If Cody Rhodes can get cleared to wrestle in time for next year's WWE Royal Rumble event, he'll be a trendy pick to headline WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood.
As previously noted, WWE announced last month that would be out of action for nine months after undergoing surgery on a torn pec. It was extremely disappointing The American Nightmare and his many fans. Rhodes had only been back in the WWE for a couple of months prior to his injury.
Many fans are hopeful that Rhodes will be able to return for the 2023 Royal Rumble pay-per-view (date and location to be determined).
The 37-year-old superstar commented on this possibility during an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con (h/t WrestlingInc.com).
"My Royal Rumble stats are top 10, they’re phenomenal," Rhodes said. "So if I was to come back at that event, there is a chance I could actually get up in the top five and I’m all about that...You never know! We’ll see."
For what it's worth, BetOnline lists Rhodes as the betting favorite to win the 2023 men's Royal Rumble match with odds of -150. Interestingly, The Rock has the second-best odds of +550, followed by Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at +1800. Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Bron Breakker and Riddle share the fourth best odds at +1200.
2019 winner Becky Lynch is the favorite to win the women's Royal Rumble at +250, followed by Bayley (+450), Rhea Ripley (+600) and 2020 match winner Charlotte Flair (+600). Bianca Belair, Raquel Rodriguez and Alexa Bliss are behind them with odds of +1000 apiece.
Cody Rhodes Would Be A Great Pick To Win Men's Royal Rumble
If Rhodes gets clearance for a return in time, it's easy to argue that he's the best pick to win the men's Royal Rumble match. He looked destined for a program with Roman Reigns prior to his injury, having gone undefeated in the first two months of his WWE return. With Rhodes sidelined, WWE has a limited number of potential babyfaces who could feud with Reigns.
He was well over with the WWE Universe the moment he returned at WrestleMania 38 for the match with Rollins. Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble en route to headlining WrestleMania would make for an epic WWE moment.
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