Cody Rhodes’ long awaited WWE return will finally take place at the Royal Rumble. Fans had long expected that the American Nightmare would feature at the first pay per view of the year. However, they expected him to appear as a surprise return. Instead, he declared himself for the match well ahead of the event. Reports have since emerged that the former AEW star was not even medically cleared before he revealed his participation in the Royal Rumble.
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Rhodes has been out of the company since June last year. His last match was against Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell, despite suffering a completely torn pec muscle before their fight. Rhodes did not just win the match, but completely won the fans over with his Herculean effort.
Cody Rhodes announced WWE return at Royal Rumble before he was medically cleared
Much like the aforementioned Hell in a Cell match, Cody Rhodes was still not medically cleared to get inside the ring when he made the Royal Rumble announcement. According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, his clearance, however, is probably just a formality at this point.
“We were told he was not cleared as of when his name was announced, but the fact it was announced tells me it’s just a formality.”
Rhodes has been training in WWE’s performance center to prepare for his return. He reportedly chose Carmelo Hayes and Joe Gacy to help him prepare for the 30-men match that will officially begin the road to WrestleMania 39.
Will Cody Rhodes win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 39?
Since Cody Rhodes’ return to the WWE, fans have pegged him for a world title run. It is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ he will win the big one. There have long been rumors that the American Nightmare will win the Royal Rumble and earn the right to face Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 39.
There are also talks of WWE going ahead with The Rock in the main event instead of Reigns. However, even if the WWE decides to go in that direction, Rhodes could still walk out of WrestleMania 39 as the WWE Champion.
Rumors have circulated that Reigns could face both The Rock and Rhodes on separate nights of WrestleMania. There are also reports stating that Reigns could be forced to forfeit or drop the WWE Championship after the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber, which would lead to a tournament culminating at WrestleMania’s night one in order to crown a new WWE Champion.
Nothing has been confirmed so far, and we will have to see what WWE’s plans for Rhodes are heading into the Mania season.
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