On August 25th during WWE RAW in Birmingham, Roman Reigns was visibly surprised when the crowd unexpectedly booed Cody Rhodes at the mention of his name. The event began with The One True Champion addressing the enthusiastic audience about his plans for the upcoming years. However, when Reigns referenced Rhodes’ earlier prediction about his downfall, the crowd’s reaction turned negative, prompting Reigns to comment, “Interesting.” This moment revealed a shift in the WWE fan reaction towards Cody Rhodes, despite his continued strong push by the company.
Reigns quickly diverted attention toward Seth Rollins and his Vision storyline, but the crowd’s reaction underscored the growing division among WWE fans regarding Cody Rhodes’ role. Despite Rhodes receiving numerous title shots and being promoted heavily in WWE programming, the fanbase appears conflicted about his place in the current hierarchy.
Mixed Reactions From WWE Fans on Cody Rhodes’ Popularity
Cody Rhodes has solidified himself as a prominent star, notably since his reintroduction to WWE in 2022. Portraying various characters including his Stardust gimmick, Rhodes quickly became the focus of high-profile matches and opportunities, including back-to-back Men’s Royal Rumble wins and performing through injuries like a torn pectoral tendon against Seth Rollins.
While his achievements are substantial, fans have expressed frustration that other seasoned talents such as Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and Kevin Owens have been overshadowed. This environment has caused some to debate whether Rhodes has exceeded his welcome, especially with many feeling that his storyline arc is complete.
The fanbase’s wavering attitude is reflected in comments on social media:
“Fans are so fickle. Just last year, everyone was behind Cody and desperate for him to ‘finish the story.’ Now, those same people are booing him out of the building for no real reason. The truth is, Cody’s been a top star and delivering consistently this whole time. 👎🏻” — breezy.eth (@breezyether)
“Please. They booed Cody during the Cena match but then when he ran out to help Cena they were cheering his ass go and down. They don’t know what they like” — Kakarot (@ShadBoogie)
Some fans argue that despite Rhodes being protected and heavily featured—especially after his program with John Cena—disapproval remains. A segment of the audience believes his continuous spotlight prevents other deserving performers in the locker room from shining and reduces opportunities for rising stars.
Why the Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns WrestleMania XL Match Stands Out
Despite recent skepticism about Cody Rhodes in WWE, his WrestleMania XL match against Roman Reigns remains a high point in recent WWE history. At WrestleMania 39, Rhodes entered as a fan-favorite underdog, with significant crowd support. The match was intense, and though Rhodes fell short due to interference by Solo Sikoa, it created an ongoing narrative about Rhodes’ desire to “finish his story” by capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Following his 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble win, Rhodes earned the right to choose his WrestleMania opponent, only for The Rock to unexpectedly re-enter the picture, setting up a dream match against Roman Reigns. The storyline evolved into a tag team clash on Night 1, where Rhodes teamed with Seth Rollins against The Rock and Reigns. The victors earned the power to define the Night 2 main event stipulation, which culminated in a “Bloodline Rules” match highlighting the intense rivalry.
The WrestleMania XL finale between Rhodes and Reigns was praised for its drama and physicality. Reigns delivered multiple signature spears and Superman punches, but Rhodes repeatedly showed resilience, escaping numerous pinfalls. When interference from The Bloodline threatened to cost Rhodes the match, help arrived from Rollins, who distracted Reigns and allowed Rhodes to hit his finisher. This secured Rhodes’ victory and crowned him the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The Broader Impact of Fan Divisions Over Cody Rhodes
The unexpected booing of Cody Rhodes by WWE fans signals a fractured perception regarding his current status in the company, which has important implications moving forward. Rhodes’ sustained spotlight has fueled debate about roster balance and how creative choices affect fan engagement and locker room morale.
This division unsettles figures like Roman Reigns, who continue to vault talents toward the top, but face audience challenges in acceptance. The mixed reactions to Cody Rhodes WWE fan reaction highlight ongoing tensions between WWE’s promotional direction and audience sentiment.
As Rhodes continues to headline major events and hold top titles, WWE will need to navigate this complex dynamic carefully to maintain fan interest and overall roster vitality. With new rivalries and evolving storylines promised, the coming months will be crucial in determining Rhodes’ place among WWE’s premier stars and whether fan enthusiasm will mend or further splinter.
