WWE Planning Character Change for Cody Rhodes After Undisputed Title Loss

Cody Rhodes may have lost the Undisputed WWE Championship, but fans hoping for a full-blown heel turn aren’t getting it—at least not yet.

In an update from Cory Hayes of Bodyslam.net, it was revealed that despite the shocking loss to Drew McIntyre in their brutal 3 Stages of Hell match on SmackDown, Rhodes is not turning heel. However, Hayes confirmed that a noticeable change is coming, as Rhodes’ character will undergo a shift.

“Not a turn but a character shift,” Hayes clarified when asked about Rhodes’ next move.

The comment comes on the heels of McIntyre’s win over Rhodes, ending the American Nightmare’s 159-day title reign. McIntyre wasted no time mocking Rhodes on social media, posting fan reactions like “The thinkable happened,” and “End of an error.”

As previously reported by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, WWE officials felt McIntyre “needed to win this title match” to solidify himself as a top-tier talent heading into WrestleMania 42 season. The finish—featuring the dramatic return of Jacob Fatu inside the steel cage—was reportedly pitched by both Rhodes and McIntyre.

With Rhodes now back in chase mode, Fatu’s return shaking things up, and this incoming character evolution on the horizon, the road to the Royal Rumble just got a whole lot more interesting.

What kind of shift do you think Cody Rhodes will undergo? Should he embrace a darker edge, or stay the course as a babyface? Let us know below!