WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray has openly expressed doubts about the company’s current creative direction regarding the possibility of Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes turning heel. Speaking on the “Busted Open” podcast, Bully made it clear that now is not the right time for Rhodes’ heel turn, highlighting the significant risks WWE would take if they moved forward prematurely with this storyline shift.
Why Bully Ray Believes a Rhodes Heel Turn Isn’t Wise Right Now
Bully Ray has long recognized Cody Rhodes’ heel persona from their shared days in Ring of Honor, where Rhodes was a notorious villain with the Bullet Club faction. Despite this, Bully doesn’t believe that turning Cody heel at this stage makes sense for WWE. His primary concern revolves around the impact on WWE’s babyface landscape.
He questioned, “If you turn Cody Rhodes heel right this second, who’s your go-to heel that resonates with kids the way Cody does?” pointing out that Rhodes has a unique appeal to younger fans, citing his colorful robes and overall hopeful image that children emulate. By contrast, Bully noted that other top stars, such as CM Punk, do not connect with kids in quite the same way, as Punk’s fanbase trends older and more rebellious.
This nuanced perspective underscores how WWE risks losing a critical pillar of its fan-friendly hero image if Rhodes moves to the dark side too soon. Bully emphasized Cody’s status as the biggest full-time player in wrestling today and praised him as someone “the boss wants there because he gets it.” This suggests WWE should carefully weigh the repercussions before altering Rhodes’ character trajectory.
The Challenge of Pulling Off a Heel Turn for Cody
Bully also discussed the complexity of executing a heel turn successfully in WWE, especially citing the difficulty of a double turn scenario involving Cody Rhodes and John Cena, rumored ahead of SummerSlam 2025. He stressed that for a double turn to work — where both wrestlers switch between hero and villain roles simultaneously — “everything has to fall into place perfectly.” He warned that this storytelling device often fails and is very risky because it demands the audience to instantly flip their emotional investment.
Bully’s reservations are rooted not only in timing but also narrative clarity. Drawing parallels with iconic heel turns in wrestling history (such as Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant), he argued that those transformations succeeded because there was a clear and compelling reason behind the turn. He hasn’t seen that justified storyline reason for Rhodes yet, hinting WWE’s change might feel forced or ill-timed.
What Cody Rhodes Himself Says About Turning Heel
Cody Rhodes has addressed heel turn rumors multiple times, usually playing coy but leaning against an immediate switch. In a recent interview ahead of SummerSlam 2025, Rhodes said he did not foresee a heel turn “anytime soon” and described his vision of a heel character as something more radical — joking that his heel persona might be so disliked it would try to get “canceled.”
Rhodes’ comments have kept the door open but suggested his babyface character is still the present focus and that a heel turn, if it happens at all, will be part of a longer-term creative arc. Sources close to Rhodes have revealed that he is enjoying the momentum and connection he currently has with the WWE Universe, valuing the role of Undisputed WWE Champion as a top babyface.
Backstage Sentiment: Balancing Star Power and Audience Connection
According to a WWE insider, “There is genuine respect backstage for Cody’s ability to connect with a broad audience, especially young fans. Turning him heel is seen as a seismic shift that could backfire if not handled correctly.” The insider added, “WWE wants to keep that hopeful, inspirational figure alive for now, which explains why the heel turn chatter remains speculative.“
This backstage caution aligns with Bully Ray’s perspective that the timing and rationale behind such a move are crucial. As fandom speculation swells around Cody’s SummerSlam match against John Cena, WWE’s creative team faces the challenge of either solidifying Rhodes’ babyface status or crafting a heel turn that maintains emotional investment and storyline coherence.
Implications for WWE’s Landscape If Cody Turns Heel
Bully Ray concluded that the landscape of WWE would significantly change if Cody Rhodes turns heel. It would create an immediate vacuum on the babyface side, posing questions about who could elevate themselves to fill the space Cody leaves behind. His endorsement of Cody’s current role implies WWE risks destabilizing their narrative balance without a clear replacement or fresh star to champion the face role.
This critical juncture in Cody Rhodes’ career and in WWE’s booking plans remains fluid. While a heel turn isn’t off the table in the future, all signs from veterans like Bully Ray and Rhodes’ own statements suggest that the company is treading carefully, cognizant of the high stakes involved in shifting the top champion’s alignment.
If you use any quotes from Bully Ray, please credit “Busted Open” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for transcription. For Cody Rhodes’ interview excerpts, credit WrestleTalk.com.