The first person to officially declare for the 2026 Royal Rumble was announced on WWE SmackDown.
This week’s SmackDown broadcast from London featured Cody Rhodes in an in-ring promo segment. The American Nightmare appeared on the show without the Undisputed WWE Championship around his waist.
Rhodes recapped his WWE Title loss to Drew McIntyre in their Three Stages of Hell match last week in Germany. He also referenced the secret clause McIntyre inserted into their championship match contract.
Acknowledging that he cannot invoke his immediate rematch clause, Cody Rhodes said it was time to do things the old-fashioned way as he officially declared for the 2026 Royal Rumble.
Rhodes capped off his promo by sending a warning to Jacob Fatu. For those who missed last week’s show, Fatu inadvertently cost Cody the Undisputed WWE Championship inside the steel cage.
Cody Rhodes is a two-time WWE Royal Rumble winner, having won back-to-back editions of the 30-man battle royal in 2023 and 2024. Whether Rhodes can tie “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s record of three Royal Rumble victories at the 2026 Royal Rumble remains to be seen.
WrestleZone’s live coverage of WWE SmackDown is available here.
.jpg?w=182&h=122&crop=1)
