Cody Rhodes Is Finally Turning Heel at SummerSlam

From the moment Cody Rhodes made his triumphant return to WWE at WrestleMania 38, he has been the top babyface in the company. At WrestleMania 40, he finally finished his story, toppling Roman Reigns to win his first WWE Championship. He’s won several more since, but with more accomplishments has also come a dull character who never changes. Cody recently lost the WWE Championship to Sami Zayn at Night of Champions, who held the gold for nine days before losing it to a returning CM Punk. Now, at SummerSlam, Rhodes gets a shot to get his title back. He’s almost certain to lose, and when he does, look for him to snap and become a true American Nightmare.

Cody Rhodes Is Running in Place as the Face of WWE

• Cody Rhodes became WWE’s top star when he finished his story by beating Roman Reigns.
• His WWE Championship feuds have often been lacking and repetitive.
• Cody Rhodes needs a change to his dull babyface character.

WWE and Cody Rhodes needed each other. In the early 2020s, Roman Reigns had become the face of the company as the Tribal Chief. A heel can’t truly lead a promotion though. There must be a top babyface to build around. Enter Cody Rhodes, who had proven himself in AEW away from the garbage that was Stardust. Fans immediately accepted him back with open arms, so much so that we had a collective meltdown when the usually lovable Rock tried to take his WrestleMania spot.

The problem, as is often the case these days with TKO’s WWE, is that they stopped trying after Rhodes finished his story. For week after week over the past two plus years, Cody makes the same entrance, wears the same suits, and gives the same promos, usually in lackluster feuds. This isn’t to say that he’s completely fallen off. Rhodes is still great in the ring and on the mic, and fans still cheer, but he’s also in a rut. Cody is in need of a big change.

CM Punk Will Retain the WWE Championship at SummerSlam

• CM Punk has been a great rival for Cody Rhodes.
• It would make no sense for Punk to lose already after just returning.
• Cody Rhodes will lose control when he is defeated again.

Putting Cody Rhodes in a feud with CM Punk is perfection. It’s the biggest match WWE can deliver at the moment. There’s no way a matchup against Punk can ever be dull. Their promos have been stellar, and they’re certain to have a great match at SummerSlam, but there’s no way Cody can win. If he does, expect tens of thousands of fans in Minnesota to shower him with boos.

CM Punk has to keep the WWE Championship. After all, he just won it a few weeks ago. It would make no sense for him to return after months away, beat Sami Zayn, then lose it so quickly. Punk doesn’t have long left in the ring. He deserves at least one more long run with a world title. He will defeat Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, and when he does, Cody Rhodes must finally lose control.

Cody Rhodes’ Character Must Turn Heel

• WWE has resisted the desire of fans to turn Cody Rhodes into a bad guy.
• He has taken his babyface gimmick as far as it can go.
• It makes sense that Rhodes would lash out in anger when he is pinned by Punk.

Cody Rhodes knows fans want him to turn bad. He’s talked about it often in interviews. So far, he and Triple H have resisted. It’s good that they have. A heel turn at any other time would have felt forced. Cody is arguably the most beloved babyface they have. Why give that up, unless it’s for a sure thing? Now is that sure thing. In AEW, Cody would never change, leading to the fans turning on him. It won’t be long before the same happens in WWE and Rhodes becomes the worst part of John Cena and Roman Reigns’ predictable babyface gimmicks. He has taken the same song and dance routine as far as it can go. It’s time for him to change and for WWE to do something shocking to get the attention of fans who are losing interest in droves.

It also makes sense that Cody Rhodes would turn heel this time. For years, everyone has been after him. That has to wear a man down. Even men who called him a friend, like Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and Sami Zayn have attacked. Not even CM Punk can be trusted. Through it all, Rhodes has been at the top as a multi-time WWE Champion. It’s what defines him. He can lose the title, but never for long. If he doesn’t have it, he’s at least in the hunt to get it back. The WWE Championship and the pursuit of it is who Cody is. When CM Punk beats him at SummerSlam, it means another loss and a fall down the ladder. Punk will move on to other challengers. What’s Cody Rhodes to do then? Just have matches for the sake of them?

When Cody Rhodes loses to CM Punk at SummerSlam, he can’t simply shake the winner’s hand, raise his arm, and then go about his life in the same way. Why wouldn’t he be incredibly angry? The logic is all there in a company that doesn’t always use it. Cody Rhodes needs an edge. Let the rage out and become Homelander. Of course, as soon as he does, the risk is that he’ll become cool again and fans will cheer the change just like they did for Orton. There is a way to counter this though. If Rhodes attacks the right people, like going after Punk or the popular Trick Williams, he will remain the bad guy. Or what if he jumps ship to Raw and feuds with someone super over like Oba Femi, giving the Ruler something to do before he finally topples the OTC? At some point, Cody is turning heel. SummerSlam 2026 provides the best chance yet.