For weeks, a segment of the online wrestling community has been speculating about a potential heel turn for the WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. However, a new report has put those rumors to rest, stating that WWE has no plans to turn its top babyface to the dark side anytime in the “foreseeable future.”
Rhodes has been the quintessential “white meat babyface” since his return to WWE in 2022, a role that has propelled him to the top of the company and made him one of the most popular stars in the industry. Despite this success, some fans have been clamoring for a character change, pointing to his successful run as a heel in AEW and NJPW.
No Plans For A Heel Turn
According to a new report from WrestleVotes, sources close to the WWE creative team have confirmed that a heel turn is not in the cards for “The American Nightmare.” The company reportedly has very little interest in altering the character of their biggest and most marketable babyface.
“After speaking with sources close to creative, we can report there are currently no plans in the foreseeable future to turn Cody Rhodes heel… We’re told that WWE has little interest in turning their biggest baby face into, quote, a bad guy.”
“A Strategic Bit of Misdirection”
The report also sheds light on the origins of the recent speculation, suggesting that Cody Rhodes himself intentionally fueled the rumors as a way to engage with the “more hardcore audience.”
“The recent wave of online speculation, some of which was intentionally fueled by Cody himself, was a strategic bit of misdirection aimed at the more hardcore audience.”
Furthermore, a source pointed out the practical marketing challenges a heel turn would present, given Rhodes’ numerous sponsorship deals, including a high-profile partnership with Minute Maid.
“One source even joked with us. TC said it would be awkward seeing a smiling Cody Rhodes on Minute Maid packaging throughout 1000s of grocery stores and gas stations here in North America while he’s playing a villain on TV, so Cody Rhodes to remain a big time baby face for the foreseeable future.”
Cody Rhodes is coming off a major victory over John Cena at SummerSlam, a match that solidified his position as the top babyface in WWE.
