Since his return to WWE in 2022, Cody Rhodes has been one of the company’s top babyfaces. His popularity, star power, and recent momentum make him a heavy favorite in any bracket. That’s exactly the problem.
Putting him in the tournament, especially while riding high off the Cena storyline, makes the whole thing feel too obvious. Fans like surprises, and Cody winning this year’s King of the Ring risks undercutting the unpredictability that makes the event special. It’s better to pull him out of the bracket and let someone else keep the audience guessing.