Cody Rhodes’ role as the Undisputed WWE Champion presents a growing concern for Triple H and WWE’s creative direction, particularly on SmackDown. The key issue revolves around the scarcity of credible villains to challenge Rhodes effectively, highlighting the ongoing Cody Rhodes WWE heel problem as the company prepares for major upcoming events like Survivor Series and Royal Rumble.
Recently, John Cena ended his heel run prior to SummerSlam, switching back to a fan-favorite persona ahead of his championship rematch. This change was reportedly influenced by the absence of allies such as The Rock and Travis Scott in Cena’s storyline. With Cena returning to face status, many anticipated Cody Rhodes might turn heel at SummerSlam, especially given narrative hints leading into the bout. However, their match remained a babyface versus babyface contest, reinforced by Brock Lesnar’s surprise return to attack Cena at the event’s conclusion.
Impact of an Insufficient Heel Roster on SmackDown
SmackDown now faces a notable shortage of established heel characters, putting the title scene and upcoming storylines at considerable risk. While Brock Lesnar maintains his role as a formidable antagonist, his appearances are expected to remain infrequent, similar to how The Rock operates as a sporadic presence rather than a consistent villain. This creates a vacuum in credible opposition for Rhodes.
Drew McIntyre, once a plausible heel contender, is now somewhat diminished in this role due to his association with Logan Paul, who is widely unpopular among fans. This partnership undermines McIntyre’s independence and reduces the effectiveness of his heel persona, further weakening SmackDown’s villain presence.
Without strong bad guys on the roster, WWE risks exposing its lack of compelling antagonists, which could diminish the quality of Rhodes’ championship reign. If this trend continues, it may become increasingly difficult to craft meaningful feuds against Rhodes, limiting his ability to shine as the top star.
The Potential Need to Recast Allies as Villains
Given the current landscape, WWE might be compelled to consider turning some of Rhodes’ close allies into heels to address the deficit of credible villains. Prominent babyfaces such as Randy Orton and Damian Priest, who have both historically operated in heel roles and maintain strong connections with Rhodes, could be repositioned.
Randy Orton, known as “The Viper,” was once a mentor and close friend to Rhodes. Although Orton has upcoming involvement in the King of the Ring tournament, he has yet to engage in a high-stakes rivalry with Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship, and neither competitor currently displays heel traits.
Meanwhile, Damian Priest shares a real-life friendship with Rhodes backstage, which WWE could utilize for storytelling. Priest might be depicted as growing restless, feeling overlooked in his quest for the World title, leading to a betrayal that fractures their friendship and casts Priest as a villain.
These potential shifts highlight the difficult position Triple H faces in balancing Rhodes’ status as a fan-favorite champion against the pressing need for credible villains to maintain audience interest and storyline quality.
Looking Ahead: Challenges for WWE’s Narrative Direction
The ongoing complications with the Cody Rhodes WWE heel problem signal broader challenges for WWE’s character dynamics, especially on SmackDown. Without established antagonists to oppose Rhodes, sustaining compelling rivalries and maintaining audience engagement could become increasingly difficult. This situation may force WWE and Triple H to rethink their approach to character development and storyline progression, possibly by rebranding beloved babyfaces as antagonists to preserve narrative tension.
As WWE heads toward major events like Survivor Series and Royal Rumble, the effectiveness of these decisions will be critical. Successfully identifying credible villains is essential not only for Rhodes’ continued prominence but also for the overall health and appeal of WWE programming.
