Cody Rhodes wins men’s WWE Royal Rumble match

More than six months after he last stepped into a WWE ring, Cody Rhodes returned at Saturday’s Royal Rumble and won the men’s Rumble match to earn a shot at the undisputed WWE Universal title at WrestleMania 39.

Rhodes entered at no. 30 and eliminated WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther, the first entrant, to pick up his first-ever Rumble victory. The match opened up the pay-per-view from San Antonio, Texas, and lasted well over an hour with Gunther setting the record for the longest duration at just over 71 minutes.

The final five came down to Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Gunther, Austin Theory and Logan Paul.

Rhodes eliminated Theory after a curb stomp from Rollins. He and Rhodes were set to square off until Gunther hit Rollins and the two rivals then decided to team up. Rollins and Rhodes both delivered Pedigrees to Gunther and then re-focused on each other.

Paul, who was quietly outside the ring following a big double top rope jump collision with Ricochet, re-entered and eliminated Rollins. Rhodes then delivered a Cross Rhodes and tossed Paul out, leaving himself and Gunther.

The two then battled for an extended period of time with Gunther delivering his usual heavy chops which killed any effort Rhodes made to rally. Over the course of their fight, both men were nearly eliminated at several points. In the end, Rhodes countered Gunther with a Cross Rhodes and then eliminated him to win the match.

The match saw a few surprise entrants in the returning Edge and Booker T in addition to Paul who is back from injury after his Crown Jewel match against Roman Reigns last November.