Will Cody Rhodes turn heel? Latest update ahead of WWE SummerSlam 2026
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Will the American Nightmare turn heel in WWE?
The topic of Cody Rhodes turning heel, despite being one of the top babyfaces in the company, has been discussed by WWE fans for a very long time. Every little tease or fiery promo has led many fans to speculate if he’s joining the dark side.
Speculation has intensified recently as Rhodes gears up to battle Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk at SummerSlam in an attempt to reclaim the world title. A clash between two top babyfaces is generally considered a difficult dynamic, as it can split fans and make it unclear who they are meant to rally behind.
That has only fueled further speculation that Rhodes could turn heel before or during the high-stakes showdown. On that note, we now have an update courtesy of Self Made Pro.
The decision to turn heel is entirely up to Cody Rhodes
According to the outlet, the decision regarding a potential heel turn is entirely with Cody Rhodes. WWE is leaving the choice of the heel turn up to the American Nightmare, meaning he can make the switch if he feels the time is right.
The report also noted that CM Punk had originally envisioned himself as the heel when the long-anticipated feud with Rhodes eventually took place.
However, those plans have changed, and a heel turn for the Undisputed WWE Champion is not expected anytime soon. His popularity as a babyface makes such a move unlikely for now.
The Undisputed title clash between Punk and Cody is anticipated to headline Night 1 of SummerSlam, which will air as a two-night spectacle on August 1 and 2 from the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Punk captured the title after replacing the number one contender Cody, who failed to get medical clearance after an attack by Gunther. Punk replaced Cody during the July 6 show of Raw and defeated Sami to become the new Undisputed Champion. Now, Rhodes will get an opportunity to regain the title this Saturday.
Also Read: Night 1 & Night 2 lineups confirmed for WWE SummerSlam 2026
When and where will SummerSlam 2026 take place?
The 39th edition will air as a two-night spectacle on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Where can fans tune in to catch the action live?
Fans can catch all the action from 6 PM ET/3 PM PT (or 3:30 AM IST on Sunday, August 2, and Monday, August 3, respectively) on Netflix internationally (excluding select markets) and on the ESPN App in the United States.
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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, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.