Cody Rhodes did not participate in a traditional pre-match activity.
The American Nightmare returned at the 2023 Royal Rumble, winning the match from the number 30 position. The entry into the match was not a surprise, as Rhodes declared his entry to the match a couple of weeks before the Premium Live Event. As Rhodes was officially announced for the match, the new number one contender could have been present for the pre-show logistics.
Cody Rhodes’ WWE Royal Rumble Mistake
Despite being pre-announced, Cody Rhodes did not get in the ring before the show, instead remaining in the backstage area until showtime.
Speaking on the After The Bell podcast, Rhodes stated what he did not do before the match, and how his late father Dusty Rhodes would not be happy about it:
“I did commit what I’d call kind of a cardinal sin in the wrestling game. My dad would be really irked if he knew this. I did not walk the arena earlier in the day. I did not walk the ramp. I did not get in the ring. I was very much held behind doors. Because of that, I will admit I had no clue and I still have not figured it out. I didn’t know where the hard cam was.”
Rhodes would go on to describe his struggles in finding where the hard camera was, and how he ultimately figured out which way he had to address his offence in the match.
“I tried. Then at a certain point, I just figured I had found it but then the sign was that way and I figured ‘Nope that can’t [be it]’. So I really was just looking to get all [corners] ‘Let’s just get all fours.’ That was one of those [reminding moments] ‘Okay, welcome back.’ Because that’s something you absolutely have to cover.”
If Roman Reigns can successfully defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber, Cody Rhodes will be the next challenger for The Tribal Chief. Assuming that Reigns will be defending the title on the second night of the 2-night event, the Universal Championship reign of The Head of the Table will stand at 944 days.
H/t to SEScoops for the use of transcription