As Cody Rhodes prepares for the high-stakes Street Fight against John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam Night Two, he is addressing speculation about his character’s direction. Rhodes has firmly rejected rumors about a double turn between himself and Cena, confirming that he will fully embrace the heel role fans perceive rather than switching sides.
Rhodes Responds to Fan Theories About Character Changes
During a recent interview on Gabby AF with host Gabby LaSpisa, Rhodes was directly questioned about the ongoing fan theory suggesting he and Cena might swap between hero and villain roles in their intense rivalry. Rhodes was clear and unwavering in his response regarding his choices.
People talk about, ‘Oh, I bet they’re going to do this double turn.’ No,
Rhodes responded firmly.
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.
—Cody Rhodes
Context Behind the Heated Rivalry and Storyline Ambiguity
The idea of a double turn emerged after John Cena began his heel run at Elimination Chamber 2025, creating layers of moral complexity in the feud. Further ambiguity arose when Cena delivered an emotional promo on the SmackDown go-home show, expressing gratitude to Rhodes for helping him “remember who he was.” These moments prompted fans to wonder if WWE planned a last-minute role reversal.
Despite these twists, Rhodes insists he is maintaining his role, suggesting that any heel image is more about audience perception than a formal character change on his part.
Upcoming Street Fight at MetLife Stadium to Define Rivalry’s Conclusion
The championship bout between Rhodes and Cena is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd, at MetLife Stadium on Night Two of WWE SummerSlam. With Street Fight rules in effect, the match is expected to heighten the already tense rivalry, promising a brutal and emotional showdown for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
This encounter will mark one of the most eagerly anticipated contests in recent WWE history, bringing weeks of conflicted storytelling to a dramatic climax.
