WWE Royal Rumble 2026: 5 Things That NEED To Happen
2. Roman Reigns Eliminates Cody Rhodes
Rather ironically, one Cody Rhodes is at a career crossroads. It looked like he'd be WWE's top babyface forever after reclaiming the title from John Cena at SummerSlam 2025, but nothing lasts forever in pro wrestling (well, apart from select 3-hour editions of Raw from Vince McMahon's latter years that are possibly still ongoing someplace!). Nobody stays on top for good.
Cody has been dropping hints all over the place that he's about to embark on one of the most captivating heel turns of the modern era, at least. He's acknowledging boos from live crowds, and his character seems to have realised that being the hero takes a heavy toll on any man. It might be time he plays the villain for a while instead.
Part of that good-to-bad character arc can play out in Saudi once his old rival Roman Reigns tosses Rhodes out of the Royal Rumble like he's yesterday's news. Think about that for a second: Beating Reigns and replacing him as poster boy was once Cody's main mission. He wanted to honour his dad's legacy by winning the WWE Title, sure, but supplanting Roman was the tangible end result of that.
Rhodes achieved his objective, so imagine how damaged his psyche would be in storyline if he had to watch Reigns eliminate him so soon after losing the belt to another hated enemy in Drew McIntyre?! He'd be all over the place, logically, and that could lead into a snap heel turn that rocks 2026.
Crushing disappointment breeds resentment. Just ask Drew, 'Code-man'. He'll tell you all about it, and he'll chuckle at being right about Roman and family too.