Cody Rhodes sent shockwaves through the professional wrestling world when he left his role as Executive Vice President of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) to pursue his own destiny. The whispers were loudest that he was headed back to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and it didn’t take long for those rumors to be confirmed. Since his highly anticipated return, Rhodes suffered a torn pectoral injury that derailed his momentum. As his return draws near, WWE is building hype around his arrival, surrounding him with a handpicked team of trainers and creatives.
The hype machine kicked into gear a few weeks ago, with WWE airing segments showcasing Rhodes’ return ahead of the Royal Rumble. It’s no surprise that Rhodes is the current favorite to win the prestigious match on January 28th. During his rehabilitation, Rhodes has been putting in the hard work to get back in the ring, including working with Carmelo Hayes and Joe Gacy at the WWE Performance Center to shake off any ring rust. The two wrestlers were handpicked by Rhodes himself to help him get back to top form.
Cody Rhodes (Via WWE/Twitter)
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio also revealed that Jeremy Borash was assigned to work on Rhodes’ hype videos, which have been airing on Monday Night Raw. The high-quality vignettes were designed by Borash, who has a pre-existing relationship with Rhodes from their time working together in Impact Wrestling a few years ago. This added element of familiarity and trust likely contributed to the success of the hype videos.
As Rhodes’ return draws near, fans can expect big things from him in 2023. With his impressive track record and the support of WWE, it seems almost certain that 2023 will be a momentous year for The American Nightmare. Only time will tell how his story unfolds, but one thing is for certain – Cody Rhodes is back, and he’s ready to make his mark on the world of professional wrestling.
