Cody Rhodes promised he’d come back and win a championship, and now he’s one step closer, having won the 2023 Royal Rumble.
Rhodes entered 30th in the tournament, and despite the favored position, still needed a ton of heart to walk out on top. In the end, it came down to four superstars, including Seth Rollins, Logan Paul, Rhodes, and Gunther — who had entered first in the Rumble — and all four superstars put on a show.
In the end, after Logan Paul shocked the WWE Universe by eliminating Rollins and Rollins was subsequently eliminated by Rhodes, it was Rhodes that would finally do enough to eliminate Gunther, and with his five eliminations in total, The American Nightmare is headed to WrestleMania 39 for a shot at a title.
A dream has become reality at #RoyalRumble.
Congratulations to the undeniable @CodyRhodes, you EARNED it. pic.twitter.com/v4YBiLYE2M
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023
The full order of entrance and elimination for the 2023 Royal Rumble can be found below:
Order of entry
- Gunther
- Sheamus
- The Miz
- Kofi Kingston
- Johnny Gargano
- Xavier Woods
- Karrion Kross
- Chad Gable
- Drew McIntyre
- Santos Escobar
- Angelo Dawkins
- Brock Lesnar
- Bobby Lashley
- Baron Corbin
- Seth Rollins
- Otis
- Rey Mysterio (doesn’t show up)
- Dominik Mysterio
- Elias
- Finn Balor
- Booker T
- Damien Priest
- Montez Ford
- Edge
- Austin Theory
- Omos
- Braun Strowman
- Ricochet
- Logan Paul
- Cody Rhodes
Order of elimination
- The Miz (via Sheamus)
- Karrion Kross (via Drew McIntyre)
- Xavier Woods (via Gunther)
- Kofi Kingston (via Gunther)
- Santos Escobar (via Brock Lesnar)
- Angelo Dawkins (via Brock Lesnar)
- Chad Gable (via Brock Lesnar)
- Brock Lesnar (via Bobby Lashley)
- Baron Corbin (via Seth Rollins)
- Bobby Lashley (via Seth Rollins)
- Rey Mysterio — Never enters the match
- Otis (via Sheamus and Drew McIntyre)
- Elias (via Sheamus and Drew McIntyre)
- Johnny Gargano (via Finn Balor and Dominik)
- Booker T (via Gunther)
- Montez Ford (via Damian Priest)
- Damian Priest (via Edge)
- Finn Balor (via Edge)
- Edge (via Finn Balor)
- Omos (via Braun Strowman)
- Sheamus (via Gunther)
- Drew McIntyre (via Gunther)
- Dominik Mysterio (via Cody Rhodes)
- Braun Strowman (via Cody Rhodes)
- Ricochet (via Austin Theory)
- Austin Theory (via Cody Rhodes)
- Seth Rollins (via Logan Paul)
- Logan Paul (via Cody Rhodes)
- Gunther (via Cody Rhodes)
For a brief breakdown of how the end of the Royal Rumble went, check out below courtesy of our live, play-by-play coverage:
Paul talks trash and points at the WrestleMania sign, then turns into a Cross Rhodes and gets sent to the floor. It’s down to Cody Rhodes and Gunther now, and Gunther chops the heck out of Rhodes in the corner. Rhodes ducks a clothesline and hangs Gunther on the top rope, then goes for a Disaster Kick. Gunther telegraphs it and keeps on the attack, chopping Cody’s chest before climbing up to the top turnbuckle. Gunther stomps Cody’s chest and tries to eliminate him, but Cody powers to his feet and rams his shoulder into Gunther’s ribs. Cody heads up top and Gunther meets him, setting up and hitting a superplex. Cody fights back and sends Gunther back to the apron, then stuns him with an uppercut and hangs his legs in the middle ropes. Cody hits Shattered Dreams in the corner, but Gunther comes right back and hits a powerbomb before whipping Cody over the top rope. Cody hangs on and Gunther clubs away, then he puts Cody in a sleeperhold on the apron. Cody tries to drop to his feet and pull Gunther over the ropes, but Gunther ends up letting go. Gunther punches Rhodes and sets up for a powerslam, but Rhodes counters with Cross Rhodes and finally throws Gunther out to win the match.
Winner of the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble – Cody Rhodes
