Cody Rhodes Explains How a Potential WWE Heel Turn Would Really Be Decided

Cody Rhodes may have walked into and out of SummerSlam 2025 as one of WWE’s biggest babyfaces, but fan speculation about a possible heel turn was at an all-time high. While WWE sources have already made it clear that no such turn was in the works, Cody himself has now explained exactly how such a major move would be decided — and why it’s far more complicated than fans think.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Cody broke down the process, making it clear that any decision like this isn’t made in isolation. He said it would involve key figures in WWE creative and top executives, and even then, he’d still have to execute the play as given.

“Well, so 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. I can weigh an objection or a comment, but also that’s the whole quarterback element — I’m going to run the play. So, when discussions like that… you have that writer room, Ed Kosky’s right there, 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. And I think heading into any event, not just SummerSlam, Triple H as a leader likes to lay out every single potential road we could go down… Where would it go? Is it just for shock? Is it not?”

Cody stressed that if the idea was ever floated, it didn’t progress far enough to reach him. He also pointed out the business considerations of shifting such a major piece in WWE’s lineup.

“If it was discussed, it didn’t go far. I don’t think it got to me by any means, because I would have some ideas on maybe how I would execute it and what would happen. But again, I think if you’re Triple H and you’re looking at three years of record business and you’re looking at your team as it is — Rhea Ripley who’s a face of the company, CM Punk who’s a face of the company, Seth Rollins who’s a face of the company, young Bron Breakker who’s on his way up, Jacob Fatu on his way up — if you move a piece in a big way, does it affect the rest of the team? Does it keep running? Do we keep record business? Who knows what it may be? But yeah, 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.”

When it comes to the actual turn, Cody made it clear that if it ever happens, he wants it done in a way that leaves no doubt he’s a true villain — not a cool heel fans end up cheering.

“I will say this — in terms of that actual… the heel moment, when and if that ever happens, the more we rack up as a baby face and the more I learn and build connections with the audience — not the less likely it becomes, but 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. Doesn’t mean it can’t work, but I am very old school… and I’m not knocking anyone who wants the entertainment or the shock value of it… but if that was ever a road to go down, I’d want to be basically cancelled. I’d want to be scum of the earth villain. And as I’ve branched out my character and the American Nightmare and the brand and all the things, it becomes a lot more complicated the more your hands get into other elements of WWE, if that makes any sense.”

For now, Cody remains one of WWE’s most popular stars, but if the day ever comes when he turns, he’s made it clear it won’t be half-hearted — it will be all-in villainy.

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