On this week’s episode of WWE Raw, the company announced Cody Rhodes would be returning to in-ring action at the Royal Rumble on January 28 at the Alamodome by competing in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match.
Rhodes has been sidelined since Hell in the Cell in June 2022 after he underwent surgery on a completely torn pec muscle he had going into the match.
The return announcement was made in a video package showing his recovery. As previously reported, WWE went forward with announcing his return early for two reasons. Everyone knew he would be returning at the show, and the company was more than pleased with the surprises lined up for the show.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Rhodes has been training in Orlando, Florida at the Performance Center to get ready. However, Rhodes wasn’t cleared when the announcement was made.
“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.”
As noted, Rhodes has been preparing for his in-ring return at the WWE Performance Center, with Carmelo Hayes and Joe Gacy reportedly handpicked by Rhodes to help him get ready.
