Five clear signs former WWE Champion Cody Rhodes could turn heel
(Courtesy : WWE)
Cody Rhodes’ character keeps on changing after the title loss.
Cody Rhodes has spent years building himself into WWE’s ultimate babyface, but the American Nightmare may be approaching a point where his heroic persona can no longer survive.
His current rivalry with Randy Orton has exposed a more volatile side of Rhodes, while his relationship with the WWE audience has also become increasingly complicated. The character who once refused to compromise his principles now appears far more willing to cross the line.
Nothing has been officially confirmed, but WWE has several ways to gradually turn Rhodes heel without making the switch feel forced. Here are five signs that could point toward a darker chapter for the former champion.
5. Cody Rhodes is starting to care more about winning than being liked
For years, Cody Rhodes’ greatest strength has been his ability to remain composed when the pressure is at its highest. Even when opponents tried to provoke him, he generally positioned himself as the wrestler who would take the honorable route.
That philosophy appears to be changing. Rhodes has shown more willingness to escalate confrontations instead of walking away, suggesting that winning and settling personal scores could be becoming more important than maintaining his spotless image.
If WWE continues pushing that side of his personality, Rhodes could eventually reach a point where he stops worrying about whether the fans approve of his methods.
4. His relationship with the WWE Universe is changing
A heel turn becomes considerably easier when the audience is already beginning to question a superstar. Rhodes has enjoyed enormous popularity since returning to WWE, but prolonged exposure at the top of the card has inevitably created some fan fatigue. Not every section of the audience is guaranteed to cheer him simply because he is positioned as the hero.
That creates an interesting opportunity for WWE. Instead of forcing fans to boo Rhodes overnight, the company could allow the reactions to naturally become more divided before having him fully embrace the villainous role.
3. Randy Orton is bringing out his darker side
Randy Orton is arguably one of the worst possible opponents for Rhodes if WWE wants to preserve his traditional babyface character.
The Viper has spent decades mastering psychological warfare, and their rivalry has increasingly become personal. Rhodes has responded with greater aggression, making it easier to imagine him eventually matching Orton’s methods rather than simply fighting him.
A major betrayal, an excessive attack, or one particularly controversial decision could be enough to push Rhodes over the edge.
2. Cody Rhodes could become the thing his rivals accuse him of being
One of the most effective ways to turn Cody Rhodes heel would be to make years of criticism suddenly feel justified.
His rivals have repeatedly questioned his position within WWE and suggested that he receives opportunities others have to fight for. A heel Rhodes could lean directly into those accusations instead of denying them.
Rather than pretending to be the selfless hero, he could embrace his status as one of WWE’s biggest stars and openly declare that he deserves preferential treatment. That kind of arrogant confidence would completely reshape his character without requiring WWE to rewrite his history.
1. Losing the championship could change everything
Cody Rhodes’ relationship with the world title could ultimately determine where his character goes next. A babyface can handle losing a championship because the journey is supposed to matter as much as the destination.
But if Rhodes becomes obsessed with reclaiming what he believes belongs to him, his pursuit could gradually turn into entitlement.
That would give WWE a natural heel-turn story: Cody Rhodes starts by wanting to regain his championship, then slowly realizes he is willing to sacrifice everything that made fans love him to get it back. A full heel turn would therefore feel less like a sudden character reset and more like the culmination of a long-running descent.
Is Cody Rhodes turning heel in WWE?
Nothing has been officially confirmed, but several recent developments have fueled speculation about a potential character change.
Why could Cody Rhodes turn heel?
His increasingly aggressive behavior, declining crowd support, and growing friction with other WWE stars could all contribute to a heel turn.
Could Randy Orton be responsible for Cody Rhodes’ heel turn?
Randy Orton’s current rivalry with Rhodes could serve as the catalyst, particularly if their increasingly personal feud continues to push Rhodes beyond his usual boundaries.
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Blesson Daniel is a sub-editor who spends his days organizing words and managing social media, crafting bursts of creativity designed to make people smile. He occasionally dives into writing as well — whether it’s crafting articles, brainstorming ideas, or finding the perfect caption. Believing that every piece of writing offers an opportunity to tell a story, Blesson brings creativity and thoughtfulness to every project he takes on. When he’s not glued to his laptop, Blesson is likely planning his next travel adventure or losing himself in music. A passionate explorer of new places, sounds, and ideas, he believes in balancing work, play, and a good playlist in the background. Whether he’s editing, writing, or daydreaming about his next trip, Blesson is always chasing that sweet spot where creativity and curiosity collide to create something memorable.