Cody Rhodes appears to be shifting into a darker character ahead of his WWE SummerSlam match against John Cena, raising questions about his role in the event’s narrative. Following his King of the Ring victory over Randy Orton at Night of Champions, Rhodes earned a shot at Cena’s Undisputed WWE Championship, setting the stage for a potentially transformative showdown.
Though John Cena has been portraying the heel for most of his farewell tour and is widely expected to be the antagonist at SummerSlam, signs suggest that Rhodes—the American Nightmare—could instead adopt the villain role, a surprising development for the biggest event of the year.
Unexpected Reactions and Aggression Signal a Shift in Rhodes’ Character
During the latest SmackDown contract signing segment, Cena revealed he might be unable to compete at SummerSlam, citing physical and emotional exhaustion from filming a Netflix movie. While this announcement carried the hallmarks of a heel move, Cena’s tone seemed sincerely regretful, contrasting with his usual boastful demeanor. Surprisingly, Rhodes responded with anger rather than concern, displaying an unusual lack of empathy toward Cena’s health.
This new indifference from Rhodes is notable given their rivalry but also uncharacteristic of his previous persona. In contrast to WrestleMania 41, where Rhodes hesitated to strike Cena amid outside interference—ultimately contributing to Cena’s championship win—he now demonstrates a willingness to act decisively without remorse.
The tension boiled over quickly as the two clashed fiercely after Cena left the ring. Even after being temporarily incapacitated, Rhodes struck Cena with the Undisputed WWE Championship belt and then executed a frog splash, forcing Cena to sign the contract under the stipulation it would be a Street Fight, accentuating Rhodes’ increasingly ruthless approach.
New Style Choices Hint at Possible Influence from The Rock
Just before this week’s SmackDown, Rhodes debuted a new accessory—a pair of glasses—that immediately caught fans’ attention due to its resemblance to those worn by The Rock during his RAW Netflix debut. This fashion choice could symbolize more than a style upgrade and may indicate a deeper narrative connection between the two stars.
The Rock and Rhodes share a history dating back to WrestleMania XL and this year’s Road to WrestleMania events, during which The Rock famously approached Rhodes about becoming the “company’s champion” and metaphorically selling his soul. Though Rhodes initially declined this offer, his recent appearance seems to suggest a change in allegiance or mindset.
Rhodes’ Tactics in King of the Ring Suggest a Willingness to Cross Lines
The idea of Rhodes turning heel first emerged during the King of the Ring finals, where he employed controversial tactics to defeat Randy Orton, his former mentor and close friend. Rhodes exploited Orton’s injured back and used an exposed turnbuckle to secure victory, showing no hesitation to injure a teammate in pursuit of championship glory.
Such aggressive behavior hints that Rhodes is ready to push boundaries and perhaps cross moral lines to achieve his goals. This ruthlessness may further unfold at SummerSlam, impacting the showdown against Cena in unexpected ways.
Multiple Accessories Linked to The Rock Reinforce Possible Heel Alliance
The watch Rhodes donned during SmackDown, identical to one worn by The Rock at RAW’s Netflix premiere, adds another intriguing detail suggesting an alliance or influence behind the scenes. With both the glasses and the watch tied to Dwayne Johnson’s recent appearances, rumors are swirling that the two stars might have engaged in discussions, leading to a deal aligning Rhodes with The Rock’s ethos.
Cody Rhodes might actually be selling his soul to The Rock at Summerslam…He wore the watch that The Rock posted when he returned…Oh shii….#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/oEPgiUKK6P— Nav (@Navtreaks) July 19, 2025
These symbolic accessories, coupled with an aggressive Rhodes persona, strongly suggest that his character could undergo a significant heel turn, fundamentally altering the dynamic of the SummerSlam event and possibly rewriting WWE history in the process.
Potential Impact of Rhodes’ Heel Turn on WWE’s Biggest Event
If Cody Rhodes fully embraces a heel role against John Cena at SummerSlam, it could reshape expectations for both performers and the storyline’s outcome. Cena’s farewell tour has positioned him as the antagonist, but a heel Rhodes would flip the established narrative, presenting a fresh, unpredictable conflict at The Biggest Party of the Summer.
This twist may also deepen the storyline connections with The Rock, adding layers of intrigue and legacy to the championship contest. Fans and industry insiders will be watching closely to see if Rhodes’ new tactics and symbolism signal a permanent character shift that influences WWE’s direction beyond this marquee event.
Ultimately, SummerSlam could become a turning point for Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship, marking the dawn of a new era shaped by unexpected alliances, darker motivations, and bold maneuvers in the ring.
