On January 28th, Cody Rhodes got one step closer to his destiny when he outlasted 29 other men to win the Men’s Royal Rumble match and secure his spot in the main event of WrestleMania 39.
The American Nightmare returned to action for the first time since June when he battled through a torn pectoral muscle at Hell in a Cell to defeat Seth Rollins.
Rhodes entered the Rumble in the coveted Number 30 spot and contributed to the eliminations of Dominik Mysterio, Austin Theory, Braun Strowman, and Logan Paul before facing off against the Number 1 entrant, Gunther.
Cody and the Intercontinental Champion gave it their all in the closing minutes of the match, but a Cross-Rhodes left the Ring General reeling before Rhodes Clotheslined him over the top rope to secure victory.
DDP congratulates Cody Rhodes
Diamond Dallas Page, who is a longtime friend of Cody Rhodes as well as a former member of his AEW faction, The Nightmare Family, took to social media to send a heartfelt message of congratulations to the star.
Page went as far as to say he felt the energy of Cody’s father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, in the building.
“So Proud my man Cody Rhodes for coming back off a devastating possible career ending injury and taking home the Win at #RoyalRumble! I could honestly feel Dusty’s Energy in the building. Much Love & Respect brother! This is your Destiny! See you at Mania!”
DDP”
So Proud my man @CodyRhodes for coming back off a devastating possible career ending injury and taking home the Win at #RoyalRumble! I could honestly feel Dusty’s Energy in the building 💥 Much Love & Respect brother! This is your Destiny! See you at Mania!
DDP pic.twitter.com/CdoJByfHuR— Diamond Dallas Page (@RealDDP) January 29, 2023
As things stand, Rhodes will go on to WrestleMania to face the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who saw off Kevin Owens in the main event of the Royal Rumble.
However, The Tribal Chief is facing his own problems as, after defeating KO, he and The Bloodline viciously assaulted the challenger before Reigns administered a final test of loyalty to Sami Zayn, ordering him to hit Owens with a steel chair.
Instead, Zayn hit Reigns in the back with the weapon and the rest of The Bloodline beat him down for it. All except Jey Uso, who left the ring rather than attack his friend, and later sent a message saying simply “I’m out”.