Five indicators former WWE Champion Cody Rhodes may be poised to turn heel
On August 16, 2026, commentary within WWE coverage suggested former WWE Champion Cody Rhodes could be approaching a heel turn amid his ongoing rivalry with Randy Orton, with five specific signs cited as evidence of a potential character shift.
Rhodes has spent years positioned as WWE’s quintessential babyface, cultivating a heroic persona that emphasised composure under pressure and principled behaviour. Recent segments, however, have highlighted changes in his demeanour and in the dynamics between him and the crowd. The coverage notes that nothing has been officially confirmed by WWE, but that several storyline and reaction trends could be used to transition Rhodes into a villain. Those trends are presented as a gradual, narrative-driven option rather than an abrupt reset of his character.
The first sign outlined is a noticeable change in Rhodes’s temperament: where he once remained calm when provoked, he has more frequently escalated confrontations instead of disengaging. That shift is described as a move away from prioritising a spotless image toward placing greater emphasis on winning and settling personal scores. If WWE chooses to emphasise this facet of his personality, the narrative argues, Rhodes could reach a point where fan approval matters less to his on-screen decisions.
A second sign is declining and divided crowd responses after Rhodes’s prolonged exposure at the top of the card. The commentary points to growing fan fatigue in some sections of the audience and suggests WWE could allow reactions to fragment naturally. Allowing a split in crowd support is presented as an easier path to a heel turn than forcing universal boos immediately.
The third sign focuses on Randy Orton as an opponent whose methods make preserving Rhodes’s babyface identity more difficult. The coverage states that "The Viper has spent decades mastering psychological warfare," and it adds that the feud with Orton has grown increasingly personal. Rhodes’s responses in the rivalry have become more aggressive, and the piece identifies a major betrayal, an excessive attack, or a particularly controversial decision as events that could push him fully into heel territory.
A fourth sign involves Rhodes leaning into long-standing criticism about his place in WWE rather than refuting it. Rivals have questioned whether he receives opportunities others must earn, and the analysis suggests a heel turn could involve Rhodes openly embracing preferential treatment. Such an approach would allow the character to adopt arrogant confidence without rewriting his past, according to the coverage.
The fifth sign examines Rhodes’s relationship with the world title as a driver for a potential descent. The argument presented is that a babyface can accept losing because the journey matters, but an obsessive pursuit of reclaiming the championship could morph into entitlement. That storyline progression—starting with a desire to regain the title and escalating into a willingness to sacrifice previously held traits—would make a heel turn feel like the culmination of an extended narrative.
Nothing in the coverage is presented as confirmed, but it concludes that Rhodes’s growing aggression, shifting crowd reactions, and friction with other WWE stars have fuelled speculation. The rivalry with Randy Orton is identified as a likely catalyst if their personal feud continues to intensify, and both names appear among the matches announced for Sunday Night’s Main Event September 2026 so far.