Cody Rhodes heel turn in WWE 2026 may be the catalyst for a seismic shift at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, as the wrestling landscape prepares for major changes. With WWE breaking records and expanding with NXT Europe, speculation that Rhodes could abandon his fan-favorite persona is drawing increasing attention.
Shifting Tides After a Record-Breaking Year
WWE has experienced unprecedented success so far in 2025, consistently drawing massive crowds, shattering attendance figures, and delivering memorable matches across all brands. Fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating WrestleMania 42, which is set for Las Vegas in 2026. Enhanced by the planned debut of NXT Europe, the company will oversee six brands in active operation, highlighting WWE’s continued growth and global ambition.
Amidst these industry milestones, another developing storyline involves Cody Rhodes. After seeing John Cena dramatically turn villainous in 2025, speculation now centers on “The American Nightmare” possibly embracing a new role as a heel next year.
Mounting Signs That Change Is Needed
Although Cody Rhodes has achieved remarkable popularity among both adults and children, recent events reveal a shift in crowd dynamics. During WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, for example, Rhodes faced vocal boos in favor of Cena. Even at Night of Champions, fans seemed to back Randy Orton instead of Cody. This reception signals that Rhodes’ standing as WWE’s top babyface is not unshakeable; pockets of the audience appear to be growing weary or developing resentment toward his character.
This emerging sentiment follows a historical pattern in WWE, where some of the greatest heroes—Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and John Cena himself—eventually experienced similar backlash from fans. Hogan’s prolonged stint as a babyface, in particular, once led to fatigue among viewers, ultimately requiring a dramatic character change and his notorious heel turn as part of the New World Order.
Rhodes, who has maintained his babyface presence for over three years, including an entire year as World Champion, appears to be at a crossroads that those legends once faced. To prevent his act from growing stale, a transformation into a heel could both revive his character and reinvigorate fan interest heading into 2026.
Expanding Rivalries with a New Attitude
Beyond maintaining freshness, a Cody Rhodes heel turn in WWE 2026 would unlock new creative possibilities for feuds and storylines. Having already faced many of the company‘s top antagonists—such as Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, Gunther, and Kevin Owens—Cody is running short on fresh rivalries as a fan favorite. A heel transformation could reset these relationships in compelling ways, offering fans a novel perspective on familiar faces.
For instance, pitting a villainous Rhodes against a heroic AJ Styles would fuel a rivalry far different from their prior matchup. Similarly, battles with babyface versions of Damian Priest or a returning Kevin Owens would present exciting dynamics. These combinations would not only renew interest for long-time viewers but also generate opportunities for memorable matches, particularly on grand stages like WrestleMania.
The Awaited Showdown: Cody Rhodes Versus Roman Reigns
The most anticipated consequence of a heel turn centers on the potential for another epic clash between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. Reigns, who spent years as WWE’s leading villain known as “The Tribal Chief,” switched to a babyface role after last year’s WrestleMania. Their previous encounters in main-event slots captured massive attention, with both superstars playing contrasting roles.
With Reigns now a beloved hero and Rhodes possibly adopting the villain‘s mantle, the stage is set for a fresh narrative. Triple H could leverage their history and renewed personas to script a high-stakes meeting at WrestleMania 42, further electrifying the fan base and solidifying both men’s legacies. The unique energy from this role reversal promises to captivate audiences and redefine the WrestleMania atmosphere in Las Vegas.
What Cody Rhodes’ Possible Turn Means for WWE’s Future
A Cody Rhodes heel turn in WWE 2026 would represent more than just a character change; it would respond to shifting fan reactions, revive existing rivalries, and open the door for some of the most anticipated matches in recent years. As the company enters another era of innovation and record-breaking, how Rhodes—and the WWE universe—chooses to respond could shape the trajectory of sports entertainment well beyond WrestleMania 42.
