendrick. Goldust returned to Hornswoggle on several occasions, mainly because of Kendrick, where they competed for many matches both on WWE Superstars and Raw.

On June 29, 2009, when Goldust was sold to the ECW brand via a 15-man trade, the Goldust and Hornswoggle team came to an end. On July 14, the brand's debut match for the brand came in the form of ECW's episode in which he lost to Zack Ryder. He began a feud with Sheamus that culminated in his first televised singles victory in many months against Sheamus, who pinned him inside cradle. Sheamus defeated Goldust in a "No Disqualification" match on the ECW on Syfy on September 1 to put an end to the feud after weeks of feuding.

Following this loss, he earned his first top-one contender's match for the ECW Championship on September 15, 2009, where he was the seventh participant eliminated and Zack Ryder was the first to face the ECW Championship in a 10-Man Battle Royal on Syfy, where he was the seventh participant eliminated and Zack Ryder was the champion's shot in the end. Goldust won his first match on ECW on September 29, 2009, when Yoshi Tatsu pinched William Regal to win their team's victory. Goldust won his first televised singles match on the ECW brand, pinning Paul Burchill. On the December 22 episode of ECW on Syfy on Syfy to see who had the opportunity to compete against Christian for the ECW Championship, Goldust was defeated by Vance Archer.

He joined Yoshi Tatsu in early January and began a rivalry with ECW newcomers Trent Barta and Caylen Croft. The pair traded victories in singles and tag team competition before the feud came to an end on February 9 of ECW as Goldust and Tatsu defeated Barta and Croft in a match to determine the number one contenders for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship. On the final episode of ECW on Syfy, Goldust and Tatsu failed in capturing the titles. Since ECW on SyFy was cancelled, Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu's team came to an end.

Goldust joined the SmackDown brand on March 3, 2010, making his debut for the brand on the SmackDown website against Chris Jericho in a losing battle against Chris Jericho. He won his first match as a SmackDown actor after beating William Regal shortly afterwards, as well as defeating Mike Knox using his finishing move, the Final Cut. At WrestleMania XXVI, he was involved in a fierce 26-man royal match but lost, despite his comrade Yoshi Tatsu winning.

Goldust was drafted back to the Raw brand as part of the 2010 WWE Supplemental Draft. Goldust made his re-debut for the brand in a backstage segment with guest host Wayne Brady on May 3rd. A frightish stalker was sending messages to Maryse and Ted DiBiase Jr. in late September, but it was unclear who they were aimed at. Goldust was introduced as the mystery stalker on the October 4 episode of Raw, but the messages weren't sent to Maryse, but they were not directed to DiBiase's Million Dollar Championship, which he later accepted.

Goldust would play as a Pro with Aksana as his Rookie in NXT's third season on August 31, 2010. On the October 12 episode of NXT Goldust, she suggested to Aksana, who was facing removal from the country, so she could stay in America. DiBiase attempted to regain his Million Dollar Championship after Goldust's match with Zack Ryder by attacking him, but he was unsuccessful in retrieving his belt on the October 18 episode of Raw. DiBiase defeated Goldust in Bragging Rights, but Goldust was left with the trophy after Aksana distracted DiBiase long enough for Goldust to hit his finisher on Goldust. On the November 2 episode of NXT, Goldust and Aksana were married, along with their father Dusty Rhodes and his real-life half-brother "Dashing" Cody Rhodes. Aksana slapped Goldust and walked out of the room immediately after. During Goldust's match with Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Championship belt was stolen during the Million Dollar Championship match on Monday. Raw Goldust managed to rob the Million Dollar Championship belt from Aksana and then returned it to Ted DiBiase Sr., and NXT refused to the city after she was banned from her job.

Runnels had suffered a shoulder injury on December 7, 2010. On December 10, he underwent surgery to fix his injury and, as a result, was forecast to be out of action for five to six months. He was seen (without makeup) hugging Edge after his retirement address on Raw's April 11, 2011. Runnels first appeared on stage as a producer on July 11, a longtime resident of the United States. On the November 29 episode of the Smackdown Live Holiday Special Goldust, Goldust made his surprise return to his hometown on a backstage interview with his father Dusty Rhodes. Vickie Guerrero appeared on the WWE Slammy Awards on December 12 to announce the A-Lister of the Year. Booker T is the protagonist of a comedy series in which the actor dressed in his suit jacket and no make up to defend Booker T and confront his half brother, Cody Rhodes. Rhodes appeared on Raw's April 9, 2012 edition, where he, along with numerous other WWE executives and celebrities, were attempting to crack up a brawl between Brock Lesnar and John Cena. WWE confirmed Goldust's departure from the company on May 6, 2012.

On April 11, 2012, the runnels returned to professional wrestling in Port St. Lucie, Florida, after defeating JD Maverick in the main event. In Hollywood, Florida, he competed for the NWA Ring Warriors (part of NWA territories) as Goldust on July 14, 2012, losing to Vordell Walker via disqualification because "Iceman" Buck Q interfered in the match. On September 15, 1998, the Dreamwave Wrestling team in LaSalle, Illinois, defeated the Runnels. Runnels continued to use the name Goldust outside of WWE. On May 18, 2013, runnels appeared at Mr. Chainsaw Pro Wrestling's Battle Ground 5 in Kalkaska, Michigan, and branded Dustin "Goldust" Rhodes.

On January 27, 2013, as the eighth participant in the Rumble match, runnels returned to WWE as Goldust at the Royal Rumble. Cody Rhodes, his half-brother, had him killed, hinting at a potential feud. But Goldust later announced that his return was a one-night only contract.

Cody Rhodes was suspended while speaking out against Chief Operating Officer Triple H and then losing to WWE Champion Randy Orton on September 9 Raw to face Orton, but he was disqualified. Dusty Rhodest, the father of Goldust, returned to WWE to ask Stephanie McMahon for Cody to be rehired. Stephanie McMahon gave Dusty two options, either being knocked out by an unwilling Big Show or being "mauled by The Shield." Dusty was later shown and remained with Dusty while the medics arrived. The Rhodes brothers wreaked havoc on Raw by attacking the Shield. Cody and Goldust returned to work after winning the WWE Tag Team Champions, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns in a non-title match at Battleground, winning their jobs back. The Rhodes brothers inflicted more misery on the Shield by winning a no disqualification match on October 14 Raw (with the support of Big Show) to capture the tag titles, marking Goldust's first appearance in WWE in nearly 11 years. Many long-standing Goldust mannerisms, such as wearing a robe and a platinum blonde wig to the ring, had been discarded in exchange for wearing a jacket resembled his brother's; in addition, Goldust will now talk in his normal Texan voice. The Rhodes brothers' first triumphant title defense came as a result of a triple threat match against the Usos and Reigns, at Hell in a Cell. Goldust and his half-brother Cody competed in the classic Survivor Series Tag Team competition, where Goldust and Rey Mysterio made it to the final two. However, Roman Reigns and his team were defeated, and he was defeated. The Rhodes Brothers retained their title in a fatal four-way elimination match against Curtis Axel and Rey Mysterio, The Real Americans and Big Show and Rey Mysterio, but they lost the title to New Age Outlaws at the Royal Rumble. Cody Rhodes will be accidentally eliminated later in the Royal Rumble match. After working together for months, Goldust and Cody broke up in June, after suffering losses. Cody prompted Goldust to find a new partner to replace him.

Cody introduced Stardust, a new character with face paint and a bodysuit, and adopting facial expressions similar to Goldust's. Goldust and Stardust defeated RybAxel and RybAxel in the Bank of Money in the Bank (Curtis Axel and Ryback). In backstage segments, Goldust and Stardust appeared as "Cosmic Key" to describe a "Cosmic Key." Raw, Goldust, and Stardust defeated The Usos in a title match by count-out on August 25, but they did not win the title as a result. The pair would then strike the Usos out of rage, eventually turning heel in the process. They announced their heel turn after attacking El Torito the next night on Main Event after winning over Los Matadores in their tag team match. They defeated the Usos once more on Night of Champions. They maintained their status by defeating The Usos in a Cell at Hell in a Cell. They lost the title to The Mizdow and Damien Mizdow at Survivor Series. On Raw, they had a rematch for the tag team titles, but they were dissatisfied.

After being defeated by The Ascension, Stardust would start to express his dissatisfaction with Goldust on February 2, 2015 on Raw's February 2, 2015. On the February 16 episode of Raw, following a loss to The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Stardust will face Goldust by utilizing Cross Rhodes, his old finisher, indicating the end of Gold and Stardust and turning Goldust against them. This resulted in a match at Fastlane, where Goldust defeated Stardust. Goldust would be struck again by Stardust later that night while speaking to their father, Dusty Rhodes. Goldust was in the 2nd annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in WrestleMania 31, where he was defeated by Ryback. Goldust lost via submission to Rusev on the 30th episode of Raw on March 30, 2015.

Goldust revealed in May that he would have surgery to fix a shoulder injury and that he would be out of action for two to four months. Goldust made an appearance at NXT Takeover: Respect without any facepaint to congratulate Finn Bálor and Samoa Joe after they earned the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.

Goldust recovered from injury during Survivor Series, competing in a 5-on-5 elimination tag team competition during the pre-show, teaming with The Dudley Boyz, Neville, and Titus O'Neil, where they defeated Stardust, The Miz, and Bo Dallas. During the months of November and December, Goldust will continue feuding with his brother, Stardust, on Raw and SmackDown. After distracting Breeze by appearing on ringside, Goldust will cost him his match against O'Neil on December 17 episode of SmackDown. Goldust will be defeated by Breeze on December 31 episode of SmackDown.

During various episodes of Raw and SmackDown, Goldust approached R-Truth and suggested that a tag team be formed, but to no avail. At Fastlane, Goldust inadvertently cost R-Truth his match against Curtis Axel. R-Reality began to apologise and promise to form a tag team with Goldust, with Goldust refusing. After Truth was debuffed by Bubba Ray Dudley on the March 21 episode of Raw, Goldust came to R-Truth's assistance. In a losing effort, Goldust took part in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in WrestleMania 32. Shane McMahon revealed a number one challengers tournament for the WWE Tag Team Championship on April 11 on Raw, which also featured Goldust and Truth teaming together. Goldust will tell R-Truth before their match that they did not work together, with Goldust instead teaming with Fandango, where they were defeated by the Valiantvillains in the first round. Goldust was the special referee for the match between R-truth and Fandango, which R-Truth won on. Goldust face R-truth's latest friend, Tyler Breeze, in a losing effort after a distraction from R-Truth on May 2nd. On the May 12 episode of SmackDown, the two teams will face each other, with Goldust and Truth refusing to engage together and threatening Goldust and R-truth, which culminated in Fandango and Breeze becoming an alliance and allowing Breeze to pin Goldust. On the May 16 episode of Raw, Goldust and Truth, the two characters were teaming up, where they were defeated by the newly named Breezango (Fandango and Breeze). Golden Truth began losing streaks on SmackDown, losing to Breezango and The Dudley Boyz. After defeating Breezango, Golden Truth gained their first victory on the Money in the Bank pre-show.

Goldust and R-Truth were drafted to Raw in the 2016 WWE Draft. The Golden Truth later became entangled with the Shining Stars. During a tag team match between Enzo and Cass and The Shining Stars, playing Pokémon Go!, The Golden Truth will enter the ring on July 25 episode of Raw. Over the course of months, the Shining Stars would try to convince R-Truth into purchasing a one-way ticket to Puerto Rico, which saw Goldust continually but keep R-truth from being confused. The Golden Truth will be deposed by The Shining Stars on August 1st episode of Raw. The Golden Truth was introduced by Mark Henry in their feud against the Shining Stars on October 17th episode of Raw. The Shining Stars & Titus O'Neil team will face the Shining Stars & Titus O'Neil in an 8-man tag team match on the same episode of Raw. Goldust will face King Arthur on October 31 in a royal duel, with the winner being added to Team Raw at Survivor Series. Braun Strowman was dissatisfied with the royal fight and then joining Team Raw in the process. The Golden Truth were later revealed as members of the 10-man Survivor Series Raw Tag Team stable, but R-Truth's team was forced to the Shining Stars for tickets to Puerto Rico a week later. The Shining Stars defeated The Golden Truth to join Team Raw on November 7th. After beating Braun Strowman over R-Truth in an episode of Raw, Goldust confronted him on October 28. Sami Zayn would then leap into the ring and assist in the stabbing of Strowman. The Golden Truth competed in a Fatal 4-Way tag team competition against Cesaro and Sheamus, Gallows and Anderson, and The Shining Stars, which was crowned by Cesaro and Sheamus in December 14th at WWE Tribute to the Troops.

The Golden Truth was revealed on the 4th annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33, but neither one of them was successful in winning. The Golden Truth was supposed to compete against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on April 17 of Rawling, but Braun Strowman had them backstage, causing Enzo Amore and Big Cass to take The Golden Truth's place in the match.

The Golden Truth appeared on Raw's May 8 episode as part of a tag team feud for the No. 2 position. There's a 1 Contenders ticket against The Hardy Boyz on the radio, but The Hardy Boyz lost to Cesaro and Sheamus. R-Truth apologised to Goldust for "letting the team down" on May 15, while Goldust replied by saying they "win and lose as a team." R-Truth was attacked late that night by Goldust, who appeared on R-truth against Gallows and Anderson for the first time since 2015 and breaking up The Golden Truth.

On the May 22 episode of Raw, a vignette was aired with Goldust, a director's seat, and "the Golden Age is back," resonating with R-truth. Goldust defeated R-Truth on July 10 of Raw, bringing an end to their feud. Goldust appeared in the 15-man war royal for a shot at the Intercontinental Championship on August 28. Despite this, Goldust was unable to recover after being defeated by Luke Gallows.

Goldust defeated Bray Wyatt in a losing effort on the September 11 episode of Raw. Wyatt used a towel to erase his facepaint after the match, claiming he was "just a man" as a weapon against Wyatt's enemy Finn Bálor's face and body paint. Rhodes defeated Wyatt again in a losing bid next week, under new name and without his signature facepaint (although still using Goldust's theme and ring attire). After the match, Bálor ran down to assist Rhodes, but Wyatt continued to attack Rhodes. Rhodes, on the other hand, demanded the aid and assaulted Bálor during a fight backstage on the September 25 episode of Raw. He had a match against Bálor later that night but was disqualified. He appeared as "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes at Starrcade, defeating Dash Wilder with the bulldog.

Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari were defeated on Jan. 1, 2018, on the January 1, 2018 episode of Raw, Rhodes, now known as Goldust. On the January 2 episode of 205 Live, a match was normally reserved for athletes under the age of 205 pounds. Goldust appeared in the Royal Rumble match at number 29, but Dolph Ziggler denied him at number 29. Goldust was revealed as a participant in the WWE Mixed Match Challenge in January alongside Alicia Fox. Mandy Rose was recalled after a back injury, and Goldust and Rose were unable to reach Jimmy Uso and Naomi in the first round. During a promo, Goldust would confront and threaten John Cena, but the same night, he was defeated by Cena. Goldust cut a backstage promo where he revealed his participation in the forthcoming André The Giant Memorial Battle Royal match in WrestleMania 34 and lost a match to "Woken" Matt Hardy the same night. Goldust appeared in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, where he defeated R-Truth. Goldust appeared in the aforementioned match at number 18 and lasted ten minutes before being eliminated by Bobby Roode. Goldust underwent knee surgery in July. Runnels resigned from the WWE after his deal ended, bringing an end to his six-year tenure with the company. Runnels resigned on April 21, 2019, despite claiming he had asked for his release.

On April 20, 2019, it was announced on "Road to Double or Nothing" that Runnels would face his real life half-brother Cody at All Elite Wrestling (AEW)'s Double or Nothing pay-per-view. Runnels, under his old gimmick as "The Natural," failed to win on May 25, Double or Nothing. Professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer rated the match 5 stars. After the news that they would reunite to face The Young Bucks at the Fight for the Fallen event on July 13, the brothers cheered. Dustin Rhodes had signed a multi-year contract with All Elite Wrestling as a wrestler and coach, as a wrestler and mentor, as a wrestler and coach on August 2, 2019. Rhodes, The Young Bucks, and his half-brother Cody were assaulted by The Inner Circle on October 2, 2013, Moris Jericho, Santana and Ortiz, Sammy Guevara and Jake Hager), for the first time in over 18 years. In an 8-Man Tag Team Battle on October 22, 2019, AEW Dark, Runnels won his first match by defeating Cima. On the ninth episode of Dynamite, Cody and MJF help him attack Chris Jericho and his stable The Inner Circle. In Hager's AEW debut match at Revolution, Runnels' rivalry with The Inner Circle came to an end. Dustin Rhodes said if he loses to Kip Sabian in the first round of the TNT Championship tournament, he would withdraw. Dustin defeated Kip Sabian in the quarterfinals match and advanced to the second round of the TNT Championship Tournament on April 22, 2020. Lance Archer, a Murderhawk," was defeated in the second round of the tournament, with Dustin losing the match. During a segment on May 20's broadcast of Dynamite, Shawn Spears mocked Dustin and the Rhodes family, setting up a match between the two teams on May 23, 2020. Dustin ripped Spears' clothes and gained by pinfall after winning the Final Reckoning (Curtain Call). Dustin and T. Marshall, who first appeared on "The Natural Nightmares" on February 19, were unsuccessfully battling for the AEW World Tag Team Championship against Kenny Omega and Adam Page on the June 17 Dynamite. At All Out, Brodie Lee, Colt Cabana, Evil Uno, and Stu Grayson, battling The Dark Order to revenge Cody losing the TNT Championship to Brodie Lee, Dustin and Marshall, teamed with Matt Cardona and Scorpio Sky, defeating The Dark Order (Brodie Lee, Colt Cabana). Dustin fought Brodie for the TNT Championship after the match, which he lost.

"The Natural Nightmares" teamed up again on a Bunkhouse match against Butcher and Blade on November 11, 2020. Dustin Rhodes, "The Natural" in a singles match, defeated the Dark Order's 10 by pinfall in a singles match on December 9, 2020.

Dustin lost in an Interim AEW TNT Championship title match to Sammy Guevara on January 8, 2022.

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