Cody Rhodes finds himself in familiar territory but under very different circumstances. After losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre last week, and being contractually barred from a rematch, Rhodes has declared himself the first entrant in the 2026 Royal Rumble. His goal is to win the match for a record-tying third time to force his way back to WrestleMania. However, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry believes the “American Nightmare” is setting himself up for failure.
“It’s Just Not Going To Happen”
Speaking on the Busted Open podcast, Henry reviewed the situation and offered a blunt prediction regarding Rhodes’ chances of pulling off a “three-peat.”
“I don’t think that Cody Rhodes goes into the Rumble for the third time and wins. It’s just not going to happen.”
A “Tweener” Persona
Henry also touched on the shifting crowd dynamics. He noted that Rhodes is no longer the universally beloved hero he was during his previous Rumble wins. Instead, he has drifted into “tweener” territory, receiving mixed reactions that complicate his path to victory.
“Cody gets to travel the less popular road now… He’s kind of been very heelish. This is the road he has to travel, where he has to re-earn the respect and admiration of the fans because of the journey he’s taken.”
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