Cody Rhodes, long regarded as WWE’s top hero, is now at the center of intense fan speculation about a possible Cody Rhodes heel turn. Recent developments on Friday Night SmackDown, highlighted by Rhodes’ uncharacteristically reserved demeanor, have sparked debate among fans, questioning whether the “American Nightmare” is still the beloved face of the company or has shifted into a darker persona.
Growing Uncertainty Around WWE’s Leading Champion
Since returning at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, Cody Rhodes’ trajectory seemed unstoppable. He clinched consecutive Royal Rumble victories in 2023 and 2024, seized the King of the Ring title in 2025, and twice wore the Undisputed WWE Championship. His path has been celebrated as a dramatic underdog journey, making him the ultimate babyface in WWE. However, a recent shift in his presentation—marked by an unusual, almost chilling silence—has not gone unnoticed. Fans have taken to social media, voicing concerns that WWE’s star champion may no longer represent the hero they thought he was.
Investigating the Night Jacob Fatu Was Attacked
The theory underlying this Cody Rhodes heel turn takes root in an incident from October 2025 involving Jacob Fatu. Scheduled to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship, Fatu was attacked backstage before his match could even be officially determined. The assault went unseen by cameras, and by the time WWE staff arrived, Fatu was already injured and the perpetrator had disappeared, leaving the mystery unsolved.
General Manager Nick Aldis and many others speculated that someone like Drew McIntyre or another ambitious challenger orchestrated the attack to gain an advantage. Yet, as fans sift through the available information, a compelling case emerges implicating Cody Rhodes himself. Rhodes, being the reigning champion at that time, had both motive and opportunity. With deep knowledge of WWE’s backstage area and camera placements, he had the power to orchestrate such an act without detection. Eliminating a direct threat, such as Fatu, before a match could be signed would only help secure his dominance atop WWE.
Rhodes’ Motives Under Scrutiny
The coincidence of events intensifies speculation: Fatu was hospitalized and written out of storylines after clearly stating his championship aspirations. When Fatu finally returned in January 2026, Rhodes had already lost the championship to Drew McIntyre—incidentally, on the same night Fatu re-entered the spotlight. This sequence has led many to believe Rhodes took drastic measures to protect his status as champion when he sensed a threat, then lost his footing just as that threat returned.
“JACOB FATU IS BACK!!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/q0OhAumybc— WWE (@WWE) January 10, 2026”
Unanswered Questions and Theories Circulate
Fatu’s comeback appears to act as a stark reminder to Rhodes that the past does not stay buried, fueling further discussion of a possible heel turn. The original backstage assault remains unsolved, but some fans and analysts argue that Rhodes’ apparent shift in demeanor, a chilling absence of his former crowd-pleasing persona, and suspicious timing all point to him crossing a line when it suited him most. Echoes of the attack now haunt the champion, even as no camera ever captured what happened that night.
The tale of Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu has transformed from an inspiring rivalry to a narrative shadowed by secrecy, suspicion, and speculation—a story where heroes might be hiding something darker beneath the surface. As Friday Night SmackDown continues to showcase Rhodes in a new, enigmatic light, WWE’s audience remains on edge, waiting to see if evidence of a true Cody Rhodes heel turn will emerge out of the shadows.
JACOB FATU IS BACK!!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/q0OhAumybc
— WWE (@WWE) January 10, 2026
