WWE Allegedly Wanted Cody Rhodes to Be the Next John Cena

WWE has spent years searching for someone who could truly fill the massive void left by John Cena, and according to Seth Rollins, the company believed it found that person in Cody Rhodes.

While reflecting on Cody’s return to WWE and the long-term vision behind it, Rollins openly acknowledged what many fans have suspected—but WWE has rarely admitted outright. During the discussion on Games with Names, Rollins explained that Cody’s comeback wasn’t just about bringing back a familiar name. There was a bigger plan attached, one centered on positioning Rhodes as the face of the company for years to come.

“They were hoping they could groom him to be in the John Cena position.”

That comment stood out because it frames Cody’s return as a deliberate attempt to create WWE’s next franchise star. Rollins went on to explain that this version of Cody was very different from the one who left years earlier, noting that management didn’t see him as that level of performer at the time.

“When he left, Top Brass didn’t see him as that guy. When he came back, the hope was that he could be.”

Rollins also pointed to their trilogy of matches—culminating in the brutal Hell in a Cell bout—as the moment that helped solidify WWE’s belief in Rhodes. Those matches weren’t just about settling a feud; they were about proving Cody could handle the pressure and expectations that come with being “the guy.”

“These three matches really cemented him as the guy who could be the next guy.”

Coming from Rollins, a performer who has himself carried WWE through multiple eras, the statement carries extra credibility. It also helps explain why Cody has been presented so differently since his return, with consistent main-event placement and long-term storytelling built around him.

WWE may never officially declare a successor to John Cena, but Rollins’ comments strongly suggest that Cody Rhodes was brought back with exactly that goal in mind.