By: Anurag Khandare
Image Credit: WWE
The Royal Rumble delivered a memorable night to the WWE fans as Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley won the men's and women's Royal Rumble. Fans also witnessed the first-ever Pitch Black match.
The result of the WWE Universal Championship match was even more fascinating as Roman Reigns successfully defended his title and is now all set to face his opponent at WrestleMania.
It was believed that WWE planned to glorify WrestleMania night with the presence of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. The Hollywood superstar was expected to compete with The Tribal Chief in the main event of the most prestigious event.
However, WWE surprised its audience when Cody Rhodes was back in the business and he did so by winning the Royal Rumble 2023.
As the winner of Royal Rumble gets the opportunity to select his championship match, it is very unlikely for The American Nightmare to abstain from choosing The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion as his next opponent in WrestleMania.
While it continues to look increasingly unlikely that The Rock will be lacing up his boots to compete at WrestleMania 39, the Great One has reportedly "left the door open" for WrestleMania 40.
Speaking on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stressed that Dwayne Johnson could return to the ring for the 2024 edition of WWE's famed "Granddaddy of Them All."
"Dwyane did not feel that he had the time to get in the shape that he needed to be in to do a WrestleMania-calibre main event, and he left the door open for next year," said Meltzer.