Why Won't Cody Rhodes Turn Heel? An Analysis of WWE's Modern Hero

Professional wrestling relies on the dynamic tension between heroes and villains. Historically, some of the industry's most successful performers have reinvented themselves through dramatic character transformations. Hulk Hogan shocked audiences when he joined the New World Order in 1996. Steve Austin briefly experimented with villainy in 2001. Roman Reigns revitalized his career by transforming into "The Tribal Chief" in 2020. Given these precedents, many wrestling fans continue to ask why WWE has resisted turning Cody Rhodes heel despite his position at the top of the company.

This article argues that WWE has not turned Cody Rhodes heel because his current role fulfills critical business, narrative, and symbolic functions. Rhodes represents the company's ideal modern babyface, appeals to multiple audience demographics, generates substantial merchandise revenue, and embodies a long-term storytelling investment that WWE is unwilling to disrupt. While fan discussions frequently call for a villainous version of Rhodes, WWE currently benefits more from maintaining him as a heroic figure.

Cody Rhodes as WWE's Traditional Hero

Since returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, Cody Rhodes has occupied a role rarely seen in contemporary wrestling: the unapologetic babyface. Unlike many modern wrestling protagonists who rely on antihero characteristics, Rhodes presents himself as an earnest, optimistic, and morally driven character.

His central narrative revolves around "finishing the story" by winning the WWE Championship that eluded his father, Dusty Rhodes. This story draws heavily upon themes of family legacy, perseverance, and redemption. WWE spent nearly two years building this narrative before Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL in April 2024.

Turning Rhodes' heel shortly after achieving this goal would undermine years of carefully constructed storytelling. WWE invested significant television time, premium live event matches, promotional materials, and audience emotional capital into Rhodes' journey. A heel turn would risk diminishing the payoff that the company spent years developing.

Unlike Roman Reigns, whose character suffered from audience rejection before his heel transformation, Rhodes enjoys widespread crowd support. WWE, therefore, lacks the narrative necessity that often motivates major character changes.

Merchandise and Business Considerations

The most significant reason Rhodes remains a babyface may be financial rather than creative.

Historically, wrestling companies protect performers who generate substantial merchandise revenue and attract younger viewers. Rhodes occupies both categories. His merchandise consistently ranks among WWE's top sellers, and his presentation appeals strongly to families and children.

The company actively markets Rhodes as a role model. He regularly appears in community outreach programs, media appearances, charity events, and promotional campaigns. His image aligns closely with WWE's corporate branding strategy.

John Cena provides an important comparison. Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, many adult fans demanded a Cena heel turn. Despite persistent criticism, WWE refused because Cena remained the company's most valuable ambassador. Merchandise sales, media visibility, and appeal to younger audiences outweighed the creative benefits of a character change.

Rhodes currently occupies a similar position. WWE likely views him as a dependable public representative whose heroic image strengthens the company's broader business objectives.

The Legacy of Dusty Rhodes

Another factor influencing WWE's decision involves the symbolic importance of Cody Rhodes' family legacy.

Dusty Rhodes remains one of the most beloved figures in wrestling history. Throughout his career, Dusty embodied the working-class hero who challenged powerful elites. Cody's modern character intentionally reflects many of those same themes.

WWE has consistently presented Cody as the continuation of Dusty's legacy. Promotional packages, documentary projects, interviews, and storyline segments frequently emphasize this connection. Fans do not merely support Cody because of his wrestling ability; many support him because they perceive him as fulfilling a generational dream.

A heel turn could complicate this symbolism. While villains can certainly possess compelling motivations, turning Rhodes into a self-serving antagonist would conflict with the emotional framework WWE has built around the Rhodes family narrative.

As a result, the company gains more value from portraying Cody as the heir to Dusty's ideals rather than as their rejection.

Audience Fragmentation and Modern Wrestling Fandom

Contemporary wrestling audiences differ significantly from those of previous generations. Social media, podcasts, streaming services, and online communities create highly fragmented fan opinions.

Within online wrestling discourse, many fans advocate for a heel Rhodes because they believe character transformations produce fresh storytelling opportunities. These audiences often compare Rhodes to Roman Reigns, Hulk Hogan, or Bret Hart and argue that a villainous turn would create compelling television.

However, online discussions do not necessarily reflect WWE's broader audience. Live event reactions consistently demonstrate strong support for Rhodes. Children wear his merchandise, audiences sing his entrance theme, and crowds regularly react positively to his appearances.

WWE evaluates multiple metrics when assessing performer popularity. Merchandise sales, television ratings, ticket sales, social media engagement, and audience demographics all influence creative decisions. While certain online communities may desire a heel turn, broader audience data likely suggests that Rhodes remains highly effective as a babyface.

The Roman Reigns Comparison

Many fans point to Roman Reigns as evidence that WWE should eventually turn Rhodes heel. However, important differences exist between the two performers.

Before becoming the Tribal Chief, Reigns struggled with audience acceptance. WWE repeatedly presented him as the company's heroic face, yet significant portions of the audience rejected that role. His heel turn emerged partly as a response to this disconnect.

Rhodes faces the opposite situation. Most audiences accept his heroic presentation. He does not encounter the widespread resistance that characterized Reigns' earlier career.

Additionally, WWE currently benefits from maintaining a clear distinction between Rhodes and Reigns. Reigns dominated WWE as a calculating, villainous champion. Rhodes serves as the heroic champion who restored balance after years of Bloodline dominance.

Turning Rhodes heel too quickly would blur this contrast and potentially weaken one of WWE's most successful long-term narrative structures.

Could Cody Rhodes Eventually Turn Heel?

Although WWE currently benefits from Rhodes' heroic role, wrestling history suggests that no character remains unchanged forever.

A future heel turn could become effective under specific conditions. Audience fatigue, declining merchandise performance, creative stagnation, or a compelling storyline could eventually justify a transformation. Rhodes himself demonstrated considerable success as a villain during portions of his earlier career and possesses the promotional skills necessary to excel in that role.

Potential storylines could involve Rhodes becoming obsessed with maintaining championship status, embracing corporate authority, or developing resentment toward newer fan favorites. Such narratives could produce substantial dramatic tension.

However, WWE appears unlikely to pursue these options in the immediate future because Rhodes continues to perform effectively as the company's leading hero.

WWE has not turned Cody Rhodes heel because the company currently gains more value from his position as its premier babyface. Rhodes generates merchandise revenue, appeals to diverse audience demographics, embodies the legacy of Dusty Rhodes, and serves as the central figure in one of WWE's most successful modern storylines. Unlike Roman Reigns, he does not face widespread audience rejection that necessitates a dramatic character shift.

While a future heel turn remains possible, WWE's present business and creative strategies favor maintaining Rhodes as a heroic figure. In an era increasingly defined by antiheroes and morally ambiguous characters, Cody Rhodes occupies a rarer role: the traditional wrestling protagonist. Until that role loses its effectiveness, WWE has little incentive to transform him into a villain.