Cody Rhodes, the former WWE Undisputed Champion, aimed to make history by capturing his third Royal Rumble victory and securing a spot at WrestleMania 42 to reclaim the title he lost earlier this year. However, the 40-year-old star’s journey during the men’s Royal Rumble came to an unexpected halt when Drew McIntyre eliminated him with a devastating Claymore kick, causing Rhodes to lose his grip and exit the match prematurely.
Possibility of a Victory at the Elimination Chamber
Instead of winning the Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes is set to continue his rivalry for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu. To build anticipation for the upcoming triple threat match, WWE allowed McIntyre’s interference to prevent Rhodes from winning the Rumble. This sets up the potential for Rhodes to participate in the men’s Elimination Chamber match, where he could earn another opportunity to compete for the championship.
Fan Reactions Influenced Booking Decisions
Leading up to the Royal Rumble, during the final episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Rhodes’ announcement about attempting to win the Rumble again was met with boos instead of cheers from the audience. This illustrated that the WWE fanbase was resistant to the idea of Rhodes claiming another Royal Rumble victory. Given that Cody Rhodes is one of WWE’s primary heroic figures, the company avoided risking fan disengagement by not having him win the event this year.
Avoiding Repetition in Consecutive Wins
Cody Rhodes had already won the men’s Royal Rumble in 2023 and 2024, and allowing him to take the 2026 title would have felt too repetitive. To maintain freshness and unpredictability in their storytelling, WWE’s executive Triple H and the creative team opted against booking Rhodes to win once again. This decision reflects a strategic effort to keep the event exciting and prevent outcomes from becoming predictable.
By not winning this year’s Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes maintains his prominence while paving the way for new twists in WWE’s championship narrative. His involvement in the Elimination Chamber match offers another high-stakes opportunity for him to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship, ensuring that fans remain invested in his career trajectory and the evolving rivalries within the franchise.
Drew McIntyre appears and eliminates Cody Rhodes.#RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/7TP6GYzqtp
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) January 31, 2026
