Is Cody Rhodes aligning with Paul Heyman after tease on 8/21 WWE SmackDown?
(Courtesy :Â WWE)
The American Nightmare has sparked speculation with his latest comments.
On the August 21 edition of WWE SmackDown in Toronto, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton were ready to butt heads ahead of their WrestleMania 42 rematch next month at Sunday Nightâs Main Event in Atlanta, Georgia.
However, GM Nick Aldis warned that if they lay a finger on each other before their clash at SNME, they would never get another shot at the WWE Championship. Rhodes and Orton refrained from a brawl and continued battling on the mic.
Towards the end of the heated promo battle, Rhodes dropped a line that immediately raised eyebrows among fans. Rhodes vowed to defeat Orton, labelling himself as the Legend Killer, and then concluded by using Paul Heymanâs iconic catchphrase, âThat is not a prediction, itâs a spoiler.â
This led many fans to theorize whether Rhodes is going to align with the Wiseman and potentially turn heel. The two have shared multiple segments and storylines in WWE, but this mention fueled rumors of Cody becoming a âPaul Heyman Guyâ.
Is WWE ready for a Cody Rhodes heel turn?
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The topic of Cody Rhodes turning heel has been a hot topic of debate among fans. Multiple rumors have claimed of his heel turn heel after every unhinged attack, a brawl, or sometimes just a promo, like on the aforementioned SmackDown.
The mention of Heyman has added a new layer to this debate, as Heyman is not currently aligned with anyone. He has been the on-screen manager for Brock Lesnar, the Wiseman to Roman Reigns, and the Oracle for the Vision.
Heyman is currently not aligned with anyone, especially since Lesnar retired and he opted to stay away from the Vision faction. Many fans believe that this might be the right time to pair Rhodes and Heyman.
This pairing will not only bring a new dynamic to the Blue brand, but it might also transform into a similar storyline arc that Heyman has been a part of. Additionally, if Rhodes opts to ditch his good guy persona and become a heel, it would also help keep his character fresh and more unpredictable.
While Codyâs on-screen persona has become noticeably more ruthless in recent months, there is still no sign of him turning heel. Many fans have expressed that a heel turn for Rhodes would complete his transformation into one of WWEâs most compelling characters.
Even if WWE is not willing to turn Rhodes into a full-blown heel, as he is currently the face of the company and one of the top merch sellers, a slow-burn villain arc with Heyman by his side can still become a compelling storyline that adds a new dimension to his character.
What are your thoughts on the tease? Do you want Cody Rhodes to become a Paul Heyman Guy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
When and where will the upcoming SNME take place?
The upcoming Sunday Nightâs Main Event is scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be WWEâs first-ever Sunday Nightâs Main Event.
What matches have been announced for the show?
⢠Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton⢠Oba Femi vs Bron Breakker⢠Baron Corbin vs Lil Yachty (If Yachty lasts 5 minutes, Trick Williams will get a US title shot against Corbin)
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijitâs work is rooted in insight and passion. When heâs not covering sports, heâs often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.