Cody Rhodes is aware that the status quo in WWE won’t be this way forever.
Making his return in 2022, The American Nightmare was immediately presented as one of the top babyfaces in the company. Thanks to his epic Hell in a Cell victory over Seth Rollins with a torn pec, winning back-to-back Royal Rumbles and defeating Roman Reigns against all the odds, Rhodes became the top babyface in the company.
Although Rhodes still receives thunderous ovations from the fans each week and shows no signs of slowing down as the face of the company, this is a story that has been told before. As fans aware of the work of John Cena and Roman Reigns are aware if a top star is kept as a face for too long they run the risk of the fans turning on them prematurely and ultimately stunting their momentum.
As Rhodes has been a face for more than 2 years, some have started to question when the heel turn will happen. Speaking on the Cheap Heat podcast, Rhodes admitted that the heel turn is something he has thought about but is currently more concerned about bringing smiles to the fans:
“I think I’m lying if I say I don’t think about it,” Rhodes said. “The truth is, I’m so caught up in the connection that I have, whether it’s the friendships bracelets I get at the shows, or just these moments you have with the kids coming full cosplay, this new generation of fan that’s going to grow up and have podcasts and radio shows…I’m so invested in them, it’s rare when I think outside of ‘Well, what about a version of me that’s hated? That’s disliked, that’s booed?’
Rhodes continued, acknowledging that he had been booed before and brought up the example of Cena never turning heel and agreeing with the decision:
“I’ve certainly been booed before, been booed heavily…I guess I think minimally about it. And I could…you never say never. John [Cena]’s never happened, and I think rightfully so. I think what we got there, we look back at now and realize, I was just watching him vs. Umaga the other day, you see the magic of what John was able to do. With the time I have left, contract wise, I don’t see it. But again, never say never. Absolutes are the worst thing in sports entertainment and pro wrestling.”
Cody Rhodes Names Ultimate WWE Goal
Although Rhodes’ will be remembered for decades to come as he was the one to bring Reigns’ monumental run as champion to an end, he is not content with resting on his laurels. During the same interview, Cody Rhodes named the one goal he wants to achieve before it is all said and done.
H/t to Wrestling Inc.