Report: Cody Rhodes Didn't Want To Be A Surprise At WWE Royal Rumble

Cody Rhodes' return to the squared circle from a torn pectoral muscle at the Royal Rumble was not kept as a surprise for the fans in attendance and around the world as WWE aired Beautiful Day-esque video packages in the weeks before the Rumble pay-per-view.

According to WrestleVotes, that was a Cody decision as The American Nightmare "loves being an attraction."

"Cody wanted it out there. He wanted to let people know that he was coming in, to give them something to look forward to. He loves being an attraction. The timeline matched up with the Royal Rumble, so people thought it was going to happen and were expecting it," WrestleVotes told GiveMeSport.

Rhodes ultimately made his return at the Rumble, entering at number 30. He would go on to win the Men's Royal Rumble, last eliminating GUNTHER. Cody will now challenge for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39.

WrestleVotes further noted why Cody entered the Rumble last, adding: "Keep all 30 guys in the match, and who was a better number 30 than Cody? Who gets a better reaction? If Cody comes out at 10, who is 30? It's got to be The Rock. If you bring out Logan Paul, it wasn't going to work. You didn't have a bigger attraction than Cody Rhodes. He had to be number 30."