Cody Rhodes has sparked speculation about a potential heel turn in WWE during a recent conversation on the Gabby AF podcast with Gabby LaSpisa. Rhodes, known for his role as a heroic figure, indicated openness to adopting a villainous character if WWE decides to take that route. This development comes after John Cena’s recent behavior shift, where the WWE legend turned heel against Rhodes at the Elimination Chamber event in Toronto but later appeared to revert to his former babyface persona on WWE SmackDown.
Rhodes stated,
People talk about, ‘Oh, I bet they’re going to do this double turn.’ No. I think, to take a page out of [Cena’s] book, if they think I’m a heel, then I’m a heel. To me, I’m not changing my game. It would be detrimental to the place I work to make a pivot. No more Kingdom, no more promos, no more merch. Real bad guy stuff. However, I have ears open, and I’m well aware that sometimes it’s not your night.
—Cody Rhodes, Professional Wrestler
This statement signals that Rhodes is prepared to embrace a darker persona if WWE crafts a storyline demanding it, though he clarified that he would not alter his core wrestling style or brand unless absolutely necessary. This openness comes amidst ongoing narrative developments involving Cena and other WWE superstars during the buildup to major events like SummerSlam 2025.
Jade Cargill’s Injury May Necessitate Future Surgery
Jade Cargill has revealed details about a significant neck injury that sidelined her for much of 2024 and may require surgery in the future. After being written off TV in WWE storylines ahead of Survivor Series 2024 through an in-ring attack orchestrated by Naomi, Cargill made a compelling in-ring return at Elimination Chamber in Toronto. Despite her comeback, the injury has been a lingering concern.
On the Club 520 podcast, Cargill shared the challenges she faced dealing with the injury and the mental toll of being forced away from wrestling, a situation new to her. She explained,
I was coming back from an injury, and I didn’t know when I was coming back. So it took a lot, because me being an athlete, I’ve never been injured in my life. I’ve had a bone bruise, and I still played through that. You play hurt. Whatever, whatever. But this was something that I had to sit out, and that was the first time, and that can mess with you mentally… Because there’s nothing I can do. I can’t go out there to show you. I have to just take it, take it, take it. I couldn’t say anything. So it was just taxing. But Elimination Chamber, I would say [is a favorite], because I had a lot to prove right then and there, and I was excited to be back. It was kind of out of the blue. I wasn’t even in shape yet, but I guess that the crowd reaction for that and our storyline.
—Jade Cargill, WWE Superstar
She also discussed the severity of the injury, noting,
I didn’t tear anything. It was more of a neck injury that could have been like, led to surgery, but I didn’t need it. Well, I didn’t need it. Eventually, I will, like all wrestlers do.
—Jade Cargill, WWE Superstar
While the surgery has been postponed, the possibility remains looming, highlighting the physical risks WWE athletes continually face. Her emotional return and the crowd’s response at Elimination Chamber underscored the appreciation fans have for her resilience.
Potential Real-Life Adaptation of Alexa Bliss’s Doll Lilly
Alexa Bliss’s eerie persona involving the supernatural doll, Lilly, captured fans’ attention during her alliance with Bray Wyatt’s Fiend character. Although Bliss moved away from the horror-themed elements, Lilly has remained an iconic part of her presentation. Recently, the prospect of bringing Lilly to life as a physical character was raised.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Rick Ucchino, Bliss revealed that fellow wrestler Chelsea Green had proposed the idea of playing Lilly in a live-action capacity. Bliss explained,
She had actually texted me, I think it was when I was on maternity leave, and she was like, ‘Hey, one day I will be Lilly.’ We’ve actually had a lot of people pitch to be the real life Lilly. For me, I like keeping Lilly as something that’s a little more mysterious. I like not putting a face to the name, but if the time ever came when they’re like, ‘Hey, we need to make Lilly come alive.’ I think Chelsea would be the perfect fit.
—Alexa Bliss, WWE Superstar
This insight opens the possibility that WWE may one day choose to personify Lilly for storyline or entertainment reasons, integrating the doll’s mystique with a live performer. For now, Bliss prefers to maintain Lilly’s enigmatic allure without attaching a human identity publicly.
Implications for WWE’s Upcoming Storylines and Events
The developments involving Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, and Alexa Bliss reflect shifting dynamics within WWE as the promotion gears up for major events like SummerSlam 2025. Rhodes’s potential heel turn could introduce new narrative tensions and rivalries, altering his character trajectory and influencing other story arcs, including those with John Cena.
Meanwhile, Jade Cargill’s injury status highlights ongoing health concerns for performers and may affect her availability in future matches, impacting the women’s division storylines. Her return at Elimination Chamber demonstrated her popularity, but the looming likelihood of surgery adds uncertainty.
If WWE opts to bring the doll Lilly to life, it could reintroduce supernatural elements into programming, providing fresh creative opportunities tied to Alexa Bliss’s character history. Such moves show WWE’s willingness to evolve characters while balancing fan expectations.
Overall, these updates hint at a period of change and uncertainty that could reshape several major WWE figures’ career directions and influence the promotion’s narrative landscape throughout 2025.
