Goldust announced on Twitter Tuesday that he is undergoing (rotator cuff) shoulder surgery on Friday and will be out of action for five to six months.
I feel bad for Goldust, who was finally starting to get a minor push in WWE by working a program with Ted DiBiase Jr. on Raw.
Goldust, 41, has gotten himself into great shape and has been doing fine work in the ring since returning to WWE a couple years ago. He has been used mostly in a glorified enhancement role, often putting over up-and-coming wrestlers, but he always gets a good reaction from fans.
He also has become a mentor to some of the younger talent backstage. Wade Barrett, for one, told me in an interview last month that Goldust is someone that he goes to for critiques and advice.
The timing of Goldust's injury is especially unfortunate because his autobiography, "Cross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness" is set to be released next week.