3 ways Cody Rhodes can return to WWE following his hiatus

Cody Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, has made just one appearance since reclaiming the title from John Cena at SummerSlam. The American Nightmare was taken out by Drew McIntyre with a Claymore Kick through the announce table on the SmackDown following SummerSlam and has not been seen since. It has already been over a month.

Cody, despite being off TV, has had an eventful past month. Cody and Brandi Rhodes welcomed their second child just days ago, and the WWE Champion has been busy filming the upcoming Street Fighter movie during his absence from SmackDown, hence the McIntyre attack that wrote him off last month.

Nonetheless, with Rhodes seemingly done with the shooting, he is expected back imminently, likely in time for Wrestlepalooza, where he has been rumored to be defending the championship against Drew McIntyre. Therefore, in this article, we will explore three possible routes WWE could take as they prepare to bring The American Nightmare right back into the thick of things.

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#3. Cody Rhodes returns to save Randy Orton from Drew McIntyre on this week's episode of SmackDown

Drew McIntyre is set to go one-on-one with Randy Orton once again on this week's episode of SmackDown. Regardless of the result of the match itself, The Scottish Psychopath may go on to punish The Apex Predator following the contest, prompting Cody Rhodes to make the save.

The American Nightmare could thus set up a massive WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre for Wrestlepalooza. In doing so, he will mark his return to WWE television after a five-week absence. As of right now, we have just two episodes of RAW and SmackDown each left ahead of WWE's debut on ESPN.

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#2. Drew McIntyre explicitly calls out Cody Rhodes on SmackDown; The American Nightmare answers

Cody Rhodes is not a man who is afraid of adversity. Rhodes has gone from undesirable to undeniable to, once more, undisputed. However, in doing so, he has put a giant target the size of Texas on his back. Drew McIntyre, by hook or by crook, may dispatch Randy Orton next week, before demanding that Cody show up so McIntyre can challenge him for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

If Rhodes couldn't be present on this week's SmackDown either, he could answer Drew via a pre-tape/satellite or communicate through SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. The WWE Champion could declare that he wanted to meet Drew McIntyre face-to-face in the ring next week, whether on SmackDown or even RAW. In fact, Rhodes may even accept McIntyre's challenge and announce that he will see The Scottish Psychopath directly at Wrestlepalooza.

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#1. Cody Rhodes exacts vengeance upon Drew McIntyre on Friday Night SmackDown this week

In a stunning turn of events, Cody Rhodes, disillusioned by all the trials and tribulations he has fought through this year, may decide to take matters into his hands as the captain begins to steer the SmackDown ship at the pace and in the direction he wants, starting with this week's episode of the blue brand.

Rhodes may return during the scheduled match between The Viper and The Scottish Psychopath, either going after McIntyre (and thus forcing a DQ in his favor) or costing McIntyre against Orton if the former becomes too liberal with breaking the rules. This could allow WWE to continue the slow-burn build toward the inevitable Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes feud down the line, while also setting up McIntyre vs. Rhodes at Wrestlepalooza.