Nah, Rude would have gotten a run at the top if he made it back. His gimmick was built for the Attitude Era, and after "breaking" Val's neck for ripping him off, he would have stood as a key figure in the late 90's for a solid run. Even giving Val a bit of a push in a consolation (Bob Holly like, WTF Title shot) program with a then World Champion Rude.
Unless he had a Micheals like miracle, he wouldn't have been up to it IMO