Cody Rhodes Popped An Eardrum And Rhea Ripley Dislocated Knee At Royal Rumble
Ava Bailey 2023's Royal Rumble matches are in the books and we now know two of the people who will be competing for major championships at WrestleMania. Cody Rhodes won the men's Rumble, which means as it stands will be facing Roman Reigns on The Grandest Stage of Them All, and Rhea Ripley entered the women's match at number one to go all the way and book her own spot at 'Mania.
A Popped Eardrum
Despite the vast difference in time spent in their respective matches, Rhodes and Ripley suffered injuries on their way to making history. Speaking to Ryan Satin of Fox Sports after the match, Rhodes revealed he popped an eardrum during Saturday's men's Rumble. “I popped my eardrum, but I don't care. Just a wonderful Royal Rumble,” Rhodes revealed (H/T to Fightful for the transcription).
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The American Nightmare isn't the only one who thought the match was a wonderful Rumble. The consensus as the match unfolded, and immediately after, appeared to be that the men's Rumble was one of the best in recent history. Fast forward an hour or so and while the women's match wasn't celebrated on quite the same level, its eventual winner also didn't emerge unscathed.
A Dislocated Knee
Speaking during the Royal Rumble's post-show press conference (via Fightful), Ripley claimed she dislocated her knee at some point during the match. “My knees aren’t very good in general. My knee did dislocate for a second, and then it went back in,” Ripley revealed. If anyone plans on going back and watching the event today, big props if you can pinpoint the moment Ripley's knee briefly dislocates.
Hopefully neither Rhodes nor Ripley's injuries keep them out for an extended period. The Nightmare's knee issue makes what she accomplished even more impressive. Right before she won, there was a moment on the apron when Ripley appeared to slip on the blue mist Asuka had just sprayed. Whether a real slip or just great work, making sure her feet didn't touch the ground when her knee had popped out right before that is quite the feat.
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