WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray recently voiced his skepticism about a heel turn for the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, arguing that now is not the right time for such a drastic character shift. Despite rampant fan speculation and ongoing rumors about Rhodes potentially turning heel, Bully Ray believes WWE should approach his creative direction more cautiously to preserve the current momentum of “The American Nightmare.”
Bully Ray’s Take on Cody Rhodes’ Character Direction
During an engaging segment on the Busted Open Radio podcast, Bully Ray discussed the possibility of a heel turn for Cody Rhodes—a topic that has surged among fans and wrestling insiders alike. While Ray affirmed that Cody indeed possesses the qualities of a heel, acknowledging their past locker room conversations from Ring of Honor where he told Rhodes, “Cody, you’re a heel. Cody hates everybody,” he questioned whether WWE is ready to take such a big creative risk at this time.
Ray elaborated on the complexities involved with a potential double turn between Rhodes and John Cena, who is scheduled to face Cody in a high-stakes match at SummerSlam 2025. According to Ray, “A double turn is not easy to do effectively. It’s everything has to fall into place perfectly because you’re asking people to completely flip their emotional investment in two people. We’ve seen it fail more often than not.” This underlines his reservations about WWE’s capacity and timing to pull off such a nuanced storyline[3][6].
Cody Rhodes’ Perspective on the Heel Turn Rumors
Rhodes himself has addressed the swirling rumors in multiple interviews. On ESPN’s First Take, he indicated he does not foresee turning heel “anytime soon.” He described his vision of a heel persona as radical, mentioning a heel Cody would lack entrance music, attempt to get “canceled,” and essentially dismantle his usual presentation, reflecting his concern whether such a gimmick would even translate on WWE programming[2].
Moreover, during a candid conversation on Busted Open Radio alongside Bully Ray, Cody highlighted that the heel turn chatter is largely a product of social media speculation. He pointed out that “It only exists on X [Twitter]… it’s a deep discussion there but not something anchored in WWE’s current creative plans.” He opened the door to the unpredictability wrestling storytelling always carries but stressed his skepticism about navigating down that path with limited time left in his in-ring career[5][4].
The Context Behind the Build-Up to SummerSlam 2025
The speculation about Rhodes turning heel has accelerated as his high-profile rematch against John Cena at SummerSlam approaches. Unlike their WrestleMania 41 encounter, this bout carries a Street Fight stipulation, raising stakes and fan anticipation for possible storyline twists, including a double turn. Industry observers and insiders suggest WWE might want to capitalize on this opportunity to refresh character arcs, but achieving a double turn that resonates emotionally and creatively with audiences remains a formidable challenge[3].
Sources close to WWE’s creative team revealed that while internal discussions about Cody’s future directions occur regularly, “there aren’t firm plans to pivot him into a heel at the moment,” attributing the persistent rumors to fan engagement and social media dynamics rather than concrete backstage decisions.
Why Bully Ray Believes This Isn’t the Right Moment
Bully Ray’s reservations revolve around two main points: risk management and timing. He highlights that shifting the figurehead of WWE’s babyface hierarchy—Rhodes has been the company’s top fan-favorite for over two years now—might unsettle ongoing storylines and fan connections. Turning a beloved champion heel requires a carefully crafted narrative and unanimous buy-in from fans, both elements that Bully Ray doubts are fully developed right now.
Furthermore, Ray contends that WWE’s history with double turns illustrates how rare and difficult such a storyline device truly is. He asks, “Does WWE have the guts to turn Cody heel? We shall see. Is it the right time? I’ve been telling Cody to his face since Ring of Honor days, ‘You’re a heel.’ But whether wrestling fans are ready, or whether the storylines support it, that’s another matter entirely”[3][6].
The Fan and Industry Perspective: What’s Next for Cody Rhodes?
Fans continue to debate the potential and timing of a heel turn for Rhodes. Many believe a fresh edge could elevate his storytelling and reinvigorate WWE’s main event scene. Others appreciate his current role as a top babyface and caution against undermining his hard-earned status.
WWE insiders confirm that while a heel turn remains on the table as a future option, it is unlikely to happen in the immediate months surrounding SummerSlam 2025. Instead, creative appears focused on elevating the Cena-Rhodes feud with intense physicality and dramatic storytelling without forcing abrupt character shifts.
Final Thoughts
While there is no denying Cody Rhodes has the charisma and personality traits that could suit a villainous role, industry veterans like Bully Ray urge patience and careful narrative construction. The upcoming SummerSlam clash with John Cena presents a unique storytelling canvas, but whether WWE will gamble on a risky double turn remains uncertain.
As one backstage source summarized, “Cody is WWE’s golden boy right now. Turning him heel is a big move that requires perfect timing—and right now, everybody seems to agree it’s too soon to throw that switch.”
WWE fans can expect intense action and compelling drama around Rhodes’ reign, but the champion’s path may continue to lean on his heroic persona—at least for now.
