Cody Rhodes Just Made His First Villain Move — Did You Catch It?
Something may be stirring beneath the surface of WWE's top babyface — and fans are beginning to take notice.
Cody Rhodes, known for his unwavering heroism since his return to WWE in 2022, may be on the slow burn path toward a heel turn, according to subtle clues dropped during recent appearances.
A Subtle Shift at Night of Champions
The most compelling hint came during the King of the Ring Tournament Final at Night of Champions on June 28, where Rhodes squared off against longtime friend and 14-time world champion Randy Orton.
At a pivotal moment, Orton removed a turnbuckle pad to gain an edge. But the plan backfired when Rhodes countered, sending Orton ribs-first into the exposed steel. Moments later, he landed Cross Rhodes and secured the win — but the move raised eyebrows.
“Good guys don’t throw their friends into turnbuckles that are exposed,” said Megan Morant during the latest WWE Raw Recap, as she and Sam Roberts speculated on the American Nightmare’s evolving character.
Roberts added:
“You think Cody’s on the path to becoming a villain?”
It wasn’t just the win — it was how he won.
A Rock-Sized Temptation
The tease of a darker turn isn’t new. The idea was reportedly floated earlier this year by none other than The Rock, who pushed for a Cody Rhodes heel turn leading into WrestleMania season. WWE reportedly declined the pitch, concerned it would disrupt merchandise sales and fan support.
Still, the idea lingers — and Rhodes himself hasn’t entirely dismissed it.
In a recent appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams, Rhodes was asked directly about the possibility of going heel:
“I think you have a good solid year, maybe even three years, because I am not changing until I’m changed, if that makes any sense,” Rhodes said. “My hair is naturally dark. I don’t know if I could go back. But if The Rock had it his way, I would have been changed already. So maybe he sees something I don’t… maybe I follow his lead. Maybe not.”
What’s Next for The American Nightmare?
With a King of the Ring victory now under his belt, Cody Rhodes is set to face John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam. But win or lose, fans are paying close attention to how Rhodes carries himself on the road ahead.
Is this the beginning of a slow, methodical shift in his persona? Or just a necessary edge as competition heats up?
One thing is clear: The Nightmare may not always wear white.
