Since returning to WWE in 2022, Cody Rhodes has been positioned as the company’s leading babyface, headlining three consecutive WrestleManias and twice holding the Undisputed WWE Championship. However, following his recent loss of the WWE Title to Drew McIntyre on SmackDown, the landscape appears ready for a shift. While Rhodes isn’t expected to drop in status, this moment signals the possibility of a transition to a heel persona.
Rhodes has slowly shown glimpses of a more ruthless character during his time in WWE. Notably, during his rivalry with Kevin Owens, an aggressive and intense side emerged, previously unseen by fans. Earlier in his run, Rhodes briefly flirted with aligning himself with The Rock, only to be edged out by John Cena. Audience reactions have also evolved, with fans increasingly booing and expressing dissatisfaction with his babyface role as he approached WrestleMania 42 and SummerSlam 2025.
His recent title loss is set against the backdrop of Drew McIntyre’s transitional reign as WWE Champion ahead of WrestleMania season. While this might seem like a setback for Rhodes, it opens doors for narrative shifts.
Rhodes’ tactics to retain the championship often skirted the rules: escaping McIntyre through questionable referee decisions, wielding the title belt as a weapon, and deliberately incurring disqualifications. These behaviors, coupled with Rhodes’ own comments, indicate WWE is preparing for a possible heel turn, making it far from surprising if it occurs soon.
How Losing the Title Could Trigger a New Persona for Rhodes
Having carried the WWE Championship through much of the past two years, Cody Rhodes’ recent title loss under arguably unfair circumstances could be the catalyst for profound character development. A failure to regain the championship might push Rhodes towards embracing bitterness, jealousy, and a more egotistical demeanor. Whether this manifests as selling out to a figure like The Rock, embodying a “Homelander”-style arrogance, or succumbing to a more violent, emotional persona, the potential directions for Rhodes’ heel persona are numerous.
Following Rhodes’ defeat, Drew McIntyre now holds the WWE Championship, raising questions about who will challenge the Scottish Psychopath for wrestling’s most prestigious prize.
One intriguing possibility is a double turn, capitalizing on McIntyre’s recent displays of babyface behavior, especially his heartfelt appearances in Scotland that have resonated on WWE’s social media channels. This reversal could switch Rhodes into a villainous role while McIntyre solidifies his babyface status. A storyline angle stirring this tension might involve Rhodes being revealed as the one responsible for incapacitating Jacob Fatu, leading to McIntyre being wrongfully accused and framed.
Using a Heel Cody Rhodes to Boost WWE’s Emerging Stars
Though Cody Rhodes currently stands as the face of WWE, his age—at 40—means his reign as top babyface won’t last indefinitely. Transitioning him into a heel role would allow WWE to leverage his star power to elevate upcoming talents needing attention. Wrestlers like Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Carmelo Hayes, and Dominik Mystero possess the potential to ascend to main event status, and feuds with a heel Rhodes could effectively spotlight their abilities, fostering future top babyfaces.
This strategy aligns with WWE’s long-term vision, especially as Roman Reigns is poised to become the dominant babyface figure. A likely scenario is Rhodes assuming a heel role opposite Reigns, reversing their traditional character dynamics. WWE has always intended for Reigns to command the spotlight as the central heroic figure, and now appears ready to push him firmly in that position by casting Rhodes as the antagonist.
Meanwhile, recent events like AJ Styles and Gunther headlining WWE Monday Night RAW in Germany showcase the company’s broad and talented roster, further underscoring the possibilities for new stars to emerge alongside a heel turn for Rhodes. As Rhodes’ babyface era potentially concludes, WWE stands at a crossroads, preparing to rewrite its hierarchical narrative.
The Broader Impact of Rhodes’ Shift on WWE’s Narrative
Cody Rhodes’ potential heel turn marks a pivotal moment with wide-reaching implications for WWE storytelling. Shifting such a long-standing babyface figure to the role of villain can refresh his character, invigorate rivalries, and create compelling drama for fans invested in the top championship chase. It also opens opportunities for fostering new heroes and villains within the roster, balancing the company’s appeal across different fan segments.
With Drew McIntyre’s ongoing reign as WWE Champion and Roman Reigns poised to consolidate his babyface authority, the role of Cody Rhodes in WWE may be evolving from the beloved “American Nightmare” to a more calculating and darker figure. This evolution is likely to intensify rivalries, alter fan allegiances, and set the stage for fresh storylines leading into major events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam.
