Cody Rhodes has opened up about his WWE return at Royal Rumble 2023, apologizing for his previous injury.
The American Nightmare notably won the Rumble bout, last eliminating GUNTHER to punch his ticket to WrestleMania 39.
This match was Rhodes’ first since June 2022, when he wrestled Seth Rollins with a torn pectoral muscle at the Hell in a Cell premium live event.
Rhodes was reportedly only cleared to compete at Hell in a Cell 2022 bout because he had torn his muscle completely off the bone during training.
Speaking with Ryan Satin of Fox Sports following his Rumble win, Rhodes issued an apology, noting:
“I’m very sorry I got hurt. That was stupid. Warm up before you lift. I’ll never….it won’t happen. Thank you for everything. Biggest night of my career.”
With his Royal Rumble victory, Rhodes earned a shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39.
Discussing his upcoming title bout, Rhodes said:
“It doesn’t just feel good, it feels surreal. I wasn’t even working here a year ago. I don’t know how we got here. There are things in my career that lined up perfectly, so perfectly.
“I don’t know how we got here. It doesn’t line up perfectly. I don’t believe in destiny, I don’t believe in fate, but my gosh, if there was a case study for it, it’s me.
“Maybe I just need to give in and say what this is, it’s a journey of destiny, who knows. No frame of reference for what that spot is. I cannot wait to feel it.”
When asked what his father Dusty Rhodes would say to him now, Cody said:
“The thing about my dad was that, when it’s a big moment, shockingly, a guy who could spit fire and a master orator, he didn’t say a lot. That’s the way our relationship was.
“He liked to watch when I got into the zone. Everyone will tell you, ‘he’s watching,’ and all this. To honor him the best way, I try not to think about it. Triple H saying he’s proud of me, that means a lot because I caused a lot of trouble.
“I don’t regret the trouble, but maybe I regret some of the ways I handled it. To be under his tutelage for that moment, and not blow it, it felt good.
“I was in the Rumble with Randy Orton and Triple H, I told Randy this last night, I got to sit there and watch him have his moment, and I thought, ‘I hope that’s me one day.’
“In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘it’s going to be next year, the year after that.’ Here we are, ten years later. I’m a slow learner, but I figured it out.”
Rhodes also recalled a conversation he had with Sami Zayn ahead of his WWE return, which you can read about right here.
Transcription via Fightful.
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