Cody Rhodes return from injury will be one of the most anticipated stories for the remainder of 2022, with many fans speculating when we’ll see him again.

The American Nightmare tore his pectoral in June, bravely competing in a Hell in a Cell match against Seth Rollins with the injury before being written off a television with an attack by The Visionary on Raw. 

There is an estimated healing time of around 6-9 months on the injury, which would mean Rhodes could be ready to return in time for January’s Royal Rumble, seven months after his injury occurred.

The 37-year-old addressed the injury during a recent appearance for WWE at San Deigo Comic Con, where he claimed he believes he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and but threw caution on any return. 

Doctors are yet to give any timetable to Rhodes in the fear he’d be trying to jump on it. However, he admits he’s still jumping on a schedule anyway. 

Rhodes was then asked about a possible big return next year’s Royal Rumble and dropped a small hint on a possible appearance in the match. 

My Royal Rumble stats are top 10, they’re phenomenal. So if I was to come back at that event, there is a chance I could actually get up in the top five and I’m all about that …. You never know! We’ll see.

A Cody Royal Rumble return would certainly blow the roof off if it were to happen, a mirror his emotional WWE comeback at this year’s WrestleMania. A moment that this past week won an award at the 2022 ESPY awards for Best WWE Moment of the year. 

Since his return, Cody battled Seth Rollins at three consecutive premium live events. Defeating him at WrestleMania, WrestleMania Backlash and then his heroic win through the pain at Hell in the Cell.