During an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes shared his perspective on the ongoing discussion in professional wrestling about whether playing a heel or a babyface is more enjoyable. Rhodes emphasized the unique significance of being the hero that fans genuinely connect with, describing it as a rare and meaningful experience.
The Distinct Appeal of Being a “Good Guy” in Wrestling
Rhodes challenged the common preference for playing a villain, explaining that while heels can enjoy spontaneous moments and crowd reactions, being a babyface evokes a deeper, more personal response from the audience. He highlighted the special bond fans build with heroes, particularly when they proudly support them by wearing their merchandise or holding signs during matches.
“Everyone’s going to tell you ‘bad guy,’ but I think that’s because they haven’t experienced what a good guy can really be. Bad guy is fun, you can fall on your face and make a spot out of it. You can stumble on your words in a promo and make a moment out of it. Traditionally, the bad guy leads the match. So yeah, bad guy is fun. But a good guy, or good girl, that fans are truly invested in? That they came to see, wearing your shirt, holding your sign? That’s special.”
—Cody Rhodes, Undisputed WWE Champion
Rhodes Dismisses Heel Turn Rumors, Emphasizes Connection with Fans
Addressing speculation about a possible heel turn, Rhodes expressed no intention to change his role, underscoring the importance of the relationship he has cultivated with his supporters. He acknowledged that some fans might view him as a heel, but his loyalty remains with those who embraced him as a hero from the start.
“There’s always this argument: ‘Oh, Cody should turn heel. Will he turn?’ I don’t think so. They can boo all they want. If certain people decide, ‘Yeah, Cody’s a heel to me,’ that’s fine. But I don’t think I’d ever turn, because there’s just too much of a connection with the people who were on board with me from the beginning.”
—Cody Rhodes, Undisputed WWE Champion
The Complexity of Sustaining Babyface Status in Modern Wrestling
Rhodes acknowledged the particular challenges babyfaces face in today’s wrestling environment, where heels often dominate social media attention and deliver memorable one-liners that enhance their appeal. He emphasized that to truly succeed as a babyface, wrestlers must overcome these obstacles to establish and maintain a strong connection with the audience.
“Every heel out there now has the best social media, the best one-liners, and most babyfaces are left standing there like, ‘Well… what do I do?’ To be a really good babyface, you have to rise above all of that, and that’s very hard. Jey Uso is a great example. He’s so, so popular. But it’s not easy. It’s not easy to make that connection with the audience, and it’s even harder to keep it. Babyfaces get beat up a lot on TV. To me, it’s such a gift.”
—Cody Rhodes, Undisputed WWE Champion
The Enduring Impact of Being a Babyface in Wrestling
By celebrating the emotional and communal aspects of being a babyface, Cody Rhodes highlights how this role carries an exceptional responsibility and reward within professional wrestling. His commitment to maintaining his babyface persona, despite the difficulties, reflects the powerful influence heroes have on fans and the wrestling culture as a whole. This outlook may inspire other performers to appreciate the profound impact of their connection with the audience.
