Biography
Dustin Runnels is the son of Dusty Rhodes and the older brother of Cody Rhodes — and he carved out a career completely distinct from both by creating one of the most audacious characters in WWE history. Goldust, the gold-painted, sexually ambiguous, film-obsessed bizarre one, used psychological tactics and deliberate discomfort to generate heat in an era when characters were expected to be straightforward.
The Goldust character debuted in 1995 and immediately disrupted the WWE landscape. In an era of Cowboys and Pirates and Corporate Men, Goldust was something genuinely weird — a performer who made audiences uncomfortable with deliberate physical contact, film references, and an androgynous presentation that was years ahead of its time in professional wrestling.
Beyond the character, Dustin Runnels is a technically accomplished wrestler trained by his father Dusty and capable of working a clean, fundamentally sound match when the character steps aside. His longevity in WWE — over three decades of appearances — reflects both his reliability as a performer and the character's persistent resonance.
His emotional match with brother Cody Rhodes at AEW's debut PPV (Double or Nothing 2019) — in which both men bled heavily and delivered a genuinely moving family story — demonstrated that beneath all the gold paint, Dustin Runnels is one of wrestling's great unsung talents.
Finishing Moves
- Final Cut — Arm-trapped reverse STO — drives the opponent face-first into the mat from a standing position; his primary finish throughout his career
- Shattered Dreams — Running low blow to a cornered opponent (when referee is distracted) — his most infamous signature move and one of wrestling's great heel spots
Championships & Titles
Personas & Characters
Goldust
1995–present
The Bizarre One — gold-painted, film-obsessed, deliberately uncomfortable. One of WWE's most original character creations and one of its most committed long-term performers.
Dustin Rhodes (AEW)
2019–present
Competed under his real name in AEW — the mask off, the performer fully visible, and still capable of extraordinary in-ring work in his 50s.
Career Timeline
Professional debut
Begins career at 19 trained by his father Dusty Rhodes.
Goldust debut in WWE
Creates the Goldust character — immediately controversial and effective as a psychological heel.
IC Championship reigns
Two Intercontinental title reigns at the height of the Goldust character's cultural impact.
Tag titles with Cody
Brothers win the WWE Tag Team Championship together — an emotional moment for both their careers.
AEW debut match vs. Cody
Competes at AEW Double or Nothing as Dustin Rhodes against Cody — a blood-soaked, emotionally resonant match on wrestling's new frontier.
FAQ
Is Goldust related to Cody Rhodes?
Yes. Goldust (Dustin Runnels/Rhodes) is the older brother of Cody Rhodes. Both are sons of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes. They have competed as tag partners, opponents, and emotionally resonant rivals throughout their careers.
Why is Goldust painted gold?
The Goldust character is based on a Hollywood/cinema obsession — the gold paint reflects old Hollywood glamour, the Academy Awards (Oscar gold), and a deliberately androgynous presentation that was designed to be psychologically uncomfortable for 1990s wrestling audiences.
Has Dustin Rhodes wrestled as himself?
Yes. Dustin Rhodes competed under his real name at AEW Double or Nothing 2019 against his brother Cody Rhodes — one of his most celebrated matches. He has also used the Dustin Rhodes name at various points in his career when departing WWE.