In the world of professional wrestling, there's a stirring anticipation surrounding the WWE Royal Rumble 2026, especially with Cody Rhodes making it clear he’s aiming to secure a pivotal victory. But here's where it gets controversial—Cody Rhodes has his eyes set on a very specific opponent to take out during the match, and this choice could spark debates among fans and critics alike.
Cody Rhodes, a prominent and charismatic figure in WWE, has officially been announced as one of the competitors for the upcoming Royal Rumble. The event gained extra significance following a dramatic title change on January 9th, 2026, when Drew McIntyre defeated The American Nightmare in a grueling Three Stages of Hell match to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion. What's crucial here is that, according to their contract, Rhodes is barred from receiving an immediate rematch, which means his next shot at the title hinges on winning the Royal Rumble itself.
Ahead of the event, Rhodes appeared on ESPN, where he candidly discussed his strategies and preferences for the match. When asked if he had any particular wrestler in mind whom he wanted to eliminate first or focus on, Rhodes responded with a surprising, yet familiar name—Brock Lesnar. He expressed a desire to take out Lesnar specifically, highlighting that despite their previous feud being considered over, the rivalry appears far from finished.
Rhodes explained that his intention isn’t just to target any opponent but to aim for the top-tier stars—those who have historically been dominant in WWE. He pointed out that he’d love to be the one to eliminate big names like Brock Lesnar or Roman Reigns, both of whom have a strong history in the Royal Rumble and the wrestling world at large. Rhodes revealed that he's especially interested in clashing with Lesnar, recalling their last encounter before Lesnar initially left WWE—an intense match against John Cena. Despite believing their feud had concluded, Lesnar is back, and Rhodes wants the opportunity to settle the score by tossing him out of the ring.
This sets the stage for what promises to be an electrifying Royal Rumble match. Fans can expect an absolute blockbuster, featuring a star-studded lineup that includes Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Austin Theory, Logan Paul, and Brock Lesnar—all these same competitors recently battled at Survivor Series WarGames, adding layers of intrigue and rivalry.
And this is the part most people miss—the Royal Rumble isn’t just about the winner; it’s about storytelling, rivalries, and surprise moments that can redefine careers. With so many high-profile names involved, the upcoming match could easily be one of the most entertaining and unpredictable in years.
What do you think about Rhodes’s focused vendetta against Lesnar? Could this personal rivalry be the highlight of the Rumble, or is it a setup for another surprise twist? Share your thoughts in the comments—this might just be the beginning of a new chapter in WWE history.
