Report: WWE "More Than Pleased" With Planned Royal Rumble 2023 Surprises

Real reason WWE spoiled Cody Rhodes' Royal Rumble surprise revealed.

by Andy H Murray
Royal Rumble
WWE/BT Sport

WWE is reportedly "more than pleased" with the surprises it has lined up for next week's Royal Rumble 2023 premium live event, reports WrestleVotes.

The outlet tweeted on Thursday that this is one of the reasons behind WWE announcing Cody Rhodes' participation at the event rather than leaving it as a surprise. On top of this, WWE chose to go down that route because "nearly everyone" expected 'The American Nightmare' to come back at the show anyway.

Per WrestleVotes:-

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Asked a source the reasoning behind Cody’s Rumble return being announced as opposed to a surprise... Source said it’s twofold, one being that nearly everyone expected it to happen already & two, source states they are “more than pleased” w/ the other surprises that are lined up.

Rhodes has been sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle since Hell In A Cell 2022, where he wrestled rival Seth Rollins in the eponymous structure, having suffered the injury prior to the show. Cody wrestled through the pain last night, doing so with a heavily-bruised chest, shoulder, and upper arm.

WWE has since spent time building Rhodes' return up through a run of typically well-produced vignettes. These culminated on Monday's episode of Raw, when it was announced that he'll be in the men's Royal Rumble match.

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Royal Rumble 2023 takes place on Saturday 28 January. WWE has filled 11 of the 30 men's spots and four of the women's for the over-the-top-rope battle royals, which are often crammed with surprise, unannounced entrants.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.