WWE Royal Rumble 2023: 10 Nightmares That Could Come True

4. Cody Rhodes’ Return Falls Flat

The Rock Sami Zayn
WWE

Man, Cody Rhodes wouldn't deserve this.

He really wouldn't. The dude traded AEW for WWE again in early-2022, and returned amidst much fanfare to produce the goods with Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38. It was one of the best WWE returns ever, but running that back for a repeat helping is gonna be tough for the 'American Nightmare'.

Fans already know he'll be at the Alamodome, and there's this weird, Triple H in 2001/2002 babyface comeback pressure about the whole thing. What if announcing Cody ahead of time was a mistake and dulls the magic of the moment? Seeing Rhodes emerge with a beaming smile as people look forward to the next Rumble entry already doesn't sound fun.

Trips' aforementioned comeback was one in a million, so WWE shouldn't expect the same thing here. They could, unfortunately, find out that playing the Rhodes card before reaching San Antonio was a huge mistake they'll come to regret.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.