In less than 10 days, WWE will be hosting its first premium live event of this year, which is the Royal Rumble. The event is scheduled to take place on January 28 at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. And talk about the potential winners, names like Sami Zayn, The Rock, and The American Nightmare are on the top. Cody Rhodes, who has been out since his June injury, was reported to make a surprise return at Royal Rumble 2023 and win it.
However, for some fans, all the surprise factor was ruined on the recent episode of RAW. During the show, WWE played a vignette of Cody Rhodes announcing his return at the Royal Rumble later this month.
BREAKING NEWS: @CodyRhodes returns at #RoyalRumble.
The American Nightmare has officially declared for the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble Match!#Rhodes2Rumble pic.twitter.com/xGOTxTwdGB
— WWE (@WWE) January 17, 2023
While a lot of fans are happy to get the confirmation, some think it should have been kept a secret. Well, a recent report from WrestleVotes has shed light on the real reason why WWE did so.
WWE announced Cody Rhodes’ Royal Rumble return because “other surprises” are lined up
WrestleVotes recently made a Twitter post where it gave some major insights regarding WWE’s upcoming pay-per-view. It also revealed the actual reason why Cody Rhodes’ Royal Rumble return was announced on RAW.
According to a source WrestleVotes spoke to, there’s a specific reason why The American Nightmare’s comeback wasn’t kept a secret. The obvious explanation for WWE’s announcement was that everyone was already expecting Cody Rhodes to return at the Royal Rumble.
However, the second reason would increase the excitement of fans for the upcoming pay-per-view. According to WrestleVotes’ source, WWE management is more than pleased with the surprises that are lined up for Royal Rumble 2023.
Asked a source the reasoning behind Cody’s Rumble return being announced as opposed to a surprise…
Source said it’s twofold, one being that nearly everyone expected it to happen already & two, source states they are “more than pleased” w/ the other surprises that are lined up.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 19, 2023
If the report turns out to be true, not only Cody Rhodes, but more big names will be returning to the WWE at the Royal Rumble. One of the rumored names set to return is none other than “The Great One” The Rock. However, WrestleVotes’ report says “surprises” which means there will be more. Though, how credible the report is, it will be seen later this month.
The American Nightmare delivered an epic match despite having a torn pectoral muscle last year
Cody Rhodes, in many ways, re-debuted in WWE at last year’s Showcase of Immortals. And despite wrestling only a few matches after that, he became one of the top baby faces in the company.
In fact, he delivered what many believe was “match of the year” against Seth Rollins at the 2022 Hell in a Cell. Unfortunately, while preparing for the match, Cody tore his pectoral muscle. However, he still entered the steel structure and won many hearts by defeating Rollins. The Rock himself took to Twitter and praised the match.
Holy shit.
Proud of both, you and Seth.
Go make your money!! 👏🏾👏🏾👊🏾— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 10, 2022
Nevertheless, The American Nightmare is now fully recovered and all set to return to the WWE ring. In fact, if The Rock doesn’t appear, Cody Rhodes could be winning this year’s Royal Rumble. And considering all things go his way, fans might also see him headlining WrestleMania 39 against Roman Reigns.
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