Triple H Confirms Cody Rhodes for Wrestlepalooza — Will We See a Heel Turn?

Paul “Triple H” Levesque dropped a major announcement during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show this week: Cody Rhodes will officially be part of Wrestlepalooza when WWE rolls into Indianapolis on September 20.

The news ends weeks of uncertainty surrounding The American Nightmare, who has been off WWE television since early August. Rhodes missed Clash in Paris due to filming commitments for his role as Guile in the upcoming Street Fighter film, scheduled to hit theaters in 2026. WWE covered his absence with a storyline injury, writing him off after Drew McIntyre delivered a vicious Claymore that sent Cody crashing head-first into the announce desk.

The Speculation Around a Heel Turn

While Levesque confirmed Rhodes’ return, there’s been persistent chatter within the wrestling community about the possibility of a Cody Rhodes heel turn. Fans and pundits alike have pointed out that WWE could use Wrestlepalooza as the perfect stage for such a shocking moment.

Cody himself has shot down the rumors on multiple occasions, insisting that his current babyface run isn’t about to end. Still, denials often fuel speculation in pro wrestling, with many believing it could be a smokescreen designed to protect a massive surprise. With Triple H and WWE Creative reportedly determined to “pull out all the stops” for Wrestlepalooza, it’s hard to rule anything out.

McIntyre, Orton, and the Road to Wrestlepalooza

Meanwhile, Cody’s attacker Drew McIntyre has his hands full. He’s scheduled to face Randy Orton on Friday Night SmackDown this week in Norfolk, Virginia. That match could serve as a major piece in the build to whatever role Rhodes plays at Wrestlepalooza, especially if WWE continues intertwining these storylines.

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Cody Rhodes being confirmed for Wrestlepalooza is a win for fans and for WWE, which has been looking to cement the event as a marquee premium live show. The real intrigue, though, is whether this is just Cody’s triumphant return — or the start of his long-rumored heel turn.

Triple H has made no secret that he wants Wrestlepalooza to stand out, and pulling the trigger on a shocking Cody heel turn would certainly achieve that. Whether WWE actually goes down that road remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Cody Rhodes’ presence instantly raises the stakes for Indianapolis. With the failed heel turn we seen already this year with John Cena, one thing is for sure it has to be done right.

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