Cody Rhodes continues to insist he will remain a babyface as he works toward securing a place on the WrestleMania 42 card. Known over recent years as one of WWE‘s leading good guy wrestlers, Rhodes has firmly embraced this role. Although some have speculated about a possible heel turn, current reports indicate no such plans are underway.
The former Undisputed WWE Champion appeared on Live With Kelly & Mark to discuss his aspirations for WrestleMania and his commitment to maintaining his babyface character within WWE.
Goals for WrestleMania 42 and Championship Ambitions
Rhodes reflected on last year’s WrestleMania 41, where he faced John Cena on Cena’s retirement tour in a WWE Championship match, a moment he recalls fondly but also with some disappointment.
“So the idea would be, WrestleMania 42, defending or challenging for the WWE Championship. And then I can come back to the show with the title in tow, a celebration.”
He acknowledged the challenge of identifying an opponent and outlined his desire to enter WrestleMania 42 either as a defending champion or challenger, aiming to leave the event with the WWE Championship.
Embracing the Babyface Role Despite Challenges
Rhodes opened up about the difficulties of being a babyface, describing frequent interference in his matches and the physical toll it takes on him as a good guy. Nonetheless, he values the connection with WWE’s youthful audience and the renewed prominence of babyfaces in recent storylines.
“Everybody runs in on my matches. It’s the bane of my existence as a good guy wrestler on TV. I get beat up a lot. What we what we would call an — this is not my term — a baby face… for a long time there were a lot of antiheroes and I — television, the nature of it. And just recently, it felt like WWE hit this stride with so much youth in the audience, that it felt like babyfaces came back to life. Jay Uso, for example, is somebody that the kids go crazy for. Sami Zayn is out there doing it. And for me to be able to be in that spot, I don’t want to leave it. It’s so much fun.”
Looking Ahead in WWE and Future Impact
Cody Rhodes’ steadfast refusal to abandon his babyface role highlights his dedication to WWE’s traditional heroes, even amidst a landscape that has embraced more complex characters. As WrestleMania 42 approaches, his aim to reclaim championship glory sets the stage for a meaningful story arc that resonates with the younger WWE fanbase and honors the legacy of iconic matches like his bout with John Cena.
This commitment not only defines his current persona but also signals potential for impactful matches at WrestleMania and beyond, reinforcing his place among WWE’s core performers.
