Cody Rhodes not bothered by The Rock & CM Punk’s WWE returns

Cody Rhodes isn’t bothered by the recent WWE returns of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and CM Punk.

Since losing to Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 39, Rhodes’ story has been trying to get back to that spot so he can finally defeat Reigns to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. The returns of The Rock and Punk may have added some competition, but Rhodes says he isn’t flinching.

“The Rock is The Great One–he’s still electrifying,” Rhodes told Sports Illustrated. “CM Punk is one of the greatest stars in the history of wrestling. I know what I’m up against. Look at the roster–it’s loaded with stars. But that doesn’t bother me. I’m not flinching. I’m not rooting against anyone else, I’m just working to make it happen.”

The comments are similar to ones that Rhodes made on Busted Open Radio last November. Rhodes said it would be outstanding if The Rock is part of WrestleMania 40, but Rhodes doesn’t think The Rock will be in his main event spot against Reigns.

The Rock made a surprise return to WWE on the Day 1 edition of Raw last week. At the end of his appearance, The Rock teased a match against Reigns. Rock said he wants to sit at the Head of the Table.

After nearly a decade away, Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series. WWE looks to be building to Punk challenging Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40, though the company does have plans for a Punk vs. Reigns feud in the future.

Reigns is defending his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble on Saturday, January 27.

Rhodes and Punk were the first two wrestlers to declare for the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match. Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre have also declared.

Rhodes was the winner of the 2023 men’s Royal Rumble. He’s looking to go back-to-back by winning the Rumble again this year.

“The milestones keep building,” Rhodes told Sports Illustrated. “We keep climbing to new levels. Now the question I keep asking myself is, ‘Who is the face of the place?’ That’s what I want. That’s another level I need to attain. Hopefully that starts at the Royal Rumble.”

Rhodes defeated Nakamura in a street fight in the main event of Raw last night. Punk got into a promo battle with McIntyre on the episode.