The former IWGP United States champion and group member alongside Jay White and Austin and Colton Gunn has been sidelined since last November, when he suffered a broken fibula during the Continental Classic tournament.

After losing the WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 41, the WWE Universe has been anticipating a response from Cody Rhodes. Cena was quick to move on, and with Backlash right around the corner,

On his Notsam Wrestling podcast, WWE analyst Sam Roberts discussed Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania loss and his future after dropping the championship. He expressed his desire to see The American Nightmare go away for a while before returning "triumphantly."