WWE News: Big Update on Cody Rhodes' Health, Outcome of WrestleMania 28 Match

The injury bug has bitten the WWE hard over the last year or so, knocking superstars out of commission like a heavyweight boxer. 

That is, of course, expected in pro wrestling, but it’s certainly unfortunate that some of the WWE’s biggest stars have missed (and in some cases, still are missing) a considerable amount of time because of injuries that happened in the ring. 

As we near WrestleMania 28, out comes news that a major WWE superstar and current titleholder is a bit banged up. So, let’s take a look at the latest on his health and how it might affect his Mania plans. 

From F4WOnline.com (via SEScoops.com): 

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With WrestleMania 28 just over two weeks away, Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes is said to be working through a few nagging injuries. According to a report at f4wonline.com, Cody has been seen limping around backstage at recent live events and was noticeably in pain backstage the past two weeks. 

This time of year is especially rough on the WWE crew, with everybody working extra hard during the buildup to WrestleMania. Despite his overall soreness, Cody will be able to wrestle Big Show at WrestleMania and is expected to retain the Intercontinental championship. 

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You know who’s not surprised that Cody Rhodes is hurting? This guy, because Rhodes has been a freakin’ workhorse for the WWE over the last several months. 

Rhodes has consistently appeared on both Raw and SmackDown, had a number of feuds with guys like Randy Orton and Booker T, lasted more than 40 minutes in the Royal Rumble match and then delivered another memorable performance in last month’s Elimination Chamber match. 

He has been absolutely on fire for much of the last year, and with giving your all in the ring comes a price. That price is a banged up Rhodes. 

There’s no doubt that Rhodes will work through it, though, because I truly believe that he’s on the very cusp of stardom. Although he’s sort of been in the fortunate situation of being stuck between the midcard and the main event, it certainly looks like the WWE has a lot of faith in him and will be pushing him big-time in the near future. 

I wouldn’t expect Rhodes’ Intercontinental Championship against Big Show at WrestleMania 28 to get a ton of time (maybe eight minutes or so), but with Rhodes’ shaky health and his ongoing push, that actually makes sense. Give him a quick, decisive victory and then let his dominance as Intercontinental Champion continue. 

Rhodes has to go over Big Show at Mania because, of all the superstars currently on the main roster, he might have the most value for the company in the long term.

Drake Oz is a WWE Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter and ask him any wrestling-related questions on Formspring.