For years, one of the most persistent topics of conversation among wrestling fans has been the possibility of a heel turn for Cody Rhodes. The Undisputed WWE Champion recently addressed the speculation, confirming that a turn to the dark side is “definitely possible,” but he also explained why it has become more “complicated.”
Since his return to WWE in 2022, Rhodes has been positioned as the company’s ultimate babyface, a role he has embraced on his journey to “finish the story.” Despite his incredible popularity as a babyface, many fans remember his work as a heel in promotions like ROH and NJPW and have been clamoring to see that version of his character in WWE.
A Team Decision
Speaking with Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast, Rhodes was asked if a heel turn was ever discussed for his SummerSlam match with John Cena. He explained that any such major creative decision in the modern WWE under Triple H is a collaborative process, but the final call rests with the leadership.
“I play for the team. So if the coach tells me this is what we’re doing, I might have a question or two about it… but also that’s the whole quarterback element. I’m going to run the play. So when, when discussions like that and Unreal has kind of shed some light on this, but you have that writer’s room… You have Triple H, of course, the final boss always present, in a way, and Nick Khan, that would be a big discussion that we would all have… That’s a discussion that this company, the way it’s done today, it’s a team effort. Hunter is going to make the call, but he’s got a good war room of people to weigh it all out.”
“Scum of the Earth”
While a heel turn was not in the cards for him earlier this year, Rhodes did not rule it out for the future. However, he made it clear that if he were to turn, he would not want to be a “cool” heel. He would want to be a true villain that the audience genuinely despises, a character so vile that he would be “basically canceled.”
“Another year of record business. And that’s a big thing with potentially, if I ever were to go, you know, the dark side, ever go, bad guy. It’s definitely possible. I feel like sometimes I’m too heavy handed with how I say, ‘Oh no, it’ll never happen.’ Oh, I’m sure it’s possible… The more we rack up as a baby face, and the more I learn and build connections with the audience… the more complicated it becomes, because if it was to happen and then they start cheering it happen, then it wasn’t what we wanted it to be. It wasn’t effective… If that was ever a road to go down, I’d want to be basically canceled. I’d want to be scum of the earth, villain and as I branched out my character and the American Nightmare and the brand and all the things, it becomes a lot more complicated.”
The full interview with Cody Rhodes is available on the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast feed.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
