Cody Rhodes Winning the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble is a Blessing and a Curse

Late in the men’s 2024 Royal Rumble match, with only Cody Rhodes and CM Punk left standing, one of the commentators noted that fans couldn’t really complain with either result.

True enough—Rhodes won in front of a crowd heavily backing him while Punk played the heel role well, setting him up for a WrestleMania rematch with Roman Reigns.

Still, one could argue that The American Nightmare winning the men’s Rumble for the second year in a row is a bit of a curse, simply for the fact that it deflates the intrigue balloon around ‘Mania season for the second year in a row.

While Rhodes didn’t enter late and steal a win this year to insert himself in a family-based Bloodline feud at the finish line, there’s no fun what if? around ‘Mania now.

WWE @WWEDO THE WORK.
FINISH THE STORY.@CodyRhodes just won the Men’s #RoyalRumble Match for the second year in a row! The American Nightmare has his sights set on @WWERomanReigns as the Road to #WrestleMania is underway! pic.twitter.com/RkHT2oAsLT

Before Saturday night, it still felt very much up in the air that Reigns might instead headline and defend his title against The Rock. That thought snowballed quickly for fans, suggesting The Tribal Chief would successfully defend and put him on track to eventually pass Hulk Hogan’s 1,474 days, the third-longest run of all time.

Punk emerging as the winner would have made for some interesting television too, simply because he could toy with Seth Rollins and Reigns as to who his opponent will be, looping in more interactions with Paul Heyman in the process.

Had things gone that route, with The Second City Saint still obviously picking Rollins, fans could have witnessed Rhodes using the Elimination Chamber as a way to get his shot at the rematch.

Part of this stems from the concern of how WWE handled Rhodes after his first loss to Reigns, too. Are these next two months going to have the storytelling chops to really keep fans interested without too much rehashing of the same points as last year?

While this new golden era has been propped up by mostly great storytelling, that hasn’t been the case with Rhodes. He took the loss last year, spiraled into a drawn-out feud with Brock Lesnar, then bounced all over the midcard, including a stint in tag team purgatory before ramping back up to Saturday night’s win.

It’s also hard to dismiss fans who have concerns with a Rhodes title run and it bringing things more in line with Rollins’ current run, too.

WWE @WWETHIS IS AWE-SOME!! 👏👏 👏👏👏#RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/aOslZvqfhs

Then again, one of the big blessings from Rhodes’ win is simple: A redemption arc that extends beyond the Superstar himself.

WWE and Superstar alike now have a chance to do it right this time. Maybe the intrigue is gone, but maybe this cementing of the ‘Mania main event can relight the Bloodline fire that has been missing for six-plus months. Maybe now this is the spur all involved need to really accelerate that “isolated Tribal Chief who finally loses” angle in a way that is satisfying and not just checking boxes.

Rhodes winning doesn’t do the Punk outlook any harm either, not with him still likely main-eventing Night 1 against Rollins. His use of the Pedigree and the “not losing to Dusty’s kid” line into the camera makes his inevitable heel turn all the more obvious, so that feud will maintain intrigue for two months regardless.

There’s also just something to be said for how momentous the occasion is. Dethroing a final-boss type like Reigns at the end of one of the greatest modern runs of all time—the modern Hogan, some might argue—takes a special Superstar.

And a successive Rumble win for Rhodes certainly puts him in that company, as these are the only other names to win back-to-back:

Hulk HoganShawn Michaels 
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
There’s plenty to nitpick about Rhodes winning again and eventually taking down Reigns, yes. But history will look fondly on the setup created here, especially if all involved can make the wait on the road to ‘Mania worthwhile.

That includes where Reigns goes after a possible loss, too. Is The Rock involved in said loss somehow, preventing interference and that sets up a long-term feud? Does Reigns simply snap without the belt, plowing over both rosters until someone can intervene?

Of course, that presumes Rhodes actually beats Reigns…just kidding. Predictable doesn’t have to be bad in pro wrestling when done well, which is why Rhodes-Punk being the final two was so captivating on Saturday night.

While there are drawbacks and items that could create a tough backfire situation, Rhodes winning does set things up nicely for a second chance at getting the story right this time—long before an actual three-count at WrestleMania.