At SummerSlam 2025, Cody Rhodes reclaimed his spot at the top by defeating John Cena to win the Undisputed WWE Championship for the second time. However, as the excitement around Cody Rhodes’ WWE title future grows, wrestling veteran Dutch Mantell has expressed serious reservations about how WWE management is handling the star’s current momentum and fan reactions.
On the latest episode of Monday Night RAW, Rhodes did not receive the enthusiastic support that Roman Reigns did, despite Reigns mentioning Rhodes during a promo. The crowd’s lukewarm response to Cody, known as The American Nightmare, has raised questions regarding his popularity, though Mantell cautions against overreacting to this shift in fan engagement.
Veteran Wrestler Warns WWE Against Rushing a Heel Turn for Rhodes
Speaking on his podcast Story Time with Dutch Mantell, the 75-year-old wrestling veteran commented on the recent RAW segment and WWE’s possible plans for Cody Rhodes. Mantell suspects that WWE may be positioning Rhodes for a heel turn to revitalize his character and storyline, a move that could fit within WWE’s evolving narratives.
Despite this, Mantell advises WWE to proceed very carefully because Rhodes has a strong appeal among younger fans and generates significant merchandise sales. A sudden shift to a villainous persona could jeopardize his standing with this crucial market segment.
“I think they’ve got plans for Cody [Rhodes] to turn bad guy, which might make sense. But again, I think they’re going to have to think about all the merchandise that he sells to kids, and that’s his market… I would be very careful with doing anything with Cody Rhodes at this point. I mean, don’t have a knee-jerk reaction just off that because that could be a bad move and maybe the wrong move,” Mantell said. —Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Veteran
Cody Rhodes’ Title Defense Status Ahead of WWE Clash in Paris 2025
Rhodes’ journey since losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas has been eventful, as he secured a rematch by winning the King of the Ring Tournament. Following his SummerSlam 2025 victory, Rhodes encountered a brutal Claymore from Drew McIntyre during Friday Night SmackDown, leaving him sidelined and unable to compete.
This injury or storyline absence suggests that Cody Rhodes will not be defending his title at the upcoming WWE Clash in Paris 2025, raising further questions about the handling of his WWE championship reign and future plans.
Potential Implications for WWE’s Treatment of a Top Star
The situation surrounding Cody Rhodes highlights a critical moment for WWE, as they balance fan reactions, talent management, and storyline development. Dutch Mantell’s warning underscores the risk of damaging Rhodes’ marketability and momentum through hasty decisions. How WWE moves forward with Cody Rhodes’ WWE title future could redefine his legacy and the company’s ability to effectively build and sustain its main event stars.
