WWE veteran Bully Ray has expressed skepticism about Cody Rhodes making a heel turn following his recent championship loss. After Rhodes dropped the WWE Undisputed Championship to Drew McIntyre on WWE SmackDown last week, fans speculated this might lead to the popular star turning villain. However, Bully Ray argues that such a move requires more careful consideration, especially since Rhodes remains the company’s top babyface.
When Should a Heel Turn Make Sense in Storytelling?
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray emphasized that a heel turn should occur only after a wrestler has exhausted their value as a hero and when the storyline justifies such a change. He noted,
“The time to turn Cody Rhodes heel is when you’ve milked every ounce of babyface dollar and cents out of him, and when it makes sense for him to turn heel in the story.”
To underline his point, Bully cited examples from wrestling history, contrasting the successful and unsuccessful heel turns of other major stars.
“Hulk Hogan, one of the most loved wrestlers of all time, turned heel and it worked like a charm. John Cena, one of the most loved babyfaces in the history of wrestling, turned heel and it did not work. Steve Austin turned at WrestleMania and it kind of worked, I don’t know.”
Concerns Over the Lack of a Suitable Babyface Successor
Ray’s main concern revolves around whom Rhodes would feud with as a heel. He questioned whether WWE has a credible babyface to position against him, warning that without a clear opponent, turning Rhodes villainous might harm the business.
“Here’s the number one thing, if you’re going to turn Cody Rhodes heel, who is the babyface that you’re turning Cody Rhodes heel for?”
He added,
“I don’t see that new babyface on the horizon,”
and stressed the importance of having someone with equal or greater potential ready to step up.
“You need somebody who has as much potential, if not more, than Cody Rhodes.”
Current Status of Cody Rhodes and Future Prospects
Despite ongoing fan rumors, insider reports suggest that WWE currently has no plans to shift Rhodes into a heel character. As a vital figure who continues to generate significant revenue and support, Rhodes maintains his role as a leading hero within the company. This decision reflects the delicate balance WWE faces between storytelling choices and business considerations, making any heel turn dependent on finding the right narrative and successors to maintain audience investment.
