WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart recently spoke with The Rap on Wrestling about the possibility of Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes making a heel turn. Hart expressed uncertainty about Rhodes adopting a villainous role, highlighting the challenges such a change would involve. His comments came in the context of reflecting on past WWE stars who seemed unlikely to switch to a heel persona but eventually did.
Comparing Heel Turns: Hart Reflects on John Cena and Others
Hart emphasized how turning heel requires a different approach, saying it is
“a whole different pair of boots when you’re heel.”
He recalled how for years he believed John Cena would never turn heel because of his natural babyface style and heroic image, stating,
“he was just too much of a babyface and too much of a hero and too much of a guy kids looked up to.”
Hart pointed out Cena’s wrestling style and persona as factors that made a heel turn seem impossible.
He also recollected his own heel turn alongside Jim Neidhart as part of the Hart Foundation, explaining how his in-ring style did not change drastically despite the shift in character. Hart said,
“I remember doing dropkicks on guys and guys going, babyfaces don’t do dropkicks, what are you doing? And I’m like, just because I turned heel doesn’t mean I forgot every move I ever did.”
Hope After John Cena’s Unexpected Transformation
While Hart had doubts about Cody Rhodes, he expressed surprise and respect for John Cena’s heel turn, which changed his perspective.
“I never saw him ever being a bad guy,”
Hart said, underscoring Cena’s reputation as a genuine good guy. Hart also compared Cena’s unexpected change to Hulk Hogan’s babyface image, explaining that both men were strongly identified as heroes before Cena surprised fans by becoming a compelling heel.
“I will say that John Cena has surprised me and turned out to be a good heel,”
Hart stated, indicating that unexpected character shifts can work under the right circumstances.
What This Means for Cody Rhodes and WWE Storytelling
Bret Hart’s remarks suggest that while a heel turn for Cody Rhodes may be difficult to envision, the success of John Cena’s transition offers optimism for WWE’s storytelling possibilities. If Rhodes were to embrace a villainous role, it would represent a significant evolution in his character. Hart’s reflections highlight the complexities of such changes and set the stage for fans to watch closely how Rhodes’ persona develops in upcoming WWE storylines.
