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Cody Rhodes eliminated CM Punk to win the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row on January 28, Sunday (IST). With his win, he became the first person since "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches. To win the title, the 38-year-old outlasted names like GUNTHER, Sami Zayn, Jey, and Jimmy Uso, and in the end, CM Punk. His victory at the Royal Rumble guaranteed him a spot at the WrestleMania 40, scheduled to be hosted in April 2024.
In 2023, Rhodes won the matches but ended up losing to Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Rhodes entered the octagon as the 15th competitor and delivered a remarkable performance. The final battle came down to Rhodes, Gunther, Drew McIntyre, and CM Punk, where Punk eliminated McIntyre and Rhodes eliminated Gunther. As Punk and Rhodes battled it out, the latter was successful in sending his rival over the rope to win the title.
Cody Rhodes challenges Roman Reigns for WrestleMania 40
The three-time AEW TNT Champion went on to challenge the undisputed champion Roman Reigns for a bout in WrestleMania 40. Reigns was watching the bout from the stands and he gave an epic reaction to Rhodes’ win over Punk. His WrestleMania 39 rival’s win in the latest competition didn’t come as a piece of good news for the 38-year-old, and he couldn’t help but give a disappointing reaction to the same.
Watch Roman Reigns' reaction:
After the win, Rhodes went on to challenge Reigns for WrestleMania 40 by pointing at the WrestleMania sign as well as to Reigns to seemingly confirm a bout with “The Tribal Chief” at the forthcoming event.
Watch Cody Rhodes challenging Roman Reigns
