Cody Rhodes‘ tenure as the Undisputed WWE Champion concluded last week during SmackDown, an outcome that is now fueling speculation about a coming Cody Rhodes character shift. The title changed hands after Drew McIntyre secured victory following interference by Jacob Fatu, a move that not only altered the championship landscape, but also sparked a debate about what lies ahead for Rhodes.
With McIntyre now standing as the newly crowned champion after capitalizing on Fatu’s intervention, the focus quickly shifted to Rhodes’ next chapter. Fans immediately began questioning whether WWE plans to reshape the identity of “The American Nightmare,” who has been one of the top babyfaces in the company. Online discussions speculated on whether this moment marked the beginning of a heel turn or if something subtler was in store for Rhodes’ on-screen persona.
Speculation Mounts Over Rhodes’ Future Direction
Chatter online intensified after a wrestling fan reached out to Cory Hays of BodySlam, inquiring about the likelihood of a full heel turn for Rhodes following his title defeat. Addressing the curiosity, Hays offered insight, stressing that the company is not steering Rhodes toward a complete reversal of character.
“Not a turn, but a character shift,”
Hays wrote. This response confirmed that although Rhodes will undergo some visible changes, WWE does not intend to transform him into a villain. Instead, Rhodes is expected to adapt his look and attitude, signaling a distinct, but not radical, departure from the persona fans have grown familiar with throughout his championship run.
While the specifics of Rhodes’ transformation have not been disclosed, insiders suggest that his mindset and presentation will take on new dimensions in upcoming appearances, reflecting the aftermath of his unexpected title loss. Nevertheless, Rhodes is likely to continue representing the company in a positive light, maintaining elements of his established babyface identity.
Fan Reactions to the Title Change and Creative Direction
Among the wrestling community, not everyone supported the way WWE orchestrated the conclusion of Rhodes’ title reign. Tommy Dreamer voiced strong criticisms about the match‘s conclusion during his appearance on Busted Open Radio, dissecting both the crowd’s reaction and the subsequent impact on Jacob Fatu’s role within WWE storytelling.
“I did not like the finish at all, because what does that do for Jacob? He reveals himself that it’s Drew McIntyre who attacked him, and he gets a reaction. And the moment he turned on Cody, (the crowd) starts booing.”
– Tommy Dreamer, Wrestling Commentator
Dreamer pointed out the confusion among fans in the arena, noting how support seemingly shifted when Fatu became physically involved. He questioned whether WWE’s creative choices had left Fatu in an ambiguous position, especially for what should have been a defining moment for the returning star.
“I’m like, so you don’t like Cody throughout the match. But now Jacob, who you like, once he starts beating up Cody, now you’re booing him and cheering for the guy he’s beating up?”
– Tommy Dreamer, Wrestling Commentator
According to Dreamer, the segment’s structure resulted in an unclear dynamic between the competitors and the audience, leaving Fatu in a challenging spot ahead of his potential feud with Drew McIntyre.
“I thought the finish came off a little weird, and I just was like, where does this leave Jacob if this is his big return? If he’s going to be the guy to face Drew, he just screwed over Cody, so he’s not a likeable guy.”
– Tommy Dreamer, Wrestling Commentator
Doubts Raised on a More Ruthless Cody Rhodes
Dreamer further weighed in on the prospect of Rhodes adopting a darker, more antagonistic persona, cautioning fans who might desire this change without considering the consequences on the show’s overall dynamic. He warned that bringing out a full heel side of Cody could backfire, at least from his perspective as a longtime observer and former performer.
“And if this is an era where we want to cheer bad, okay. But your worst scenario as a wrestling fan is a bad Cody Rhodes. I’m telling you, I know what he has to be a heel, and what you see as a top guy heel, you ain’t gonna like it.”
– Tommy Dreamer, Wrestling Commentator
At present, WWE has not announced any immediate plans to move Rhodes fully into a villainous role. Instead, signals point to the company evolving Rhodes’ character, perhaps to add depth or edge to his portrayal, rather than undermine his appeal as a leading fan favorite.
What’s Next for Rhodes and WWE’s Main Event Scene?
For now, Cody Rhodes continues to be showcased as a vital protagonist within WWE’s storyline lineup, even as the company teases a fresh approach to his presentation. The announcement of a Cody Rhodes character shift has set the stage for creative developments that could reshape the company’s top tier and influence fan engagement in coming weeks.
Drew McIntyre, meanwhile, has embraced his new position on social media, celebrating his victory and further establishing himself as a centerpiece of WWE’s championship picture. As for Jacob Fatu, questions linger over his role after his interference determined the outcome of a pivotal match, leaving his character direction ambiguous for the moment.
With WrestleMania season always looming in WWE’s calendar and the fallout of Rhodes’ title loss rippling through weekly programming, fans are watching closely to see how this significant character evolution will play out for one of WWE’s most celebrated stars.
Tommy Dreamer on the ramifications following Drew McIntyre defeating Cody Rhodes on #Smackdown:
"I know what [Cody] has to be a heel… you ain't gonna like it." pic.twitter.com/Cp1IV1cQYW
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) January 10, 2026
