As many had predicted, Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in the 2023 men’s Royal Rumble match.
Cody Rhodes made his shocking return at Royal Rumble 2023
Making his return to action after suffering a pectoral tear prior to the Hell in a Cell event last July, the American Nightmare entered the men’s Rumble bout at #30 and last eliminated Gunther to secure the victory. Including the Ring General, Rhodes clocked up five eliminations, also tossing out Dominik Mysterio, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul and playing a major part in eliminating Brawn Strowman.
Of course, this Rumble win puts Cody on course for a main event bout at WrestleMania 39 this April. As it stands, Rhodes is on a collision course with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Showcase of the Immortals; that is due to how the Tribal Chief bested Kevin Owens in the Royal Rumble main event.
As ever, things could change before ‘Mania, with some speculating that WWE may opt to split the WWE Title and Universal Title before the Grandaddy of Them All. Then there’s also the developing situation amongst the Bloodline, with Sami Zayn getting a beatdown from Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa after the Tribal Chief’s win over Owens. With KO handcuffed and assaulted by the Bloodline – bar Sami – after this match, Zayn tried to put a stop to this attack on his long-time rival-turned-BFF-turned-rival. After Reigns had encouraged the Honorary Uce to hit Owens with a steel chair, Sami instead opted to hit Roman with that weapon – in turn triggering his own assault from Roman, Jimmy and Solo… while Jey Uso wanted no part in all of this.
Regardless of the situation with the Bloodline, Cody Rhodes is now on the famed Road to WrestleMania.