24. The American Nightmare Returns To Make His Mark (2023)
Having been out of action for eight months due to a pec tear suffered at Backlash the prior May, it was announced ahead of time that Cody Rhodes would make his return to action at the 2023 Royal Rumble.
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Of course, not just did Cody return to the ring, but he’d win the whole thing, entering at #30, scoring five eliminations, and last eliminating Gunther.
Some may question the presentation of Rhodes and Gunther here, with the babyface Cody coming in for a 15-minute stint, in comparison to the villainous Ring General having entered at #1 and put in a mammoth one-hour-and-11-minute shift that stands as an all-timer of a Rumble performance. Regardless, San Antonio’s Alamodome ate it up, and the American Nightmare was on his way to his first WrestleMania main event.