Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has kept fans intrigued by suggesting that a WWE heel turn is “definitely possible,” though he emphasizes it is a complicated decision. Speaking during the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Rhodes acknowledged that while shifting to a villainous role could happen, it would require a commitment to being a genuine antagonist rather than just a “cool heel.”
Rhodes’s Career and the Complexity of Turning Heel
Since his 2022 return to WWE, Rhodes has been portrayed as a leading babyface, actively working to “finish the story” with his heroic persona. Despite this, many fans remember his heel runs in ROH and NJPW and have expressed interest in seeing him embrace a darker character in WWE. Rhodes explained that WWE’s creative team, led by Triple H, collaborates closely on storylines, and decisions about character changes are made carefully at the leadership level.
Conditions for a Heel Turn: More Than Just Being the Villain
Although a heel turn was not on the table for his SummerSlam bout against John Cena, Rhodes left the door open for the future. He said he would only consider turning heel if he could fully commit to being the “scum of the earth” and deeply disliked by the audience. Rhodes described how this is a challenging path because his growth as the “American Nightmare” and the strength of his babyface connection make it harder for fans to reject him as a villain.
“Another year of record business. And that’s a big thing with potentially, if I ever were to go, you know, the dark side, ever go, bad guy. It’s definitely possible. I feel like sometimes I’m too heavy handed with how I say, ‘Oh no, it’ll never happen.’ Oh, I’m sure it’s possible… The more we rack up as a baby face, and the more I learn and build connections with the audience… the more complicated it becomes, because if it was to happen and then they start cheering it happen, then it wasn’t what we wanted it to be. It wasn’t effective… If that was ever a road to go down, I’d want to be basically canceled. I’d want to be scum of the earth, villain and as I branched out my character and the American Nightmare and the brand and all the things, it becomes a lot more complicated.”
—Cody Rhodes, Undisputed WWE Champion
Looking Ahead for Cody Rhodes in WWE
Rhodes’s thoughtful approach to a heel turn reveals the pressure and complexity that comes with evolving a wrestling character at the highest level. His desire to preserve authenticity means any future change would have to resonate strongly as a true villainous role, not just a superficial shift. Fans will be watching closely to see how his story continues to unfold within WWE’s evolving creative landscape.
