Cody Rhodes’ recent King of the Ring triumph at WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has reignited conversations around his potential heel turn. With a SummerSlam title shot secured, the American Nightmare’s intentions to recapture the Undisputed WWE Championship are now sharply in focus.
Since losing the title to John Cena at WrestleMania 41, Rhodes has relentlessly pursued a championship rematch. His July 18 SmackDown contract signing with Cena highlighted an emotional fracture, as Cena attempted to withdraw, leaving Rhodes to forcibly coerce his opponent into signing while declaring their SummerSlam bout a Street Fight.
Early Signs of Cody Rhodes’ Heel Persona
Fans closely following Rhodes’ trajectory have noticed subtle cues suggesting an impending heel transformation, notably during his King of the Ring semifinal against Jey Uso and his final match versus Randy Orton. WWE’s storytelling hinted at this shift well before it became explicit in his recent behavior.
One wrestling veteran, Vince Russo, has argued that Rhodes has embodied heel traits since his WWE debut, asserting that the portrayal of Rhodes as a heroic figure has overlooked his inherently antagonistic characteristics. Russo shared his perspective on the Coach & Bro podcast, expressing doubts about Rhodes’ fit as a babyface.
“My problem has always been from day one, Cody Rhodes is a heel. First of all, we can go back to the days of AEW. If you watched any episode of Rhodes to the Top, him and his wife, Brandy, were two of the most unlikable people I had ever seen on TV. They were downright unlikable. Why were they unlikable, Vince? Well, for instance, at the time, Brandy was pregnant. But what seemed to me more important than pregnancy at the time was getting back in the ring and competing as a wrestler. That was literally superceding her being pregnant.But, again, I’ve said this all along with Cody Rhodes—the suits, the pocket watches, the promos talking above people’s heads. He always had this air about himself of being better than everybody else. He’s a heel. I said that from day one. He’s a heel. And, Coach, who knows if they actually make that adjustment? That may be exactly what they need to turn the creative around because I feel Cody has been miscasted as a babyface from day one. So, if Cody leans into it as a heel, this may be exactly what they need. [26:46 onwards]”
— Vince Russo, Wrestling Veteran
Russo emphasized that Rhodes’ demeanor—marked by his stylish suits, pocket watches, and lofty promos—has always portrayed superiority rather than relatability. This disposition, Russo argued, naturally aligns with a heel persona, suggesting that WWE’s creative direction might benefit from embracing this aspect of Rhodes’ character fully.
The Current SummerSlam Setup and Its Implications for Rhodes
The upcoming WWE SummerSlam marks a historic first as a two-night event scheduled for August 2 and 3. Rhodes’ Street Fight against John Cena is set to take center stage, promising an intense showdown that reflects the growing tension between the two wrestlers. Rhodes’ aggressive actions during the contract signing, including shoving Cena through a table, signal a sharp pivot from his previous roles and underline the significance of his current heel trajectory.
With Rhodes refusing to back down, WWE appears to be capitalizing on the conflict to enhance the stakes of their SummerSlam encounter. This approach may offer Rhodes a more authentic creative path that resonates better with the audience’s perception of his character.
Other Developments in WWE and Wrestling
Beyond Cody Rhodes, the wrestling world is abuzz with various critical updates. TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva has addressed rumors about WWE’s potential acquisition of TNA, offering his perspective amid ongoing speculation.
Meanwhile, WWE announced the main event for the first night of the historic two-night SummerSlam, adding to the anticipation surrounding the event. The storyline involving Seth Rollins, paralyzed by uncertainty due to his Money in the Bank contract and undisclosed absence, raises questions about when and against whom he might cash in.
TNA celebrated a significant milestone at its Slammiversary event, signaling a positive moment for the promotion. Bryan Danielson, after retiring from full-time in-ring competition, is transitioning to a backstage role with AEW, maintaining his influence within the organization.
In other wrestling news, Goldberg’s son has expressed interest in a rematch against Gunther following Goldberg’s loss at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar’s potential WWE return remains uncertain and appears to be beyond Triple H’s current authority.
Roman Reigns is extending a chance to an undisclosed competitor on WWE Raw, signaling further intrigue in the WWE roster dynamics and title scenes.
The Impact of a Potential Cody Rhodes Heel Turn
The tension surrounding Rhodes’ character development in WWE is palpable, reflecting an underlying conflict between his established babyface role and a burgeoning heel identity. Should WWE lean into Rhodes’ apparent heel characteristics, it could refresh his storylines and alter fan reception dramatically.
Given Vince Russo’s insights and the narrative cues seen in Rhodes’ recent matches and promos, the wrestler’s heel turn explained may prove crucial in shaping WWE’s creative future. As SummerSlam approaches, fans and insiders alike are watching closely to see if this evolution will deliver the long-anticipated edge to Cody Rhodes’ persona and provide a turning point for WWE’s storytelling direction.
